Semester 1 Week 7
Credit: Elise Linton Stolle
John Adams – Massachusetts – He was born in Braintree, Massachusetts. He was a lawyer and defended the British soldiers after the Boston Massacre. In 1776, he introduced a motion to congress “that the colonies should form governments independent of the crown.” He was on the committee to write the declaration of independence. He was the 1st vice president serving under George Washington. In 1796 he was elected President of the United States.
Later his son was voted in as president of the US. He died on July 4, 1826 at the age of 92. Thomas Jefferson died on the same day and the same hour.
Samuel Adams – Massachusetts – He was born in Boston. His extremely wealthy father wanted him to be a lawyer or a merchant. But he was only interested in politics. He spent most of his time in his twenties talking to people or writing about the resistance to Britain. He was the 1st to suggest that the colonies should work together to protect them against the crown. He was always very active politically and held many political offices. He was on the committee that drafted the constitution. He died at 82.
John Hancock - Massachusetts - The signature of John Hancock on the Declaration of Independence is the most flamboyant and easily recognizable of all. He was orphaned as a child, and adopted by a wealthy merchant uncle who was childless. Hancock attended Harvard College for a business education and graduated at the age of 17. He apprenticed to his uncle as a clerk and proved so honest and capable that, in 1760, he was sent on a business mission to England.
There he witnessed the coronation of George III and engaged some of the leading businessmen of London. In 1763, his uncle died and John Hancock inherited what was said to be the greatest body of wealth in New England. In 1768 his sloop Liberty was impounded by customs officials at Boston Harbor, on a charge of running contraband goods. A large group of private citizens stormed the customs post, burned the government boat, and beat the officers, causing them to seek refuge on a ship off shore. Soon afterward, Hancock was a part of the Boston Tea Party.
He was a popular leader that no one could beat in the polls until he died at the age of 55.
Robert Treat Paine – Massachusetts – He was born in Boston to a preacher. He went to Harvard at 14 years old. He planned to be a preacher, but ended up being a lawyer. He was very active in public service until he died at 84.
Elbridge Gerry – Massachusetts – Born in Marblehead, Massachusetts. He served as Massachusetts governor and later in 1812 served as the vice president of the US. He died at 70 from illness.
Roger Sherman – Connecticut – He worked as a shoemaker and a farmer. He did not get much of an education when younger, but loved books. When he was working on shoes, he would set up a book on the table, so that whenever his eyes didn’t need to look at his work, they could look at the book. He became a lawyer by studying books on his own.
Samuel Huntington – Connecticut – The son of a farmer, he was unable to get much of an education. Most of his learning was from borrowed books and with no instructor. He even learned law this way. He was a true Christian that served publicly in many ways including the governor.
William Williams – Connecticut – His grandfather and father were both ministers. He went to Harvard at 16 to also become a minister. But the French/Indian war intrigued him. After going to war, he came back hating the British. He felt they treated the colonists like they were inferior. It is said that he gave his life and fortune to the cause. He closed his store and gave $2000 for supplies for the troops. He also moved his family into a smaller house so that the officers would have comfortable quarters.
Oliver Wolcott – Connecticut – He went to Yale and then joined the army as a captain. He was the sheriff for 12 years and then served in several other government positions. He worked as an Indian agent, helping bring peace to 6 Indian nations and later served as governor.
New Hampshire:
Josiah Bartlett – New Hampshire - He was a doctor and worked for the royal governor, but was a patriot at heart. Once the stamp act was passed, he could no longer work for the British side. The governor tried to bribe him, but he wouldn’t give in.
William Whipple -– New Hampshire - He was a merchant and spent most of his career leading the militia.
Matthew Thornton – New Hampshire - He was born in Ireland and brought here when he was 2 or 3. He was a doctor and became very wealthy. He was very popular with the people and served in many different government positions. He was a very happy man and died at age 89.
Stephen Hopkins - Rhode Island – Was born in Providence, RI to a Baptist preacher. He didn’t wasn’t able to get a formal education, but had a desire to learn, so all of his education was self taught. He was a farmer and then later, owned a mercantile business. He served as governor as well as other offices. He introduced a bill that would stop any bringing slaves into RI. To show he was serious, he freed all of his own slaves. He died at 78.
William Ellery - Rhode Island – He got a great education and went to Harvard. He was very good at Greek and Latin. He was a Lawyer for 20 years before the revolution. He worked very hard to abolish slavery.
Benjamin Franklin – Pennsylvania – Born in Boston, he was the 1 of 17 children. He was a printer by trade and did some printing for the government. He bought a newspaper and wrote a lot of the articles using different names. He started the 1st library. He started a hospital. He invented a stove that would warm the house, swim fins, and bifocals. He studied electricity. He also went to France to get them to sign a treaty promising to help America in the war.
Benjamin Rush – Pennsylvania – Even though his father died when he was 6, his mother found away to give him a good education. He studied to be a doctor. In 1793 Yellow fever hit Philadelphia and many people died. Most doctors were scared and left for their own safety. He was one of the few that stayed to help. He contracted the fever himself, but forced himself out of bed to administer to the sick.
Robert Morris – Pennsylvania – He was a merchant and business owner with his partner Thomas Willing. He was very wealthy and held a lot of clout in the city. After the passage of the stamp act and the Tea act many merchants decided that they wouldn’t import anything from England. These 2 cheerfully decided to do the same even though it would mean loosing a lot of money. They even strongly encouraged others to do the same. After Lexington, he realized there would be no reconciliation with Britain and entered public office. Even when things didn’t look good for the colonists, he did not give up on them. He gave $10000 to fund the band that crossed the Delaware with Washington. He was able to raise 10s of thousands more to help the army when the government couldn’t get any.
John Morton – Pennsylvania – He was very active in congress and other public offices. He had a wife and a very large family when he died young at 54. He was such a great man, the public was very sad when he died.
George Clymer – Pennsylvania – He was orphaned when he was 7 and raised by his rich uncle. He became a store owner. He believed very strongly in the cause of independence and was very vocal against the British. He was a very moral man till his death at 74.
James Smith – Pennsylvania – He was born in Ireland, and later became a lawyer. He was a very funny man and people really enjoyed being around him.
George Taylor – Pennsylvania – He was born in Ireland. He was very poor when he came to America and became the clerk in an iron business. Later his boss died and he married the boss’s widow. With this, he became a business owner and very rich. He served in public office much of his life.
James Wilson – Pennsylvania – He was born in Scotland and received a great education while there. He came to America and became a Lawyer. He served the public most of his life.
George Ross – Pennsylvania – He was a lawyer and worked many years in public positions. He was a mediator between them and the Indians.
William Floyd - New York – His father was very wealthy and made sure he had the very best education money could buy. He had a great character and people really enjoyed being around him. He was quickly pulled into public life. While he was serving in congress, British soldiers took over his home and property. They destroyed it. They ate his cattle and sheep. His family had to go to Connecticut to find protection and shelter.
Philip Livingston - New York – He served in public office most of his life. When he was 62 he was elected to the senate of New York. Even though he was very sick, he agreed to go. He had a strong feeling that he would never come back home, so he said his last goodbyes to his family. He died shortly after, without his family around.
Francis Lewis - New York – He was born in Wales. His parents both died when he was 5 years old leaving him an orphan. His aunt took him in and was a very good mother to him. When he was 21 he came into a bunch of money. He used this to buy merchandise to sell. He came to New York to buy more merchandise and started a business. He married his partners sister and had 7 children. He fought in the French/ Indian war until he was taken to Canada as a prisoner. After the war, the British gave him 5000 acres to thank him for serving.
During the revolutionary war, the British destroyed his property and brutally confined his wife in a small prison for months. She had no bed or change of clothes. She never recovered from this and died 2 years later.
Lewis Morris - - New York – He was very popular with the people because he was very good looking, very wealthy, and very intelligent. His home and animals were taken over by the continental army and used as barracks for the soldiers. But when the british took over New York, the British army took it over, looted it and burned it. Eventually he and his wife were able to return, but it was almost completely ruined.
Richard Stockton – New Jersey - He was the only signer that was actually taken prisoner because of signing the Declaration. He knew his family was in danger so he moved them to a family friend 30 miles away from his house. But a friend of that friend turned him in and he was arrested. He was treated very poorly in prison and the British destroyed his estate. He never fully recovered from this. It broke his spirit.
John Witherspoon – New Jersey - He was born in Scotland to a minister. He went to University to become one also. He moved to New Jersey with his family to become the president of New Jersey College. He served in congress and other public office. After retiring he became a minister again.
Francis Hopkinson – New Jersey - He grew up in a very large family and his dad died when he was 14. Life was difficult after that because they didn’t have a lot of money. He made it thru college and served in public office most of his life. He died young at 53 from gout.
John Hart – New Jersey - He was considered invaluable to congress and the people. They insisted he serve, and he did. But when New Jersey was invaded by the British his estate was one of the 1st to be attacked. Luckily his family had some warning. The British ravaged his farm, destroyed his timber, slaughtered his animals and he was hunted. He didn’t dare stay in the same place 2 nights. Finally after Washington’s success at Trenton his family and him could stop running. This took its toll on him and he died not long after.
Abraham Clark - – New Jersey - Because he signed the Declaration he watched the British capture 2 of his sons. They were incarcerated on the prisonship where the suffered many horrible things.
Caesar Rodney – Delaware – He served in several public offices, but preferred to be part of the army. He was a marshal to his brigade and fought with George Washington. He died at 53 from cancer in his cheek.
Thomas M’Kean – Delaware – He grew up with George Read and had the same mentor. He
became a lawyer at 21 and immediately started his public service. He was very opposed to what the British were doing. He served in many ways including chief justice and the governor.
George Read – Delaware – He was a very smart guy and loved to learn. He became a lawyer at 19 years old. He was very against all of the acts the British were forcing on the colonists. He was very vocal trying to get others to feel strongly also. He served in many public offices until his sudden death.
Samuel Chase – Maryland – He was a lawyer before serving in public office. He was extremely upset about the stamp act and became one of the Sons of Liberty. They destroyed the stamp offices and the stamps among other things. The authorities were not happy with him, but he became more and more popular with the people. In 1796, President Washington made him a Supreme court judge. It was said that no man ever stood higher for honesty and integrity.
William Paca – Maryland – He was a lawyer. He got very riled up with the passing of the stamp act and became very vocal. He became very popular with those that agreed with him. But not with those that wanted to stay with Britain. His death was mourned as a public calamity.
Thomas Stone – Maryland – He was a lawyer before serving in public office. He was a very quiet guy. He died at 45.
Charles Carroll of Carrollton – Maryland – He had a very wealthy father who made sure he got the best education. When he was 25, his father died leaving him the entire estate. He had never cared too much about politics until the passing of the stamp act. This fired him up. He was a great writer and got into a newspaper war with the authorities, in which he easily won. He wrote many essays and articles about the British taxes. People loved him. He was very anxious to see the men and what took place at the continental congress that he went just to watch. But he was so well knows and loved that they invited him to take part.
Thomas Jefferson – Virginia – He wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was the 3rd president of the United States. He donated all of his books to the government starting the Library of Congress. He died July 4, 1826 within hours of his friend John Adams. This was the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the declaration of Indpendence.
-George Wythe – Virginia – He was given the very best education he could have been given, but at age 21 his parents died. He was alone and very, very rich. He spent 10 years playing and wasting his time. When he was 30 he decided it was time to get busy and became a lawyer. He soon entered the public life. He opened and taught a private school that was free for anyone that wanted to learn. He died suddenly when he was 84. It is thought that a relative put poison in his food.
Richard Henry Lee – Virginia – He was sent to England to get an education. When he returned he joined the military corps. He was the 1st man in Virginia to stand publicly against the stamp act. He was very loved by the people. After his death, it was said “His hospitable door was open to all, the poor and destitute frequented it for relief, and consolation, the young for instruction, the old for happiness.
Benjamin Harrison – Virginia – While he was away at college, he father and 2 of his sisters were struck by lightning and killed. He being the oldest son, was all of a sudden in charge of the entire estate, so he left school. He was elected into public office and soon the governor (who was for the crown) tried to entice him with high positions hoping to use him in the fight. He turned the governor down knowing what he was trying to do. His son later became President of the US – William Henry Harrison
Thomas Nelson Jr. – Virginia – He was educated in England. When he came back served in the military and other public office. He was both governor and commander in chief of the state militia. He kept his force together by using his own money. Many wealthy men refused to give money to the cause. At the battle of Yorktown, there was firing every which way, but he noticed that no one was firing toward his mansion. He asked why and the said it was in respect to him. He begged them to not take that into consideration. So they open fired on
the mansion just as a bunch of British officers were sitting down to eat in his house. They killed 2 of them right away.
Francis Lightfoot Lee – Virginia – He is Richard Henry Lee’s younger brother. He really looked up to his brother and followed what he did. So as soon as he was old enough to join public life, he did.
Carter Braxton – Virginia – His father was a wealthy farmer and died when he was very young, leaving his wealth to his son. He married the daughter of another wealthy farmer. With their money put together, they were considered the wealthiest in the county.
William Hooper - North Carolina – He was born in Boston and became a lawyer. There were too many practices so he moved to North Carolina. He took sides with the government advising the governor to suppress the rebellion. He did this to keep the peace and order in the state. But deep down he truly was a patriot. The British found him particularly obnoxious and after he signed the Declaration used every means they had to try and arrest him, harass his family, and destroy his estate.
Joseph Hewes - North Carolina – He grew up in New Jersey and became a very wealthy store owner. When he was 30 he moved to North Carolina and quickly became involved in public life.
John Penn - North Carolina – His father had the money to educate him, but chose not to. He only had 2 years of education when he was 18 and his father died. He had a close relative with a large library. He wanted to learn and become a lawyer, so he used this library and completely self taught himself. He became a lawyer at 21 years old.
Edward Rutledge - South Carolina – He was a lawyer before starting his public life. At one time while he was fighting with the military, he was taken prisoner and held for a year.
Thomas Heyward - South Carolina – He went to England to study law and while there noticed that there seemed a big injustice. A colonial born British subject was quite inferior to a British subject born in England, and should be treated as such. He came home with a deep desire to free America from Britain. He served in the military and was taken prisoner during one of the battles and kept for a year.
Thomas Lynch - South Carolina – His father was a member of congress and a patriot. He thought he could stay out of politics, but his father really encouraged him to get involved. When his father died, he was elected to take the empty seat in congress. He soon got sick himself and the doctors suggested that he sail to the West Indies and he would feel better. The ship never made it and he died at 30 yrs old.
Arthur Middleton - South Carolina – He and his father felt very strongly about the cause and pledged their life and fortune to it. When the British invaded South Carolina, his estate was demolished. His family barely got away. He was taken prisoner and held for a year.
Button Gwinnett – Georgia – He was born in England and came to America hoping to get wealthy. He owned a store for a couple years and made a lot of money. He sold it all and moved to Georgia, bought a farm and a bunch of slaves. He was very unsure about the revolution. He didn’t think America could work without Britain. Gradually he was convinced and became one of the revolutions biggest advocates.
Lyman Hall – Georgia - He was a doctor. He served in many different public offices. When the British took over Georgia, his property and home were confiscated.
George Walton –– Georgia - He was shot in the thigh while commanding the militia at the battle of Savannah. He was then taken prisoner. But because of his rank, they traded for him and he wasn’t in prison long.
The Signers of the Declaration of Independence
John Adams: (Tell me a fact you know about him???)
Samuel Adams: Was the poorest of the signers, unsuccessful business man but known as a tireless revolutionary, cousin to John Adams.
Josiah Bartlett: Was a medical Doctor
Carter Braxton: Had the most children of all the signers (16 children)! (Not on BINGO CARD!!!)
Charles Carroll: Was the wealthiest of all the signers
Samuel Chase: - Maryland: A forceful and effective orator, Samuel Chase was an early, outspoken opponent of the British.
Abraham Clark: Abraham Clark of New Jersey saw two of his sons captured by the British and incarcerated on the prison ship Jersey. Although he served in Congress throughout the Revolutionary War, he was preoccupied with concerns about his home, which was located close to British-occupied areas, and his two soldier sons, who had been captured by the British. Clark’s boys were incarcerated for a time aboard the notorious prison ship, "Jersey," where they were mistreated by their captors.
George Clymer: Undeterred when British soldiers occupied and destroyed much of his home in Philadelphia in September 1777, Clymer accepted the first of several appointments to help manage Indian affairs in the colonies.
William Ellery - Rhode Island: The story goes that on the day of the formal signing of the Declaration of Independence, August 2, 1776, William Ellery positioned himself near the secretary so that he could watch the others as each signed his name to what might have been his death warrant. He was pleased to report a look of "undaunted resolution" on every face. His fervent support of the cause of independence gained him the animosity of the British who burned his home in Newport in 1776.
Benjamin Franklin: Was the oldest signer of the Declaration
Elbridge Gerry: Harvard Trained businessman that helped with shipments into other ports for relief of the city of Boston after the Boston Tea Party and the Harbor was closed.
Button Gwinnett: Died in a pistol duel
Lyman Hall: Hall's plantation was destroyed by the British and his property confiscated during the fall of Savannah in 1778. He retired to the relative safety of the north for a few years before returning to Georgia after the war to resume his medical practice.
John Hancock: president of the Continental Congress, probably had the most cause for fear as he was the leader of the revolution against the British. True, he was described as a flamboyant character who liked attention. But his large signature on the Declaration of Independence was not to boast his own ego. It was a powerful response to a decree that had been delivered from England in early 1776 offering a large reward for his capture and the capture of several leading
figures. On signing the Declaration in his famously clear and obvious way he commented, “The British ministry can read that name without spectacles; let them double their reward.
John Hart: Hart’s farm was destroyed when British troops invaded New Jersey in November 1776 and he was forced into hiding. When he emerged from exile after the American victories at Princeton and Trenton, he learned that his wife had died while he was gone. Hart became ill in 1778 and was forced to retire from public life. John Hart died at home on his farm in 1779 at about age 68.
Joseph Hewes: In about 1760 he moved to the seaport town of Edenton, North Carolina where he established a very profitable shipping business. He was elected to the Continental Congress in 1774 where he served on the marine committee and vigorously supported nonimportation measures even though it meant personal financial loss.
Stephen Hopkins: Rhode Island: A very early critic of British tyranny, Stephen Hopkins originally was unwilling to advocate complete separation from England; however, eventually he saw American independence as inevitable.
Francis Hopkinson: Designed the American flag.
Richard Henry Lee: Introduced the resolution proposing Independance that lead to the Declaration of Independence.
Francis Lewis: Lewis endured great personal losses during the Revolutionary War. He spent a great amount of his considerable wealth to further the patriots’ cause. Worst of all, when the British destroyed his home on Long Island they took his wife, Elizabeth, prisoner. She was released as part of an exchange of wives of British officials; however, the hardships she suffered ruined her health and she died soon after her release in 1779. That same year, Lewis took a leave of absence from Congress and never returned.
Arthur Middleton: In 1780 he joined the South Carolina militia in the defense of Charleston. When Charleston fell, Middleton was captured by the British along with fellow signers Thomas Heyward, Jr. and Edward Rutledge. He was released in July 1781 to find most of his fortune lost and his property destroyed. After the war, he devoted much time to repairing the damage done to his plantation.
Lewis Morris: signed the Declaration of Independence reportedly after stating: "Damn the consequences, give me the pen." The statement is a charged one as Morris, heir to a great fortune that included his father’s Westchester County estate, Morrisania, had more to lose than many of his fellow delegates. Much of his property was destroyed and his wealth lost in the Revolution and he spent many years rebuilding Morrisania.
Robert Morris: Morris was a fearless financial wizard and tirelessly cajoled the colonies to contribute money and provisions, borrowed money against overwhelming odds, and even levied his personal fortune to fund the bid for independence. He retired in 1795 having never recovered his fortune. He lost his remaining funds to land speculation and was incarcerated in debtors prison in Philadelphia in 1798. He was released three years later but his health and spirits never recovered.
Thomas Nelson, Jr: Thomas Nelson, Jr. - Virginia: Thomas Nelson, Jr. was such a committed patriot that, according to family legend, he ordered his troops to fire on his own home during the siege of Yorktown when he heard that British troops might be hiding there.
William Paca: Maryland: Although William Paca was an early revolutionary in a conservative colony, his role in national affairs was eclipsed by his dedicated state service.
Robert Treat Paine: Paine was elected to represent Massachusetts at the Second Continental Congress and came to be known in Congress as the "Objection Maker" because he so frequently objected to others’ proposals.
Caesar Rodney: On the evening of July 1, 1776, Rodney received an urgent message from fellow Delaware delegate Thomas McKean informing him that fellow Delaware delegate George Read had voted against independence that day and pleading with him to come to Philadelphia to break the tie. Rodney rode all night in a thunderstorm stopping only to change horses. He completed the 80-mile trip just in time to ensure Delaware’s vote for independence before returning to Dover to reassume command of the state militia.
Benjamin Rush: Helped to fund the first Bible Society in America
Edward Rutledge: Was the youngest signer of the Declaration. He fought in several important battles and attained the rank of captain. When Charleston fell in 1780, Rutledge was captured by the British along with fellow signers Arthur Middleton and Thomas Heyward, Jr. He was released in July 1781 and was elected to the state legislature in 1782
Roger Sherman: Was the last surviving signer of the Declaration.
James Smith: Pennsylvania: Thought of by his colleagues as witty and a good conversationalist if a bit eccentric
Matthew Thornton: Immigrated from Ireland with his parents when he was 4 & became a medical doctor.
George Walton: British captured him during the War for Independence
William Whipple: Was a seaman and became a ship’s captain before age 20. He fought in the New Hampshire militia during the war. Helped with the Continental Congress marine committee.
John Witherspoon: Was a minister
George Wythe: Although he served on the state legislature, his first love, was teaching and arguably his most valuable contribution to the new nation was in education. In 1779 Wythe became the first professor of law in an American college at the College of William and Mary. Having trained a young Thomas Jefferson during the 1760s, Wythe's students eventually included James Monroe, John Marshall, and Henry Clay.
Many detials from these descriptions came from: https://www.dar.org/archives/signers-declaration-independence
https://www.constitutionfacts.com/content/declaration/files/Declaration_AboutTheSigners.pdf
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