Declaration of Independence

From friend Judith Raglin:
Ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence?

Five 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 pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. What kind of men were they?

24 were lawyers and jurists. 11 were merchants, 9 were farmers and plantation owners; men of means.

They signed the Declaration of Independence knowing that the penalty was 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.

The British hounded Thomas McKeam. He kept his family in hiding. He served in Congress without pay. His possessions were taken. 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., urged General George Washington to open fire on HIS OWN HOME where the British had set up headquarters. The home was destroyed. Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis; home and properties were destroyed. His wife died in jail 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 gristmill were laid to waste. He lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished.

Some of us take these liberties we have so much for granted, but we shouldn't.
Take a few minutes while preparing for and enjoying your 4th of July holiday.

Silently thank these patriots. Remember: freedom is never free!