Upon signing the Declaration of Independence, William Whipple freed his slave.
William Whipple Jr. represented New Hampshire in the signing of the Declaration of Independence. He had a slave by the name of Prince Whipple. Prince Whipple accompanied William Whipple during the American Revolutionary War.
According to legend, he is the black man fending off ice with an oar at Washington’s knee in the painting Washington Crossing the Delaware (can you spot him?) William Whipple set Prince free on February 22nd 1781, his wedding day. William said that he could not fight for and believe in liberty while owning a slave. Good call, Mr. Whipple, good call.