One of David’s sons, Abraham, married a granddaughter of Daniel Boone (Tabitha Callaway) in 1810. Abraham and five of his sons fought for Texan independence in the 1830s. Another of David’s sons, Jacob, died in the defense of the Alamo.

David Darst moved to Kentucky in 1784 and married Rosetta Holman. Then in 1798, he moved with his wife and seven children to the area around modern-day Defiance, MO next to the Missouri River that became known as “Darst Bottom.” David died there in 1826.

Then he served in Captain Henry Prather’s company under Colonel George Rogers Clark during the Illinois campaign of 1778-1779, which included the taking of Kaskaskia and the battle of Fort Vincennes. In 1780 he served in Clark’s campaign against the Shawnee.

David Darst was born in 1757 in the Shenandoah valley of Virginia to parents who had come from southwestern Germany. He first served in the 1st Independent Company of Dunmore County (VA) Militia.

Every year since 2018, my family and I have had a tradition of visiting the grave of a veteran of the American War of Independence on the Fourth of July (after a parade and lunch). This year, we visited the grave of David Darst. 🧵

Our fathers' God, to Thee,.Author of liberty,.To Thee we sing:.Long may our land be bright.With freedom's holy light;.Protect us by Thy might,.Great God, our King. (Samuel Francis Smith, 1832).

Let music swell the breeze,.And ring from all the trees.Sweet freedom's song:.Let mortal tongues awake;.Let all that breathe partake;.Let rocks their silence break,.The sound prolong.

My native country, thee,.Land of the noble free,.Thy name I love;.I love thy rocks and rills,.Thy woods and templed hills;.My heart with rapture thrills.Like that above.

My country, 'tis of thee,.Sweet land of liberty,.Of thee I sing;.Land where my fathers died,.Land of the pilgrim's pride,.From every mountain side.Let freedom ring.

“Chester” by William Billings. This song, Chester, was a popular song written in the 1770s by American composer William Billings and was popular among the continental troops, serving as an unofficial national anthem.

“Honor, justice, and humanity, forbid us tamely to surrender that freedom which we received from our gallant ancestors, and which our innocent posterity have a right to receive from us.”.

At the expence of their blood, at the hazard of their fortunes, without the least charge to the country from which they removed, by unceasing labor, and an unconquerable spirit, they effected settlements in the distant and inhospitable wilds of America…”.

“Our forefathers, inhabitants of the island of Great Britain, left their native land, to seek on these shores a residence for civil and religious freedom.

Moderation is the way to go. Moderate patriarchy. Moderate theonomy. Moderate postmillennialism. Moderate partial preterism. Moderate Old School Presbyterianism.

This first declaration, a year before independence was declared, was primarily the work of Thomas Jefferson and John Dickinson. After the battles of Lexington & Concord and Bunker Hill, Congress explained and justified the armed resistance of the colonies.

On July 6th, 1775 (250 years ago this Sunday), Congress passed "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North-America, Now Met in Congress at Philadelphia, Setting Forth the Causes and Necessity of Their Taking Up Arms":

To get ready for the celebration of Independence Day, you might take a look at the thanksgiving proclamations from the Continental Congress (1778 to 1784). They can be found here:

"And it is further recommended, that, together with devout thanksgiving, may be joined a penitent confession of our sins, and humble supplication for pardon, through the merits of our Savior. ”.-The Continental Congress, 1778.

Reposting this for the 4th of July:“Presbyterians and the American War of Independence” .. "By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown." .(Proverbs 11:11).

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.”. Colossians 3:23-24.