Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: William Floyd ( December 17 , 1734 - August 4 , 1821 ) , was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New York .
Simplified: William Floyd ( December 17 , 1734 â `` August 4 , 1821 ) was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a U.S. Representative from New York .