Are there still some among us who have the tenacity to defend this wonderful country with the same zeal as the 56 who proclaimed it free from British rule?
The signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence made a pledge to each other, which is famously known as the "Pledge of Lives, Fortunes, and Sacred Honor." The pledge is derived from the concluding sentence of the Declaration of Independence and reads as follows:
"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."
By making this pledge, the signers expressed their unwavering commitment to the cause of independence. They understood the gravity of their actions and the potential consequences they might face, including risking their lives, sacrificing their personal wealth, and committing to the defense of the principles outlined in the Declaration. It was a powerful affirmation of unity and shared responsibility among the signers in their pursuit of freedom and self-governance.
The signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, was a momentous event in American history, marking the birth of a new nation. The 56 individuals who signed the document were courageous patriots who risked their lives and fortunes by openly defying British rule. Here's what happened to them:
John Hancock: John Hancock was the first person to sign the Declaration of Independence as President of the Second Continental Congress. In the early days of the United States, he was a major player as the Governor of Massachusetts.
John Adams: Adams went on to serve as the second President of the United States (1797-1801) and played a vital role in shaping early American politics.
Benjamin Franklin: Diplomatically and as a polymath, Franklin was well-respected. He was instrumental in securing the 1783 Treaty of Paris that officially concluded the American Revolutionary War. His dedication to public duty lasted until his death in 1790, when he served in a variety of capacities.
Thomas Jefferson: Jefferson went on to become the third President of the United States (1801-1809). He is also known for his role in drafting the Declaration of Independence.
Samuel Adams: Adams was a prominent political leader and played a key role in the American Revolution. He served as the Governor of Massachusetts and later as Lieutenant Governor until his death in 1803.
John Jay: Jay was the country's first Chief Justice (1789–1795) and an important figure in the creation of the Constitution. A while after that, he was elected New York's governor.
John Witherspoon: Witherspoon served as a clergyman (Presbyterian minister) and an educator. He rose to prominence in the early history of American education and was appointed President of the College of New Jersey, which ultimately changed its name to Princeton University.
Richard Henry Lee: Lee was a member of the influential Lee family of Virginia. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and later played a role in the formation of the United States' government.
Elbridge Gerry: Gerry went on to serve as the fifth Vice President of the United States under President James Madison. He is also known for his role in shaping the U.S. electoral system, which led to the term "gerrymandering."
Button Gwinnett: Gwinnett served in the Georgia legislature and as the president of Georgia's Revolutionary Council. Unfortunately, he died in a duel in 1777, just a year after signing the Declaration.
George Wythe: Wythe was a prominent lawyer and educator. He became the first professor of law in the United States at the College of William & Mary. Tragically, he was poisoned by his grandnephew and passed away in 1806.
William Hooper: Hooper served in the North Carolina legislature and the Continental Congress. He remained politically active but faced financial difficulties after the Revolutionary War. He died in 1790.
William Paca: Paca served as a governor of Maryland and played a role in the state's ratification of the U.S. Constitution. He later became a federal judge and held that position until his death in 1799.
Thomas Heyward Jr.: Heyward was captured by the British during the war and imprisoned. After his release, he returned to South Carolina and resumed his legal and political career. He died in 1809.
Arthur Middleton: Middleton served in the South Carolina legislature and the Continental Congress. He was captured by the British and held as a prisoner until 1781. He continued his public service after the war and died in 1787.
Thomas Nelson Jr.: Nelson was a prominent figure in Virginia and served as the governor of the state. He was also a military officer during the Revolutionary War. Nelson's home was used as a headquarters by British General Cornwallis, and Nelson ordered the cannons to fire upon it. He faced financial difficulties later in life and died in 1789.
Francis Lightfoot Lee: Lee served in the Virginia legislature and the Continental Congress. He was also a member of the Virginia Ratifying Convention for the U.S. Constitution. He retired from public life in the early 1790s and died in 1797.
Carter Braxton: Braxton was a wealthy planter and served in the Virginia legislature. He provided financial support to the Revolutionary cause and incurred significant debts. He later faced financial ruin but continued his involvement in public service. He died in 1797.
Josiah Bartlett: Bartlett continued to serve in various political roles in New Hampshire. He became the state's governor and passed away in 1795.
William Whipple: Whipple served as a brigadier general during the Revolutionary War. After the war, he held several public offices in New Hampshire until his death in 1785.
Matthew Thornton: Thornton served in the New Hampshire legislature and the Continental Congress. He continued his medical practice and remained active in politics until his death in 1803.
Samuel Huntington: Huntington served as the President of the Continental Congress and later as the Governor of Connecticut. He died while in office in 1796.
William Williams: Williams remained involved in Connecticut politics, holding various positions such as judge and legislator. He died in 1811.
Oliver Wolcott: Wolcott served as a military officer during the Revolutionary War and later became the Governor of Connecticut. He passed away in 1797.
William Floyd: Floyd continued to serve in the New York legislature after signing the Declaration. He died in 1821.
Philip Livingston: Livingston served in the New York legislature and held various political positions. He passed away in 1778.
Francis Lewis: Lewis experienced significant personal loss during the war as his home and properties were destroyed. He continued his public service and died in 1803.
Lewis Morris: Morris served in the New York legislature and held military commands during the war. He died in 1798.
Arthur Middleton: As mentioned earlier, Middleton was captured by the British and held as a prisoner. He returned to South Carolina after the war and died in 1787.
Thomas Lynch Jr.: Lynch's health deteriorated, and he retired from public life due to illness. He died in 1779.
Edward Rutledge: Rutledge remained active in South Carolina politics and also served as a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. He died in 1800.
Thomas Heyward Jr.: Heyward was captured by the British and held as a prisoner in St. Augustine, Florida. He returned to South Carolina after his release and died in 1789.
Thomas Lynch Sr.: Lynch Sr. retired from politics due to health issues after the signing of the Declaration. He died in 1776.
Button Gwinnett: Gwinnett, as mentioned earlier, died in a duel in 1777.
Lyman Hall: Hall served as the Governor of Georgia and later became a delegate to the Continental Congress under the new Constitution. He died in 1790.
George Walton: Walton, as mentioned earlier, was captured by the British but was eventually released. He held various political offices in Georgia and died in 1804.
George Clymer: Clymer remained involved in Pennsylvania politics and served as a U.S. congressman. He died in 1813.
Benjamin Rush: Rush continued his medical career and served as a professor, as well as a leading figure in public health and education. He died in 1813.
James Smith: Smith retired from public life but continued to participate in the Pennsylvania militia. He died in 1806.
George Taylor: Taylor served in the Pennsylvania legislature and continued his work as an ironmaster. He died in 1781.
James Wilson: Wilson played a significant role in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution and served as a Supreme Court Justice. He died in 1798.
George Ross: Ross remained active in Pennsylvania
George Read: Read served in the Delaware legislature and was a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention. He held various judicial positions and died in 1798.
Caesar Rodney: Rodney served in the Delaware legislature and held military commands during the Revolutionary War. He died in 1784.
Thomas McKean: (last person to sign) McKean, as mentioned earlier, played various political roles in Pennsylvania, serving as Chief Justice and Governor. He passed away in 1817.
Samuel Chase: Chase served as a Supreme Court Justice and played a significant role in the development of American jurisprudence. He died in 1811.
William Paca: Paca, as mentioned earlier, served as the Governor of Maryland and held a federal judgeship. He died in 1799.
Thomas Stone: Stone served in the Maryland legislature and played a role in drafting the Articles of Confederation. He died in 1787.
Charles Carroll: Carroll continued his involvement in Maryland politics and held various positions, including U.S. Senator. He died in 1832 at the age of 95, being the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence.
George Wythe: Wythe, as mentioned earlier, was a prominent lawyer and educator. He died in 1806.
Richard Henry Lee: Lee, as mentioned earlier, played a role in the formation of the United States' government. He died in 1794.
Francis Lightfoot Lee: Lee, as mentioned earlier, retired from public life in the early 1790s and died in 1797.
Some Were Captured
A few signers of the Declaration of Independence were captured by the British during the American Revolutionary War and here is what happened to them:
Richard Stockton: Stockton was captured by British loyalists in 1776. He was imprisoned and subjected to harsh conditions, which severely impacted his health. After his release in 1777, he retired from politics due to his declining health and passed away in 1781.
Thomas Heyward Jr.: Heyward was captured along with other South Carolina delegates during the fall of Charleston in 1780. He was held as a prisoner in St. Augustine, Florida, until 1781. After his release, he returned to his home state and continued his involvement in public service. He died in 1789.
George Walton: Walton was also captured during the fall of Charleston in 1780. He was held as a prisoner for about a year but was eventually released in a prisoner exchange. Walton recovered and returned to politics in Georgia, serving as governor and a U.S. senator.
Thomas McKean: Although not captured, McKean was forced to flee his home due to British occupation during the war. He served in various positions and played a crucial role in the Pennsylvania government. McKean later served as Chief Justice of Pennsylvania and Governor of Pennsylvania.
Their Participation Born a Great Nation
It's important to remember that signing the Declaration of Independence was a brave act of resistance against British rule and that many of the people who did so had to go through a lot. During the war, some people lost their homes and businesses, while others were taken prisoner. But the work they did together laid the groundwork for the United States to become independent and become a democratic nation.
Let us not forget what it means to be an American!
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