John Dickinson, Signer of the US Constitution, Pres. of Pennsylvania, Pres. of D

Burial record:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/4428/john-dickinson

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John Dickinson (November 8, 1732 – February 14, 1808) was an American lawyer and politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Wilmington, Delaware. He was a militia officer during the American Revolution, a Continental Congressman from Pennsylvania and Delaware, a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, President of Delaware and President of Pennsylvania.

Among the wealthiest men in the British American colonies, he is known as the "Penman of the Revolution" for his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania; upon receiving news of his death, President Thomas Jefferson recognized him as being "among the first of the advocates for the rights of his country when assailed by Great Britain" whose "name will be consecrated in history as one of the great worthies of the revolution."[1] He is the namesake of Dickinson College.

for more information, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Dickinson_%28delegate%29

• Birth: Nov. 8, 1732, Trappe, Talbot County, Maryland, USA
• Death: Feb. 14, 1808, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware, USA

Continental Congressman, Revolutionary War Militia Brigadier General, United States Constitution Signer. In history he has become popularly referred to as the "Penman of the Revolution" for his articles titled "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" and "Declaration of the Causes of Taking Up Arms." He served as a member of the Assembly of the "Lower Counties," as Delaware was then called, in 1760, and served in the Pennsylvania State Assembly from 1762 through 1764. In 1765 served as a Delegate to the Stamp Act Congress representing Pennsylvania and from 1774 to 1776 was a member of the Continental Congress also representing Pennsylvania.

After rejecting declaring independence from Great Britain, he served as a Brigadier General in the Pennsylvania State Militia during the Revolutionary War. In 1777 was again appointed to the Continental Congress, however this time to represent Delaware. Also in 1777 he freed all his slaves at his Delaware home "Poplar Grove" which was considered an unthinkable act during this time. On November 13, 1781 was elected Governor of the State of Delaware and served until November 4, 1782 at which time he was elected Governor of Pennsylvania. Served as Governor of Pennsylvania until 1785. Later served in the Delaware State Senate from 1792 through 1792. (bio by: Russ Pickett)

The Liberty Song is a pre-American Revolutionary War song with lyrics by Founding Father John Dickinson (not by Mrs. Mercy Otis Warren of Plymouth, Massachusetts). The song is set to the tunes of "Heart of Oak", the anthem of the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom. The song itself was first published in two colonial newspapers, the Pennsylvania Journal and the Pennsylvania Gazette, both on July 7, 1768.

Original Version

Come, join hand in hand, brave Americans all, And rouse your bold hearts at fair Liberty's call; No tyrannous acts shall suppress your just claim, Or stain with dishonor America's name.

Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

Our worthy forefathers, let's give them a cheer, To climates unknown did courageously steer; Thro' oceans to deserts for Freedom they came, And dying, bequeath'd us their freedom and fame.

Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

Their generous bosoms all dangers despis'd, So highly, so wisely, their Birthrights they priz'd; We'll keep what they gave, we will piously keep, Nor frustrate their toils on the land and the deep.

Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

The tree their own hands had to Liberty rear'd; They lived to behold growing strong and revered; With transport they cried, "Now our wishes we gain, For our children shall gather the fruits of our pain."

Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

Swarms of placemen and pensioners soon will appear Like locusts deforming the charms of the year; Suns vainly will rise, showers vainly descend, If we are to drudge for what others shall defend.

Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

Then join hand in hand, brave Americans all, By uniting we stand, by dividing we fall; In so righteous a cause let us hope to succeed, For heaven approves of each generous deed.

Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

All ages shall speak with amaze and applause, Of the courage we'll show in support of our Laws; To die we can bear, but to serve we disdain. For shame is to Freedom more dreadful than pain.

Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

This bumper I crown for our Sovereign's health, And this for Britannia's glory and wealth; That wealth and that glory immortal may be, If She is but Just, and if we are but Free.

Chorus: In Freedom we're born and in Freedom we'll live. Our purses are ready. Steady, friends, steady; Not as slaves, but as Freemen our money we'll give.

The Liberty Song (YouTube)

Parents:

• Samuel Dickinson (1689 - 1760)
• Mary Cadwalader Dickinson (____ - 1776)

Spouse:

• Mary Norris Dickinson (1740 - 1803)*

Siblings:

• John Dickinson (1732 - 1808)
• Philemon Dickinson (1739 - 1809)*

Calculated relationship*

Burial: Friends Meeting House Burial Ground Wilmington New Castle County Delaware, USA

Maintained by: Find A Grave Record added: Feb 01, 1999 Find A Grave Memorial# 4428 http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=4428