| Re: Ot: 4th of July!
THE 4TH OF JULY 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 torturedbefore 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 theRevolutionary War.
They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and theirsacred honor.What kind of men were they?Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine werefarmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, butthey signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the
penalty would be death if they were captured. Carter Braxton ofVirginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from theseas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay hisdebts, and died in rags.Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to movehis family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, andhis 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 BritishGeneral Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters.
He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home wasdestroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed
his wife, and she died within a few monhs.
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 to find his wife dead and his children vanished. Some of us takethese liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn'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.Remember: freedom is never free!  | 
07-05-2006, 02:44 PM
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