William Hooper, Declaration of Independence Signer

Source: Joseph Hewes and William Hooper Collection, East Carolina Manuscript Collection #994

William Hooper Portrait, ca. 1787

Staff Person: Nanette Hardison

Description:

William Hooper (1742-1790), a native of Boston who later moved to New Hanover County, N.C., was one of North Carolina’s three signers of the Declaration of Independence. He was an active delegate to Provincial Congresses in North Carolina and Continental Congresses, and later served in the North Carolina General Assembly. In 1782 Hooper purchased a home for his family in Hillsborough, where he practiced law.

This photograph of Hooper, along with one of fellow signer Joseph Hewes, was given to East Carolina Teachers College in 1926 by Fred A. Olds, collector for the North Carolina Historical Commission’s Hall of History in Raleigh. Information about these photographs and about the life of William Hooper can be obtained from the Joseph Hewes and William Hooper Collection, 1925-1926 http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/special/ead/findingaids/0994/).