American Quotations by William J. Federer 2024

Alexander Hamilton (January 11, 1755-July 11, 1804) was a signer of the U.S. Constitution. He was known as the "Ratifier of the Constitution," writing 51 of the 85 Federalist Papers. These were of immense significance in influencing the States to ratify the Constitution, which was much needed, as two-thirds of the States were required to approve it in order for it to go into effect. Although Alexander Hamilton was raised on the island of Nevis, West Indies, he supported the American's cause. In 1772, at age 15, he came to America. In 1773, he attended King's College, New York, where...

Abraham Baldwin (November 22, 1754-March 4, 1807) was an attorney, educator and politician, He was a signer of the Constitution of the United States, member of Congress and U.S. Senator. He graduated from Yale University and, in 1781, was offered the professorship of divinity there. He served as chaplain in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War and later studied law. In 1783 he was admitted to the bar, elected to the state assembly, and later chosen as a representative from Georgia to the Constitutional Convention. In 1785, he founded and became the first President of the University of Georgia, which...

John Leland (May 14, 1754-January 14, 1841) was a popular Baptist preacher who preached over 3,000 sermons in Massachusetts, Virginia and various other locations during the era of America's independence and early formation. He almost ran for the first U.S. Congress, promised to endorse James Madison if Madison would promise to push a First Amendment to protect religious liberty, as Baptists had been particularly persecuted in the generation prior to the Revolution. This meeting was commemorated by Leland-Madison Park in Orange County, Virginia. The citizens of Cheshire, Massachusetts made a giant cheese and had John Leland deliver it to President...

Amos Farnsworth (April 28, 1754-Oct 29, 1847) was a corporal in the Massachusetts Militia during the Revolutionary War. Immediately after the Battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, he entered in his diary: <We within the entrenchment...having fired away all ammunition and having no reinforcements...were overpowered by numbers and obliged to leave....I did not leave the entrenchment until the enemy got in. I then retreated ten or fifteen rods. Then I received a wound in my right arm, the ball going through a little below my elbow, breaking the little shellbone. Another ball struck my back, taking a piece of skin about as...

Columbia University (1754) founded in New York City. Originally named Kings College in honor of King George II, it was renamed Columbia College, 1784, and Columbia University, 1896. It has grown to become one of the most influential universities in America. Its seal consisted of a seated woman and written above her head the Hebrew Tetragrammaton name of God, YHVH. The Latin motto inscribed across the top is Psalm 36:10, "In Thy light we see light." The Hebrew phrase Uri El, which is written on a ribbon, alludes to Psalm 27:1 "God is my light." Under the woman's feet is inscribed...