Today, the United States of America is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Not to brag, but I am related to one of the original signers of the document. Or at least that's what FamilySearch, a free genealogy site run by the Mormons, says. Not sure about the accuracy of this, but I always say that if you go back far enough, we're all related. 😀
So who is my famous relative? Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who is my 3rd cousin 8 times removed. I'm not sure what that means except I have to go back 11 generations before we have a common ancestor.
So, after reading about his accomplishments, I'm embarrassed to say I didn't know who he was. The county where I go to the library, gym, and Walmart is named after him. There are counties, cities, towns, and schools across the country also named for him. He's mentioned in the Maryland state song, and there's a statue of him in the U.S. Capitol crypt.
His estate and grave are less than an hour away from here, so I thought a field trip was in order. However, it turns out that it's not open to the public. Maybe I'll just have to get a book about him from my library, which is named after him. 😏
Happy Independence Day!
It would be so nice to sit on your front porch with the flag waving in the wind. I just remembered a little while ago that I hadn't put my mini flags in my front porch flowerpots, so I went out and did that.
ReplyDeleteI had never heard of Charles Carroll, either. He accomplished a lot in his lifetime.
I hope you are enjoying the Fourth!
That would be nice, but it's supposed to 100 today, so I'll be watching the flag waving from the window.
DeleteHope you had a happy Independence day! How fascinating to have such a famous ancestor. I'm thankful for all those who lived and died to make our country, but I wonder what they would think of us today.
ReplyDeleteI do wonder what they would think, but in the political realm, there has always been people who were loved and hated at the same time.
DeleteAnd mentioning people coming back from the past, I just watched a Bewitched episode where George and Martha Washington come to modern day times. It was silly, but fun to see them experience the differences.
Hope you had a very happy Independence Day, June. Even if the temperature was in the triple digits. Maybe if you take your family tree and show the people who are now in charge of your ancestor's estate, they might let you have a look? :)
ReplyDeleteThat's an idea. :) I can only imagine how many people try that, especially around this area. Another friend said she knew someone who had a connection to the Carrolls who was quite proud of it. She would be one to show up with her family tree. :)
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