SIGNING THEIR LIVES AWAY The FAME and MISFORTUNE of the MEN WHO SIGNED The Declaration of Independence by Denise Kiernan and Joseph D'Agnese
Everything about this book is unique, including the catchy title, SIGNING THEIR LIVES AWAY, The FAME and MISFORTUNE of the MEN WHO SIGNED The Declaration of Independence by Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Agnese. The book sleeve held a delightful surprise for when unfolded one finds The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America printed on the entire inside.
I’ve been enjoying the unusual and quirky details these authors relay about the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence. A portrait of each of the signers is included with those fascinating facts about the positions these men held as well as some of their extreme trials and troubles. Of course, this is only a short account of each signer and the I’ve not read the entire book, yet I have enjoyed the wit and interesting details mentioned.
Benjamin Rush has been a favorite of mine through the last bunch of years and I’ve read other more positive accounts about him then I found here. There is a brief and watered-down version of Rush’s dream and communication with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson about their renewed friendship and their death “nearly at the same time”. These authors mention that Rush’s dream was quasi-religious, yet I have enjoyed the fuller information of Benjamin Rush’s great faith and devotion to the Lord, which earned praise and admiration from those who actually knew him.
Still, I’m amused and entertained and informed by this book and thought I’d share this gem with you. Its binding is perfectly matched to the subject for it is definitely antique looking and the inside pages sport the signatures of the signers. Well, done Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Agnese for this peek into the lives and loss that many of these men endured! My sister, Pat, gifted me with this book and it can be found on www.quirkbooks.com.
I’ve been enjoying the unusual and quirky details these authors relay about the fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence. A portrait of each of the signers is included with those fascinating facts about the positions these men held as well as some of their extreme trials and troubles. Of course, this is only a short account of each signer and the I’ve not read the entire book, yet I have enjoyed the wit and interesting details mentioned.
Benjamin Rush has been a favorite of mine through the last bunch of years and I’ve read other more positive accounts about him then I found here. There is a brief and watered-down version of Rush’s dream and communication with John Adams and Thomas Jefferson about their renewed friendship and their death “nearly at the same time”. These authors mention that Rush’s dream was quasi-religious, yet I have enjoyed the fuller information of Benjamin Rush’s great faith and devotion to the Lord, which earned praise and admiration from those who actually knew him.
Still, I’m amused and entertained and informed by this book and thought I’d share this gem with you. Its binding is perfectly matched to the subject for it is definitely antique looking and the inside pages sport the signatures of the signers. Well, done Denise Kiernan and Joseph D’Agnese for this peek into the lives and loss that many of these men endured! My sister, Pat, gifted me with this book and it can be found on www.quirkbooks.com.
Proclaim Liberty
…proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all its inhabitants thereof: 4 Leviticus 25:10
Liberty, so sweet to our ears and desired by almost everyone with all of our hearts. The above scripture verse is from The Pearl Reference Bible, Printers in Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company 1864. I was surprised and delighted to discover that the above verse is inscribed on our country’s Liberty Bell.
This 2,080 pound bell was crafted by Whitechapel Foundry in London. The order for its creation was placed in 1751 by Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, Isaac Norris. The bell would adorn Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania State House, which was later called Independence Hall. Unfortunately, the bell cracked on its first test ringing, so then it was melted down and recast by artisans, Pass and Stow in Philadelphia. Amazingly, the message quoted about liberty was inspired by the Jubilee which instructs the Israelites to return property and slaves every 50 years. The Liberty Bell became a symbol of liberty in 1830’s and has been an inspiration for abolitionists desiring to end slavery as well as for Women’s’ Suffrage and Civil Rights movements. Displaying the Liberty Bell across America during the late 1800’s brought comfort and encouragement from devastating loss caused by the Civil War conflict.
This symbol is a wonderful and positive visual for our nation. But have you considered how much your Father in Heaven wants liberty for your soul? He provided examples for us to identify with in the scriptures, a pure sacrifice in Jesus Christ; so that we can approach Him and the much promised Holy Spirit. The weight on our soul may seem more than 2,080 pounds. Difficulties and loss we trudge through may seem impossible to deal with. Yet when we lift our eyes up and away from our problems and seek His companionship and wisdom we may actually become an inspiration to others in need.
Though the Liberty Bell cracked again in 1835, after years of constant use, it is still an international inspiration.
Whether you’re feeling cracked or misunderstood, find time with Him this day and then proclaim liberty through the land to all its inhabitants. You may be the tone of freedom others need to hear.
No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue… It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity, towards each other. The Virginia Declaration of Rights. June 12, 1776
1 National Parks Service WEB page (http://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/stories-libertybell.htm)
2 Family Encyclopedia of American History, Reader’s Digest Assn., Inc., New York 1975 p. 644
3 We the People, The Citizen and the Constitution, a project of the Center for Civic Education, Funded by the U. S. Department of Education by act of Congress p. 51
4 The Pearl Reference Bible, Printers in Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company 1864
Liberty, so sweet to our ears and desired by almost everyone with all of our hearts. The above scripture verse is from The Pearl Reference Bible, Printers in Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company 1864. I was surprised and delighted to discover that the above verse is inscribed on our country’s Liberty Bell.
This 2,080 pound bell was crafted by Whitechapel Foundry in London. The order for its creation was placed in 1751 by Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, Isaac Norris. The bell would adorn Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania State House, which was later called Independence Hall. Unfortunately, the bell cracked on its first test ringing, so then it was melted down and recast by artisans, Pass and Stow in Philadelphia. Amazingly, the message quoted about liberty was inspired by the Jubilee which instructs the Israelites to return property and slaves every 50 years. The Liberty Bell became a symbol of liberty in 1830’s and has been an inspiration for abolitionists desiring to end slavery as well as for Women’s’ Suffrage and Civil Rights movements. Displaying the Liberty Bell across America during the late 1800’s brought comfort and encouragement from devastating loss caused by the Civil War conflict.
This symbol is a wonderful and positive visual for our nation. But have you considered how much your Father in Heaven wants liberty for your soul? He provided examples for us to identify with in the scriptures, a pure sacrifice in Jesus Christ; so that we can approach Him and the much promised Holy Spirit. The weight on our soul may seem more than 2,080 pounds. Difficulties and loss we trudge through may seem impossible to deal with. Yet when we lift our eyes up and away from our problems and seek His companionship and wisdom we may actually become an inspiration to others in need.
Though the Liberty Bell cracked again in 1835, after years of constant use, it is still an international inspiration.
Whether you’re feeling cracked or misunderstood, find time with Him this day and then proclaim liberty through the land to all its inhabitants. You may be the tone of freedom others need to hear.
No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue… It is the mutual duty of all to practice Christian forbearance, love, and charity, towards each other. The Virginia Declaration of Rights. June 12, 1776
1 National Parks Service WEB page (http://www.nps.gov/inde/learn/historyculture/stories-libertybell.htm)
2 Family Encyclopedia of American History, Reader’s Digest Assn., Inc., New York 1975 p. 644
3 We the People, The Citizen and the Constitution, a project of the Center for Civic Education, Funded by the U. S. Department of Education by act of Congress p. 51
4 The Pearl Reference Bible, Printers in Glasgow: William Collins, Sons, & Company 1864
Photos from Williamsburg