Hawk1981
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- Apr 1, 2020
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Fifty-six men affixed their names to the Declaration of Independence, and asserted their claim that the United Colonies would be free and independent states. Some of the signers, such as John Hancock, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin are immediately recognizable and well-known. Here are some lesser known stories of thirteen signers from thirteen colonies, both of service in their efforts for their cause and in their life after American Independence.
Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman of Connecticut attended the Constitutional Convention of 1787 where he is credited with giving dozens of speeches, many defending the rights of smaller states. In Thomas Jefferson’s words, Sherman was “a man who never said a foolish thing in his life.” He is the only person to sign the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
Caesar Rodney
Caesar Rodney rode overnight from Dover, Delaware, to Philadelphia to cast the deciding vote on Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence. The votes of Delaware’s two other delegates were split and he was summoned to break the tie. He arrived on July 2, 1776, having ridden through a rainstorm to cast his vote. He wore a green, silk veil to cover the scarring on the left side of his face from an excised tumor. Despite his appearance John Adams said regarding Rodney that "there is sense and fire, spirit, wit, and humor in his countenance."
Button Gwinnett
Button Gwinnett, named Georgia’s president and commander-in-chief in 1777, he was a failure at nearly everything he ever set his hand to. He failed as a merchant and as a plantation owner. He ordered an unsuccessful invasion of British-controlled East Florida to secure the state’s southern border. Lachlan McIntosh, commander of Georgia’s Continental battalion, publicly denounced Gwinnett in the harshest terms. The two men fought a duel during which both men were shot, but only Gwinnett died of his wound.
Samuel Chase
Staunch Federalist and Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase from Maryland was known for his abrasive personality. He refused to tone down his partisan rhetoric after Thomas Jefferson’s 1804 presidential re-election. Urged on by Jefferson, Virginia Senator John Randolph accused Chase in impeachment proceedings of promoting a political agenda from the bench. Chase was acquitted when several Jeffersonian Republicans joined nine Federalists in voting not guilty.
Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman of Connecticut attended the Constitutional Convention of 1787 where he is credited with giving dozens of speeches, many defending the rights of smaller states. In Thomas Jefferson’s words, Sherman was “a man who never said a foolish thing in his life.” He is the only person to sign the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.
Caesar Rodney
Caesar Rodney rode overnight from Dover, Delaware, to Philadelphia to cast the deciding vote on Richard Henry Lee’s resolution for independence. The votes of Delaware’s two other delegates were split and he was summoned to break the tie. He arrived on July 2, 1776, having ridden through a rainstorm to cast his vote. He wore a green, silk veil to cover the scarring on the left side of his face from an excised tumor. Despite his appearance John Adams said regarding Rodney that "there is sense and fire, spirit, wit, and humor in his countenance."
Button Gwinnett
Button Gwinnett, named Georgia’s president and commander-in-chief in 1777, he was a failure at nearly everything he ever set his hand to. He failed as a merchant and as a plantation owner. He ordered an unsuccessful invasion of British-controlled East Florida to secure the state’s southern border. Lachlan McIntosh, commander of Georgia’s Continental battalion, publicly denounced Gwinnett in the harshest terms. The two men fought a duel during which both men were shot, but only Gwinnett died of his wound.
Samuel Chase
Staunch Federalist and Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase from Maryland was known for his abrasive personality. He refused to tone down his partisan rhetoric after Thomas Jefferson’s 1804 presidential re-election. Urged on by Jefferson, Virginia Senator John Randolph accused Chase in impeachment proceedings of promoting a political agenda from the bench. Chase was acquitted when several Jeffersonian Republicans joined nine Federalists in voting not guilty.