Putnam patriot., 1909-08-06
Irishmen who Sigaed fhe Declaration of
 Independence.
JAMt. sNIrn.
seoad Article.


 James smith, Of Pennsylvania, was . born in Ireland in the year l7l8. and came from thence, with his father, to America bile yet young man. They settled or the 5usquehanna River near ly opposite Columbia. He was very fond Of mathematics and became an expert surveyor lie also studied and praeiiced law Tn Lancaster. He was ar educated, refined and religious man.
 Al the opening Of The Revolution Mr. smith was resident of York, and er- tensivety engaged in iron works. The fl fst step taken in Pennsylvania, reia- fise To the existing expressions, Was the assembling of convention Of del ezates from each county in order to as- eeftain the feelings Of the people genef- ally regarding the course proposed by the people Of Massachuseits-wher the Revolutionary storm had already commenced. In this convention MT. Smith was a delegate, and was one Of the committed that prepared the in- stfuetions to the members of the ensa- ing General Assembly of the province, recommending, among other things, the appointing of delegates to the Gen efal Congress convened at Philadel- phia. so fully convinced was Smith Of the Issue between the colonies and England that, on his return home, he began at once and raised company of volunteers, and was selected as it's cap tain by exclamation.
 This was the first company Of sol diers in the 5tate of Pennsylvania to defend American liberty and re sist En- glish oppression. IL was organized nine months before the first blood was shed at Lexington, and indicated the deep thought, penetration and saga cious foresight of it's protector. He in- tfodueed thorough discipline in the corps and impafted to it's members the same holy fire of patriotism that was Illuminating his own soul.
 Around this military nucleus patriots gathered until 1t formed q regiment. smith was then elected colonel.
 NIT. Smith was member Of the Con- vention that met in Philadelphia in ITO. He WAS one of the first to raise his voice for independence, to oppose force by force, and to peril life for free dom. Al that time he was called an  ultra Whig, and was regarded as treat ing the government with disrespect. His patriotism had carried him six months in advance Of the leading men, and no one could outstrip him in the cause of justice and freedom.
 He desired action and his time soon arrived. In the spring of l775 he was appointed to organize camp for 1 ,500 troops, to be raised in Pennsylvania. No man was better calculated to ren- der ei'icent service in this important business. He prepared and, with the sanction of Congress, published an Ad- dress to the volunteer and yeoman mill itafy of Pennsylvania. urging them 10 rally round the standard of liberty. He inspired the people with his own ard l ent patriotism, and the call to arms re- sounded over the iand
 As soon as he took his seat in the Continental Congress he enrolled his name with the Apostles of Liberty up | on the Chart of Freedom.
 He declined reelection to Congress on account of III health, but his consti- tuents insisted, and so he continued at his post with unabated zeal
 So devoted was he in the service of his country that when Congress was compelled to fly to York, his place of residence, he closed his office against his clients, and gave IL up to the Board of War. He sacrificed every private consideration for whatever would pro mote the public good. He was great admirer of Washington, Franklin, Adams, and ali the other leading pa- triots of the Revolution.
 Loved and honoeed, James smith died July II, isno. No enc Of all the patriots hated English oppression or loved liberty more than that irishman James Smith--who sleeps in the land he helped to free.
 Meehauiesville, July %, 1900,