Well, if there was no money, I would wait to see what happened while tending my garden and eating my venison. If taxes were demanded, I would try to comply — like your grandfather.... If it became impossible to comply, and armed men came to demand the taxes prepared to take me to jail if I did not comply....well....that would be when I would have to decide whether I wished to die on my own land or in a faraway prison. But there are many steps between having no money and making the desparate last stand. Each of us has to decide just how much freedom we are willing to forego, and at what cost.
An interesting thing happened during the Great Depression at forced farm auctions (on the block for back taxes owed.)
Dozens of farmers from all over the area would arrive in a most intimidating fashion. Enough to far outnumber and outmuscle (and potentially outgun) the Sheriff and the few “serious” bidders.
When bids were called, the serious bidders were glared into silence. Some local farmer offered one dollar. Nobody dared outbid him. The deed was handed back to the owner. The lesson was clear: outbid the lowball, you will be in danger.
Of course today, the sheriff would come with 50 deputies and a SWAT team....