Thornton
MATTHEW, an American statesman; born in Ireland about 1714; came to America in 1717; engaged in the expedition against Louisburg as surgeon in the New Hampshire troops; took an active part in the overthrow of the royal government in New Hampshire; was president of the provincial convention of 1775 and speaker of the assembly in 1776; and served as judge of the Superior Court in 1776-1782. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1776; and a signer of the Declaration of Independence; a member of the General Court of Massachusetts; and in 1785 was appointed a member of the General Council. He died in Newburyport , Mass., June 24, 1803.