Rev. John Witherspoon memorial, Gifford

Rev. John Witherspoon 1723 - 1794 This is a monument plaque to Rev. John Witherspoon which is attached to the grave table slab of his father Rev. James Witherspoon who died 12th August 1759. The inscription is clearly legible on matcap setting. Rev. John Witherspoon was a clergyman born in Gifford, East Lothian and studied at Haddington school and univesities of Edinburgh and St Andrews. He emigrated to USA in 1768 to become President of Princeton University. Witherspoon taught many future leaders of the USA. He helped frame and was one of the signatories to the Declaration of Independence. He died in 1794 in Princeton, USA and is interred there.