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1776 Again: Lives, Fortunes and Sacred Honor

For the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence, the last sentence of that history-changing document was assuredly on their minds before they affixed their signatures to the bottom: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.”

Every one of these men was committing treason against the British king. The punishment for treason was death.

While many Americans are familiar with names such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, John Hancock and possibly Samuel Adams, most Americans probably could not name another signer of the Declaration of Independence. Every one of the 56 signers deserves his story to be told because many of these men endured hardships and sacrifices during the Revolutionary War and beyond.

Legendary radio personality Paul Harvey, whose catchphrase was “and now for the rest of the story,” discussed the plight of many of the Declaration’s signers during a broadcast given on July 4, 1974. Some historians question mostly minor aspects of Harvey’s accounts of a few of the men he discussed. For instance, Carter Braxton of Virginia did, in fact, lose much of his fortune, but there is some dispute that he “died in rags.” The harrowing experience of John Hart of New Jersey did indeed occur, but some historians dispute the length of time Hart was hiding in forests and caves. Some believe it might have been closer to a month instead of a year.

Historians sometimes make the additional argument that while many of these signers endured hardships, these were not because of their status as signers of the Declaration but rather because of the normal tragic events that occur in any war. This was not the case for Richard Stockton of New Jersey. Stockton’s properties, as well as Stockton himself, were specifically targeted because he signed the Declaration. He was recognized and captured in the middle of the night by British Loyalists.

It is a fact that three signers from South Carolina — Thomas Heyward Jr., Arthur Middleton and Edward Rutledge — served in their state’s militia and were captured after the city of Charleston fell to the British in 1780. However, it is disputed that they received worse treatment than other prisoners during their year in prison.

What is not in dispute is that most of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were wealthy men who, in the words of Paul Harvey, “had everything to lose.” They risked it all because, as Harvey further stated, “they learned liberty is so much more important than security.”

John Witherspoon of New Jersey was a Presbyterian minister and the president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). He lost his son James during the Battle of Germantown in 1777.

Abraham Clark of New Jersey knew the serious situation in which he found himself, saying shortly after signing, “Perhaps our Congress will be exalted on a high gallows … I assure you, Sir, I see, I feel, the danger we are in.” Two of Clark’s sons, Aaron and Thomas, were captured by the British.

Robert Morris of Pennsylvania is a name that should be more widely recognized by Americans. He was absent from the vote for independence on July 2, 1776, because he was not ready to see the colonies separate from Great Britain, but later changed his mind and signed the Declaration of Independence. Nobody was more instrumental in the financing of the Revolutionary War than Morris. Whether securing funds through foreign governments and contacts with business associates, securing loans in his own name, or contributing his own cash to the cause of independence, Morris did all he could to fund the war effort.

Morris was one of only six men, along with fellow Pennsylvania delegates Benjamin Franklin, James Wilson and George Clymer, and Roger Sherman of Connecticut and George Reed of Delaware, to sign both the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution in 1787. Later in life, Morris spent three-and-a-half years in debtors’ prison after defaulting on multiple loans. He was visited in prison by George Washington, who understood and appreciated Morris’ role in keeping the Continental Army financed and supplied when the men of Washington’s army were close to their breaking point.

John Morton of Pennsylvania was a crucial vote in favor of independence in a divided Pennsylvania delegation. Without his vote, Pennsylvania might have been the only state to vote against independence on July 2, 1776. Morton had the unfortunate distinction of being the first of the 56 signers to die, succumbing to an illness in April 1777.

At the time of Morton’s death, the prospect of an independent United States of America seemed doubtful at best. The Continental Army had suffered multiple defeats and was on the run against the powerful British army and navy. Yet, despite this, Morton dictated a message on his deathbed to Pennsylvanians angered at his vote in favor of independence. It read in part, “that they will live to see the hour when they shall acknowledge it to have been the most glorious service I ever rendered to my country.” How correct his words proved to be.

Charles Carroll of Maryland was the last signer to die in 1832 at the age of 95. Carroll witnessed the United States of America functioning as a constitutional republic with twenty-four states, far more than the original thirteen colonies, and saw presidential administrations through our seventh president, Andrew Jackson. It is doubtful that Carroll’s grandest vision for the future of the thirteen American colonies in 1776 ever could have matched the reality of what he saw the United States become by 1832.

How many of us would sign our names to a document knowing it could result in our own deaths? Had these 56 American patriots and many others lost the Revolutionary War — a war all reason suggested they should lose — many of our great Founding Fathers could have met their end on British gallows. Our founding generation’s sacrifice, fortitude and “firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence” prevented this from happening.

The Founding Fathers were not perfect men, but they were certainly brave men who acted with a clear purpose to change the world. All Americans, and many people worldwide inspired to follow the American example, live in freedom because of their actions. We should celebrate the accomplishments of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence and all our Founding Fathers who changed the world with their courage, self-sacrifice and the defining stroke of a pen.

Steve Villalobos is a Southern California professional who holds an undergraduate degree in American History and political science. He is also a contributor and writer for 1776history.com.

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