Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-08-03
s,cNERs OF THE DECLARE
TION.
4 Brief Biography Of fIse Pat
riots WHO Kan the Risk
Of Being Hung.
Pennsylvania.
ROBERT MORRIS.

Pennsylvania.
ROBERT MORRIS.
Robert Morris, the distinguished
financier Of the Revolution, was
born in Lancashire, England, in
January, 1893.
Mr.. Morris was elected to Congress
on the 18th Of July, 1910, fourteen
days after the Declaration" OF indie
pendence was adopted, and being in
favor OF the measure he affixed his
signature thereto on the I'd of
August following.
BENJAMIN RTSH.
DIR. Benjamin Rush was born at
Ryberry, about twelve miles north
east Of Philadelphia, on the 9th
day of December, 1915. He was So
licited totake scat in the general
Congress of 1875, but declined; but
when, in 1776, some Of the Pennsyl-
vania delegates in Congress refused
to vote for independence, and with
drew from their seats, he was elected
to fill one Of them. lie was not q
member when the Declaration was
adopted, but was present and signed
it on the III of August following.
BENJAMIN FRANKLIN,
1T would be superfluous to say any
thing Of Benjamin Franklin. He
was elected delegate to the general
Congress in 1875, and was again
elected in l776. He was one of the
committee appointed to draft Dec
laration Of independence, voted for
its adoption, and signed it on the I'd
Of August. The remark that broke
the silence following the announce
ment Of the Declaration to the as
scmbled Congress: eyes. gentlemen,
we must all hang together, or we
will all hang separately" is attribu-
ted to him.
JOHN MORTON.
John Morton descended from an
ccstors Of Swedish birth. lie was
born in 1921, his father having died
previously.
lie was elected TO the 'tStamp Act |
Congress" in 17G5, aud In 1916 ne was |
made High Sheriff of the county In
which he resided. In 1774 the AS
scmbly of Pennsylvania appointed
Mr.. Morton delegate to the General
Congress. lie was reelected for |
1875 in December Of the same year,
and he was also elected in 177fi to the |
same office. His election did not |
take place until some days after the
Declaration Of Independence was
adopted, but he had the privilege Of
signing it in August.
GEORGE CLYMER.
George Clymer was born In Phila-
delphia in 1889, and was brought up
by his mothers brother, VIM. Cole
man, and was educated in his count
ing-room. He accepted the COM
mand ola volunteer corps belonging
to Gen. Cadwallader's brigade.
In 1916, after two of the Pennsyl-
vania delegates in the General Con-
gress declined voting for the Dec
laration of Independence, and with
drew from their seats, Mr.. Clymer
and DR.. Rush were appointed to sue
ceed them, and they both affixed
their signatures to that instrument.
JAMES SMITH.
James Smith was born In Ireland,
dato Of birth not known. He came
to this country with his parents
when quite young. He was elected
TO the Congress to fill vacancy
caused by tho withdrawal Of part Of
the delegation of his State, and af-
fixed his signature on tho I'd day Of
August. s,.t..asse
GEO. TAYLOR. AZ
Geo. Taylor was born in Ireland,
in the year 17lG, and came to this
country when he was about twenty |
years Of age. lie was one Of those
elected to fill vacancies occasiOned by
the withdrawal Of number Of MEM
bors, and put his name to the docu-
ment on the I'd Of August.
JAMES WILSON.
This distinguished patriot was
born In Scotland In 17i2, and emf
grated to this country In l7GG. In
May 1875, no was chosen delegate
to the General Congress, together
with BENJAMIN Franklin and Thorn
As Willing. lie was again elected
for the session OF 1875, aud warmly
supported the motion of Richard
Henry Lee for absolute ipdepend-
ence. 1Ie voted for and signed the
Declaration, and remained an active
member Of Congress until 1777, when
he and Mr.. Clymer were not re-
elected in consequence Of the opera
tions of a strong party spirit which
mt that time existed In the Pennsyl-
vania Assembly.
GEORGE ROSS.
George Ross was born In New
Castle, Delaware, inrthe year 1870.
Ito first appeared In public life in
I7Gs, when he was elected amember
of the Pennsylvania Assembly for
Lancaster. lie was chosen to the
continental Congress I'm l77i, and re-
NAMED there till 1T77. He was q !
warm supporter Of the resolution of
Mr.. Lee, proposing independence,
and signed the Declaration thereof,
on the "a OF August.
Delaware. |
GEORGE READ.