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July 4, 2010 at 4:11 pm #501121
tdm
July 4, 2010 at 4:11 pm #819569Sorry this is a little late. I learned sme new things and it gave me more insight into my families history. One brother in the family fought for the British while another fought in the Continental Army. Can you imagine the heartbreak that family must have suffered?
An eye-opening history lesson. The Signers of the Declaration of Independence had much to suffer! This will help you appreciate celebrating the 4th of July all the more.
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. patriotism is NOT a sin and the Fourth of July has more to it than
beer, picnics, and baseball games and fire workstwindragonsmum 🙂
tdm
July 4, 2010 at 4:27 pm #819570I’ve heard this multiple times during my life, but it’s always good to be reminded again. Thank you! 🙂
July 5, 2010 at 1:00 am #819571Amen.
July 5, 2010 at 3:48 am #819572This was very humbling to read. thank you, and Happy Independence Day!!
July 5, 2010 at 4:33 pm #819573Thank you so much for reminding all of us of this. There are sacrifices to our freedom. I always got the uneasy feeling that our freedom comes with the loss of life and hardship to others. We shouldn’t forget!
July 5, 2010 at 10:31 pm #819574Wow thats awesome. Thanks for posting that. Its easy to think life was easier, and more simple back then, but really we have it easy today!
July 6, 2010 at 1:25 am #819575WOW just WOW!!
we have a LOT to be thankfull for!!July 6, 2010 at 12:46 pm #819576Patriots live on….in our hearts,in our thoughts and in our actions 🙂
Every act matters.No matter how small💞
(Wanted......Brimstone Lap)
Male Hearth....one day🤞Dream on.July 6, 2010 at 4:00 pm #819577bodine6127 wrote:Patriots live on….in our hearts,in our thoughts and in our actions 🙂
I couldn’t have said it better myself. —> Hear, hear!
Thank you for starting this thread twindragonsmum.
July 6, 2010 at 5:20 pm #819578Hear, hear!
With the encampments for the Battle of Saratoga (the ‘Turning Point’ in the Revolution) right in my backyard, it’s hard to miss the relics or sign postings around the village and nearby area regarding that time in US history. We were taught this stuff going to school so much, but it’s amazing how little seems to be taught elsewhere. I don’t think I want to know the number of people who couldn’t answer half the questions on the new citizenship test that is used (easy if you know basic US History and Gov’t and basic Civics) and take it all for granted. 🙁
Thanks for posting this. 🙂
July 7, 2010 at 2:49 am #819579Thanks all! I’m a huge history buff–from Early American history to Medeival British history… It all ties into who I am-It’s essentially the history of my family. So thank you for being so generous with my ramblings about genealogy and history and patriotism and patriots from all nations, especially since we are now a world wide forum. I’m currently focusing on my Viking heritage and am learning their needlework techniques. My trip to Cape Cod last October was so fabulous – espcially being able to visit Louisa May Alcott’s home (I descend from her). It was eye opening to see that in that small community there was a great amount of literary talent. And being able to visit Lexington and Concord and Plimouth Plantation and seeing the excavation of the old Pairpoint glass factory (and getting to bring home a piece of excavated glass that dates to the late 1700’s) was fabulous! I definately need another visit out east! And I completely fell in love with the Old North Church in Boston. I soooo envy all our eastcoasters for their easy access to a lot of tremendous history!
twindragonsmum 😀
tdm
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