Why were signatures on the declaration of independence a risky venture?

Signing this document was dangerous. To sign the Declaration of Independence meant that the signers were living on borrowed time. But, freedom meant sacrifice, even the sacrifice of their lives. So, even with the threat of death hanging over their heads, they signed this marvelous and bold document. They were now “marked men.”

What these men had done was considered as “high treason” by the king. “The penalty for high treason was: To be hanged by the head until unconscious. Then cut down and revived. Then disembowled and beheaded.