John Witherspoon: Forgotten Founder, Clergyman, Educator... Reese Witherspoon's Ancestor?

As we prepare to celebrate Independence Day, I have been thinking of one of the often-ignored influential signers of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.  John Witherspoon influenced the direction of early American history deeply, in his multiple roles as minister, educator, and statesman as the colonies transitioned into a sovereign nation.

The "Reese Witherspoon" connection is mentioned as a historical curiousity, and because my daughter is a huge "Legally Blonde" fan (I prefer her portrayal of June Carter Cash in "Walk the Line," personally). Multiple sources do indicate that these two Witherspoons are in fact related.

John Witherspoon was a Scottish Presbyterian minister, who moved to the colonies in 1768 to serve as the president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton). This school, as with many other early educational institutions in America, had a primary goal of training of ministers for the expanding population. (Princeton had an early connection to Presbyterians, Harvard and Yale trained many Congregational ministers, Dartmouth's founder was a Congregational minister, and Columbia was originally Anglican).  Many of these institutions continue to have active programs of theological instruction, but are better known today for excellence in other academic areas.  Witherspoon served as a force for growth and stability for this institution until his death in 1794.

Witherspoon also influenced the direction of the emerging country in multiple ways.  One of his primary roles grew directly from his position as an educator- dozens of his students were central characters in America's founding.  The most prominent example is James Madison, who studied under Witherspoon from 1769-1772.  He is often referred to as the "Father of the Constitution" as well as serving in various political roles (including President from 1809-1817).  Multiple other students served as cabinet officers, senators, congressmen and state governors.  Perhaps his greatest influence on America was indirectly, by shaping the education and political philosophy of many early leaders.

However, his direct influence is often unrecognized.  John Witherspoon was active in the New Jersey political scene, and was selected as a delegate to the Continental Congress.  He served alongside more famous figures in this role from June 1776-November 1782, serving on many committees and speaking frequently to the formational issues of the young nation. As delegates debated whether the time was ripe to declare Independence, one famous quote attributed to Witherspoon is that we were "not only ripe for the measure, but in danger of rotting for the want of it." John Witherspoon was the only active clergyman and only college president to sign the Declaration of Independence.

As we celebrate Independence on this Fourth of July weekend, my hope is that we will offer thanks for the many known and unknown individuals who invested time and effort in our exceptional nation.

May God continue to bless America!