Happy July 4th!

Happy Fourth of July! Today, we remember the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Charles Carroll was of Irish Catholic descent and was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was born in Annapolis, Maryland. After studying with Jesuits on his father's plantation as a child, his father sent him to France to study with the Jesuits at St. Omer's and later in Rheims. He ended his education there studying the law.

As a Catholic in Maryland, he had been barred from entering politics, practicing law, and voting. Much of his work in favor of the Revolution consisted of writing to various newspapers as well as providing financial support from his sizable fortune. When Maryland decided to actively support the Revolution, he was elected to the Continental Congress.

Later in life, he served as a U.S. Senator and was one of the founders of the B&O Railroad.

Carroll died in 1832 at the age of 95, revered by many across the nation as the last survivor of all the signers.

East and West Carroll parishes in Louisiana are named after him. Carroll is remembered today within the state song "Maryland, My Maryland".

He is known as Charles Carroll of Carrollton because that is the way he signed the Declaration of Independence. It's said that he added "of Carrollton" in order to differentiate himself from a cousin. All of the signers took great risks by affixing their names to the document.