*************
Revolutionary Period
Non Signers of the Declaration of Independence
*************
Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) - Quotes - Writings - Secretary to the Minister to Russia (1781). Secretary to John Adams during the peace negotiations with Great Britain ending the American Revolution.
Dickinson, John (1732-1808) - Quotes - Attorney, soldier, public official, home schooler with tutor, studied law in Philadelphia (1750), further studies in London (1753-1757), started law practice in America (1757), member of the Pennsylvania Assembly from the "Lower Counties" (1760, 1762, 1764), in 1776 the three "Lower Counties" separated from Pennsylvania to form the State of Delaware, delegate to the Stamp Act Congress (1765), chairman of the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence (1774), member of the Continental Congress (1774-1776, 1779), Brigadier General of Pennsylvania Militia (1775-1777), President of the State of Delaware (1781), President of Pennsylvania (1782-1785), delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signer of the United States Constitution (1787).
Henry, Patrick (1736-1799) - Quotes - Attorney. Public Official. Educated by his father. Clerk of a small store at age 15 (1751). Opened his own store at age 16 (1752). Began law practice in 1760. Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1765). Member Continental Congress (1774-1775). Member Virginia State Assembly where he delivered his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech on March 23, 1775. Governor of Virginia (1776-1779, 1784-1786) Member of the Virginia State convention which ratified the Constitution (1788). Offered and declined numerous appointments including U.S. Senator in 1794 and Secretary of State under President George Washington in 1795. Elected to Virginia State Senate in 1799 but died before he could take office.
Jay, John (1745-1829) - Quotes - Attorney, public official, diplomat, jurist, graduated from Columbia College New York (1766), admitted to bar (1766), member of the Continental Congress (1774-1776, 1778-1779), President of the Continental Congress (1778-1779), helped write the New York State constitution (1777), authored first manual on military discipline (1777), Chief Justice of New York (1777-1778), appointed minister to Spain (1779), signed the final peace treaty with Great Britain after the Revolutionary War (1783), co-author of the "Federalist Papers" with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, which helped secure the ratification of the United States Constitution (1788), appointed first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court by President George Washington (1789-1795), declined re-appointment as Chief Justice by President John Adams, Governor of New York (1795-1801), vice president of the American Bible Society (1816-1821), president American Bible Society (1822-1828), member of American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
Mason, George (1725-1792) - Quotes - Public Official, educated by private tutors and independent self study, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1759) drafted Virginia's first constitution which contained the famous "Declaration of Rights" from which Thomas Jefferson drew for the Declaration of Independence, member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1776-1788), delegate to the Constitutional Convention but refused to sign the United States Constitution because if neither abolished slavery nor adequately protected State's rights (1787), led the opposition to ratifying the Constitution in Virginia, and was largely responsible for the addition of the future "Bill of Rights" - the first ten amendments to the Constitution, declined position as one of Virginia's first two United States Senators in order to retire to private life, given the title "The Father of the Bill of Rights".
Otis, James (1725-1783) - Quotes - His State papers on behalf of the Colonies against British oppression caused him to become the leader of "the rebelious spirit" in the eyes of Great Britain. He was a member of the Stamp Act Congress in 1765. He wrote a famous defense of the Colonies position in 1766. He was 'the' acknowledged political leader of Massachusetts Bay, and the mentor of Samuel Adams and the Sons of Liberty from 1761 to 1769. He was a soldier at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775.
Revere, Paul (1735-1818) - One of the 50 "indians" at the Boston Tea Party in 1773. Made the famous "midnight ride" to warn the patriots in Lexington and Concord of the coming British attack, and also warned John Hancock and Samuel Adams to flee in 1775. He was a member of the Committee of Correspondence in 1776 and made the first official seal for the Colonies.
Washington, George (1732-1799) - Quotes - Writings - Peers - Articles - He was a member of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1775. He was unanimously chosen as Commander in Chief of the American Forces and severed in that capacity from 1775, through the Revolutionary war, to 1783.
*************
Revolutionary Period
Signers of the Delcaration of Independence
*************
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Hancock, John (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - Quotes - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Adams, John (1735-1826) - Biography - Quotes - Educator, Attorney, Jurist, Diplomat, Public Official. Graduated Harvard (1755). Taught school at Worchester. Considered entering the ministry, but finally decided on law. Admitted to the bar (1758). Leader in opposition to the Stamp Act (1765). Appointed Chief Justice of Superior Court of Massachusetts (1775). Delegate to the Continental Congress (1774-1777). Head of the committee that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Convinced Thomas Jefferson to write the Declaration of Independence. Insisted that references to God be included in the Declaration of Independence. Signed the Declaration of Independence (1776). Delegate to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention (1779-1780). Wrote most of the first draft of the Massachusetts Constitution. Foreign ambassador to Holland (1782); signed the peace treaty which ended the American Revolution (1783).
Adams, Samuel (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - "Father of the American Revolution"
Paine, Robert Treat (1731-1814) - Quotes - Pastor. Attorney. Public Official. Jurist. Graduated from Harvard (1749). Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776).
Rhode Island
Gerry, Elbridge (1744-1814) - Biography - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Hopkins, Stephen (1707-1785) - Biography - Peers - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Ellery, William (1727-1820) - Biography - Quotes - Graduated from Harvard (1747). Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776).
Connecticut
Sherman, Roger (1721-1793) - Biography - Quotes - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Huntington, Samuel (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Williams, William (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Wolcott, Oliver (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
New York
New Jersey
Stockton, Richard (xxxx-xxxx) - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Witherspoon, John (1723-1794) - Quotes - Pastor, Public Official, Author. Graduated University of Edinburgh (1739). Divinity degree (1743. Licenced to preach in the Presbyterian church. Ordained (1745). Doctorate University of St. Andrews (1764). Declined invitation to become President of Princeton (1766). President of Princeton (1768-1776). Member of the Committee of Correspondence (1775). Member Provincial Congress of New Jersey (1776). Member Continental Congress (1776-1782). Signed Declaration of Independence (1776). Rebuilt Princeton after the Revolution (1782-1794). Member New Jersey State Assembly (1783-1789). Member State Ratification Convention for the Federal Constitution (1787).
Hopkinson, Francis (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Hart, John (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Clark, Abraham (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Pennsylvania
Morris, Robert (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Rush, Benjamin (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) - Biography - Quotes - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Morton, John (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - Quotes - Signer of the Declaration of Independence (1776)
Clymer, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Smith, James (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
George Taylor, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Wilson, James (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - Writings - Peers - Signer of the Declaration of Independence. Surgeon in the Revolutionary War.
Ross, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
- Delaware
Rodney, Caesar (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Reed, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
McKean, Thomas (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Maryland
Chase, Samuel (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
Paca, William (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Carroll of Carrollton, Charles (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
Virginia
Wythe, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Lee, Richard Henry (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) - Quotes - Deeds - Attorney, Diplomat, Public Official, Educator. Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1769-1775). Member Virginia Committee of Correspondence, Member Continental Congress (1775-1776). Signer and principle author of the Declaration of Independence (1776). Member Virginia House of Delegates, Introduced proposals for the complete abolition of the slave trade and total religious freedom (1776-1779). Governor of Virginia (1779-1781). Re-elected to the Continental Congress (1783).
Harrison, Benjamin (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
Nelson, Thomas Jr. (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Lee, Francis Lightfoot (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Braxton, Carter (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
North Carolina
Hooper, William (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
Hewes, Joseph (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
Penn, John (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Rutledge, Edward (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
South Carolina
Heyward, Thomas Jr (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Lynch, Thomas Jr (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Middleton, Arthur (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
Georgia
Hall, Lyman (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
Walton, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Livingston, Robert R (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
*************
Constitution Period
Non Constitutional Convention Delegates
*************
Duvall, Gabriel (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - Selected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention but declined. Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President James Madison
Jay, John (1745-1829) - Quotes - Attorney, public official, diplomat, jurist, graduated from Columbia College New York (1766), admitted to bar (1766), member of the Continental Congress (1774-1776, 1778-1779), President of the Continental Congress (1778-1779), helped write the New York State constitution (1777), authored first manual on military discipline (1777), Chief Justice of New York (1777-1778), appointed minister to Spain (1779), signed the final peace treaty with Great Britain after the Revolutionary War (1783), co-author of the "Federalist Papers" with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, which helped secure the ratification of the United States Constitution (1788), appointed first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court by President George Washington (1789-1795), declined re-appointment as Chief Justice by President John Adams, Gouvernor of New York (1795-1801), vice president of the American Bible Society (1816-1821), president American Bible Society (1822-1828), member of American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
Webster, Noah (xxxx-xxxx) - He and his brother were the first to call for a Constitutional Convention. He was directly responsible for Article __ calling for protection of copyrights and patents.
*************
Constitution Period
Convention Delegates
Non Signers of the Constitution
*************
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Pennsylvania
Delaware
MaryLand
Virginia
Mason, George (1725-1792) - Quotes - Public Official, educated by private turors and independent self study, member of the Virginia House of Burgesses (1759) drafted Virginia's first constitution which contained the famous "Declaration of Rights" from which Thomas Jefferson drew for the Declaration of Independence, member of the Virginia House of Delegates (1776-1788), delegate to the Constitutional Convention but refused to sign the United States Constitution because if neither abolished slavery nor adequately protected State's rights (1787), led the opposition to ratifying the Constitution in Virginia, and was largely responsible for the addition of the future "Bill of Rights" - the first ten amendments to the Constitution, declined position as one of Virginia's first two United States Senators in order to retire to private life, given the title "The Father of the Bill of Rights".
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
*************
Constitution Period
Convention Delegates
Signers of the Constitution
*************
New Hampshire
Langdon, John (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Gilman, Nicholas (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Massachusetts
Gorham, Nathaniel (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
King, Rufus (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - Signer of the Constitution
Connecticut
Johnson, William Samuel (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - Signer of the Constitution
New York
Hamilton, Alexander (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - Signer of the Constitution
New Jersey
Livingston, William (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Brearley, David (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - xxxxxxx
Paterson, William (1745-1806) - Quotes - Peers - Signer of the Constitution. United States Supreme Court Justice.
Dayton, Jonathan (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Pennsylvania
Franklin, Benjamin (1706-1790) - Biography - Quotes - Signer of the Constitution (1787)
Mifflin, Thomas (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Morris, Robert (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Clymer, George (xxxx-xxxx) - Biography - xxxxxxx
Fitzsimons, Thomas (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Ingersoll, Jared (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Wilson, James (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - Writings - Peers - Signer of the Constitution.
Morris, Gouverneur (xxxx-xxxx) - Quotes - xxxxxxx
Delaware
Read, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Bedford, Gunning Jr. (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Dickinson, John (1732-1808) - Quotes - Attorney, soldier, public official, home schooler with tutor, studied law in Philadelphia (1750), further studies in London (1753-1757), started law practice in America (1757), member of the Pennsylvania Assembly from the "Lower Counties" (1760, 1762, 1764), in 1776 the three "Lower Counties" separated from Pennsylvania to form the State of Delaware, delegate to the Stamp Act Congress (1765), chairman of the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence (1774), member of the Continental Congress (1774-1776, 1779), Brigadier General of Pennsylvania Militia (1775-1777), President of the State of Delaware (1781), President of Pennsylvania (1782-1785), delegate to the Constitutional Convention and signer of the United States Constitution (1787).
Bassett, Richard (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Broom, Jacob (1752-1810) - Quotes - Writings - Farmer, Surveyor, Businessman, Public Officail, Philanthrpist. Educated at home. prepared military maps for General George Washington prior to the Battle of Brandywine (1777). Held numerous local political positions throughout his life. Member of the State Legislature of Delaware (1784-1786, 1788). Delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Signer of the United States Constitution (1787). Wilmington, Delaware's first Postmaster (1790-1792). Chairman of the Board of Delaware Bank.
Maryland
McHenry, James (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Jenifer of Saint Thomas, Daniel (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Carroll, Daniel (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Virginia
Blair, John (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Madison, James Jr. (xxxx-xxxx) - Writings - xxxxxxx
North Carolina
Blount, William (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Spaight, Richard Dobbs (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Williamson, Hugh (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
South Carolina
Rutledge, John (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Pinckney, Charles (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Butler, Pierce (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Georgia
Few, William (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Baldwin, Abraham (1754-1807) - Quotes - Signer of the Constitution. Chaplain in the Revolutionary War. Member US House of Representatives - Bill of Rights.
Constitutional Convention Officers
Jackson, William (xxxx-xxxx) - - Attesting Secretary
Washington, George (1732-1799) - Quotes - Writings - Articles - Peers - President Constitutional Convention - Signer of the Constitution, Virginia
*************
Constitution Period
State Ratifying Convention Delegates
*************
New Hampshire
Massachusetts
Rhode Island
Connecticut
New York
New Jersey
Witherspoon, John (1723-1794) - Quotes - Pastor, Public Official, Author. Graduated University of Edinburgh (1739). Divinity degree (1743. Licenced to preach in the Presbyterian church. Ordained (1745). Doctorate University of St. Andrews (1764). Declined invitation to become President of Princeton (1766). President of Princeton (1768-1776). Member of the Committee of Correspondence (1775). Member Provincial Congress of New Jersey (1776). Member Continental Congress (1776-1782). Signed Declaration of Independence (1776). Rebuilt Princeton after the Revolution (1782-1794). Member New Jersey State Assembly (1783-1789). Member State Ratification Convention for the Federal Constitution (1787).
Pennsylvania
Delaware
MaryLand
Virginia
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
*************
Establishment Period
Member First United States Congress
Bill of Rights
*************
-------------
United States House of Representatives
-------------
New Jersey
Boudinot, Elias (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Schureman, James (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Maryland
Smith, William (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Gale, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Massachusetts
Thatcher, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Ames, Fisher (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Leonard, George (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Gerry, Elbridge (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Goodhue, Benjamin (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Connecticut
Huntington, Benjamin (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Trumbull, Jonathan (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Wadsworth, Jeremiah (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Sturges, Jonathan (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Pennsylvania
Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Hartley, Thomas (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Heister, Daniel (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Wynkoop, Henry (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Scott, Thomas (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Virginia
White, Alexander (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Madison, James Jr. (xxxx-xxxx) - Writings - xxxxxxx
Page, John (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Lee, Richard Bland (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Griffin, Samuel (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Moore, Andrew (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Parker, Jonathan (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Bland, Theodorick (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
South Carolina
Tucker, Thomas Tudor (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
New Hampshire
Gilman, Nicholas (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
Georgia
Baldwin, Abraham (1754-1807) - Quotes - Signer of the Constitution. Chaplain in the Revolutionary War. Member US House of Representatives - Bill of Rights.
-------------
United States Senate
-------------
New Hampshire
Langdon, John (xxxx-xxxx) - xxxxxxx
New Jersey
Paterson, William (1745-1806) - Quotes - Peers - Signer of the Constitution. United States Supreme Court Justice.
*************
Establishment Period
Non Member First United States Congress
*************
Adams, John (1735-1826) - Biography - Quotes - Foreign Ambassador to Great Britain (1785-1788). Served two terms as Vice President under President George Washington (1789-1797). Second President of the United States (1797-1801). Delegate to the Massachusetts constitutional convention (1820). Both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the 50th aniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Adams was titled "Atlas of American Independence" by signer of the Declaration, Richard Stockton. Father of John Quincy Adams, 6th president of the United States.
Adams, John Quincy (1767-1848) - Quotes - Writings - U.S. Foreign Ambassador to Netherlands (1794) and Portugal (1796) under President George Washington. U.S. Foreign Ambassador to Prussia (1797-1801) under President John Adams. Member Massachusetts Legislature (1802) U.S. Senator (1803-1808) U.S. Foreign Ambassador to Russia (1809-1814) and England (1815-1817) under President James Madison. Secretary of State 1817-1825 under President James Monroe. Member of the Massachusetts Bible society (1818). Vice President of the American Bible society (1818-1830). Sixth President of the United States (1825-1829). Member U.S. House of Representatives (1831-1848)
Jay, John (1745-1829) - Quotes - Attorney, public official, diplomat, jurist, graduated from Columbia College New York (1766), admitted to bar (1766), member of the Continental Congress (1774-1776, 1778-1779), President of the Continental Congress (1778-1779), helped write the New York State constitution (1777), authored first manual on military discipline (1777), Chief Justice of New York (1777-1778), appointed minister to Spain (1779), signed the final peace treaty with Great Britain after the Revolutionary War (1783), co-author of the "Federalist Papers" with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, which helped secure the ratification of the United States Constitution (1788), appointed first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court by President George Washington (1789-1795), declined re-appointment as Chief Justice by President John Adams, Gouvernor of New York (1795-1801), vice president of the American Bible Society (1816-1821), president American Bible Society (1822-1828), member of American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
Story, Joseph (1779-1845) - His Father was one of the "indians" at the "Boston Tea Party" (1773). Delivered a eulogy on the death of George Washington (1799). Member Massachusetts Legislature (1805-1807, 1811) and its speaker in 1811. Member U.S. House of Representatives (1808-1809). Appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court by President James Madison (1811-1845). Considered the founder of Harvard Law School and was its "Professor of Law" (1829-1845). Authored 286 opinions, 269 of which were the majority opinion. Along with Chancellor James Kent, he shares the title "The Father of American Jurisprudence."
Washington, George (1732-1799) - Quotes - Writings - Articles - Peers - He was unanimously elected 1st President of the United States of America under the Constitution in 1789. He was unanimously re-elected President in 1792. After declining to serve a thrid term as president, he was appointed as 'Lieutenant General and Commander of the United States Army in 1798. He held this position until his death in 1799. He was recognized by all as "The Father of His Country". At his funeral, the eulogy was given by Henry Lee who said of Washington: "He was First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of his Countrymen."
Webster, Daniel (1782-1852) - He was known as "The Defender of the Constitution"
Party of 1776 - "No King but King Jesus" - www.partyof1776.net