Hooper, William (1742-90) Signer of the Declaration of Independence from North Carolina. Document Signed ("Wm Hooper") as Deputy Attorney General, one page, 11 x 7¼ in., Salisbury, NC, Sept. 5, 1768. An indictment of William Theuwyllen for armed assault against John Jenkins, beating, wounding, and ill treating him "so that his Life was greatly dispaired and…did other wrongs…to his great Damage and against the peace of God and our Sovereign Lord the King his Crown and Dignity." Very good; damp stain down left margin, toning, some edge chipping, and show-through from notations on verso, none of these affecting Hooper's signature. Hooper is very rare.
An early Loyalist, Hooper changed his allegiance by 1773 to the American cause. In 1774, he wrote a letter to his friend, James Iredell, predicting that the colonies would soon become independent and "ere long build an empire upon the ruins of Great Britain."
Estimated Value $3,500 - 4,500.
Signers of The Declaration of Independence
