My NEW Memorial Day Testimony…The Day Will Never Be the Same Ever Again!

I knew this story – there is a relative on my mother’s side who did the Dobson genealogy all the way to the early 1700s.  He has done a yeoman’s job on this project – years of work.  But I new this for a year.

But this story – I prefer the Christian word “testimony” – this testimony hit me the other day in a way that it never hit me before.  Memorial Day.  Those who paid the ultimate price for our liberty.  (I had had a great uncle – Private James Dobson – who was killed in action and buried in Italy in a WW II US military cemetery and I knew about that for many years.)  This is a testimony that is haunting.

Here it is:  My direct ancestor – five great grandfather – was Captain John Dobson Sr. and he was slain in a Revolutionary War battle – one of the worst ones fought in the Revolutionary War – because it was relative v. relative, neighbor v. neighbor, friend v. friend.  The Battle of Ramsour’s Mill (near Charlotte NC) was to stop the formation of a Tory fifth column army in western North Carolina.  And here is a blurb about the battle and a photo of a 1995 historical marker by the DAR that mentions Captain Dobson and this is a blurb that confirms the testimony on John Dobson Sr. from a source other than my relative.  And the Tory army disappeared after the battle.  Western North Carolina was very much more secure after this battle.

Just a year before was the birth of my Fourth great grandfather – John Dobson Jr.  (The middle name might be Wallace or it might be William or Williams, not sure yet.)

Now I can quarrel with most of our wars – but the Revolutionary War was a fight for liberty and sovereignty.  It is awe-inspiring that one of my ancestors was willing to leave his family and fight for liberty and his nation.  I am thankful for John Dobson Sr. and I am thankful for all who fought for their country and grateful for those who were willing to and did pay that ultimate price.  Memorial Day will never be the same.