What happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?
The following are some quotes from a recent article I read about what happened to the men who signed the Declaration of Independence.
“Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army;
Another had two sons captured.
Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to uphold their views of freedom for their families and the future generations of this great country.
What kind of men were they?
Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
Eleven were merchants.
Nine were farmers and large plantation owners.
These were all men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty may be death if they were captured. They were all willing and committed to pay the ultimate sacrifice if necessary.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.
At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.”
Authors Unknown
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It’s not to much to ask for the price these patriots paid.
Remember the men and women who have served in past conflicts and wars and those who are serving our country now. Without their sacrifices, our freedom we enjoy everyday…..will disappear.
Remember: FREEDOM IS NEVER FREE!
It’s time we get the word out that PATRIOTISM IS NOT A SIN, and the Fourth of July has more meaning than a fifth of booze, 12 pack of beer, BBQ, picnics, and baseball games. It’s about those who gave it all so you and I can enjoy our freedom today.
