Remarkable Sacrifices of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence.

 

in order to make Independence a Reality.

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 tortured before they died.

Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

What kind of men were they?

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.

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.

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.

The Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.

Contributed by Howard 'Bill" Lark
U-Tapao, Thailand  (1968-1969)