My Heroes... Matthew Thornton...

His father brought Matthew to America from Ireland when he was 2 or 3 years old. He attended school, served with the troops, and advocated the cause of the colonies, annoying the royally appointed governor of New Hampshire. When the governor abdicated, Matthew was elected President and then called to the Continental Congress.

He served his country as a judge as well. When he resigned, he bought a farm where he lived to be 88-years-old, remarkable for that time. He believed in temperance and cheerfulness.

What I'm finding as I read is that these were men who pushed forward no matter what. They were considered annoying by the powers that be who wanted them to shut up, sit down, and mind their own business. They didn't. They chose to champion the cause of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They defended it their who lives, true to the end. It wasn't something they dabbled in. It was something they believed in and fought for, weaving it into the fabric of their souls.