“Signers of the Declaration of Independence,” by Ralph Wilson (from Robert Merry’s Museum, March 1859; p. 69)

Of the fifty-six signers of the immortal “Declaration,” nine were born in Massachusetts; nine, in Virginia; five, in Maryland; four, in Connecticut; four, in Pennsylvania; four, in New Jersey; four, in South Carolina; three, in New York; three, in Delaware; two, in Rhode Island; and one, in Maine.

Eight were foreign born, and of these, three were natives of Ireland; two, of England; two, of Scotland; and one, of Wales.

Two were elected to the Presidency of the “United States;” two, to the Vice-Presidency; fifteen were chosen Governors of their respective States; and the remainder all occupied responsible stations of trust.

Twenty-four were prominent lawyers; fourteen, practical farmers; nine, merchants; four, physicians; four, educated for the ministry; one had been a shoemaker in early life; one a printer, and one a mechanic.

Four lived over ninety years; then, over eighty; ten, over seventy; thirteen, over sixty; eleven, over fifty; and seven, over forty.