Some American History Lessons

Founding Fathers | Funny Jokes at JibJab

As we embark on yet another Fourth of July I think I'll keep things basic and simply tell you all that despite what I may think is wrong with much of our current political climate, how difficult our current economical status may be or how dangerous this world is becoming I still believe in the ideals of this great country. America, despite her faults, is still the greatest nation in the world with the most opportunities, the most charitable people of all classes and the most freedoms (still) that any civilized nation can aspire to.

To help celebrate the birth of a nation, take a look at the following "facts" to help you understand a little more of what it took to get here and maybe we could realize some things we may need to prepare for to remain free. You never know.

Founding Fathers / First Patriots
Interesting facts about the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence!

Delaware • George Read• Caesar Rodney • Thomas McKean Pennsylvania • George Clymer• Benjamin Franklin • Robert Morris• John Morton • Benjamin Rush• George Ross • James Smith• James Wilson • George Taylor Massachusetts • John Adams• Samuel Adams • John Hancock• Robert Treat Paine • Elbridge Gerry New Hampshire • Josiah Bartlett• William Whipple • Matthew Thornton Rhode Island • Stephen Hopkins• William Ellery New York • Lewis Morris• Philip Livingston • Francis Lewis• William Floyd Georgia • Button Gwinnett• Lyman Hall • George Walton Virginia • Richard Henry Lee• Francis Lightfoot Lee • Carter Braxton• Benjamin Harrison • Thomas Jefferson• George Wythe • Thomas Nelson, Jr. North Carolina • William Hooper• John Penn • Joseph Hewes South Carolina • Edward Rutledge• Arthur Middleton • Thomas Lynch, Jr.• Thomas Heyward, Jr. New Jersey • Abraham Clark• John Hart • Francis Hopkinson• Richard Stockton • John Witherspoon Connecticut • Samuel Huntington• Roger Sherman • William Williams• Oliver Wolcott Maryland • Charles Carroll• Samuel Chase • Thomas Stone• William Paca


Twenty-four were lawyers / jurists.

Eleven were merchants.

Nine were farmers and large plantation owners.

Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned.

Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured.

Nine fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.
And while many know of Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, John Adams, and other famous signers . . . here is what happened to several of the lesser known ones...

Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags.

Thomas McKean was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward.

Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Rutledge, and Middleton had their properties looted by vandals or soldiers.

Thomas Nelson Jr., at the battle of Yorktown, noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt.

Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, 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 fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. A few weeks later he died from 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 or war hungry . . . 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 our sacred honor."

So, every July 4th . . . take a moment to silently remember these first USA patriots for doing what was needed, regardless of consequences to themselves . . . And do the same for all of the heroes who have followed them, as their noble efforts allow us to continue to celebrate Independence Day as it was meant to be!
Freedom is priceless . . . as its costs are the lives given valiantly to have it!

And now some last words from Mark Twain...

"It was wonderful to find America, but it would have been more wonderful to miss it."

"Suppose you were an idiot and suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself."

"It is by the goodness of God that in our country we have those three unspeakably precious things: freedom of speech, freedom of conscience, and the prudence never to practice either of them."

"The radical invents the views. When he has worn them out the conservative adopts them."

"Of all the animals, man is the only one that is cruel. He is the only one that inflicts pain for the pleasure of doing it."

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect."