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John Morton was the first of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence to die, passing away less than a year after casting a pivotal vote that changed the course of history.

Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, in 1725, Morton’s father died before he was born. He was raised by his mother and stepfather and was largely self-taught. He began his career as a surveyor while tending the family farm.

In 1756, Morton was elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Over 19 terms, he helped write 72 bills, 50 of which became law. In 1775, he was unanimously elected Speaker of the Assembly. He also held various public roles, including justice of the peace, sheriff, road commissioner, delegate to the Stamp Act Congress in 1765, and associate justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

Morton served in both the First and Second Continental Congresses and contributed to drafting the Articles of Confederation, which were ratified after his death. His most consequential act came in July of 1776, when, among Pennsylvania’s seven delegates, two voted no, two abstained, and two voted yes. Morton cast the deciding vote for independence, securing Pennsylvania’s support.

He died in the spring of 1777 at the age of 51 from tuberculosis. Facing criticism for his vote, Morton’s final message to his detractors was: “Tell them they shall live to see the hour when they shall acknowledge it to have been the most glorious service I ever rendered to my country.”

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