Thomson, Charles (1729-1824), served as secretary of the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1781 and secretary of the Congress of the Confederation from 1781 to 1789. As secretary of the Continental Congress, Thomson signed the copy of the Declaration of Independence that the Congress adopted and sent for printing on July 4, 1776. John Hancock, president of Congress, was the copy’s only other signer. Born in County Derry, Ireland, Thomson came to America at the age of 10 as an orphan. He became a schoolmaster and then a successful merchant.
