Mike Parker: Other signers who served after the Revolution

Last week, I focused on the contributions of Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, two signers of the Declaration of Independence who served this fledgling nation with distinction after the American Revolution. Today, I would like to briefly focus on a few others whose work shaped the birth and growth of the institutions we so often take for granted.

Lyman Hall of Georgia was a physician, minister, and planter who was 52 when he signed the Declaration. He convinced a reluctant Georgia to join the Union. Hall represented a single Georgia county at the Continental Congress because the rest of the Georgia colony was not interested in separating from Great Britain. After Lexington and Concord, Georgia eventually voted for independence.

When the Revolutionary War ended, Hall returned to Georgia and served as its governor from 1783 to 1784. He was instrumental in the beginning of Franklin College and the University of Georgia.

George Walton, also of Georgia, was a lawyer. He was 35 when he signed the declaration. He was an active patriot and fought with the militia. He eventually served as Georgia’s chief justice, governor, and U.S. senator.

James Wilson of Pennsylvania was a lawyer, judge, and land speculator. He was only 33 when he signed the declaration. He was influential in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, second only to James Madison. After all, the Articles of Confederation, the first national document, created a central government that was ineffective. The U.S. Constitution sought to create a “more perfect Union.”

Charles Carroll of Maryland was a merchant and planter who signed the Declaration at 38. Although the son of a wealthy tobacco planter, he was persecuted for his Catholic religion. As a Catholic, he was not allowed to vote, hold public office, teach, or practice law. After taking the side of the people and supporting the patriotic cause, his popularity soared. He spent his life serving the people of Maryland. He was one of Maryland’s first two United States senators. At age 95 in 1832, he was the last of the signers to die.

Carroll outlived Jefferson and Adams by six years. Jefferson and Adams both died on July 4, 1826 – the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Samuel Chase of Maryland, nicknamed “Old Bacon Face,” was a lawyer who was 35 at the time of signing. He was instrumental in convincing Maryland to vote for independence. After the war, he was appointed to the Supreme Court by President George Washington. Attempts to impeach him failed, and he was acquitted in 1805. However, his trial set the precedent that judges cannot be impeached, sued, or removed from office because of their beliefs. He was buried not too far from the tomb of Francis Scott Key, author of the poem that became “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, a planter and merchant, signed at age 44. His presentation of the resolution for separation from Great Britain led to the creation of the Declaration of Independence. One of two brothers who signed, he was a justice of the peace and a member of the House of Burgesses of Virginia. He was also a member of the Virginia Sons of Liberty. He led the charge to incorporate the Bill of Rights into the U.S. Constitution.

George Wythe of Virginia, lawyer and professor, was about 50 when he signed the Declaration. He drafted Virginia’s state constitution and designed the state seal. Planning to leave a good portion of his estate to two of his freed slaves who stayed on to care for him, Wythe was poisoned by his sister’s greedy grandson, George Wythe Sweeney. He lingered in agony for two weeks before succumbing on June 8, 1806, at approximately eighty years old.

Independence from England meant more than forming a national government. That action also meant restructuring the governing bodies of each state. Throughout the early years of this country, citizens of all 13 colonies were retooling their governments and foundational documents to make real the dream of a nation where each person would enjoy “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” In many ways, we are still working to make that dream a reality.

Mike Parker is a columnist for the Neuse News. You can reach him at mparker16@gmail.com.