The Dodge Family Association

On July 4th, we celebrated our Independence. Since we have had questions from members who do not live in America, asking us why we have so much patriotism in our Journals, I thought I would address this briefly.

Based on our history, our country is like no other in the world. It was started by people seeking freedom of religion. There have been many comments from people of other countries about our country being 'so religious'. That carries over from our founding. There are two wonderful books on the founding of our country entitled "The Light and the Glory" and "From Sea to Shining Sea" by Peter Marshall and David Manuel.

Because of our background and our fight for independence and liberty, a certain pride in patriotism was instilled in us at the beginning. We have the story of Betsy Ross making, possibly, the first American Flag.

What school child in New England, can ever forget learning a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere" or "Barbara Frietchie" by John Greenleaf Whittier, about the War Between the States?

Just a few of the heroines of the American Revolution were:

...Deborah Sampson who disguised herself as a man, served as a soldier in Washington's army, and tended to her own wounds to hide her identity

...Mary Lindley Murray who charmed a British general and held up his army while 4,000 Patriot soldiers escaped to safety.

... Sybil Ludington, the 16 yr. old female Paul Revere, who rode throughout the night calling the minutemen to arms and saving her Connecticut town.

...Patience Wright an American sculptress in London, who spied on the British and sent her secret dispatches to the colonies hidden in her artwork

...Molly 'Pitcher' (name given her because she carried pitchers of water to the fighting men) who "manned" a cannon when her husband was wounded in battle thus inspiring the Patriot troops to fight on.

As I have worked on the military area of our web site, I have been struck over and over about the sacrifice Dodges made in our American Revolution, our War between the states, and other wars since then. Below are a few of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

WAR for INDEPENDENCE

Wilkie Dodge, b. 1748, Marbletown, Ulster Co., New York; Taken Prisoner and died in NY 1778. Age 32.

James Dodge, Son of Jonathan Dodge and Lois Dodge was killed at the Battle of Bunker Hill (actually, Breed's Hill) on 17 Jun 1775. James left a wife (name unknown) and a baby boy, John, who was almost 1 yr. old.

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES - Union

...Lewis d. Sept. 1862, Luther d. June 1862, and Nelson d. 1864, sons of Nathan Dodge and Fannie Rogers;

... Alonzo and Everett, the sons of Elias Dodge and Susan, a Native American whose Indian name was Winkumpaugh'.

...Chauncy Dodge, son of Avery Bromley Dodge and Phoebe Parker - we have a letter he wrote home posted on our web site;

...George Hubbard Dodge, son of David Newell Dodge and Sophia Stevens Pratt;

WAR BETWEEN THE STATES - Dodges fought on the Southern side in the War between the States. They had families who still lived in the north. It was truly, 'brother against brother'.

...James W. Dodge, descendent of William, son of Edmond Pearson Dodge II and Melivina Swap was a Private in the 9th Battalion, Missouri Sharpshooters. His grandfather had moved to Missouri.

...Thaddeus Lewis Dodge of Kentucky was an Assistant Surgeon in the 4th Regiment, Kentucky Mounted Cavalry, He was the son of Israel Rowley Dodge and Mary Frances Sublett.