Jr. Patriot Report

by John Stumpner

Fifty-six people signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which was the beginning of

the country that eventually became the United States. We all have heard of the famous people that signed like John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. But what about the less famous people, or those that you may not have heard of.

One of the less famous of the fifty-six people was William Hooper. William Hooper grew upin Boston and after graduating from Harvard University, moved to North Carolina to become a lawyer. As an honest and skilled lawyer, he eventually became involved in North Carolina colonial government. As a politician, he originally supported Great Britain, but, as the laws passed by Great Britain became more and more oppressive, he started supporting the cause of independence for the Thirteen Colonies. As a representative to the Continental Congress, he was often called upon for his speaking and writing abilities and even helped Thomas Jefferson write the Declaration of Independence. During the Revolutionary War, he spent much of his time hiding from the British, who wanted to take him prisoner. He owned two large farms or plantations in North Carolina which during the war were captured and destroyed by the British because he supported the cause of liberty. After the Revolutionary War, William Hooper supported the new Constitution and eventually became a Federal judge.

Not all ABATE of Wisconsin members hold high profile positions in our group. But all members are important to ABATE, just like William Hooper was important to the Thirteen Colonies. No matter how small we think our contribution is, everything we do as part of ABATE helps contribute to the freedom of the road.