PHOTO BY JACOB KESSLER / THE VILLAGE REPORTER
GROUP … Participants in the Liberty Tree Commemoration Service stand with the newly unveiled Liberty Tree marker at the Museum of Fulton County following the July 5 ceremony.
By: Jacob Kessler
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jacob@thevillagereporter.com
The Museum of Fulton County hosted a Liberty Tree Commemoration Service on Sunday, July 5, as part of local observances connected to America’s 250th anniversary.
The ceremony included participation from the Museum of Fulton County, the Northwest Territory Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, the Elijah Gunn Sr. Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Fulton County Commissioners, and others.
Museum Director John Swearingen welcomed those in attendance and said the museum was honored to be selected as the site for the Fulton County Liberty Tree marker presentation.
He thanked the Northwest Territory Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution for undertaking the project and for commemorating Revolutionary War patriots who lived in and are buried in Fulton County.
James Hamilton, president of the Northwest Territory Chapter, shared the history of the original Liberty Tree in Boston, which became a gathering place for colonial protest and discussion before the American Revolution.
He said the tree became an early symbol of liberty, representation and self-government. Hamilton said that although the original Liberty Tree was later cut down during the British occupation of Boston, its meaning continued.
He described the Fulton County Liberty Tree as a living memorial meant to remind future generations of the sacrifices made for freedom.
The ceremony also included remembrances of four Revolutionary War patriots with Fulton County ties. Those honored were Gideon Braley, William Holland, Richard Tiney and Phineas Brown.
Following those remembrances, several local representatives and youth readers took part in a recitation of the Declaration of Independence. The Liberty Tree marker was then presented as part of the ceremony.
Swearingen said the marker will remain on display in the lobby of the Museum of Fulton County for now before later being moved to the Lauber Hill Meeting House property, where the Fulton County Liberty Tree was planted last fall.
Following the ceremony, Swearingen said the historical society chose the Lauber Hill site because it is one of only two pieces of land the organization owns. He said that helps ensure the tree and marker will remain in the same location for years to come.
He also explained that the tree replaced an older tree at the Lauber Hill property that had died. Swearingen said the new tree is a disease-resistant elm and will eventually have the marker placed near it.
Swearingen also explained the decision to place the Liberty Tree at a Mennonite meeting house site.
He said that while Mennonites have historically opposed war, the nation’s founding principles helped protect the freedom to practice religion.
Additional remarks by speakers throughout the presentation reflected on the meaning of liberty, the importance of preserving history and the responsibility of future generations to continue the work begun during the nation’s founding.
The service concluded with a benediction and SAR recessional. Attendees were then invited to continue through the museum during an admission-free open house.