When was Matthew Thornton died?

Matthew Thornton was died at 1803-06-24

Where was Matthew Thornton died?

Matthew Thornton was died in Newburyport, Massachusetts

Which age was Matthew Thornton died?

Matthew Thornton was died at age 89

Where is Matthew Thornton's birth place?

Matthew Thornton was born in Ireland

What is Matthew Thornton nationalities?

Matthew Thornton's nationalities is American

Who is Matthew Thornton spouses?

Matthew Thornton's spouses is Hannah Jack

What was Matthew Thornton universities?

Matthew Thornton studied at Leicester

Who is Matthew Thornton's father?

Matthew Thornton's father is James Thornton

Who is Matthew Thornton's mother?

Matthew Thornton's mother is Elizabeth Malone

Matthew Thornton - Political Leaders, Timeline and Family

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Personal Details
Photo
Overview
Timeline
FAQ

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Matthew Thornton's Personal Details

Matthew Thornton was a physician and legislator who was a signer of the U.S

Information	Detail
Birthday	1714
Died on	June 24, 1803
Nationality	American
Famous	Leaders, Political Leaders, Physicians
Spouses	Hannah Jack
Known as	Matthew Thornton
Universities	Leicester
Birth Place	Ireland
Gender	Male
Father	James Thornton
Mother	Elizabeth Malone
Born in	Ireland
Died at Age	89

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Matthew Thornton's photo

Last First

Who is Matthew Thornton?

Matthew Thornton was an Irish born American physician and legislator who was one of the 56 signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. He was a man of principles who believed that freedom is everyone’s bright right. Though he was born in Ireland he migrated to America at the young age of three and developed an undying love for the country. An intelligent young man, he chose to become a physician so that he could help others by alleviating their sufferings. He studied medicine under Doctor Grout, and established himself as a physician and surgeon. He was hardworking and ambitious and built a successful medical practice that made him quite wealthy and earned him considerable social status as well. During the King George’s War, he was selected to serve as a surgeon in the New Hampshire military. His political career began when he was elected as a delegate for Londonderry in the Colonial Assembly. Later on he went on to become the President of the New Hampshire Provincial Congress. He served as the president of the five member committee that drafted the first state constitution that America was to adopt on her independence. He signed the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776 and was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress.

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Childhood & Early Life

He was born to Elizabeth and James Thornton in Ireland. The family migrated to America when he was three years old. At first they lived in Maine but soon shifted to Massachusetts following an attack on their home.

He attended Worcester Academy from where he received his basic education. His goal was to pursue a career in medicine and he completed his medical studies at Leicester under the guidance of a physician relative, Dr.Grout.

Career

After completing his education, the young and ambitious Thornton started a medical practice in 1740 when he was 26 years old. His practice thrived and soon he made a name for himself as a successful physician and surgeon.

He was enlisted as a surgeon in the New Hampshire Military in 1745 during the King George’s War that lasted till 1748. He played a major role in siege of the French Fortress of Louisbourg.

In 1758, he was chosen as a delegate to the colonial assembly where he represented Londonderry. He took active part in colonial affairs and was a prominent participant in the protests against the Stamp Act in New Hampshire.

He believed strongly in the concept of freedom and liberty and was of the view that the states of America should be freed from the control of the British Empire. He openly condemned the oppressive acts of the British Parliament.

He was appointed the President of the New Hampshire Provincial Congress in 1775 and also elected the Chairman of the Committee of Safety which was in charge of raising ammunitions at times of war.

As a member of the Committee of Safety, he was responsible for drafting the first state constitution that would be adopted after the dissolution of the British Empire rule.

On 4 July 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence which had been approved a couple of days before. Thornton signed the Declaration as a representative of New Hampshire, becoming one of the 56 delegates who signed the Declaration.

After independence, he was elected the first president of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In spite of not having any legal education, he was chosen to serve as a justice in the Superior Court from 1776 to 1782.

When his public career ended, he also retired from medical practice owing to his advancing age. He spent his later years farming and operating a ferry.

Major Works

He played a major role in the expedition leading to the capture of the French fortress of Louisbourg. The troops were led by Colonel William Pepperell and Thornton was the accompanying surgeon. The expedition was a physically excruciating one for the soldiers, but only six among the 500 entrusted to the doctor died of sickness.

He is famous as one of the 56 signers of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Initially he was not able to participate in the signing of the Declaration on 2 August 1776, but then he got the opportunity to sign the document on a later date along with some others.

Personal Life & Legacy

He married Hannah Jack in 1760 and had five children with her.

After retiring from both his public career and medical profession, he spent his leisure time farming. He also operated a ferry service. He led an active life till the very end and died in 1803 at the age of 89.

Trivia

The original epitaph on his grave simply reads "An Honest Man."

He was also a political essayist who wrote many essays, articles, and letters for various newspapers.

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Matthew Thornton biography timelines

// 1714
He was born to Elizabeth and James Thornton in Ireland. The family migrated to America when he was three years old. At first they lived in Maine but soon shifted to Massachusetts following an attack on their home.
// 1740
After completing his education, the young and ambitious Thornton started a medical practice in 1740 when he was 26 years old. His practice thrived and soon he made a name for himself as a successful physician and surgeon.
// 1745
He was enlisted as a surgeon in the New Hampshire Military in 1745 during the King George’s War that lasted till 1748. He played a major role in siege of the French Fortress of Louisbourg.
// 1758
In 1758, he was chosen as a delegate to the colonial assembly where he represented Londonderry. He took active part in colonial affairs and was a prominent participant in the protests against the Stamp Act in New Hampshire.
// 1760
He married Hannah Jack in 1760 and had five children with her.
// 1775
He was appointed the President of the New Hampshire Provincial Congress in 1775 and also elected the Chairman of the Committee of Safety which was in charge of raising ammunitions at times of war.
// 1776 To 1782
After independence, he was elected the first president of the New Hampshire House of Representatives. In spite of not having any legal education, he was chosen to serve as a justice in the Superior Court from 1776 to 1782.
// 4th Jul 1776
On 4 July 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence which had been approved a couple of days before. Thornton signed the Declaration as a representative of New Hampshire, becoming one of the 56 delegates who signed the Declaration.
// 24th Jun 1803
After retiring from both his public career and medical profession, he spent his leisure time farming. He also operated a ferry service. He led an active life till the very end and died in 1803 at the age of 89.

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Matthew Thornton's FAQ

When was Matthew Thornton died?
Matthew Thornton was died at 1803-06-24
Where was Matthew Thornton died?
Matthew Thornton was died in Newburyport, Massachusetts
Which age was Matthew Thornton died?
Matthew Thornton was died at age 89
Where is Matthew Thornton's birth place?
Matthew Thornton was born in Ireland
What is Matthew Thornton nationalities?
Matthew Thornton's nationalities is American
Who is Matthew Thornton spouses?
Matthew Thornton's spouses is Hannah Jack
What was Matthew Thornton universities?
Matthew Thornton studied at Leicester
Who is Matthew Thornton's father?
Matthew Thornton's father is James Thornton
Who is Matthew Thornton's mother?
Matthew Thornton's mother is Elizabeth Malone

Matthew Thornton - Political Leaders, Timeline and Family