John Witherspoon: Pastor, President, Patriot

The pastor who helped shape a nation. Born in Scotland and ordained as a Presbyterian minister, John Witherspoon crossed the Atlantic to become president of Princeton College. In his famous 1776 sermon, Witherspoon cries, "God grant that in America true religion and civil liberty may be inseparable." 

Witherspoon is the only ordained minister to sign the Declaration of Independence. Beyond that, his influence reached far into the next generation with many of his students becoming pastors or politicians.  Most notably, he taught James Madison, later known as the “Father of the Constitution.”  Witherspoon also moderated the first General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in the newly independent nation.

When Britain's Prime Minister Horace Walpole complained that "Cousin America has run off with a Presbyterian parson," he may have understood better than most how much influence Witherspoon could have.

A pastor. A president. A patriot. • 100% combed and ring-spun cotton • Fabric weight: 4.2 oz./yd.² (142 g/m²) • Pre-shrunk fabric • Side-seamed construction • Shoulder-to-shoulder taping Disclaimer: The fabric is slightly sheer and may appear see-through, especially in lighter colors or under certain lighting conditions.