![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.barbdahlgren.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/John-Hancock4.jpg\" "\\"John")
<\/a>Signing the Declaration of Independence was more than just writing a \u201cJohn Hancock\u201d on a piece of paper. Those men had courage. \u00a0From the moment they signed their names, they became traitors in the eyes of the British.\u00a0 Sure we romanticize that signers like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson became future presidents and Benjamin Franklin\u2019s wit and wisdom wowed the world, but most did not fare quite as well.\u00a0 They sacrificed a lot for our freedom.\u00a0<\/p>\nDid you know that the British considered John Hancock and Samuel Adams criminals and placed a price on their heads? The British chased Thomas McKean, George Reed, and William Hooper like foxes. They had to move their families from town to town to escape being captured. \u00a0Ned (Edward)\u00a0Rutledge, the youngest signer, and Thomas Hayward Jr. became prisoners of war. \u00a0Richard Stockton was captured, tortured, and killed. \u00a0James Otis was beaten by the British and left mentally deranged.<\/p>\n
William Floyd, Lyman Hall, George Clymer, and Lewis Morris had their homes plundered and destroyed. \u00a0While \u201cHonest John\u201d Hart was away, his wife died during an attack on their home. \u00a0His children had to flee to neighbors for refuge. \u00a0Francis Lewis had his Long Island mansion destroyed. \u00a0His wife was imprisoned and tortured. \u00a0The Revolutionary War swept away his fortune.<\/p>\n
War costs money so many other fortunes were lost, too. \u00a0Lewis Morris was a wealthy merchant in Philadelphia. \u00a0His home and business were destroyed. \u00a0He ended up in debtor\u2019s prison. \u00a0Thomas Nelson died, leaving his family deeply in debt.<\/p>\n
John Morton ofPennsylvaniahad all of his friends (mostly Quakers) turn against him. \u00a0These stories could go on and on. \u00a0The trials of all 56 men<\/a> are too numerous to mention. They did more than sign a historic document; they sacrificed their lives for our freedom.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n Someone else sacrificed his life for our freedom. \u00a0His name is Jesus Christ. \u00a0He was rich and for us, he became poor (2 Corinthians 8:9). \u00a0He died to give us freedom from sin (Romans 6:18, 22) and freedom from bondage (Galatians 5:1). \u00a0He gave us the free gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17) and the free gift of grace (Ephesians 2:8).\u00a0 Through his death we have free justification (Romans 3:24).\u00a0 This list could go on and on as well.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n So when Fourth of July rolls around, I think about those who gave up much so I might have freedom.\u00a0 And I think about Christ whose sacrifice allows me to truly enjoy the freedoms I have.\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I love the Fourth of July.\u00a0 I love the barbeques and I love the fireworks.\u00a0 However I sometimes wonder if I truly appreciate the freedom that makes this celebration possible. \u00a0For freedom is not really free.\u00a0 As our forefathers found … Continue reading