Ohio

How soldiers in Ohio expressed support for American independence 250 years ago

Published

2 weeks ago

November 8, 2024

How soldiers in Ohio expressed support for American independence 250 years ago

The United States of America became a country nearly 250 years ago. But about two years before the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, a group of soldiers signed another important document in the middle of the Ohio Country.

The Fort Gower Resolves — written and signed in November of 1774 – is considered to be one of the earliest documents signaling support for American independence.

This weekend, 250 years after the document’s creation, historians are recognizing the moment’s importance with a conference at the Southeast Ohio History Center.

But just how did the Fort Gower Resolves come about? And what impact did they have? In case you missed this bit of Ohio history, Chris Matheney, the historic site manager of the Ohio Statehouse, joined the Ohio Newsroom to explain.

This conversation has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

What were Virginian soldiers doing in Ohio Country?

“Lord Dunmore [the royal governor of Virginia at the time] and an army of Virginians had marched into the Ohio Country trying to bring peace [as Native Americans resisted white settlers’ encroachment on their land as they moved west], ultimately through force of arms with the Native American tribes living there, like the Shawnee, the Seneca, the Ohio Seneca-Cayuga, the Delaware, the Lenape. It was a world war, in a way, right here in our Ohio Country.

“So that’s what brought the soldiers in. But what we’re talking about today is really what happened on the way back after peace was made at Camp Charlotte, which is near Circleville.”

A map of Ohio shows the location of Fort Gower.

What motivated the soldiers to draft the Fort Gower Resolves?

“As the soldiers returned, Lord Dunmore and his entourage returned to Virginia, leaving his army to follow at their own pace. While the army was at Fort Gower [initially built as a supply depot because of its location at the confluence of the Hocking and Ohio rivers], they received word that the First Continental Congress had convened in September of 1774, and the news was electrifying to them.

“What the Congress had decided to do was basically send a strong remonstrance back to England about the Intolerable Acts [which the British referred to as the Coercive Acts]. These were a number of acts that King George III and the Parliament took to curb American rebellions, things like the closure of the Port of Boston.

“The First Continental Congress so emboldened these officers and men at Fort Gower, there in this wilderness outpost, that they decided to make their own resolves for liberty. And these resolves, known as the Fort Gower Resolves, which were signed by the officers on November 5, 1774, have some of the first stirrings of what we call the defense, or resolve, for American liberty.”

What did the Fort Gower Resolves say?

“The first part of the resolves talks about their faithful allegiance to His Majesty, King George III. You know, we weren’t sure how this was going to end. We just knew that things needed to change. But — that’s a big word — part of the resolves say this:

“But as the love of liberty, an attachment to the real interests and just rights of America outweigh every other consideration, we resolve that we will exert every power within us for the defense of American liberty and for the support of her just rights and privileges, not in any precipitant, riotous or tumultuous manner, but when regularly called forth by the unanimous voice of our countrymen.”

What’s the significance of the document in American history?

“The Fort Gower Resolves was signed by all the officers present, and they wanted to make sure that the word got back to the King and Parliament. So they had it published in the Virginia Gazette. They were published in five of the 13 original colonies or states, depending on how you want to call them. And they were read into the records of the House of Lords in London, where one member, after hearing this said, ‘Well, we may now know what to expect from the Virginia officers.’

“This was almost six months before Lexington and Concord, the shot heard around the world, and about 18 months before the Declaration of Independence.”

How have the Fort Gower Resolves influenced our democracy today?

“One of the ways: just being able to elect our own leaders. This is something that got started, in a way, in that very tumultuous year of 1774. [Voting] is something that we wanted to be able to do, but it was one of the things the Crown would not allow us to do.

“So I think it’s a direct trace. It’s something that we practice every year — being able to vote. And nothing could be more symbolic. November 5, 1774, is when those resolves were written here in the Ohio Country. And of course, November 5, 2024 — 250 years ago to the day, we had a [massive] turnout of voters.”

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Ohio

How can Ohio State football beat Indiana? 3 keys for top-five matchup against Hoosiers

Published

4 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

How can Ohio State football beat Indiana? 3 keys for top-five matchup against Hoosiers

Here are three keys for No. 2 Ohio State against No. 5 Indiana on Saturday:

Start fast

The Buckeyes have played in big games, having been in two top-five matchups over the past month and a half. The matchup is a much steeper ramp up in competition for the Hoosiers, who have not faced a ranked opponent and only one in the top half of the Big Ten standings this year. The gap in experience adds incentive for Ohio State to build an early lead and energize the crowd at the Horseshoe. It would put Indiana in an unfamiliar position, having to come from behind in a rabid environment. The Hoosiers had not even trailed in a game until this month.

Get pressure

Kurtis Rourke, the sixth-year starting quarterback who transferred to Indiana from Ohio, is one of the most efficient passers in the Football Bowl Subdivision, especially when he is well protected. Among quarterbacks with a minimum of 100 dropbacks, only three have a higher NFL passer rating from a clean pocket, according to Pro Football Focus. It’s why the Buckeyes must find ways to disrupt him. When Michigan gave the Hoosiers a scare earlier this month, it did so by sacking Rourke four times, including three during a second half in which the Wolverines held them to 18 total yards.

Account for Mikail Kamara

Between Marshall’s Mike Green and Penn State’s Abdul Carter, the Buckeyes have seen some of the best edge rushers in the sport. Kamara fits into that group as well. One of the James Madison transfers who followed Curt Cignetti to Indiana last offseason, Kamara leads the FBS with 53 total pressures, including nine sacks, per PFF. It’s the biggest test for the Buckeyes’ reshuffled offensive line since facing Carter earlier this month. While Carter had two sacks, twice getting around left tackle Donovan Jackson, the line held up and kept quarterback Will Howard from facing too much pressure. It will need to do so again.

Key matchup

Ohio State secondary vs. Indiana receivers

The defensive backs were a liability for the Buckeyes in their loss at Oregon last month as the Ducks’ receivers got behind them in coverage, and they have not fully quelled concerns in the following weeks. While the Hoosiers lack a burner like Tez Johnson, they have a deep collection of pass catchers. Five receivers have caught multiple touchdowns, led by Elijah Sarratt’s six scores. Rourke and Sarratt execute a high volume of back-shoulder throws that could challenge cornerbacks Denzel Burke or Davison Igbinosun who will need to keep the James Madison transfer from pulling in his share of 50-50 balls on the perimeter. The receiving corps is as good as the Buckeyes will see outside of Oregon and one of the biggest factors in Indiana’s upset bid.

Key stat

13: Total points allowed by Indiana in the first quarter over a span of 10 games.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com.

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Ohio

Ohio Democrat Beats Trump's Pick, Extends House Record

Published

11 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Press Room

Ohio Democrat Beats Trump's Pick, Extends House Record

Ohio Democratic US Rep. Marcy Kaptur won another term on Wednesday, defeating a Republican state lawmaker endorsed by President-elect Trump. Her victory in northwest Ohio over state Rep. Derek Merrin allows Kaptur to continue her streak as the longest-serving woman in House history, the AP reports. The final results were certified by the Lucas County Board of Elections in Toledo; the AP called the race Wednesday after previously saying the race was too early to call, though Kaptur declaring victory around 2am the morning after Election Day. Final results were slightly outside the 0.5% margin that would have triggered an automatic recount, with libertarian candidate Tom Pruss scoring about 4% of the vote.

Kaptur, 78, was viewed as among the year’s most vulnerable congressional incumbents, placing Ohio’s 9th Congressional District in the middle of a campaign battle where spending topped $23 million, according to figures compiled by OpenSecrets, a nonpartisan tracker of campaign finance data. Her campaign said in a statement that Kaptur had overcome millions spent by special interests to distort her record. Kaptur thanked her constituents for trusting her to return to Washington in what will be her 22nd term. She pledged to continue to work to increase jobs, strengthen the manufacturing sector and “ensure dignity and stability for everyone who works hard and plays by the rules.”

Merrin had been endorsed by Trump, and his defeat marks Trump’s first loss in a state that went for the president-elect three times. During the House campaign, Merrin, 38, and his Republican allies targeted Kaptur on immigration and the economy. Democrats targeted Merrin on his support for abortion restrictions, including his work on a bill that would have made certain abortions felonies.

(More Ohio stories.)

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Ohio

Highest-ranking GOP state Senators from NW Ohio

Published

19 hours ago

November 20, 2024

Press Room

Highest-ranking GOP state Senators from NW Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WTVG) – The three highest-ranking state Senate Republicans for the 136th General Assembly all call northwest Ohio home.

The Ohio Senate Majority Caucus selected Sen. Rob McColley, of Napoleon, to serve as the next Ohio’s Senate President on Wednesday. McColley, who has served in the state senate since 2017, said it was an honor to be chosen.

“I would like to thank my colleagues for the incredible confidence and trust they have placed in me,” McColley said in a statement. “I would also like to thank my loving wife and family for supporting me in my journey to get to this point.”

Sen. Bill Reineke, of Tiffin, will serve as Senate President Pro Tempore. He’s entering his second term in the state Senate, having worked on the Senate’s Finance Committee and Workforce and Higher Education Committee.

Sen. Theresa Gavarone, of Bowling Green, will serve as Senate Majority Floor Leader. She has served as Vice Chair of the Senate Finance Committee and GOP leadership said she played a crucial role in creating the current operating budget.

Another leadership position, Majority Whip, will be held by Sen. George Lang (R-West Chester).

House Republicans are expected to appoint its leadership team Wednesday night.

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