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JOHN NIXON 1st to Read the Declaration of Independence Publicly on July 8, 1776

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:300.00 USD Estimated At:500.00 - 600.00 USD
JOHN NIXON 1st to Read the Declaration of Independence Publicly on July 8, 1776
Autographs
First Person to Read the New Declaration of Independence Publicly on July 8, 1776 at the State House in Philadelphia !
JOHN NIXON (1733-1808). First Public Proclamation Reading the Declaration of Independence Publicly in Philadelphia from the steps of the State House on July 8, 1776, Chairman of the Committee of Safety, and Revolutionary War Military Officer.
September 19, 1794-Dated Manuscript Document Signed, “John Nixon,” (Philadelphia), measuring 9.5” x 5.75”, 1 page, Choice Fine. Being a boldly signed receipt for 10 kegs of rum imported from St. Croix (now U.S. Virgin Islands), on the Brig Newton. Some light soiling, edge irregularities, spindle hole at middle left center which does not touch any written portion. The date and full signature “John Nixon” is extremely bold and prominent, measuring 2.5” long beautifully penned in deep rich brown ink.
JOHN NIXON (1733-1808) was born in Philadelphia, the son of a shipping merchant. Upon the passage of the Stamp Act in 1765, he signed the Non-Importation Agreement against the Act, became active in opposing the encroachments of the English government upon American liberties, and was a member of the first Committee of Correspondence in Pennsylvania.

In April 1775, he became lieutenant-colonel of the third battalion of the Philadelphia Associators, a militia unit. He was also a member of the Committee of Safety. From May to July 1776, he was in command of the defenses of the Delaware River at Fort Island, after which he was put in charge of the defenses of Philadelphia.

On July 8, 1776, he made the First Public Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Pennsylvania State House. The same year, Nixon was promoted colonel and later served under George Washington at the Battle of Princeton. In 1776, he became a member of the Navy Board, and two years later was with General Washington at Valley Forge.

In 1780, he became a Director of the Bank of Pennsylvania. Afterward he assisted in organizing the Bank of North America, of which he was president from 1792 until his death.

John Nixon died in 1808; he was interred in the churchyard of St. Peter's Church, Philadelphia.