Witherspoon, in accordance with the Scottish moral sense philosophy, taught that all human beings, Christian or otherwise, could be virtuous, but he was nonetheless committed to Christianity as the only route to personal salvation. 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." Since that period, he hath represented New Jersey in the Congress of the United States. In the months that followed, impassioned speeches were delivered from New Hampshire to Georgia, and the political tension became almost unbearable. Witherspoon was an early convert to the Patriot cause, and the British considered his college to be a seminary of sedition (Morrison 2005: 13). Stockton was admitted to the bar in 1754 and soon rose to great distinction. 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. The militia commander was signer Thomas Nelson Jr., who noticed that the artillery gunners were shelling everything in the vicinity except his own stately brick mansion, which was being used as British headquarters. Signers | One of the most active members of the Continental Congress, Witherspoon advocated independence, served on a large number of committees, and authored a number of Resolutions of Prayer and Thanksgiving. On August 23, 1783, George Washington attended the public reception by Congress in Princeton. Whatever their status that August, the 56 men who eventually signed the Declaration of Independence were under no illusions. Occupation President of the College of New Jersey, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1156/john-witherspoon. Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish common sense realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey became an influential figure in the development of the United States' national character . At the urging of Benjamin Rush and Richard Stockton, whom he met in Paisley, Witherspoon finally accepted a second invitation to become president and head professor of the small Presbyterian College of New Jersey in Princeton. I call to God to witness that if any British troops are landed in the County of York, of which I am Lieutenant, I will wait no orders, but will summon the militia and drive the invaders into the sea!". 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. New York still abstained, but New Jersey and Pennsylvania voted in the affirmative. http://mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/1233/john-witherspoon, The Free Speech Center operates with your generosity! The Presbyterian Constitution of 1787 to which Witherspoon contributed removed provisions from the earlier Westminster Confession that allowed magistrates to suppress blasphemies and heresies, and the U.S. Constitution denied the power of the state to intervene in matters of religious faith (Morrison, 2005: 108). If Parliament "may take from me one shilling in the pound," argued Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, "what security have I for the other nineteen? Eleven delegates were prosperous merchants, nine were wealthy farmers or landowners, and 24 were lawyers or judges. He was prominent in many reforms, especially in the areas of medicine and education. 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). Stocktons high character and distinguished abilities preceded him and he was received by the most eminent men of the kingdom. Illinois University LibrariesCorner, George W., The Autobiography of Benjamin Rush. Have you taken a DNA test? 1953. 03.12('53) DVD SOURCE: Wikipedia, Richard Stockton (Continental Congressman) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stockton_%28Continental_Congre Caesar Rodney was weary when he reached his plantation near Dover on the night of July 1, 1776. Rev. Her parents are still legally married, although they separated in 1996. He was not released until several years later, badly treated and in very poor condition. Stockton did, however, take an active role as a trustee of the College of New Jersey. He did not favor separation; rather, he suggested in 1764 that some colonial members be appointed to the Parliament. At the age of four, he could read the Bible. Related Information | On his visit to Scotland he was entertained by the Earl of Levin and other noblemen at Edinburgh Castle and the freedom of the city was conferred on him. Representing New Jersey at the Continental Congress. 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. BYU Law Review 2003 (2003): 891-940. 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. Family tree of John WITHERSPOON. . 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. Woods, David Walker. He was hunted by soldiers and dogs and was forced to hide in the woods and caves of the Sourland Mountains during icy December weather. In March 1777, only two months after Stocktons release, in a letter to British Parliament General Howe wrote at no time had a leading rebel sought pardon. The book His Sacred Honor comes to Stocktons defense against these revisionist writers using rumors and innuendo to spread this false claim against a founding father. 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. Anna, the eldest daughter, married Reverend Samuel Smith on June 28, 1775. Five months after signing the Declaration, the British burned his library. Witherspoon was a very active member of congress, serving on more than a hundred committees through his tenure and debating frequently on the floor. The former John Witherspoon Middle School, Princeton, New Jersey. He was later awarded a Doctorate of Divinity from the University of St. Andrews, in recognition of his theological skills. Papers: 1766-1784, 32 items. The College of New Jersey needed a first rate scholar to serve as its first president. Stockton was appointed by Congress, along with fellow signer George Clymer, to an exhausting two-month journey to Fort Ticonderoga, Saratoga and Albany, New York to assist the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. He first took a moderate stance in the troubles between the colonies and England. 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 other members of Congress heard of the plight of the Clark sons, they ordered George Washington to take a British prisoner, preferably an officer, and starve him to death in a dark hole. In 1776, Stockton was elected to the Second Continental Congress, where he took a very active role. Witherspoon became the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. 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. [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. After Stockton's death, Annis, one of America's first published female poets, became a favorite correspondent of General Washington. It had been a long and muddy ride from Princeton, they had been caught in a violent thunderstorm, and their clothes were soaking wet. His efforts helped the Continental Army drive back Lord Cornwallis' army in retreat in 1780. How far this subjection extends. Ranging in age from 26 (Edward Rutledge) to 70 (Benjamin Franklin), they were for the most part materially well-off in colonial society. Boudinot became a member of the Continental Congress in 1778, and President of Congress in 1782-83. 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. John Witherspoon would profess that he loved his new home in New Jersey, and that he had "become an American the moment he landed." 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. Stockton served the College, afterwards known as Princeton University, as a trustee 26 years. 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. He remained at the University to study divinity. His parents were James Witherspoon and Anna Walker. Therefore, public religion was a vital necessity in maintaining the public morals. Seat 7 to which the Hon. 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. Annis and her brothers attended Franklins Academy. In 1776 he was elected to the Continental Congress in time to urge adoption of the Declaration of Independence and to be the only clergyman to sign it. She later had second thoughts, and a visit from the charming Dr. 2009. The colonies' most respected doctors, educators, and clergymen were numbered among their ranks. Doctor Samuel Finley at Nottingham Academy in Maryland, and then attended the College of New Jersey at Newark graduating in 1748 before the college relocated to Princeton. As he raced through the stormy darkness, it must have occurred to Caesar Rodney that a political storm was rising out of Philadelphia that would change the course of history.
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