Declaration of Independence
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? A friend sent me an email detailing somewhat how their lives turned out. It is not original to me but still seems worth sharing.
1. Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died.
2. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
3. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.
4. 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.
What kind of men were they?
1. Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists.
2. Eleven were merchants,
3. Nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated.
Still they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy and eventually sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
Thomas McKeam 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.
Thomas Nelson, Jr., lost his home to the British General Cornwallis for his headquarters. 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.
So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently or not so silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.
Remember: freedom is never free!
Comments
Weak. This has been making the rounds of email forwards long before you thought posting it would look original. One of my ancestors, a certain Mr. Ross, was a signatory and would no doubt take umbrage at this laziness.
This list, while inspiring, is a little misleading. Check it out on Snopes.com under "The price they paid"
This story (that continues to be told) is not 100% accurate. In the spirit of quality journalism, such facts should be checked prior to sharing randomm email information.
This is not to in any way take from my gratitude for the signers or the Declaration or all of those that have fought and continue to fight to keep America the great nation that we are.
God Bless America! (we seem to need it now more than ever)
JESUS IS ALIVE!!!
SNOPES EXPOSED
For the past few years Snopes has positioned itself, or others have labeled it, as the 'tell-all final word' on any comment, claim and email. But for several years people tried to find out who exactly was behind snopes.com. Only recently did Wikipedia get to the bottom of it - kinda makes you wonder what they were hiding. Well, finally we know. It is run by a husband and wife team - that's right, no big office of investigators and researchers, no team of lawyers. It's just a mom-and-pop operation that began as a hobby. David and Barbara Mikkelson in the San Fernando Valley of California started the website about 13 years ago and they have no formal background or experience in investigative research. After a few years it gained popularity believing it to be unbiased and neutral, but over the past couple of years people started asking questions who was behind it and did they have a selfish motivation?
When you think the problems you have are big. Read about what the real men of the world have gone thru.... It will help to put things into perspective. After loosing everything they still fought for whet we take for granted.
Every American needs to remember our history, where we came from and why we are here. As a native American full blooded Chippewa, I want to quote a forgotten indian warrior. "...yesterday, the white man was my enemy. Today, we fight side by side as brothers for the common good of our people". Have a wonderful and memorable 4th of July, America !!!
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