Our Lives, Fortunes, & Sacred Honor
“Do you recollect the pensive and awful silence which pervaded the House when we were called up, one after another, to the table of the President of Congress to subscribe to what was believed by many at the time to be our death warrants?” Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, described this memory to co-signer and future U.S. President John Adams in 1781.
The final wording of the Declaration of Independence reflected that solemnity: “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.”
John Adams further elaborated in 1777: “You will never know how much it cost the present [my] generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it.”
The Cost of Freedom
Many of the signers assisted in or led military efforts during the Revolution, serving with their time, talent, and finances. After the war, many also went on to serve in prominent positions in their own states or the new country. Finally, many of them—and their families—paid high prices for their stand for freedom, often brutally targeted by the British for their rebellion to the British Crown. Some were impoverished at the end of the conflict and died early deaths.
Following are accounts of just some of these men from the 13 colonies, who ranged widely in age, social status, and wealth.
During the British occupation of New York in 1776, British troops captured Elizabeth Lewis, wife of signer Francis Lewis, at their family estate on Long Island. Seeking to hang Francis, the British took Elizabeth and imprisoned her under extremely harsh conditions for several months. She was eventually released in a prisoner exchange arranged by General George Washington—but her health had been permanently damaged and she soon died. Their home and property were destroyed.
A wealthy plantation owner and trader, Carter Braxton of Virginia fell into financial ruin after the war, saddled with large amounts of debt. The British destroyed many of his farms during the fighting, and other land and business investments failed during the conflict and the economic collapse that followed. This included many investments that had been made with the main purpose of supporting the Patriot cause.
John Hart of New Jersey was significantly affected by the war—he suffered constant danger as the conflict raged around his farmland. His property, including a grist mill, was ransacked by British and Hessian troops. Hewas driven from his wife’s bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. His health was ruined.
Thomas Nelson, Jr., of Virginia personally financed the war effort in Virginia, before becoming governor of the state in 1781. He sacrificially ordered George Washington to fire on his own home during the Siege of Yorktown, which the British had seized and were using as a base. He suffered significant financial loss and damage to his family plantations because of the war.
A New York plantation owner, many of William Floyd’s assets, especially farmland, were destroyed during the Revolutionary War. His Long Island home was looted and then seized as a military headquarters for the British in 1776.
Captured by the British during the Siege of Charleston, Thomas Heyward, Jr., of South Carolina was kept as a prisoner of war until 1781. In the meantime, his plantation in his home state was plundered. While imprisoned in St. Augustine, FL, he inspired patriotism among his fellow prisoners. His wife died in his absence.
Richard Stockton of New Jersey was captured by Loyalists and turned over to the British shortly after signing the Declaration. He suffered harsh treatment in captivity, and though he was released the year after, his health suffered, and his possessions were plundered.
A member of the colonial elite, Arthur Middleton was heavily involved in South Carolinian politics and was captured by the British during the Siege of Charleston. During his imprisonment, his estates were damaged by the British Army.
An ironmaker and factory owner, George Taylor of Pennsylvania directly contributed to the war effort, producing munitions and weapons for the Continental Army while attending the Continental Congress as a representative. However, his work had a significant impact on his health, and he died before the war was won.
George Walton of Georgia worked on the frontlines and in Georgia’s military leadership, and was captured by the British during the occupation of Savannah.
William Hooper served as a state legislator and judge in North Carolina after having worked in the Continental Congress. He was separated from his loved ones for 10 months when the British invaded North Carolina, often destitute and ill with malaria. William suffered financially as a result of the war, as the British burned his home and plantation.
John Witherspoon of New Jersey worked on nation-building, especially in education and religion, serving in Congress while working as a Presbyterian minister. In 1777, many of Witherspoon’s possessions and notes were lost when the British destroyed Nassau Hall at Princeton University (then called the College of New Jersey). After the war, he spent considerable amounts of time and money repairing the building.
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
The people He has chosen as His own inheritance.
The LORD looks from heaven;
He sees all the sons of men.
From the place of His dwelling He looks
On all the inhabitants of the earth;
He fashions their hearts individually;
He considers all their works.
No king is saved by the multitude of an army;
A mighty man is not delivered by great strength.
A horse is a vain hope for safety;
Neither shall it deliver any by its great strength.
Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the LORD;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
Psalm 33:12-22
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