My recovery is going fairly well and I have my good days and bad days. Today is a good day because I get to share another exceptional guest post in my absence. Dr. Linda Sundquist-Nassie is a gifted teacher and historian who I have had the privilege of communicating with over the last few months. Linda has just been added to the list of contributing writers for Patriots of the American Revolution magazine and has some great pieces coming out this year. Today her post examines the Fitzhughs.

Treasures Beyond Measure
by Dr. Linda Sundquist-Nassie

I think those of us who love history are often sentimentally attached to family treasures and items that tell a piece of our history, remind us of a specific time and place, often connect us to a special relative, and actually give us a tangible link to both our personal history and our national heritage.  Those pieces of furniture or silver, paintings or letters, diaries, textiles, weapons are all preserved so that our story continues and our descendants will be linked through us to those who lived before us, insuring our own posterity.  (A wonderful book that explores the emotional connection, lore, and responsibility that our family heirlooms carry is Lisa Tracy’s “Objects of Our Affection.”  It’s a lovely, emotional read that will connect with family historians everywhere.)

One of my favorite “treasures” ironically is not a tangible item at all, but still it links me to my ancestors and the accomplishments of their lives.  I love the items that have been passed down to me beginning with my first ancestors that arrived here aboard the Susan Constant to Jamestowne in 1607, but I have found great interest in my family “mottos” that those English ancestors proudly displayed.  Arriving from Europe, many came looking for new opportunities but sporting their connections to their European heritage and any claims to royalty or privilege that they had.  Family crests, titles, mottos were proudly displayed as unique descriptions of specific family lines.  Perhaps sometimes appearing presumptuous, but interesting and in some cases, inspiring for descendants to treasure, as a standard by which family members proudly identified their lives. 

My favorite family motto comes from my Fitzhugh family line and it is one that I have chosen as my “motto”, my signature line and standard by which I have  tried to lead my life, raise my children, teach my students, and “stay the course” for my life’s work.  PRO PATRIA SEMPER  was  the Fitzhugh motto.  Translated from the Latin it means “FOR MY COUNTRY ALWAYS”.   What greater family treasure can there be then the gift of patriotic service and commitment to one’s country above all else?  This motto defines patriotism, commitment, and faithfulness – treasures beyond measure.

If you investigate the Fitzhughs who fought in the American Revolution, you will find many participants, serving in a variety of roles, leading lives in step with their family motto:  William Fitzhugh, elected to represent Virginia at the 1st Continental Congress in 1779 and a member of the Virginia State House of Delegates and State Senate in the 1780’s.  He worked hard to help establish liberty in America and was a very close friend of George Washington.  In fact, the last time George Washington left Mt. Vernon before his death, was to travel to Alexandria to visit William Fitzhugh.  (An interesting note:  William Fitzhugh’s  daughter married George Washington Parke Custis, the adopted grandson of George and Martha Washington, and their daughter, Mary married Robert E. Lee.)

My favorite story is about a cousin, fondly known as William “War Billy” Fitzhugh.  At the start of the Revolution, “War Billy” resigned his British commission, knowing that he could not fight against America.  Living in Maryland with his wife and children, the British command told him that if he would stay out of the conflict, they would pay him half his salary and they would leave him alone, since by this point, he was nearly blind.  He refused, so they imprisoned him and burned his house down, his wife and family barely escaping with their lives.  Eventually, he was released, and he returned to the Maryland area and lived out the remainder of his life, near where he is buried today.

So many stories and so many events where people put their love of country ahead of their own personal hopes and dreams.   It’s a fact that we need to remember in these times when personal comfort takes far too important a role ahead of wanting to do our patriotic duty. As a teacher, I see fewer and fewer children being taught by their parents the duty they owe their country as a result of the blessing of being a citizen of the United States.  The sacred honor that they should hold needs to be instilled in the next generation of Americans.  For me, my family motto is the greatest treasure from my ancestors that I hold.  I love the paintings and furniture and quilts and diaries that have been passed down to me, but the daily reminder “For My Country Always” is my guide and my personal connection to my history and my family.

BIO: Dr. Linda Sundquist-Nassie lives in the foothills of the beautiful gold country of northern California, an area rich in American history and folklore.  She has taught American history and literature in high school and middle school in a neighboring district for over 35 years.  She is the author of “The Poetess of Song, The Life of Mary Shindler”.  She is currently working on a multi-generational book about another branch of her family, scheduled for publication in the fall of 2012.