Rev John Witherspoon. From 1756 John Witherspoon was the Minister of the Laigh Kirk During the ten years of his ministry he added to his already established reputation as a scholar and writer.

His reputation as a thinker and Churchman had extended far beyond the narrow confines of Paisley.

In 1766 Princeton University invited him to become the President of the University and on 4 July 1766 John Witherspoon added his signature to the American Declaration of Independence.

There is a plaque in Paisley Abbey in memory of John Witherspoon. John Witherspoon 1723- 1794, was a signer of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey.

He was the only clergyman to sign the Declaration. In June 2001 a statue was erected at the entrance of Paisley University to the memory of the Rev. John Witherspoon.