John Penn, NC Signer of the Declaration

John Penn lived from 1741 to 1788 and was an only child. He was married once to Susannah Lye and they have three children together. Penn becomes active politics after he moves his family to Willamsboro North Carolina after he was tried and convicted of making derogatory remarks about King George III when speaking of taxation and breaking away from the mother country. While this act could deter most people, for Penn it only solidified his resolve, and he was appointed the the Provincial Congress in NC and then was elected to the Second Continental on September 8, 1775.

By October 12th he has taken his seat and initially hope a restoration of relations between the colonies and Great Britain could be achieved, however this was not to happen, and he eagerly voted for independence. He not only voted for Independence and signed the Declaration but also signed the Halifax Resolves. He was a member of Congress until 1777.

Fun Fact while in Congress, Lauren the President of the Congress challenged Penn to a duel and while the reasons were unknown it was amicably settled especially considering that Lauren was an older man, age 54,

Upon returning to North Carolina, he was involved in the Board of War, the Council of State but did not serve and resumed his law practice, he was also appointed a receiver of taxes for the Confederation but resigned this position as well. He died a widower and we know this by his will made in 1784.

He was initially buried on his property but was reinterned under the Signer's monument in Greensboro at the Guilford Court House State Park.