Signers of the Declaration: Panel 1

1. Floyd, William – (NY) Born 12/17/1734 in Brookhaven, NY. Was 41 when he signed. Occupation: land speculator. Died 8/4/1821 at age 86. Like many other signers, he had to flee his home to avoid capture. He was a member of the First Congress (1789).

Floyd’s document, dated May 1, 1797, is a bond that was signed by him as a witness for 970 given to John Willets by Nicoll Floyd.

2. Stone, Thomas – (MD) Born c. 1743 in Charles Co., MD. Was 33 when he signed. Occupation: lawyer. Died 10/5/1787 at age 44.

Stone’s document, undated, concerns a legal dispute over the sale of slaves and signed by him as an attorney.

3. Chase, Samuel – (MD) Born 4/17/1741 in Somerset County, MD. Was 35 when he signed. Occupation: lawyer. Died 6/19/1811 at age 70. He served in Congress from 1774-1778. He served as the Chief Justice of the state of Maryland where one of his duties was to swear oaths like the one displayed. He was appointed an Associate Justice in the United States Supreme Court where he served from 1796 until his death. Even though he owned slaves, he was a member of the Maryland Abolition Society to work towards an end of that institution.

Chase’s document, dated February 1, 1794 as Chief Judge of Maryland, is a Naturalization Document.

4. Carroll, Charles of Carrollton – (MD) Born 9/19/1737 in Annapolis. Was 38 when he signed. Occupation: merchant & plantation farmer. Died 11/14/1832 at age 95. He helped draft the Maryland Constitution (1776); member of the Continental Congress (1776-78); a delegate to the Constitutional Convention (1787) but did not attend; and helped frame the Bill of Rights as a US Senator. At his death, he was the longest lived and last surviving signer of the Declaration and was likely the wealthiest citizen in America; he was the only Roman Catholic signer of the Declaration. Although he owned slaves, he served as the president of the Auxiliary Colonization Society of Maryland and advocated for the gradual abolition of slavery in that state. See Carroll’s personal testimony.

Carroll’s document, dated January 20th, 1831, is a check for $12,953.92 to the state of Maryland.

5. Walton, George – (GA) Born c. 1741 in Cumberland Co., VA. Was 35 when he signed. Occupation: lawyer. Died 2/2/1804 at age 63. He was wounded and taken prisoner when the British took Savannah during the war.

Walton’s document, January 17, 1785, concerns a land dispute.

6. Lewis, Francis – (NY) Born 3/21/1713 in Wales. Was 63 when he signed. Occupation: merchant. Died 12/30/1802 at age 89. During the war, his home on Long Island was ransacked and ruined, and his wife was taken prisoner by the British. Her harsh treatment broke her health so that she died soon afterward.

Lewis’ document, undated, is a letter to William Carpenter concerning purchase and shipment of 250 bushels of wheat.

7. Morris, Lewis – (NY) Born 4/8/1726 in West Chester Co. Was 50 when he signed. Occupation: plantation farmer. Died 1/22/1798 at age 71.

Morris’ document, dated December 7, 1790, is a letter to his son, Lewis, with general news about family and acquaintances.

8. Livingston, Philip – (NY) Born 1/15/1716 in Albany. Was 60 when he signed. Occupation: merchant. Died 6/12/1778 at age 62.

Livingston’s document, dated August 29, 1769, confirms receipt for a payment to Philip.

9. Gwinnett, Button – (GA) Born c. 1735 in England. Was 41 when he signed. Occupation: merchant & plantation farmer. Died 5/15/1777 at age 42.

Gwinnett’s document, undated, is a clipped signature.

10. Paca, William – (MD) Born 10/31/1740 in Abington, MD. Was 35 when he signed. Occupation: lawyer & plantation farmer. Died 10/13/1799 at age 58.

Paca’s document, dated October 31, 1792, is a letter to a Mr. Brown in which Paca mentions paying Jacob Adams.