Witherspoon & the USA Declaration of Independence

[cessna152towser]

This is the statue of John Witherspoon (1723-1794), a presbyterian Church of Scotland minister who emigrated from Scotland to America in 1768 and, as the representative for the state of New Jersey, was the only clergyman who was a signatory to the USofA Declaration of Independence. The statue is at the entrance to the University of the West of Scotland in Paisley.

John Witherspoon preached here at the Laigh Kirk in Paisley from 1758 to 1768. This building is now an arts centre but the Laigh Kirk survives as a congregation in a more modern church building.

As part of Paisley's traffic management scheme, a new road has been cut through at an angle from New Street, at its junction with Shuttle Street, opposite the old Laigh Kirk, to Storie Street. Appropriately this has been named Witherspoon Street. The old Laigh Kirk is behind me in this view and a gable end in the surviving section of Shuttle Street can be sign behind the sign.

[rickmac15]

Nice pictures

Rick

[Arlen]

Nice pictures.
It's been a long time since I was in Paisley.

[McMurdo]

More wonderful pictures Alex, thanks for them.

[SFCRick]

nice photos, thanks

[GMan]

Beautiful!!

[James MacMillan]

As always Alex - Thanks for posting the photos! I always enjoy them.

[BoldHighlander]

Great photos -- and one more wonderful reminder of the link between Scotland & America!
Thanks for posting

[McFarkus]

Interesting also that Witherspoon is a descendant of John Knox the famous Reformation preacher whose movement led to the formation of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian).

[kiltimabar]

Interesting also that Witherspoon is a descendant of John Knox the famous Reformation preacher whose movement led to the formation of the Church of Scotland (Presbyterian).

Some might also find it interesting that the actress Reese Witherspoon is a direct descendant of John Witherspoon.