 Out of 56 who dared to sign the Declaration of Independence, five were captured, tortured, or executed. Twelve had their houses ransacked and burned. Two lost sons in the war. Two had sons captured. And nine fought and died in the war. Why? Why did they pledge to each their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor? They held freedom so valuable, so precious, that they were willing to sacrifice their property, their homes, their lives for it.