(from the Reverend Charles A. Goodrich,
Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of
Independence, 1832)
ON JULY 3, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife, Abigail, from the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia: “Yesterday the greatest question was decided, which ever was debated in America, and a greater, perhaps never was nor will be decided among men. A resolution was passed without one dissenting colony, ‘that these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States…Britain has been filled with folly, and America with wisdom.’ ” After the Declaration was signed, Adams reported, “I am well aware of the toil, and blood, and treasure that it will cost us to maintain the declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet, through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see the end is worth more than all the means, and that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction, even although we should rue it, which I trust in God we shall not.”
Fifty-six brave men proudly signed this pivotal document, which dissolved their tie to Britain and declared the United Colonies free and independent states. What happened to the men who signed and committed treason to the Crown? All became targets for British retribution, and for some their lives were fraught with risk and deprivations—as evidenced in this 1832 account from Charles Goodrich’s Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence.
THOMAS JEFFERSON—VIRGINIA
MR. JEFFERSON RETIRED to Monticello, when intelligence was received, two days after, that a body of troops under command of General Tarlton were rapidly approaching Charlottesville, for the purpose of surprising and capturing members of the assembly. They had only time, after the alarm was given, to adjourn to meet at Staunton, and to disperse, before the enemy entered the village. Another party had diverted their course to Monticello to capture the ex-governor. Fortunately an express messenger hastened from Charlottesville, to convey intelligence to Mr. Jefferson of their approach. Scarcely had the family time to make arrangements to effect their escape, before the enemy was seen ascending the hill leading to the mansion-house. Mr. Jefferson himself, mounting his horse, narrowly escaped, by taking a course through the woods.
GEORGE CLYMER—PENNSYLVANIA
During the fall of 1777 the family of Mr. Clymer resided in the county of Chester, about twenty-five miles from Philadelphia, and suffered severely, in consequence of an attack by a band of British soldiers, who thirsted for revenge. The furniture of the house was destroyed, and a large stock of liquors shared a similar fate. Fortunately, the family made their escape.
FRANCIS LEWIS—NEW YORK
In the autumn of 1776, Lewis’s house was plundered by a party of British light horse. His extensive library and valuable papers were wantonly destroyed. Nor were they content with the ruin of his property. Unfortunately Mrs. Lewis fell into their power, and was retained a prisoner for several months. During her captivity she was closely confined, without even the comfort of a bed to lie upon, or a change of clothes. Mrs. Lewis was at length released, but her sufferings during her confinement had so much impaired her constitution, that in the course of a year or two, she sunk into the grave.
WILLIAM FLOYD—NEW YORK
While at Philadelphia attending Congress, the American troops evacuated Long Island, which was taken possession of by the British Army. The family of Mr. Floyd were obliged to flee for safety across Long Island sound to Connecticut. His house was occupied by a company of horsemen for the remainder of the war. Thus, for nearly seven years, Mr. Floyd and his family were refugees from their habitation, nor did he, during this long period, derive any benefit from his landed estate.
LEWIS MORRIS—NEW YORK
When Mr. Morris gave his vote for the Declaration of Independence, he exhibited a patriotism which few had it in their power to display. He was at this time in possession of an extensive domain within a few miles of the city of New York. The British army soon spread desolation over the beautiful and fertile manor of Morrisania. His track of woodland of more than a thousand acres in extent and of incalculable value, was destroyed; his house was greatly injured; his fences ruined; his stock driven away; his family obliged to live in a state of exile. Few men during the Revolution were called upon to make greater sacrifices than Mr. Morris. None made them more cheerfully.
JOHN HART—NEW JERSEY
During the latter part of the year 1776, New Jersey became the theater of war. The people were distressed, and there was wanton destruction of property, including Mr. Hart’s, by the enemy. His children were obliged to flee, his farm was pillaged, and great exertions were made to secure him as a prisoner. The situation of Mrs. Hart was at the same time distressing. She was afflicted with a disease, which prevented her removal to a place of safety, and eventually caused her death. Mr. Hart continued at her side, until the enemy had nearly reached the house, when he made his escape, his wife being safer alone than if he were present. For some time he was hunted and pursued with the utmost zeal. He was scarcely able to elude his enemies, was often in great want of food, and sometimes destitute of a comfortable lodging for the night. In one instance he was obliged to conceal himself during the night in the usual resting place of a large dog who was his companion for the time.
RICHARD STOCKTON—NEW JERSEY
On the thirtieth of November, 1776, he was unfortunately taken prisoner by a party of refugee royalists. He was dragged from his bed at night, and carried to New York where he was treated with the greatest indignity. In New York he was placed in the common prison where he was in want of even the common necessaries of life. Mr. Stockton was at length released, but his confinement had been so strict, and his sufferings so severe that his constitution never after recovered from the shock. His fortune, which had been ample, was greatly reduced. His lands were devastated, his papers and library were burned, his implements of husbandry destroyed, and his stock seized and driven away. His health began to fail him. He continued to languish for several years and died in 1781, in the fifty-third year of his age.
WILLIAM MORRIS—PENNSYLVANIA
Mr. Morris received a letter from Gen. Washington, then with his army on the Delaware opposite Trenton, who was in need of $10,000 to obtain intelligence on the movement and position of the enemy. Mr. Morris ran across a Quaker friend and reported Washington’s situation, and the immediate necessity of $10,000. “Sir,” said Mr. Morris, “you must let me have it. My note and my honor will be your only security.” The Quaker hesitated for a moment, but at length replied, “Robert, thou shalt have it,” whereby Washington gained a signal victory over the Hessians at Trenton, animating the drooping spirits of patriotism.
In 1779 or 1780 Washington’s army was in distressing need of lead. Fortunately at this juncture a privateer belonging to Mr. Morris arrived at the wharf with ninety tons of lead as ballast. Half of this lead was immediately given by Mr. Morris, and the other half, purchased by Mr. Peters, was also given with Mr. Morris becoming security for all the debt. On another occasion Morris supplied the army with four or five thousand barrels of flour upon his own private credit. It is certain that Robert Morris provided Washington with the funds to move his army south and corner Cornwallis in Yorktown, the decisive battle which terminated the war.
The latter part of Morris’s life was rendered unhappy, by an unfortunate scheme of land speculation, in which he engaged, and by which his pecuniary affairs became exceeding embarrassed [including debtor’s prison], yet amidst his severest trials, he maintained a firmness and independence of character, which in similar circumstances belong to but few.
THOMAS HEYWARD, JR., ARTHUR MIDDLETON, AND
EDWARD RUTLEDGE—SOUTH CAROLINA
In the spring of 1780, the City of Charleston was besieged by the British under General Clinton, and taken into possession by him. On the reduction of the place Heyward, Middleton and Rutledge became prisoners of war. They were transported to St. Augustine, Florida. During his absence Heyward suffered greatly in respect to his property—his plantation being much injured by a party of marauders, and all of his slaves seized and carried away.
ABRAHAM CLARK—NEW JERSEY
Two or three sons of Mr. Clark were officers in the army, during the revolutionary struggle. Unfortunately they were captured by the enemy. During a part of their captivity, their sufferings were extreme, being confined to the notorious prison ship Jersey in the New York harbor. Painful as the condition of his sons was, Mr. Clark scrupulously avoided calling the attention of Congress to the subject, except in a single instance. One of his sons, a captain of artillery, had been cast into a dungeon, where he received no other food than that which was conveyed to him through a keyhole by his fellow prisoners. On a representation of these facts to Congress, that body immediately directed a course of retaliation in respect to a British officer. This had the desired effect, and Captain Clark’s condition was improved.