Benjamin Harrison
Benjamin Harrison a native of Berkley, Virginia and was born about 1730. His family descends from a near relative of General Harrison, a bold leader in a revolution against the English Commonwealth who was sacrificed on the scaffold for his liberal principles! This relative settled in Surrey, Virginia, about 1640. His descendants sustained the high reputation of their ancestors and filled many important stations in the colony.It is recorded of Benjamin Harrison (son of the ancestor that located in Surrey), that "he did justice, loved mercy and walked humbly with his God," leaving a memento of character that forms the crowning excellence of human attainments. Benjamin Harrison, the father of young Benjamin now under review, was killed by lightning along with two of his daughters. At that time this son was prosecuting his studies at the College of William and Mary. Before he arrived at his majority he had the management of a large estate left him by his father. He was married to Elizabeth, the daughter of Col. William Bassett and niece to Lady Washington.
The Stamp Act
As early as 1764 he served on the Committee in the House of Burgesses that prepared an address to the Crown and the House of Lords of Great Britain predicated concerning the Virginia Resolutions anticipating the odious Stamp Act.In 1774 Harrison was a member of the convention that met at Williamsburg that and passed a series of resolutions in favor of equal rights; sanctioned the measures of opposition adopted by New England and appointed seven delegates to the general Congress, Mr. Harrison being one.
March 20, 1775. Meeting of the First General Congress
Mr. Harrison was a member of the convention that met at Richmond and passed the bold resolutions offered by Patrick Henry. Anticipating the appointment of delegates to a second Congress, Lord Dunmore issued his proclamation forbidding the procedure affecting to treat the convention as a mere bagatelle. But the delegates were elected.The meeting began with flashes and roars. Mr. Randolph, the President of the first Congress beomg absent, Mr. Hancock was elected to fill the vacancy. When his name was announced he seemed overcome with a modest diffidence and did not move. Mr. Harrison took him in his gigantic arms and placed him in the chair saying-"We will show mother Britain how little we care for her-by making a Massachusetts man our President whom she has excluded from pardon by public proclamation!"
On the 2d of December Harrison was sent to Maryland to aid in organizing a naval armament to repel the predatory warfare of Lord Dunmore along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. On the 17th of January 1776 he laid before Congress a plan for the recruiting service which was adopted. On the 21st of the same month he was placed upon the committee to organize the War Department On the 23d he went to New York with Messrs. Lynch and Allen to aid Gen. Lee in devising plans and means of defense and for erecting fortifications upon the two confluent rivers. On his return he was placed on the committee for organizing the military departments of the middle and southern Colonies. On the 6th of March he was placed on the Marine Standing Committee-bestowing on him labor in proportion to his physical as well as mental powers. He was found equal to the task imposed.
March 26, 1776. Congress published a full preface to the Declaration of Independence
It was set forth the contempt with which the petitions, remonstrances and appeals for relief had been treated-portraying in lively colors the Constitutional and chartered rights of the American people and the manner they were trampled under foot and steeped in blood by British hirelings. The same document authorised the colonies to fit out vessels of war to meet the mistress of the seas on her own element. Mr. Harrison was chairman of a committee to select and have fortified one or more ports for the protection of these vessels and such prizes as they might take. In May he was made chairman of the committee on the Canada expedition. After consulting Generals Washington, Gates and Mifflin, he laid a plan of operations before Congress which was adopted. On the 26th of the same month he was made chairman of a committee of fourteen to confer with the general officers of the army relative to the plan of operations for the ensuing campaign. When matured he laid it before Congress to be adopted. On June 15th he was made chairman of the Board of War and continued in that important station until he retired from Congress.Signing of the Declaration of Independence
Mr. Harrison became very popular as chairman of the committee of the whole. If in the House he uniformly presided when important questions were under consideration. He was in the chair during the discussion of the Declaration of Independence. He presented the resolution that recommended the formal preparation of that sacred document and on the glorious 4th of July 1776 sealed his heart felt approval with his vote and signature.At the thrilling moment when the members were signing what many called their death warrant, as the slender Mr. Gerry finished his signature Mr. Harrison pleasantly remarked to him "when the hanging scene commences I shall have all the advantage over you. It will all be over with me in a minute but you will be kicking in the air half an hour after I am gone."
In 1782 Mr. Harrison was elected Governor of Virginia and assumed a herculean task. The recent devastations of the British army aided by tories who remained on the soil, had thrown everything into one chaotic mass. He was re-elected twice and was then inelligible by the Constitution.
"Without his knowledge or consent he was immediately after nominated for the legislature and for the first time defeated. This was effected by a cunning device of his opponent. When Governor he had ordered the militia to level the embankments at Yorktown which was the first and last unpopular act of his life. This was the political hobby-horse on which his opponent gained the race. Mr. Harrison removed into the adjoining county of Surrey and was returned to the same Legislature with his successful competitor. To add to the chagrin of his opponents he was elected Speaker of the House. Before the year expired he was urged to return to his former residence. Old age and declining health induced him to permanently retire from public life." In 1788 he was a member of the Convention of his State to which the Federal Constitution was submitted and was chairman of the first committee. He died in April of 1791, leaving a large family of children to mourn the loss.