THOMAS McKEAN 1734-1817

Yes, I can almost see the look on your face, "Another signer I never heard of."  Well don't feel bad, for most of these great men were here in the Colonies at just the right time and most of them played behind the scenes, not in the ranks, to kick-start this great country.
I grew up with a Tom McKean, went to high school with him and went to his father, the local Dentist, under duress.  Tom went on to Dental School under the NROTC program of the day and spent his years in the U.S. Navy.
But this McKean was born in New London, Chester County PA.  Thomas was a very bright student and was admitted to the Bar before he was yet 21.  He was appointed by the Attorney General of the Province of Deleware as his deputy and to prosecute all claims for the Crown in the County of Sussex.
The next year he was appointed to practice law in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, while at the same time he was clerk of the House of Assembly of  Delaware.
In 1765 he was a delegate to the "Stamp Act Congress" and placed on the committee to prepare the response to the House of Commons.  He and his associates used unstamped paper in all their writings.
Mr. Mckean was so well thought of by his peers that he became a part of almost every important event of that time.  He was a judge and the Collector of Customs for the port of Newcastle.
McKean was in favor of the General Congress and was appointed delegate to the body and there in 1774 for it's formation.  He remained a member of the Continental Congress until the treaty of peace in 1783.  He was there for the vote on the Declaration of Independence in 1776 but was called away by General Washing to bring a regiment of "Pennsylvania Associators" of which he was a colonel to aid General Washington in New Jersey.  McKean placed his name on the document in September.  He served the new country in so many varied and important roles until his death in 1817, a great American!....Meedicineman!