Sarah Longley Lauzen

Happy #250 Birthday, America: “Land of the Free, Home of the Brave”

I love being an American and feel blessed to live in this beautiful, free country.  Opportunities are everywhere. 

This Love Letter is more of a “thank you note” to the brave men and their supportive wives who courageously embarked on the complex and dangerous journey of creating America as we know and love it today.  

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In 1776, fifty-six fearlessly committed patriots spent more than two months drafting, discussing, and heroically signing the Declaration of Independence.  These Founding Fathers were intelligent visionaries; England called them rebels and traitors.

None were elected officials seeking another term or men who sought personal gain.  They were neighbors who wanted life to be better for others.  The average age was just 44 years old with the youngest signer being 26 and the oldest, Benjamin Franklin, a mere 70 years old. 

They came with a variety of life experiences: lawyers, farmers, plantation owners, along with several merchants, physicians, pastors and even a famous printer (Ben Franklin).  Nobody was paid for their time and efforts; some signers suffered financial loss and some complete fiscal ruin.

By signing the Declaration of Independence, these fifty-six delegates committed treason against the British Crown, punishable by death via hanging, drawing, and quartering.  (I’d say that would make me a bit nervous!!!!)  Yet, they continued and completed the document which has led to our freedom and the joys of being an American.

I am the happily-married wife of a longtime elected official.  How would I have reacted to him being “involved”?  Would I have encouraged or discouraged his efforts? Would I have worried for my husband’s and our family’s safety?  Yes.

The Patriots’ wives and children chose to reinforce their husbands’ work.  They were strong and resilient women.

The majority of the signers were married and with families. Many had large number of children and many families had suffered the loss of children in childbirth or to infectious diseases. 

Some were forced to leave their homes, others fled before advancing troops, protected important state papers, and in some cases, lived in imprisonment. 

Abigail Adams, wife of John Adams, is said to have been a close confidant to her husband, John Adams, during the Continental Congress.  They exchanged over 1000 letters with each other and these letters now offer a historical view of her thoughtful counsel and advocacy for the Country’s freedom. 

Another strong woman was Mary Bartlett, wife of delegate Josiah Bartlett of New Hampshire.  Arsonists, believed to be Loyalists, burned down their home.  This did not deter Mary’s support of independence.  She simply moved her 12 children to the family’s farm and managed the farm.

Two final tales which I’m including because I like them.

Caesar Rodney, the delegate from Delaware, was the only bachelor.   He is known for his daring overnight horseback ride from Dover, Delaware to Philadelphia in a horrific thunderstorm.  No wife or children wished him a safe ride.  Rodney arrived in the nick-of-time and cast the deciding vote in favor of independence. 

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Finally, there were no women delegates.  However, in 1777, Mary Katharine Goddard, a Baltimore printer and postmaster, was commissioned to print the first official copy of the document which listed most of the signer’s names on the poster-size print.  Mary Goddard, boldly added her name at the bottom of the poster to prove its authenticity while publicly displaying her support for freedom. 

So with gratitude, I salute these heroic figures as I proudly sing the final line of the Star Spangled banner, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.”