The author, seeking to find his grandfather's old home, follows his family history back to his great great grandfather who was born a slave and died a free man with forty acres.

It was the war that gave birth to the United States, the world's first—and today, oldest—liberal democracy. The Revolution liberated the 13 colonies from British rule and created heroes and battles now secure in national lore: George Washington. Paul Revere. Alexander Hamilton. The Battles of Bunker Hill, Saratoga, and Yorktown. But what led these heroes to upturn their lives of comfort for the dangerous pursuit of the difficult ideals of freedom and equality? What happened to them and their fellow patriots on the battlefield? Who led? Who followed? Who were the traitors? Who were the spies? This LIFE special edition goes behind the scenes to understand one of history's most important events. It captures the drama of the war through stunning imagery and a fast-paced narrative, while bringing to life the stories of the men and women who sacrificed so much for future generations.

The book rings with the names of early inhabitants and prominent citizens. For the genealogist there is the important and wholly fortuitous list of tithables of Pittsylvania County for the year 1767, which enumerates the names of nearly 1,000 landowners and property holders, amounting in sum to a rough census of the county in its infancy. Additional lists include the names, some with inclusive dates of service, of sheriffs, justices of the peace, members of the House of Delegates, 1776-1928, members of the Senate of Virginia, 1776-1928, clerks of the court, and judges.

The lines of descent in this book all originate with Ralph Shelton of Middlesex Co., Va. He was born in England. In 1707 he married Mary? He and his wife had eleven children. Except for the first three, all births were recorded in the Christ Church Register of Middlesex Co., Va. Majority of the descendants in this book descend from Crispin Shelton (b. 1713) and his youngest brother, Daniel (b. 1729). Descendants live in Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas and elsewhere.