PITT COUNTY, NC - History - The Pitt Association Pledge of Allegiance.

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       This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by:
       Cathy Farris <cfassir@netdex.com> June 1999
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               The Pitt Association Pledge of Allegiance

WE the free holders and inhabitants of the county of Pitt and town of
Martinborough being deeply affected with the present alarming state of the
province and all America do resolve that we will pay all due allegiance to
his Majesty King George the Third and endeavor to continue the succession 
of
his Crown in the illustrious House of Hanvoer as by law established against
the present or any future wicked ministry or arbitrary set of men 
whatsoever
at the same time we are determined to assert our rights as men and sensible
that by the later acts of Parliament the most valuable liberties and
priveleges of America are invaded and endeavor to be violated and destroyed
and that under God the preservation of them depends on a firm union of the
inhabitants and a sturdy spirited observation of the resolutions of the
general Congress being shocked at the cruel scenes now actiong in the
Massachusetts Bay and determined never to become slaves to any power upon
earth we do hereby agree and associate under all types of religion, honour,
and regard for posterity that we will adopt and endeavor to execute the
measure which the general Congress now sitting at Philadelphia conclude on
for preserving our Consititution and opposing the execution of the several
arbitrary illegal acts fo the Bristish Parliament and that we will readily
observe the directions of our general committee for the purpose aforesaid
the preservation of peace and good order and security of individuals and
private property.

Martinborough 1st July 1775                           John SIMPSON, 
Chairman
Amos ATKINSON, Benjamin MAY, Edmund WILLIAMS, John FLEMING,
Robert GRIMMER, William ROBSON, Allen SUGG, Samuel BARROW,
William TRAVIS, Arthur FORBES, James GORHAM, Richard GRICE,
Richard REVES, John ROBSON, Joel SUGG, Richard MOTE, Dennis CANNON,
James LANIER, David PERKINS, Nathaniel GODLEY, Simon POPE, Jesse JOLLY,
George EVANS, Lazarus PEARCE, Archibald ADAMS, James LOCKHART, John FRY,
Edward SALTER, John EVANS, Godfree*********, William GRAVES,
Thomas HARDEE, Benjamin BROWN, Thomas GOFF, Mathias MOORE,
James ARMSTRONG, Thomas WOLFENDEN, Robert SALTER, ***** MOORE,
Henry JONES, James MAY Jr, Patrick LACEY, William OSBURN, John HARDEE Jr,
George MOYE, Mathias STURDIVANT, John ENLOE, Robert DIXON, WILLIAM BRYAN,
John WILLIAMS, Marcus STOKES, Frederick GIBBIE, William JONES,
Joseph GAINER, Absolom RODGER, Thomas ALBRITTON, John MOYE, ROBERT HODGES, 
John HARDEE, Solomon SHEPHERD, Benjamin BLOUNT, William WHITFIELD,
James HANCOCK, George MOYE Jr, Walter DIXON, John CASON, John MOYE Jr,
Lemuel CHERRY, John MOORING, John BARBER, Henry WILLIAMSON,
Samuel, WARREN, Henry ELLIS, Dempsie GRIMES, William GRANBRAY,
John BOWERS, Thomas GWATNEY, Peter RIVES, George F******, John LESLIE,
Howell HODGES, John SMITH, James BROOKS, Richard WILLIAMS,
William SURNEY, Abraham ADAMS, John TILGHMAN

One year before the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 
Philadelphia these brave patriots assembled in Pitt County Courthouse and 
in peril of their lives pledged allegiance to the Pitt Association in 
protest against Bristish tyranny. Their early resolute action place Pitt 
County in the forefront of  the colonial movements for freedom which led 
North Carolina to become the first colony to vote explicit sanction to 
American independence.

This plaque is hanging in the Pitt County Courthouse.

(This copy sent to me by Tommie Beasley, working on the HODGE/CHERRY line)-
-Cathy Farris