The Signers – by the Numbers

  • Only 1 died due to the Revolutionary war ( and that was in a dual).  17 served in the military.
  • 8 others died of  causes other than war.
  • Tension – 5 captured by the British, 1 lost a son in the war.
  • Of the 56, 25 were lawyers, 15 merchants, 10 involved farming/land speculation, 4 physicians, 1 scientist, 1 minister.
  • The average number of children they had was 6.
  • The average age of the signers was 45 and average age at death 66
  • 2 lasted until the 50th anniversary in 1826 (Jefferson and Adams). The oldest signer at death was 95 (Charles Carroll of Md).

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