James Wilson | Oprah Winfrey
Another person I was interested in was Oprah Winfrey. After Ahtun Re, the spirit guide channeled by Kevin Ryerson, confirmed that Oprah was part of the American Revolution, I asked Ahtun Re who Oprah was. Ahtun Re stated that Oprah was a significant figure in the Constitutional Convention, an Abolitionist, and involved in debates regarding the "three-fifths clause." When I asked Ahtun Re for Oprah's name in the Revolutionary era, he responded with the words, "One moment," as was his fashion when I asked for more specific information. After a pause, Ahtun Re revealed that Oprah's name was Wilson.
In reviewing participants of the Constitutional Convention, I found that James Wilson matched the description given by Ahtun Re. In addition, facial architecture matched. In a subsequent session, Ahtun Re confirmed this match.
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James Wilson was born in Scotland in 1741. After attending several universities without obtaining a degree, he emigrated to Philadelphia in 1765. Wilson then established himself in the Scottish settlement of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. In addition to occupying himself with a very successful law practice, Wilson taught English literature at the College of Philadelphia.
In the Continental Congress, Wilson served on military committees, which would have placed him in close association with Elbridge Gerry/Gary Zukav. Wilson also served on committees dealing with Indian Affairs. Charles Thomson/Ralph Nader also had expertise in Indian Affairs, so it is likely that James Wilson/Oprah Winfrey and Thomson/Nader conferred on this subject. Though there was some ambivalence in Pennsylvania regarding severing ties with Britain, after conferring with his constituents in Carlisle, James Wilson voted for Independence on July 2, 1776. Wilson signed the Declaration on August 2, 1776.
As the Revolutionary War progressed, many economic hardships were encountered. In 1779, there were food shortages, and rampant inflation made paper currency worthless. In frustration, a mob, whose members perceived Wilson as a wealthy benefactor of the economic turmoil, attacked Wilson and thirty five associates who were trapped in his home, which was dubbed Fort Wilson. Gunshots were fired and several people on both sides of the conflict were killed. The affair was called the Fort Wilson riot and one of the defenders of the fort, along with Wilson, was Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine.
Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine and James Wilson/Oprah Winfrey were closely involved in financial dealings over many years.
James Wilson's greatest service to the United States came later, though, as a delegate in the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Wilson was one of the most influential participants of the Convention, only superceded by James Madison.
The only other party of equal standing at the Constitutional Convention was Elbridge Gerry/Gary Zukav. In fact, in the book Miracle at Philadelphia, Catherine Drinker Bowen called Wilson "the unsung hero of the Federal Convention." The historian Lord Bryce referred to Wilson at the convention as one of the "deepest thinkers and most exact reasoners"14 and stated that "he thought as he chose, independently of other men, a trait that invited stormy episodes."
After the Constitutional Convention finished its work and a new Federal government was formed, George Washington appointed Wilson as one of the original justices of the Supreme Court. Wilson died in 1798 and was buried in Christ Church, along with his friend and colleague, Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine.
James Wilson and Oprah Winfrey share a number of personality traits. One striking feature about Oprah is that ever since childhood, she has displayed a natural gift for speech and oration. At age three, she gave a recitation to the congregation of her church. Adults gave Oprah praise, while the other children scorned her, jealous of her gift. At seven in the third grade, she was paid $500 to give a speech to a church group, an amazing accomplishment for a someone born into poverty and raised on a pig farm.
Biographer George Mair commented on her natural "poise and ability to engage an audience." At the age of seventeen, Oprah participated in a White House conference on youth, as well as a national speaking competition. Oprah continued to speak in churches and developed a lifelong interest in women's rights. Mair has pointed out how "Oprah would stand before the congregation or audience and thunder out the words on behalf of women's equality."
James Wilson was also a great speaker. One historian writes, "Wilson was one of the early congresses greatest orators." Thomas Kindig comments, "James Wilson's power of oration, the passion of his delivery and the logic he employed in debate, were commented on favorably by many members of Congress." This mirrors Oprah's style, as reflected in a comment by Mair on Oprah's speeches on ex-slave women, who Oprah reveres. Mair writes, "Her articulate and passionate speeches about them as a teenager began winning her recognition and prizes.
At the Constitutional Convention, only James Madison had more influence than Wilson and only two others gave more speeches than Wilson. These traits of Wilson are consistent with Oprah, as demonstrated by Mairs's comment that Oprah had the ability to "thunder out words." Bowen, in Miracle at Philadelphia, wrote that, "In the records of the Convention, when Wilson rises to speak it is as if an electric charge passes down the page." Bowen further notes that Wilson's was a "clear and powerful voice."
As the Constitutional Convention drew to a conclusion, there was fear that dissenting delegates would not sign the new Constitution. In an effort to promote unity, Benjamin Franklin wrote a speech and invited supporters to his home, over a weekend break, to review the oration. James Wilson attended and was chosen to read Franklin's speech on the following Monday. The speech was successful.
After the Constitution was ratified, Philadelphia had a celebration on the Fourth of July, 1788, and seventeen thousand people attended. The crowd settled at the newly named "Union Green," at the foot of Bush hill, near the city's harbor. James Wilson was, once again, selected to make a speech. Ten toasts were made. A trumpet sounded and artillery boomed from the ship Rising Sun after each toast. At the end of the day, Philadelphia was lit by the aurora borealis and Benjamin Rush wrote his famous words, "Tis done, we have become a nation."
In these examples, we see that James Wilson was repeatedly chosen to speak at public gatherings, much as Oprah was chosen to speak from an early age. It appears that Oprah's gift for oration is a continuation of James Wilson's talent with words.
Wilson and Oprah can both be characterized as hard workers, driven by ambition and blessed with a fine mind. Like Oprah, Wilson was born in humble circumstances. Historian Stephen Conrad wrote that Wilson "achieved fame and fortune, though industry and intellect." After immigrating to Philadelphia at 23 years of age, Wilson quickly connected himself with leading figures and established a lucrative law practice. As mentioned, Wilson soon wrote a political pamphlet that supported American self-rule and thereafter became a leader in the Continental Congress. Benjamin Franklin liked to refer to Wilson as "my learned colleague" and Benjamin Rush referred to Wilson's mind as "one blaze of light."
This mirrors Oprah's path. Oprah's intelligence was recognized early on when teachers determined that she could skip kindergarten and move directly to the first grade. Oprah also demonstrates Wilson's trait of industry. Mair wrote of the teenage Oprah, "She possessed a driving ambition and a determination to be somebody." Oprah is said to have been inspired by Jesse Jackson's admonition to work hard to achieve. Oprah's television producer made the comment that she never saw anyone work as hard, and said of Oprah, "Her stamina was boggling."
Significantly, James Wilson and Oprah, both have demonstrated a love of books. Despite his heavy schedule as a lawyer and revolutionary, Wilson taught English literature at the College of Philadelphia. Oprah demonstrated an early love of books; during childhood on her grandmother's farm, Oprah's life revolved around reading. Oprah read Bible stories aloud to farm animals she tended. In her adolescence, during periods of trouble and alienation, Oprah would withdraw into books. In later years, as her show became the most watched daytime program, she got America reading again and her book club became a cultural institution.
James Wilson was an early voice against slavery. In his pre-Revolutionary pamphlet, Considerations on the Nature and Extent of the Legislative Authority of the British Parliament, Wilson wrote "All men are by nature, equal and free. No one has a right a right to any authority over another without his consent." Though the pamphlet dealt primarily with British rule, this statement reflects Wilson's idealism. In the Continental Congress, Wilson voiced his opposition to slavery at a time when many ignored the issue in order to preserve unity between the colonies.
Human bondage has been an issue for Oprah also. Oprah, in her shows and movies, has explored the detrimental effect slavery has had on the psyche of African Americans. In this context, Oprah has said, "Slavery taught us to hate ourselves." It is important to note, that though being black in America has been a central issue in Oprah's life, she does not fully identify with black issues. Sherry Burns, an Oprah producer, said: "She's the universal woman; she gets past the black thing."
Wilson and Oprah have both been characterized as being wealthy and both associated with the "aristocratic" elements of society. Though Oprah has shown devotion to her black heritage, Mair writes of Oprah, "She identifies with the white power structure, with whom she shares the same socioeconomic class, as does a virtually invisible class of successful, wealthy blacks." Mair notes, "Oprah quickly slipped into the role of the rich woman who could order up limousines, fancy meals, and chartered jets at the snap of her fingers." Oprah makes it a point to maintain close fiscal control of her wealth and operations, rather than delegating the control of money to others.
These traits are consistent with those observed in James Wilson. One historian notes, "Wilson affirmed his newly acquired political stance by closely identifying with aristocratic and wealthy republican groups, multiplying his business interests." Wilson was closely affiliated with Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine in business endeavors, and the two were perceived as some of the wealthiest citizens of Philadelphia. As mentioned previously, when rampant inflation and food shortages occurred in 1779, this image of wealth worked against Wilson, Morris and other well-to-do cohorts.
In the fall of 1779, Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine and over 30 other aristocrats were chased into James Wilson's home by an armed mob. Shots were fired and there were deaths on both sides. Local troops had to rescue the barricaded group in what became known as the Fort Wilson Riot.
Two years later, Morris and Wilson teamed up again, though in more civil circumstances. When Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine founded the Bank of North America in 1981, James Wilson/Oprah Winfrey was made a director of the bank. Wilson's service as a bank officer is reflected in Oprah's business acumen and the fiscal control of her vast financial empire. It is interesting to note that this pair teamed again up in our contemporary era. When Oprah's Chicago-based talk show first originated, Shirley MacLaine was one of her first guests.
Though Wilson and Oprah both have demonstrated a drive for wealth and achievement, both have also had a tendency to be loose with their money. As a young woman, when Oprah was asked during a beauty contest what she would do with a million dollars, she replied she would be "a spending fool." This prediction has come true on many occasions. Biographer Mair has noted that between 1988 and 1990, Oprah spent $35 million on personal items. In addition, when problems arise with key staff members or in relationships, Oprah's impulse is to spend money lavishly, on gifts, vacations, new dwellings, and other perks, hoping that her generosity will quell the disturbance.
James Wilson was also a big spender, but more in terms of business ventures and land speculation. Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine and James Wilson together purchased frontier land in Illinois. Wilson was made president of their firm, the Illinois Wabash Company. Ironically, Wilson owned the land that later sprouted the city of Chicago, Oprah's adopted home town and base of operations. The title "spending fool" is apropos for Wilson also, as his spending and speculation drove Wilson into bankruptcy. Like Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine, James Wilson/Oprah Winfrey even served time in debtors' prison.
Like James Wilson, Oprah has been involved in the workings of government and has sponsored legislation. Oprah hired former Illinois governor James Thompson to guide passage of the National Child Protection Act, which helps prevent convicted child abusers from taking jobs involving child care. The bill was also known as "Oprah's Act," and Oprah was present when President Clinton signed it into law. Interestingly, Oprah as James Wilson would have known Clinton as Peyton Randolph in Revolutionary times. James Wilson/Oprah Winfrey was elected to the First Continental Congress in 1775. Peyton Randolph/Bill Clinton served as the President of the First Continental Congress until he suddenly and unexpectedly died in October 1775.
In a final similarity, Oprah and Wilson both have demonstrated an inclination for weight gain. James Madison noted that James Wilson was "inclined to stoutness." John Adams had this tendency also, as have I in certain years. It appears that the characteristic of a good appetite is a personality trait that can be carried through from lifetime to lifetime. In fact, there are past-life therapists who treat obesity utilizing past-life therapy. More study of past-life connections to weight problems, I am sure, is a topic that will expand with time.
Other cases mentioned in this section,
which can be found in Return of the Revolutionaries,
include
the
cases of:
Gerry Elbridge/Gary Zukav
Robert Morris/Shirley MacLaine
Charles Thomson/Ralph Nader
Benjamin Rush/Nobel Laureate Kary Mullis
