There is no shortage of information about the American Revolution and the events surrounding the creation of the Declaration of Independence. An extremely useful and easily navigated Web site with concise information is
www.ushistory.org. The portion which deals specifically with the signers is
www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers, but there are other informative portions of the site. The part on the signers gives short biographies of almost everyone in the play (plus many who are not). There is extensive information about
John Dickinson elsewhere on this site, under
www.ushistory.org/declaration/related (see “People”).
Otherwise:
Andrew McNair was actually the congressional custodian. A member of the Masonic order, he was employed as the official “ringer of the bell” from 1759-76.
Charles Thomson was an Irishman who was prevented by the Pennsylvania conservatives from being a delegate, because of his more radical views. He was allowed to serve as secretary of the Congress from 1774-1789. He signed the original declaration, which was lost “in the fever of freedom,” and was then not allowed to sign the second one. He kept detailed records of the events of Congress and even ran it when the delegates returned to their home states. Among his many accomplishments is the designing of the Seal of the United States.
Abigail Adams – there is much information about her on the Internet, which is easily accessed, including many short biographies.
