Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. Their doing so resulted in untold sufferings for themselves and their families.
Of the 56 men, five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons in the Revolutionary Army. Another had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the war.
Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships sunk by the British navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts and died in poverty.
At the battle of Yorktown, the British General Cornwallis had taken over Thomas Nelson’s home for his headquarters. Nelson quietly ordered General George Washington to open fire on the Nelson home. The home was destroyed and Nelson died bankrupt.
John Hart was driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their thirteen children fled for their lives. His fields and mill were destroyed. For over a year, he lived in forests and caves, returning home only to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later, he died from exhaustion.
Again this year, we celebrate our nation’s freedom as a result of the Revolutionary War. So often we forget the price that was paid for our freedom in human life and suffering.
In 2022, we continue to look to our political leaders to be willing to pay the high, personal price to preserve our democracy, our nation’s freedoms and the rights of all of our citizens.
This weekend please reflect on the high price that was paid by many people for our democracy, the freedoms and the rights that you and I now enjoy.
YOU WILL NEVER BE FREE UNTIL YOU FREE YOURSELF FROM THE PRISON OF YOUR FALSE THOUGHTS. — GOD
