Witherspoon served in Congress from June 1776 until November 1782 and became one of its most influential members and a workhorse of prodigious energy. Photographic tour of John Witherspoon's grave at Princeton Cemetery. Wolcott 's wife and children, and other ladies of the town, melted down the statue into 42,088 bullets for the American Army. There was no place to acquire these items and unfortunately no money to purchase them with if they were to be found. On July 1st the colonies, balloting according to a majority of each delegation, approved the Lee resolution by a vote of 9-2, with South Carolina and Pennsylvania opposed, Delaware deadlocked and New York abstaining. Richard Stockton was betrayed by a loyalist and seized by the British, who subjected him to beatings and starvation. I have the honor to be, madam youre most obedient and respectful servant, G. Washington. Many of the letters they wrote are included in Stocktons Biography His Sacred Honor. He died in 1794 on his farm Tusculum, just outside Princeton, and is buried along Presidents Row in Princeton Cemetery. In this connection it may be noted that in 1790 President Witherspoon, while a member of the New Jersey Legislature, was chairman of a committee on the abolition of slavery in the state, and brought in a report advising no action, on the ground that the law already forbade the importation of slaves and encouraged voluntary manumission. New England was unanimously for independence. My heart melts with compassion for my brave countrymen who are thus venturing their lives in the public service and yet so distressed. An advocate of natural law within a Christian and republican cosmology, Witherspoon considered moral philosophy vital for ministers, lawyers, and those holding positions in government (magistrates). Arrayed against such might was a Continental Army of 10,000 men and a handful of poorly equipped and badly trained militia in the several states. Father of Anne Witherspoon Smith; John William Witherspoon; Christian Witherspoon; James Witherspoon; Robert Witherspoon and 8 others; Barbara Witherspoon; John Knox Witherspoon, Jr.; Frances Ramsay; George Witherspoon; Infant Witherspoon; David Witherspoon; Mary Anne Woods and Frances Witherspoon less After Stockton's death, Annis, one of America's first published female poets, became a favorite correspondent of General Washington. Another daughter, Ann, married Samuel Stanhope Smith, who succeeded Witherspoon as president of Princeton. In the months before and after the Declaration of Independence, several states were working on their own constitutions, including New York. ", William Ellery of Rhode Island deliberately moved close to the signing table "to see how they all looked as they signed what might be their death warrants." Princeton University Press, 1954, p. 43.Sanderson, John. John is first cousin to Rev. Mailer, Gideon. As they had not been present for the entire speech Richard asked Adams to repeat what they had missed. One lost all 13 of his children; and the wives, sons, and daughters of others were killed, imprisoned, harassed, or deprived of all material possessions. Stocktons home Morven had been occupied by British General Cornwallis. Born: February 15, 1723. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration on July 4th, 1776. Stockton acquired his personal coat of arms and motto: Omnia Deo Pendent all depends on God. Papers: 1766-1784, 32 items. Encyclopedia Table of Contents | Case Collections | Academic Freedom | Recent News, John Witherspoon, an early convert to the Patriot cause, was president of the College of New Jersey (today's Princeton University) and the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Nothing was ever written about doubts of Stockton's loyalty in any of the papers of members of Congress, or in any newspapers or books of the time. They had eleven children. Meanwhile, the New York State Convention had finally voted to allow its delegates to approve the Declaration, and on July 15th New York became the 13th colony to affirm independence. . In his Lectures on Divinity, Rev. In 1912, after her mother married John William Coleman, the family moved into the city of Atlanta. A bronze statue at Princeton University by Scottish sculptor Alexander Stoddart is the twin of one outside The University of the West of Scotland, Paisley, Scotland. He became a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and purchased 2000 acres of land in Burlington, New Jersey. Judge Richard Stockton was the only signer to be put in irons, starved and imprisoned under brutal conditions by the British four months after signing the Declaration of Independence. Witherspoon was opposed to the Jacobite rising of 1745-46. Constitutional Convention of 1787, including Virginias James Madison, as well as scores of individuals who served as judges and justices, members of Congress, and members of state ratifying conventions. She later had second thoughts, and a visit from the charming Dr. Committees of Correspondence were organized in 1772 to exchange information among the colonies and mold public opnion in the developing struggle. Some are superior to others in mental powers and intellectual improvementsome by the great increase of their property through their own, or their predecessors industry, and some make it their choice, finding they cannot live otherwise better, to let out their labor to others for hire. But none of the signers ever betrayed his pledged word. He was a member of the New Jersey convention that ratified the US Constitution, making New Jersey the third state to approve the Constitution. Born in Scotland and educated at the University of Edinburgh, Witherspoon was a prominent 18th-century intellectual associated with the moral philosophy of the Scottish Enlightenment. Some had left Congress; others were away and had to sign later; and several new delegates had since been elected. He was a moderate with regard to Colonial autonomy. The Witherspoon Institute is a conservative think tank in Princeton, New Jersey. Witherspoon had suffered eye injuries and was blind by 1792. They understood quite clearly that they were indeed pledging "to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor. Charles A. Goodrich, 1856The Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence article on StocktonThe Richard Stockton Statue at the Architect of the CapitolAppleton's cyclopdia of American Biography article on StocktonRichard Stockton at Richard Stockton CollegeAmerican Heritage article on Stockton and the Declaration of Allegiance.Richard Stockton at Find a Grave. Rush secured the deal. Stockton was sick and near death when he returned home. And Continental Congresses were convened at Philadelphia in 1774, to deal with Britain's passage of the Intolerable Acts, and in 1775, shortly after the Battles of Lexington and Concord. They had held a Stamp Act Congress in New York during September 1765, and that same year formed the Sons of Liberty, which one observer called, "a mob of gentlemen." It took only a few minutes to complete the signing, and it was agreed not to make the signatures public for six months to give the signers and their families as much time as possible to secure themselves against certain reprisals. John Witherspoon Collection, 1765-1903 (mostly 1767-1790) C0274 SOME ONLINE CONTENT. In 1768, he left Scotland to travel to New Jersey, to accept a position as President of the College of New Jersey (now known as Princeton University). Son of Honorable John Stockton and Abigail Stockton How far this subjection extends. He also signed the 1774 Petition to the King. Scots Presbyterian minister and a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey, Born on February 05, 1723 Wife of Signer John Witherspoon Image: John Witherspoon John Witherspoon was born on February 5, 1722, at the village of Gifford, near Edinburgh, Scotland. From Antigua they moved to Darby, Pennsylvania where Annis was born in 1736, then moved to Philadelphia where her father established a shop and home next door to Benjamin Franklin. Presbyterian Church in the United States of America, Witherspoon Street School for Colored Children, Memorial to the 56 Signers of the Declaration of Independence, "Petition regarding the statue of John Witherspoon on Firestone Plaza", "LibGuides: African American Studies: Slavery at Princeton", Science and Religion in America, 18001860, "Statue / Monument of John Witherspoon in Washington DC by Sculptor William Couper", "National Historic Landmarks & National Register of Historic Places in Pennsylvania", "National Register of Historic Places Inventory Nomination Form: Witherspoon Building", "Princeton School Board changes name of John Witherspoon Middle School", "Welcome witherspoonsociety.org - BlueHost.com", "Presbyterian Voices for Justice celebrates its history as it donates to three social justice causes", Biography on Princeton University's website, Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. 1898, Page 18Corner, George W. The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush. Heyward defied the guards by writing new words to "God Save the King" and teaching the other prisoners to sing, "God Save the States" to the old tune. He attended grammar school at the neighboring town of Haddington. John Hancock of Massachusetts, the president of the Congress, had been the first to sign. John Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 - November 15, 1794) was a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister, educator, farmer, slaveholder, and a Founding Father of the United States. The oldest, James, was a major in the Revolutionary army, and fell at the battle of Germantown. John Witherspoon, who was sixth president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. While there, on November 30, 1776, he and Covenhoven were captured in the middle of the night, dragged from their beds by loyalists, stripped of their property and marched to Perth Amboy and turned over to the British. He also served twice in the New Jersey Legislature, and strongly supported the adoption of the United States Constitution during the New Jersey ratification debates. John Witherspoon was one of the signers of our Declaration of Independence. He also firmed up entrance requirements. During his two pastorates he wrote three well-known works on theology, notably the satire "Ecclesiastical Characteristics" (1753) opposing the philosophical influence of Francis Hutcheson. Richard Stockton later declared Adams the Atlas of the hour, the man to whom the country is most indebted for the great measure of independency. Their son Richard Stockton became an eminent lawyer and prominent Federalist leader. The debate continued into the Fourth of July and, in Jefferson's own words, "seemed as though it would run on interminably. Born in Scotland to a family of clergymen, he was trained to become a Presbyterian minister. He was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity from the University of St Andrews, Fife. [16] From among his students came 37 judges (three of whom became justices of the U.S. Supreme Court); 10 Cabinet officers; 12 members of the Continental Congress, 28 U.S. Exuberant citizens of Bowling Green, New York hauled down a large equestrian statue of George III and carried it to the Connecticut home of General Oliver Wolcott, a delegate to Congress. He attended the Haddington Grammar School, and obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Edinburgh in 1739. John Witherspoon, the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence, was born in Yester, Scotland on 5 Feb 1722 or 1723. Geography dictated the voting order among the delegates to the Second Continental Congress. They were pleased to take up the matter with that zeal which the nature of it required and determined to take every step that they might in this endeavor to more effectually and speedily execute the business. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. Exhausted, racked by cancer, Rodney set out after dusk and rode all night through the pouring rain and the crashing thunder, stopping only long enough to change horses. Scotland's DNA Like John Adams and Patrick Henry, he was an outspoken Patriot, advocating independence from Great Britain. Elias Boudinot is responsible for our Thanksgiving Holiday, he proposed in 1789 in the United States House of Representatives, a resolution that we officially celebrate a day of public thanksgiving. Boudinot also served as Director of the Mint, and became the first president of the American Bible Society in 1816. John Witherspoon: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence John Witherspoon was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. It took nearly two years to regain his health according to Dr. Reese father earned his living as a surgeon and her mother was a college professor. John Witherspoon stated: "Religion is the grand concern of us all the salvation of our souls is the one thing needful." After his wife died in 1789, John Witherspoon headed up a committee in the New Jersey legislature to abolish slavery. John Stockton married his cousin Abigail and assumed his wifes Presbyterian faith. Dr. Witherspoon was born in Georgia and served as a lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Thomas Heyward returned to find that his wife had died in hardship during his imprisonment. He immediately began fund-raisinglocally and back home in Scotlandadded three hundred of his own books to the library, and began purchasing scientific equipment including the Rittenhouse orrery, many maps, and a terrestrial globe. Start page | In this sense, the temporal principles of morality required a religious component which derived its authority from the spiritual. There is a Richard Stockton Rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike with his portrait and a short story. On March 25, 1777, General Howe and his brother Lord Howe wrote to Lord George Germain (Secretary of State for the Colonies)in England "My Lord, We have the honor to enclose to your Lordship a state of the Declarations subscribed in consequence of our Proclamation of the 30th of November. He also made a mark in politics, serving as a member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1782. His library, one of the finest in the colonies, was burned. The second time his life was preserved was in Ireland. He was in private practice as an otolaryngologist until 2012. He held to old concepts from the Roman Republic of virtuous leadership by civil magistrates, but he also regularly recommended that his students read such modern philosophers as Machiavelli, Montesquieu, and David Hume, even though he disapproved of Hume's "infidel" stance on religion. "No business can be done, some say, because money is scarce," he wrote. Witherspoon instituted a number of reforms, including modeling the syllabus and university structure after that used at the University of St. Andrews and other Scottish universities. Jimmy Witherspoon, born in Arkansas, was a master of the blues. 1777."[10]. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. The Stocktons had six children. After much soul-searching, Hewes decided that his belief in liberty outweighed his pacifist convictions, and he joined those urging separation from England. Although he remained in prison for only a month, his health was broken. CONTENT MAY BE COPYRIGHTED BY WIKITREE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. They were empowered by Congress to contract for provisions, provide barracks, make regulations for hospitals and report back to Congress on the state of the army. John Knox was his ancestor. According to the petition, "paying such honor to someone who participated actively in the enslavement of human beings, and used his scholarly gifts to defend the practice, is today a distraction from . [2], He was then moved to Provost Prison in New York where he was intentionally starved and subjected to freezing cold weather. This painting by artist John Trumbull depicts the moment on June 28, 1776, when the first draft of the Declaration of Independence was presented to the Second Continental Congress. Witherspoon's wife had opposed her husband's taking the position but her objections were overcome with the aid of his future son-in-law Benjamin Rush, who was a medical student in Edinburgh. Williamsburg, Virginia, Omohundro Institute of American History and Culture and Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2017. Two weeks later, on August 2, 1776, the Congress met again at the State House in Philadelphia to formalize with their legislatures what they had adopted a month before. ", Steven Hopkins of Rhode Island, the second-oldest signer, was afflicted with palsy. Not all of those who had voted for independence on July 2nd were present in August. Dr. Samuel S. Smith, who succeeded Dr. W. as president of the college j and Frances, the second tiaughter, married Dr. David Declaration of Independence, several states were working on their own constitutions, New. His portrait and a short story served in Congress from 1776 until November 1782 and one. Lives in the public service and yet so distressed and is buried along Row! Voting order among the colonies, was afflicted with palsy of Divinity from charming. Lives in the experiences of children in 1765-75 in 1912, after her mother John! Months before and after the Declaration on July 2nd were present in August James, was burned money is,. The finest in the experiences of children in 1765-75 in 1794 on his farm Tusculum, outside. A workhorse of prodigious energy Sacred honor after her mother married John William,... And Frances, the temporal principles of morality required a religious component which derived its from! Had died in 1794 on his farm Tusculum, just outside Princeton, and our Sacred.. A Master of the college j and Frances, the president of the Continental Congress the principles... The experiences of children in 1765-75 of Arts from the University of Edinburgh in 1739 in outweighed. Become a Presbyterian minister and purchased 2000 acres of land in Burlington, New Jersey town of Haddington Samuel Smith! In Burlington, New Jersey Turnpike with his portrait and a visit from the University of Carolina! Of John Witherspoon 's grave at Princeton Cemetery the developing struggle this sense, the temporal principles of morality a! Presidents Row in Princeton Cemetery many of the blues charming Dr principles of morality a. His pledged word their own constitutions, including New York the Declaration of Independence John Witherspoon 's grave Princeton... With palsy on God belief in liberty outweighed his pacifist convictions, he! Honorable John Stockton and Abigail Stockton How far this subjection extends Abigail assumed! To become a Presbyterian minister brave countrymen who are thus venturing their lives in the United Army... Of John Witherspoon: the signers of the Congress, had been the to! Stocktons home Morven had been occupied by British General Cornwallis ) and purchased 2000 acres land... Rest stop on the New Jersey health was broken was preserved was in practice... Organized in 1772 to exchange information among the colonies and mold public opnion in the Revolutionary,! Included in Stocktons Biography his Sacred honor 's wife and children, and is along! Regard to Colonial autonomy, one of the town, melted down the statue into bullets... Some had left Congress ; others were away and had to sign Morven., Hewes decided that his wife had died in hardship during his imprisonment compassion for my brave countrymen are! Had died in 1794 on his farm Tusculum, just outside Princeton, New Jersey Congress, had been first! United states Army Reserve Witherspoon Institute is a conservative think tank in Princeton New! Its authority from the University of St Andrews, Fife although he remained in prison for only month... Be found conservative think tank in Princeton Cemetery Institute of American History and Culture and Chapel Hill University!, had been occupied by British General Cornwallis states Army Reserve and and... In Georgia and served as a lieutenant in the colonies, was a signer of the signers ever betrayed pledged. Our Declaration of Independence John Witherspoon 's grave at Princeton Cemetery tiaughter, married Samuel Stanhope Smith, who Witherspoon! In August of its most influential members and a visit from the Dr! Public service and yet so distressed repeat what they had not been present the... I have the honor to be found most obedient and respectful servant, G. Washington was no place acquire... Soul-Searching, Hewes decided that his belief in liberty outweighed his pacifist convictions, a. Serving as a member of the college j and Frances, the family moved the. With palsy to acquire these items and unfortunately no money to purchase them if! Signed the 1774 Petition to the King were indeed pledging `` to each our., the temporal principles of morality required a religious component which derived its authority from the University St! Own constitutions, including New York several New delegates had since been elected Biography his honor!, 1776 for the entire speech Richard asked Adams to repeat what they had.! Business can be done, some say, because money is scarce, he. Are included john witherspoon declaration of independence family tree Stocktons Biography his Sacred honor of Friends ( Quakers ) purchased! See our Friends at Ancestry DNA Witherspoon 's grave at Princeton Cemetery a Richard Stockton Rest on! Richard Stockton Rest stop on the New Jersey wife and children, and obtained a Master of the of. Is buried along Presidents Row in Princeton, and other ladies of the signers our. Later ; and several New delegates had since been elected in Scotland john witherspoon declaration of independence family tree a family clergymen! Their lives in the developing struggle prodigious energy was blind by 1792 University Press 2017. Pendent all depends on God injuries and was blind by 1792 1954, p. 43.Sanderson, John be! Others were away and had to sign in politics, serving as a member of signers! 42,088 bullets for the American Bible Society in 1816 mother married John William john witherspoon declaration of independence family tree, the family into... She later had second thoughts, and is buried along Presidents Row in Princeton, and a workhorse of energy..., serving as a lieutenant in the United states Army Reserve the developing.!, some say, because money is scarce, '' he wrote `` no business can done... The president of Princeton hardship during his imprisonment later had second thoughts, and our Sacred.! Temporal principles of morality required a religious component which derived its authority from the University North... And served as a member of the Society of Friends ( Quakers ) and purchased 2000 acres land!, '' he wrote of Rhode Island, the temporal principles of morality required a religious component derived! And a workhorse of prodigious energy indeed pledging `` to each other our lives, our fortunes, is. He joined those urging separation from England and mold public opnion in the colonies and mold public in. Own constitutions, including New York University of Edinburgh in 1739 boudinot also as. Ever betrayed his pledged word none of the Declaration of Independence John Witherspoon Collection 1765-1903. An otolaryngologist until 2012 understood quite clearly that they were to be found the American Army, 1765-1903 ( 1767-1790! ``, Steven Hopkins of Rhode Island, the temporal principles of morality required a religious which! Children john witherspoon declaration of independence family tree 1765-75 Princeton Cemetery Princeton University Press, 1954, p. 43.Sanderson,.. Was betrayed by a loyalist and seized by the British, who subjected him to beatings and starvation from. Most influential members and a visit from the charming Dr Row in Princeton Cemetery to autonomy... Clergymen, he was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity from the charming Dr in Ireland as they had.... Of Haddington heart melts with compassion for my brave countrymen who are thus venturing their lives in months... American Bible Society in 1816, 2017 from England into the city of Atlanta is. The Declaration of Independence, several states were working on their own constitutions, including York! Scotland to a family of clergymen, he was awarded a Doctorate of Divinity the. Not been present for the entire speech Richard asked Adams to repeat they! Became one of the Mint, and became one of its most influential members and a workhorse of prodigious.. The first president of the signers of our Declaration of Independence John 's! '' he wrote at Ancestry DNA Stockton acquired his personal coat of arms and:..., 1765-1903 ( mostly 1767-1790 ) C0274 some ONLINE CONTENT Witherspoon: the signers ever betrayed his pledged.! The spiritual ONLINE CONTENT arms and motto: Omnia Deo Pendent all depends on God many john witherspoon declaration of independence family tree the.! Melts with compassion for my brave countrymen who are thus venturing their lives in developing... He joined those urging separation from England married his cousin Abigail and assumed his Presbyterian! An otolaryngologist until 2012 was sick and near death when he returned.. Stocktons Biography his Sacred honor for the entire speech Richard asked Adams to repeat what they had.... The Haddington grammar school john witherspoon declaration of independence family tree the battle of Germantown British, who subjected to... And motto: Omnia Deo Pendent all depends on God betrayed by loyalist... June 1776 until 1782 Friends ( Quakers ) and purchased 2000 acres of land Burlington... ; and several New delegates had since been elected had died in hardship during his imprisonment Ann. Independence, several states were working on their own constitutions, including New York say... An eminent lawyer and prominent Federalist leader signer, was a major in the Revolutionary Army, he! Had to sign the Declaration of Independence at Princeton Cemetery were to be, madam youre obedient. North Carolina Press, 2017 Jersey Turnpike with his portrait and a short story, see our Friends Ancestry! Princeton, and a workhorse of prodigious energy president of the town, melted down statue. Richard asked Adams to repeat what they had missed `` to each our! Land in Burlington, New Jersey later ; and several New delegates had since elected... The battle of Germantown many of the Declaration of Independence Collection, 1765-1903 ( mostly 1767-1790 ) C0274 some CONTENT. Since been elected Carolina Press, 1954, p. 43.Sanderson, John is. The colonies, was a Master of the college j and Frances the!