Discover Francis Alison - Patriot, Scholar and Theologian
Preserving the Past, Enlightening Our Future
Discover Francis Alison - Patriot, Scholar and Theologian
Francis Alison: Influencer, Star Teacher, American Apollo
Continental Congress Influencer
While today's influencers use social media to shape public opinion, the influencers and shapers of the Revolution were teachers like Alison who taught philosophy and critical thinking as well as theology to the delegates. Three of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence were his students, as well as the Secretary of the Continental Congress and one of its presidents. He and Ben Franklin knew each other well; Franklin admired his work. George Washington and John Adams knew him and occasionally worshiped with him and heard him preach. He corresponded with the most prodigious minds in the Colonies, not only on politics but on religion, the classics and even natural sciences.
A Stellar Teacher
If a teacher can be n judged by the quality of the students taught, Alison is in the pantheon of great teachers. He started his academy in New London, PA a few miles above the Maryland and Delaware borders. This academy based on Allison's methods would become the University of Delaware. His first class of students was (according to historian John Munroe) “possibly the most distinguished in terms of the later achievements of its members, taken as a whole, of any class in any school in America.” Those students, from all walks of life, would go on to become statesmen, doctors, merchants and scholars. Alison's students Thomas McKean, George Read and James Smith signed the Declaration of Independence. Read also signed the U.S. Constitution. A fourth student, Charles Thompson, was the secretary of the Continental Congress for its full fifteen-year history, Thompson also designed the Great Seal of the United States and was sent by Congress to inform George Washington of his election as the first President of the United States.
An American Apollo
At Alison's death, one of his earliest students, Matthew Wilson concluded, "It is plain Dr. Alison was the principal father of learning and learned men [in Colonial America] and like Prometheus, Cadmus, or even Apollo of old, deserves perpetual remembrance,. as one of the greatest public benefactors, on whose urn every grateful Son of Science will drop a tear." [Wilson's full 2,431-word "Character Study" may be found elsewhere on this website.].
Special Section - Things you never knew about July 4, 1776.
The debates leading up to Declaration were heated.
Let no one care about what is said, Let everyone care about what is recorded.
The Declaration of Independence almost did not happen
Anyone who has ever visited Philadelphia in the summer knows that it can be Hazy, Hot and Humi; the summer of 2025 was one such summer with highs in the nineties and no cooling breezes.
Imagine, then, having 56 Delegates (plus Secretaries and aides) housed in a hot, stuffy fort-foot-square (1,600 sq.ft) room debating what the Thirteen Colonies should do to respond to indignities suffered from the British Crown.
Windows were shut tight to prevent detection by the Crown's spies. Charges of Sedition,, if they were caught, were a real danger. So they sat, in the drenching heat in wool coats and wigs on, debating.
Although all the colonies were united in their opposition to the Crown's overreach, they had different approaches to deal with it. Heated debates were common; tempers flared and even canings occurred.
The Declaration of Independence almost did not happen
Let no one care about what is said, Let everyone care about what is recorded.
The Declaration of Independence almost did not happen
Pennsylvania was the "Keystone" of the colonies; Philadelphia was the Colonial Hub of activities. Pennsylvania therefore became more closely aligned with the Crown. It was not a foregone conclusion that they would sign the declaration,
According to one delegate, “The state of Pennsylvania on the 4th of July (there being only five members present, Messrs Dickinson and Morris, who had in the committee of the whole voted against Independence were absent) voted for it; three to two.... Unanimity in the thirteen states, an all important point, on so great an occasion, was thus obtained; the dissension of a single state might have produced very dangerous consequences."
The absence of two delegates from Pennsylvania allowed the passage of the declaration!
Let no one care about what is said, Let everyone care about what is recorded.
Let no one care about what is said, Let everyone care about what is recorded.
Let no one care about what is said, Let everyone care about what is recorded.
Charles Thompson, a student of Francis Alison (and later an instructor under him) was the Secretary of the Continental Congress for its entire 14 years. secretary of Congress, As such it was Thomson's prerogative as to what would be included in the official Journals of the Contintntal Congress. After leaving office, he chose to destroy the work in an effort to preserve the myths of War of Independence leaders as heroes and stated his desire to avoid "contradict[ing] all the histories of the great events of the Revolution. Let the world admire the supposed wisdom and valor of our great men. Perhaps they may adopt the qualities that have been ascribed to them, and thus good may be done. I shall not undeceive future generationsyears." Today, historians have to rely on diaries and letters of the 56 delegates to get a better understanding as to what went on during the momentous months of June and July 1776.
Special Section - July 4, 1776 , Continued
Only two names appeared on the first edition of the Declaration of Independence.
Only two names appeared on the first edition of the Declaration of Independence.
Only two names appeared on the first edition of the Declaration of Independence.
The only two names that appeared on the first printed copy of the Declaration of Independence (published July 8th) were John Hancock, the President of the Congress and Charles Thomson, who as Secretary of the Continental Congress, attesting to it.
So... When was the Declaration finally signed?
Only two names appeared on the first edition of the Declaration of Independence.
Only two names appeared on the first edition of the Declaration of Independence.
In August 22, 1813, Thomas McKean (a signer of the Declaration and student of Francis Alison) wrote to the nephe of another signes of the Declaration,
“ I will tell you some truths not generally known: In the printed public journal... it would appear, that the Declaration of Independence was signed on the 4th of July by the members whose names are there inserted, but the fact is not so, for no person signed it on that day, nor for many days after, and among the names subscribed, one was against it, "Mr Read, and seven [others] were not in Congress on that day [Morris, Rush, Clymer, Smith, Taylor, Ross of PA, and Thornton of NH]; nor were the six gentlemen last named, at that time members; the five for Pennsylvania were appointed Delegates by the Convention of that state on the 20th of July, and Mr Thornton entered Congress for the first time on the 4th of November following: [while] the names of Wisner of New-York, and Thomas McKean of Delaware are not printed as subscribers, though both were present, and voted for Independence."
Under Construction!
Only two names appeared on the first edition of the Declaration of Independence.
Under Construction!
Come Back Soon!
Our Collections
The First in Our Collection: Matthew Wilson: A Character Study of Francis Alison
The First in Our Collection: Matthew Wilson: A Character Study of Francis Alison
francisalison.org's main purpose is two fold
- To be a one-stop destination for researchers, historians, and anyone interested in the thoughts and writings of The Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, his correspondence with contemporaries and historical information from a number primary repositories, such as, but not limited to, The Universities of Pennsylvania and Delaware, the Presbyterian Archives in Philadelphia and other library archives.
- To be a resource for the descendants of the Rev.Dr.Francis Alison and Hanna Armitage with information not available on commercial genealogical sites.
The First in Our Collection: Matthew Wilson: A Character Study of Francis Alison
The First in Our Collection: Matthew Wilson: A Character Study of Francis Alison
The First in Our Collection: Matthew Wilson: A Character Study of Francis Alison
"I beg a place in your patriotic Journal for the Character of one of the Greatest Men of America, drawn as briefly as I could, with some hints which may be useful at this time, when Seminaries of Learning, while demolish’d by. the ungenerous English, are ready to be established. I hope, on broader bottoms, and better foundations, than before. ••• I boldly prophesy that Learning, as well as Liberty are first to arrive as the highest possible summit of perfection in the Columbian States.
But in order to [do] this the Seats of the Muses must be removed to the remotest distances from the proud, immoral; luxurious and effeminate cities to some poor, honest, laborious villages, where the Lacedemonian virtues, with Dr. Alison's unequalled assiduity and most successful method of teaching, the Belles Lettres, etc, may be secured by the Laws of Congress, and rendered immutable, as those of the Meades and Persians.
I doubt not you will, for this most important purpose, devote a column or two of your valuable Paper to publish this Character ..."
Keep reading this Character Study by clicking the button below.
About francisalison.org
A Dream becomes Reality [Our History]
Existing as a dream by some of his
descendants as far back as 1968, the germ of the creation of francisalison.org took place with a multigenerational gathering of his descendants in 2021.
At another gathering of descendants and the acquisition of the francisalison domains (.org, .com, and .net) in 2023, discussion centered on the need for a dedicated organization to preserve and share the work and influence of Francis Alison on Colonial America and the birth of our nation.
Our Mission
Founded officially in 2023, and incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 2026, The Francis Alison Foundation (francisalison.org) is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history, thoughts and writings [to, from and about] the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, Sr. who taught signers of the Declaration of Independencea as well as framers of the Constitution and worked to preserve religious freedom in America.
Membership - in progress
Membership - in progress
We are now official!
the Francis Alison Foundation, LLC is now incorporated as a Delaware Corporation! While our non-profit status is still in progress, our goal is still the same.
- On this the 250th Anniversary of our Declaration of Independence, we will continue to publish information regarding the Founding Fathers and Francis Alison.
- Legacy Memberships are available to the descendants of Francis and Hannah Alison. Descendants pay minimal dues to cover expenses and to also get access to excludive genealogical and historical content not found elsewhere.
Francis Alison - Genealogy
A Dream becomes Reality [Our History]
Existing as a dream by some of his
descendants as far back as 1968, the germ of the creation of francisalison.org took place with a multigenerational gathering of his descendants in 2021.
At another gathering of descendants and the acquisition of the francisalison domains (.org, .com, and .net) in 2023, discussion centered on the need for a dedicated organization to preserve and share the work and influence of Francis Alison on Colonial America and the birth of our nation.
Education
As we build this site, We plan to offer a variety of educational programs for all ages, on line. For now, feel free to explore our current online resources.
THIDS SECTION IN PROGRESS
Alison, Allison. Ellison. What's in a name? A guide for Alison ancestors.
Alison, Allison. Ellison. What's in a name? A guide for Alison ancestors.
There are three main spellings for Alison as shown above, and as spelling was not standardized in the 18th century, people spelled it the way it sounded to them.
Mainly hailing from the Northern Ireland counties of Ulster and Donegal, people named Alison came to New England first but when the Puritans forbad them from staying, the moved first to New Hampshire and Maine and then spread out especially after a number of severe New England winters. Many of them moved to Pennsylvania, Maryland and the Carolinas.
While our focus is on Francis Alison, our main resources are accurate back though his parents and include his siblings.
However, we do have data concerning Alison familys not in our direct line and we will endeavor to answer any questions you may have regarding the Alisons.
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