On August 2, 1776, members of Congress affixed their
signatures to an enlarged copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Fifty-six congressional delegates in total signed the document,
including some who were not present at the vote approving the declaration.

The delegates signed by state from North to South, beginning
with Josiah Bartlett of New Hampshire and ending with George
Walton of Georgia.

John Dickinson of Pennsylvania and James Duane, Robert
Livingston and John Jay of New York refused to sign.

Carter Braxton of Virginia; Robert Morris of Pennsylvania;
George Reed of Delaware; and Edward Rutledge of South
Carolina opposed the document but signed in order to give
the impression of a unanimous Congress.

Five delegates were absent: Generals George Washington,
John Sullivan, James Clinton and Christopher Gadsden and
Virginia Governor Patrick Henry.