Here is the signature of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who was a delegate to the Continental Congress, and the longest-lived and last surviving signatory of the Declaration of Independence:

Carroll signed this on May 24, 1826, when he was 88 years old.  He lived to be 95.

This is also in a letter in the Winslow Family Papers.

Here is Alexander Hamilton’s signature, from one of the letters in the Winslow Family Papers:

Hamilton was one of the Founding Fathers, and he served as the first Secretary of the Treasury (1789-1795) under George Washington. He was mortally wounded in a duel with Aaron Burr on July 11, 1804, and died on July 12th.

Here is WIlliam Ellery’s signature from ship’s pass for the Betsy of Newport that is signed by George Washington, December 12, 1796.:

Ellery, a Newport native, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, as a representative of Rhode Island.  He also served as a judge of the Supreme Court of Rhode Island.  His signature is on this document because he was the first customs collector of the port of Newport under the Constitution.

Ellery is buried in the Common Burying Ground in Newport.  William Ellery Channing, the Unitarian preacher, was his grandson.

Here is George Washington’s signature from December 12, 1796:

It unfortunately has what appears to be a burn hole going through it, but it’s still pretty amazing to think that this document is 217 years old.  It’s survival has depended on people taking an active interest in its preservation.

This is from a ship’s pass for the Betsy of Newport.

Here is John Adams’ signature from December 9, 1800:

This is from a ship’s pass for the Hercules Courtenay of Newport.  That may just be the coolest ship’s name I’ve ever heard.

Here is Winfield Scott’s signature from October 8, 1833:

Scott was an unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852.

One of his nicknames was “Old Fuss and Feathers”.  You can’t make this stuff up.

This is another treasure in the Winslow Family Papers in Special Collections.

Here is Thomas Jefferson’s signature from September 6, 1805:

This is on a ship’s pass for the George and Mary of Newport.

Here is James Madison’s signature from September 6, 1805:

Madison was the Secretary of State at the time, and later served as president from 1809-1817.

Here is Grover Cleveland’s signature from 1894, during his second presidency:

Cleveland is the only president to serve two non-consecutive terms.