Hooper William Declaration Signer William Hooper DS with Superb SignatureHooper, William, Autograph Document Signed, Indictment, in case of The King v. Lewis Hutton, Salisbury, North Carolina, March 6, 1769. 1 p., 7.75" x 10.25". Several tears on edges and folds; water stain on right two-thirds of document; very legible; excellent signature.North Carolina Deputy Attorney General William Hooper wrote and signed this indictment of Lewis Hutton for breaking into the home of William Coatney and stealing several items. The grand jury under foreman Robert Harris found the evidence insufficient and declared it "Not a True Bill." Hooper also signed the verso.Excerpt:"The Jurors for Our Sovereign Lord the King upon their Oath present that Lewis Hutton late of the County of Rowan Labourer on the first day of January in the year of Our Lord One Thousand seven Hundred and sixty Eight at the County aforesaid with force and Arms, the Dwelling House of One William Coatney did Brake and Enter and Two pewter plates One Iron Candlestick One Wallnutt Bedstead and One Sword All of the Value of Two pounds proclamation money Then and there found did take use and carry away to the great damage of the said William Coatney and against the peace of Our Lord the King his Crown and dignity "Will Hooper A.C."William Hooper (1742-1790) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to a Scottish minister and his wife. He graduated from Harvard College in 1760 with honors. Instead of pursuing a career in the clergy, he studied law with James Otis. He opened a law practice in Wilmington, North Carolina, in 1764, and became the circuit court lawyer for Cape Fear. In 1767, he married Anne Clark, and they had three children. In 1769, he became Deputy Attorney of the Salisbury District, and the following year received appointment as Deputy Attorney General of North Carolina. He initially supported the British colonial government of North Carolina and urged suppression of the Regulator rebels in the late 1760s and early 1770s. Elected to the North Carolina General Assembly in 1773, he slowly became a supporter of the Revolutionary cause. From 1774 to 1777, he represented North Carolina in the First and Second Continental Congresses. Although he missed the vote for independence in July 1776, he arrived in time to sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2. He resigned in 1777 and returned to North Carolina to focus on his law practice. The British tried to capture him and burned both his estates. He and his family settled in Hillsborough, North Carolina, where he continued to work for the North Carolina General Assembly until 1783. A Federalist after the war, Hooper campaigned in 1787 and 1788 for North Carolina to ratify the U.S. Constitution.This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE.