Happy 4th of July

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.."
                                                                                             --the Declaration of Independence, 1776


Over the mountain and through the valleys near our home in Central Pennsylvania sits a piece of Revolutionary War history. Fort Roberdeau, built in 1778 by Continental Congress member David Roberdeau, was established to smelt lead for bullets.  A fortress was needed to protect the mining and smelting of this essential battle supply, since loyal Tories and their Native American allies sought to thwart the revolution and the intrusion of colonial settlement in Sinking Valley.

The fort, never breached by attack, functioned until 1780 when lead supply lines to France were reestablished and the need for smelting Pennsylvanian lead no longer existed.

On this day we celebrate the fortitude and vision of our founding fathers (and mothers), it is interesting to note a lesser known slice of Pennsylvania's story. 

(Jim and I toured this fort yesterday, charmed and fascinated by this local history lesson.)