The grave at West Hill Cemetery in Sherburne reads, “Here lies the Mortal remains of Col. Wm. S. Smith who died at Lebanon June 10, 1816, Aged 59 years. In the war of Independence He fought in Twenty two Battles. Served as Aide to Genl. Washington Who always Held him in Affectionate Esteem. In Memory of Abigail Adams The Wife of Col. Wm. S. Smith And Only Daughter of John Adams The Second president Of the United States.” (Photo by Tyler Murphy)

(EDITORIAL: The following reflects the opinion of the author.)

Following a weekend of controversy due to lack of celebration in Norwich marking America’s 250th Independence Day, proud and daring local citizens held their own fireworks revolution instead.

In defiance of New York State’s strict laws and the seeming lack of will or priority from local leaders, who endorsed more divisive issues, fireworks erupted across the city in unofficial celebrations. 

In a similar act, on July 3 after learning the details of things I thought others in the community would like to know and understand, I shared them. I think it was the uncomfortable truth as best as I could tell at the time, and I will do more of it.

The division brought to light in the July 3 edition, involved a lack of focus on local American history for the holiday, and the inclusion of divisive kid friendly drag shows being strongly supported by a few major companies and churches. Many readers told me over the holiday they were not aware of these things, and they should not have occurred. I agree. 

I had a simple question and I wanted the real answer. Why does Norwich, the county seat, not have fireworks and lacks events celebrating America’s 250 anniversary on July 4? 

Thinking that influential and competent government and businesses leaders in Norwich forgot the 250th and the community should be celebrated, is rationally ridiculous. It was simply not a priority for those leaders and I showed what was. 

And just to be clear some confusion. I have received many threatening and divisive comments online by the intolerant left, who defend these things and want more of them in our communities. They regularly attack local residents for their identities and American pride.

Stop blaming the messenger and not the ones who made the decisions. It should also not be assumed people who support America or even Trump are all racists.

I very much support Pride but I think it is bigoted to equate Pride events to supporters of kid friendly drag shows. To me that does not represent gay pride, it is more fringe in a sense that even straight people would be called out for it. 

It should not be assumed all gay people support it being part of an event advertised to include all. I applaud the groups and events who are more considered towards our local community standards. 

After seeing the reaction we had over the weekend, is Norwich not acting woke?

Now I would like to tell you about American history and why we should love America. 

Although no battles took place in Chenango County involving the Continental Army or the British Red Coats, the region is swathed with an unusually high number of graves from the survivors of the war. 

During the time of the Revolution, Chenango and much more belonged to the Oneida and Tuscarora Indian tribes. To the west were the remnants of the Iroquois nations such as the Onondaga tribe. The eastern tribes in Chenango, the Oneida and Tuscarora, tried to remain neutral but were drawn into the conflict on behalf of the Americans and defended the frontier against the western Iroquois tribes aligned with the British. 

A colonial army did march south of the region near what is now Afton and Bainbridge during the war. After the war, the tribes west of Chenango had their land seized and awarded to the soldiers returning home from the war. 

The state purchased the eastern lands from their allies the Oneida and Tuscaroras and forced them out of the area. The revolutionary soldiers enjoyed the valleys found in Chenango so much they sold their awarded land, mostly in Cortland County, and purchased the now state owned land in Chenango. For this reason a large number of revolutionary era graves can be found in cemeteries across the county. 

According to the historical records written in a book called “Revolutionary War Veterans of Chenango County, New York,” by Norwich resident Nelson B. Tiffany, one of the most famous heroes of the American Rebellion in the region was Colonel William S. Smith of the Continental Army. 

Smith married Abigail Adams, the daughter of the United States’ second President, John Adams. Buried at West Hill Cemetery in Sherburne. 

His grave monument reads, “Here lies the Mortal remains of Col. Wm. S. Smith who died at Lebanon June 10, 1816, Aged 59 years. In the war of Independence He fought in Twenty two Battles. Served as Aide to Genl. Washington Who always Held him in Affectionate Esteem. In Memory of Abigail Adams The Wife of Col. Wm. S. Smith And Only Daughter of John Adams The Second president Of the United States.” 

For his efforts in the war, Smith was able to purchase 150,000 acres in the Chenango and Madison county area. Later this land was divided into four separate townships. Two in Chenango are now the Towns of Smyrna and Sherburne. 

His wife unfortunately died in Albany from typhus while he was building them a home in the region and due to the lack of technology to transport the remains, she was buried near the capital. Her children were later buried with her. Three years later, Col. Smith passed on and was buried in a sunny spot on West Hill. Although there has been talk of uniting the couple and their children with the fallen hero in Sherburne, to this day they lie apart. 

A countless number of graves scattered throughout the county are covered with the fading etchings that bare the phrases, “Solider of the Rebellion,” Soldier of the Revolution” and “Fought in the War for Independence.”

I have a feeling they would have appreciated the independent spirit and fireworks on display this past Fourth of July.

However the ultimate monument to their achievement and sacrifice is the preservation of their ideals by the most powerful nation ever to exist, the United States of America.