July 4, 1776

[70_F100]

I got this in an e-mail today from a good friend and thought I'd pass it along.

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 were 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 plantations 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, BBQs, and fireworks displays. God Bless America and have a ...

[STROKER69]

So many have made many many sacrifices for the freedom that we enjoy, including the ultiminte sacrifice of giving their life for the freedom of our country. Please DEAR GOD BLESS THE USA. Happy 4th of July.

[basketcase0302]

Very heart-warming and I'd never seen it.
Thanks for posting R.

Happy 4th everyone, be careful out there.

[forrestbump]

70_100,

Thank You so very much for sharing this...truly humbling, but makes me proud to be an American!

God Bless the U.S.A.

Please all, have a safe and wonderful 4th of July weekend.

[91Bear]

Be careful believing all that you read in forwarded e-mails.

http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp

[MrMajestyk]

Happy Birthday America

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBTyTWOZCM

[basketcase0302]

Can't too many people sum it all up like John Wayne can also:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sekHkR5B ... re=related

[flyboy2610]

On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed by two people:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_peop ... uly_4_1776
John Hancock signed it in large letter so "the King of England can read it without his glasses on."

[70_F100]

Be careful believing all that you read in forwarded e-mails.

http://www.snopes.com/history/american/pricepaid.asp

Yep, I generally check Snopes on anything I get like this. Considering the source of this one, I didn't bother to check.

At least it's PARTIALLY true!!

[MrMajestyk]

A new light on something we've heard thousands of times but will now appreciate more than ever.

I will never hear the Star Spangled Banner the same way again!!



http://www.myspace.com/video/smittys-pl ... t/21689194

[cdeal28078]

I love it 70-F100, Who says snoops is so danged right anyway? If it is important enough to you, do your own research. I don't know either way but just don't rely on Snoops or some other online thing to believe in something.
Every person that signed that document was an instant traitor and their lives were forfeit if caught as were their wife and kids. Can't say many people these days in this country would sign such a document. I doubt you could get one to sign it these days. Sorry but it is the way I feel.
Clitn

[TexasTruck72]

Here's a good video/poem to listen to, especially this weekend.

Johnny Cash's "Ragged Old Flag". Really brings the history of the USA all together. Makes me appreciate our country even more everytime I listen to this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whmVGRSgAe8

[MrMajestyk]

Who says snoops is so danged right anyway? If it is important enough to you, do your own research. I don't know either way but just don't rely on Snoops or some other online thing to believe in something.

http://beforeitsnews.com/story/83/370/S ... posed.html