The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1889-02-23
The Signers of the Declaration.

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Prof, j. Howard Vert, of Harrisburg,
Pa, contributes the following interesting
letter to the Harrisburg Daily Telegraph:
Noticing an inquiry in the Telegraph in
regard to the signers of the Declaration of
Independence, allow me to give the follow
ing information In regard to their nativity
OF the Sc signers, l was born in Maine
then New Hampshire in Massachu-
sets, 2 in Rhode Island, in Connecticut,
3 in New York, 4 in New Jersey, ) in
Pennsylvania, ? in Delaware, 5 in Maryland,
8 in Virginia, and in South Carolina;
whilst s were of foreign birth as follows
Robert Morris, the great fnancier, and But
ton Gwinnett were born in England
Matthew Thornton, James Smith and Geo
Taylor in Ireland; James Wilson and John
Witherspoon, in Scotland, and Francis
Lewis, in Wales.
OF the signers there was but one whose
ancestry did not come from the British
Island, viz: John Morton, of Swedish par
entage. OF the remainder, 40 appear to
have been of English ancestry; lin several
cases were remotely, Norman;) Z from Ire
land, 4 from Scotland and from Wales,
whilst it is difficult to classify Thomas
Lynch, jr. The family came originally
from Austria and settled in England, then
removed to Ireland, and from thence to
America
OF Pennsylvania two greatest signers,
one Benjamin Franklin, was born in
Massachusetts,, and the other Robert Nor
ris,) as already stated, in England
Amongst the Virginians was Benjamin
Harrison, father of one President of the
United States and great-grandfather of the
President-eleet. Two of the signers, as is
well known, were themselves Presidents of
the United States, and one, Elbridge Gerry,
Vice President, died during his official
term. Amongst the signers were two
brothers, Richard Henry and Francis Light
foot Lee Button Gwinnett was killed in
duel Philip Livingston, of New York,
died whilst the Continental Congress was
in session in our neighboriug city of York,
and was inferred there. DR.. james Smith
was resident of the same place. james
Wilson was, for time, resident of Read
ing and subsequently Of Carlisle Geo
Ross, although born in Delaware, was, for
the greater part of his life, resident of
Lancaster.
The last survivor of this immortal band
was Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, who
died near Baltimore, November 14th, 1892,
at the age of 96. 1t may not be uninWr-
esting to briefly notice the occupations of
these distinguished men q acquired
eminence in the legal profession, 6 were
distinguished physicians, Ii were engaged
in mercantile and commercial pursuits, 2
were principally noted as surveyors, were
farmers aud l an iron worker. One, DR..
Witherspoon, president of the college of
New Jersey, was a minister, l was prin-
ter, whilst 10 can scarcely be said to have
had an occupation except the management
of their vast inherited estates and states
manship in their eountry's service In
this number may be classified John Han
cock, originally engaged in commercial
pursuits Thomas Jefferson, who read law,
but whose whole life was given to his
eountry's service and philosophical investi-
CATION; the two Lees, and Harrison. Quite
a number of the signers were designed by
their parents for the clerical profession, and
in some cases read theology, but abandoned
it for more eongenial pursuits, generally
law. One Of the lawyers Roger Shermanl
was originally shoemaker, and another
Geo Walton) carpenter. At least nine
of the signers were sons of clergymen Of
various denominations; and many of the
mothers of this noble band were daughters
of distinguished clergymen. At least ten
of the siguers performed prominent, active
military service during the revolution, FIVE
rising to the rank of general, and three
others to that of colonel At least three
Walton, Hayward and Rutledge-were
made prisoners by the British Oh the field
of battle, the two former being wounded
before eaptnre.
Several OF the signers were possessed Of
great literary ability. Francis Hopkinson
was especially noted as poet. In fact
nearly all the signers were well educated,
in some cases their education was
principally self-aequired, whilst struggling
with poverty. Twenty three of the signers
were college graduates, Harvard leading
the list with s, the other colleges repre-
scented being Yale, the College of New
Jersey, the College of Philadelphia, VIII
liam and Mary, Edinburg, Cambridge in
England, and the College of Louis LIE
Grand in France At least others took
collegiate course without
graduating, whilst many others had an ex-
cellent academic education, or thorough
course with eminent private tutors. OF
the 90 signers, II were fine classical
scholars