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John Witherspoon was a minister in Paisley's Laigh Kirk who emigrated to America and became famous as a signatory to the Declaration of Independence. He was born in 1723, a son of the manse from Gifford, near Edinburgh. He was ordained in 1745 and his first ministry was at Beith.
Witherspoon published essays, articles and sermons which soon gained him recognition throughout Britain, Europe and America.
Witherspoon published essays, articles and sermons which soon gained him recognition throughout Britain, Europe and America.
In 1753 a satirical pamphlet was published which criticised the church's system of patronage. The system of patronage meant that a church patron could choose whoever they pleased to fill a vacant ministerial post without the support of the elders or the congregation. Witherspoon opposed this system, but would not confirm or deny his authorship of the controversial pamphlet. His reputation, however, continued to grow.
Some of Witherspoon's original publications are available to read in the Paisley Pamphlets collection in the Local Studies Library.
In 1757 he moved to Paisley where he was the minister of Paisley's Laigh Kirk. Paisley at that time was a prosperous weaving town, and known as an intellectual community. During his time there he baptised the infant Alexander Wilson, a Paisley man who also emigrated to America and became a renowned ornithologist.
Paisley's Laigh Kirk (pictured right) is now an Arts Centre.
Paisley's Laigh Kirk (pictured right) is now an Arts Centre.
Witherspoon was a strong character, and a strict doctrinarian. In Paisley in 1762 he angrily accused some drunken young men of mocking the church: the accusation was eventually declared not proven by the Presbytery. The men sued Witherspoon for libel and were awarded £292! In spite of this, Witherspoon's high profile led him to receive calls to parishes from throughout the British empire. He was invited to the post of President of Princeton University, New Jersey, in 1766. His wife, Elizabeth Cunningham, with whom he had ten children (only five survived to adulthood) was initially reluctant to travel to America. She was later persuaded and they sailed in 1768. Under his leadership, the University grew quickly in stature, reputation and influence.
Witherspoon volubly supported the cause of Scottish migration to America in his writings and preaching, and he raised funds and helped migrants to find land. As the relationship between Britain and America became increasingly strained, Witherspoon gave his full support to America. In 1774 he published "Thoughts on American Liberty" and in 1776 he was elected to the continental congress meeting in Philadelphia. There he became the only clergyman and one of only two Scots to sign the Declaration of Independence.
Witherspoon died at his home in Princeton in 1794 and was buried in the cemetery there.
A memorial plaque to Witherspoon can be seen in Paisley Abbey, and close to the University of the West of Scotland Paisley campus (formerly Paisley University) there is a street named after him. In 2001 two identical bronze statues by Paisley sculptor Sandy Stoddard were unveiled: one at the University (pictured right) and the other at the University of Princeton, as a memorial to the man known as a "Patriot, Preacher and President".
If you are a Renfrewshire library member you can use this link straight to John Witherspoon's entry in The Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford DNB). Just enter the word 'renfrew' and then your library ticket number. Most UK libraries subscribe to DNB - check if yours is one of them.
A memorial plaque to Witherspoon can be seen in Paisley Abbey, and close to the University of the West of Scotland Paisley campus (formerly Paisley University) there is a street named after him. In 2001 two identical bronze statues by Paisley sculptor Sandy Stoddard were unveiled: one at the University (pictured right) and the other at the University of Princeton, as a memorial to the man known as a "Patriot, Preacher and President".
If you are a Renfrewshire library member you can use this link straight to John Witherspoon's entry in The Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford DNB). Just enter the word 'renfrew' and then your library ticket number. Most UK libraries subscribe to DNB - check if yours is one of them.
For more information on Renfrewshire's famous people, contact the Local Studies Library:
- email: locstuds.els@renfrewshire.gov.uk
- phone: 0141 889 2360
- fax: 0141 887 6468
- write to:
Reference and Local Studies Library
Central Library
68 High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BB
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