USA > Pennsylvania > Philadelphia County > Philadelphia > History of Independence Hall : from the earliest period to the present time : embracing biographies of the immortal signers of the Declaration of Independence, with historical sketches of the sacred relics preserved in that sanctuary of American freedom > Part 20
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* Mr. Sherman had no instructor or guide in the study of the law, neither had he any books but such as he borrowed, yet he became one of the most profound jurists of his day.
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necticut. In 1783, he was appointed, with Judge Law, of New London, to revise the statutes of the State, in which service he showed great ability. He was a delegate from Connecticut in the Convention in 1787, that framed the present Constitution of the United States ; and he was a member of the State Convention of Connecticut which assembled to act upon the rati- fication of that instrument. For two years after the organization of the government under the Constitu- tion, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives. He was then promoted to the Senate, which office he filled at the time of his death, which took place on the twenty-third of July, 1793, in the seventy-third year of his age. He had previously been elected mayor of New Haven, when it was in- vested with city powers and privileges, and that office he held until the time of his death .*
* He was twice married: the first time to Elizabeth Hartwell, of Stoughton, and the second time to Rebecca Prescott, of Danvers. By his first wife he had seven children, and eight by his last.
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CHAPTER XXXIV.
GEORGE WYTHE-RICHARD HENRY LEE-BENJAMIN HARRISON-THOMAS NELSON-FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE-CARTER BRAXTON.
Omni exceptione major. Superior to all exception.
GEORGE WYTHE was one of Virginia's most dis- tinguished sons. He was born in the year 1726, in Elizabeth County, and being the child of wealthy parents, he had every opportunity given him which the colony afforded for acquiring a good education. His father died when he was quite young, and his education and moral training devolved upon his mo- ther, a woman of superior abilities. She was very proficient in the Latin language, and she aided him much in the study of the classics. But before he was twenty-one years of age, death deprived him of her guidance and instruction; and he was left at that early period of life with a large fortune and the entire control of his own actions. His character not having become fixed, he launched out upon the dangerous sea of pleasure and dissipation ; and for ten years of the morning of his life he laid aside study and sought only personal gratification. When about thirty years of age a sudden change was wrought in him, and he forsook the places of revelry and the companionship of the thoughtless and gay, and resumed the studies
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of his youth with all the. ardor of one anxious to make up lost time. He mourned over his misspent days, even in his old age, which was clustered round with honors, and he felt intensely the truth of the assertion that "time once lost, is lost forever." He was admitted to the bar in 1757, and rose rapidly to eminence, not only as an able advocate, but as a strictly conscientious one. For several years prior to the Revolution, Mr. Wythe was a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses; and when the Stamp Act aroused the patriotic resistance of the people, he stood shoulder to shoulder in that Assembly with Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, Peyton Randolph and others, who were distinguished as leaders in legis- lation, when the storm of the War of Independence burst upon the land. In 1775, Mr. Wythe was elected a delegate to the General Congress, and was there in 1776, when his colleague, Mr. Lee, submitted his bold resolution for independence. He steadfastly promoted every measure tending toward such a result, and he voted for and signed the Declaration of Independence. In 1786, Mr. Wythe was chosen a delegate to the National Convention that framed the Federal Consti- tution. He was also a member of the Virginia con- vention called to consider its adoption, and was twice chosen a United States Senator under it. Mr. Wythe was a man of great perseverance and industry, kind and benevolent to the utmost; was strict in his integ- rity, sincere in every word, faithful in every trust ; and his life presents a striking example of the force of good resolution triumphing over the seductions of pleasure and vice, and the attainments which persc- vering and virtuous toil will bring to the practician
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of these necessary ingredients for the establishment of an honorable reputation, and in the labors of a useful life. Mr. Wythe was twice married, but he left no offspring-an only child, by his first wife, having died in infancy. Mr. Wythe died on the eighth of June, 1800, aged 81 years.
RICHARD HENRY LEE was born in the county of Westmoreland, Virginia, on the twentieth day of January, 1732, within a month of time, and within a few miles space, of the great and good Washington. According to the fashion of the time in the "Old Dominion," his father sent him to England, at an early age, to be educated. He was placed in a school at Wakefield, in Yorkshire, where he soon became marked as a thoughtful and industrious student. Young Lee returned to Virginia when nearly nineteen years of age, and there applied himself zealously to literary pursuits. His love of activity led him to the forma- tion of a military corps, to the command of which he was elected; and when Braddock arrived from En- gland, on an expedition against the French and Indians upon the Ohio, Mr. Lee presented himself there, and tendered the services of himself and his volunteers, to the British general. The haughty Braddock re- fused to accept the services of those plain volunteers, deeming the disciplined troops whom he brought with him quite sufficient to drive the invading Frenchmen from the English domain.
Mr. Lee fearlessly expressed his sentiments of repro- bation of the course pursued by the British Govern- ment toward the colonies, and he organized the first association in Virginia for opposing British oppression in that colony, when it came in the form of the
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"Stamp Act." Mr. Lee was one of the first "Com- mittee of Correspondence"* appointed in Virginia in 1778, and he was greatly aided in the acquirement of knowledge respecting the secret movements and opin- ions of the British Parliament, by frequent letters from his brother, Arthur Lee, who was a distinguished literary character in London, and an associate with the leading men of the realm. He furnished him with the earliest political intelligence; and it was generally so correct, that the Committees of Correspondence in other colonies always received, without doubt, any information which came from the Virginia Committee. Through this secret channel of correct intelligence, Richard Henry Lee very early learned that nothing short of absolute political independence would proba- bly arrest the progress of British oppression and mis- rule in America. Hence, while other men thought timidly of independence, and regarded it merely as a possibility of the distant future, Mr. Lee looked upon it as a measure that must speedily be accomplished, and his mind and heart were prepared to propose it whenever expediency should favor the movement. Mr. Lee was a delegate in the Congress of 1776, and on the seventh day of June of that year, pursuant to the dictates of his own judgment and feelings, and in obedience to the express instructions of the Assem- bly of Virginia, he introduced the resolution for a total separation from the mother country.t The con-
* To Mr. Lee is doubtless due the credit of first suggesting the system of "Committees of Correspondence," although Vir- ginia and Massachusetts both claim the honor of publicly pro- posing the measure first.
t The resolution was as follows :- " Resolved, That these
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sideration of the resolution was made the special order of the day, for the first Monday in July, and a com- mittee, of which Thomas Jefferson was chairman, was appointed to draw up a Declaration of Independence .* This document was presented to Congress on the first day of July; and after several amendments made in committee of the whole, it was adopted on the fourth, by the unanimous votes of the thirteen United Colo- nies. His last days were crowned with all the honor and reverence which a grateful people could bestow upon a benefactor, and when death cut his his thread of life, a nation truly mourned. He sunk to his final rest on the nineteenth day of June, 1794, in the sixty- fourth year of his age.
BENJAMIN HARRISON was born in Berkley, in Vir- ginia, but the exact time of his birth is not certainly known. His ancestors were among the earlier settlers of that colony, having emigrated thither from England in the year 1640. The subject of this sketch was placed by his father in the college of William and Mary, with a view of giving him a thorough classical educa-
United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and indepeu- dent States ; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown ; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dis- solved."
* The Committee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, Dr. Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Robert R. Livingston. It may be asked, why was not Mr. Lec, by common courtesy at least, put upon that committee, and designated its chairman ? The reason was, that on the very day he offered the resolution, an express arrived from Virginia, informing him of the illness of some of his family, which caused him to ask leave of absence, and he immediately started for home. He was therefore absent from Congress when the committee was formed.
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tion. He was there at the time of his father's decease, which was sudden and awful." Being the eldest of six sons, the management of the estate of his father de- volved on him at his decease; and, although then a minor, he performed his duties with great fidelity and skill. Young Harrison, at a very early age, became a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, in 1764, where his talents and sound judgment won for him the confidence and esteem of all parties. He was soon elected Speaker, and became one of the most influen- tial men in that Assembly, where he occupied a seat during the greater part of his life. His great wealth, distinguished family connections, and personal worth, attracted the attention of the royal governor, who, de- sirous of retaining him on the side of the government, when the political agitations caused by the Stamp Act took place, offered him a seat in the executive council. But he had narrowly watched the gradual develop- ment of events, and he was convinced that a systematic scheme for enslaving the colonies was being matured by the home government. He therefore rejected the offer of the governor, boldly avowed his attachment to the republican cause, and joined with the patriotic burgesses of Virginia in their opposition to the oppressive acts of the British government.
Mr. Harrison was one of the first seven delegates from Virginia to the Continental Congress of 1774, and he had the gratification of seeing Peyton Randolph, a very near relative, and his colleague from Virginia, elected
* This venerable man, and two of his four daughters, were instantly struck dead by lightning, during a violent thunder storin, in their mansion house at Berkley.
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president of that august body. Mr. Harrison was con- stantly employed in active service, and was always among the first in advocating decisive and energetic measures. He was warmly in favor of independence, and when that great question was under discussion in committee of the whole, he was in the chair. He voted for the Declaration of Independence, on the fourth of July, 1776, and signed it on the second of August fol- lowing.
In 1782, Mr. Harrison was elected governor of the State, and he managed public affairs at that trying time, with great ability and firmness. He was gov- ernor two successive terms, and then retired to private life. But he was almost immediately elected a mem- ber of the House of Burgesses, and again resumed the Speaker's chair, by election. Mr. Harrison was again elected governor in 1791, and the day after his election he invited a party of friends to dine with him. He had been suffering a good deal from gout in the stomach, but had nearly recovered. That night he experienced a relapse, and the next day death ended his sufferings. This event occurred in April, 1791. Mr. Harrison was married in early life, to a niece of Mrs. Wash- ington, Miss Elizabeth Bassett, who lived but one year after her husband's deccase. They had a numerous offspring, but only seven lived to mature age. One of them was the venerated William Henry Harrison, late President of the United States in 1840-1.
THOMAS NELSON was born at Yorktown, in Virginia, on the twenty-sixth of December, 1738. His father, William Nelson, was a native of England, and emi- grated to America about the beginning of the last cen- tury. By prudence and industry he accumulated a
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large fortune, and held rank among the first families of Virginia. Thomas was the oldest son of his parents ; and his father, in conformity to the fashion of the times among the opulent of that province, sent him to En- gland at the age of fourteen years to be educated. Hc was placed in a distinguished private school not far from London, and after completing a preparatory course of studies there, he went to Cambridge and was entered a member of Trinity College. He there en- joyed the private instructions of the celebrated Dr. Proteus, afterward the Bishop of London. He re- mained there, a close and diligent student until 1761, when he returned to America. Mr. Nelson watched with much interest the movements of the British Par- liament, during and after the time of the administration of Mr. Grenville," and his sympathies were keenly alive in favor of the Americans and their cause. His first appearance in public life was in 1774, when he was elected a member of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, and there he took side with the patriots. It was during that session, that the resolutions reprobat- ing the "Boston Port Bill," caused Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of Virginia, to dissolve the Assem- bly. Eighty-nine of the members, among whom was Mr. Nelson, met the next day at a neighboring tavern, and formed an association far more efficient in throwing
* George Grenville, the Prime Minister of England in 1765, was the author of the Stamp Act. Hc is represented as an hon- est, but short-sighted politician ; and the Stamp Act was doubt- less more an error of his head than of his heart. He saw an empty treasury, with large demands upon it waiting to be satis- fied, and he thought to replenish it by taxing the American colonies.
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up the strong bulwarks of freedom, than was the regular Assembly.
In the spring of 1775 he was elected a member of another general convention, and during its debates he displayed such boldness of spirit, that he was looked upon as an efficient leader in the patriotic movements of the day. Much to the alarm of his friends, he pro- posed, in that convention, the bold and almost treason- able measure of organizing the militia of the State for the defense of the chartered rights of the people. . Patrick Henry, Richard Henry Lee, and others, warmly seconded the proposition, and it was adopted by the convention .* This act told Governor Dunmore and his royal master, in language that could not be mis- taken, that Virginia was determined to exercise with freedom all the privileges guarantied to her by the British Constitution.t In August, 1774, the Virginia convention electe l Mr. Nelson a delegate to the Gen- eral Congress, and he took his seat in September. There he was very active, and gave such entire satis- faction to his constituents that he was unanimously re- elected for 1776. Although he seldom took part in the debates, he was assiduous and efficient in com- mittee duty. He was a zealous supporter of the pro-
Mr. Nelson was appointed to the command of one regiment, Patrick Henry of another, and Richard Henry Lee of another, each holding the rank of colonel.
t It was not long before the wisdom of these military move- ments became apparent, for the royal governor of Virginia, as well as those of some of the other colonies, attempted to secure the powder and other munitions of war in the public magazines, under a secret order from the British ministry. This movement clearly divulged the premeditated design of disarming the peo- ple, and reducing them to slavery,
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position for independence, and voted for and signed the declaration thereof.
In 1781, Virginia became the chief theatre of war- like operations. The traitor Arnold, and General Phillips with a small flotilla, ravaged the coasts and ascended the rivers on predatory excursions; and Cornwallis, from southern fields of strife, marched victoriously over the lower counties of the State. About this time, the term of Mr. Jefferson's official duties as Governor of the State expired, and General Nelson was elected his successor. This, however, did not drive him from the field, but as both governor and commander-in-chief of the militia of the State,* he placed himself at the head of a considerable force, and formed a junction with La Fayette, who had been sent there to check the northward progress of Corn- wallis. By great personal exertions and a liberal use of his own funds,t he succeeded in keeping his force
The active Colonel Tarleton, of the British army, made every effort to effect the capture of the Legislature of Virginia. He succeeded in getting some into his custody ; and so irregular became their meetings, in consequence of being frequently obliged to disperse and flee for personal safety, that they passed an act which placed the government of the State in the hands of the governor and his council. The council, too, being scat- tered, General Nelson had the whole responsibility laid upon his shoulders ; and in the exercise of his individual powers, he was compelled, by the exigencies of the times, to do some things that were not strictly legal : but the Legislature subsequently legalized all his acts.
t Mr. Nelson made many and great pecuniary sacrifices for his country. When, in 1780, the French fleet was hourly expected, Congress felt it highly necessary that provision should be made for them. But its credit was prostrate, and its calls upon the States were tardily responded to. Virginia proposed to raise two millions of dollars, and Mr. Nelson at once opened a subscription
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together until the capture of Cornwallis at Yorktown. He headed a body of militia in the siege of that place, and although he owned a fine mansion in the town, he did not hesitate to bombard it.# In this, as in every thing else, his patriotism was conspicuous ; and General Washington, in his official account of the siege, made honorable mention of the great services of Gov- ernor Nelson and his militia.
Within a month after the battle of Yorktown, Gov- ernor Nelson, finding his health declining, resigned his office and retired to private life. He never again appeared in public life, but spent the remainder of his days alternately at his mansion in Yorktown, and his estate at Offly. His health gradually declined until 1789, when, on the fourth day of January, his useful life closed. He was in the fifty-third year of his age.
FRANCIS LIGHTFOOT LEE, a younger brother of Richard Henry Lee, was born in Westmoreland
list. But many wealthy men told Mr. Nelson that they would not contribute a penny on the security of the Commonwealth, but they would lend him all he wanted. He at once added his personal security.
* During the siege he observed that while the Americans poured their shot and shells thick and fast into every part of the town, they seemed carefully to avoid firing in the direction of his house. Governor Nelson inquired why his house was spared, and was informed that it was out of personal regard for him. He at once begged them not to make any difference on that account, and at once a well-directed fire was opened upon it. At that moment a number of British officers occupied it, and were at dinner enjoying a feast, and making merry with wine. The shots of the Americans entered the house, and kill- ing two of the officers, effectnally ended the conviviality of the party.
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County, Virginia, on the fourteenth day of October, 1734. He was too young when his father died to be sent abroad to be educated, but was favored with every advantage in the way of learning which the colony afforded. He was placed at an early age under the care of the Rev. Dr. Craig, a Scotch clergyman of eminent piety and learning. His excellent tutor not only educated his head but his heart, and laid the foundation of character, upon which the noble superstructure, which his useful life exhibited, was reared. On the return of Richard Henry Lee from England, whither he had been to acquire a thorough education, Francis, who was then just stepping from youth into manhood, was deeply impressed with his various acquirements and polished manners, and adopted him as a model for imitation. He leaned upon his brother's judgment in all matters, and the senti- ments which moved the one impelled the other to action. And when his brother with his sweet voice and persuasive manner, endeavored by popular har- angues, to arouse his friends and neighbors to a sense of the impending danger, which act after act of British oppression shadowed forth, Francis caught his spirit ; and when he was old enough to engage in the strife of politics, he was a full-fledged patriot, and with a "pure heart and clean hands" he espoused the cause of freedom. In 1765 Mr. Lee was elected a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses, for Loudon County, while his brother was member of the same House, for Westmoreland County. By annual election, he continued a member of the Virginia Assembly for Loudon, until 1772, when he married the daughter of Colonel John Taylor, of Richmond, and moved to
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that city. He was at once elected a member for Rich- mond, and continued to represent that county until 1775, when the Virginia Convention elected him a delegate to the Continental Congress. During his whole term of service in the General Assembly of his State, he always acted in concert with the patriotic burgesses. Mr. Lee was not a fluent speaker, and seldom engaged in debate; but his sound judgment, unwavering principles, and persevering industry, made him a useful member of any legislative assembly. He sympathized with his brother in his yearnings for in- dependence; and it was with great joy that he voted for and signed the instrument which declared his country free.
Mr. Lee continued in Congress, until 1779, and was the member, for Virginia, of the committee which framed the Articles of Confederation. Possessed of ample wealth, he used it like a philosopher and a Christian in dispensing its blessings for the benefit of his country and his fellow-men. In April, 1797, he was prostrated by an attack of pleurisy, which terminated his life in the course of a few days. He was in the sixty-third year of his age. His wife was attacked by the same disease, and died a few days after the decease of her husband.
CARTER BRAXTON was born at Newington, in King and Queen's County, Virginia, on the tenth of Sep- tember, 1736. His father, George Braxton, was a wealthy farmer, and highly esteemed among the planters of Virginia. His mother was the daughter of Robert Carter, who, for a time, was president of the royal council of that State. They both died while Carter and his brother George were quite young.
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Carter Braxton was educated at the college of Wil- liam and Mary, and at the age of nineteen years, on leaving that institution, he was married to Miss Judith Robinson, the daughter of a wealthy planter in Mid- dlesex County. His own large fortune was consid- erably augmented by this marriage, and he was considered one of the wealthiest men in his native county.# In 1757, Mr. Braxton went to England, for the purpose of self-improvement and personal gratifi- cation. He remained there until 1760, when he re- turned to America, and soon afterward married the daughter of Mr. Corbin, the royal receiver-general of the customs of Virginia.t Notwithstanding the social position, and patrician connections of Mr. Braxton, which would seem naturally to have attached him to the aristocracy, he was among the earliest in Virginia who raised the voice of patriotism. In 1765 he was a member of the House of Burgesses. How much earlier he appeared in public life is not known. He was present when Patrick Henry's resolutions respecting the Stamp Act, were introduced, and was one of those who, fired by the wonderful eloquence of the orator on that occasion, boldly voted in support of them.# Mr. Braxton was a member of the Virginia Conven-
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