Signer of the Declaration of Independence, born in York co., VA, on the 26th of December 1738. He was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, England, and while on his way home in 1759 was elected to the house of burgesses. He was member of provincial conventions in 1774–75, and was made colonel of the Second Virginia regiment, but resigned on being elected to the Continental Congress. Here he signed the Declaration of Independence. He opposed the sequestration of British property; he made large advances from his private property for the benefit of the State, and was thereby greatly embarrassed. In 1781 he was governor of Virginia, and called out the militia to oppose the British, who were then ravaging the State. He died at Yorktown, VA, on the 4th of January 1789. Two of his brothers were officers in the revolutionary army.
