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First Call for Independence
The first positive call for American Independence issued by a
governmental body was led by Cumberland County. From the balcony of
Effingham Tavern, Carter H. Harrison read the Committee’s instructions
to the county delegates to the State Convention:
“We
therefore, your constituents, instruct you positively to declare for an
Independency, that you solemnly abjure any allegiance to His Brittanic
Magesty and bid him a good night forever…”
The Virginia Convention decided to follow Cumberland’s lead and this
resulted in the Virginia Resolutions which were presented to the
Continental Congress and embodied in the Declaration of Independence.
Cumberland County Day
Proclamation
Whereas,
on April 22, 1776, Mr. Carter Henry Harrison, from the porch of
Effingham Tavern at Cumberland Court House, did instruct elected
delegates of this County to vote for independence from the British
government at the Virginia Convention of May 6, 1776, and
Whereas, this was the First Call for American Independence issued by a publicly elected governmental body, and
Whereas,
this event of the First Call for Freedom is unique, historic, and ever
serves as an example of self-government in the Cause of Liberty.
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