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Rev John Witherspoon
(1723-1794)
Died aged c. 71
Wikidata WikipediaJohn Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a Scottish American Presbyterian minister, educator, farmer, slaveholder, and a Founding Father of the United States. Witherspoon embraced the concepts of Scottish common sense realism, and while president of the College of New Jersey (1768–1794; now Princeton University) became an influential figure in the development of the United States' national character. Politically active, Witherspoon was a delegate from New Jersey to the Second Continental Congress and a signatory to the July 4, 1776, Declaration of Independence. He was the only active clergyman and the only college president to sign the Declaration. Later, he signed the Articles of Confederation and supported ratification of the Constitution of the United States. In 1789 he was convening moderator of the First General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America.
DbPedia
Commemorated on 4 plaques
Laigh Kirk. Until 1738 when Laigh Kirk was erected Paisley's only church had been the Abbey. This new church, later called Laigh or Low because of its geographical position, had as one of its early ministers Rev. John Witherspoon. He later left Paisley for America and became the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence.
15 New St, PA1 1EZ, Paisley, United Kingdom where they minister
Alexander Wilson 'Father of American Ornithology' 1766-1813 poet, artist, explorer & scientist. A pioneer in the scientific study of birds. Baptised, Laigh Kirk, 10 July 1766
Paisley Arts Centre, Paisley, United Kingdom where they worked
This plaque commemorates the historical links between the Edinburgh Medical School and North America. During the years 1749 to 1799, 117 Americans received medical degrees in Edinburgh. They included John Morgan (1735-1789) founder of the Medical School of the college of Philadelphia and those doctors who joined him on the first Faculty William Shippen (1736-1808) Adam Kuhn (1741-1817) Benjamin Rush (1745-1813) Caspar Wistar (1761-1818). The Medical School of the college of Philadelphia was the first in North America. In Addition, Benjamin Rush and Dr John Witherspoon (1723-1794), Theologian from Edinburgh, were signatories of the American Declaration of Independence.
, Edinburgh, United Kingdom where they was
In honour of Reverend John Witherspoon 1723 - 1794. Signatory, American Declaration of Independence, President College of New Jersey (Princeton), graduate of the University
Assembly Hall, The Mound, Edinburgh, United Kingdom where they studied