Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
John Witherspoon, a native of Scotland, came to America in 1768 to serve as president at what became Princeton University. Witherspoon’s students openly favored the patriot cause by 1770, and he himself promoted the idea of resistance to the Crown in a commencement speech.
Witherspoon began serving the New Jersey Provincial Assembly in 1774 and eventually represented the colony at the Continental Congress. During the final debate for independence, Witherspoon declared that he believed the colonies were long overdue for separation from Britain. He signed the Declaration on August 2, 1776, and was the only clergyman among the signers.
Witherspoon’s letter to Philip Livingston primarily refers to the transfer of former Royal Governor William Franklin. Although he was the son of patriot Benjamin Franklin, William Franklin remained loyal to the King and was placed under house arrest early in 1776.
Transcription
About This Item
- Title: John Witherspoon on William Franklin's arrest, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1776
- Creator: John Witherspoon
- Creation Date: 1776-07-03
- Subject Date: 1776-07-03
- Location: Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA
- Media: Ink on paper
- Dimensions: 22.86 cm x 20.95 cm
- Local Code: Coll. 420, Box 59/31
- Collection: John S. H. Fogg autograph collection
- Object Type: Text
Cross Reference Searches
Standardized Subject Headings
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783--Causes
- United States--History--Revolution, 1775-1783.
- United States. Declaration of Independence--Signers.
- United States. Declaration of Independence.
- Witherspoon, John, 1723-1794
- Witherspoon, John, 1723-1794--Correspondence.
People
Other Keywords
- Declaration
- Governor Trumbull
- John Hancock
- Loyalists
- New Jersey
- Pennsylvania
- Philip Livingston
- Signers
- William Franklin
- Witherspoon, John (1723 - 1794)
For more information about this item, contact:
Maine Historical Society485 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101
(207) 774-1822 x230
Website
Use of this Item is not restricted by copyright and/or related rights, but the holding organization is contractually obligated to limit use. For more information, please contact the contributing organization. However, watermarked Maine Memory Network images may be used for educational purposes.
Please post your comment below to share with others. If you'd like to privately share a comment or correction with MMN staff, please send us a message with this link.
