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'''Matthew Thornton''' (b. 1714; d. June 24, 1803) is an [[American]] Founding Father. He was a prosperous surgeon, the president of the Provincial Assembly, a justice of the peace and a Colonel of the Londonderry Militia. As a member of the Committee of Safety he would draft a plan for the government of [[New Hampshire]] after the royal government was dissolved. Thornton became the first president of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and a justice to the Superior Court. He was elected to the [[Continental Congress]] as a delegate of New Hampshire that would sign the [[Declaration of Independence]].

'''Matthew Thornton''' (1714 – June 24, 1803) is an [[American]] Founding Father. He was a prosperous surgeon, the president of the Provincial Assembly, a justice of the peace and a Colonel of the Londonderry Militia. As a member of the Committee of Safety he would draft a plan for the government of [[New Hampshire]] after the royal government was dissolved. Thornton became the first president of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and a justice to the Superior Court. He was elected to the [[Continental Congress]] as a delegate of New Hampshire that would sign the [[Declaration of Independence]].

==Early Life==

==Early life==

Matthew Thornton was born in [[Ireland]]. At age three, he immigrated to the United States with his father and settled in Wiscasset, [[Maine]] before moving to Worcester, [[Massachusetts]]. He received a formal education in the study of medicine and in 1740 started his own practice. Thornton was appointed surgeon of New Hampshire troops in the expedition against Cape Breton. <ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000242 THORNTON, Matthew, (1714 - 1803), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]</ref> Eventually he became Colonel of the New Hampshire Militia during the [[American Revolution]].  

Matthew Thornton was born in [[Ireland]]. At age three, he immigrated to the United States with his father and settled in Wiscasset, [[Maine]] before moving to Worcester, [[Massachusetts]]. He received a formal education in the study of medicine and in 1740 started his own practice. Thornton was appointed surgeon of New Hampshire troops in the expedition against Cape Breton.<ref>[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=T000242 THORNTON, Matthew, (1714 - 1803), Biographical Directory of the United States Congress]</ref> Eventually he became Colonel of the New Hampshire Militia during the [[American Revolution]].  

==Politics==

==Politics==

In 1758, Matthew Thornton became a delegate to the New Hampshire Assembly. He would become president of the first Provincial Assembly in 1775 and chairman of the Committee of Safety. His plan to dissolve the royal government was immediately adopted and it became the first constituition for the state before the outbreak of hostilities with [[England]]. Under the new constitution, Thronton became the first president of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In 1776, he was elected to the Continental Congress. He arrived after the vote for independence but in time to sign the Declaration. He was again selected to Congress in 1777, but declined to attend due to poor health. <ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/thornton.htm Matthew Thornton, USHistory.gov]</ref> After Congress, Thornton would serve in the State Senate in 1784 and State councilor in 1785.  

In 1758, Matthew Thornton became a delegate to the New Hampshire Assembly. He would become president of the first Provincial Assembly in 1775 and chairman of the Committee of Safety. His plan to dissolve the royal government was immediately adopted and it became the first constituition for the state before the outbreak of hostilities with [[England]]. Under the new constitution, Thronton became the first president of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In 1776, he was elected to the Continental Congress. He arrived after the vote for independence but in time to sign the Declaration. He was again selected to Congress in 1777, but declined to attend due to poor health.<ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/thornton.htm Matthew Thornton, USHistory.gov]</ref> After Congress, Thornton would serve in the State Senate in 1784 and State councilor in 1785.  

==Death==

==Death==

MATTHEW THORNTON, ''President''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=emMSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA88 Collections, Topographical, Historical, and Biographical Relating Principally to New Hampshire, Volume 1]</ref>

MATTHEW THORNTON, ''President''.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=emMSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA88 Collections, Topographical, Historical, and Biographical Relating Principally to New Hampshire, Volume 1]</ref>

==Further Reading==

==Further reading==

* [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/guidedisplay.pl?index=T000242 Matthew Thornton Library Collections]

* [http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/guidedisplay.pl?index=T000242 Matthew Thornton Library Collections]

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[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]

[[Category:American Revolution]]