- 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.
Matthew Thornton
THORNTON, Matthew, signer of the Declaration of Independence, born in Ireland, about 1714; died in Newburyport, Mass., 24 June, 1803.
He emigrated to America as a child and settled in New Hampshire. Thornton studied medicine and became a respected physician. He served as a surgeon during the French and Indian War and later entered politics.
Thornton was elected to the Continental Congress in 1776 and signed the Declaration of Independence after its adoption. He also helped draft New Hampshire’s constitution and served as a judge and legislator.
Known for his civic dedication and medical service, Thornton’s legacy reflects the broad contributions of colonial professionals to American independence.
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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