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"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
Lyman Hall, Georgia. An ordained Congregational minister, Lyman Hall later became a medical doctor. He boldly espoused liberation from kingly rule, and became a leader and spokesman for the Puritans in St. John’s Parish, which was situated in the town of Sunbury.
Read more"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
Button Gwinnett: Georgia.
One of three signers of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia, Button Gwinnett’s life was cut short on May 27, 1777, after a pistol duel with his nemesis, Lachlan McIntosh, an experienced officer who in 1776 had repulsed the British assault at the Battle of the Rice Boats in the Savannah River. Gwinnett might well have said, as did the lamented Alexander Hamilton when fatally wounded in his duel with Aaron Burr: ”I have lived like a man, but have died like a fool.”
Read more"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
George Read: Delaware. Read was the only signer of the Declaration of Independence who voted against it on July 2, 1776. He and Thomas McKean were deadlocked on the vote for independence. To break the deadlock, Caesar Rodney rode the 80-mile journey to Philadelphia thereby allowing Delaware to join 11 other states voting in favor of the resolution of independence. Read was not unfriendly to the liberties of his country, nor cowardly or selfish. He simply thought the move to be premature and unwise. Ultimately, he rejoiced that his fears were groundless and affixed his signature to the Declaration, alongside Thomas McKean and Caesar Rodney.
Read more"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
Caesar Rodney. Rodney served in the Continental Congress along with Thomas McKean and George Read from 1774 through 1776. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, he was a native of Dover, Delaware. He held more public offices than any other Delaware citizen. In addition to being an extremely dedicated delegate, Rodney was also a soldier, judge, and speaker of Delaware’s Assembly.
Read more"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
Thomas McKean. Along with Caesar Rodney of Delaware, Thomas McKean signed the Declaration of Independence. He was one of Delaware’s delegates to the First Continental Congress in 1774 and the Second Continental Congress in 1775 and 1776. He served as President of Congress (July 10, 1781 – November 4, 1781), was a ratifier of the U.S. Constitution, and served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, Governor of Pennsylvania, and Governor of Delaware.
Read more"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor." Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776
JOHN HANCOCK. As president of the Congress, he was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was a revolutionary general, and the Governor of Massachusetts.
Read moreBy the President of the United States of America. a Proclamation.
Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor—and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me “to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many signal favors of Almighty God especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness.”
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