"Growing up, I wasn't certain that African Americans even fought in the Revolutionary war. It's not something that's talked about. Then to hear, 'Well, yeah, they did, and you're a direct descendent of one', was unbelievable and humbling. I had to redefine patriotism for myself."
These are the words of a North Carolina firefighter named Chaz Moore upon learning that he was the descendent of Tobias Gilmore. Who was this patriot that the mere knowledge of relation would rekindle burning fires of liberty?
The son of an African chief, Shibodee Turry Wurry was introduced to the American colonies as a kidnapped slave and renamed Tobias Gilmore. As the fires of liberty burned across the pulpits and presses of the colonies, the freemen and slaves of Massachusetts alike grew to view liberty as something that one must fight for to achieve and preserve.
By the hot summer of 1776, it became clear that petition and submission alike would not satiate the desire of a tyrant to drive the breath of freedom from Liberty's breast. As the call to arms swept across the colonies, each strove to do their part for this noble endeavor, and Gilmore was no exception.
Enlisting as a Private under Col. George Williams of the 3rd Bristol Regiment, this slave went to war for freedom - his own and his country's. Fighting at Fort Ticonderoga, Fort Clinton, White Plains, and Trenton, this brave patriot won both his own and his country's independence.
Contrary to modern thought, Gilmore was one of over 9,000 black troops to answer in their nation's hour of need. Serving as soldiers, sailors, members of state militias, and even spies, these African brethren became Americans through a baptism of fire.
By Yorktown, an estimated 25% of the Continental Army was composed of these sons of liberty. Gilmore, legend has it, rose to be the bodyguard of General Washington, receiving a cannon at the end of the war in recognition of his services.
The surrender at Yorktown quelled the tumult of war, and Gilmore sought to make his country into a profitable economic force by supporting efforts of unification and ratifying the Constitution. When Shay's rebellion broke out, he and his cannon once again answered their country's call and marched to preserve the Constitution and the Union.
The legacy of this great patriot is one of sacrifice and service to a country in distress. In order to ensure that he and his children would be free, Gilmore stood against tyranny through war and peace, winning and preserving liberty by placing bounds upon the federal government to ensure that it would never become tyrannical.
As Tobias Gilmore did, so we must each do our part to save our country in the hour of her greatest need. Each and every patriot must pressure their state legislatures to call for an Article V Convention of States and return the federal government to its position of protecting rather than destroying liberty.
Join us and sign the petition.
