Colonel Thomas Reynolds DAR Chapter, Mount Holly, New Jersey

05/07/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18t2MsCXEN/

Burlington County is throwing a party to celebrate our nation's 250th Birthday and the entire County is invited!

Save the date of June 14th (Flag Day) and plan to come to High Street, Mount Holly for this historic celebration! Stay tuned for more details soon.

02/10/2026

“A nation is easily corrupted, but not so easily reformed.” John Adams writes to a friend in London of the trying political times. What is that saying of Edmund Burke, the 1700’s Member of Parliament, economist, and philosopher, I believe it was “Those who don't know history are destined to repeat it.”

From John Adams
To a Friend in London
February 10, 1775

“The account you give of an overbearing influence in the house, and the want of feeling and spirit out of it, is of a very serious and melancholy kind: Americans are very sensible, that such accounts are true, and expect to fall a sacrifice to the knavery in the cabinet and the folly out of it, unless preserved by their own virtue, their frugality, or valour, or both.

“Shorter parliaments, a more equitable representation, the abolition of taxes and the payment of the debt, the reduction of placemen and pensioners, the annihilation of bribery and corruption, the reformation of luxury, dissipation and effeminacy, the disbanding the army, are all necessary to restore your country to a free government, and to a safe, honourable, and happy life. But is this practicable, is there a resource in human nature for hope of such a miraculous change? Is there one example of it in history, or experience? A nation is easily corrupted, but not so easily reformed. The present reign may be that of Augustus, but upon my honour I expect twelve Caesars will succeed it. What is to become of America if they should? Ought she not to think in time, and prepare for the worst.

“I have a great curiosity to know how the proceedings of the Congress at Philadelphia are relished in London, at St. James’s, and St. Stephen’s. I think it may be seen from them, that America is not insensible of her danger, nor inattentive to the means of her safety.

“I am also very anxious to know what the friends of Liberty think of the hasty dissolution of parliament; for my own part, I have ever thought this the most insidious and artful step of the present reign, it seems to betray more contempt of the people, at the same time that it betrays a dread of some remaining sense and integrity among them, than any thing else which has been done. You will allow, Sir, that the broil with America is a very great national concern. At a time when America was assembled to concert measures relative to this great concern, a new parliament is called of a sudden, before the people could hear from America, as if the minister disdained or dreaded that the nation should have opportunity to judge of the state of America, and choose or instruct their representatives accordingly; as if the minister scorned or feared that the people, the electors, should have opportunity to hear and converse together upon facts, before they chose their members.

“The design of the ministry seems to have been likewise to give the friends of liberty the go-by, in England as well as in America; determined to pursue their system, they would not suffer the friends of the constitution to converse or correspond together before the day of election, lest the constituents should bind the candidates to act an honest part. It is not easy to convey to you, Sir, an adequate idea of the state of this province. It is now at last true, that we have no government, legislative, executive, or judicial. The people determined never to submit to the act for destroying their charter, so dearly purchased, preserved and defended by the toil, treasure, and blood of their ancestors, are every where devoting themselves to arms. Our Duke of Alva is shut up with his troops, and his forlorn Mandamus Counsellors in Boston.—What the ministry will do is uncertain,—all the British fleet and army cannot change men’s opinions; they cannot make a juror serve, nor a representative. An attempt to cram a form of government down the throats of a people, to impose a constitution upon a united and determined people by force, is not within the omnipotence of an English parliament.

“If they attempt a campaign like that of Kirk, if they send the sword and fire to ravage in this country, they will find in New-England an hundred thousand descendants of the puritans in the Charles’s and James’s days, who have not yet lost entirely the spirit of Englishmen under the English commonwealth.

“Our enemies give out that persons who have distinguished themselves here, in opposition to the power of parliament, will be arrested and sent to some county in England, to be tried for treason; if this should be attempted, it will produce resistance and reprisals, and a flame through all America, such as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the head of the minister or his minions to conceive.

“I beg the continuance of your favours, and am, with the warmest wishes for the safety of both countries.”

https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Adams/06-02-02-0076

Image: John Adams, by John Trumbull, 1793.

© 2022-2026 Clifford Olsen/250Years America’s Founding

02/10/2026

The county display at the Warden’s House featuring Colonel Thomas Reynolds sword!

02/10/2026

Amid Civil War strategy on February 10, 1862, Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles ordered Commander David Dixon Porter to assemble a mortar squadron of 29 vessels for the assault on New Orleans. These floating gun platforms would bombard Confederate forts, enabling Union forces to seize the South's largest city.

The bold plan combined naval power and innovation, foreshadowing amphibious victories. Sailors endured harsh conditions, but success opened the Mississippi and boosted Northern morale. It's a tale of ingenuity under fire. As we honor military history, this operation highlights combined arms tactics.

What's a lesser-known Civil War naval feat?

02/10/2026

Chief Cornstalk, a man of war, and a man of peace.
He traveled the areas Ohio to North Carolina and Alabama and maybe more. On this day, in 1775, he notifies Governor Dunmore of the peace, but the Pennsylvanians on the fringe may not keep it that way.

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Williamsburg, Virginia, February 10, 1775.

A private letter from the frontiers, gives an account that the Cornstalk, King of the Shawanese Nation, a few days ago arrived at the mouth of the Great Kenhawa, where Captain Russell is stationed, and delivered to him several of the old white prisoners, and a number of horses, agreeable to Lord Dunmore's desire. The Cornstalk informs that every thing at present is peaceable and quiet in the quarter he left; but that he would not undertake to say how long that pacifick disposition would last, as the Pennsylvanians have sent some of their traders there, who were endeavouring all they could to persuade them that Lord Dunmore's view in bringing the hostages to Williamsburg, was to deceive them, and that, whenever it was in his power to raise another Army, he would immediately take every advantage in order to cut them off. This kind of reasoning, however specious, had no material effect, it seems, as the Indians throughout the different Tribes entertain the highest opinion of his Lordship's conduct with respect to his late manoeuvres on the frontiers.

This morning we received information from a gentleman at the Ohio, that the Mingo Indians have killed three of the Delawares, which gives much concern to the neighbouring white people. The Pennsylvanians, it appears, are greatly blamed, as they use every artifice in their power to create discontent and jealousy among the Indians. Our correspondent says they took one of our Constables, and immediately confined him in one of their Jails; upon which two Companies of the Virginians assembled, being determined to rescue him, which they did, together with some others which they served in the same manner, and also pulled down the Jail. The Mingoes, we are likewise informed, are very desirous to see Lord Dunmore, in order fully to comply with his terms, and to make a lasting peace with him.

American Archives: Consisting of a Collection of Authentick Records, State Papers, Debates, and Letters and Other Notices of Publick Affairs, 1837, 4th ser., Vol.1.

CORNSTALK
[Abridged from account by Dr. Draper.)

The Indian name of Cornstalk was Keigh-tugh-qua, signifying a blade (or stalk) of the maize plant. Born in the Scioto towns of the Shawnee, his earliest recorded foray was that against Carr's Creek(1759), in what is now Rockbridge County. Pursuing frontiersmen rescued the prisoners, and recovered considerable b***y. Again, in Pontiac's War, Cornstalk led a marauding party into the same neighborhood. Coming in the guise of friendship, the settlers at Muddy Creek in Greenbrier were first attacked; then the Clendennins, near Lewisburg—the party penetrating with fatal effect as far as Jackson's River and Carr's Creek.

Cornstalk was one of the hostages exacted by Bouquet in 1764, but escaped from Fort Pitt the following year. Nothing more is known of him until the opening of Dunmore's War, wherein, after failing to dissuade his tribesmen from joining battle he led the native forces with vigor and audacity. After his treaty with Lord Dunmore, the chief proved his desire to maintain peace by frequent visits to Fort Randolph to restore stolen horses, and to renew friendship with the whites. It was in the capacity of mediator that he came thither in the autumn of 1777, when, detained as a hostage, he with his son and two companions was murdered by mutinous troops, whose officers tried in vain to prevent the outrage. In the excited state of public feeling, it was impossible to convict the perpetrators of this deed, although Preston and Fleming made efforts in this direction, and attempted to pacify the Shawnee “on behalf of all the good people of Virginia”.

Cornstalk was a large man, of commanding appearance, oratorical ability, and intellectual grasp. At Camp Charlotte, it was reported, “When he arose, he was in nowise confused or daunted, but spoke with distinct, audible voice, without stammering or repetition and with peculiar emphasis. His look while addressing Dunmore were truly grand and majestic, yet graceful and attractive.” A monument to the chief has been erected in the court-house yard, of Point Pleasant.

Documentary History of Dunmore's War, 1774, edited by Reuben Gold Thwaites, 1905

Image: An 1872 drawing of Cornstalk from Frost's Pictorial History of Indian Wars and Captivities, John Frost, L.L. D.

© 2020-2026 Clifford Olsen/250YearsofLiberty

02/10/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago Brigadier General Anthony Wayne wrote to President of Pennsylvania Thomas Wharton Jr. on February 10, 1778.

“The Clothier General Informed me when I was at Lancaster that there were shirts in plenty at Camp. I find he was mistaken, for altho some Hundreds of our poor worthy fellows have not a single ragg of a shirt, (but are obliged to wear their waistcoats next their skins & to sleep in them at nights,) I have not been able to draw a single shirt from the store, for the want of which our men are falling sick in numbers every day—contracting vermin and dying in Hospitals, in a condition shocking to Humanity, & horrid in Idea —for God sake procure a Quantity for me if you strip the Dutchmen for them.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 247 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

You can find today's excerpt and many more on the Valley Forge National Historical Park website at https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/journals-of-valley-forge-feb.htm

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02/10/2026

February 10, 1763
The Seven Years’ War, a global conflict known in America as the French and Indian War, ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris by France, Great Britain and Spain.
In 1756, the British formally declared war against France due to France’s expansion into the Ohio River valley.
In the Treaty of Paris, France lost all claims to Canada and gave Louisiana to Spain, while Britain received Spanish Florida, Upper Canada, and various French holdings overseas.

02/08/2026

Eunice Ames Davis, abolitionist, activist, daughter of a patriot of the and community leader, she became a member of the DAR in 1896. She campaigned to change the law on in*******al marriage in Massachusetts, which was finally changed in 1843. Outliving her two husbands and children, she died in 1901. She is buried in Dedham, MA.

02/08/2026

On a frigid February 8, 1690, the quiet settlement of Schenectady, New York, awoke to terror. French troops and their Native American allies swept in during King William's War, setting homes ablaze and claiming dozens of lives in a revenge raid tied to earlier conflicts.

This brutal event highlighted the brutal frontier warfare of colonial America, where European powers and Indigenous nations clashed over territory. Survivors' stories passed down through generations remind us of the human cost of empire-building. It shaped early New York’s defenses and underscored the complex alliances of the era. In today’s world of global tensions, this massacre serves as a stark lesson in the cycles of retaliation.

How do we break such patterns? Share your reflections on colonial history.

02/08/2026

Shawnee Chief Blackfish captures Daniel Boone and then captures his salt-making party on a raid at Blue Licks, Kentucky, February 8, 1778 causing Boone’s court martial.

On February 8, 1778, the British had a victory on a raid at Blue Licks, Kentucky. Shawnee Chief Blackfish, with about 120 warriors, a couple of French Canadians and a black man named Pompey, captured 27 people from Boonesborough making salt and gathering meat. The first of the captives was Daniel Boone, who told where the salt-making party was, and then talked them into surrendering. Boone, it seems, ended up being adopted by Chief Blackfish.

The following is an eyewitness report from Daniel Trabue, who was in attendance of Boone's court martial:

Colonel Daniel Boone in Trouble

Colonel Richard Callaway brought up a complaint against Captain Daniel Boone, who is now called Colonel D. Boone, so there was a Court Martial called to try him. He was tryed at this time at Logan's Fort, and I was present at his tryal. Col. Callaway's charge was that he, Daniel Boone had taken out 27 men to the blue licks to make salt; that the Indians caught Col. Boone 10 miles below the men on Licking, where he was catching Beaver.

They were not going towards the men, and Boone told them of the men, and took the Indians to the men and told our men, "You are surrounded with Indians and I have agreed with the Indians that you are to be used well and you are to be prisoners of War, and will be given up to British Officers at Detroyt where you will be treated well." The men against their consent had to go with the Indians to Detroyt, and at Detroyt Col. Boone Bargained with the British Commander and said that he would give up all the people at Boonsborrough, and that they should be protected at Detroyt, and live under British jurisdiction.

When Boone came home he encouraged some men to leave the fort to go away over the Ohio River. Boone went with them to an Indian town, and that before they had got near the town they met with some Indians, and had a small fight, the Indians were coming to Boonsborrough. When the men saw them, our men hurryed back with all their might. They got to the Fort a few hours before the Indian army got there. Col. Boone was willing to take all our officers to the Indian Camp to make peace out of sight of the fort.

Col. Callaway said Boone was in favor with British Government; that all his conduct proved it. Capt. Daniel Boone sayd the reason he gave up these men at the blue licks was that the Indians told him that they were going to Boonsborrough to take the Fort and Boone said he thought he would use some stratigem, he thought the Fort was in bad order and that the Indians would take it easily. He, Boone said he told the Indians the fort was very strong, and had too many men for them, and when they came to take Boonsboro they must have more warriors than they now had.

Boone said he told them all these tales to fool them, he also said he told the British Officers he would be friendly to them, and try to give up Boonsboro, but he was trying to fool them.

Col. Calloway insisted he was in favor with the British, and he ought to have his Commission taken from him. Boone insisted otherwise. The Court Martial decided in Boone's favor, and they at that time advanced Boone to be a Major. Boone after that time appeared always to be on the side of the Government. However Col. Calloway and Capt. Ben Logan were not pleased about it.

Colonial men and times; containing the journal of Col. Daniel Trabue, some account of his ancestry, life and travels in Virginia and the present state of Kentucky during the revolutionary period; the Huguenots, genealogy, with brief sketches of the allied families
by Harper, Lillie Du Puy Van Culin, ed; Trabue, Daniel, 1760-1840. 1916.

A good biography is: Daniel Boone, the Life and Legend of an American Pioneer, by John Mack Faragher.

© 2020-2026 Clifford Olsen/250YearsofLiberty

02/08/2026

📜 On this day 248 years ago General Washington wrote to Virginia politician Thomas Nelson Jr. on February 8, 1778.

“It is with pain and grief I find, by your Letter of the 20th ulto., that our Countrymen are still averse to Innoculation, especially when consequences so apparently ill, must result from it.”

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This series of posts 'From the Journals of Valley Forge' features daily excerpts from the historical record on the anniversary of the day it was written 247 years ago. Primary sources include letters, journal entries, military orders, and other writings made by the soldiers, civilians, women, and men who were there.

You can find today's excerpt and many more on the Valley Forge National Historical Park website at https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/journals-of-valley-forge-feb.htm

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