William Floyd

My name is William Floyd. I was born on Long island near the edge of the sea. When my father died, I was barely in my twenties and the land became my charge. From it, I raised crops, cattle and character. Could not stand idle while Parliament taxed and ruled us like children across an ocean. By the time I signed the Declaration of independence I was 41 years old a husband, a father and a general in the militia. Knowing the cost, I signed anyway. Just before we signed the Declaration a nervous delegate said, floyd, if we get our next noose for this you'll kick half an hour after I'm quiet. I reckon he was right. I was built for hard work and hard battles. Shortly after the British invaded Long Island I took my home. My wife and children fled under threat of fire and sword. But we did not yield. I took up command in the militia, rose to major general and helped carry the war forward. My family, like this country, endured, rebuilt and reclaimed what was lost. Liberty comes at a cost. I paid it willingly. So must you.