Search results for: “find your representative”

  • Keeping up with Bills Proposed In Your State

    Keeping up with Bills Proposed In Your State

    Keeping up with your legislators is easier than you think. It is important to find out what they are working on and what bills they are considering so that you can better direct their efforts. If your representatives do not hear from you, they will do whatever they wish to do.

    Let your representatives know when they are not doing something right or when they shouldn’t be doing something at all. Tell them you appreciate when they do follow the U.S. Constitution and your State Constitution. Let them know when you have expertise or insight to share with them.

    Above all, keep in contact with them. Once they know that you are following what they are doing and sharing that information with others, your representatives may be more inclined to respond positively to your suggestions and take appropriate action.

    Following are the Congressional and State Legislature sites you can use to track what your representatives are doing. There are also other sites which may require you to purchase subscriptions and or payments to make the process smoother and more efficient.


    CONTACT YOUR FEDERAL CONGRESSMAN, LOCATE LEGISLATION or SEND A MESSAGE.

    STATECONTACT REPRESENTATIVESFIND LEGISLATION
    ALABAMA:Find My Elected Officials Map | Alabama Secretary of StateBill Search | Alabama Legislature
    ALASKA:Alaska State LegislatureAlaska State Legislature
    ARIZONA:Find My LegislatorActive Bills
    ARKANSAS:Arkansas Secretary of StateBills & Resolutions – Arkansas State Legislature
    CALIFORNIA:Find Your California RepresentativesBill Search
    COLORADO:Find My Legislator | Colorado General AssemblyBill Search | Colorado General Assembly
    CONNECTICUT:C G A – Connecticut General AssemblyC G A – Connecticut General Assembly
    DELAWARE:Find My Legislator – Delaware General AssemblyHome – Delaware General Assembly
    FLORIDA:Contact Your Elected Officials – Division of Elections – Florida Department of StateBills for the Regular Session 2025 | Florida House of Representatives
    GEORGIA:Contact State Legislators | Georgia.govGeorgia General Assembly – Legislation Search
    HAWAII:Hawaiʻi State LegislatureHawaiʻi State Legislature
    IDAHO:Contacting Legislators – Idaho State Legislature2025 Legislation – Idaho State Legislature
     ILLINOIS:Find My Elected OfficialsGeneral Assembly – Bills and Resolutions
    INDIANA:IGA | Find Your LegislatorIGA | Bills for 2025 Session
    IOWA:Iowa Legislature – Bill Tracking ToolsIowa Legislature – Find Your Legislator
    KANSAS:Welcome | Kansas State LegislatureBills and Resolutions | Kansas State Legislature
    KENTUCKY:Find Your LegislatorBill Watch
    LOUISIANA:How Do I..? – Louisiana LegislatureBill Search – Louisiana State Legislature
    MAINE:Maine House of RepresentativesBill Tracking and Text Search
    MARYLAND:Members – Find My RepresentativesSearch – Legislation
    MASSACHUSETTS:Find My LegislatorSearch Results for: Bills
    MICHIGAN:Legislative BranchBills – Michigan Legislature
    MINNESOTA:LCC-GISBill Search, Status, and MyBills – Minnesota State Legislature
    MISSISSIPPI:Contact | MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURELegislation Search | MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
    MISSOURI:Missouri House of Representatives – Member RosterMissouri House of Representatives – Legislation
    MONTANA:Legislator ExplorerBills – Montana Legislature
    NEBRASKA:Nebraska Legislature – HomeNebraska Legislature – Legislation Search
    NEVADA:Who’s My Legislator / What’s My District83rd (2025) Session
    NEW HAMPSHIRE:The General Court of New HampshireCurrent Legislation Search
    NEW JERSEY:NJ LegislatureBill Search | NJ Legislature
    NEW MEXICO:Find My Legislator – New Mexico LegislatureBill Finder – New Mexico Legislature
    NEW YORK:New York State Elected Officials | New York State Board of ElectionsBill Search and Legislative Information | New York State Assembly
    NORTH CAROLINA:Representation – North Carolina General AssemblyBills & Laws – North Carolina General Assembly
    NORTH DAKOTA:Contact My Legislators | North Dakota Legislative BranchLegislative Bill Tracking System | North Dakota Legislative Branch
    OHIO:District Maps | Ohio LegislatureSearch Legislation | Ohio Legislature
    OKLAHOMA:Oklahoma LegislatureBill Tracking Reports
    OREGON:House RepresentativesAllCitizen Engagement Find Bills and Vote Information
    PENNSYLVANIA:Find My Legislator – The Official Website of the Pennsylvania General AssemblyThe Official Website of the Pennsylvania General Assembly
    RHODE ISLAND:State of Rhode Island General AssemblyWelcome to your Voter Information Center
    SOUTH CAROLINA:South Carolina Legislature Online – Find Your LegislatorsSouth Carolina Legislature Online – Legislation
    SOUTH DAKOTA:Find My Legislators | South Dakota LegislatureHome | South Dakota Legislature
    TENNESSEE:Tennessee General AssemblyTennessee General Assembly Search
    TEXAS:Who Represents Me?TLO
    UTAH:District MapUtah State Legislature | Bills
    VERMONT:Find a LegislatorBill, Act & Resolution Search
    VIRGINIA:Find a LegislatorLIS
    WASHINGTON:Washington State LegislatureBills
    WEST VIRGINIA:West Virginia LegislatureBill Status – West Virginia Legislature
    WISCONSIN:Wisconsin State Legislature Home PageSearch
    WYOMING:Legislator HomeWyoming Legislation

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  • Signers of the Declaration

    Signers of the Declaration

    Who Are These Men?

    Signers of the Declaration of Independence

    We ask you to take nine minutes out of your busy day to sit quietly, alone or with your family or with friends, and listen to the story of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, as told by one of America’s best and favorite storytellers, Paul Harvey. Close your eyes and feel his words, then go below and find out more about each of these men who literally created the American Dream for all of us. What will you do to keep it before we lost it forever?

    “Let parents then bequeath to their children not riches but the spirit of reverence.”

    Plato


    SIGNERS OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE


    “It does not take a majority to prevail . . . but rather an irate, tireless, minority, keen on setting brushfires of freedom in the minds of men.”

    Samuel Adams


    Click on each colony name to learn more about each of the delegates. Read a quote or story about their life. Find out their religion, where they were born, the age they were when they signed the Declaration, their occupation, and more. They deserve to be remembered.

    Select
    CONNECTICUTSamuel HuntingtonRoger ShermanWilliam WilliamsOliver Wolcott
    DELAWAREThomas McKeanGeorge ReadCaeser Rodney
    GEORGIAButton GwinnettLyman HallGeorge Walton
    MARYLANDCharles Carroll of CarrolltonSamuel ChaseWilliam PacaThomas Stone
    MASSACHUSETTSJohn AdamsSamuel AdamsElbridge GerryJohn HancockRobert Treat Paine
    NEW JERSEYAbraham ClarkJohn HartFrancis HopkinsonRichard StocktonJohn Witherspoon
    NEW YORKWilliam FloydFrancis LewisPhillip LivingstonLewis Morris
    NORTH CAROLINAJoseph HewesWilliam HooperJohn Penn
    PENNSYLVANIAGeorge ClymerBenjamin FranklinRobert MorrisJohn MortonGeorge Rush
    Benjamin RushJames SmithGeorge Taylor
    RHODE ISLANDWilliam ElleryStephen Hopkins
    SOUTH CAROLINAThomas Heyward, Jr.Thomas Lynch, Jr.Arthur MiddletonEdward Rutledge
    VIRGINIACarter BraxtonBenjamin HarrisonThomas JeffersonFrancis Lightfoot LeeRichard Henry Lee
    Thomas Nelson, Jr.George Wythe

    DELAWARE

    Thomas McKean

    Born: 19 March 1734 in Pennsylvania. Died: 24 June 1817, age 83.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Presbyterian

    Signed: age 42. Family: married twice, eleven children.

    Service: Colonel in the Continental Army; President of the Continental Congress in 1781.

    “The true liberty of the press is amply secured by permitting every man to publish his opinion; but it is due to the peace and dignity of society, to inquire into the motives of such publications, and to distinguish between those which are meant for use and reformation, and with an eye solely to the public good, and those which are intended merely to delude and defame. To the latter description, it is impossible that any good government should afford protection and impunity.”

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    George Read

    Born: 18 September1733 in Maryland. Died: 21 September 1798, age 65.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 42. Family: married once, four children.

    Service: First and Second Continental Congress.

    “Political change doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time.”

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    Caeser Rodney

    Born: 7 October 1728 in Delaware. Died: 26 June 1784 of cancer, age 55.

    Occupation: Plantation Owner, who eventually freed his slaves. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 47. Family: never married, had no children.

    Service: Wartime governor of Delaware and Major General of the Delaware Militia.

    After riding all night – 0ver 80 miles in a thunderstorm – he reached Independence Hall, arriving just in time to cast his vote, still wearing his spurs and coat. He boldly stated, “As I believe the voice of my constituents and all sensible and honest men, and my own judgement confers, is in favor of Independence, I vote for Independence.”

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    GEORGIA

    Button Gwinnett

    Born: early 1735 in Gloucester, England. Died: 8 May 1877 in a duel with rival Lachlan McIntosh, age 42.

    Occupation: Merchant and Plantation Owner; sold his slaves. Religion: Congregationalist

    Signed: age 41. Family: married once, three children.

    Service: Wrote the original draft of Georgia’s first state constitution.

    Lyman Hall said of Button, “. . . the Man was valuable, so attached to the Liberty of this State and Continent that his whole attention, influence, and interest circled in it and seemed riveted to it . . . the Friends of Liberty on a whole Continent deplore his fall.”

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    Lyman Hall

    Born: 12 April 1724 in Connecticut. Died: 19 October 1790, age 69.

    Occupation: Physician and Minister; Plantation Owner. Religion: Congregationalist

    Signed: age 52. Family: married twice, one child.

    Service: His home in the town of Sunbury was burned by the British and Hall’s family fled north until 1782. He later became Governor of Georgia.

    “I do not believe that the Constitution was the offspring of inspiration, but I am satisfied that it is as much the work of Divine Providence as any miracles recorded in the Old and New Testaments.”

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    George Walton

    Born: 1741 in Virginia. Died: 2 February 1804, age 63.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Episcopalian

    Signed: age 35. Family: married once, two children.

    Service: Colonel in the Georgia Milita, shot and captured by the British, held as a prisoner in the town of Sunbury.

    In a letter to George Washington, Walton wrote: “You will permit us most earnestly to recommend to you a steady perseverance in the cause of Liberty, and that you will use all possible caution not to say or do anything unworthy of so glorious a cause; to promote frugality, peace, and good order, and in the practice of every social and religious duty, patiently to wait the return of the happy day, when we may quietly sit under our vine and fig-tree, and no man make us afraid.”

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    MARYLAND

    Charles Carroll of Carrollton

    Born: 9 September 1737 in Maryland. Died: 14 November 1832, age 95.

    Occupation: Merchant, Plantation Owner. Religion: Roman Catholic

    Signed: age 38. Family: married once, seven children.

    Service: The wealthiest man in America at the time, he helped fund the war. He also presided over the Maryland branch of the American Colonization Society, which sought to provide means for former slaves to return to Africa.

    Two quotes sum up his beliefs: “To obtain religious as well as civil liberty, I entered jealously into the Revolution, and observing the Christian religion divided into many sects, I founded the hope that no one would be so predominant as to become the religion of the State”; and ““Why keep alive the question of slavery? It is admitted by all to be a great evil.” Yet he did not free his slaves.

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    Samuel Chase

    Born: 17 April 1741 in Maryland. Died: 19 June 1811, age 70.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Episcopalian

    Signed: age 35. Family: married twice, four children.

    Service: Represented Maryland in the Continental Congress.

    “The Jury has the right to determine both the law and the facts.”

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    William Paca

    Born: 31 October 1740 in Maryland. Died: 13 October 1799, age 58.

    Occupation: Lawyer, Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian

    Signed: age 35. Family: married twice, five children.

    Service: Member of Sons of Liberty, First and Second Continental Congress, Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals, Governor of Maryland.

    “We see our sufferings and labours crowned with success and the independence of America established on the surest foundation.”

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    Thomas Stone

    Born: 1743 in Maryland. Died: 5 October 1787, age 44.

    Occupation: Lawyer, Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian

    Signed: age 33. Family: married once, three children.

    Service: Article of Confederation committee (1777), President of Congress (1784).

    “You know my heart wishes for peace upon terms of security and justice to America. But war, anything, is preferable to a surrender of our rights.”

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    MASSACHUSETTS
    John Adams

    John Adams

    Born: 30 October 1735 in Massachusetts. Died: 4 July 1826, age 90.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Congregationalist, later converted to Unitarianism.

    Signed: age 40. Family: married once, five children.

    Service: two terms as Vice-President under George Washington; second President of the United States.

    “The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the precepts of Christianity”; and “Liberty once lost, is lost forever.”

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    Samuel Adams

    Born: 27 September 1722 in Massachusetts. Died: 2 October 1803, age 81.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Congregationalist.

    Signed: age 53. Family: married twice, two children; second cousin to John Adams.

    Service: Sons of Liberty Founder, First and Second Continental Congress, Governor of Massachusetts.

    “The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the precepts of Christianity”; and “Liberty once lost, is lost forever.”

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    Elbridge Gerry

    Born: 17 July 1744 in Massachusetts. Died: 23 November 1814, age 70.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Congregationalist.

    Signed: age 32. Family: married once, seven children.

    Service: Second Continental Congress, Articles of Confederation, the political process of gerrymandering is named after him. Refused to sign the Constitution until a Bill of Rights was added.

    “Self-defense is a primary law of nature, which no subsequent law of society can abolish; the immediate gift of the Creator obliges everyone to resist the first approaches of tyranny.”

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    John Hancock

    Born: 12 January 1737 in Massachusetts. Died: 8 October 1793, age 56.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Congregationalist.

    Signed: age 40. Family: married once, two children.

    Service: longest serving President of the Continental Congress, nine times Governor of Massachusetts, first to sign the Declaration of Independence.

    “Some boast of being friends to government; I am a friend to righteous government, to a government founded upon the principles of reason and justice; but I glory in publicly avowing my eternal enmity to tyranny.”

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    Robert Treat Paine

    Born: 11 March 1731 in Massachusetts. Died: 11 May 1814, age 83.

    Occupation: Lawyer, Scientist. Religion: Congregationalist.

    Signed: age 45. Family: married once, eight children.

    Service: Massachusetts first attorney general and associate Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court.

    “The day before yesterday the Declaration of American Independency was voted by twelve colonies…Thus the issue is joined; and it is our comfortable reflection, that if by struggling we can avoid that service subjection which Britain demanded, we remain a free and happy people; but if, through the frowns of Providence, we sink in the struggle, we do but remain the wretched people we should have been without this Declaration. Our hearts are full, our hands are full; may God, in whom we trust, support us.”

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    NEW HAMPSHIRE

    Josiah Bartlett

    Born: 21 November in Massachusetts. Died: 19 May 1795, age 65.

    Occupation: Physician. Religion: Congregationalist.

    Signed: age 46. Family: married once, twelve children.

    Service: Continental Congress Representative, fourth governor of New Hampshire, and Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court.

    John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem “One of the Signers” was composed to honor Josiah. He wrote: “For in that hour of Destiny, Which tried the men of bravest stock, He knew the end alone must be A free land or a traitor’s block. Among those picked and chosen men Than his, who here first drew his breath, No firmer fingers held the pen Which wrote for liberty or death.”

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    Matthew Thornton

    Born: 1714 in Ireland. Died: 24 June 1803, age 89.

    Occupation: Physician. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 62. Family: married once, five children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Surgeon and Colonel in the New Hampshire Militia.

    “Duty to God, ourselves, posterity, and the cries of slaughtered innocents, have urged us to take up arms in our defense.”

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    William Whipple

    Born: 14 January 1730 in Maine (Province of Massachusetts Bay). Died: 28 November 1785, age 55.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Congregationalist.

    Signed: age 46. Family: married once, no children, second cousin to signer Stephen Hopkins.

    Service: Continental Congress, Surgeon and Colonel in the New Hampshire Militia.

    William believed that no man could fight for freedom and hold another in bondage. He said, “A recommendation is gone thither for raising some regiments of Blacks. This, I suppose will lay a foundation for the emancipation of those wretches in that country. I hope it will be the means of dispensing the blessings of Freedom to all the human race in America.” He freed his enslaved servant, Prince Whipple.

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    NEW JERSEY

    Abraham Clark

    Born: 15 February 1726 in New Jersey. Died: 15 September 1794, age 68.

    Occupation: Lawyer, Surveyor. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 50. Family: married once, ten children. Two of his sons, Aaron and Thomas, were serving as soldiers when they were taken captive by the British and held in a prison ship. Here is their story.

    Service: Continental Congress, Second and Third United States Congress as New Jersey Representative.

    “While General Howe with a Large Armament is advancing towards New York, our Congress resolved to Declare the United Colonies free and Independent States. A Declaration for this Purpose, I expect, will this day pass Congress…It is gone so far that we must now be a free independent State, or a Conquered Country.”

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    John Hart

    Born: 1713 in New Jersey. Died: 11 May 1779, age 68.

    Occupation: Land Owner. Religion: Baptist.

    Signed: age 65. Family: married once, twelve children.

    Service: First and Second Continental Congress, Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly, provided land for the Continental Army encampment (Battle of Monmouth).

    Though he left no quotable words, his actions speak to his character: he refused to leave his dying wife during a British siege even as his own life was in danger, later escaping to join Washington’s Army as a Private. Dr. Benjamin Rush said of him “a plain, honest, well‑meant Jersey farmer, with but little education, but with good sense and virtue enough to pursue the true interests of his country”.

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    Francis Hopkinson

    Born: 2 October 1737 in Pennsylvania. Died: 9 May 1791, age 53.

    Occupation: Lawyer and Musician. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 38. Family: married once, five children.

    Service: Second Continental Congress, member of the Navy Board, first federal judge of the Eastern District Court in Pennsylvania.

    He is known for several accomplishments: he designed the Great Seal of the United States, the national flag, and is considered America’s first poet-composer.

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    Richard Stockton

    Born: 1 October 1730 in New Jersey. Died: 28 February 1781, age 50.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Quaker.

    Signed: age 45. Family: married once, six children; he was father-in-law to Dr. Benjamin Rush.

    Service: In the Continental Army, captured at Ft. Ticonderoga and imprisoned; all his property was plundered.

    “The public is generally unthankful, and I never will become Servant of it, till I am convinced that by neglecting my own affairs I am doing more acceptable Service to God and Man.”

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    John Witherspoon

    Born: 5 February 1723 in Scotland. Died: 15 November 1794, age 71.

    Occupation: Minister. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 53. Family: married twice, twelve children.

    Service: Second Continental Congress, Articles of Confederation, president of the College of New Jersey (later to become Princeton University).

    “Liberty is not found in the absence of government, but rather in the proper exercise of government’s authority.”

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    NEW YORK

    William Floyd

    Born: 17 December 1734 in New York. Died: 4 August 1821, age 86.

    Occupation: Land Speculator. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 41. Family: married twice, five children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Major General with the Suffolk County Militia; Presidential Elector for Washington/Clinton (1792), Jefferson/Burr (1800), and Jefferson/Clinton.

    No known quotes exist. Interesting notes: he ran for New York Lieutenant Governor on the Democratic-Republican ticket; and the 1820 census shows his household includes six slaves and two free black residents.

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    Francis Lewis

    Born: 21March 1713 in Wales. Died: 31 December 1802, age 89.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 63. Family: married once, seven children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Chairman of the Continental Board of Admiralty

    No known quotes exist. Interesting notes: His home was destroyed and his wife was taken captive after the Battle of Long Island. She was later released in a prisoner exchange for two wives of Philadelphia Loyalists.

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    Philip Livingston

    Born: 15 January 1716 in New York. Died: 12 June 1778, age 62.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 63. Family: married once, nine children.

    Service: Continental Congress, New York State Senate

    No known quotes exist. Interesting notes: During the Battle of Long Island his home was used as a meeting place for General Washington and his officers. After the Battle, the British used it as a Royal Navy Hospital and another of his properties as a barracks.

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    Lewis Morris

    Born: 8 April 1726 in New York. Died: 22 January 1798, age 71.

    Occupation: Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 50. Family: married once, ten children; half-brother to Gouverneur Morris.

    Service: Continental Congress, New York State Legislature, Presidential Elector for Adams/Pickney (1796)

    When his brother warned him of the consequences of signing the Declaration of Independence, Lewis stated, “Damn the consequences. Give me the pen.”

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    NORTH CAROLINA

    Joseph Hewes

    Born: 9 July 1730 in New Jersey. Died: 10 November 1779, age 49.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Quaker.

    Signed: age 46. Family: never married; his only fiancé died a few days before the wedding.

    Service: First and Second Continental Congress, the Naval Board and the Marine Committee as the first executive leader of the Navy.

    “On Monday the great question of independence and total separation from all political intercourse with Great Britain will come on. It will be carried, I expect, by a great majority, and then I suppose we shall take upon us a new name.”

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    William Hooper

    Born: 17 June 1742 in Massachusetts. Died: 14 October 1790, age 48.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 34. Family: married once, three children.

    Service: First and Second Continental Congress, both his estates were burned by the British and he contracted malaria

    This quote earned him the nickname Prophet of Independence: “The Colonies are striding fast to independence, and ere long will build an empire upon the ruins of Great Britain; will adopt its Constitution, purged of its impurities, and from an experience of its defects, will guard against those evils which have wasted its vigor.”

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    John Penn

    Born: 6 May 1740 in Virginia. Died: 14 September 1788, age 48.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 36. Family: married once, one child.

    Service: Continental Congress

    “My first wish is for America to be free.”

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    PENNSYLVANIA

    George Clymer

    Born: 16 March 1739 in Pennsylvania. Died: 23 January 1813, age 73.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 37. Family: married once, nine children.

    Service: Continental Congress, member of the Slave Trade Compromise committee, first president of the Philadelphia Bank, first president of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts.

    “My dearest wish is for my country to become independent.” Interesting note: George was considered a minor slave holder. He did, however, fight for the abolition of the slave trade.

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    Benjamin Franklin

    Born: 17 January 1706 in Massachusetts. Died: 6 January 1805, age 84.

    Occupation: Scientist and Printer. Religion: raised Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 70. Family: married once, three children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Diplomat to France and Sweden, First Postmaster General, Sixth President of Pennsylvania, President of the University of Philadelphia, President of the Pennsylvania Abolition Society.

    “Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.”

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    Robert Morris

    Born: 31 January 1734 in England. Died: 8 May 1806, age 72.

    Occupation: Merchant and Land Speculator. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 42. Family: married once, seven children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Superintendent of Finance of the United States – known as “Financier of the Revolution”.

    “It is the duty of every individual to act his part in whatever station his country may call him to in hours of difficulty, danger, and distress.”

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    John Morton

    Born: 1724 in Pennsylvania. Died: 1 April 1777, age 53.

    Occupation: Farmer. Religion: Lutheran and Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 52. Family: married once, eight children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Finnish descendant of the colony of New Sweden.

    “It is the duty of every individual to act his part in whatever station his country may call him to in hours of difficulty, danger, and distress.”

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    George Ross

    Born: 10 May 1730 in Delaware. Died: 14 July 1779, age 49.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 46. Family: married once, three children; uncle-in-law of Betsy Ross.

    Service: Continental Congress, Colonel in the Continental Army.

    There are no quotes from George. He died young of ill health. He fought in the battles of Long Island, Trenton, Germantown, Brandywine and others.

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    Benjamin Rush

    Born: 4 January 1749 in Pennsylvania. Died: 19 April 1813, age 67.

    Occupation: Physician. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 30. Family: married once, thirteen children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Surgeon-General in the Continental Army, Treasurer of the United States Mint, elected member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, among many other achievements and humanitarian causes.

    “The American war is over; but this far from being the case with the American revolution. On the contrary, nothing but the first act of the drama is closed. It remains yet to establish and perfect our new forms of government…”

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    James Smith

    Born: 17 September 1719 in Northern Ireland. Died: 11 July 1806, age 87.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 57. Family: married once, five children.

    Service: Continental Congress; Captain and Colonel with the Pennsylvania Militia, later being named Brigadier-General.

    All his papers and correspondence with other Founding Fathers was lost in an 1805 fire in his law office. He has been described as “perhaps the most eccentric in character of the illustrious men that had the happiness to affix their names to the Declaration of Independence.”

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    George Taylor

    Born: 1719 in Northern Ireland. Died: 23 February 1781, age 65.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 60. Family: married twice, seven children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Justice of the Peace, elected to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly.

    No quotes have been found. Interesting Notes: He arrived in the colonies as an indentured servant to an iron works. He later had his own ironworks which supplied cannon shot for both the British (in the French and Indian War) and later for the Continental Army and Navy. He also owned two men as slaves.

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    James Wilson

    Born: 14 September in Scotland. Died: 21 August 1798, age 55.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Presbyterian.

    Signed: age 60. Family: married twice, seven children.

    Service: Continental Congress, appointed Associate Chief Justice by President Washington.

    “Without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression. Without law, liberty also loses its nature and its name, and becomes licentiousness.”

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    RHODE ISLAND

    William Ellery

    Born: 22 December 1727 in Rhode Island. Died: 15 February 1820, age 92.

    Occupation: Lawyer and Merchant. Religion: Congregationalist.

    Signed: age 48. Family: married twice, sixteen children.

    Service: Sons of Liberty, Continental Congress, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island, an active abolitionist.

    “The office of government is not to confer happiness, but to give men opportunity to work out happiness for themselves.” And, “Slavery is the moral disease of civilization.” 

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    Stephen Hopkins

    Born: 7 March 1707 in Rhode Island. Died: 13 July 1785, age 78.

    Occupation: Merchant. Religion: Quaker.

    Signed: age 69. Family: married twice, seven children; cousin to Benedict Arnold.

    Service: Continental Congress, Governor of Rhode Island, Chief Justice Rhode Island Supreme Court, Rhode Island General Assembly (introduced a bill which became the first anti-slave trade laws in the United States).

    “Liberty is the greatest blessing that men enjoy, and slavery the heaviest curse that human nature is capable of …” He held five slaves. Four were eventually freed. One, a woman with young children, whom he refused to free, stating that “she had children that needed the immediate care of a Mother.” This caused him the loss of membership in his Quaker community.

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    SOUTH CAROLINA

    Thomas Heyward, Jr.

    Born: 28 July 1749 in South Carolina. Died: 16 March 1809, age 62.

    Occupation: Lawyer and Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 30. Family: married twice, eight children.

    Service: Continental Congress, South Carolina Militia Officer, taken captive at the Battle of Charleston (transferred to a prison ship, later relocated to Florida where he was held for eleven months.

    “Liberty only survives when it is defended.” And, “I have not been able to reconcile myself to the idea of being subject to a government that treats us as inferiors.” Note: He held several hundred slaves.

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    Thomas Lynch, Jr.

    Born: 5 August 1749 in South Carolina. Died: 17 December 1779, age 30.

    Occupation: Lawyer and Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 26. Family: married once, no children.

    Service: Continental Congress (succeeded his father who was too ill to attend).

    The family owned a large number of slaves. Two years after he signed the Declaration, he stated that South Carolina would secede from the United States “if it is debated, whether their slaves are their property, there is an end of the Confederation.”

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    Arthur Middleton

    Born: 26 June 1742 in South Carolina. Died: 1 January 1787, age 44.

    Occupation: Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 34. Family: married once, nine children.

    Service: Continental Congress, officer in the South Carolina Militia (captured by the British at the Battle of Charleston and was held several months in Florida).

    No quotes found relating to the principles of liberty. He held hundreds of slaves on his several plantations.

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    Edward Rutledge

    Born: 23 November 1749 in South Carolina. Died: 23 January 1800, age 50.

    Occupation: Lawyer and Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 26. Family: married twice, three children.

    Service: Continental Congress (youngest signer)

    “A nation of sovereign states, Mr. Adams. United for our mutual protection, but … separate for our individual pursuits. Now, that is what we have understood it to be. And that is what we will support.” Edward actively sought to have men of African ancestry removed from the Continental Army.

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    VIRGINIA

    Carter Braxton

    Born: 10 September 1736 in Virginia. Died: 10 October 1797, age 61.

    Occupation: Merchant and Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 39. Family: married twice, eighteen children.

    Service: Continental Congress

    “Almost all the civil liberty now enjoyed in the world owes its origin to the principles of the Christian religion.”

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    Benjamin Harrison V

    Born: 7 April 1726 in Virginia. Died: 24 April 1791, age 65.

    Occupation: Farmer and Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 50. Family: married once, seven children; father of President William Henry Harrison and great grandfather of President Benjamin Harrison.

    Service: Continental Congress, fifth Governor of Virginia, supported the right of Quakers not to bear arms in military conflicts.

    “Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But without liberty, law loses its nature and its name, and becomes oppression” And, “It is much to be wished that slavery may be abolished. The honour of the States, as well as justice, requires it”. Benjamin’s family held many slaves, to their credit they had a policy of not breaking up families.

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    Thomas Jefferson

    Thomas Jefferson

    Born: 13 April 1743 in Virginia. Died: 4 July 1826, age 83.

    Occupation: Lawyer, Scientist, and Plantation Owner. Religion: non-sectarian Christian.

    Signed: age 33. Family: married once, six children

    Service: Continental Congress, Minister to France, Secretary of State (under Washington), Vice-President to John Adams, Third President of the United States, Founder of the University of Virginia

    “The course of history shows that as a government grows, liberty decreases.” And, “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure.” And, “The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable … I wish it always to be kept alive.” Though he kept slaves, Thomas believed that the institution of slavery was harmful to both master and slave. He advocated for retraining of slaves and a gradual emancipation.

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    Francis Lightfoot Lee

    Born: 14 October 1734 in Virginia. Died: 11 January 1797, age 62.

    Occupation: Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 41. Family: married once, no children; brother to Richard Henry Lee.

    Service: Continental Congress

    In 1877, Mark Twain wrote an essay about Francis. In it he said ” “This man’s life-work was so inconspicuous that his name would now be wholly forgotten, but for one thing — he signed the Declaration of Independence. He dealt in no shams … His course was purity itself, and he retired unblemished when his work was done. He retired gladly … He did no brilliant things, he made no brilliant speeches; but the enduring strength of his patriotism was manifest. Since then we have Progressed one hundred years. Let us gravely try to conceive how isolated, how companionless, how lonesome, such a public servant as this would be in Washington today.”

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    Richard Henry Lee

    Born: 20 January 1732 in Virginia. Died: 19 June 1794, age 62.

    Occupation: Merchant and Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 44. Family: married twice, thirteen children; brother to Francis Lightfoot Lee.

    Service: Continental Congress, sixth President of Congress, United States Senator

    “The first maxim of a man who loves liberty, should be never to grant to rulers an atom of power that is not most clearly and indispensably necessary for the safety and well being of society.”

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    Thomas Nelson

    Born: 26 December 1738 in Virginia. Died: 4 January 1789, age 50.

    Occupation: Merchant and Plantation Owner. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 37. Family: married once, thirteen children.

    Service: Continental Congress, Brigadier-General in the Continental Army (Siege of Yorktown), Governor of Virginia.

    “Our delegates in Congress be enjoined in the strongest and most positive manner to exert their ability in procuring an immediate, clear, and full statement of independence.”

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    George Wythe

    Born: 1726 in Virginia. Died: 8 June 1806, age 80; likely of arsenic poisoning.

    Occupation: Lawyer. Religion: Episcopalian.

    Signed: age 50. Family: married twice, one child.

    Service: Continental Congress, first law professor in America, abolitionist

    “Freedom is the birthright of every human being.” George began freeing his slaves, but some opted to stay as paid workers. When he died, he owned no slaves.

    Return to Select


  • A New Socio-political Thriller Novel to Check Out!

    A New Socio-political Thriller Novel to Check Out!



    Author Stu Strumwasser has made a generous offer to the Constitution Party and our supporters concerning his new novel, “A Real Collusion“. Below is his message.

    While we don’t necessarily agree with the author or main characters about platform or solutions, we whole-heartedly agree about the collusion between the Democratic and Republican parties to keep out of the political system all those not approved by the party controllers. This story draws readers into a fictional story about real world struggles against a duopoly that pits citizens against each other to give themselves more power and money.



    Share THIS LINK with your constituents and followers.

    Anyone who clicks that link, twill be offered an eBook for only $7.99 (regular price is $9.99) and the Constitution Party will receive $4/book.

    “In America dissenting opinions should be encouraged, not stifled. Right now, there is an unethical duopoly, secretly managed behind closed doors, which is silencing folks like you—as well as the Green Party, Libertarian Party, and others, as well as the majority of Americans who don’t belong to ANY party. We clearly AGREE on one very simple and important point: American voters deserve to hear from independents and third parties, they deserve a functioning government, and they deserve a government that serves the interests of regular Americans, the way the Founders set out to effect governing, and the (current) two major parties are preventing that. We have a mutual interest, and opportunity, to effect change. Let’s go get it.”

    Stu Strumwasser

    “A Real Collusion” is about the secret conspiracy between the Republican and Democratic parties to control the U.S. government through an illegal duopoly.

    From the author of the bestselling novel, “The Organ Broker,” (hailed by Lee Child, New York Times # 1 bestselling author of the Jack Reacher series as, “Exciting and thought-provoking–the perfect package”) comes, “A Real Collusion”, a stunning political thriller and expose.

    “A Real Collusion” is a David vs. Goliath(s) story about a man who accidentally becomes the leader of an independent political movement that nearly takes down the two-party system in America, while exposing a conspiracy that affects the results of the 2016 election. It explores universal and deeply human themes of loss, and the tension between justice and power. In the opening sentence the narrator points out that, “Ordinary people often do extraordinary things.” The characters in the book do, and the action is driven by the fantastic events of a unique political satire. It is also the heartfelt story of regular people struggling with lost love, alienation and nearly universal disaffection who find strength in enduring loyalty and friendship

    This is the story of John Campbell (a regular guy from the lower east side of Manhattan) as recounted by his friend Skip Winters. Skip becomes John’s campaign manager and later, a congressman in his own right. He narrates the stunning-but-plausible story of how John Campbell and The American Coalition race to popularity, raising over a hundred million dollars from grassroots contributors—and become a threat to the political duopoly of the Democratic and Republican parties. The book sprinkles in references to real events from recent history, and real political leaders including Trump, John McCain, and more. This imbues the novel with a sense of realism, albeit one of an alternate reality. Skip discovers a deep-seated conspiracy within our political system whose leaders orchestrate a murder, destroy his friend and tip the scales of the election. The novel turns out to be Skip’s exposé of the secret collaboration between the two major political parties in our country—a cooperation to protect the duopoly that is, in part, real.

    WARNING: Contains some strong language

    We must, as the author suggests, find a way to effect a change that allows greater participation and intentional and civil discourse in our public spheres. We must find unity in our commonalities and work together in representative government.

  • Something Anyone Can Do For Free . . .

    Something Anyone Can Do For Free . . .

    “If ever the Time should come, when vain & aspiring Men shall possess the highest Seats in Government, our Country will stand in Need of its experienced Patriots to prevent its Ruin.”

    Samuel Adams

    Anyone can write to their representatives.

    Anyone can, and should, be in contact with the public functionaries who represent you in government. It is important for everyone to write, email, call, or meet in person their representatives in government to admonish, encourage, or educate them. Ask them if they know what the purpose of government is. Make sure they understand that their role is to secure individual rights.

    When you write, or talk, to your representatives, write one good thing they are doing and correct one bad thing, or educate them on one thing they should be doing. This balanced approach makes it easier for them to hear your constructive criticism.

    If your public functionaries are doing a good job in the face of opposition, they need to hear that there are those who support them. They may also need your support by showing up at meetings on their side.

    Our public functionaries need to hear from us! Even if you don’t do anything else, contact a government official, at some level, today.

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  • New Year, New You, New Commitment

    New Year, New You, New Commitment


    2026 is off and running. And while many people are making New Year’s resolutions about exercise and dieting, career advancement, and personal bucket lists. We are asking you to make a New Year’s resolution about advancing Liberty.

    The Founding Fathers committed their Lives, their Fortunes, and their Sacred Honor to achieving Liberty for themselves and their posterity.

    Their service to achieving Liberty took on many different forms. Most of them served in government at all different levels from local to State to National. Some of them worked tirelessly to raise money for the cause and to gather supplies. Some of them worked at organizing the new governments and parts and pieces doing the work.

    We are asking each of our supporters to commit to a new level of support for Liberty.

    If you have not been attending your local government and school board meetings, please consider a resolution to attend. If you have not been in contact with your public functionaries in office, please consider writing each of them. If you have never donated to the Constitution Party, please consider a donation. If you have donated, but not on a regular basis, please consider a reoccurring monthly donation. If you have served in a public office, please consider running for an office that you have the time and the skills to handle.

    It is estimated that it only took 3% of the population in the English colonies in America to drive and win the American Revolutionary War and our independence. A few committed individuals can change our world.

    Will you consider committing to a New Year’s resolution for Liberty?

    Will you commit to helping organize your area?

    Fundraising

    Both the States and the National party have needs for funding. We need people willing to both donate, and people able to organize fundraising events.

    Running for Office

    We need people who are committed to securing individual rights to run for office. Whether it is you or you connect us with someone you know, we need Statesmen at all levels of government.

    Correspondence

    We need people willing to write and contact their public officials regularly. Keeping our public functionaries encouraged, corrected, and educated can make all the difference locally.

    Consider sending editorials to your local paper as well to help educate the general public. You can find press releases and commentary on our website to assist you.

    Press Room

    American Constitutionist

    CP In The News