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Saturday July 4th, 2009
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The next time someone makes disparaging remarks concernig the men who are known as America's Founding Fathers
because of some of their beliefs or ways of life.
Just remember that we are talking about
life in the 18th century
... and tell them this:
Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed theDeclaration of Independence?
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Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and torturedbefore they died.
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Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.
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Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had twosons captured.
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Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships ofthe Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, theirfortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?
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Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmersand large plantation owners; men of means, well educated.
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But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that thepenalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton of Virginia, awealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the BritishNavy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.
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Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move hisfamily almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and hisfamily was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and povertywas his reward.
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Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton,Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. At the battle of Yorktown, ThomasNelson Jr, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelsonhome for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to openfire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.
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Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife,and she died within a few months.
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John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid towaste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home tofind his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died fromexhaustion and a broken heart.
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Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates. Such were the stories andsacrifices of the American Revolution. These were not wild-eyed, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education.
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They had security, but they valued liberty more. Standing tall, straight, andunwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firmreliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to eachother, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.
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"They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books nevertold you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fightjust the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our owngovernment! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but weshouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday andsilently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.
Unknown Author
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