Firstly, I'm new here and I read the rules, so I think my questions is appropriate. If not, I apologize. Secondly, I'm sorry if my source isn't better, but I couldn't find information about this anywhere.
Ok, so, a few days ago, I was watching Youtube videos, and I came upon the acceptance speech of Kyra Sedgwick during the 2010 Primetime Emmy Awards. I was watching it and, as she walked up the stairs to receive her award, the announce said the following: On her father's side, Golden Globe winner Kyra Sedgwick is descendant from William Ellery, signer of the Declaration of Independence. I believe that means that every July 4th, Ms. Sedgwick gets a residual check'. I found the information very... strange... so, I was wondering if anyone knew whether this is true. Do the descendants from the founding fathers actually get money every 4th of July? Since when? Is it in perpetuity? Do the descendants of, say, the signers of the Constitution also get residual money? I find this all very intriguing.
Goodness no. They do not get money. It was a joke. Interestingly, I do not believe all the currently identified declaration signers descendants even knew they were descendants until recent years.
Ancestry.com did an interesting video several years ago of descendants of the signers. Some have individual videos at Ancestry about this, and none mention receiving cash payments. Here is a link to the really cool commercial they did. Here are some declaration signer descendants videos.