New Bern in Craven County, North Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)
Rev. John Knox Witherspoon
Educator & Minister
| | 1817 | |
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 2023
1. Rev. John Knox Witherspoon Marker
The Rev. John Knox Witherspoon, A.B., D.D., LL.D., organizing minister of First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, on January 7, 1817. Born in 1791 at "Pembroke" Plantation on the Trent River, he was the grandson of the Rev. John Witherspoon, the only clergyman to sign the Declaration of Independence. Orphaned at age 9, he became the ward of his half-brother, Frederick Nash, Esq. of Hillsborough. Young Witherspoon, educated at UNC-Chapel Hill, was admitted to the NC Bar. He completed theological studies at Princeton, NJ, and married Susan Kollock. Together they had seven children. At age 25, in 1816, he returned to Hillsborough where he organized the Presbyterian Church, serving as minister for 17 years. Dr. Witherspoon was Stated Clerk of Orange Presbytery, and frequently filled area pulpits. In 1836 he was elected as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. He died in 1853 and is buried in Hillsborough.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the Signers of the Declaration of Independence series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 7, 1817.
Location. 35° 6.583′ N, 77° 2.391′ W. Marker is in New Bern, North Carolina, in Craven County. It is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Carolina’s Coastal Plain. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: First Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named First Presbyterian Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Centenary United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); New Bern Academy (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Political Duel (about 500 feet away); Bayard vs Singleton (about 500 feet away); Bayard v. Singleton (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named New Bern Academy (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in New Bern.
Also see . . .
1. John Knox Witherspoon. NCpedia website entry:
By the early summer of 1816, at age twenty-five, he returned to Hillsborough to assume a double charge, the pastorate of the newly built Presbyterian church and the principalship of the closely allied Hillsborough Academy. Despite his youth the Reverend Mr. Witherspoon's family and church connections automatically secured for him immediate and almost unlimited prestige in North Carolina and throughout the country. He was in constant demand to fill pulpits and to organize new churches such(Submitted on May 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)as the Presbyterian Church of New Bern in 1817.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, May 16, 20232. Rev. John Knox Witherspoon Marker(looking northwest from New Street • First Presbyterian Church in background)
2. Rev John Knox Witherspoon Sr. Find A Grave website entry:
(Hillsborough Old Town Cemetery, Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina) "Who Organized the Presbyterian Church in Hillsborough, and was Its Beloved Pastor from 1816 to 1832 and Died Sept., 25, 1853, in the 63 Year of his Age. This Monument Is Erected As a Tribute of Affection by the People of his Charge."(Submitted on May 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
3. First Presbyterian Church: Our History. Church website entry:
In New Bern, the First Presbyterian Church formed in 1817 with 13 founding members. John Knox Witherspoon, grandson of a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was the organizing Minister. The current Sanctuary was constructed in 1819-21, and dedicated on January 6, 1822. During the Civil War, the Sanctuary was occupied as a Union hospital.(Submitted on May 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on November 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 247 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 22, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
