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HEBRON — Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) member Beverly Robbins recently spoke to the Hebron Historical Society about the Black Robe Regiment. Her presentation shed light on the undeniable influence of the clergy on fighting the Revolutionary War as well as the wordings in both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
British sympathizer Peter Oliver first used the name “Black Robe Regiment” when complaining clergymen were at the heart of the revolution. Every time the British advanced, he asserted, the pastors of virtually all denominations would spread the word and rally their congregations to engage them in battle.
A political activist in the early 18th century, John Wise, a Massachusetts clergyman and Harvard graduate, would preach “taxation, without representation,” is a form of tyranny. He also noted (referencing biblical teaching) that all men are created equal. Robbins asked the audience “Have you heard this before? In 1864, Historian Benjamin Moore noted that some of the more glittering sentences of the Declaration of Independence are almost word for word from the essays of John Wise. Moore said no class of men contributed more to carrying forward the American Revolution than did the ministers.
By establishing a system teaching and preserving the principles indispensable to religious liberties and beliefs they advocated, the Black Robe Regiment can be directly linked to the foundation of the educational system in America. Some of our schools, founded by preachers, include Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Dartmouth. Today the influence of the clergy has waned, and some freedoms have been eroded, but it is important to note, Robbins said, our forefathers fought for freedom of religion but not for freedom from religion.
The next speaker will be Ann Gass discussing Maine’s Women Suffrage efforts to secure voting rights in the early-20th century.
The meeting is April 25 at the town office, 351 Paris Rd., beginning at 7 p.m. The public is invited.
