--- Janean Ray <JRay38@neo.rr.com> wrote: > I just find it comical and I know times have changed > and things were thought > of so differently back then but I just laughed when > reading........ "all men > created equal" as they went home that evening to > their slaves. And to their wives and daughters too ... don't forget lack of real rights for females at that time. Men really meant male people only .... I've been watching a pretty good series on the Revolution and apparently Jefferson really struggled with this one (the slaves that is) and did want to include them but was hotly voted down. It is wonderful that our Constitution is a living document and we have been able to make changes to make our liberties more inclusive and contemporary with our times. Kathi Jones-Hudson MD Tombstone Transcription Project Manager http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/maryland/maryland.html __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

I just find it comical and I know times have changed and things were thought of so differently back then but I just laughed when reading........ "all men created equal" as they went home that evening to their slaves. Then the comment about the Indians and the "Indian Savages" when talking about "our frontiers"..... WHOSE frontiers? I wonder how it would be written today? JR ----- Original Message ----- From: "Carpenter-Stano" <carstano@comcast.net> To: <PA-OLD-CHESTER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Saturday, July 01, 2006 6:39 AM Subject: Re: [PaOldC] Happy 4th weekend > Good morning to you, Sandra and all of us who are reading your wonderful > message. > > It was the first message I read this morning and it made me sit back to > reflect on how wonderful a country we live in. Despite our current events > and trials, it made me think of our ancestors fighting for a life not only > for themselves, but for their families and the future, our future. Will our > battle for freedom ever end? > > Thank you for posting not only this history, but all that you post for us. > > Pat Stano-Carpenter > Massachusetts > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Sandra Ferguson" <ferg@ntelos.net> > To: <PA-OLD-CHESTER-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 6:02 PM > Subject: [PaOldC] Happy 4th weekend > > > > America was officially formed on July 4, 1776, when the Continental > > Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. > > The Continental Congress had declared the colonies free on July 2, 1776, > and > > most delegates signed it that day, but it took two more days for all the > > delegates to agree on a formal document announcing their action. > > There were no festivities to celebrate the signing of the Declaration > > of Independence, but there was a parade of Battalions, gun salutes, and > > cheers from the crowd when the Declaration was read publicly, on July 8th, > > of '76. > > The next year, on the 1st anniversary of the signing, Philadelphia > > celebrated with bonfires, the ringing of church bells and bands playing > > patriotic music. Fireworks were exploded, ships in the harbor fired 13 gun > > salutes (to salute the thirteen colonies) and every house in the city > > displayed a candle in the front window. > > Have a safe holiday weekend everyone. Hip,hip, hooray! > > > > Sandra > > > > > > > > Declaration of Independence" In Congress, July 4, 1776 > > The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America > > > > > > When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to > > dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and > to > > assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to > > which the Laws of nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent > respect > > to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes > > which impel them to the separation. > > > > > > We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, > > that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, > that > > among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure > > these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just > > powers from the consent of the governed; That whenever any Form of > > Government becomes destructive of these ends it is the Right of the People > > to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its > > foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as > > tothem shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. > > Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should > not > > be changed for light and transient causes; and cordingly all experience > hath > > shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are > sufferable, > > than to right hemselves by abolishing the forms to which they are > > accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing > > invariably the same Objects evinces a design to reduce them under absolute > > Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such > > Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. > > > > > > Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now > the > > necessity which contrains them to alter their former Systems of > Government. > > The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated > > injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of > > an absolute Tyranny over the States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted > > to a candid world. > > > > > > He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for > the > > public good. > > > > > > He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing > > importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be > > obtained, and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to > them. > > > > > > He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts > > of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of > Representation > > in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants > > only. > > > > > > He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, > uncomfortable, > > and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole > > purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. > > > > > > He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly > > firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. > > > > > > He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others > to > > be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapale of Annihilation, have > > returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in > > the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasions from without, and > > convulsions within. > > > > > > He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that > > purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to > > pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the > conditions > > of new Appropriations of Lands. > > > > > > He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to > > Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. > > > > > > He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their > > offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. > > > > > > He has erected a multude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of > Officers > > to harass our people and eat out their substance. > > > > > > He has kept among us in time of peace, Standing Armies, without the > Consent > > of our legislatures. > > > > > > He has affected to render the Military independent of, and superior to, > the > > Civil Power. > > > > > > He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our > > constitutions, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their > > Acts of pretended Legislation:For quartering large bodies of armed troops > > among us;For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any > > Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:For > > cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world;For imposing taxes on us > > without our Consent;For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of > > Trial by Jury;For transporting us beyond Seas, to be tried for pretended > > offenses;For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring > > Province, establishing therein an Arbitary government, and enlarging its > > Boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for > > introducing the same absolute rule in these Colonies;For taking away our > > Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering, fundamentally, > > the Forms of our Governments;For suspending our own Legislatures, and > > declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases > > whatsoever. > > > > > > He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection, > and > > waging War against us. > > > > > > He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burned our towns, and > > destroyed the lives of our people. > > > > > > He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to > > complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with > > circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most > > barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. > > > > > > He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to > > bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their > friends > > and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. > > > > > > He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to > > bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian Savages > whose > > known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, > sexes, > > and conditions. > > > > > > In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the > > most humble terms. Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by > > repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act > which > > may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. > > > > > > Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have > > warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend > an > > unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the > > circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to > > their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the > ties > > of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would > inevitably > > interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to > the > > voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in > > thenecessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold > the > > rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. > > > > > > We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in > > General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world > for > > the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of > > the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That > these > > United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States; > > that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that > > all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is > and > > ought to be totally dissolved, and that as Free and Independent States, > they > > have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish > > Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States > mayof > > right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on > > the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our > > Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor. > > > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this outgoing message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.6/378 - Release Date: 6/28/2006 > > > > > > ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== > > Unsubscribing. To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to > > PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com > > with the single word unsubscribe in the message or subject slot." > > > > NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY > ferg@ntelos.nettp://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/pa-old-chester > > this site allows you to browse by month.. > > > > please visit the Chester Co rootsweb site...it is full of area photos, > helpful URLs and lots of county information > > http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/ > > > > if you have a problem contact ME ferg@ntelos and NOT the list > > > > ============================== > > Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for > > ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: > > http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx > > > > > ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== > Unsubscribing. To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to > PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com > with the single word unsubscribe in the message or subject slot." > > NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY ferg@ntelos.nettp://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/pa-old-chester > this site allows you to browse by month.. > > please visit the Chester Co rootsweb site...it is full of area photos, helpful URLs and lots of county information > http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/ > > if you have a problem contact ME ferg@ntelos and NOT the list > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx >

A list member has sent me some copies of original tax lists, and I'm wondering if any of you would be willing to take on a transcription, for the list and for the Chester County genweb archives. You wouldn't have to do the whole thing at one time, but could work on it at your own pace, do a bit and then add it to what you've already done by posting the new info to the list (so it will appear in our archives)...AND, Cyndie at the genweb archives will gladly include any additions, when you have new transcriptions. They aren't too hard to read....but do take a bit of experience with old script. Anyone whose looked at any sort of documents from the 1700s won't have too much trouble, as they are in good shape. I have the following, if any is of a particular interest; 1722 Chester Co Tax Rates (I've started on this one) 1725 " " ( Aston, Bethel and Birmingham missing) 1726 " 1729 1730 1732 My feeling is that only the names need be extracted. If anyone is willing, let me know....and, allow me time to have another copy made....I don't wish to let the original copy go without another, backup copy. Your full name and mailing address is all I'll need, plus the year you're interested in.) If you decide to take a year on, be sure to check the tax lists already done, on the Chester site, under Tax and landowners. I've done various townships in various years, so you sure don't want to bother with something that's already been done. (for example, there are a good many from 1725 that I've already done .) Sandra -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.9/382 - Release Date: 7/4/2006

There is another bunch with the same ap Thomas name, early on..Richard Ap Thomas, from Wales, died in Philadelphia in 1683...his wife remained in Wales and married again. He had at least one son....another Richard, b ca 1672 and died in Whiteland...1744. I have more on further generations.... There is also a Wm Thomas, settler in Newtown, where he purchased land in 1698....was a Friend for a while but became a Seventh-day Baptist in 1710.....d. 1734. A David Thomas also settled in Newtown..buried there 1734...his line; David Thomas, son of Thomas Lewis, son of Lewis Philip, son of Philip Rytherach, an old Welshman who came over with his sons and grandsons. David Thomas and Jane, his wife, had Children - Philip, Ezckiel, Mary, Elizabeth, David, Gwin, and Margaret....David jr and wife Ruth - ch Absalom, Julian (married Hazael Thomas, Azariah, Rebekah, Margaret, Elizabeth, Samuel, Ruth, David, Jane and Uriah. There are other gens. given, etc, and a lot more Davids...... S. Does anyone have information about the ancestry of David ap Thomas whose will appears below? Could he be connected to the John ap Thomas who died in London before he could come to PA (circa 1682)? His wife and children did come to the new colony, however. David (ap) Thomas, Philadelphia County, yeoman; wife Mary; children Thomas, Richard David, Samson David, John David, Catherine, Anne (Evans), Gwen and Mary. Will signed June 29, 1717, proved Aughust 6, 1718. Could there be a connection to the Hugh John Thomas listed in the Merion Meeting Minutes in 1686? > > Thanks for any help! > Best wishes for a Happy Fourth of July, > Natalie > ndburrows@verizon.net > > > > ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== > Unsubscribing.... To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to > PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com > with the single word unsubscribe in the message or subject slot. > > NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY > ferg@ntelos.net > > If you have ANY problems, do not send them to the list > contact me personally....list manager ferg@ntelos.net > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > -- > No virus found in this incoming message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006 > > -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006

And, I am looking for a David Thomas born abt 1834 and died in 1863. He married 9 Feb 1857 Annaline Garrett Anderson. They had two children, Evan A. Thomas and Mary E.. Thomas who probably died in Philadelphia. Mary married a Lister. I wondered why Mary went to Philadelphia and maybe she had family there as I believe that her brother stayed in IA. Gail On 7/4/06, Sandra Ferguson <ferg@ntelos.net> wrote: > > There is another bunch with the same ap Thomas name, early on..Richard Ap > Thomas, from Wales, died in Philadelphia in 1683...his wife remained in > Wales and married again. > He had at least one son....another Richard, b ca 1672 and died > in > Whiteland...1744. I have more on further generations.... > There is also a Wm Thomas, settler in Newtown, where he purchased > land > in 1698....was a Friend for a while but became a Seventh-day Baptist in > 1710.....d. 1734. > A David Thomas also settled in Newtown..buried there 1734...his line; > David Thomas, son of Thomas Lewis, son of Lewis Philip, son of Philip > Rytherach, an old Welshman who came over with his sons and grandsons. > David Thomas and Jane, his wife, had Children - Philip, Ezckiel, Mary, > Elizabeth, David, Gwin, and Margaret....David jr and wife Ruth - ch > Absalom, > Julian (married Hazael Thomas, Azariah, Rebekah, Margaret, Elizabeth, > Samuel, Ruth, David, Jane and Uriah. There are other gens. given, etc, > and > a lot more Davids...... > > S. > > > > Does anyone have information about the ancestry of David ap Thomas whose > will appears below? Could he be connected to the John ap Thomas who died > in > London before he could come to PA (circa 1682)? His wife and children did > come to the new colony, however. > > David (ap) Thomas, Philadelphia County, yeoman; wife Mary; children > Thomas, > Richard David, Samson David, John David, Catherine, Anne (Evans), Gwen and > Mary. Will signed June 29, 1717, proved Aughust 6, 1718. > > Could there be a connection to the Hugh John Thomas listed in the Merion > Meeting Minutes in 1686? > > > > Thanks for any help! > > Best wishes for a Happy Fourth of July, > > Natalie > > ndburrows@verizon.net > > > > > > > > ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== > > Unsubscribing.... To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to > > PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com > > with the single word unsubscribe in the message or subject slot. > > > > NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY > > ferg@ntelos.net > > > > If you have ANY problems, do not send them to the list > > contact me personally....list manager ferg@ntelos.net > > > > ============================== > > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: > > http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx > > > > > > > > -- > > No virus found in this incoming message. > > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006 > > > > > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006 > > > ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== > Unsubscribing.... To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to > PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com with the single word unsubscribe in > the message or subject slot. > > > NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY > ferg@ntelos.net > > please visit the Chester Co rootsweb site...it is full of area > photos, helpful URLs and lots of county information > http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/ > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx > >

Does anyone have information about the ancestry of David ap Thomas whose will appears below? Could he be connected to the John ap Thomas who died in London before he could come to PA (circa 1682)? His wife and children did come to the new colony, however. David (ap) Thomas, Philadelphia County, yeoman; wife Mary; children Thomas, Richard David, Samson David, John David, Catherine, Anne (Evans), Gwen and Mary. Will signed June 29, 1717, proved Aughust 6, 1718. Could there be a connection to the Hugh John Thomas listed in the Merion Meeting Minutes in 1686? Thanks for any help! Best wishes for a Happy Fourth of July, Natalie ndburrows@verizon.net

from a lookup....... HICKMAN, JOHN. Thornbury.March 24, 1792. March 20, 1798.To Thomas Hickman, son of brother Francis, deceased, my plantation in Thornbury, whereon I now live, containing 118 acres. To John Hickman, son of Thomas, my plantation in E. Bradford, containing 111 acres, 40 perches. To Thomas Hickman with whom I now dwell £300, and £90 to be divided among his children. Remainder of estate to cousins, Joseph, William, Moses and Francis, sons of Francis Hickman, deceased, and Francis Hickman, son of brother Benjamin, deceased, Thomas and Joseph Hickman, sons of brother Francis, deceased. Executors: John Townsend, James Townsend, John Marshall. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006

http://www.mypennsylvaniagenealogy.com/pa_maps/pa_cf.htm You can find all the Pennsylvania and County formations at this site. It is a great site. Janet

Click here: Pennsylvania Census and County Formation Maps

I've had a couple questions lately about different counties.....were they part of Chester? If so, when? So, here is when all PA counties were formed, and from what....keep it handy. PA County formations; Adams, created 1800 from York. Allegheny, created 1788 from Westmoreland, Washington. Armstrong, created 1800 from Allegheny, Lycoming, Westmoreland. Beaver, created 1800 from Allegheny, Washington Bedford, created 1710 from Cumberland. Berks, created 1752 from Chester, Lancaster, Philadelphia. Blair, created 1846 from Huntington, Bedford. Bradford, created 1810 from Luzerne, Lycoming (name changed from Ontario in 1812). Bucks, created 1682, original county. Butler, created 1800 from Allegheny. Cambria, created 1804 from Somerset, Bedford, Huntingdon. Cameron, created 1860 from Clinton, Elk, McKean, Potter. Carbon, created 1843 from Northampton, Monroe. Centre, created 1800 from Lycoming, Mifflin, Northumberland, Huntingdon. Chester, created 1682, original county. Clarion, created 1839 from Venango, Armstrong. Clearfield, created 1804 from Huntingdon, Lycoming. Clinton, created 1839 from Lycoming, Centre. Columbia, created 1813 from Northumberland. Crawford, created 1800 from Allegheny. Cumberland, created 1750 from Lancaster. Dauphin, created 1785 from Lancaster. Delaware, created 1789 from Chester. Elk, created 1843 from Jefferson, McKean, Clearfield. Erie, created 1800 from Allegheny. Fayette, created 1783 from Westmoreland. Forest, created 1848 from Jefferson, and 1866 from Venango. Franklin, created 1784 from Cumberland. Fulton, created 1850 from Bedford. Greene, created 1796 from Washington. Huntingdon, created 1787 from Bedford. Indiana, created 1803 from Westmoreland, Lycoming. Jefferson, created 1804 from Lycoming. Juniata, created 1831 from Mifflin. Lackawanna, created 1878 from Luzerne. Lancaster, created 1729 from Chester. Lawrence, created 1849 from Beaver, Mercer. Lebanon, created 1813 from Dauphin, Lancaster. Lehigh, created 1812 from Northampton. Luzerne, created 1786 from Northumberland. Lycoming, created 1795 from Northumberland. McKean, created 1804 from Lycoming. Mercer, created 1800 from Allegheny. Mifflin, created 1789 from Cumberland, Northumberland. Monroe, created 1836 from Pike, Northampton. Montgomery, created 1784 from Philadelphia. Montour, created 1850 from Columbia. Northampton, created 1752 from Bucks. Northumberland, created 1772 from Lancaster, Bedford, Berks, Northampton, Cumberland. Ontario (see Bradford). Perry, created 1820 from Cumberland. Philadelphia, created 1682, original county. Pike, created 1814 from Wayne. Potter, created 1804 from Lycoming. Schuylkill, created 1811 from Berks, Northampton and 1818 from Columbia and Luzerne. Snyder, created 1855 from Union. Somerset, created 1795 from Bedford. Sullivan, created 1847 from Lycoming. Susquehanna, created 1810 from Luzerne. Tioga, created 1804 from Lycoming. Union, created 1813 from Northumberland. Venango, created 1800 from Allegheny, Lycoming. Warren, created 1800 from Allegheny, Lycoming. Washington, created 1781 from Westmoreland. Wayne, created 1798 from Northampton. Westmoreland, created 1773 from Bedford. Wyoming, created 1842 from Luzerne. York, created 1749 from Lancaster. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.8/380 - Release Date: 6/30/2006

Dott, Thank you for your note on acronyms. I am sure there are a lot of us out here that just can't remember all the acronyms/abbreviations that are running around in the world today. So we can use all the help we can get. Caroline ========================================== Dott114029@aol.com wrote: Sandra, Thank you for the clarification for LOC. So many people use just an acronym, such as LOC, rather then properly using the definition of the acronym and then use the acronym in the body of the text, so people know what you are talking about, example Library of Congress = LOC. http://www.loc.gov/ I think acronyms are used frivolously, far too often, in our everyday conversation. Having worked for a large corporation, I know everything and anything had an acronym. I would hope that I'm not the only one who would appreciate acronyms be defined before they are used on the list, it may help us all to clarify some terms unfamiliar to people who live in other parts of the country. Violet, thanks for pointing out the information in the title page of a book and how that can aid you to find a book at the LOC, guess I've been doing this the hard way for a long time and this may open many more avenues to my investigations. I have been busy in the past week documenting more information on the Pearson/Pierson line and hope to put this information together and give to the list later in the week. You may find it very interesting. I also have a relative who is temporarily working in Washington D.C., for a period of time, who has been going to the National Archives, trying to find leads on our family ties in Maryland and I have passed the tips that have emerged on this site this week on to him. They were most helpful.Unfortunately, the archives are closed at least until July 5 because of the flooding. Since I an in the mountains of Colorado, getting to Washington D.C. is a hope of mine someday, but not in the near future. I have also found my Dixon/Dickson/Dixson study I did last year and hope to post that too. Dott ======================================================= Sandra Ferguson <ferg@ntelos.net> Shame on you......you've missed all the good 'stuff' available on line from the LOC....Library of Congress. I have included several different URLS for the LOC on the Chester site....under General Interest URLs....different URLs for different aspects of this wonderful institution -three I can think of off the top of my head....... genealogy, prints and photos and historic buildings.. Sandra ================================================= Dott <Dott114029@aol.com> " What is the LOC in Washington, for those of us who don't know what the letters mean?" Dott Caroline Juker __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

He wasn't on the Welcome....and, you'll have to check the other lists of Penn's Fleet passengers.....they're on the Chester site, under Quaker Information. He doesn't appear on the early Chester landowners or tax lists, either. The earliest Chester will I can find for a James Graham is in 1731 (adm papers rather than a will)...nothing in Del Co, and the 1740s for Lanc. Co S. "James Graham in New Castle in 1682, as a witness to Penn's arrival and claim to the land of New Castle. It's not clear from context of he was a existing resident in the area or a member of Penn's party. Can anyone shed any further light on who this may be?" -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.6/378 - Release Date: 6/28/2006

Here's the one mysterious reference I can find to a James Graham in New Castle in 1682, as a witness to Penn's arrival and claim to the land of New Castle. It's not clear from context of he was a existing resident in the area or a member of Penn's party. Graham doesn't sign the 2nd document so it doesn't appear he is a resident of New Castle. Can anyone shed any further light on who this may be? I know there are a number of wills of James Grahams who died in Chester or PA as early as 1730's, but I am looking for any other references especially ships passage. So, I am wondering if there are records of this James Graham on the Welcome or related ships, or where he came from and went to after this. Was he an early Quaker? Is he related to the Grahams of Chester? It's the earliest reference I can find to Grahams in the greater PA area but I think I had seen some evidence of other Grahams in VA prior to this. The citation is found here and it is the only reference to James Graham in the entire book: Annals of Pennsylvania, from the discovery of the Delaware ... 1609-1682. Hazard, Samuel, 1784-1870. < http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=moa;cc=moa;rgn=main;view=text ;idno=AAV8575.0001.001 > The text conversion leaves some problems with some names and words, particularly when there are notes in the margin summarizing content of a page. I corrected some of the typos when I copied the text below but left quite a few. You can click on the page number and see the original page. The citation is: Signed, Thomas Holme, William Markham, Arnoldus de la Grange, George Forman, JAMES GRAHAM, Samuel Land, Richard Tugels, Josephl Curles, John Smith." (2) The context is in this text: 96 WILLIAM PENN, PROPRIETARY AND GOVERNOR. 1682. Thomas Dungan was commissioned, by the Duke of York, to be governor of New York.1 About this time, the ship in which, as before stated, President Moore, sixty or seventy servants, and numerous other Arrival of passengers left England, arrived in Pennsylvania, having had Poore, &c. only twenty-nine days' passage. Another ship arrived about the same time, having been equally fortunate. 2 After a prosperous passage of about two months, as Penn November 3. himself informs the "s lords of plantations," he arrived on the Wm. Penn 24th of October, which was for many years observed as the arrivesat anniversary. But as a record of it at New Castle places it the capes. on the 27th there, the only way to reconcile the two appears to be, to suppose that he intended to speak of his arrival at Deaths by the capes. On the passage, several were attacked with smallsmall-pox on pox, and many died. Richard Townsend, who was a fellow passenger, thus speaks of Penn's services: "This good conversation was very advantageous to all the company. Iis singular care was manifested in contributing to the necessities of many who were sick with the small-pox then on board, out of which company about thirty died." ", We had many good meetings on board." The arrival of William Penn at New Castle is thus recorded: ", October 28-On the 27th day of October, arrived before Record of the town of New Castle, in Delaware, from England, WILLIA-M Penn's arriv- PENN, Esq., proprietary of Pennsylvania, who produced two al. Taking o possession certain deeds of feoffment from the illustrious prince, James, of New Cas- duke of York, Albany, &c., for this town of New Castle, and tie. twelve miles about it, and also for the two lower counties, the WVhorekills and St. Jones's, which said deeds bore date the 24th August, 1682; and pursuant to the true intent, purpose, and meaning of his royal highness in the same deeds, he the said William Penn received possession of the town of New Castle, the 28th of October, 1682." 3 This proves that Penn, when he spoke of his arrival as on the 24th, must have intended his entrance into the bay or capes. The following memorandum and certificates show the fact of delivery, and the ceremony by which it was attended: 44 New Castle, the 28th October, 1682. -Memorandum, I London Doculmrnts, vol. iv. p. 133. 2 Claypoole's Letters. 3 New Castle " Old Records transcribed," p. 261. Page 597 1682. Certificate of witensses to the delivery of New Castle, and submission of the inhabitants (margin notes) that the day and year first above written, William Penn, Esq., by virtue of an instrument of indenture, signed and sealed by his royal highness, James, duke of York, &c., did then and there demand possession and seisin of John Moll, Esq., Certificate of and Ephraim Harman, gentleman, (attorneys constituted by witndesies to his royal highness,) of the town of New Castle, otherwise of New Cascalled Delaware, with twelve miles circle or compass of the tie, said town; that the possession and seisin was accordingly given by the said attorneys to the said William Penn, according to the usual form, by delivery of the fort of the said town, and leaving the said William Penn in quiet and peaceable possession thereof, and also by the delivery of turf and twig, and water and fowle (1) of the River Delaware, and that the said William Penn remained in the peaceable possession of the premises, as witness our hands and seals, the day abovesaid, and when the words and water and soyle of the River Delaware were interlined before us. Signed, Thomas Holme, William Markham, Arnoldus de la Grange, George Forman, JAMES GRAHAM, Samuel Land, Richard Tugels, Josephl Curles, John Smith." (2) The inhabitants of New Castle formally make the following pledge of obedience to Penn: "We, underwritten, being inhabitants of the town of New Castle, upon Delaware River, having heard the indenture made between his royal highness, James, duke of York and Albany, &c., and William Penn, Esq., governor and proprietor of the province of Pennsylvania, &c., wherein the said duke transferreth his right and title to New Castle, and twelve miles circle about the same, with all powers, and jurisdictions, and services thereunto belonging, unto the said William Penn, and having seen, by the said duke's appointed attorneys, John Moll and Ephraim Harman, both of New Castle, possession given, and by our governor, William Penn, Esq., possession taken, whereby we are made subjects, under the king, to the said William Penn, Esq., we do hereby, in the presence of God, solemnly promise to yield to him all just obedience, and to live quietly and peaceably under his government. Witness our hands, this 28th day of October, Annoque 1682. Signed, Arnoldus de la Grange, J. de Haes, H. V. D. Brieth, William Simpill, John Holmes, Hendrick Lemmons, Joseph Moore, James Parmes, Jonas Arskins, Giles ~'- t Barrotts, Pieter Classen, Samuel Land." (1) So in the record, but evidently intended for soyle. (2) New Castle Records. Pea Patch Case, p. 21.

Good morning to you, Sandra and all of us who are reading your wonderful message. It was the first message I read this morning and it made me sit back to reflect on how wonderful a country we live in. Despite our current events and trials, it made me think of our ancestors fighting for a life not only for themselves, but for their families and the future, our future. Will our battle for freedom ever end? Thank you for posting not only this history, but all that you post for us. Pat Stano-Carpenter Massachusetts ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra Ferguson" <ferg@ntelos.net> To: <PA-OLD-CHESTER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 6:02 PM Subject: [PaOldC] Happy 4th weekend > America was officially formed on July 4, 1776, when the Continental > Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. > The Continental Congress had declared the colonies free on July 2, 1776, and > most delegates signed it that day, but it took two more days for all the > delegates to agree on a formal document announcing their action. > There were no festivities to celebrate the signing of the Declaration > of Independence, but there was a parade of Battalions, gun salutes, and > cheers from the crowd when the Declaration was read publicly, on July 8th, > of '76. > The next year, on the 1st anniversary of the signing, Philadelphia > celebrated with bonfires, the ringing of church bells and bands playing > patriotic music. Fireworks were exploded, ships in the harbor fired 13 gun > salutes (to salute the thirteen colonies) and every house in the city > displayed a candle in the front window. > Have a safe holiday weekend everyone. Hip,hip, hooray! > > Sandra > > > > Declaration of Independence" In Congress, July 4, 1776 > The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America > > > When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to > dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to > assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to > which the Laws of nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect > to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes > which impel them to the separation. > > > We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, > that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that > among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure > these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just > powers from the consent of the governed; That whenever any Form of > Government becomes destructive of these ends it is the Right of the People > to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its > foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as > tothem shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. > Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not > be changed for light and transient causes; and cordingly all experience hath > shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, > than to right hemselves by abolishing the forms to which they are > accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing > invariably the same Objects evinces a design to reduce them under absolute > Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such > Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. > > > Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the > necessity which contrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. > The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated > injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of > an absolute Tyranny over the States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted > to a candid world. > > > He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the > public good. > > > He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing > importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be > obtained, and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. > > > He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts > of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation > in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants > only. > > > He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, > and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole > purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. > > > He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly > firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. > > > He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to > be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapale of Annihilation, have > returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in > the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasions from without, and > convulsions within. > > > He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that > purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to > pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions > of new Appropriations of Lands. > > > He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to > Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. > > > He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their > offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. > > > He has erected a multude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers > to harass our people and eat out their substance. > > > He has kept among us in time of peace, Standing Armies, without the Consent > of our legislatures. > > > He has affected to render the Military independent of, and superior to, the > Civil Power. > > > He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our > constitutions, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their > Acts of pretended Legislation:For quartering large bodies of armed troops > among us;For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any > Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:For > cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world;For imposing taxes on us > without our Consent;For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of > Trial by Jury;For transporting us beyond Seas, to be tried for pretended > offenses;For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring > Province, establishing therein an Arbitary government, and enlarging its > Boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for > introducing the same absolute rule in these Colonies;For taking away our > Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering, fundamentally, > the Forms of our Governments;For suspending our own Legislatures, and > declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases > whatsoever. > > > He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection, and > waging War against us. > > > He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burned our towns, and > destroyed the lives of our people. > > > He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to > complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with > circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most > barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. > > > He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to > bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends > and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. > > > He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to > bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian Savages whose > known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, > and conditions. > > > In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the > most humble terms. Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by > repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which > may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. > > > Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have > warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an > unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the > circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to > their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties > of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably > interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the > voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in > thenecessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the > rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. > > > We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in > General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for > the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of > the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these > United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States; > that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that > all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and > ought to be totally dissolved, and that as Free and Independent States, they > have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish > Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States mayof > right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on > the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our > Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor. > > > > -- > No virus found in this outgoing message. > Checked by AVG Free Edition. > Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.6/378 - Release Date: 6/28/2006 > > > ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== > Unsubscribing. To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to > PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com > with the single word unsubscribe in the message or subject slot." > > NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY ferg@ntelos.nettp://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/pa-old-chester > this site allows you to browse by month.. > > please visit the Chester Co rootsweb site...it is full of area photos, helpful URLs and lots of county information > http://www.pa-roots.com/~chester/ > > if you have a problem contact ME ferg@ntelos and NOT the list > > ============================== > Jumpstart your genealogy with OneWorldTree. Search not only for > ancestors, but entire generations. Learn more: > http://www.ancestry.com/s13972/rd.ashx >

Sandra, Thank you for the clarification for LOC. So many people use just an acronym, such as LOC, rather then properly using the definition of the acronym and then use the acronym in the body of the text, so people know what you are talking about, example Library of Congress = LOC. http://www.loc.gov/ I think acronyms are used frivolously, far too often, in our everyday conversation. Having worked for a large corporation, I know everything and anything had an acronym. I would hope that I'm not the only one who would appreciate acronyms be defined before they are used on the list, it may help us all to clarify some terms unfamiliar to people who live in other parts of the country. Violet, thanks for pointing out the information in the title page of a book and how that can aid you to find a book at the LOC, guess I've been doing this the hard way for a long time and this may open many more avenues to my investigations. I have been busy in the past week documenting more information on the Pearson/Pierson line and hope to put this information together and give to the list later in the week. You may find it very interesting. I also have a relative who is temporarily working in Washington D.C., for a period of time, who has been going to the National Archives, trying to find leads on our family ties in Maryland and I have passed the tips that have emerged on this site this week on to him. They were most helpful.Unfortunately, the archives are closed at least until July 5 because of the flooding. Since I an in the mountains of Colorado, getting to Washington D.C. is a hope of mine someday, but not in the near future. I have also found my Dixon/Dickson/Dixson study I did last year and hope to post that too. Dott

Dott: LOC = Library of Congress. It is located in Washington, DC. Look in the front of a book, usually on the back of the Title Page and you will find the ISBN number and A LIBRARY OF CONGRESS catolog card number as well as other information peertaining to the book. It is a facinating place to visit. I was there once a long time ago; and we saw some papers, hand-written by President Abraham Lincoln. Facinating! ****** I presently live near Washington, DC. This time it is in St. Mary's County, Maryland -- a part of the first English Colony in Maryland. Maybe, you have heard of the "Arc & the Dove", 1634 bringing the Catholic Colony under Lord Baltimore (a title for the ruling CALVERT family). The first Calvert in residence in America was Leonard Calvert and a Propriatary State was set-up. St. Mary's City in St. Mary's county was the first Capitol of Maryland; and after the Act of Tolerance. the State Capitol was moved from St. Mary's City and permantly established in Annapolis, Anne Arundell County, Maaryland.. I am a member of The St. Mary's County (MD) Geneaology Society, and the society provides bus once service once a month for 10 months in a year, which is designed to take researchers (& even sight seerers) into the District of Columbia, where they can do research at: 1) National Society of the Daughters of the Revolutionary War -- i.e., referred to as NSDAR or just plain DAR. There is a nominal charge to visitors (non- DAR members doing research). 2) LOC -- Library of Congresss; and 3) National Archives. (There are subsidiary buildings in some of the other States;. i.e.., there is a big one in St. Louis, Missouri, and recently I passed a place of storage in Northern Virginia for archived materials of the nation.). Last year, I made three such trips for the purpose of studing my Maryland and Virginia ancestors. Last year, I made three such trips for the purpose of studing my Maryland and/or Virginia ancestors. Some people do take & use a Laptop computer, while doing research. (It is my understanding that you can use DAR owned computers, but that they do not maintain an electronic networking system to use with Laptops as does my St.Mary's County Library.) Violet Moore Guy 06/20/2006 ----- Original Message ----- From: <Dott114029@aol.com> To: <PA-OLD-CHESTER-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, June 30, 2006 6:39 PM Subject: [PaOldC] Re: PA-OLD-CHESTER-D Digest V06 #212 > What is the LOC in Washington, for those of us who don't know what the > letters mean? > > Dottie > > > ==== PA-OLD-CHESTER Mailing List ==== > Unsubscribing.... To leave PA-old-chester-l, send mail to > PA-old-chester-l-request@rootsweb.com > with the single word unsubscribe in the message or subject slot. > > NO VIRUS WARNINGS - if you are concerned contact me PERSONALLY ferg@ntelos.net > > If you have ANY problems, do not send them to the list > contact me personally....list manager ferg@ntelos.net > > ============================== > Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the > last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx >

Sandra, thank you for posting the complete Declaration - - - even if we only do it once a year, on Independence Day, it is great to read again those words that inspired us to become the free and independent great nation that we are !! Happy Independence Day, all !! Dori

Shame on you......you've missed all the good 'stuff' available on line from the LOC....Library of Congress. I have included several different URLS for the LOC on the Chester site....under General Interest URLs....different URLs for different aspects of this wonderful institution -three I can think of off the top of my head....... genealogy, prints and photos and historic buildings.. Sandra " What is the LOC in Washington, for those of us who don't know what the letters mean?" -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.6/378 - Release Date: 6/28/2006

What is the LOC in Washington, for those of us who don't know what the letters mean? Dottie

America was officially formed on July 4, 1776, when the Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. The Continental Congress had declared the colonies free on July 2, 1776, and most delegates signed it that day, but it took two more days for all the delegates to agree on a formal document announcing their action. There were no festivities to celebrate the signing of the Declaration of Independence, but there was a parade of Battalions, gun salutes, and cheers from the crowd when the Declaration was read publicly, on July 8th, of '76. The next year, on the 1st anniversary of the signing, Philadelphia celebrated with bonfires, the ringing of church bells and bands playing patriotic music. Fireworks were exploded, ships in the harbor fired 13 gun salutes (to salute the thirteen colonies) and every house in the city displayed a candle in the front window. Have a safe holiday weekend everyone. Hip,hip, hooray! Sandra Declaration of Independence" In Congress, July 4, 1776 The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as tothem shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and cordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right hemselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Objects evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which contrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over the States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing importance, unless suspended in their operation till his Assent should be obtained, and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them. He has refused to pass other Laws for the accommodation of large districts of people, unless those people would relinquish the right of Representation in the Legislature, a right inestimable to them and formidable to tyrants only. He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected; whereby the Legislative powers, incapale of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the mean time exposed to all the dangers of invasions from without, and convulsions within. He has endeavored to prevent the population of these States; for that purpose obstructing the Laws for Naturalization of Foreigners; refusing to pass others to encourage their migration hither, and raising the conditions of new Appropriations of Lands. He has obstructed the Administration of Justice, by refusing his Assent to Laws for establishing Judiciary powers. He has made Judges dependent on his Will alone for the tenure of their offices, and the amount and payment of their salaries. He has erected a multude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance. He has kept among us in time of peace, Standing Armies, without the Consent of our legislatures. He has affected to render the Military independent of, and superior to, the Civil Power. He has combined with others to subject us to a jurisdiction foreign to our constitutions, and unacknowledged by our laws; giving his Assent to their Acts of pretended Legislation:For quartering large bodies of armed troops among us;For protecting them, by a mock Trial, from punishment for any Murders which they should commit on the Inhabitants of these States:For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world;For imposing taxes on us without our Consent;For depriving us, in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury;For transporting us beyond Seas, to be tried for pretended offenses;For abolishing the free System of English Laws in a neighboring Province, establishing therein an Arbitary government, and enlarging its Boundaries, so as to render it at once an example and fit instrument for introducing the same absolute rule in these Colonies;For taking away our Charters, abolishing our most valuable Laws, and altering, fundamentally, the Forms of our Governments;For suspending our own Legislatures, and declaring themselves invested with Power to legislate for us in all cases whatsoever. He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection, and waging War against us. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burned our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to complete the works of death, desolation and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty and perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation. He has constrained our fellow Citizens taken Captive on the high Seas to bear Arms against their Country, to become the executioners of their friends and Brethren, or to fall themselves by their Hands. He has excited domestic insurrections amongst us, and has endeavored to bring on the inhabitants of our frontiers the merciless Indian Savages whose known rule of warfare is an undistinguished destruction of all ages, sexes, and conditions. In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms. Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. Nor have We been wanting in attentions to our British brethren. We have warned them from time to time of attempts by their legislature to extend an unwarrantable jurisdiction over us. We have reminded them of the circumstances of our emigration and settlement here. We have appealed to their native justice and magnanimity, and we have conjured them by the ties of our common kindred to disavow these usurpations, which, would inevitably interrupt our connections and correspondence. They too have been deaf to the voice of justice and of consanguinity. We must, therefore, acquiesce in thenecessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold them, as we hold the rest of mankind, Enemies in War, in Peace Friends. We, therefore, the Representatives of the United States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved, and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States mayof right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our Sacred Honor. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.394 / Virus Database: 268.9.6/378 - Release Date: 6/28/2006