This is a story of the Wards, Irish immigrants initially settling in Pennsylvania and Augusta County, Virginia. It follows nine generations over two-hundred-fifty years, beginning with the first generation that arrived in Philadelphia around 1730. Notable representatives include: -a citizen of colonial Virginia who participated in the church/state debate of 1785; -a Revolutionary War soldier who spent a cold winter in 1777¿1778 with General George Washington; -a Baptist minister who became an influential and long-time president of a Texas college in 1900; and -a United States Air Force doctor who monitored the safety of the first Americans sent into space beginning in 1961¿1962. Surveying this family's lengthy history, certain of their ideals and peculiarities have persisted across the generations, shaping individual and family choices and actions. Drawing heavily on the philosophy of Charles Taylor (The Ethics of Authenticity), the author believes that the Wards were continually searching for a balance between freedom and authenticity.