Founding Fathers Who Wrote the Constitution

Shelton's own Ripton Parish Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution, commemorates the 239th anniversary of the signing of our Constitution. Below are some thoughts on those who helped write the Constitution and signed it in 1787 in Philadelphia.

Many of the signers of the Constitution are not well known, even in their own states.

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However, everyone knows about Benjamin Franklin who was a publisher, a diplomat and entrepreneur. His kite flying with the key at the end on a stormy day is well known to school children. His sayings appeared in Poor Richard's Almanack and his Pennsylvania Gazette. He was probably the most quoted person in his time. He was 81 years old and attended every day at the Constitutional Convention.

Charles Pinckney of South Carolina was a young delegate at 29, but his age didn't keep him from speaking up. He made over 100 speeches and presented a Pinckney Plan to other delegates which included a single national leader called a President and a two-House Congress.

Robert Morris of Pennsylvania spent a million dollars of his own money to finance the battle of Yorktown. He ended up in "Prune Street" debtor's prison for 3 ½ years when he couldn't pay the taxes on his vast land holdings. He is one of only two men who signed all three founding documents – the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution.

The other person who signed all three founding documents was Connecticut's own Roger Sherman who was known as "Mr. Compromise." He supported the Connecticut Compromise which initially settled the big states–little states arguments over representation.

Daniel Carroll of Maryland helped write the first amendment and the tenth amendment. He was one of two Catholic delegates at the Convention. Daniel Carroll was described as a man of "large fortune" who enjoyed great influence in his state and possessed of "plain good sense".

Pierce Butler of South Carolina was on the committee that created the Electoral College. Many think it was his original idea. He was born in Ireland in 1744 and served as an officer in the British Army stationed in Boston, but resigned in 1773. He settled in the Charleston, South Carolina area.

John Rutledge of South Carolina helped pass the idea of the supremacy of federal laws over states' laws in matters affecting the nation as a whole.

Two hundred thirty-nine years later the Constitution is still our nation's rule of law. Benjamin Franklin said, after the Constitution was ratified, "Our new Constitution is now established, everything seems to promise it will be durable; but, in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes."

The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution is dedicated to promoting Historic Preservation, Education and Patriotism. DAR members are women who come from diverse backgrounds and have a variety of interests. Any woman 18 years old or older, regardless of race, religion or ethnic background, who can prove direct lineage to a Revolutionary War ancestor is eligible to join. For more information, visit https://www.dar.org/ For information on Ripton Parish Chapter, NSDAR, Inc. visit https://riptonparishchapter.org/ To learn more about America250! Visit https://www.dar.org/national-society/america-250/america250-foundation-partner