History: John Witherspoon (1723–94), Presbyterian minister and teacher, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was born at Gifford, near Edinburgh, Scotland, and came to North America in 1768 after being recruited as president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). Rev. John Witherspoon, signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey, was born at Yester, Scotland, 5 Feb. 1722. He married (1) 2 Sept. 1748, Elizabeth Montgomerie (1722-1789), daughter of Robert Montgomerie. They had eleven children. John Witherspoon, the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence, was born in Yester, Scotland on 5 Feb 1722 or 1723. This is the same day, just the difference between the Julian and Gregorian calendars. His parents were James Witherspoon and Anna Walker. Anna was John’s first teacher. WITHERSPOON, John, a Delegate from New Jersey; born in Gifford, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, February 5, 1723; completed preparatory studies; was graduated from Edinburgh University in 1739; studied theology at Edinburgh; was licensed in 1743 and ordained minister of the parish of Beith in 1745; was the author of various religious pamphlets History: John Witherspoon (1723–94), Presbyterian minister and teacher, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was born at Gifford, near Edinburgh, Scotland, and came to North America in 1768 after being recruited as president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). Discover Each Signer of the Declaration of Independence. They came from Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Ireland, Scotland, and beyond. They married, had children, and pursued a variety of interests. But most notably, they signed one of the most important documents in American history. Get to know the Signers of the Declaration of Independence! On July 2, 1776, in a congressional speech urging independence, Witherspoon declared that the Colonies were "not only ripe for the measure but in danger of rotting for the want of it." In November, when the British invaded New Jersey, he closed the College of New Jersey. John Witherspoon was a strong United States patriot, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. John Witherspoon, New Jersey signer of the Declaration of Independence Public domain image. Witherspoon was born on February 5, 1723 in East Lothian, Scotland. Witherspoon became the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Between 1776 and 1782, Witherspoon would serve on more than 100 committees, wearing his minister's robes in Congress to remind the delegates that God was on their side. Go to the books tab and type in signers of the declaration of independence. Hathi Trust. Type in signers of the Declaration of Independence in the search box, make sure to use the full view filter. Internet Archive. Log in and create a free account. Go to the search tab and type in signers of the declaration of independence. John Witherspoon (February 15, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and a delegate from the colony of New Jersey during the Second Continental Congress. He was the President of the College of New Jersey (Princeton University) and had trained many of the leaders of Colonial America . 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. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. [2] John Witherspoon DAR Ancestor Number: A127172 Service: Signer of the Declaration of Independence/ Patriotic Service, NJ Residence: Somerset Co., NJ Birth: 15 Feb 1723, Gifford East, Lothian, Scotland Married: 1st Elizabeth Montgomery 2nd Anne Marshall Dill Death: 15 Nov 1794, Tusculum, Somerset Co., NJ Burial: Presidents’ Lot, Princeton Cemetery, NJ Proven children: Anne, David, Marianne [] John Witherspoon (1723-1794), Princeton’s sixth president and founding father of the United States, had a complex relationship to slavery. Though he advocated revolutionary ideals of liberty and personally tutored several free Africans and African Americans in Princeton, he himself owned enslaved people and both lectured and voted against the abolition of slavery in New Jersey. 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). Rev. John Witherspoon, the only active clergyman among the signers, achieved a greater reputation as a religious leader and educator than as a politician. Emigrating from Scotland to America in the midst of the controversy between the Colonies and the Crown, he took part in the Revolution, lost a son during the war, and signed the Articles of Scots Presbyterian minister and a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey Born on February 5, 1723 in Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland , United Kingdom Compare DNA and explore genealogy for John Witherspoon born 1723 Gifford, East Lothian, Scotland died 1794 Middlesex, New Jersey including ancestors + descendants + 3 photos + 7 genealogist comments + questions + DNA connections + more in the free family tree community. WITHERSPOON, John, a Delegate from New Jersey; born in Gifford, Haddingtonshire, Scotland, February 5, 1723; completed preparatory studies; was graduated from Edinburgh University in 1739; studied theology at Edinburgh; was licensed in 1743 and ordained minister of the parish of Beith in 1745; was the author of various religious pamphlets; installed pastor at Paisley June 16, 1757; moderator Discover the family tree of John Knox Witherspoon for free, and learn about their family history and their ancestry.
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