what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence??

Question

10 points to anyone who even comes close.

Some people have a great since of Humor...

By now, they would have been dead no matter what their fate.

What did their name being inked on that document actually cost them though?
I see there are some real history buffs, or someone who knows how to look things up!

Answer 1

Five signers 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 of the fixty six fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.

They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. Twenty four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated. But they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well death would be the cost if captured. 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.

Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton.

At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson Jr. 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 thirteen 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, rabble-rousing ruffians. They were soft-spoken men of means and education.

Answer 2

- Five signers 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 of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War.
- They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor.

Answer 3

12 of them had their homes ransacked and
burned.
9 died from wounds or hardships of due to the Rev.War
5 were captured as traitorsto the british, and tortured.
2 lost sons in the rev. war and 2 had captured sons
dont know bout the rest but im sure they didnt sleep easy

Answer 4

Ditto on Snopes folks. Stop the madness,

Answer 5

They all died of malnutrition in their old age when no one could take care of them. So much for their "declaration of independence".

Answer 6

They were declared traitors by yet another head of state named "George".

Answer 7

They were Impeached.. Just like they are going to do Prez Bush.

Answer 8

bush ate them and spit them out just like he is doing to our freedoms and what was our declaration of independance.

Answer 9

They all died of old age

Answer 10

When it doubt, got to snopes.com for good research.