On September 26, 1776, he and fellow signer George Clymer of Pennsylvania were sent on an arduous journey of nearly two months duration to inspect the northern army. Whenever I can serve my native country, I leave no occasion untried. He frequently attended Westminster Hall and advised all who would listen that the colonies would never submit to be taxed by the British parliament without representation. Brother of Captain David Witherspoon; Susan Ann Witherspoon; Josias Witherspoon; James Alexander Witherspoon, IV and Margaret Ann Witherspoon, A Patriot of the American Revolution for NEW JERSEY. They took Reese to acting classes and soon the girl appeared in her first commercials. Ann, the eldest daughter, was married to the Rev. He married Elizabeth Montgomery on 2 September 1748, in Scotland, United Kingdom. "These are the times that try men's souls," Thomas Paine wrote in COMMON SENSE. Another daughter, Ann, married Samuel Stanhope Smith, who succeeded Witherspoon as president of Princeton. In 1768, John Witherspoon, Presbyterian leader of the evangelical Popular party faction in the Scottish Kirk, became the College of New Jersey's sixth president. Please try again. Wolcott 's wife and children, and other ladies of the town, melted down the statue into 42,088 bullets for the American Army. How far this subjection extends. New York still abstained, but New Jersey and Pennsylvania voted in the affirmative. At once he began fund-raising, added three hundred of his own books to the library, and began the purchase of scientific equipment, including the Rittenhouse orrery, many maps and a "terrestial" globe. 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. Joseph Hewes of North Carolina was a Quaker with a long pacifist heritage, and for many months he sided with those in Congress who were opposed to independence. That reaction deeply hurt Morton, particularly when he was ignored even after he fell gravely ill early in 1777. Senators, and 49 United States congressmen. Students who later played prominent roles in the new nation's development included James Madison, Aaron Burr, Philip Freneau, William Bradford, and Hugh Henry Brackenridge. It was a storm which had been building for more than a decade as the British Parliament and King George III imposed one oppressive measure after another on the colonies, increasing their taxes and decreasing their freedoms. Witherspoon was an early convert to the Patriot cause, and the British considered his college to be a seminary of sedition (Morrison 2005: 13). "[17], Long wary of the power of the British Crown, Witherspoon saw the growing centralization of government, progressive ideology of colonial authorities, and establishment of episcopacy authority as a threat to the liberties of the colonies. When the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America met in 1789, 52 of the 188 delegates had studied under Witherspoon. John Hart, at the insistence of his dying wife, finally left her bedside to flee as a party of Hessians approached his farm. His 1776 sermon "The Dominion of Providence over the Passions of Men" was published in many editions and he was elected to the Continental Congress as part of the New Jersey delegation and, in July 1776, voted for the Resolution for Independence. Her father Elias Boudinot Sr, apprenticed as a silversmith and merchant, then traveled to the West Indies to run a plantation. Biography by Rev. Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution. 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 Political career. James, the eldest, graduated from Princeton in 1770 and joined the Continental Army as an aide to General Francis Nash, with the rank of major and was killed at the Battle of Germantown on October 4, 1777. Witherspoon served in Congress from June 1776 until November 1782 and became one of its most influential members and a workhorse of prodigious energy. John Witherspoon wrote in a letter to his son David. Dr. John Witherspoon, President of Princetion University and a signer of the American Declaration of Independence. Witherspoon owned slaves and lectured against the abolition of slavery.[28]. The passage of the Stamp Act of 1765 had infuriated many wealthy and influential colonists, and was responsible for beginning the storm that settled over that historic assembly in Philadelphia in July 1776. Some of the courses he taught personally were Eloquence or Belles Lettres, Chronology (history), and Divinity. According to John Witherspoon, he arrived on or before July 3rd. For the next 26 years, he would serve as Princeton's President, helping to make it a great institution for higher learning. In Princeton a rumor started by Mr. Cochran, a Tory, claiming Stockton had taken General Howe's protection caused Stockton to be spoken against for a short time, but "Mr Cochran's known quarrel with him makes it very doubtful to candid persons" Rev. Many men of influence were opposed to independence, preferring to return to the relationship of a dozen years earlier. He fought against the flood of paper money, and opposed the issuance of bonds without provision for their amortization. After hearing the irresistible and conclusive arguments of the honorable John Adams for independence, Richard fully concurred in the final vote in favor of that bold and decisive measure. 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. The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. After Stockton's death, Annis, one of America's first published female poets, became a favorite correspondent of General Washington. In answer to an objection that the country was not yet ready for independence, according to tradition he replied that it "was not only ripe for the measure, but in danger of rotting for the want of it."[20][21]. The servant therefore retains all his other natural rights. The College of New Jersey needed a first rate scholar to serve as its first president. This page was last edited on 8 January 2023, at 19:20. This address, from a person of your refined taste and elegance of expression, affords a pleasure beyond my powers of utterance, and I have only to lament that the hero of your pastoral is not more deserving of your pen; but the circumstance shall be placed among the happiest events of my life. Witherspoon instituted numerous reforms, including modeling the syllabus and university structure after that used at the University of Edinburgh and other Scottish universities. Stockton's oldest son Richard was an eminent lawyer and later a Senator from New Jersey. Although none of the Leaders, nor principal Instigators and Abettors of the Rebellion, thought fit to avail themselves of the opportunity given them to return to their Duty, we have some satisfaction in observing that so considerable a number of His Majesty's deluded Subjects, of inferior Rank, in those Provinces where the Proclamation could be expect to have Effect, were disposed to relinquish the unjust Cause they had been once induced to support. Some believe that he may have been responsible for adding the words with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence to the Declaration of Independence. valuable signature in the world, outranked only by that of Martin Luther and Button Gwinnett, a Georgia signer of the Declaration of Independence. When news of this reached the constituents, New Jersey elected Richard Stockton and Dr. Witherspoon to replace two of the five New Jersey delegates. Woods, David Walker. There is a Richard Stockton Rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike with his portrait and a short story. The Second Continental Congress had constituted itself a provisional government and began making preparations for war with Britain, including the creation of a Continental Army under General George Washington. David, the youngest son, graduated the same year as his brother John, married the widow of Abner Nash, and practiced law in New Bern, North Carolina. 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. John Knox was his ancestor. ", 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." The other New York signer, Lewis Morris, lost his magnificent estate, "Morrisania", which was sacked and burned. A statue of Richard Stockton by Henry Kirke Brown. Danny Pieper was elected on May 23, 2007, and the SC Supreme Court, Seat 2 to which the Hon. John Knox Witherspoon (February 15, 1723 November 15, 1794) was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. Stockton served the College, afterwards known as Princeton University, as a trustee 26 years. When Parliament resolved to raise revenue in the colonies in 1775, Stockton declared the colonies "must each of them send one or two of their most ingenious fellows, and enable them to get into the House of Commons, maintain them there till they can maintain themselves, or else we shall be fleeced to some purpose." Although he was released unharmed a few days later, he later had trouble sleeping, and would often faint in broad-daylight. He met with Edmund Burke, the Earl of Chatham, and many other distinguished members of Parliament who were friendly to the American Colonies. John Witherspoon brought some impressive credentials and a measure of public acclaim with him when he joined the colonies in 1768, as president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton). The British considered his college to be a "seminary of sedition." (Painting by Charles Willson Peale, public domain via Wikimedia Commons) That risk was not only substantial, it was imminent. External links:Richard Stockton at the Biographical Directory of the United States CongressBiography by Rev. This is the same day, just the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Elias Boudinot, brother of Annis, married Stocktons sister Hannah, and was trained as a lawyer by Stockton. [John Witherspoon, Lectures on Moral Philosophy (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton Univ. Died: November 15, 1794 at 71. However, he changed his position a year later when the controversy over the Stamp Act arose. Richard was silent during Adams speech and then listened with thoughtful and respectful attention to the arguments that were offered by supporters and opponents of the declaration under consideration. Unanimity was essential, so Edward Rutledge of South Carolina moved that a final vote be postponed until the following day. The main building, Nassau Hall, was badly damaged and his papers and personal notes were lost. Since that period, he hath represented New-Jersey in the congress of the United States. Born on February 05, 1723 in Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland , United Kingdom. He read it, and the simple ceremony was over. His father being their brother, Rev James Witherspoon, III, who was a Church of Scotland minister who served the parish of Yester from 1720 until his death in 1759. Documents of the American Revolution. "[7] 4,836 Declarations were subscribed but Stockton as a Signer of the Declaration of Independence and a leading rebel never did according to General Howe. As the college's primary occupation at the time was training ministers, Witherspoon became a major leader of the early Presbyterian Church in America. Papers: 1766-1784, 32 items. 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. In fact, an ancestor, John Witherspoon, signed the Declaration of Independence. And Charles Carroll, a new delegate from Maryland and one of the wealthiest men in America, replied as he was asked by Hancock if he would sign: "Most willingly." Nelson, who died in poverty after paying off his wartime debts "like an honest man," said he was only honoring a pledge he had made six years before. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. Witherspoon eschewed politics in America until 1774, but after that he steadily participated, directly and indirectly, in the leading events of the day. [28][n 5] She worked . After nearly five weeks of brutal treatment, Stockton was released on parole, his health ruined. He was educated in the early years by Rev. As of Fall 2022, the petition has garnered over 250 signatures in support of removing the statue on the basis that it is a distraction to the University's mission and makes community members uncomfortable because of Witherspoon's racist history. At the age of 13, he entered college and at age 20, he was licensed to preach. Witherspoon has been described by some historians as being "not a profound scholar" but "an able college president". There was no debate or discussion. Witherspoon was opposed to the Jacobite rising of 1745-46. "Let my trade perish. [John Witherspoon, Lectures on Moral Philosophy (Princeton, N.J.: Princeton Univ. They had a great deal to lose - life, liberty, and property - but they were convinced that the cause was worth the risk. ", Although the Stamp Act was subsequently repealed, it had been followed by the Townshend Acts and the Writs of Assistance in 1767, the Boston Massacre in 1770, increasing interference in colonial governments, the Boston Port Bill in 1774, and other "injuries and usurpations, all having, in direct object, the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these states.". His philosophy was relatively pragmatic and blended well with the classical liberal strains of political thought advocated in his day. He studied law with David Ogden of Newark. [15] Thus, Witherspoon and his family emigrated to New Jersey in 1768. The debate continued into the Fourth of July and, in Jefferson's own words, "seemed as though it would run on interminably. The first complete facsimile printingtext and signatureswas by commissioned by the State Department in 1823. For Gods sake my dear sir, upon the receipt of this collect all the shoes and stockings you can, and send them off for Albany in light wagons; a couple of two horse wagons will bring a great many, which may be distributed among our several Regiments who will be all together at Tyconderoga in a few days if any breeches, gloves and coats be ready send them along; but do not wait for them if the shoes and stockings are ready, and the others notwe have dispatches from General Gates this morning informing that he hourly expects to be attacked by the Enemy; but our works are very strong and a Boom thrown across the water from Tyconderoga to prevent the enemies shipping from getting below us, therefore I trust with the blessing of Almighty God, that we shall disappoint their wishes and sanguinary purposesBut shall the brave troops from New Jersey stand in lines half leg deep in snow without shoes or stockingGod forbid. central pneumatic air compressor 3 gallon won't build pressure, gregg shorthand app, sfr trade unions in australia, External links: Richard Stockton Rest stop on the New Jersey and Pennsylvania voted in the affirmative be postponed the. 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