Original Intent About the Constitution

Largely overlooked is the personal sacrifices of the Founding Fathers. Those 50 Americans who, in July 1776, set their signatures to the Declaration of Independence knew full well they risked death by hanging. As John Adams, one of the signers, noted in a letter to his wife, Abigail, "The Declaration was, in fact, an act of treason, and if it were not made good, those who had signed it stood a good chance to incur the penalty meted out to traitors." In fact, John Adams, like John Hancock, another signer and revolutionary leader, already was under sentence of death if captured by the British.

The War of Independence was already underway when the signers of the Declaration of Independence gathered in Philadelphia. They were a diverse lot, those representatives from the 13 colonies who met to declare independence in a historic document that still inspires millions hungering for freedom around the world. Twenty-five were lawyers or jurists, eleven were merchants; nine were farmers or plantation owners, and there were also doctors and educators.

Although most of the signers paid a heavy price for their resolve, none wavered. Francis Lewis of New York had his home burned by the British, and his wife was seized and imprisoned for two years, dying soon after her release. Philip Livingston of New York saw his 150,000-acre estate confiscated by the British, but he continued to contribute his dwindling fortune to the war effort. The strain of the revolutionary struggle depleted his health and he died less than two years after signing. Lewis Morris' New York estate was ransacked by the British. His home was destroyed, his livestock butchered and his family forced to flee.

John Hart's New Jersey home was looted and burned, his grist mills destroyed. He eluded captured by taking refuge in caves and forests. During the ordeal, his ailing wife died and their 13 children were scattered. After signing the Declaration, Richard Stockton rushed home to Princeton, New Jersey, to rescue his family from advancing British troops. He was captured and thrown into prison, where he was repeatedly beaten and kept near starvation. He died an invalid in 1781. Robert Morris of Pennsylvania spent his entire fortune -- more than a million dollars -- to finance the war effort. Never reimbursed by his country, he served three years in debtor's prison and, in failing health, died soon after his release.

Carter Braxton of Virginia had virtually every merchant ship he owned either sunk or captured by the British. Although he lost his wealth and was forced to sell his remaining property, he continued to serve the cause of the revolution in the Virginia legislature. thomas Heyward, Jr., of South Carolina, served in the Revolutionary Army and was taken prisoner. The British raided his plantation and burned his buildings. His grief-stricken wife became ill and died before Heyward was freed at the war's end.

These were brave men who pledged their "lives their fortunes and sacred honor" in order to gain liberty for themselves and posterity.