Unlike some English advocates of religious freedom, Witherspoon was willing to extend such freedom to Roman Catholics, and he believed that the state could encourage good behavior and that religious virtue led to political strength. In 1746, he helped to raise troops to fight Scottish rebels who were rebelling against English domination in Scotland. Consistent with his Presbyterian theology, Witherspoon believed that God was the author of freedom, and he did not think that the state, which was administered by imperfect individuals, had the right to dictate personal religious beliefs. He was dispatched on a fact finding tour to the northern army. Scots Presbyterian minister and a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. Just one grandparent can lead you to many Can someone please show primary source documentation that his middle name was Knox, because I find only that there is no middle name. Entitled 'COMMON SENSE', the 25,000 word tract by Thomas Paine challenged British authority over the Colonies and bluntly stated that "the period of debate is closed. Such was the caliber of the men who signed the Declaration of Independence, the men who risked their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to establish the American Republic and guarantee our rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. John and Elizabeth had at least nine children: Dr. Witherspoon was married to his first wife. There is a Richard Stockton Rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike with his portrait and a short story. Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph.". Two members conducted Washington to a chair beside President Elias Boudinot, who remained seated on the platform, with his hat on his head to symbolize the superiority of the civil authority over the military. In 1776, Stockton was elected to the Second Continental Congress, where he took a very active role. "His Majesty can now read my name without spectacles, and can now double his reward of 500 pounds for my head. Page 201.The Collections of the Manuscript Division, Library of Congress. Behold here 'the end of all perfection.' He transformed the College of New Jersey (later Princeton) from a poor theological seminary into a vigorous academic community. Although he remained in prison for only a month, his health was broken. Because of the parole document Stockton signed with General Howe to gain his freedom, and giving his word of honor not to meddle in the war (required to be given a parole), Stockton resigned from Congress. Witherspoon served in Congress from June 1776 until November 1782 and became one of its most influential members and a workhorse of prodigious energy. [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. Ramsay, the celebrated historian. He also wrote frequent essays on subjects of interest to the colonies. Philip STOCKTON, Susanna STOCKTON, Hannah STOCKTON, Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey, British Colonial America, Princeton, Mercer County, NJ, United States, Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey, British America, Princeton, Mercer County, New Jersey, United States, Morven, Princeton Township, Mercer, New Jersey, United States, Princeton, Mercer, New Jersey, United States, Patriots - Daughters of the American Revolution, Richard Signer of US Declaration of Independence Stockton, Judge Richard Stockton (Signer of Declaration of Independence), Richard, Signer Of The Declaration Of Independence Stockton, Richard Signer Of Us Declaration Of Independence STOCKTON, http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/stockton.htm, http://www.dsdi1776.com/signers-by-state/richard-stockton. Moses Coit Tyler "President Witherspoon in the American Revolution" The American Historical Review Volume 1, Issue 1, July 1896. pp. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. He attended grammar school at the neighboring town of Haddington. The wife of William Floyd escaped with her children by boat across Long Island Sound into Connecticut and died in 1781 without ever again seeing her home. Following the Jacobite victory at the Battle of Falkirk, he was briefly imprisoned at Doune Castle,[10] which had a long-term effect on his health. Then, on June 7th, Richard Henry Lee put this resolution before the Congress: "RESOLVED, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.". The British considered his college to be a "seminary of sedition." (Painting by Charles Willson Peale, public domain via Wikimedia Commons) John Hart, at the insistence of his dying wife, finally left her bedside to flee as a party of Hessians approached his farm. The Presbyterian Handbook, Revised Edition - Page 59 [27], Witherspoon was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1789[33], Scottish-American Presbyterian Minister (1723-1794). 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. "These are the times that try men's souls," Thomas Paine wrote in COMMON SENSE. In January, however, a sensational pamphlet appeared in Philadelphia and stirred more revolutionary fervor than anything that had been written to that time. His sons later moved from Hopewell, but his daughters' married men from the surrounding area. Her father Elias Boudinot Sr, apprenticed as a silversmith and merchant, then traveled to the West Indies to run a plantation. Richard Stocktons eldest son Richard became a New Jersey senator and Stocktons served in Congress for four generations. Username and password are case sensitive. Her parents are still legally married, although they separated in 1996. Princeton University Press, 1948. He has published scholarly papers and popular articles for both children and adults. John Witherspoon participated in the American Revolution. "Let my trade perish. In 1768, Stockton had his first taste of government service when he was elevated to a seat in the New Jersey Provincial Council; he was later (1774) appointed to the provincial New Jersey Supreme Court. The settled opinion among the American founding fathers, including Dr. Witherspoon, was that slavery would eventually disappear naturally within a generation. Wife of Signer John Witherspoon Image: John Witherspoon John Witherspoon was born on February 5, 1722, at the village of Gifford, near Edinburgh, Scotland. Son of James Alexander Witherspoon, III and Anne Witherspoon It was only through a protracted effort on the part of several eminent Americans, including Richard Stockton and Benjamin Rush, that the colonies were able to acquire his service. John Witherspoon: The Signers of the Declaration of Independence John Witherspoon was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. John Witherspoon, who was sixth president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. A Signer of the Declaration of Independence Under Attack. At the College of New Jersey, Witherspoon revised the moral philosophy curriculum, strengthened the college's commitment to natural philosophy, and positioned Princeton in the larger transatlantic world of the republic of letters. Dr. Benjamin Rush wrote "At Princeton I met my wife's father who had been plundered of all his household furniture and stock by the British army, and carried a prisoner to New York, from whence he was permitted to return to his family upon parole. On Tuesday, May 11th 1779, he died at the age of 66. Stockton had the honor of personally presenting to King George III an address of the trustees of the College of New Jersey, acknowledging the repeal of the Stamp Act, and his address was favorably received by the king. John Hancock of Massachusetts, the president of the Congress, had been the first to sign. The University's Committee on Naming is reviewing a proposal to remove or replace a campus statue of John Witherspoon, an influential figure in the American Revolution who owned slaves during his time as Princeton's president. [5] Witherspoon became prominent within the Church as an Evangelical opponent of the Moderate Party. In 1764, Stockton became the Grand Master of the first chartered Masonic lodge (St. Johns No 1) in Princeton, New Jersey. Jimmy Witherspoon, born in Arkansas, was a master of the blues. He is particularly interested in the experiences of children in 1765-75. Stockton was appointed to committees supporting the war effort. Her mother, Dr. Mary Elizabeth "Betty" Witherspoon (ne Reese), is from Harriman, Tennessee. Once persuaded otherwise, however, Morton signed the Declaration and stood by his decision, though he was ostracized by his family and friends, many of whom were Tories. He died February 28, 1781; his remains were conveyed to Nassau Hall and eulogized by the President of the College of New Jersey, Dr. Samuel Smith If what honors this young country can bestow, if many and great personal talents could save man from the graveBehold here the end of all perfectionto have been a son of this college and it was one the first honors of this college to have given birth to such a son a man who has long been foremost in his country, for power, for wisdom, and for fortune Another of the fathers of learning and eloquence is gone. Caesar Rodney was also afflicted with a painful and unsightly facial cancer. Enter a grandparent's name. 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. "Give me the cannon," Nelson shouted. Witherspoon has claimed descent from Scottish-born John Witherspoon, who signed the United States Declaration of Independence; however, this claim has not been verified by the Society of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence genealogists. [11], On March 7, 1781, The New Jersey Gazette acknowledged his worth to his country: "The ability, dignity, and integrity, with which this gentleman discharged the duties of the several important offices to which he was called by the voice of this country are well known.". Coordinates: 40.35238 N, 74.66019 W. As the "Loudest Voice" for Independence, he is . I'm researching for a member of his family. Ann, the eldest daughter, was married to the Rev. Elias Boudinot was married to Stockton's sister Hannah Stockton (17361808). He was a moderate with regard to Colonial autonomy. An error has occured while loading the map. In 1777, his son was killed at the Battle of Germantown, and later that year, the British burned their home. Lanham, Md. Witherspoon also helped organize Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey. "My country is entitled to my services, and I shall not shrink from the cause, even though it should cost me my life," he declared. John Hart died owing money, and most of his property was sold for a pittance. John Knox Witherspoon was born at Gifford, a parish of Yester, at East Lothian, Scotland, as the eldest child of the Reverend James Alexander Witherspoon and Anne Walker, a descendant of John Welsh of Ayr and John Knox. The historian Douglass Adair writes, "The syllabus of Witherspoon's lectures . Josiah Bartlett - New Hampshire: Josiah Bartlett was the first delegate to vote for independence and the second signer after John Hancock. [2] Located in Princeton, it promotes the application of fundamental principles of republican government and ordered liberty to contemporary problems through a variety of centers, research programs, seminars, consultations, and publications. Politically active, Witherspoon was a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and a signatory to the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. 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. There is not a single shoe or stocking to be had in this part of the world, or I would ride a hundred miles thought the woods, and purchase them with my own moneyfor youll consider that the weather here must be different from that in New Jersey; it is very cold now I assure you. Witherspoon Street, in: Princeton, New Jersey; Pomfret, John E.. '"Witherspoon, John" in. 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). The Document | Source: Independence Hall Association, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, Richard Stockton, 1730-1781 - http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/stockton.htm, In 1768, Stockton had his first taste of government service when he was appointed to the governing Council of New Jersey; he was later (1774) appointed to the New Jersey Supreme Court. John attended the preparatory school in Haddington Scotland. HE was involved in New Jersey committees of correspondence, and he also signed the Declaration of Independence and served on over a hundred congressional committees. Born February 5, 1723 (Gifford, Scotland) Died November 15, 1794 (Princeton, New Jersey) Protestant theologian, educator. Stockton was given a parole by General Howe in mid January, requiring him to no longer participate in the war effort as was common on both sides. Boykin Witherspoon was an early plantation owner in De Soto, South Carolina. He studied law with David Ogden of Newark. John Witherspoon, (born Feb. 15, 1723, [Feb. 5, 1722, old style], Gifford, East Lothian, Scot.died Nov. 15, 1794, Tusculum, N.J., U.S.), Scottish-American Presbyterian minister and president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University); he was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Witherspoon was responsible for its reconstruction after the war, which caused him great personal and financial difficulty. Please try again. No one changed his mind. Philadelphia, July 22, 1782. Stockton was admitted to the bar in 1754, to the grade of counselor in 1758, and in 1763, he received the degree of Sergeant-at-Law the highest degree of law attainable. The eulogy was delivered by Rev. In fact, an ancestor, John Witherspoon, signed the Declaration of Independence. They knew they were committing high treason against the Crown and that the penalty for doing so was death by hanging. Her health broke during captivity and Mrs. Lewis died shortly after being released in a 1778 prisoner exchange. On July 2, 1776, the day of the vote on independence, another delegate claimed that America wasn't yet ripe enough for independence. But even as late as January 6, 1776, the Congress adopted a resolution stating that the colonies, "had no design to set up as an independent nation." Until November 1782 and became one of its most influential members and a short.. 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