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WITHERSPOON, John (1723-1794), Signer (New Jersey). Autograph letter signed ("Jno Witherspoon," with flourish), as President of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton), to Thomas Fitzsimmons, Tusculum near Princeton, 23 October 1787. 1 page, 4to, integral blank with panel in Witherspoon's hand, small seal tear, otherwise in very fine condition.
FINANCIAL AID FOR AN IMPECUNIOUS STUDENT. Witherspoon, holder of a Doctorate in Divinity from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, emigrated to the colonies in 1768 and is largely credited with the successful development of the College of New Jersey into a first-rate institution. He was the only college president and sole clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Here, Witherspoon writes in some urgency to a Philadelphia merchant concerning the dire financial straits of one of the college students under his tutelage: "I was obliged to draw upon you for another Sum to a young Gentleman whose credit is in New York...He has staid [sic] too long in Philadelphia & it is impossible for me to find hard money here to send. He writes me that you had refused to pay it probably because it [the note] was [payable] at sight. I have therefore drawn upon you at 20 days in favor of Ross & Vaughan with whom I have long held dealings for the...Balance of the £150...The far greater part of the Sum is already expended & the remainder will be completely exhausted in a few Days when the College meets & the whole Advances for the six months ensuing must be paid...."
Autograph letters of this seminal patriot and educator are increasingly rare.
FINANCIAL AID FOR AN IMPECUNIOUS STUDENT. Witherspoon, holder of a Doctorate in Divinity from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, emigrated to the colonies in 1768 and is largely credited with the successful development of the College of New Jersey into a first-rate institution. He was the only college president and sole clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Here, Witherspoon writes in some urgency to a Philadelphia merchant concerning the dire financial straits of one of the college students under his tutelage: "I was obliged to draw upon you for another Sum to a young Gentleman whose credit is in New York...He has staid [sic] too long in Philadelphia & it is impossible for me to find hard money here to send. He writes me that you had refused to pay it probably because it [the note] was [payable] at sight. I have therefore drawn upon you at 20 days in favor of Ross & Vaughan with whom I have long held dealings for the...Balance of the £150...The far greater part of the Sum is already expended & the remainder will be completely exhausted in a few Days when the College meets & the whole Advances for the six months ensuing must be paid...."
Autograph letters of this seminal patriot and educator are increasingly rare.