1776 Hollywood vs. History: Fiction vs. Fact Created by Mr. Stephenson

1. The Way the Declaration was signed Movie (Hollywood OR Fiction): Everyone signs on July 4, 1776 and only one signer from every state autographs the declaration during a formal ceremony. Reality (History OR Fact): Any member of the Continental Congress could sign the Declaration. Most sign beginning on August 2, 1776 but the last signer, Col. Thomas McKean of Delaware, does not sign until January, 1777. There is no formal signing ceremony. Some signers were not present for the vote on the Declaration, yet they sign the document anyway.

2. John Dickinson

2. John Dickinson Movie (Fiction): John Dickinson votes against independence and storms out of Congress when asked to sign the document. Pennsylvania votes in favor of independence, 2-1. Reality (Fact): Both John Dickinson and Robert Morris of Pennsylvania fail to appear in Congress on the day that the vote on the Declaration was taken. That left only 5 Pennsylvania delegates to vote on the resolution. Pennsylvania votes 3-2 in favor of the Declaration.

3. Robert Morris

3. Robert Morris Movie (Fiction): Ah, was he even in the movie? No… Reality (Fact): Robert Morris initially opposed independence, so much so that he, along with John Dickinson, did not vote on it on July 2, 1776. However, unlike Dickinson, Morris eventually signed the Declaration and became known as the “Financier of the Revolution.” Quite a role for someone NOT in the 1776 Musical.

4. Samuel Adams

4. Samuel Adams Movie (Fiction): Again, where is he in the movie? Reality (Fact): The British called him “the most dangerous man in Massachusetts.” We call him “the Father of American Independence.” Jefferson called him “truly the Man of the Revolution.” He caused the British to march on Lexington and Concord, yet Sam Adams is NOT in the 1776 Musical. Huh?

5. Dr. Benjamin Rush

5. Dr. Benjamin Rush

5. Dr. Benjamin Rush Movie (Fiction): Again, NOT in the movie. Reality (Fact): He was not in the movie because he was NOT present for the vote, yet he still signed the Declaration of Independence. MANY of the signers were not present for the vote. Later, Dr. Rush greatly prepares Meriwether Lewis for a journey to the Pacific Ocean with William Clark.

6. Richard Henry Lee

6. Richard Henry Lee Movie (Fiction): Apparent-LEE, Lee does not sign the Declaration since he is back in Virginia acting as Governor. Reality (Fact): The man who gave us “Lee’s Resolution” and the conclusion to the Declaration of Independence, that is these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states, was indeed NOT present for the vote. Yet Richard Henry Lee most famous-LEE signs the Declaration at a later time.

7. Samuel Chase

7. Samuel Chase Movie (Fiction): Chase had to be convinced to vote for independence. Adams and Franklin take him to see the soldiers and as a result, Chase changes his mind. Reality (Fact): Chase supported independence, so much so that he on his own, not Adams or Franklin’s doings, raced home to push the state legislature to vote FOR independence. Then he raced back to Philadelphia, a distance of 100 miles in two days, to be present for the vote on Independence.

8. Col. Thomas McKean

8. Col. Thomas McKean Movie: Raced back to Delaware to pick up Caesar Rodney and then back to Philadelphia to be present for the vote on Independence. Reality: On July 1st, McKean learns of the SHOCKING news that fellow Delaware delegate George Read will vote against independence. Instead of going himself, McKean sends a messenger to Caesar Rodney. After the vote and before McKean could sign the Declaration, McKean went off to fight in the War. He returned to sign the Declaration sometime in 1777.

9. Caesar Rodney

9. Caesar Rodney Movie: Rodney is deathly sick and is barely alive. McKean brings Rodney back just in time for the Independence vote. Reality: Rodney did have throat cancer and asthma. He did wear a green scarf around his head. He was also very much alive. By himself, he rode 80 miles in 14 hours to get to Philadelphia in time for the vote on Independence. He died in June 1784—8 years after the Declaration was created.

10. Edward Rutledge

10. Edward Rutledge Movie: Despite being for independence, Rutledge had to be convinced, by removal of the slave clause, to vote FOR the Declaration. Reality: Rutledge supported independence from an early time and actually convinced other South Carolina delegates to vote for the Declaration. In other words, he did not just change his mind at the last minute while the vote was being taken.

11. New York / Lewis Morris Movie: New York ALWAYS abstrained, courteously, during ALL votes but Morris ends up signing the Declaration anyway. Reality: New York actually had the most loyalists. The state legislature did not vote on independence until July 9, 1776. Lewis Morris was present at that state legislative vote and NOT at the vote in Philadelphia. Morris did arrive in Philadelphia later and did sign the Declaration.

12. James Wilson

12. James Wilson

12. James Wilson

12. James Wilson Movie: Wilson is portrayed as a quiet man who does not speak up for himself. He is bullied by John Dickinson and eventually is THE deciding vote for Independence. Reality: James Wilson was a very accomplished patriot who did want to be remembered. He was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, helped create the U.S. Constitution, and served as a Supreme Court Justice. Not bad for a man who stood in “John Dickinson’s shadow” all the time!

Finally, Jefferson’s Declaration House

The Place where Jefferson wrote the Declaration…