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. Please enable JavaScript in your browser's settings to use this part of Geni. 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. At the age of 13, he entered college and at age 20, he was licensed to preach. 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. He was turned over to the British and jailed in Perth Amboy first, then sent on to prison in New York. However, none was more important than moral philosophy (a required course). Since that period, he hath represented New-Jersey in the congress of the United States. 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. Herbert Foster has identified five points of political Calvinism that appear to apply to Witherspoon: fundamental law, natural rights, contract and consent of people, popular sovereignty, resistance to tyranny through responsible representatives (Quoted in Morrison 2005: 81). 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. There is a Richard Stockton Rest stop on the New Jersey Turnpike with his portrait and a short story. His wife, Elizabeth, with whom he had ten children, wanted to stay in Scotland, but he finally was able to convince her to come with him. However, he changed his position a year later when the controversy over the Stamp Act arose. A member of the five-man drafting committee created immediately after the Lee resolution was introduced, Jefferson had proposed that John Adams of Massachusetts undertake the actual writing of the statement, but Adams declined. 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. 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. After much soul-searching, Hewes decided that his belief in liberty outweighed his pacifist convictions, and he joined those urging separation from England. Born in Scotland to a family of clergymen, he was trained to become a Presbyterian minister. 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. Two years later, the 68-year old minister married 24 year old Ann Dill, with whom he would have two daughters. He also obtained a Master of Arts from the University of Edinburgh in 1739. Had you known the pleasure it would have communicated, I flatter myself, your diffidence would not have delayed it to this time. When his health permitted, Stockton attempted to earn a living by reopening his law practice and teaching new students. They had eleven children. Witherspoon accepted the impossibility of maintaining public morality or virtue in the citizenry without an effective religion. John Hancock of Massachusetts, the president of the Congress, had been the first to sign. Stockton returned to America in August 1767. He is co-editor of the. "I am a merchant of New York, but I am a Virginian first," he declared in the House of Burgesses. Birth of Rev. 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 He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. The settled opinion among the American founding fathers, including Dr. Witherspoon, was that slavery would eventually disappear naturally within a generation. Abraham Clark, the New Jersey signer who was known as "The Poor Man's Counsellor", had two sons - both Army officers - who were captured and accorded barbarous treatment on the hellship 'Jersey'. He was prominent in many reforms, especially in the areas of medicine and education. 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. Although he was released unharmed a few days later, he later had trouble sleeping, and would often faint in broad-daylight. He first took a moderate stance in the troubles between the colonies and Great Britain. How far this subjection extends. [29], Witherspoon was elected to the American Philosophical Society in 1789[35]. All his cattle, horses, hogs, sheep, grain and forage have been carried away by them. Eleven delegates were prosperous merchants, nine were wealthy farmers or landowners, and 24 were lawyers or judges. WIKITREE PROTECTS MOST SENSITIVE INFORMATION BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT STATED IN THE TERMS OF SERVICE AND PRIVACY POLICY. Annis was descended from French Huguenots; her grandfather fled France at the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 and settled in New York. Witherspoon was a proponent of Christian values, his common sense approach to the public morality of civil magistrates was influenced by the ethics of Scottish philosophers Francis Hutcheson and Reid rather than Jonathan Edwards. in New Orleans, Louisiana , United States (46 years), This form allows you to report an error or to submit additional information about this family tree: Reese WITHERSPOON (1976), Copyright Wikipdia authors - This article is under licence CC BY-SA 3.0. 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. 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). 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. This article was originally published in 2009. He became a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers) and purchased 2000 acres of land in Burlington, New Jersey. Doctor Samuel Smith, vice president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University)and son-in-law of Rev. He became an invalid and died at Princeton on February 28, 1781. 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). Wrong username or password. 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. The map below shows the places where the ancestors of the famous person lived. Her father Elias Boudinot Sr, apprenticed as a silversmith and merchant, then traveled to the West Indies to run a plantation. The College of New Jersey needed a first rate scholar to serve as its first president. 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. In colonial American, the best educated men were often found in the clergy. A statue of Richard Stockton by Henry Kirke Brown. Dreading the possibility of war, on December 12, 1774; he drew up and sent to Lord Dartmouth, Secretary for the Colonies An Expedient for the Settlement of the American Disputes, a plan for self-government of America, independent of Parliament but owing allegiance to the Crown. The man chosen to formally declare the reasons for independence was Thomas Jefferson, a 33 year-old lawyer and plantation owner from Virginia. The signers were public spirited and patriotic citizens who had for years been important in the affairs of their local communities and governments. And like Pictet, Witherspoon was eager to show that the truths of supernatural revelation could be squared with reason. Nothing was ever written about doubts of Stockton's loyalty in any of the papers of members of Congress, or in any newspapers or books of the time. Enter a grandparent's name. This page was last edited on 8 January 2023, at 19:20. John Witherspoons American Revolution. From Antigua they moved to Darby, Pennsylvania where Annis was born in 1736, then moved to Philadelphia where her father established a shop and home next door to Benjamin Franklin. The British considered his college to be a "seminary of sedition." (Painting by Charles Willson Peale, public domain via Wikimedia Commons) 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. In November 1777, as British forces neared, Witherspoon closed and evacuated the College of New Jersey. This was an exceedingly important event in the history of higher education in America. Trustees of Princeton University. Accounts indicate that, despite clear instruction, Justice Stockton wished to hear the arguments on either side of the issue. Amidst all the compliments which have been made on this occasion, be assured, madam, that the agreeable manner, and the very pleasing sentiments in which yours is conveyed, have affected my mind with the most lively sensations of joy and satisfaction. Thus, public morality owed more to the natural moral laws of the Enlightenment than to revealed Christianity. 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. He was not released until several years later, badly treated and in very poor condition. Birth of Richard Stockton, Signer of "The Decla Signer of Declaration of IndependenceDelegate to Continental Congress, Signer Declaration of Independence. 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. I'm researching for a member of his family. 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]. Like his father, John Stockton a founder of the College and trustee, Richard served as a trustee of the College of New Jersey for 24 years, as would his eldest son Richard. As previously mentioned, he educated a great number of future American leaders, and his strong support for democracy and republicanism was transmitted to his students. Her parents are still legally married, although they separated in 1996. This is the same day, just the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. He attended grammar school at the neighboring town of Haddington. 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. 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. He suggested, however, that the state might enact a law that all slaves born after its passage should be free at a certain agee.g., 28 years, as in Pennsylvania, although in his optimistic opinion the state of society in America and the progress of the idea of universal liberty gave little reason to believe that there would be any slaves at all in America in 28 years time, and precipitation therefore might do more harm than good. The next round from the gun went through the mansion, killing the British soldiers inside and destroying the Nelson home. Judge Richard Stockton was the only signer to be put in irons, starved and imprisoned under brutal conditions by the British four months after signing the Declaration of Independence. 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. Despite personal setbacks Witherspoon never lost his belief that America would prevail in the struggle for independence. In 1763 he received the degree of Sergeant at law the highest degree of law at that time. John attended the preparatory school in Haddington Scotland. [2] Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution of the United States. John is first cousin to Rev. Presidents of Princeton University. But Philadelphia was 80 miles away and a torrential rainstorm was swamping the region between the two cities. The colonies' most respected doctors, educators, and clergymen were numbered among their ranks. Many of his students, including James Madison, Aaron Burr, Philip Freneau, and John Breckenridge, would play prominent roles in the development of the new nation. [26] That spring, Phagan took a job with the National Pencil Company, where she earned ten cents an hour operating a knurling machine that inserted rubber erasers into the metal tips of pencils, and worked 55 hours per week. In 1780 he was elected to a one-year term in the New Jersey Legislative Council representing Somerset County. Witherspoon had been a prominent evangelical Presbyterian minister in Scotland before accepting the Princeton position. In 1913, a handsome bronze marker was placed at the site by the Sons of the American Revolution. Washington and his wife, Martha, were frequent visitors to Morven. John Witherspoon arrived in Philadelphia to take their place as new members of Congress meeting at the State House (now Independence Hall). American independence Witherspoon was a strong supporter of America and American independence. He booked passage on a ship to cross the Irish channel, his baggage was delayed but it proved to be his preservation as the ship sank in a violent storm and all aboard perished, he later crossed safely. According to John Witherspoon, he arrived on or before July 3rd. . He did not favor separation; rather, he suggested in 1764 that some colonial members be appointed to the Parliament. He fought against the flood of paper money and opposed the issuance of bonds without provision for their amortization. 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. She became a professor of nursing at Vanderbilt University. 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. "Give me the cannon," Nelson shouted. Stockton's oldest son Richard was an eminent lawyer and later a Senator from New Jersey. Some of the courses he taught personally were Eloquence or Belles Lettres, Chronology (history), and Divinity. "My hand trembles," he said as he handed the quill to William Ellery, "but my heart does not." Stockton slowly regained his health and returned to his law practice to support his family but later developed cancer. Two weeks later, on August 2, 1776, the Congress met again at the State House in Philadelphia to formalize with their legislatures what they had adopted a month before. On June 26th, this Livingston petitioned the New York Assembly so that he could leave the state convention and rejoin Congress in Philadelphia. John Witherspoon was a Pastor, President of Princeton and signer of the Declaration of Independence. 1953. In 1777, all members of Congress and Washington's Army were required to take the oath of allegiance to the United States. Just one grandparent can lead you to many Reverend Samuel Smith succeeded Dr. Witherspoon as president of Princeton in 1775. My heart melts with compassion for my brave countrymen who are thus venturing their lives in the public service and yet so distressed. 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. DAR Ancestor # A127172. Geni requires JavaScript! 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. In late August 1776, Stockton received an equal number of votes with Mr. Livingston, for Governor of New Jersey; when informed Stockton replied he had not the least inclination to serve in the office of Governor. He was then elected Chief Justice of the State and again declined the honor, preferring to remain in Congress and was re-elected to Congress in November 1776. ", 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." 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