The "Glorious Fourth" was the last, shining light in that terrible year of 1776, but it has burned the brightest. What began with such promise - the evacuation of Boston in the face of Knox's artillery - witnessed Washington's army driven from Long Island and New York's occupation less than two months after the Declaration. It was a hard time to keep the faith, yet they endured.
On this 4th of July, I honor my direct ancestors from that Revolutionary generation who pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor - and evidently meant it - in the cause of Independence.
- Elias Dayton ( Col. 3rd NJ Continentals 1776 -1780, 2nd NJ 1781, Brig. Gen New Jersey Brigade 1781-1783)
- Jonathan Dayton (Capt-Lt. 3rd NJ 1776-1781, A.D.C. to Sullivan 1779, Capt 2nd NJ and under Lafayette 1782-1783, Us Senator NJ and Signer of the Constitution)
- Aaron Ogden (Paymaster and Capt. 1st NJ 1776-1783, Brigade Major 1778, A.D.C Maxwell 1779, wounded Elizabethtown and Yorktown)
- Matthias Williamson (Brig. General of NJ Militia 1776-1777)
- Ebenezer Olmsted (Sgt., 1st organization 5th Connecticut Regiment -Canada Campaign 1775, Ensign, Silliman's CT Regt.- Long Island to White Plains 1776, Lt. 2nd organization 5th CT - Battle of Ridgefield, Germantown (wounded) 1777)
- Samuel Lane (Minuteman, Bedford Company - Lexington Alarm, Concord Bridge 1775)
- Thadeus Thompson (Bombardier, Lambs Artillery - Valley Forge, wounded and crippled at Yorktown)
- Richard Currie (Chester Valley (PA) militia, Mercer's Flying Camp, sickened at Amboy, died 1776)
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