BACK TO THE SIGNERS--BEEN AWHILE!

Having written about other items of interest, at least of interest to me, it is time to return to the original reason for my writings; The Declaration of Independence of this great Republic.
Tonight I present to you John Penn born in Carolina County, Virginia in 1741.  John's father neglected the boy's education so John only had two or three years in the Common school of the county,
Mr. Penn died when John was about 18 years of age and left him sole owner of a modest but ample farm.  A relative of Penn lived nearby whose name was Edmund Pendleton, widely known and well respected.  Mr. Pendleton had a vast library and opened it up to young Penn who was eager to learn all he could and he read and studied until he determined to prepare himself for the profession of the law.  He succeeded and at the age of twenty-one he was admitted to the Bar.  John Penn became very successful in his home County and formed a respectable reputation.
In 1774 he moved to North Carolina and took up his profession there.  He soon became known for his abilities and his patriotism and in 1775 he was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress and took his seat in that body in October.  He remained there for three years and voted for the Declaration of Independence and eagerly placed his name on that document..
When the Americans were defeated by General Cornwallis, in 1780,  at the Battle of Sanders Creek in the Western portion of North Carolina,Cornwalis intended to march North and invade Virginia.  As the Western portion of North Carolina was mostly undefended Penn organized a fighting force who harassed and delayed the British until a defense of Virginia could be formed.
Mr. Penn retired from public life in 1781 and went back to his law practice.  But he was again called out when Robert Morris, Treasures of the Confederation appointed him Sub-Treasurer for North Carolina.
A man with very little early learning opportunity who taught himself  through the art of "Reading", a slowly disappearing ability, should be a lesson for all of us this day.  Winston Churchill once said; "Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat it"!--Medicineman!