Witherspoon, John, Signer of the Declaration of Independence from New Jersey

Autograph letter signed ("Jno Witherspoon"), half page on a full sheet (13 x 8 1/4 in.; 330 x 207 mm), Pequea, Pennsylvania, 3 February 1777, to Captain Joseph Blewer (at Philadelphia), also signed by Robert Smith, autograph address and reception docket on verso; browned, inlaid. Half blue morocco folding-case.

During a brief leave from Congress, Witherspoon seeks a Pennsylvania appointment for a recent graduate of the College of New Jersey, which he served, of course, as president. "The Bearer is Mr. John Kitters Son of a Substantial free holder in this County. He was educated in this School & at Princeton College where he was approved both in point of Behaviour & Sufficiency. He intends applying for being made regimental paymaster to one of the Regiments of this State. Supposing this office to be in the Appointment of the Council of Safety we recommend him to you & by you to the other Members of that body being persuaded that he will acquit himself to your Satisfaction both in point of Ability & fidelity."

Robert Smith, who co-signed this letter of recommendation, was pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Pequea and master of the local academy. John Kittera, a native Pennsylvanian from near Blue Ball, went on to serve in the House of Representatives and as a U.S. Distrcit Attorney. Letters by Witherspoon from the period of the Revolutionary War are surprisingly uncommon.