My ancestor was a part of the foundation of America. “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”, but as I learned, did everyone truly have their “unalienable rights”? Josiah Bartlett was my ancestor born in Amesbury, Massachusetts soon moved up to New Hampshire and he signed the Declaration of Independence while being Governor of New Hampshire. When it comes to my family's culture it is extremely powerful to know I share a last name with someone who signed the Declaration of Independence and someone who is such an important part of American history; but when it comes to my culture as a mixed race person, I also wonder, would I have been welcomed in 1776?  I wonder how times would have been back then. I wonder how people would’ve greeted him, how he would talk to people, how he would have spoken to me. I think my family's story is truly unique and seeing such an important piece of paper and seeing your last name written on the bottom of it.  I have not met someone else whose family member also signed the Declaration of Independence. Furthermore, I find history so interesting and I find it so cool to see how times have changed for the better or for worse and how life will continue to change for the better. My love of history will forever be something I remember about myself because being able to learn about it and feel a part of it has been an amazing experience that I will cherish forever. 

– BB-B

Relationship:  Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more Great-grandchild of im/migrant or more