William Hooper
William Hooper was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on June 17, 1742. He was the son of the Rev. William Hooper, who came from Kelso, south of Scotland, and was pastor of Trinity Church in Boston for many years. He commenced the study of law under James Otis, one of the most distinguished counselors of that time, and was married to Anna Clark.In 1768, he conducted several critical public trials, which he managed with skill and address, placing him in the first rank of able advocates. He attracted the attention of Governors Tryon and Martin and Chief Justice Howard. His estimable character, superior talents, and extensive influence were worth securing for their royal master.
1766. The Regulators
The Regulars were primarily composed of poor, ignorant, desperate men led by those of more intelligence but with baser hearts who promised them large rewards. In There, 3,000 Regulars in 1770 opposing civil authorities and judges from the bench and committed personal outrages. Mr. Hooper took a bold stand against them-advised a prompt attack by the military-his plan was approved-a severe battle ensued-the insurgents were dispersed and quietly restored. In 1773, he was elected to the Assembly of his province when the creatures of the crown attempted to throw a ministerial coil around the people. In William Hooper, they found a troublesome customer-a bold, fearless, eloquent, uncompromising opponent to their schemes of tyranny. In the legislative hall, he met them with unanswerable arguments. Through a series of essays, he spread their designs before the people. He was no longer flattered by the crown officers but became a favorite with those he esteemed more highly-those who returned him to the Assembly. A question came before that body that tested the powers of Mr. Hooper. The statute creating the judiciary had expired. In framing a new one, an attempt thrust forward to model it to meet the British cabinet's designs. So powerful was the influence of this friend of the people that he kept his opponents at bay, and the province was a year without courts. He was then thoroughly before his constituents the champion of equal rights. By the people, he stood approved and admired.On August 25, he served in the general Congress and rendered efficient services. He was on one of the crucial committees that prepared a statement of the colonies' rights. He was one of the committee that reported the statutes that affected the trade and manufactures of the colonies. The following year, he was returned to Congress and was chairman of a committee to prepare an address to the people of Jamaica relative to British oppression. He wrote it in a bold and vigorous style and proved conclusively that ministerial insolence was lost in ministerial barbarity-that resistance or slavery had become the issue.
On June 12, 1775, Mr. Hooper offered the following preamble and resolution passed by Congress, corroborating the intimation in the exordium to this article.
"It is at all times an indispensable duty devoutly to acknowledge the superintending providence of the great Governor of the world, especially in times of impending danger and public calamity-to reverence and adore His immutable justice as well as to implore his merciful interposition for our deliverance-therefore
" Resolved-Congress recommends that the people of the American Colonies observe the 20th day of July as a day of public humiliation, fasting, and prayer."
The zeal and exertions of this ardent patriot in the glorious cause of freedom were constant and vigorous. He served actively in committee rooms and was considered a forcible debater in the House. In the spring of 1776, he was a member of the conventions that convened at Hillsborough and Halifax in North Carolina and was one of the leading and most eloquent speakers. He also prepared an address to the British Empire's people, written with great nerve and energy. He then took his seat in Congress and boldly supported the Declaration of Independence.
In February 1777, he obtained a leave of absence from Congress and returned to his family. When the news of the defeat of Washington at Germantown reached him, some of Hooper's friends seemed dismayed at the intelligence. He rose calmly from his seat and earnestly remarked-"We have been disappointed, but now that we have become the assailants, there can be no doubt of the issue." Before his return from Congress, his property at Wilmington had suffered from royal vengeance. His safety was then in jeopardy-he found it necessary to flee to the interior to avoid the hemp. He and all the signers had made arrangements with the French minister to remove one of the French West India islands in the event of the failure to maintain Independence. He did not return to Wilmington until the enemy's evacuation in 1781. During his absence, his family remained exposed to the proverbial insults of his Christian Majesty's officers and soldiers. He remained in the province to rouse the people to action and was an efficient member of the new government. In 1782, he moved to Hillsborough to resurrect his long-neglected private affairs and again took his place at the Bar. In 1786, Congress appointed him a court member organized to determine the controversy between New York and Massachusetts relative to the disputed territory, which the parties amicably settled.
Mr. Hooper continued to aid in the legislation of his adopted state and pursue his profession until 1787, when his health became impaired, compelling him to retire from public life and the Bar.
William Hooper died in October of 1790.