4th of July's real meaning

czewwhat

What it really cost to have the Declaration of Independence.....


Subject: 4th of July

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.

cheermom11

Thank you for posting this awesome reminder...

czewwhat

Thank you for posting this awesome reminder...

seems like way more important than picnic, beer and baseball! I hope everyone cuts and pastes this into their email and sends it to everyone they know!

one response note worthy:

Cindy Jones, President
Republican Women of St. Mary's
Office: 301-994-0074
Mobile: 301-481-7801


"There, I guess King George will be able to read that."
-- John Hancock (1737-1793) American merchant, statesman, and prominent Patriot of the American Revolution, Scholar President of the Continental Congress (1775-1777), governor of Massachussets, first signer of the Declaration of Independence, remembered for his large and stylish signature on the Declaration of Independence

Delphi

I quite enjoyed reading that as well. Thanks for posting.

czewwhat

thanks, bump it up and let others know, we should remember these brave patriots on this great holiday week end!

arewethereyet

czewwhat

you have the best smileys! thanks, spread the patriotic word!

czewwhat

bump it up so it gets read

czewwhat

bump

czewwhat

bump

czewwhat

bump

hasiangirl

Nice post...a lot of people tend to forget the real meaning of the 4th of july

bethrs

bump

ksumme

AMEN, and God Bless America.
The price of freedom is not, and has never been free.

This was a fantastic reminder of what exactly it is we are celebrating today!!

czewwhat

Thank all of you for the nice responses! I hope you save this and send it to all your friends next year as well!