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|Founding Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]], <br>[[Articles of Confederation]]

|Founding Documents:=[[Declaration of Independence]], <br>[[Articles of Confederation]]

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'''John Witherspoon''' (February 5 1723 – November 15 1794) was a minister, college president, and member of the [[Continental Congress]].  

'''John Witherspoon''' (February 5, 1723 – November 15, 1794) was a minister, college president, and member of the [[Continental Congress]].  

==Early Life==

==Early life==

Witherspoon was born in Gifford, East Lothian, [[Scotland]] in February 1722. At the age of fourteen he attended the University of Edinburgh, and when he was twenty-one he followed in his father's footsteps and became a [[Church of Scotland]] minister.

Witherspoon was born in Gifford, East Lothian, [[Scotland]] in February 1722. At the age of fourteen he attended the University of Edinburgh, and when he was twenty-one he followed in his father's footsteps and became a [[Church of Scotland]] minister.

He was a strong advocate of the [[Declaration of Independence]] and grew impatient as congress members debated the merits of the document. Witherspoon voted affirmative for independence on July 2, 1776. Five months later the British burned his library to the ground.

He was a strong advocate of the [[Declaration of Independence]] and grew impatient as congress members debated the merits of the document. Witherspoon voted affirmative for independence on July 2, 1776. Five months later the British burned his library to the ground.

==Later Life==

==Later life==

In 1779, after more then six years and service in more than one hundred committees, Witherspoon voluntarily retired from his seat in the Continental Congress. He was persuaded to return to Congress in 1780, but at the close of 1782, he again retired from political life.

In 1779, after more then six years and service in more than one hundred committees, Witherspoon voluntarily retired from his seat in the Continental Congress. He was persuaded to return to Congress in 1780, but at the close of 1782, he again retired from political life.

==See Also==

==See also==

* [[William Houston]]

* [[William Houston]]

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{{Template:Declaration of Independence}}

{{Declaration of Independence}}

{{DEFAULTSORT: Witherspoon, John}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Witherspoon, John}}

[[Category: Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Religion and Politics]]

[[Category:Religion and Politics]]

[[Category:Presbyterians]]

[[Category:Presbyterians]]