He once wrote, "The public is generally unthankful, and I never will become a Servant of it, till I am convinced that by neglecting my own affairs I am doing more acceptable Service to God and Man." 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. He voted in favor, and shortly after voted for the Declaration of Independence. There were no defectors. View Transcript The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Here were the elite of the 18th century America, but few were elitist. They knew they were committing high treason against the Crown and that the penalty for doing so was death by hanging. Photographic tour of John Witherspoon's grave at Princeton Cemetery. explains the conversion of the young Virginian to the philosophy of the Enlightenment."[27]. 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. John Witherspoon was a Scottish-American Presbyterian minister, educator, farmer, slaveholder, and a Founding Father of the United States. A young English woman Esther DeBerdt, engaged to Stocktons former law student Joseph Reed remarked, I like Mr. Stockton exceedingly. In 1987, the LDS Reference Unit at the Family History Library, in Salt Lake City, compiled the "Founding Fathers Project." In regard to civil magistrates, Witherspoon thus believed moral judgment should be pursued as a science. He read it, and the simple ceremony was over. 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. He transformed the College of New Jersey (later Princeton) from a poor theological seminary into a vigorous academic community. Categories: Patriotic Service, New Jersey, American Revolution | American Founding Fathers | Signers of the Articles of Confederation | Signers of the United States Declaration of Independence | Presbyterian Ministers | Princeton University | NSDAR Patriot Ancestors, WIKITREE HOME | ABOUT | G2G FORUM | HELP | SEARCH. Witherspoon personally taught courses in eloquence or belles lettres, chronology (history), and divinity. [1] Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish common sense realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (1768-1794; now Princeton University) became an influential figure in the development of the . To fulfill this, he and his family emigrated to New Jersey in 1768. Witherspoon was responsible for its rebuilding after the war, which caused him great personal and financial difficulty. Notre Dame, Ind. The Institute was founded in 2003 by Princeton University professor and conservative Robert P. George, Luis Tellez, and others involved with the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions. At age 68, he married a 24-year-old widow, with whom he had two more children. 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 spoke often in debate; helped draft the Articles of Confederation; helped organize the executive departments; played a major role in shaping foreign policy; and drew up the instructions for the peace commissioners. When the Crown began to give additional authority to its appointed episcopacy over church affairs, British authorities hit a nerve in the Presbyterian Scot, who saw such events in the same lens as his Scottish Covenanters. in Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland , United Kingdom, Died on November 15, 1794 Declaration House | On June 22nd 1778 he invited the American army to encamp on his farm. Witherspoon accepted the impossibility of maintaining public morality or virtue in the citizenry without an effective religion. Mailer, Gideon. udinot (born Stockton), Abigail Pintard (born Stockton), Susanna Pintard (born Stockton), John Stockton, Rev. Enter a grandparent's name. 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. After much soul-searching, Hewes decided that his belief in liberty outweighed his pacifist convictions, and he joined those urging separation from England. John Hart died of kidney stones after a long and very painful suffering. Witherspoon was an early convert to the Patriot cause, and the British considered his college to be a seminary of sedition (Morrison 2005: 13). This is the same day, just the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. Moses Coit Tyler "President Witherspoon in the American Revolution" The American Historical Review Volume 1, Issue 1, July 1896. pp. The signers were public spirited and patriotic citizens who had for years been important in the affairs of their local communities and governments. Biography by Rev. Boudinot became a member of the Continental Congress in 1778, and President of Congress in 1782-83. Trevor Colbourn (Indianapolis: Liberty Fund, 1974) 181. He also served twice in the state legislature. Lately Stockton has been maligned by a few writers claiming that Stockton took a pardon from General Howe and swore allegiance to the king. Unanimity was essential, so Edward Rutledge of South Carolina moved that a final vote be postponed until the following day. Virtue, he argued, could be deduced through the development of the moral sense, an ethical compass instilled by God in all human beings and developed through religious education (Reid) or civil sociability (Hutcheson). That risk was not only substantial, it was imminent. John Stockton married his cousin Abigail and assumed his wifes Presbyterian faith. In 1746, he helped to raise troops to fight Scottish rebels who were rebelling against English domination in Scotland. Because of the storm they had arrived late, at the end of a speech John Adams was giving in favor of independence. Stocktons great-grandfather was Richard "The Emigrant" Stockton, 1635-1707, who arrived in Flushing, Long Island, New York, when it was still New Netherland. Only John Hancock signed the declaration that day, and a formal signing by all the delegates was scheduled for August 2nd. The other New York signer, Lewis Morris, lost his magnificent estate, "Morrisania", which was sacked and burned. When he was at last able to return to his home, John Hart found that his wife had died and his 13 children were scattered throughout the countryside or in captivity. (Clergyman, Author, Educator). The servant therefore retains all his other natural rights. Rev. Behold here 'the end of all perfection.' 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. George III. Richard Stockton was betrayed by a loyalist and seized by the British, who subjected him to beatings and starvation. At age 13, he entered college . Last May, five members of the philosophy . She was a close friend and favorite correspondent of General George Washington. Washington had lunch with him, then had his famous Council of War at the nearby Hunt House. Collection Overview . John Stockton, Abigail Stockton (born Phillips), Hannah Boudinot (born Stockton), Susanna Pintard (born Stockton), Rev. I shall empty my portmanteau of the stockings I have for my own use on this journey, excepting a pair to take back home, but this is a drop of water in the Ocean. Richard Stocktons heartfelt compassion for his fellow countrymen in dire need of everything was apparent in his letter as he was one of the few signers that actually traveled with the Continental Army. The eulogy was delivered by Rev. 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. When the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in America met in 1789, 52 of the 188 delegates had studied under Witherspoon. Please try again. The parents tried their best to develop acting talent of their girl. 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. This article was originally published in 2009. Richard was born at the Stockton family home now known as Morven in the Stony Brook neighborhood of Princeton, New Jersey, attended Samuel Finley's academy at Nottingham, which later became West Nottingham Academy, and the College of New Jersey located in Newark, graduating in 1748. He also made a mark in politics, serving as a member of the Continental Congress from 1776 until 1782. Nonetheless, Witherspoon transformed a college designed predominantly to train clergymen into a school that would equip the leaders of a new country. Please try again. 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. Another statue stands near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C., at the intersection of Connecticut Avenue, N Street and 18th Street. If not, see our friends at Ancestry DNA. Committees of Correspondence were organized in 1772 to exchange information among the colonies and mold public opnion in the developing struggle. They were the parents of at least 4 sons and 2 daughters. How far this subjection extends. While in Scotland as a trustee of the College of New Jersey, Stockton visited Reverend John Witherspoon. Stockton was sick and near death when he returned home. In the months before and after the Declaration of Independence, several states were working on their own constitutions, including New York. Paisley, Scotland, honored Witherspoon's memory by naming a new street in the town center after him, in honor of his having lived in Paisley for a portion of his adult life. When he had backed away from the table, one delegate whispered, "There go a few millions!". Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. Stockton and his wife had six children, four daughters and two sons: Julia Stockton (married to Benjamin Rush, also a signer of the Declaration), Mary, Susan, Richard, Lucius and Abigail. Rush wrote that it took Stockton nearly two years to recover his health. Famously, when told that the country was not yet ready for independence, Witherspoon replied that it was "not only ripe for the measure, but in danger of rotting for the want of it." Witherspoon would go on to be one of the Founding Fathers of the United States as a signatory to the Declaration of Independence in 1776. 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. One night in Edinburgh, Stockton was attacked by a robber and he defended himself skillfully with a small sword, the surprised and wounded robber fled. He did not favor separation; rather, he suggested in 1764 that some colonial members be appointed to the Parliament. 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. "Morven the home of the Hon. Caesar Rodney was also afflicted with a painful and unsightly facial cancer. A presidential visit "Sir, out of respect to you," an artilleryman replied." Wrong username or password. The three South Carolinians were given their freedom in a prisoner exchange in late 1781. John Knox Witherspoon was born at Gifford, a parish of Yester, at East Lothian . Family Court 1st Judicial Circuit, . Witherspoon immediately declared "It is not only ripe for the measure, but in danger of rotting for the want of it." Witherspoon became the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Richard and his wife Abigail (nee unknown) were the parents of Richard "The Builder" Stockton, the grandfather of Rihcard "The Signer" Stockton. Rodney knew very well that, now unable to go to England for treatment of his terrible cancer, he would die an early and horrible death. Stockton's oldest son Richard was an eminent lawyer and later a Senator from New Jersey. In 1752, John Stockton and his stepfather, Thomas Leonard, gave money and land to establish the College of Princeton (later Princeton University) in Princeton, New Jersey. Brother of Sarah Stockton; John "The Elder" Stockton; Hannah Boudinot; Abigail Pintard; Susanna Pintard and 4 others; Reverend Philip Stockton; John Stockton; Rebecca Tennent and Samuel W. Stockton less. In his Lectures on Divinity, Rev. He brought many of the better elements of the Scottish Enlightenment to Princeton and was interested in science as well as in government, moral philosophy, religion, and other subjects; notes of his lectures, which stressed the moral sense, were widely distributed in early America. Accounts indicate that, despite clear instruction, Justice Stockton wished to hear the arguments on either side of the issue. Ramsay, the celebrated historian. No one changed his mind. [1] Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish common sense realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (17681794; now Princeton University) became an influential figure in the development of the United States' national character. They found the army in need of all necessary things and Stockton reported this to John Hancock. Representing New Jersey at the Continental Congress. An error has occured while loading the map. He studied law with David Ogden, of Newark, who was at that time the head of the legal profession in the province. Her parents are still legally married, although they separated in 1996. 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. Dr. Benjamin Rush wrote: The whole of Mr. Stocktons furniture, apparel, and even valuable writings have been burnt. Born: February 15, 1723. In John Trumbull's famous painting Declaration of Independence, Witherspoon is among those shown in the background facing the large table, the second seated figure from the viewer's right. 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. Reverend Samuel Smith succeeded Dr. Witherspoon as president of Princeton in 1775. Philip Livingston lost two homes and much of his business property, but was able to sell some of his remaining holdings to help maintain the credit of the United States. Dr. He also signed the 1774 Petition to the King. Stockton's treatment in the New York prison prompted Continental Congress to pass a resolution directing George Washington to inquire into the circumstances and not long afterward, Stockton was paroled on January 13, 1777. He helped organize Nassau Presbyterian Church in Princeton, New Jersey. He became a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and purchased 2000 acres of land in Burlington, New Jersey. Stockton slowly regained his health and returned to his law practice to support his family but later developed cancer. He fought against the flood of paper money, and opposed the issuance of bonds without provision for their amortization. Jan l8, 21, 22, 29, Feb 7, 1777, Tatum, ed., Jour. He was turned over to the British and jailed in Perth Amboy first, then sent on to prison in New York. The ancestors of Richard "The Emigrant" Stockton are not known. Two years after his parole from prison he developed cancer of the lip that spread to his throat. The British invaded New Jersey and Stockton rushed home and moved his family to the home of a friend thirty miles from Princeton. In Princeton today, a University dormitory built in 1877, the street running north from the University's main gate, and the local public middle school all bear his name. 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