The Cumberland Association or Liberty Point Resolves

The following members of Union Lodge are believed to have been founding members and signatories to the Cumberland Association or Liberty Point Resolves, a declaration made on 20 June 1775 by Cumberland County residents to support the independence of the colonies and resist Great Britain by force if necessary.

William Carver

James Emmet (Emmett)

John Wilson

     The Liberty Point Declaration of Independence was signed by 39 patriots on 20 June 1775, at what is now known as Liberty Point, on the corner of Bow and Person Streets in Fayetteville.  The Declaration follows:

     THE ASSOCIATION, June 20, 1775.  The actual commencement of hostilities against the continent, by the British troops, in the bloody scene on teh 19th of April last, near Boston, the increase of arbitrary impositions from a wicked and despotic Ministry, and the dread of instigated insurrections in teh colonies, are causes sufficient to drive an oppreseed people to the use of arms.  We, therefore, the subscribers, of Cumberland County, holding ourselves bound by the most sacred of all obligations, the duty of good citizens toward an injured country, and thoroughly convinced, that, under our distressed circumstances, we wshall be justified in resisting force by force, do unit ourselves under every tie of religion and honor and associate as a band in her defence against every foe, hereby solemny engaging, that whenever our Continental or Provincial Councils shall decree it necessary, we will go forth and be ready to sacrifice our lives and fortunes to secure her freedom and safety.  This obligation to continue in full force until a reconciliation shall take place between Great Britain and America, upon constitutional principles, an event we most ardently desire; and we will hold all those persons inimical to the liberty of the colonies, who shall refulse to subscribe to this Association; and we will in all things follow the advice of our General Committee respecting the purposes aforesaid, the preservation of peace and good order, and the safety of individual and private property.

Signed,

Robert Rowan, Lewis Barge, Maurice Nowlan, Lewis Powell, Martin Lennard, George Fletcher, Walter Murray, David Evans, John Elwell, Benjamin Elwell, Joseph Green, Robert Green, Robert Carver, Theophilus Evans, Thomas Moody, Jos. DeLespine, Arthur Council, John Oliver, Charles Stevens, Wm. Herrin, Robert Verner, David Dunn, Simon Banday, John Jones, Robert Council, Samuel Carver, David Shepherd, Micajah Farrell, John Wilson, James Emmet, Aaron Vardey, John Parker, Philip Herrin, James Gee, Wm. White, Joshua Hadley, William Blocker, Sam'l Hollingsworth, William Carver.