Signers of the Declaration of Independence
Brother Troy E.  McHone, P.M.

Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776?  Five were captured by the British as traitors and tortured before they died.  The homes of twelve were ransacked and burned.  Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, another had two sons captured.  Nine fought and died of wounds or hardships of the 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 jurist.  Eleven were merchants.  Nine were farmers.  The remainder were men who believed in the cause.         Nine of these men were freemasons: Ellery, Franklin, Hancock, Hewes, Hooper, Paine, Stockton, Walton and Whipple.         They signed knowing the penalty would be death if they were captured.  Carter Braxton, a wealthy man died in rags as a result of signing.  Thomas McKeam was forced to move his family constantly while serving in congress without pay, all his possessions were taken and poverty was his reward.  Soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Swinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.  Nelson's home was destroyed and he died bankrupt.  The home and properties of Francis Lewis were destroyed.  His wife was jailed 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 property was destroyed and he lived in the forest and caves for a year.  His wife and children all vanished.  He died of exhaustion and a broken heart.   Norris and Livingston suffered similar fates.         Such were the stories and sacrifices of the American Revolution.  These were not wild?eyed, rabble?rousing ruffians.  They were soft-spoken men of means and education.  They had security, but they valued liberty more.  Standing tall, straight, and unwavering, they pledged: "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and sacred honor."  They gave you and me a free and independent America.  They were British subjects at that time fighting their own government.   Don't take liberty for granted.   Thank these Patriots, they paid a price for liberty because freedom is never free.

MAIN I LODGE 118 HISTORY I MASONIC ARTICLES I CALENDAR
NEWSLETTER I COMMITTEE REPORTS I SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM I CONTACTS I LINKS I MEMBERS ONLY I GUEST BOOK