Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

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.

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! We thank these early patriots, as well as those patriots now fighting to KEEP our freedom!

I hope you will show your support by sending this to as many people as you can, please. It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more MEANING to it than beer, fireworks, HOT DOGS, and picnics......

ggttc Loc: TN

Very interesting... Thanks for the information.

DeanS Loc: Capital City area of North Carolina

Thanks for posting this Sirsnapalot. It is good to reflect on what our founders experienced pre and post creation of our great country. These are some of the reasons I served our country in uniform for 20plus years.

HAPP 241st BIRTHDAY America!!!

Sirsnapalot Loc: Hammond, Louisiana

Thank you for your service to this great country!🇺🇸

mas24 Loc: Southern CA

Benjamin Franklin and his son parted ways permanently, because of his allegiance to Britain. Benjamin could never persuade his son to change his allegiance to the American cause for Independence. Britain's military tried again in 1812. Caused a lot destruction, but lost again. The hero in that 1812 conflict was Andrew Jackson, who later became President in 1828. After the 1812 war, Britain realized it was over to regain America as its own, as it was prior to 1776. George Washington, our American hero. And first President of these United States Of America. Happy 241st birthday America.

whitewolfowner

And today we have a country of pansy ass*s who wouldn't lift a finger to help the stste of the country in fear of retaliation from employers or the goverenment. And all it took was 200 years for our country to be to the ball less wimps of today. Shameful for sure!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Very good

machia Loc: NJ

🇺🇸

jamer Loc: PA

Excellent information. Greatly appreciated.
Thanks,

bluescreek Loc: N.C. Sandhills

Great read, too bad it's unknown to half the country.

Nikonbob Loc: Upper Chichester, PA

Thank you for the inspirational post. Having served in the United States Navy, one of my greatest thrills was to see the Stars and Stripes flying from our ships' masts. It represents not only what principles our great nation stands for, but it honors all who gave their blood to ensure our liberties. Our founders' sacrifices were great - so much more than many in congress today. But, as much as we enjoy belittling our elected representatives, let us not forget the patriots among them. Senator John McCain comes to mind immediately. His courage flying combat missions over Viet Nam is well known, but few are aware of the sacrifices he continued to make after he was shot down, badly wounded, imprisoned in the infamous Hanoi Hilton, tortured and left in solitary for over five years. Yet today, Senator McCain is never bitter and works tirelessly to do the people's business.

There are many other examples of courage among our leaders and John F. Kennedy is one of my favorites as I served aboard the ship honoring his service. In his inaugural address, JFK so eloquently called on our citizens to continue the tradition of service. "My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country."

The two examples I cited were chosen not just because they are patriots. One is a Republican and one a Democrat. In the hyper-partisan political environment we face today, we demean our great nation and dishonor those who died for our liberties when we demonize members from the "loyal opposition."

Republicans and Democrats alike love and serve this nation. The differences among us are small and we just have our own ideas on how best to solve our problems. We have the tools to make our nation better. Our Constitution has provided the framework for ensuring our success. Each of the amendments to that enduring document is critically important and must be respected. The first amendment, ensuring the freedoms of speech, religion, press and right to assemble is equal in importance to the second in protecting firearm ownership. I fear we sometimes forget how important each freedom is and how they interact to protect our aggregate liberty.

I hope we all can stop for a brief moment Tuesday, and gaze upon that flag fluttering gently in the breeze. Think about what you hold dear and give thanks to all who paid the ultimate price to serve and protect our freedoms. And, never forget the first word in the name of our nation. We are the United States of America!

Jazztrader

Interesting, but more than a few "truth stretches" in this piece:
http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp

whitewolfowner

Strange that you chose McCain to site. Yes, he endured a lot in the military but today he is a snake in the grass and is betraying the country. Apparently you are aware of his recent betrayals, look into it, you will be shocked as I was when I learned of it.

Nikonbob Loc: Upper Chichester, PA

That is nonsense and you are sadly misinformed and misguided. You choose what "facts" you wish to believe, ignoring real evidence. I don't care to engage in an argument with you as life is too short to waste on lost causes. But, to malign a bonafide war hero and great public servant like John McCain is simply disgusting and un-American. By the way, to reference a source is to "cite", not site. Thanks for choosing our nation's birthday to denigrate a veteran and patriot.

whitewolfowner

You are only showing your ignorance and the evidence. Keep being ignorant if it makes you feel safe.