Lot 344

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Description:

John Witherspoon, Declaration Signer, as President of Princeton University


A manuscript document signed by John Witherspoon (1723-1794), the 6th President of the College of New Jersey (the future Princeton University), as "Jno Witherspoon" at center right. Written in Princeton, New Jersey on February 14, 1769. Also countersigned by Jonathan Baldwin, payee, as "Jonn Baldwin" at lower right. Docketed verso. Scattered light pencil inscriptions mentioned just for accuracy. Expected light paper folds and isolated foxing. Else near fine. The paper slip measures 7.5" x 4.5." From the Collection of Dr. Lawrence E. Miller (1931-2014), orthopedic surgeon, psychiatrist, and autograph collector.


John Witherspoon served as president of the College of New Jersey between 1768-1794. He requested that Jonathan Sergeant (1712-1777), university treasurer, pay £46:10 to Jonathan Baldwin (1731-1816), a graduate of the College (Class of 1758) who would also serve as its Steward between 1756-1773 and 1781-1782.


In full:

"Princeton Feb. 14 1769

Sir £46:10

On sight of this please pay to the Order of Jonathan Baldwin Steward of the College of New Jersey the sum of forty six Pounds ten Shillings…Money of New Jersey + place to my account with the said College ----------

Jno Witherspoon

To Mr Jonathan
Sergeant Treasurer of the
College of New Jersey
Princeton

Recd. of the Treasurer
Jonn Baldwin."

John Witherspoon, a Scottish-born Presbyterian minister, was invited to serve as president of what was to become Princeton University In 1768. Witherspoon's 26-year-long administration of the college is regarded as formative. For, even though the College of New Jersey enjoyed considerable prestige as being one of the oldest universities established in the American colonies (1746), it had been founded with a narrow focus, as a training school for Presbyterian clergy. Witherspoon envisioned a secular and more academically rigorous student body. During his administration of the college, Witherspoon made entrance requirements more stringent, modeled the syllabus and curriculum on European universities, and expanded its library and access to basic teaching tools. His prodigious fundraising efforts also allowed rebuilding to take place after the university was damaged during the Battle of Princeton (1777). "Dr. Witherspoon" also taught moral philosophy, history, and religion at the school.


Witherspoon, an avid republican, later served as one of five New Jersey delegates to the Second Continental Congress. He signed the Declaration of Independence, and later, the Articles of Confederation.


A brief biographical history of the payee Jonathan Baldwin is provided in James McLachlan's "Princetonians, 1748-1768: A Biographical Directory" (Princeton, New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1976), p. 131-133. Baldwin was not only an alum, but also the son-in-law of the college treasurer, Jonathan Sergeant (Baldwin married Sergeant's daughter Sarah.) Baldwin served as Steward of the College of New Jersey for nearly 20 years. The job was a difficult one: it entailed not only maintaining the campus buildings and grounds, but also feeding the students, and after 1768, providing them with "small beer." The college budget was perennially underfunded, and Baldwin struggled with nonpaying students, complaining neighbors, and runaway servants. In 1772, Baldwin's barn was set ablaze under suspicious circumstances, and the following year, students hanged his effigy to protest the inferior quality of college butter! After Baldwin resigned from his first tenure as college Steward, he became intensely involved in local Revolutionary politics.


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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