Ollin Magnetic Digiscoping System

What happened to the signers???

Gunner46

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Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? Five signers were captured by the British as traitors and were 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. 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, well educated, but 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 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. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid. 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 to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.
 
Thank you for posting this. I wish this would be taught in school so all the kids would learn where we came from and the huge price paid so we can live in the Greatest Nation in the world. God Bless these brave Patriots!


Dan
 
Thanks for posting Gunner. I've read a lot on the Revolutionary War and it is humbling to read about what the fight for freedom costed the individuals involved.
 
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Thank you for posting this. I wish this would be taught in school so all the kids would learn where we came from and the huge price paid so we can live in the Greatest Nation in the world. God Bless these brave Patriots!


Dan

First, Thanks Gunner for posting this. I never put any thought into this and how those guys would have to pay dearly!

I also wish this was taught in school. Sadly, you can go around and randomly ask why are we celebrating July 4? It's getting to the point where no one knows, just a day off to watch fireworks and drink beer. Heck, I work with a guy who was in the Marines for 13 years. He said that he's going to reflect on all of those who lost their lives fighting for our country. I reminded him that that day was set aside in May! Lol!

Regardless, thanks for sharing this. I learned something!
 
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This is a great story and what happened to those that signed that great document should be taught in school. However, it no longer is. That said, some of us that are over 60 were taught about this in school and know that while this story is a great one that makes us all so proud of their accomplishments, it is not totally accurate. To make sure I was correct in my memory before writing this, I Googled "What happened to the signers of the Declaration of Independence." The version presented is somewhat accurate because many did lose all they had to make us free, however, reading what really happened to them is very interesting. It is too long to post here, but I would suggest that everyone read the truth about these great men and their families. We all owe them so much respect that learning about them should be mandatory. Thanks for posting and re-kindling my memory.
 
Thanks! Since I was recently at Pearl Harbor I have been reading up on submarines and their accomplishments during WW2.
I will start reading up on The Declaration of Independence and it’s signers next.
I wonder what the signers would change if they did a time travel to today’s time. Or would it stay the same??
 
I would sincerely hope they wouldn't change a thing. They did a pretty D@mn good job on the 1st go around!
 

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