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From 1775 until 1783 the American Colonists faced off against the largest empire in the world. Even after the first skirmishes, the colonists still hoped to reconcile with the British crown.Events during the winter of 1775-1776 however,
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moved them toward separation. The writings of Thomas Paine, the king's inflexible attitude, and Britain's use of German mercenaries all led the Second Continental Congress to issue a Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Under George Washington's leadership, the new United States fought its war for independence over six long years.
The Founding Fathers Sacrifice
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence faced a special form of wrath during the Revolutionary War. The British went out of their way to try to punish them, their families, and their estates.
The British had a rare opportunity to put New Jersey Delegate Abraham Clark's beliefs to the test. Clark had two sons who were on the American ship Jersey. The British captured the Jersey and its crew. They told Clark that his sons would be released if he agreed to desert the American cause. He refused the British request. Clark never brought the matter up before Congress and never asked for special attention due to his position. As a result his sons were subjected to special brutality. Clark's son, Thomas, was clapped into solitary, in a dark forecastle hole, and not fed. Thomas barely managed to survive only because other prisoners pushed bread through a large keyhole.
Francis Lewis, a delegate from New York, had his wife and estate suffer at the hands of the British. His house was ransacked. They took everything of value including silver, clocks, clothing, china, food, and drink. The British seized Mrs. Lewis. She was carried away on a horse and locked up under guard in a filthy room. She slept on the floor of her unheated prison, with only a slop bucket at her side. Under this treatment her health broke. Mrs. Lewis' health never recovered from the effects of the imprisonment, and she died soon afterward.
John Hart, a delegate from New Jersey was forced to flee his home in order to escape the approaching British. They did not allow Hart to escape easily and used dogs to hunt him through the hills neighboring his estate. Hart was forced to hide in woods and caves in freezing December weather.
British troops broke into New Jersey Delegate Richard Stockton's house and seized him in his bed. Stockton was stripped and beaten and taken to the local felon's jail. He was held there for 24 hours without heat or food. By the time he was transferred to New York City he had become very ill.
Summarized from T.R. Fehrenbach's "Greatness To Spare" which tells the stories of 42 of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.