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My friend Jim sent this to me. I think everyone should have to read this today...
REMEMBER THE SIGNERS TOMORROW
July 4th is one of the most important holidays of our Nation, so it is time
to remember.
Have you ever wondered what happened to the fifty-six 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 fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the
Revolutionary War.
They signed and pledged their live, 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 debt, and died in rags.
Thomas McKean 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, Rutledge 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
thirteen 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.
Some of us take our liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So,
take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July Holiday and silently
thank these patriots. It is not too much to ask for the price they paid.
REMEMBER: Freedom is not free!
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