John Witherspoon, who was sixth president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 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. If so, login to add it. Dr. Benjamin Rush wrote: The whole of Mr. Stocktons furniture, apparel, and even valuable writings have been burnt. The fifth son of Richard, eight year old John Stockton, inherited much of his fathers land after Richard died in 1709. 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. To fulfill this, he and his family emigrated to New Jersey in 1768. "His Majesty can now read my name without spectacles, and can now double his reward of 500 pounds for my head. John Witherspoon (1723-1794)John Witherspoon was the only active clergyman among the signers of the Declaration of Independence. There is absolutely no proof this occurred. On June 26th, this Livingston petitioned the New York Assembly so that he could leave the state convention and rejoin Congress in Philadelphia. She was a close friend and favorite correspondent of General George Washington. . Thomas Heyward returned to find that his wife had died in hardship during his imprisonment. John Witherspoon died near Princeton, New Jersey, on NOVEMBER 15 . Rev. The first complete facsimile printingtext and signatureswas by commissioned by the State Department in 1823. In 1888, the state of New Jersey donated a marble statue of Stockton to the National Statuary Hall Collection at the United States Capitol. He studied law with David Ogden of Newark. The President's House in Princeton, New Jersey, was his home from 1768 to 1779 and is a U.S. National Historic Landmark. 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. 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. Birth of Richard Stockton, Signer of "The Decla Signer of Declaration of IndependenceDelegate to Continental Congress, Signer Declaration of Independence. BYU Law Review 2003 (2003): 891-940. The black gowned students of Princeton surrounded the door to Nassau Hall and cheered as Washington entered. The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. Delaware was called next by Charles Thompson, the clerk of the Congress, and Caesar Rodney, in a tired but clear voice, responded: "As I believe the voice of my constituents and of all sensible and honest men is in favor of independence, and my own judgment concurs with them, I vote for independence.". John's father was Richard "The Builder" Stockton. 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. He was an affectionate husband, a tender parent and a cordial friend. Doctor Samuel Smith, vice president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University)and son-in-law of Rev. 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. The exhausted rider was enthusiastically greeted by Thomas McKean and escorted in to the brick building where some 50 to 60 men were about to decide the fate of a continent. They traveled to Albany, Saratoga, Ticonderoga, and every facility necessary to implement their mission, aided by General Schuler, who commanded the northern army. John Witherspoon [electronic resource]. His aim as a minister was to defend and articulate traditional Scottish Presbyterian theology, without altering or disguising it. John attended the preparatory school in Haddington Scotland. IMPORTANT PRIVACY NOTICE & DISCLAIMER: YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO USE CAUTION WHEN DISTRIBUTING PRIVATE INFORMATION. This Commonwealth approach was not acceptable to the King, had it been the British could have avoided the war that freed the colonies and deprived the King of the fairest jewel in his crown. At this point he was twenty. Dr. Witherspoon was born in Georgia and served as a lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve. Witherspoon instituted numerous reforms, including modeling the syllabus and university structure after that used at the University of Edinburgh and other Scottish universities. John 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 main building, Nassau Hall, was badly damaged and his papers and personal notes were lost. In 1969, the New Jersey Legislature passed legislation establishing a state college which was named after Stockton, to honor the memory of New Jersey's signer of the Declaration of Independence. 2008 - 2022 INTERESTING.COM, INC. 67179. (Clergyman, Author, Educator). The British offered freedom for the boys if he would abandon the cause, but Abraham Clark refused. Trustees of Princeton University. There was no debate or discussion. Although Witherspoon can be heavily credited in the expansion and progression of the University, his ownership ties to the enslavement of Black people in America have caused for an internal Princeton petition to the CPUC Committee on Naming at Princeton University and President Eisgruber for the removal of his statue that currently stands in Firestone Plaza on campus. 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. in Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland , United Kingdom, Died on November 15, 1794 He died on his farm, "Tusculum," just outside of Princeton in November of 1794, a man much honored and beloved by his adopted countrymen. Her parents are still legally married, although they separated in 1996. On July 2, 1776, the day of the vote on independence, another delegate claimed that America wasn't yet ripe enough for independence. William James Stone, Declaration of Independence, the Stone engraving, 1823. Like Benedict Pictet (1655-1724), Witherspoon held firmly to the tenets of confessional Calvinism. One of her poems about General Washington, on the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, shows how highly Washington esteemed these complimentary writings by the letter he wrote Annis. In 1780 he was elected to a one-year term in the New Jersey Legislative Council representing Somerset County. But none of the signers ever betrayed his pledged word. He served on over 100 committees, most notably the powerful standing committees, the board of war and the committee on secret correspondence or foreign affairs. The petitions suggests replacing the statue with "an informational plaque which details both the positive and negative aspects of Witherspoon's legacy. Roger Sherman (April 19, 1721 - July 23, 1793) was an American statesman, lawyer, and a Founding Father of the United States.He is the only person to sign four of the great state papers of the United States related to the founding: the Continental Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and U.S. Constitution. For this reason, Rev. John Witherspoon was a prominent member of the Continental Congress for eight years and signed the Declaration of Independence and other important documents. Cambridge in amesbury at many independents in doing this brave signer of grace, he is selected as to make sure that gathered intelligence produced numerous illustrations. In 1772, fifteen year old Alexander Hamilton arrived from the West Indies and lived with Elias and Hanna for two years. This article was originally published in 2009. [11] During his two pastorates he wrote three well-known works on theology, notably the satire "Ecclesiastical Characteristics" (1753),[12] which opposed the philosophical influence of Francis Hutcheson.[13]. Illinois University LibrariesCorner, George W., The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush. "John Witherspoon." Philip Stockton, Julia Rush (born Stockton), Susan Stockton, Lucius Stockton, Richard Arthur Stockton, Abigail Field (born Stockton), Mary Stockton, Oct 1 1730 - Princeton, New Jersey Colony, British Colonial America, Feb 28 1781 - Princeton, New Jersey Colony, British Colonial America, John Stockton, Abigail Stockton (born Phillips), Oct 1 1730 - Princeton, Mercer, New Jersey, Feb 28 1781 - Princeton, Mercer, New Jersey, USA. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. "Why do you spare my house? At the urging of Benjamin Rush and Richard Stockton, whom he met in Paisley,[14] Witherspoon finally accepted their renewed invitation (having turned one down in 1766) to become president and head professor of the small Presbyterian College of New Jersey in Princeton. Agnes Douglas , Alexander Livingston, Alinor de PROVENCE , Henri III d'ANGLETERRE, Marguerite Von Wittelsbach , Jean De Bourgogne. Stocktons great-grandfather was Richard "The Emigrant" Stockton, 1635-1707, who arrived in Flushing, Long Island, New York, when it was still New Netherland. From "Witherspoon Family History" by Evelyn Potter Park: John migrated [from Scotland] to Ireland at an early age and from there came to America in 1790. They had ten children, with five surviving to adulthood. 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. Witherspoon personally taught courses in eloquence or belles lettres, chronology (history), and divinity. In addition, part of the Battle of Princeton in 1777 was fought on the college campus the college was so badly damaged that it was closed for several years. John C. Witherspoon was the Calvinist preacher, President of Princeton College, and signer of the Declaration of Independence. His handsome features and highly polished manners made him very popular. 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. Five were jailed and brutally treated. He is co-editor of the Encyclopedia of the First Amendment. 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 tyrannical actions of the Crown were quickly followed by measured and sometimes violent reactions from the colonists. As to the first it seems to be only that the master has a right to the labors and ingenuity of the servant for a limited time, or at most for life. Stockton initially showed little interest in politics. "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. 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. Richard and Hannah were brother and sister, making Richard Stockton's (born 1730) parents 1st cousins.[12]. in Near Princeton, New Jersey, USA , United States, This form allows you to report an error or to submit additional information about this family tree: John WITHERSPOON (1723), Copyright Wikipdia authors - This article is under licence CC BY-SA 3.0. He was consulted on the state of American affairs by such notable men as the Marquis of Rockingham with whom he spent a week at his country estate. Soon, Witherspoon came to support the American Revolution, joining the New Jersey Committee of Correspondence and Safety in early 1774. The revisions were completed on the evening of July 4th, the document was adopted without dissent, and the Declaration of Independence was ordered proclaimed throughout the United States. Plaque on Edinburgh University School of Divinity, Biographical sketches of distinguished Jerseymen (1845), President Witherspoon in the American Revolution (July 1, 1896), The Works of the Rev. 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. John Knox Witherspoon (1723-1794)clergyman, educator, and founding fatherserved as Princeton's sixth president from 1768 until his death in 1794. There were no defectors. 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 As a native Scotsman, long wary of the power of the British Crown, Witherspoon soon came to support the Revolution, joining the Committee of Correspondence and Safety in early 1774. Ancestry, Richard "The Signer" was born to John Stockton (born 1701) & Abigail Phillips. A rest area on the southbound New Jersey Turnpike, south of Interstate 195, is named after Stockton. Oct 4, 2013 - Explore Heather Weaver's board "John witherspoon" on Pinterest. The main building, Nassau Hall, was badly damaged, and his papers and personal notes were lost. Reason second, I am obnoxious, suspected, and unpopular; you are very much otherwise. On the day of the signing, the British fleet - an armada of dozens of ships with 42,000 sailors and soldiers - was waiting off the coast to crush these patriots and make an example of them. On January 3, 1777, General George Washington was directed by Congress to protest against the shocking and inhuman treatment of the honorable Richard Stockton to General William Howe. Only John Hancock signed the declaration that day, and a formal signing by all the delegates was scheduled for August 2nd. Revolutionary War. John Witherspoon wrote in a letter to his son David. The debate continued into the Fourth of July and, in Jefferson's own words, "seemed as though it would run on interminably. He attended the Haddington Grammar School, and obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Edinburgh in 1739. Shortly after he signed the Declaration of Independence, he was taken prisoner by the British. Hancock is also reported to have said that "we must be unanimous. He made a profound impression on his student James Madison, whose suggestions for the United States Constitution followed both Witherspoon's and Hume's ideas. When news of this reached the constituents, New Jersey elected Richard Stockton and Dr. Witherspoon to replace two of the five New Jersey delegates. Political career. Once he was satisfied, the New Jersey delegates voted for Independence. Frances, the youngest daughter, married Dr. David Ramsay, a delegate from South Carolina to the Continental Congress, on March 18, 1763. He died in 1794 on his farm Tusculum, just outside of Princeton, and is buried in the Princeton Cemetery. John Witherspoon (17231794) was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation as well as serve at the convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution in New Jersey. Most of the 4,836 colonists who took advantage of the proclamation had done so before Trenton while British troops were enjoying their greatest success; AT NO TIME, however, HAD A LEADING REBEL SOUGHT PARDON. Witherspoon also helped organize Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey. In 1780 he was elected to a one-year term in the New Jersey Legislative Council representing Somerset County. 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. In 1746, he helped to raise troops to fight Scottish rebels who were rebelling against English domination in Scotland. His efforts helped the Continental Army drive back Lord Cornwallis' army in retreat in 1780. & quot ; john Witherspoon was the only active clergyman among the signers ever betrayed his word..., vice President of Princeton surrounded the door to Nassau Hall, was badly and... 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