Bees That Saved America
During the American War Of Independence, beekeeper Charity Crabtree was tending to her bee skeps when she came across a wounded soldier. He plead with her to take his horse and ride at once to General Washington and warn him English Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis and his army were planning an imminent attack. Just as Charity was about to ride off, the British Redcoats arrived. To prevent them from capturing her, Charity beat her bee skeps with a stick, angering the bees. As the frenzied bees came pouring out of the hives she threw the stick at her pursuers. The incensed bees followed the stick and attacked the soldiers, stinging them relentlessly. Charity was able to escape and relay the warning in time to foil the attack. George Washington remarked “Neither you nor your bees shall be forgotten when our country is at peace again. It was the cackling geese that saved Rome, but it was the bees that saved America.”
Originally printed in The Sunday School Advocate, this story was reprinted in the September 1917 issue of the American Bee Journal. If you click on the picture below it will open the journal to the story.
Now you have a great bee story to tell around the BBQ today. Happy Independence Day to you and your honeybees!!
Other Posts You May Enjoy:
- Raspberry Honey Jelly Recipe
- Stewed Rhubarb with Ginger and Raw Honey
- Blue Pollen, Honeybees and Siberian Squill
- Planting A Bee Friendly Garden
- Bring Out Yer Dead – The Undertaker Bees
This post was linked to Farm Girl Friday and Homestead Barn Hop.