Lot 218
Witherspoon, John & Stockton, Richard. Signers of the Declaration of Independence. Document Signed ("Jno Witherspoon"), as president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) and ("Richd. Stockton") as a member of the executive council of New Jersey (Princeton), September 1, 1772, 1 pg oblong octavo. The document authorizes payment for work done at the college, including repairs to gates and windows. Slight skipping of ink in Witherspoon's signature, which is of moderate boldness; Stockton's is quite bold. Minor archival repairs on verso; light toning and soiling, else Very Good. Stockton and Witherspoon are both in the very rare group of signers, both being a 4 out of 5 in rarity.
John Witherspoon immigrated to America in 1768 to become President of the College of New Jersey, his special department being devinity. His leadership healed the schism between the New Side and Old Side Presbyterians. He was a member of the Continental Congress (1776-79, 1780-81, 1782) and signed the Declaration of Independence. He was also a member of the New Jersey constitutional ratification convention (1787). Richard Stockton's family was long involved in affairs of the College of New Jersey. Stockton had visited Witherspoon in Scotland to offer him the college presidency. Stockton was an associate justice of the New Jersey supreme court (1774-76) and served in the Continental Congress in 1776.
Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000.
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| Realized $10,005 |
