Description:

Witherspoon John

Declaration Signer John Witherspoon Super Rare ALS Re: Education

 

A very rare autograph letter signed "Jno Witherspoon" as President of Princeton University to George Tucker, reassuring Tucker that he would look after Tucker's sons if they chose Princeton.  In excellent condition overall. In 1776, Witherspoon was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

 

The letter reads, "Sir I have but just Time to acknowledge the Receipt of Your two Letters by Col. Carney['s] son & your sons & to say that your Views are in every Respect agreeable to what I always recommend that every gay Gentleman should be under the Care if Some Person resident here for their private & Affairs & private conduct. Your Opinion also respecting their Education is the same with mine as I shall write more fully about a Week hence in the mean Time please to know that I accept the Charge of them & will direct every Things with no party that my self. This Offer I have done for many Gentlemens [sic] sons from a Distance ever since I came here & have still served in the same situation. My Friend Governor Mathews of South Carolina about 18 months ago committed his only son to my care & my House has been his proper home since only he stays at College when it is inconvenient for his Studies but is here every Saturday & Vacation Time. The same if agreable [sic] I will do with your sons but of this & the Estimate of Expence [sic] I will write fully as above or about a Week. With Respects to Mrs. Tucker..."

 

In 1768, Witherspoon accepted the presidency of Princeton University. While there, he incited his students to protest the British, and in November 1776, he closed the school when redcoats occupied the campus and burned the library. In 1779, he moved from the President's House to Tusculum, a nearby country retreat, which is likely where he housed students. After the war, he spent most of his time to rebuilding the college. Governor John Mathews spent time in the Continental Congress with Witherspoon.

 

Witherspoon is rare in any form, but particularly ALSs; only five have been at auction in the last twenty years, but none had as fine content.

 

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

 

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