While we focus on the fireworks that fill our nation’s skies on July 4th, it is a good time to remember the Founding Fathers of America. Their vision gave us the greatest free nation in the history of mankind, yet they’re often reduced to names and dates in our history books.
Our founders came from all walks of life. They had heated arguments among themselves and were considered traitors by King George III. They were religious men, farmers, educators, land owners, physicians and merchants. They traveled miles on foot, horses and wagons, ignored weather and threats of danger to form our country. They created a new nation that stands tall today even with the many adversities we face. They were on a mission. No King or fear of losing their lives would stop them. Their quest for freedom, justice and liberty was their focus at any cost.
We are familiar with several of the signers of the Declaration of Independence like Adams, Jefferson and Franklin, but there were a total of 56 men who knew their signatures meant certain death if they failed. Here are a few of those we often do not hear about:
James Wilson-one of the first US Supreme Court justices and the only one ever jailed (debtor’s prison)
Charles Carroll-the only Roman Catholic signer ;•last surviving signer (96). The next time you play Monopoly and land on the B&O Railroad space, know that Carroll was a founding partner in that company.
John Witherspoon-clergyman and educator from Scotland; became the president as what would be known as Princeton University; taught James Madison and Aaron Burr
John Hancock-has the largest signature and was the first signer; from a poor family but died one of the richest men in the nation through an inheritance from an uncle; one of the signers that had a bounty on him from King George III
Charles Thomson-one of only two signers (along with Hancock) that inked the document exactly on July 4, 1776 as others signed later; had an altercation in a cane fight on the floor of Congress with another delegate over misquoted minutes of a meeting
Edward Rutledge-the youngest signer (26); leading militia man captured by the British and imprisoned for a year; released in a prisoner swap
Roger Sherman-the only patriot that signed all four of the founding documents (Continental Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and the US Constitution)
John Adams said, ”I am apt to believe that it (the document) will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival . . . it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade . . . bonfires and illuminations…from this day forward forevermore.” As we lift our eyes up to the skies on the 4th to watch our celebratory fireworks, may we look a little higher to the heavens with a prayer of gratitude to God for guiding and gifting our nation’s founders with the strength, faith and fortitude that formed the land of the free and the home of the brave.