Jul 04

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Independence Day! Today we celebrate our nation’s birthday, when in 1776 the Continental Congress officially adopted the Declaration of Independence, declaring that the thirteen colonies were no longer part of Great Britain, but were independent sovereign states that were part of a new nation.

“Those who won our independence believed liberty to be the secret of happiness and courage to be the secret of liberty.” –Louis D. Brandeis

Happy 247th Birthday, America!

There is no better time to think about the principles of freedom and liberty upon which our country was founded and strive to preserve the type of government our forefathers envisioned, as they put forth in the Declaration of Independence and our Constitution.

This is also the time to show our patriotism. Fly the flag. Wear red, white, and blue. Thank a veteran. Celebrate our great nation and to be thankful that we live in the greatest country on earth. We are so very fortunate to live in America. 

“And I’m proud to an American, where at least I know I’m free…” –Lee Greenwood

Christian Whiteman, Reber Hill Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio. (2002 photo by Karen)

I have one Revolutionary War ancestor (that I know of) who aided in the fight for American independence. Christian Whiteman (1762-1827) served in the Berks County Militia in Pennsylvania. He was born in Pennsylvania, died in Ohio, and is buried in Reber Hill Cemetery, Pickaway County, Ohio.  

This is part of our patriotic yard display.

Patriotic display 2023, Christian Whiteman banner

Patriotic display 2023

God Bless America!

Have a happy and safe Independence Day!

Karen

Greetings from the Chattanooga, Ohio, area. Yes, Ohio has its very own Chattanooga, aka Chatt, a small village in west-central Ohio, near the Indiana border. I have been doing family history research for over 20 years and am a Board-Certified genealogist, certified by the Board for Certification of Genealogists®. My main genealogical interests are family research, cemetery research, and historical and genealogical research of the Chatt area, with a focus on two area Lutheran Churches, both named Zion Lutheran, one in Chatt and the other in Schumm, Ohio. Family names I am researching include Miller, Schumm, Brewster, Rueck, Reid, Headington, Huey, Bryan, Whiteman, Schinnerer, Scaer, Breuninger, Bennett, and a few others. I belong to several lineage societies, including the Daughters of the American Revolution, U.S. Daughters of 1812, First Families of Ohio, and First Families of Mercer and Van Wert Counties. I am also a retired dental hygienist and our church organist. I hope you enjoy Karen's Chatt.

2 comments

    • Hanna Fowler on May 29, 2025 at 4:01 pm
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    • Reply

    Hi Karen,
    I came across your website as I was searching for Revolutionary Patriot Garden flags. I enjoyed reading, interesting. I am also a DAR member is GA. Our chapter kicked off the America 250 celebration several months ago by making a tribute area of all the chapter patriots. We purchased custom made garden flags, similar to yours. When we went back to order more, they no longer made them.
    We have been searching for a company.
    Would you share who you used?
    Hanna Wren Fowler

    1. I ordered my garden flag for my patriot ancestor in June 2022 from Northstar Flags, 1025 South Church St, Rocky Mount, NC 27803. Phone 252-985-3524. I do not know if they have a website or if they are still in existence. Mine is fading and I could use a new one. Your America 250 project sounds great. We are now officially in the America 250 time period. It will be an exciting couple of years. Thanks for writing.

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