July 4th-The Welsh Connection

Question

The Declaration of Independence is a 'statement' adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states and no longer a part of the British Empire.

According to the Welsh Society of Philadelphia, 16 of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence were of Welsh descent:
George Clymer, Stephen Hopkins, Robert Morris, William Floyd, Francis Hopkinson, John Morton, Button Gwinnett, Thomas Jefferson, John Penn, George Read, John Hewes, Francis Lewis, James Smith, Williams Hooper, Lewis Morris, and William Williams. This represents the largest ethnic group of signatories on the original document. Thomas Jeffersons' family originated from Snowdonia and were fluent Welsh speakers.

Answer 1

Great post for the 4th, Sirfurryanimal! The Jefferson detail is my favourite. He actually wrote in his autobiography that his family tradition traced back to near Mount Snowdon, so he clearly took the Welsh connection seriously himself. Button Gwinnett on that list is a fun one too. He died in a duel barely a year after signing, which is why his autograph is now one of the rarest and most valuable in the world. Amazing how much Welsh influence went into American independence. Thanks for sharing this!