Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1908-03-14
SIGNERS
OF the Declaration of Independence
Who We're Born In
Ireland.
At Least Four Were Natives of
the Old Sod Says
History.
Something About The Derry Man
Who Was Prominent in
Congress.
WAS A FRIEND OF Ben FRANKLIN

A Boston exchange says it is a
fact worth remembering that of the
fifty-siX signers to the Declaration of
Independence four were born in Ire
land, and of these four three are
accredited to Pennsylvania. Charles
Thomson at the age of eleven years
was EN- route TO this country with
his father and three brothers. His
father died after they were in sight
of land, and thus the boy was thrown
upon his own. resources Immediately
upon landing at New Castle, Del.
An older brother had preceded hin
10 America and was enabled to give
the young immigrant the benefit o.
watchful care, but its was necessary
for him to assume grave responsible
ties at very early age. The older
brother prevailed upon a fellow
countryman, DR.. Francis Allison, to
admit Charles TO his seminary in New
London, Penn.
The little Immigrant boy was pre-
cociOus and proved to be a very apt
scholar. Such was his Advancement in
studies that while yet boy he was
chosen to conduct a Friends acad-
envy at New Castle, Del. He formed
the acquaintance and won the friend
ship of Franklin through articles
contributed to Franl6lin's paper.
These articles were mostly on the
subject of the Indians. The interest
he took in their welfare and the ia T.
ness with which he dealt with then
led the Delawares to adopt him in
1856. His intimate acquaintance with
them and their very high esteem for
him brought about his appointment
as commissioner among them.
The Delawares named him MAN of
Truth" and John Adams referred to
him as 'ithe Sam Adams of Philadel-
phia; the life of the cause of lib
erty," for he was among the first to
take his stand with the colonists,
exercising an immense influence
owing to his reputation for ability
and integrity.
In September, 1774, he arrived at
Philadelphia with his bride. a daugh-
ter of Richard Harrison, of Pennsyl.
vania, when he was informed that h.
had been chosen Secretary of the
first Continental Congress. "He was
the soul OF that political body"
wrote Able Robin, the chaplain OF
Rochambeau.
He declined pay for his first years
services, but held to his duties
through each succeeding Congress
until 1883, when ne returned 10
private life. The careful notes be
had taken as Secretary of Congress
formed the groundwork of his his
tory of the Revolution, but so consid-
crate was he of others feelings that
he destroyed his manuscript notes
lest his record of the unpatriofic
course of some of the colonists might
work injury and embarrassment to
their descendants.
After his retirement from public
life he wrote and published several
works of merit which won approval
ait home and abroad. For the most
part his writings were confined to
Scripture subjects. His translation
of the New Testament from the
Greek cost him much time and labor
and his translation of the Old Tesla
ment from the Septeragint was the
first English version of that early
translation.
Charles Thomson was born in May
hera, County Derry, ireland, Novem-
Der 20, 1929. He died in Lower
Merton, Penn, August 16, 1924