The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence "…They knew that by vurtue of their signatures on the Declaration of Independence, they had signed away their property. These men were wealthy aristocrats, with luxurious town houses and country estates. These assets were now exposed to attack by spiteful Loyalists and the invading British armies. During the revolutionary war, all of their homes were burned, their farms wasted and many acres of forest destroyed. Their cattle were butchered to feed the British armies. Their families were driven into exile. Even after all of these losses, these patriots remained faithful to their country…" Richard Stockton… everything had all been destroyed. The Richard Stockton family was destitute. He had pledged everything to his country and lost it all. He did not live to see the Revolution won. John Hancock… signed the Declaration of Independence in large, shaded letters. "There!" he declared after signing. "John Bull can read my name without spectacles, and may double his reward of £500 for my head. This is my defiance!" John Hart… Not only did he experience the loss of all his property, he was hunted like an animal, not daring to remain two nights under the same roof. He was forced to remain in hiding while his wife lay dying, and his children were scattered. He did not live to see his country gain independence from Britain. He died in 1779, the most dismal period of the war. Thomas Nelson, Jr.… when Cornwallis moved his headquarters to Nelson's hometown, the Continental Army attacked. When Thomas noticed that his house was not being shelled, he asked why. A soldier replied "out of respect for you, sir." Thomas ordered, "Give me the cannon!" He fired on his own house, destroying the structure completely. Thomas died bankrupt. To read short vignettes on the lives of the signers of the Declaration of Indepedence, go to www.usa-freedom.com/vignettes.asp. For a little more in-depth biographies on the Founding Fathers, go to www.colonialhall.com/biodoi.php. Comment on this article