Happy Birthday America - And A Salute to Those Who Made it Possible

[Guest guest]

Thanks Butch.

I did not read this information before and yes, it does mean a lot to

me. those guys where gutsy and heroic.

We have to thank them much for their wisdom and foresight.

C-M

[Guest guest]

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.

 

Most of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't.

 

The cost of freedom has always been high .. as it is today. And only

the free can give freedom to those who are not free.

 

So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and tell

your children what this day stands for .. its far more than hot dogs and

beer and fireworks .. it is America's Independence Day. Tell them about

those who gave their all so we could be free and celebrate this day ..

and during the festivities tomorrow, take time to silently thank these

patriots. It's not much to ask for the price they paid.

[Guest guest]

I want to thank you too Butch I had read that before but it had been awhile, I

like to be reminded of the men that gave me the thing I cherish the most and

that is my freedom.

Sandra from the hills of Tn

-

Christa Maria

 

Thanks Butch.

I did not read this information before and yes, it does mean a lot to

me. those guys where gutsy and heroic.

We have to thank them much for their wisdom and foresight.

C-M

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Good Morning Butch,

Don't remember ever reading this before. Its rather interesting to know,

Would like to pass this on to a friend that I know would enjoy this.

Well back to the mail, I have a ton, we were gone all day yesterday.

Happy 4th.

Nancy

 

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the

Declaration of Independence?