Declaration of Indenpendence??

Question

How do you think the signers of the Declaration felt about making a formal declaration of independence from Britain?

Answer 1

I'm sure they were nervous and fearful of what might become of them and their families, but they felt what they were doing was worth the risk.

I don't remember who said this, and it's not an exact quote, but it captures the sentiment pretty much:

"If we do not hang together, then surely we will hang separately."

Answer 2

Legend has it that the phrase "John Hancock" being used as a term for a signature, comes from the declaration of independence. John Hancocks signature is the most central, largest and clearest of all signatories. The version of the myth I've heard is this is because with the exception of Hancock, the other signatories were afraid of the concequences of failure (excecution being the most obvious). Not sure if this is true but it's an interesting idea. All the signatories were aware of the possible outcomes of faliure. Indeed, it was relitively late in the war of independence that the idea of independence became widespread.

Answer 3

Their emotions varied from excited certitude to weary compliance. Obviouslly a majoirty felt it was needed the minority finally 'caved' in. Oddly enough the core never numbered more than a dozen - - - even the 'author' of the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson, was poked & prodded into Declaring for Indepence .... Those who were loudest most defiant were the New Englanders, John and Samuel Adams, John Hancock and the Pennsylvanians such as Benjamin Rush and old sage Benjamin Franklin, and from the south Edward Rutledge the youngest signatory.
This link gives brief bios but little character insight.

Two books to persue // AJ Langruth's 'Patriots; the Men WHo Started the American Revolution' and Samuel B Griffith's 3 s 'The War for American Independence.'

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/index.htm
""Here are short biographies of all 56 signers of the Declaration. The first, largest, and most famous signature is that of John Hancock, President of the Continental Congress. The youngest signer was Edward Rutledge (age 26). Benjamin Franklin (age 70) was the oldest. Two future presidents signed: John Adams (second President) and Thomas Jefferson (third President).""

http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/whipple.htm
""William Whipple
1730-1785

Representing New Hampshire at the Continental Congress

Born: January 14, 1730
Birthplace: Kittery, Maine
Education: Common School. (Merchant, Soldier, Judge)
Work: Elected to Provincial Congress, 1775, 76; Member of state Council, Committee of Safety, 1776; Elected to Continental Congress, 1776-79; Commissioned Brigadier General of the New Hampshire Militia, 1777- ca. 1781; Appointed Associate Judge to the Superior Court, 1782.
Died: November 28, 1785
William Whipple was born at Kittery Maine, in 1730. He was educated at a common school until his early teens, when he went off to sea to find his fortune. He was an able seaman, earning the position of Ship's Master by the age of 21. He worked hard and amassed a great deal of money. In 1759 he landed in Portsmouth and, in partnership with his brother, established himself as a merchant. Calls to public duty began almost immediately. He was elected to several local offices and was involved in the Patriot movement.

In 1775 he was elected to represent his town at the provincial congress. The following year New Hampshire dissolved the Royal government and reorganized with a House of Representatives and an Executive Council. Whipple was made a Council member, a member of the Committee of Safety, and was promptly elected to the Continental Congress. He served there through 1779, though he took much leave for military affairs. In 1777 he was made Brigadier General of the New Hampshire Militia. General Whipple lead men in the successful expedition against General Burgoyne at the battles of Stillwater and Saratoga.

After the war Whipple was appointed an associate justice of the Superior Court of New Hampshire. He suffered from a heart ailment for several years and he died, fainting from atop his horse while traveling his court circuit, in November of 1785."""


Peace........................ /// --------zO . u . Oz--------- \\\ .............c

Answer 4

They wouldn't have risked it if they were sure there was no other way. They previously sent another document to King George III, warning him of their displeasure and the possible consequences of his continued reliance on ministers who were intent on balancing the books on the backs of the colonists.

They knew what they were risking, they had been talking about it for months/years, so it was a no-brainer.

Answer 5

Each of these men knew that if this document had fallen into British hands,each one who signed was facing an immediate death sentence.