John Gunby
| John Gunby | |
|---|---|
| Born | March 10, 1745 Somerset County, Maryland |
| Died | May 17, 1807 (aged 62) Snow Hill, Maryland |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Years of service | 1775–1783 |
| Rank |
|
| Unit | |
| Commands held | |
| Battles/wars | |
John Gunby (March 10, 1745 – May 17, 1807) was an American planter and soldier from Somerset County, Maryland who is considered by many to be "one of the most gallant officers of the Maryland Line under Gen. Smallwood". He entered service volunteering as a minuteman in 1775 and fought for the American cause until the end earning praise as probably the most brilliant soldier whom Maryland contributed to the War of Independence. Gunby was also the grandfather of Senator Ephraim King Wilson II.
The Gunby family arrived in Maryland around 1660, coming from Yorkshire, England and settling in Queen Anne's County. Around 1710, his grandfather moved the family to Somerset County to a farm at Gunby's Creek, an inlet of Pocomoke Bay, near present-day Crisfield where John Gunby was born on March 10, 1745. During his youth, Gunby had many opportunities to deal with persons from different social classes as the Gunby home was considered a rendezvous for the people of the neighboring country and the family exercised substantial influence due to their large land holdings and sea vessels with which they engaged in coastal trade.
In the spring of 1775, at the age of 30, John Gunby volunteered as a minuteman for which his father, a staunch loyalist, warned him that he was running the risk of being hanged as a traitor. John Gunby is said to have replied:
"I am determined to join American forces, come what will. We have little fear, for justice will dominate, and the colonies, as victors, will live to adopt a crown of freedom, not one of oppression. Your arguments, your entreaties your commands will avail nothing. For me, I would rather sink into a patriots grave then wear the crown of England."
...
Wikipedia