"Lessons from Our Forefathers" by Randell Jones
“Before Liberty”—again!
Even through the misty lenses of history, they were not giants—neither are we.
Randell Jones is an award-winning writer about the pioneer and Revolutionary War eras and North Carolina history. During 25 years, he has written 150+ history-based guest columns for the Winston-Salem Journal. His newest release is the expanded 2nd edition of the 2005 biography and travel guide, In the Footsteps of Daniel Boone (2024) and the related video, Boone’s America: Boone Trace, 1775. In 2017, he created the Personal Story Publishing Project and in 2019, the companion podcast, “6-minute Stories” to encourage other writers. He lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Visit RandellJones.com and BecomingAmerica250.com.
Author’s Talk
You can find all 52 episodes of “Before Liberty” on Substack.com . (Click here.)
This illustration appeared with the guest column on June 28, 2026 in the Winston-Salem Journal. The caption read: “Roy Thompson’s yearlong ‘Before Liberty’ series informed readers of the Winston-Salem Journal 50 years ago during America’s Bicentennial about North Carolina’s colonial era. (Photography by Randell Jones; 1976 illustration by Jim Stanley.)”
Welcome to Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Moravian Town of Salem was established in 1766. The Moravians are a Christian sect who migrated south from Pennsylvania in 1753. These were highly literate, German speaking farmers and artisans who kept journals. The written record of their history in North Carolina is extensive. The were non-combatants during the American Revolution and were visited upon by both patriot forces and Loyalist forces during the conflict. Their story is best told through a visit to Old Salem Museums and Gardens in Winston-Salem.
“A Revolutionary Stroll” is available to you online here. It is narrated or you can read the text.
