DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE!

That ever so important document--The Declaration of Independence that we celebrate every July 4th is what I will be writing about in the days ahead; that is, not exactly about what it says but about those who risked all they had to put their names on that document: "Their lives, there fortunes and their sacred honor."
The signers numbered 56 names with John Hancock signing first as Chairman of the committee.  The final name was not added until after August first.
Josiah Bartlett was born in Amesbury, Massachusetts in Nov. 1729.  He became a Physician and was appointed to lead the local Militia.  He was appointed delegate to the Continental Congress in 1775 and the first delegate to sign the document.  Dr. Bartlett died in 1795 at 66 years of age.
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William Whipple was born in Kittery, New Hampshire (now a portion of Maine) in 1730.  He went to sea as a lad and left the sea at the age of twenty Nine and joined his brother in the mercantile business in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.  Ever a supporter of the colonies he was elected a member of the Provincial Congress of New Hampshire and chosen by that body as one of the Committee of Safety.  Whipple became a Brigadier General of New Hampshire troops and fought in several battles against the British.  He was present with General Gates in the capture of General Burgoyne and helped draw the terms of surrender.  Whipple died in 1785 at the age of 55 years....Medicineman!