The Shadow
(VR) – The most famous quote by Thomas Jefferson from the Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness”
The Declaration of Independence is the foundational document of the United States and was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. It severed the colonies’ allegiance to Great Britain and outlined the philosophical justifications for self-governance, cementing the core principles of liberty, equality and government by consent.
The Declaration of Independence has three main sections:
The Preamble is the most famous section of this document which states that “all men are created equal”.
Human Equality: States that “all men are created equal”, a rejection of the divine right of kings.
Unalienable Rights: Declares that all people have certain rights as said by Thomas Jefferson in our opening remark.
Social Contract: Argues that governments are created to protect these natural rights and derive their just powers from the consent of the governed”.
List of Grievances:
This is the largest section of the Declaration and is a list of 27 specific complaints leveled against King George III and the reason for the much-needed Declaration.
Taxation without representation
Loss of Due Process
Military overreach
Tyrannical Rule
The Resolution of Independence
Solemnly declares that the 13 American colonies are “free and independent states” and completely dissolved all political ties with the British Crown. Asserts that as independent states, they have full power to levy war, conclude peace, make Alliances and establish commerce. The delegates concluded by mutually pledging “their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor”
The Declaration of Independence celebrates 250 years of its signing this year with special events in our area during 2026. As part of this VA250 commission, the Wall of Valor at our local post office is paying tribute to the 7 signers of the Declaration from the Alleghany Highlands area (there were 56 signers total).
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was a plantation 9wner, a lawyer and a scientist, and a two-term President of the United States but was said to be proudest that he was the primary author of the Declaration of Independence. At age 33, Jefferson was the youngest of the Virginia signers of the Declaration.
Francis Lightfoot Lee (1734-1797). Members of the wealthy Lee family, both Francis and his brother Richarde signed the Declaration “Light Horse’ Harry Lee, a cousin was a cavalry commander and Revolutionary War hero, and also was General Robert E. Lee’s father. Lee signed the Declaration at the age of 71.
Richard Henry Lee (1732-1794). Not a well man in many respects, Lee was also one of the few Signers to personally take up arms. British gunboats approached his plantation on the Northern Neck in 1781, but he and other planters were able to drive the landed soldiers back to their boats. Richard Henry Lee was 44 when he signed the Declaration.
Benjamin Harrison (1726-1791). In 17801, Benjamin Harrison’s plantation on the James River was plundered by troops under turncoat Benedict Arnold. His son, William Henry Harrison and great-grandson, Benjamin Harrison, both became U.S. Presidents. Harrison was 50 when he signed the Declaration.
Thomas Nelson, Jr. (1738-1779). After serving in the Continental Congress and signing the Declaration, Nelson took command of the Virginia militia in 1777 and was a brigade commander 1780-1781. When Cornwallis occupied Nelson’s home during the siege of Yorktown, he directed artillery fire against his own house. Thomas Nelson, Jr. was 37 when he signed the Declaration.
Carter Braxton (1736-1797) was the grandson of the wealthiest man in Virginia. He served in the House of Burgesses from 1761 to 1775. In February 1776, Virginia called upon him to go to the Continental Congress. Carter Braxton was from Newington and was 39 years old when he signed the Declaration.
George Wythe (1726-1806) joined the House of Burgesses in 1754 and then served in the Continental Congress. He was a mentor and lifelong friend to Thomas Jefferson. He signed the Declaration at the age of 50. Wythe County and Wytheville are named after him.
We would like to thank Phil Amick and the Alleghany Highlands Genealogical Society for their research and creation of these signers’ information.
Thank you to our community for your on-going support of all our veteran projects.
