March 20, 1776

On March 1, 1776, five men in Northampton County, north of Philadelphia, were censured by the local committee. As a result, they issued a statement to be printed in the English and German newspapers in the area. The men—Johannes Ziglin, Sr., Johannes Ziglin, Jr., Thomas James, Jacob Hipge, and Edward Evans—had all entered “into a written agreement and unlawful combination, to bid defiance to the laws of our country, and to resist the authority of the civil Magistrates, as also in wickedly and maliciously defaming and slandering the Honourable Continental Congress.” The reason for their refusal to accept these authorities is not clearly stated. But clearly, they were believed to be threats to their community.

The men, “conscious” of their “misdemeanor and accumulated guilt,” asked for pardon from their “offended countrymen.” But this public apology was not enough. Within ten days of this statement, each man was required to “yield and deliver up” all of their firearms “into the hands and custody of the Committee-men.” The weapons would be detained until the committee deemed the men worthy of the “favour and confidence” of their fellow citizens.

The Pennsylvania Gazette
Printed by Hall and Sellers

In COMMITTEE, Easton, March 1, 1776.

We the subscribers, inhabitants of Chestnut-hill and Hamilton townships, in the county of Northampton, being conscious of our misdemeanor and accumulated guilt, as well in entering into a written agreement and unlawful combination, to bid defiance to the laws of our country, and to resist the authority of the civil Magistrates, as also in wickedly and maliciously defaming and slandering the Honourable Continental Congress, we therefore acknowledge ourselves highly culpable, and ask pardon of our offended countrymen, promising, in the most solemn manner, as a token of our sincere repentance, to yield and deliver up into the hands and custody of the Committee-men of the said respective townships, within ten days from this date, all our arms, to be by them kept and detained until both by our words and actions it shall evidently appear, that we merit the favour and confidence of our fellow-citizens. Johannes Ziglin, sen. Johannes Ziglin, jun. Thomas James, Jacob Hipge, Edward Evans.

Resolved, That the above be published in the English and German news-papers.

Extract from the minutes,
ROBERT TRAILL, Clerk.