Faith Of Our Signers P14

Last week I ended with Benjamin Rush reminiscing to fellow signer John Adams of the Declaration of Independence and recollecting Colonel Harrison of Virginia’s comments about being larger than a Mr. Gerry and dying much quicker then he would with his small frame. 

While Harrison’s comment momentarily lightened the somber mood of the day, they all recognized that death was a very real likelihood for each of them, America would be fighting the mighty British Empire - the greatest military power on the earth. The Founders faced the genuine possibility of losing everything they had, and in various ways, they all suffered for their decision.

They realized that, in the words of a noted historian, “history was strewn with the bones and blood of freedom fighters.” That historian calculated: Nine signers died of wounds or hardships during the Revolutionary War. Five were captured or imprisoned in some cases with brutal treatment. The wives, sons and daughters of others were killed, jailed, mistreated, persecuted, or left penniless. One was driven from his wife’s deathbed and lost all his children.

The houses of 12 signers were burned to the ground. Seventeen lost everything they owned. Every signer was proscribed as a traitor; everyone was hunted. Most were driven into flight; most were at one time or another barred from their families or homes. Most were offered immunity, freedom, rewards, their property, or the lives and release of loved ones to break their pledged word or to take the King’s protection. Their fortunes were forfeited, but their honor was not. No signer defected or changed his stand throughout the darkest hours. Their honor, like the nation, remained intact. 

More on this next week for another American Moment.

Sourced from The American Story: The Beginnings by David Barton and Tim Barton.