America's 100 Other Declarations of Independence
The American War of Independence was fought from April 19, 1775 (Lexington and Concord) to September 3, 1783 (the Peace of Paris), and although Massachusetts and some other states observe the first of those dates as Patriots’ Day, neither has become a national holiday. It’s July 4, of course, that reigns as our undisputed Independence Day—the occasion for picnics and parades, festivities and fireworks, and star-spangled, red-white-and-blue kitsch. That was when the representatives at the Second Continental Congress, the 13 colonies’ newly formed governing body, signed the Declaration of Independence, our nation’s founding document, which is still often read aloud, 241 years later, at July 4 celebrations across the land.
Since 1776, the Declaration of Independence has assumed a near-biblical status in America’s national mythology—its opening paragraphs memorized by schoolchildren, its formulation of liberal principles of equality and self-government venerated by citizens of all political stripes. It still provides a trump card for its chief author, Thomas Jefferson, who in recent years has been increasingly scorned for the libertarian elements of his thought and for his slaveholding.
But in truth the Declaration wasn’t quite the singular achievement we remember it to be. As it turns out, nearly 100 other “declarations of independence” had already been issued in the months leading up to July 4th, 1776, by states, towns, counties, and assorted other bodies. The Declaration of Independence endorsed at the Continental Congress that July wasn’t a bolt out of the blue: It was more like a final draft in a loose, many-centered, wide-ranging process, authored not by one man but by a chorus of voices in a fledgling nation whose people had caught independence fever and were suddenly proclaiming it with contagious enthusiasm.
In the spring of 1776, talk of independence was everywhere. In that heady but fearful time, with the Continental Army already at war against British troops, military battalions in Pennsylvania endorsed independence. So did mechanics in New York and grand jurors in South Carolina. Declarations of separation from the Crown were issued, too, by the people of Topsfield, Massachusetts; of King’s District, New York (part of Albany County); of Anne Arundel Country, Maryland—and by almost every colonial assembly.
http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/07/04/americas-100-other-declarations-of-independence-215326
Interesting article. I come from one of those towns - communities in NY north of the city. It was a delicate time since the last royal Lt. Gov. (Governor) was a nearby neighbor. Since 1768 people were gathering together in communities to talk about "things" . "Things" that were happening in Massachusetts Bay Colony and other places. Whispers were becoming more than just whispers. Colonial Assemblies were increasingly pushing back against the demands of the British Ministry. Leaders were stepping up and being noticed by town folks. The first Continental Congress of 1774 was a place to discuss concerns. These leaders go together to formulate replies to the crown in forms of non-importation resolutions among others. New York set out to approve of many of the moves being made and sent out circulars to the countryside town and precincts. Committees of Safety & Observation started in the City and formations were urged to be created by other inhabitants. Called a Pledge of Association, soon places around the state elected people to form a Standing Committee. Leaders around the state began to emerge, the seed of rebellion was being cultivated in many small communities from Ny City to the backwater wilderness of upstate. My town was very active as a leaders like Col. James Clinton came forward to be delegates to the Provincial Convention, and later a Provincial Congress. In many places list of these Pledges of Association vanished, but we are fortunate as James Clinton retained them, among his papers.
On May 8th 1775, 147 good citizens here affixed or swore to this pledge.
Persuaded that the salvation of the rights and liberties of America depend, under God, on the firm union of its inhabitants in a vigorous prosecution of the measures necessary for its safety; and convinced of the necessity of preventing anarchy and confusion, which attend the dissolution of the powers of government, we, the freeman, freeholders, and inhabitants of -------------, being greatly alarmed at the avowed design of the Ministry to raise a revenue in America and shocked by the bloody scenes now acting in the Massachusetts Bay, do in the most solemn manner, resolve never to become slaves, and do associate, under all the ties of religion, honor and love to our country, to adopt and endeavor to carry into execution whatever measures may be recommended by the continental Congress or resolved upon by our Provincial Convention fro the purpose of preserving our constitution and opposing the execution of the several arbitrary acts of the British Parliament, until a reconciliation between Great Britain and America on constitutional principles (which we most ardently desire) can be obtained and that we will in all things follow the advice of our General Committee respecting the purposes aforesaid the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individual and property.
They still considered themselves Englishman and wanted the rights thereof. They did fully prepare to overthrown the yoke of oppression.
July 2, 1776 was the final formality I suppose, NY Provincial troops had already been in the field and sought to claim the 14th colony (Canada) during the dreadful winter of 1775. The operated in northern parts of NY taking Ft.Ticonderoga by the time the ink was drying on this pledge. From there onto Quebec City where their siege was broken in May of 1776.
