John Witherspoon Memorial

John Witherspoon Memorial

Quick Facts

Location:

Washington, DC

Amenities

2 listed

Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Public Transit

Born in Scotland, John Witherspoon (1723-1794) was a cleric in the Presbyterian church and the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. He served as president of Princeton University, which educated a number of men who would have major roles in the new United States government as supreme court justices, cabinet members, senators, and congressmen.

Inscriptions

Front bronze relief
1722
Scotland
JOHN WITHERSPOON
Princeton
1794
back bronze plaque
"For my own part, of property I have some, of reputation more that reputation is staked. That property is pledged on the issue of this contest; and although these gray hairs must soon descend into the sepulchre, I would infinitely rather that they descend thither by the hand of the executioner that desert at this crisis the sacred cause of my country."
Pedestal east side
PRESBYTERIAN
MINISTER
An inscription on the west side reads:
SIGNER OF
THE
DECLARATION
OF
INDEPENDENCE
sculptor's signature, lower right edge of the statue
Wm Cooper
New York