Inspired by his parents to make world-changing decisions
The News & Messenger is joining with the Smyth VA250 Committee to celebrate this country’s 250th anniversary by sharing the winning essays for this year’s Royal Oak Daughters of the American Revolution American history essay competition. Entrants were asked to write about having “Lunch with a Signer” of the Declaration of Independence. We’ll share an essay each week leading up to the Fourth of July.
James walked into the kitchen, grabbed the wooden bowls filled with stew, and had two wooden spoons in his left hand. He placed one of the bowls in front of me and handed me one of the wooden spoons. I started to eat. My mouth filled with joy. The stew was so good.
“I forgot to say I was also elected to the Continental Congress,” he said. “That’s where I signed the Declaration of Independence.”
“What an honor. That had to be a tough decision though. Why did you sign the Declaration of Independence?” I asked.
“I was convinced that independence from Great Britain was necessary to protect Colonial rights and trade,” James said. “Without freedom from taxation and unfair proclamations, the country would never flourish. You have no idea how bad it was. Taxes for this, taxes for that – and not a single say in how things were run. We had worked so hard to get here. I felt it was my duty to see independence through.”
“What did you do after you signed it?”
“I rode on a horse into York, Pennsylvania and read it out to the town. I was so proud of it. I couldn’t wait for others to join in the cause!”
He closed his eyes, anger seemed to form on his face. “You’re hiding something, what is it?”
In 1774 I was concerned about British oppression, so I advocated for a boycott of British goods to hurt merchants and force Parliament to back down from oppressive laws,” he told me. He opened his eyes, full of passion, and looked at me. “It’s not something I was super proud of at the time. Who boycotts the hands that feed them? I hope you understand though. The King was so tyrannical. It’s what we came to the New World to avoid.” He shook his head and wiped his brow. After a pause, he continued, “Enough about that, though. What other questions do you have?”
“To go back to you signing the Declaration of Independence – what role did you play?”
“I was a Representative of Pennsylvania,” he said. “I advocated for the people who lived near me. I tried to be a voice for our collective concerns.”
“That’s right; if you had to narrow it down – what choices do you feel like you made that impacted the path to freedom?”
“By promoting independence through my writing, organizing a militia, and representing Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress where you know I signed the Declaration of Independence,” he said. “As you can probably tell, after facing so much injustice – I became passionate and wanted everyone to know we were not powerless to the King’s commands. And since I signed the Declaration of Independence, some considered me one of the Founding Fathers – not to boast.”
“What is a Founding Father?” I asked.
“It’s a male leader who played a key role in establishing the United States through the American Revolution and the creation of the Government,” he explained. “I have done a lot of these past years and still have plenty to do,” he said.
He got up and grabbed my bowl and spoon and brought it to the kitchen, as if needing a break. When he came back he asked if I had any more questions. I nodded. “Just one more question,” I said. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while. Where did you passion for independence come from?” I looked at him.
“It came from my parents. My parents’ names were John MacDonald Smith and Susannah Jane Wilson,” he said. “They were great people who were proud of my accomplishments and passion for what I felt was right. They instilled a drive to fight for the betterment of all people. I hope I made them proud.”
“I’m sure they could not be more proud. Thank you for answering all of my questions, and the delicious meal. I really appreciate that. I know you have pressing matters to attend to. I will get going.” James and I stood up and he showed me the door. “Goodbye,” I said, walking out the door. I looked back once more. “Oh, and James – thanks for everything you have done. You’ve really changed the world!”
Meliyah Hale wrote this as a sixth grader at Chilhowie Middle School.
