By James C. Fulmer | Past President, NMLRA
“You are all my witnesses that this is the first time of my introducing any political subject into the pulpit. At this season, however, it is not only lawful but necessary, and I willingly embrace the opportunity of declaring my opinion without hesitation, that the cause in which America is now in arms, is the cause of justice, of liberty, and of human nature.”
—John Witherspoon (May 1776)
Who was John Witherspoon? I didn’t know anything about him until this last summer when my wife Linda and I decided to join Jerry and Beverly Heister on a tour to Scotland and Ireland. The tour was led by Pat and Cathleen Kane out of Elmira, NY. One of the places Jerry wanted to see was Doune Castle in Scotland and asked if that could be added to the trip and Pat and Cathleen said it would be a great idea.
Doune Castle in Scotland is famous for many things from the 13th-20th Centuries.
Doune Castle is about 8 miles northwest of Stirling and is on the fringe of the Scottish Highlands. The Castle was used in the filming of the 1974 comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” The movie was supposed to be filmed at several different castles but at the last minute only Lord Moray would give them permission to film at Doune Castle. Several other castles were used in the movie for briefly shot scenes. Jerry is a Monty Python fan.
I enjoy history and I looked up the history of all the places we were touring. Doune castle was no different. Doune was originally built in the 13th century and it was damaged in Scottish Wars of Independence. It was rebuilt in its present form in the late 14th century. The castle saw military action in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and Glencairn’s rising in mid-17th century and during the Jacobite risings of the late 17th and 18th centuries.
Mary Queen of Scotts who reigned 1542 to 1567 stayed at Doune several times occupying the suite of rooms above the kitchen. Doune was held by forces that were loyal to her during the civil war that took place after her being forced out of power in 1567. The castle changed hands several times in the Scottish Wars with England. In 1689 and 1715 they were garrisoned by government troops but during the Jacobite rising in 1745 Doune castle was occupied by Charles Edward Stuart, “Bonnie Prince Charlie.”
During this war, John Witherspoon went to watch the battle of Falkirk, January 17, 1746. During the battle, Witherspoon and several other spectators were taken prisoner by Jacobite troops and would be imprisoned at the castle with other captured soldiers. It is reported to be in the same room that Mary Queen of Scotts stayed in 200 years earlier.
Several men would escape the room by tying blankets together and descending 70 feet to their safety. During the escape attempt the rope made of blankets broke and not all prisoners escaped. Did John Witherspoon escape or was he released? History reads both ways but all agreed he was only briefly a prisoner in the castle.
Some of the weapons of the Highlander
In 1768 Witherspoon with his family moved from Scotland to New Jersey in America and at the age of 45 he would become the 6th president of Princeton University. He would become the Scottish-American Presbyterian minister who would be politically active in this country. He was president of Princeton University from 1768-1794. During this time period he was sent as a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continual Congress. On July 4, 1776 he would be the only active clergyman and only college president to sign the Declaration of Independence. He would go on and sign the articles of Confederation and supported the ratification of the Constitution.
There is so much about John Witherspoon it would take volumes to fill. The trip to Scotland did open my eyes how it was a small world even back then and many Scots came to this country to have more freedom. After the many years of fighting for Scotland’s Independence and with the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie at the battle of Culloden in 1746 many Scotsmen immigrated to America. They brought with them the desire for Freedom and Independence.
While in Scotland I got to visit the Highlands. I got to visit the Clansman Centre in Fort Augustus which is in the heart of the Highlands at the head of the famous Loch Ness. Ft. Augustus was built after the first Jacobite uprising in 1715 and the defeat of the Stuart cause; a barrack was built to house government troops in 1716. They realized they needed a real fort built and in 1729 built Fort Augustus which was capable of housing 300 men. With the Jacobite uprising again in 1745 the fort was laid siege for two days. An artillery round from what is known as “Battery Rock” hit and exploded the powder magazine of the fort. It would be only a few months later that the Jacobite cause was crushed and once again the government forces took back the fort. After the defeat at Culloden the fort was used as a base to hunt down and kill the Highlanders in the area who had been loyal to the Jacobite cause.
The Clansman Centre helps to preserve this history. Through living history, with people dressed as Highlanders of the early 1700s for interpreters, it is a must stop when in the Highlands of Scotland. The Clansman Centre has presentations that show how clan members ate, dressed, slept, and survived. When you step through the doors you step back into a traditional Highland turf house of the 17th century. They explain many clan traditions, warfare and dress. There is an armory of traditional weapons, including the targe (shield), claymore, dirk, sgian, and broadsword. They also had a copy of the first model Brown Bess and a copy of an early Spanish musket. Both the French and the Spanish supported the Scots rebellions against the English with arms of all sorts including old obsolete (even at that time) pistols. But the main weapon was the claymore and broadsword. The English found the only way they could defeat the Highlanders was by muskets with socket bayonets and cannon.
Living history is where a person takes on a character from a time period and portrays them to give people a better understanding of history. Fort Roberdeau was held on July 7 and 8, 2018 near Altoona, PA. Here re-enactors come to recreate the frontier war during the American Revolution. One of the programs that was presented was George and Martha Washington portrayed by Bill and Cara Elder. They both gave great presentations and George Washington gave a great talk on the procurement of weapons for his army and didn’t miss anything I could think of his presentation with a great question and answer time.
Bob Emerson in Colonial clothing, talking to visitors at Fort Roberdeau about what is about to happen.
Martha Washington also gave a great presentation. It was then I realized I didn‘t know anything about Martha. I didn‘t know that her first year she went with George into winter camp of the Continental Army. She had to get inoculated for smallpox. I knew the whole army was also and I knew George had contracted smallpox when he was young but never thought about Martha having to be inoculated. I am always amazed at how much I don’t know.
The event at Fort Roberdeau of Revolutionary War Days is a great learning experience for the public and I am learning from the participants. Bob Emerson, who is also the Executive Director for Old Fort Niagara at Youngstown, NY, comes to Fort Roberdeau and participates. He is not just a re-enactor but as an interpreter who talks to the public. He describes the different uniforms of the troops and the battle tactics. He talks about the history of the Fort. His knowledge of the time period truly makes history come to life. The public I believe learns and remembers more from events like this than they ever do in school. Go to living history events. I am glad I went to the one in Scotland and the one in Pennsylvania.
It is hard to believe Oct. 5-7 this year will be the 6th year for Ft Roberdeau 18th Century Marketfaire and Rifle Frolic held at Altoona Rifle and Pistol Club. The event takes place up the hill from the Fort. It is a shooting event where muzzleloading shooters from across the country come to participate in shooting, archery, and tomahawk matches. Both novices and experts come here to learn and help pass on our sport to the next generation. I hope to see you there at this event.
“Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease.”
—John Witherspoon
