John
Dickinson
1732-1808 —
In 1760 he was speaker of the assembly of the lower Counties (Delaware) . . .
In 1762 he entered the Pennsylvania Legislature. . . Delegate to first Continental
Congress . . . Leader of conservative patriots in Pennsylvania and Delaware and
held several state posts . . . Originally refused to sign the Declaration of Independence,
but later became a vigorous supporter of it . . . In 1786 presided over the Annapolis
Convention . . . One of the Founders of Dickinson College.
From
his will:
"To my Creator I resign myself, humbly confiding in His goodness and in His
mercy through Jesus Christ for the events of eternity."[9]