We are fast approaching our country’s 250th anniversary in July. What a great time to remember all those who helped give us our liberty and recognize them for their contributions to the independence that we enjoy.
The struggle for establishing this democracy was hard fought and required the support and courage of so many people. It is important that these brave men and women be remembered by saying their names and telling their stories helping us to keep their memories alive.
Georgia Giacobbe
We would like to tell you about another individual and how she contributed to the Revolutionary War effort: Georgia Giacobbe, a resident of The Dalles, is honored to share the story of her Patriot ancestor.
Georgia tells us that her eighth great-grandmother, Juliana Margaret Michael, was born in January 1733. She arrived with her parents in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Sept. 15, 1749, from Holland. Her future husband, John Nicholas Schaeffer (or Shaffer) arrived in Philadelphia from Holland a week earlier.
Mr. Schaeffer settled in Berks County, Pennsylvania, and became an extensive landowner and influential member of his community. He married Juliana in 1753. He was commissioned as Captain of the first battalion Berks County Militia on Jan. 20, 1777. His battalion served in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York during the Revolutionary War. He died in 1780, leaving Juliana a large estate, and eight surviving children. After his death, she paid the Patriot Tax on her estate, which grew from 244 to 344 acres.
Juliana Schaeffer is considered a very important part in the fight for independence. One hundred percent of the Revolutionary War was paid for by Americans through taxes, bonds, IOUs, and by paying off all foreign loans. Juliana’s payment of the Patriot Tax reflects her support of the Revolutionary War effort. Under British rule, colonies actually paid significantly less in taxes than other British subjects. The problem was that Britain could impose taxes on the colonies without their consent, especially taxes that were arbitrary and punitive. The voluntary Patriot Taxes were used to pay troops, provide clothing, build ships, and provide relief for families of soldiers in service. Cash was hard to come by and “paying taxes” often involved supplying goods, such as grain, cattle, wagons, etc. These taxes were crucial for supporting the Continental Army.
Georgia Giacobbe, a member of the Celilo Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, is proud to have an ancestor who helped this country gain its independence.
Please remember to say their names so they will not be forgotten.
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Nancy Slagle is a member of the Celilo Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and holds the rank of Honorary State Regent for Oregon. The chapter plans to present similar articles in the future which will highlight patriot ancestors of chapter members. Chapter meetings are generally held on the third Wednesday of the month, September through June, at 11 a.m. in The Dalles. For more information, visit www.celilochapterdar.weebly.com.
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