The Stanley Family ~ The "Gump" Family Line.

 

 

     Working on my genealogy I have learned to study what is going on in the world to help piece together unread information about my family.  As an example that doesn't relate to my family a person can look and see that their ancestors came from Europe to America in the late 1930's.  If a person doesn't dig deeper than that date only stays a date without an explanation.  But as a person digs deeper in learning about history during that time they will discover that Europe is on the brink of WWII and tension was in the air.  People over in Europe, who were able to, started to leave and come to America.  So a person can then say that WWII caused their family to immigrate from Europe to America.  It puts more feeling into it that simply saying "my family came to America in 1939."

     For those who have not had the privilege of watching the movie Forrest Gump a brief summery is about a man named Forest Gump growing up and interacting with different points of American history such as getting his name from a KKK leader, meeting Elvis, going to school while blacks tried to attend an all white school, going off to serve in Vietnam, meeting a few presidents, and buying stocks in Apple corporation without realizing what it is.  Recently I discovered one branch in my family tree that was around during some interesting times in America.  I jokingly call it the "Gump" line because this line has pretty much seen it all in America just like Forest Gump's character in the movie.  The correct name of the particular branch in my family tree is the Stanley (Standley originally but they dropped the D in the early 1800's) line.  It is from my mother's father's mother's line of the family and goes back 11 generations.  I wanted to highlight some of the important parts of history that my ancestor's were around to see and their connection to it.

Standley family was known to be in Massachusetts in1635.
Pictured above is NOT family but used to represent family in
that time era.



Map of New England in 1640

     It all starts with the pilgrims.  Okay, not exactly THE pilgrims but that is around the time frame I traced my roots back to.  George Standley was born about 1635 and lived in Massachusetts and married and died in Salem, MA..  The Mayflower came to America (Plymouth, Massachusetts) in 1620 - only 15 years BEFORE George Standley was born.  I haven't reached on who is parents were or where they were from.  That is another brick wall for another day.  On the map you can see Plymouth near the Cape Cod area (the hook part on Massachusetts).  Boston is further up north and Salem is just north of Boston still along the coast.  They could have taken a boat a few years after the pilgrims and entered through Boston and traveled north.  Perhaps this line came down from Canada.  I still haven't discovered that part of WHEN that line came to America.  I just know it is documented that he lived in Massachusetts from about 1635 to 1698.  I guess I will add that bit of thanks to my ancestor next Thanksgiving.

Salem WitchTrials in Salem Massachusetts.





    
     Salem.  Yes, that is right.  George Standley was living in Salem during the famous Salem Witch trials.  No, he or his family are not listed among the 200 that were accused of doing the Devil's work but that doesn't mean he didn't know of someone.  These people lived in the same town.  He had to of had commerce with them and trade.  This was a huge deal in this town.  I can bet he was reading up in the newspaper of what was going on and he and his wife, Bethiah, could of been there at the hangings.  The Salem Witch Trials happened during 1692 and 1693.  George didn't die until 1698, 5 years after the Salem Witch Trials.  Some of his adult children where there witnessing this event unfold too.  When George died in Beverly, MA., Salem annexed out a part of their town to create Beverly.  There were about 4 people right from his area!  George's son, Johnathan (still part of my line) married an Elizabeth Foster.  There is an Ann Foster listed as an accused.  Could Ann and Elizabeth be related?  Mother? Sisters? Cousins?  I don't know.  They were in the area and had one son in Beverly, MA..    http://www.salemwitchtrials.com/accused.html  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salem_witch_trials 

     George Standley wasn't without sin either.  In the Salem Quarterly Court Records and files on January 26, 1668 he was fined for fornication before marriage with his future wife, Bethiah (Lovett).  They did end up marrying in 1670 and had a child soon afterwards.  November 13, 1672 for breach of the peace. On June 24, 1673, George was fined again, but this time it was for being a cheat and extortion when it came to selling cloth.  December 3, 1677 he had taken an oath of fidelity (swearing allegiance to the lords or state).  September 25, 1679 when he was around 44 years old he testified about the time Salem new meeting house was built.  There was an argument over who had the bell and he claimed he never received the bill of lading nor did he pay for the freight of it but claimed that he brought the bell to his home.  (I need to dig deeper into that one to fuller understand it) and he was summoned the 29th of April in 1681 for Ephraim Herick in telling a pernicious lie. 

     Overall, George Standley had 11 children between 1670 to 1693 all in Beverly, Massachusetts before he died in 1698.  I am a descendant from his 5th child, Jonathan Standley born January 18, 1679 and died unknown in North Carolina.  It was through Jonathan that my family traveled down the coast to stay in North Carolina for a few generations.  I don't know why he made the move south.  His wife, Elizabeth Foster (mentioned above) was from the area.  They married in 1704, had a son in 1706 in Beverly but the following year in 1707 there is a land deed registered to Jonathan Standley in North Carolina.  Something happened during that time that caused them to move.  Better job opportunity?  Maybe Elizabeth's sister was accused and now the pressure was starting to focus on Elizabeth and her son.  This move could be means to escape.  Those questions have yet to be answered. 

Greene County, NC.  My ancestor lived
somewhat in that area.

     Jonathan Standley was a Mariner and had 3 children.  One son with Elizabeth and two sons with another wife.  The lived in Dobbs County, NC.  Dobbs County no longer exists but became part of Wayne County, Greene County and Lenoir County.  Registered in April 15, 1707 for 28 pounds he bought 316 acres.  On April 1, 1713 Jonathan purchased 313 acres for 35 pounds.  He started buying up a lot of land throughout his life.  Mariner life and the land was good to him and it all was starting to pay off.  The Standley's became a prominent family in North Carolina. 



An image of what a slave auction would look like.

 

      With owning much land in North Carolina during the 1700's usually comes with a sad price to operate it.  Slavery.  International Slave Trade didn't happen until 1808 so slavery was in full swing at this time.  Between 1701 and 1760, 189,00 slaves were brought to America.  Majority of slaves captured at that time.  Overall, 12 million slaves were taken from Africa but the colonies only got 5% of that.  Most were used in the Caribbean and Brazil.  Jonathan's oldest son, Jonathan Jr. (brother of my direct ancestor) in his will to his children willed some of his slaves to his children. 

Son David Sandley ~ Land I bought of Moses Hare on Roquis, Negro Sue, bed cows, calves which he has already received.

Son Edmond Standley ~ Land I bought of Dillard Harris and my land in Piney Woods that I had of John Barnes Jr also cows, calves and Negro Sam.

Daughter Elizabeth Roades ~ mulatto Cate, bed, cows, and calves.  

Daughter Jemima Kittrell ~ Negro Nance and an equal part of my estate for her lifetime and at her death the said Negro will go to her son Joshua Spivey.

Daughter Esther Spivey ~ Negro Dina and her three children which she now has.

Daughter Susanna Baker ~ Negro Jenney, bed, etc.

Daughter Mary Stallings ~ Negro Jada, bed, etc. which she has already received.

Daughter Martha Standley ~ My manner plantation where I now live and 50 acres of land that I bought of John Crickett, also Negro Sarah, bed, etc.

Goddaughter Sarah Thomas, junr, ~ The child my Negro Rose now goes with, but if Sarah should die without issue the Negro will go to my children. 

Wife Ann Standley ~ Lend 200 acres at Lumber Bridge, Negroes Mingo, Peg, and Nance, Cows, Walnut Chairs, Smoking Chair, ect.  Profits of the orchard are to be divided between my daughter Martha and my wife.

His wife Ann's dad Martin Gardner also left a will on October 6, 1755. 

Wife Annah ~ Negro Jim , bed

Son Jame Gardner ~ Negro Pompe, Ben, Bed and plantation, and land where I now live.

Son John Gardner ~ 440 acres adj my land on Deep Run and Cashy.

Daughters Ann, Annah, and Jane ~ cows and calves.

Daughter Ann ~ Negro Peg

Daughter Annah ~ Negro Ward

Daughter Jane ~ Negro Beck

Son William Gardner ~ Heifer

Daughter Catron ~ Mare

 Daughter Elisebeth ~ cow and calf and that is to be their shares.  

     Notice in the first group there was a mulatto slave that was willed to Jonathan's daughter.  Could this girl, Cate, be the daughter of Jonathan and another slave or could they have purchased her from an auction?  I am interested in the fact that Ann's dad didn't leave his younger 3 children a slave but instead farm animals.  I wonder if they were too young to receive slaves where the other children could have been married and out of the home.  Slave ownership is a black eye in the American culture.  Many look down about that era.  However, it was the culture back then whether we agree with it or not.  I was very surprised to learn about slavery being a part of my heritage.  I am not overly proud of it but I cannot pretend that it wasn't there. 

     My line, however, carries on from Jonathan Jr.'s younger half brother, Sands Standley.  Not much is known about him except he had two sons. Sands jr. and Shadrack.  There is a book titled "Sands Stanley of the Pee Dee Valley" written by Haywood Stanley in 1978.

     His son Sands jr. married a lady by the name of Zilpha Edwards around 1759.  Her name is also spelled Zilphah in the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) application National #486112.




Sands Stanley fought in the Battle of Moores Creek Bridge in 1776 near Wilmington, North Carolina.  It was the first battle of the American Revolutionary War that was fought in North Carolina.  He served in the Dobb's Militia. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Moore%27s_Creek_Bridge_NC

A: Moore moves from Wilmington to Rockfish Creek
B:  MacDonald moves to Corbett's Ferry
C:  Caswell moves from New Bern to Corbett's Ferry.
Sands was in the "C" movement.

Moore's Creek Bridge where the battle took place.

Zilpha's father, Colonel Thomas Edwards was shot and killed by a slave. This generation slowly started to wean the "D" letter from Standley to Stanley.  In 1733 Sands served as a member of the Committee on Claims of the North Carolina Assembly at New Bern.  It was documented that in 1792 and in 1793 there was a bill of sale for purchase of a slave.  Between 1760 and 1778 they had 13 children.  Again, our line continues from the 5th child, William Stanley. 

Shadrack Stanley served under
"Swamp Fox" Francis Marion.

     Before I go down my 5th great grandfather's line I want to take a moment and mention William's brother, (Sands jr. second child) Shadrack Stanley who was born 1761.  He served under General Francis Marion (aka The Swamp Fox) in 1782 as a private for 30 days.  He was around 21 years of age.  But his tale doesn't end there.  Soon after the Revolutionary War in 1803, the United States made a huge land purchase commonly known as the Louisiana Purchase.  At the time the boundaries of Louisiana and Florida were not clear.  Squabbles and feuding started to take place.  Finally in 1821 and with negotiations from Spain Florida became a U.S. Territory.  Shadrack owned land along the St. Mary's River where a lot of the squabbling took place.  Shadrack's son Shadrack was a surveyer and was told to go to Florida with 101 men near Gainesville, Fl.  They were supposed to be given 500 acres of land and supplies for one year.  Indian's attacked after a few months and they were told to get off their land.  Spain told them to forget the land and head back.  To make a longer story short by 1815 the King of Spain had given Shadrack 300 acres of land He also claimed an additional 640 acres which he improved.  He signed petitions for against Indians to roam around Florida in 1825.  In tax records lists Sands with 1120 acres of pine land, 150 acres of oak and hickory land, and 18 negroes.

     Back to William Stanley.  He ended up moving from North Carolina to Kentucky with the Transylvania Company.  Just before the Revolutionary War occurred there was another war called Lord Dunmore's War.  In a nut shell it is about the governor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore, wanting to acquire more land that is now present day West Virginia and Kentucky.  This was the Indian's hunting ground.  Daniel Boone, trying to set up this area for settlers also came under attack.  Boone's oldest son James and another boy were captured and tortured to death in 1773.  In 1774 the Treaty of Camp Charlotte the Shawnee Indian's agreed to stop hunting south of the Ohio River and to stop harassment of the settlers coming into the land.  In 1775 the Cherokee Indians sold Kentucky to the Transylvania Company. 

Wilderness Road in 1785
Daniel Boone led settlers through this path to settle in Kentucky.

     The Transylvania Company was started in 1774 by a judge out of North Carolina by the name of Richard Henderson.  He was able to get wealthy North Carolinians to help support him by joining up and moving out to Kentucky. 

Daniel Boone and a few settlers overlooking a ridge
over by the Wilderness Road.

     William Stanley, being a planter in North Carolina became involved with the Transylvania Company that moved into Kentucky.  He wasn't one of the first families from North Carolina to go as he had a son, Mark Stanley, that was born in 1791 in North Carolina.  The next documents I can find
William Stanley is death in 1823 in Hopkins, Kentucky.  Somewhere between 1791 and 1823 made a journey with the Transylvania Company to take an adventure over through the Cumberland Gap on the Wilderness Road and made his way to Kentucky. 

     Mark Stanley, born in North Carolina, made the journey across the country, stopped in Tennessee and ended up in Williamson County, Marion, Illinois.  He was a farmer, had 11 children and his youngest two sons served in the Civil War.  My line continues on through one of his daughters, Mary Jane, his 6th child.  I wanted to focus on her younger brothers who fought and gave their lives in the Civil War, Charles Stanley and Elias Stanley.



     The brothers were born a year apart.   Charles was born 1837 and his brother Elias in 1838 both in  Tennessee.  The war between the states was going on.  Elias signed on with the Union Infantry 31st

Regiment Illinois, Company C at the age of 23.  He was married to Nancy Chitty at this time and had one child.  He was in the Battle of Vicksburg having served under U.S. Grant Union forces.  He was injured at a small battle at Hill's Plantation, near Bear Creek, on June 22, 1863 and died a few days later on June 25th.  Eight men were killed, 16 wounded and 23 went missing.  Out of all the Vicksburg's battles 10,142 Union soldier's perished including the two Stanley brothers.  I am not sure what happened to Charles Stanley.  I just know that he, too, died at the battle of Vicksburg. 

     It is bad enough for a mother to hear about the tragic news of losing her two youngest sons in a war battle.  But her sorrow's didn't end there.  Her husband, my 4th great grandfather died a month later on July 10, 1863 at the age of 72. 

I had family that fought on both sides of the Civil War.
More direct line fought for the Union.
Distant line fought for the Confederacy.



     Other distant cousins from the same family line also fought in the Civil War.  Hosea Stanley was in the 42nd Regiment under Major General E. Kirby Smith in March 1862 in Georgia.  So I had distant family also fighting for the Confederacy.  He ended up dying due to sickness in Gwinnett, GA., October 1862.  Another relative Henry S. Stanley was a private in Company of 16th Georgia Volunteers and took part in many battles in Virginia.  On June 1, 1864 he was captured by General Sheridan at Front Royal, Virginia.  He was exchanged on October 29, 1864 at Point Lookout, Maryland.  He was admitted in Wayside Hosptial in Richmond, VA. for being wounded.  He died at age 70. 

     Even though I have family on both sides of the Civil War I wonder if they knew of each other from letters from their parents send off to their siblings.  Did they even realize they were fighting against their distant cousins?  I may never know the answer to that but it is interesting to see how the family back in North Carolina forked by having some family go Northwest to Kentucky and some family went Southwest to Florida and Georgia. 

     A few more generations later from Mark Stanley and his daughter Mary Jane and we start getting closer to me.  The trials and historical events still surround my family from the Great Depression, to suffering and death of TB, and the rise of the auto industry in Michigan. 

     Like in the ending of Forrest Gump we are all feather's blowing in the wind of time.  Where will the wind of time take my siblings, take my nieces and nephew's, take my children, and take me?  We are just a speck in a moment of time.  It is what we do with that time that can make that moment memorable.

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



      

Thoughts On Independence Day

     In the next few days many people will be enjoying cooking out on the grill, perhaps some swimming and enjoying time with family and friends.  Groups will gather around to watch parades and then see the fireworks blast off at night.  If a brief moment of your time I just want you to reflect on a few thoughts on the meaning behind this fun summer holiday.  Why are you celebrating this day?  What event caused the nation, on this day, to celebrate?  If you struggle to find the answer then please continue reading. 

     Revolutionary War was a form of a Civil War.  Think back to colonial days in our nation's history.  We were a branch off of England.  The land we claimed and took was for England.  We named cities and towns after some of the noble people of England.  Virginia was named after Queen Elizabeth, Charles Town after King Charles II and New York after the Duke of York who gained control of the land in the 17th century.  We were proud to be part of England. 

     Then the tides started to turn.  Due to a variety of reasons (laws, land, taxes, not having a voice in England) we wanted to break away and have a country of our own.  The Continental Congress sat down and wrote out the Declaration of Independence.  Just as it sounds, it was to declare our independence from England.   We were saying enough is enough and taking a stand against the country we were apart of.   King George was unfit to rule our country. 

     Fifty-Six delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia and signed the declaration.  It wasn't
until August that most of the men signed the historical document. The last signature was placed on it in November.  The document was approved on July 4.  However, signing this was not as easy as it sounds.  These people were standing up to the king and saying that they don't want him to rule America anymore.  They wanted to have a country of their own.  In other words, they were committing treason.  Treason, back then, could have a person hanged and these men knew it.  They were risking their lives in something they believed so strongly in.  They were not thinking of themselves.  They had the whole nation in mind as well as future generations. 

     As leader of Congress at the time, Hancock was the first to sign.  When John Hancock got around to signing the document he did so very boldly.  His signature was similar to sticking his middle finger at King George or mooning England.  He wanted them to know that he was declaring our freedom from them.  The others were supposed to sign the same way, or so Hancock thought, but they did not. 

     Signing this treasonous document was not easy.  Five men were captured and tortured.  Many signers homes were vandalized and burned to the ground.  Families had to keep moving to keep themselves safe.  They did us this for the good of the country.  They were willing to risk their lives for our freedom.  Would you sign a document if you knew you could be arrested for treason and hanged?  I don't think many would.

     Now back in this time not everyone was for the revolution.  One-third was for starting our new country, one-third wanted to stay loyal to England and one-third didn't care one way or another.  They just wanted to farm or sell their goods and live their happy lives. 

     And the war starts....

     It doesn't end until October 1781. 

     If we didn't win we would still be under the rule of England.  We would not have an Independence Day to celebrate.  It makes a person thankful for our militia and our inner strength to see the cause through. 

     Knowing now that we won the war it is hard to say who would be a patriot, who would stay loyal or who would just not care.  I am sure all of us would say we would be patriots and defend our nation.  I hope to believe it is like that today, that we would take a stand and defend our country. 

     Now with that insight on why we celebrate Independence Day (or July Fourth) I hope you appreciate the risk and sacrifice our forefathers had to take so we can barbecue and enjoy fireworks at night.  MAY GOD BLESS OUR NATION!!!!

  
    

Encounter At The Pub

Encounter At The Pub

   It was late in the evening.  Mary was working at the local tavern serving people their food and drinks and clearing off the table.  The country is on a tangent about whether to split away from England and to start a new country of its own or if we should stay under the rule of King George.  People don’t care what her thoughts are since she is a woman but she is very much interested in what happens to the country.  She is able to pick up tidbits of what is happening from the local customers, many of whom work for the government.  They don’t know or don’t realize that as they speak she is listening to their conversations about the turmoil our nation is facing.  To them, she is just another bar wench. 

     The large wooden door opens.  They all stop to gaze at who is entering the tavern.  It was a well-known patriot Ben Franklin and his beloved son, William.  They come in here quite often to discuss politics.  They remove their overcoats and place them on a hook on the wall.  Ben gives a wave to others he knows sitting down already enjoying their spirits.  Ben and William walk over to another group of people and give a handshake and a pat on the back as they greet one another and engage in some small talk.

     “No.  William and I have a few things to discuss this evening so we will be sitting alone this evening.  Thanks for the offer.”  Ben says to one of his colleagues.  He nods a goodbye and motions to William over to a table by the window.  The candle on the table reflects their portrait on the glass window. 

     Mary pours them their regular ale and heads over to their table.  “Good evening, gentlemen.  I hope I find you in good health.” 

     “Ah, Mary.”  Ben greets Mary first, “You are looking lovelier each time I come in here.”  He smiles broadly at her. 

     “Oh, that is because your eyesight if failing you again.”  Mary jest with him.  She glance over at William.  “Hello William.”  She gives him a flirtatious smile.  Years ago they had a brief affair but she never stopped having feelings for him.  His career and marriage to Elizabeth took him to another direction of being Royal Governor of New Jersey.  How mary envied Elizabeth’s position in his life.  That should have been me, she thought to herself. 

     He eyed her petite little figure in her dress that enhanced her bosom.  You can tell by the look in his eyes that he was reflecting on those nights with her long ago.  “Hello, Mary,” he whispers back to her. 

     “Mary,” Ben interrupts their gaze, “Will and I need to discuss some things privately.  We will not be eating anything tonight. “    Mary turns to Ben, smiles and nods to him and walks back to the bar.   Little did they know that Mary was listening intently to their conversation.  They have been in there a few times before arguing between staying loyal to England or taking a risk and starting a new country.

     “Dad, “William speaks up, “How many times must we go through this?”  He pleads, “We need to stay loyal to King George.  America does not have a strong enough economy, military or any other means for America to stay afloat on its own.  England has been good to us.  This is our way of life.”

     “I thought so too, son, until I seen the light.  We have no say here, in America.  England is on the other side of the world.  They don’t care what happens to us over here.  Don’t you understand?  They want to tax us for THEIR own good, NOT OURS! “ Ben’s fists hit the table rattling the glasses.  He quickly regains his composure.  “England has been good to us when we needed them.  But how can they tell us what to do when they are so far away.  They don’t know how we had to have dealt with the settler’s and the fights with the Indian’s.  We cannot trade freely who we want to trade with!  We can only trade with who King George says we trade with.  That is not fair to those who are trying to make a living by buying and selling.  We need fairness in our country!”

     “Don’t you see? They HAVE to tax us.  How else are they going to pay for the soldier’s coming in to protect us from those darn farmers creating havoc in the streets, burning down homes that people worked so hard to build and all their belonging turned to rubbish?!  It is THOSE farmers and bar hoppers that are burning effigies of our FRIENDS out in the street!  Our country could be a peaceful country if they abide by the laws of England!”  William voice starts to rise.

     “THOSE people,” Ben snaps back, “are standing up for your freedom in which you are quick to deny.  They are there to stand up for what is right for our country.  There is no one forcing them to do what they do.  They do it because they BELIEVE in a freer way of life.  They do it for the potential of a greater nation.” 

     “These people, Dad, are just common everyday men.  They know little of what it takes to run a country.  The country cannot provide for itself naturally.  Rules have to be set into place.  Laws have to be made.  This is not all free.  Someone will eventually have to pay for it and it can only be done through taxes.  Did you hear me?  TAXES!  The same argument that these farmers are fighting for will still have to give their money over to the government, whether it be England or America.”

     Rain starts to tap on the window.  They stare at the window for a moment in silence.  Their thoughts are running madly through their minds.  They have always enjoyed each other’s company but the stress of the nation is tearing their closeness apart.  There is a pain residing deep in their hearts but hopeful that the other person will see their point of view and join in their cause.  Their attention is distracted by Mary who started wiping up a table across from them.  She smiled kindly at them as she uses her wash rag to wipe a few crumbs off the table and into her hand.  They nod and smile back at her.  Little did they know that she was trying to get closer to hear what they were talking about.

     “William, it is true that taxes are going to happen whether we are under the rule of England or not.  But if we have control then we get to say where the money goes.  Not England!  We can use the money to help build better roads and help develop new towns.  The tax money would go to US, NOT ENGLAND!”  Ben’s voice roared.

     “You don’t understand.  England is our bread and butter.  They appointed me governor of New Jersey, for crying out loud,”

     “And with MY help!”  Ben  sternly interrupted.

     “True, you did help with that but it was England who finalized it.  If I join the patriot cause England will hang me for treason.  They see fit for me to help them govern New Jersey.  If I can’t do that what will I do?  I have a family to raise and to take care of.  Speeches alone cannot feed my family.  Who is to say, if we become a new nation, that the people will want me to still govern for them?  I cannot take that risk!  It is too costly!”

     “Sometimes it is the costly risk that changes the direction of where our lives need to go.  We must unite with the patriots and take a stand against England!  I want you on our side, son.”  Ben places his hand on top of William’s.

     William quickly pulls his hand away from his father.  “Do you actually hear what you are saying?  This is treason!  TREASON!”   The other people in the bar look over.  Mary stands up and watches closely now at what is happening. “Going against your country is treason!  For everything England has done for you, dad, you are ready to turn your back on them!  How dare you!”  William bellows at his dad.

     “How dare I?  HOW DARE I?!”  Ben starts to stand up.  “You, son, have a yellow streak going down the center of your back!  If I had every taught you anything it is to take a stand for something to believe in.  It is to do what is right and not hide in your glorious comfort!  We need to take stands!  America needs us to come together as a nation and pull away from England.”  Ben’s voice started to quiver.  “If you cannot see that then you are no longer my son!”

     The whole tavern was now watching Ben and Will.  It was silent for a moment.  No one could move.  No one could speak.  Mary couldn’t believe they were both that upset with each other over this issue.  She had a look of concern on her face as she hugged her dish rag close to her.

     “You, Dad, are a Traitor.  You are a traitor to England!  When this is all over you will be charged as such!  Remember that!”  He got up, walked past his dad without saying another word and grabbed his cloak from off the wall.  He opened the heavy wooden door and the cold rain slapped him in the face as he entered out into the evening slamming the door behind him.  The tavern was still silent. 

     Ben looked down at their drinks.  How did I let this happen?  Ben thought to himself.  “Careless words.  Careless words.”  He muttered to himself.  He reached down grabbed his mug and raised it up to his lips.  His eyes came in contact with Mary and noticed her worried look.  Without removing his stare from hers he chugged down the rest of his ale.  He put down his mug and walked up to her and kissed her on the cheek and whispered to her, “It will be alright, my dear.  Don’t you worry. “   Ben reached into his pocket and paid for their tab.  He quietly walked over and grabbed his coat, tossed it over his arm and left the tavern. 

     What the people in the tavern realized they had seen was more than just a father and a son fighting.  They were seeing the personification of what is happening between England and America, with England being the father and America its son.  They realized a tension is rising fiercely among them that cannot be stopped.  Side will be taken as who is loyal and who is a patriot.  A war will be fought and lives will be lost.  At the end they all hope it will be worth it.