Jim and Carol's
Hall of Genealogy

"Having devoted a few years to the study of medicine, under the direction of my patron, Dr. Abner Hersey, of Barnstable, and having imbibed a good share of the pure principles of the whigs and patriots of the day, I resolved to test my courage in the great 'rebellion' of 1775. In this service I continued seven years and a half, and participated in the glorious consummation of Independence. Since that period about half a century has been devoted to the practice of medicine, no less laborious both to body and mind than that of my military career. It is through the favor of the power from on high that I am yet among the living, a monument of a hoary head, crowned with innumerable undeserved blessings. While yet I live, let me not live in vain. But God forbid that I should ever totter under the painful apprehension of witnessing my country's ruin. I have a recollection of days fraught with wondrous things and wondrous results; but the things of the present day are no less wondrous. I have seen our precious liberties and freedom wrested from the hands of the oppressors, by the immense sacrifice of lives, of treasure, of perils, and of sufferings. How many have I seen, at the hour of death, exclaiming--'I die for my country!' I see now the fair heritage of our fathers in imminent danger of being sacrificed at the shrine of a reckless, sordid spirit of party interest. I have seen public offices courting competent men to fill them, and I have seen them filled with men who, with a religious conscientiousness acquitted themselves of duty. But this seems already to be antiquated morality, for I now see unworthy, incompetent men, seeking and laying claim to public offices as a reward for desecration and unfaithfulness. My fellow citizens, I have seen the days that tried men's souls. I claim the privilege of age to forewarn you, that unless you view your elective franchise in a light more precious than heretofore, ere long you will have no office to bestow; all will be anarchy and confusion, ruin and despair. Oh! how great would be my consolation, could my benediction avail for the amelioration of my beloved country's welfare."

Source: Allen, D. W. Genealogy, and Biographical Sketches, of the Descendants of Thomas and Anthony Thacher, From Their Settlement in New England, June 4th, 1635. Vineland, NJ: Independent Printing House, 1872.