“Our Lives, our Fortunes and Our Sacred Honor”
Most of us when we hear “Independence Day”, we think of July 4th, in particular July 4th, 1776. But did you know that the Second Continental Congress actually voted for independence on July 2nd and not July 4th? July 2nd was so momentous to John Adams that he wrote his wife Abigail stating:
“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.”
Does that sound like another day we celebrate?
On July 2nd through July 4th, the Congress debated the wording in Thomas Jefferson’s initial draft of the Declaration. In all, the Congress made 86 changes to Jefferson’s draft, cutting more than one quarter of the text (about 400 words) before adopting the Declaration.
So, when did the members of the Congress sign the Declaration? Read on.
The Society will be having a series of Sunday programs June 21st through July 26th covering aspects of local colonial life familiar to those living upon this frontier in 1776. This series will culminate in a program on August 2nd with a reenactment of the first public reading of the Declaration in Philadelphia, followed by a patriotic concert by the Sunbury City Band. The museum will have an exhibit honoring those of our fellow citizens who entered into military service, from the days of the militia and Continental Army to the present.
But why celebrate on August 2nd? Because it was not until that day in 1776 that the vast majority of the members of the Congress (50 of the 56, to be exact) did, in fact, subscribe their names to the Declaration of Independence. The rest signed later. August 2nd is pivotal because by signing the document, each member of the Congress was committing treason! This was by no means an inconsequential act. They were literally putting their lives on the line, not to mention their fortunes and sacred honor.
Approximately 17 signers had their homes or property destroyed by British forces, 5 signers were captured as prisoners of war, 1 member was forced to live in forests and caves returning to find his wife deceased and family dispersed, 9 signers died from wounds or hardships of the war, 2 lost sons in the war, and due to the war a number of them died in poverty. Yet, many continued in public service, in offices of high trust, including seats in future Congresses and even the Presidency, as with Adams and Jefferson.
It is therefore fitting, as we celebrate our Independence Day (whichever day we choose), that we remember the sacrifices of those members who pledged “our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred honor”.
Let it then be an invitation: on the Sundays June 21st through July 26th come and learn how our forebears lived upon this frontier; and on August 2nd come and witness, as did the citizens of Philadelphia, the first hearing of that Declaration which has become a defining foundation of American liberty.
Your most obedient and most humble servant,