Declaration of Independence Signer. Born in Caroline County, Virginia, he studied law under his cousin, Edmund Pendleton, a lawyer who was also a prominent Virginia patriotic leader. When he was twenty-one he received his license to practice law, and practiced successfully for about twelve years in Virginia. In 1774, he moved to North Carolina, where he became a Revolutionary patriot leader while also setting up a law practice. In 1775, he was elected to be a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, serving from 1775 to 1780. Initially, he favored reconciliation with Great Britain, but when he realized that it would not happen, he came out for independence. While serving in Congress, Penn would have an argument over political issues with Henry Laurens of South Carolina, who was President of the Congress from late 1777 to late 1778, and Laurens challenged Penn to a duel. Neither man actually desired to fight the duel, but they could not find a way to back down either. However, then eventually settled the issue peaceably. In 1780, Penn left Congress to return to his law practice at home in Stovall, Granville County, North Carolina, where he died in 1788 at the age of 48. He was buried at his homesite, but was exhumed and re-interred at Guilford Battle Grounds near Greensboro, North Carolina in 1894.
Declaration of Independence Signer. Born in Caroline County, Virginia, he studied law under his cousin, Edmund Pendleton, a lawyer who was also a prominent Virginia patriotic leader. When he was twenty-one he received his license to practice law, and practiced successfully for about twelve years in Virginia. In 1774, he moved to North Carolina, where he became a Revolutionary patriot leader while also setting up a law practice. In 1775, he was elected to be a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, serving from 1775 to 1780. Initially, he favored reconciliation with Great Britain, but when he realized that it would not happen, he came out for independence. While serving in Congress, Penn would have an argument over political issues with Henry Laurens of South Carolina, who was President of the Congress from late 1777 to late 1778, and Laurens challenged Penn to a duel. Neither man actually desired to fight the duel, but they could not find a way to back down either. However, then eventually settled the issue peaceably. In 1780, Penn left Congress to return to his law practice at home in Stovall, Granville County, North Carolina, where he died in 1788 at the age of 48. He was buried at his homesite, but was exhumed and re-interred at Guilford Battle Grounds near Greensboro, North Carolina in 1894.
Bio by: Kit and Morgan Benson
Inscription
SIGNER
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
"FOR GOD SAKE, MY GOOD SIR,
ENCOURAGE OUR PEOPLE,
ANIMATE THEM TO DARE
EVEN TO DIE FOR THEIR
COUNTRY." JOHN PENN
Family Members
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