“ANN BORDEN HOPKINSON”: This 1775-1778 portrait by Charles Willson Peale is one of more than 100 historic artifacts featured in “Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey,” on view at Morven Museum & Garden through January 17, 2027. (Gift of Oliver Hopkinson, Historical Society of Pennsylvania / Atwater Kent Collection, Drexel University)

In June 1776, the provincial congress of New Jersey sent five replacement delegates to Philadelphia with instructions to vote for independence from Great Britain. In a letter, John Adams confidently referred to them as “independent souls.” The new exhibition “Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey,” now on view at Morven Museum & Garden, examines the lives, ideals, and contradictions of the Declaration’s New Jersey Signers — Abraham Clark, John Hart, Francis Hopkinson, Richard Stockton, and John Witherspoon — through over 100 historic artifacts, including items not usually on display to the public.

The exhibition asks what the signers were like before, during, and after the Revolution and confronts a confounding actuality: while risking their lives for liberty, freedom, and equality, they denied these rights to the people they enslaved. Visitors can learn about these subjugated men, women, and children, as well as the impact of American independence on New Jersey’s Indigenous population.

“This is the first exhibition to examine the lives of New Jersey’s five signers of the Declaration of Independence,” said Elizabeth Allan, deputy director and curator. “We are excited to present a more holistic look at these lesser-known founding fathers whose earlier biographies are often romanticized and mythologized.”

In addition, “Five Independent Souls” highlights that the decision to separate from Great Britain was not a foregone conclusion, and that the resulting conflict was also a civil war. It illustrates New Jersey’s vital role in passing the resolution for American independence, and Princeton’s central role in achieving victory.

“As we approach this extraordinary anniversary, Morven is proud to stand where American independence began — and to share these stories with new generations,” sais Rhonda DiMascio, executive director. “We’ve been preparing to make the 250th unforgettable, and we can’t wait to welcome visitors of all ages from around the world to Morven.”

On display are manuscripts, paintings, furniture, and personal objects on loan from the collections of: the American Antiquarian Society; the American Philosophical Society; Historical Society of Pennsylvania/Atwater Kent Collection at Drexel University; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Historical Society of Princeton; the Hopewell Museum; Independence National Historical Park; Museum of the American Revolution; the National Gallery of Art; Presbyterian Historical Society; Princeton University Art Museum; Princeton University Library; The Rosenbach Museum and Library; The New York Public Library; The U.S. Naval Academy Museum; Yale University Art Gallery; and numerous private lenders.

“In the exhibition galleries, visitors will see historical treasures hailing from an impressive array of institutional and private collections, as well as some special items from Morven’s own collection,” said Jesse Gordon Simons, curator and registrar. “We were pleased to be able to find a breadth of objects to give light to New Jersey’s signers, in addition to being able to borrow significant works to tell the story of the vote for independence.”

Some of the many unusual and interesting pieces include a lock of John Hart’s hair; John Witherspoon’s tall case clock, c.1760; the first American Bible dedicated “to the Readers” instead of “King James”; a flirtatious letter from George Washington to Annis Boudinot Stockton; and the August 1776 London magazine containing the full text of the Declaration of Independence, announcing the news to British readers.

Plus, original artwork by Charles Willson Peale, Rembrandt Peale, and other renowned Revolutionary artists.

As an American Revolutionary site, the museum itself uniquely plays a role in the exhibition. Built for Founding Father Richard Stockton in the 1750s, Morven was briefly occupied by the British after Stockton became a prisoner of war.

“Five Independent Souls: The Signers from New Jersey” will be on view at Morven Wednesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through January 17, 2027. Concurrently on view are the permanent exhibition “Historic Morven: A Window into America’s Past” and the special exhibition “Northern Family, Southern Ties” (through 2028).

Morven is at 55 Stockton Street. For more information, visit morven.org.