William Whipple

William Whipple was born at Kittery, Maine, in 1730. He received a good education, and at an early age entered upon a seafaring life. He became the commander of a vessel, and was engaged for several years in the West India trade. He acquired a handsome fortune, and in 1759 relinquished the sea and settled in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits.

He was a man of strong mind and sound judgment, and soon became prominent in public affairs. He was elected a member of the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire, and was appointed a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776. He was present at the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and affixed his signature to that instrument.

He continued in Congress until 1779, when he was appointed a commissioner of the Board of Admiralty. He was subsequently appointed a brigadier-general of the New Hampshire militia, and served with distinction in the campaign which resulted in the surrender of Burgoyne.

He was afterward appointed a judge of the Superior Court of New Hampshire, and discharged the duties of that office with great ability. He died November 28, 1785, in the fifty-fifth year of his age.

Source:
Lossing, Benson J. The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1855. Patriot Echoes Archive