- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
James Smith
SMITH, James, signer of the Declaration of Independence, born in Ireland, about 1719; died in York, Pa., 11 July, 1806.
He emigrated to Pennsylvania as a child and studied law in Lancaster. Smith became a prominent lawyer and was active in colonial resistance to British policies.
He was elected to the Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Smith also served in the Pennsylvania militia and helped draft the state’s constitution.
Though less known than other signers, Smith’s commitment to independence and public service was steadfast. He continued practicing law until late in life and remained a respected figure in York.
Source:
Wilson, James Grant, and John Fiske, eds. Appleton’s Cyclopædia of American Biography. New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1887. Patriot Echoes Archive
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