Signers of the Declaration of Independence Author unknown
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Their story…
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 two had sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants. Nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means and well educated. 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. 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 Congress without pay while his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwennett, 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 Nelson had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife. 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 and vanished. His fields and gristmill were laid waste. For more than a year, he lived in forest and caves.
Patriotism is NOT a sin. Remember, freedom is not free!
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Their story…
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 two had sons captured. Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor.
What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants. Nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means and well educated. 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. 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 Congress without pay while his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken and poverty was his reward.
Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwennett, 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 Nelson had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife. 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 and vanished. His fields and gristmill were laid waste. For more than a year, he lived in forest and caves.
Patriotism is NOT a sin. Remember, freedom is not free!
Brainerd VFW Post 1647, 309 South 6th Street, Brainerd, MN, USA
