Day 155, June 30

We frequently think of revolution as belonging to the young.  The fact was, many of the patriots of the Revolutionary War, especially those who gathered to sign the Declaration of Independence, were older, the average age being 44.  This is particularly significant as at that time, a man in his 40s was considered old and a man in his fifties, ancient.  The youngest signer was Edward Rutledge, at 26 years old; the oldest was Benjamin Frankln, at 70. 

Another misconception about the Revolution was that it was instigated by the poor.  On the contrary, most of the 56 signers of the Declaration were wealthy and highly successful citizens.  Most had money; all had stature in their communities.  They did not belong to a minority; they did not protest because they lacked material goods.  They wanted freedom because it was right.