Following is a guest post by Elizabeth Rosenacker, President of the Harrison Symmes Memorial Foundation. Greater Harrison Chamber members are invited to share their expertise. Contact the Chamber to learn more.
Here we are going into America 250! Amazing and Exciting!
How did this all happen? We’ve seen the movies, studied the history books (for some of us many years ago) and toured historic places. But do we really know the people who put everything “on the line”.
As in the famous quote, “ALL GAVE SOME, SOME GAVE ALL”.
Who were these people, the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, the men and women who fought and sacrificed for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? Sons of Liberty? Minutemen? Culper Spy Ring?
From now until July 4th 2026, we’ll take a look at these brave Americans and perhaps be inspired and a little more thankful this Independence Day for the gifts they gave us.
So, let’s begin with the Sons of Liberty, after all they sort of started the whole thing.
Who They Were: The Sons of Liberty
The most famous Sons were started in Boston but several groups grew out of there into other towns. We know they were involved in the Stamp Act riots, Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party but just who were they?
Samuel Adams – John Hancock – Patrick Henry – James Otis, Jr – Paul Revere – James Swan Alexander McDougall – Benjamin Rush – Charles Thomson – Joseph Warren – Marinus Willett Oliver Wolcott – Christopher Gadsden – Haym Salomon – Hercules Mulligan -Thomas Melvill Isaac Sears and Benedict Arnold
Some names are famous and some are not but I mention them all because all played a huge part in the making of our country.
Did you know…
Samuel Adams founded the Sons of Liberty. He was a maltster, who produced the malt necessary for brewing beer (which of course, we have an ale and brewing company named for him) and he signed the Declaration of Independence.
Benjamin Church was the first surgeon general of the United States of America and was also a traitor along with fellow Sons of Liberty turncoat, Benedict Arnold.
John Hancock, signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a fire warden of Boston and a smuggler.
Paul Revere was a silversmith and the company he started is still in business today. Of course, under new ownership! During his famous “Midnight Ride” he was captured and interrogated by the British and released to continue on his ride.
Profile of a Patriot: Dr. Joseph Warren
Which brings me to Dr. Joseph Warren. Highly educated, physician, a father of four, he held the position of President of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, the highest position in the revolutionary government in that colony. He was the man who sent William Dawes and Paul Revere to spread the alarm to Lexington and Concord. He was a Major General in the Massachusetts’s militia. However, he chose to fight alongside his men and was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill. I must admit Dr. Joseph Warren is a man I highly admire.
In a letter to his tearful mother, he wrote;
“Where danger is dear mother there will your son be. Now is no time for one of America’s children to shrink from the most hazardous duty. I will either set my country free or shed my last drop of blood to make her so.”
major general joseph warren
When Dr. Warren died the British soldiers, knowing who he was, stripped his clothes, repeatedly bayoneted him and buried him in a shallow grave. A day or two later, a British Naval officer from the HMS Scorpion, Lt. James Drew, for some unknown reason exhumed the body, “spit in his face, jumped on his stomach, and at last cut off his head and committed every act of violence upon his body…his officers despised Drew for his Conduct.
Ten months after his death, Major General Warren’s body was exhumed by his friend, Paul Revere and his brothers and buried in Granary Burial Grounds then once again 1855 his body was moved to the family vault in Boston’s Forest Hills Cemetery.
Dr. Joseph Warren “Gave All”, may he Rest in Peace.
Next in the America250 series: The Signers
About Elizabeth Rosenacker and Harrison Symmes Memorial Foundation
Elizabeth (Liz) Rosenacker is President of the Harrison Symmes Memorial Foundation. The Board is contracted by the Ohio History Connection to manage the President William Henry Harrison Tomb and Congress Green Pioneer Cemetery. The Harrison Symmes Memorial Foundation also has a museum dedicated to President Harrison, John Cleves Symmes and the history of Miami Township. The Foundation educates the public through programs and tours of the tomb and museum and lectures at schools and community events.
Liz has been married to her high school sweetheart, Frank, for 53 years. They have three children, nine grandchildren and two great grandchildren. She’s been a westsider her entire life. Liz belongs to the Governor Othniel Looker Chapter, NSDAR, The Greater Harrison Chamber of Commerce, and volunteers at Mercy West Hospital. She has ancestors who served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, Civil War, WWI, WWII and recent conflicts. Liz has always been interested in history. After all, being born on July 4th she bleeds Red…White and Blue.