Did You Know…Facts About the Signers of the Declaration of Independence

The Revolutionary War

In 1775 the battles of Lexington and Concord marked the beginning of the Revolutionary War. Minor skirmishes with the British militias had been going on for years, smoldering like a volcano just waiting to erupt. There were 165 battles. The fighting lasted for 7 years and for the most part ended in 1781 with the American victory in Virginia, although there were a few more skirmishes that ended in 1783.

They Declared America’s Independence

On July 4^th, 1776 America declares her independence from Great Britian and the Declaration of Independence was signed. There were 56 signers of the document. Among them were politicians, lawyers, doctors, preachers, merchants, and landowners. They came from all walks of life but found common ground in defending the rights of the colonies and laying the foundation for life and liberty in a new independent country.

These men drafted, signed, and declared America’s independence as the battles raged on.

They didn’t just put their names on paper. The sacrificed their lives and their livelihoods. They lost families, fought in battles and were taken as prisoners. They stood their ground to defend this new country. Many lost everything. Some lost their fortunes. Some died.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, –That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness…”

The Sacrifice was Real

Edward Rutledge, a Congressman took leave to join the fight in his colony as a member of the Charleston Battalion of Artillery. He fought in several important battles and was captured and held as a prisoner until 1781.

Richard Stockton supported the war effort. He was sent on a mission and as he was returning home, the British overtook New Jersey. He was captured and imprisoned by the British. He was starved and tortured for 5 weeks until his health failed. He was released only to find his home, crops and livestock were destroyed by the British. His law library was burned.

George Walton, a Colonel of the First Regiment of the Georgia Militia. A cannon ball hit and broke his leg. Walton was taken prisoner but gained his freedom in 1779 through a prisoner exchange. His wife was also captured and jailed.

Lyman Hall‘s home was burned and the British accused him of high treason. His family hid him in Connecticut.

John Hart’s wife was dying. He was forced to flee her bedside, along with their 13 children. The British destroyed his gristmill and crops. He was forced to hide for over a year. When he returned, his wife was dead and his children gone. He died a few weeks later from a broken heart and exhaustion.

Thomas Heyward Jr was taken prisoner by the British while in command of a Militia during a battle in Charleston.

Francis Lewis was taken prisoner and shipped to France. His wife was also jailed and tortured for two years. She died from the abuse shortly after being released in a prisoner exchange. He lost all of his property in New York.

Arthur Middleton was captured in Charleston and help prisoner for more than a year. He lost all of his wealth.

Lewis Morris lost all of his wealth and property during the war.

Robert Morris, a wealthy merchant, loaned the American government $10,000 of his own money to support the troops. Later, he spent $1million for supplies and provisions for the American troops. He lost most of his fortune during the war and never regained it.

Carter Braxton, an importer lost his fleet of merchant ships and was left bankrupted by the end of the war.

Benjamin Franklin gave his entire fortune to support the war effort.

William Ellery’s plantation was burned.

Phillip Livingston had two homes burned by the British

William Floyd’s home was taken over by the British and his family was forced to flee.

William Hooper’s estate was destroyed and his family was scattered.

Five of the signers were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Nine died from wounds, exhaustion, and illnesses received during the war. Two lost sons in the battles.

…“their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.”

The sacrifices of these men established the foundations of liberty and freedom for this country. They are the reason I can live free.

Their sacrifices are mostly untold. But thanks to my pastor, who reminded us that liberty come as a sacrifice, I am telling their stories.

They stood tall, and proud. They signed their names, and pledged to each other “their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.” All in the honor of freedom.

Today I will think of them, and silently thank them for their sacrifices, I hope you will too.