17 - Gouverneur Morris (PA)

#17 - Gouverneur Morris (PA)
Birthplace: Bronx, NY
Age at Convention: 35

1) Religion
-- Religion is the solid basis of good morals; therefore education should teach the precepts of religion, and the duties of man toward God.

2) Slavery
-- Opposed Constitutional protection for slavery or the slave trade
-- Described slavery as a "nefarious institution"

3) Upbringing
-- Born to a wealthy family
-- Educated by private tutors
-- Attended Columbia University

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/morris_g.html
2) http://www.answers.com/topic/gouverneur-morris
3) http://nyscss.org/pdfs/resources/nyandslavery/Chapter%20D/Documents/17771787.GOU.pdf
4) http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/g/gouverneur_morris.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (25) or Primarily Secular (14)
2) Abolitionist (16), Partial Abolitionist (18) or Non-Abolitionist (5)
3) Wealthy (15) or Middle-Class/Poor (24)

18 - Thomas Mifflin (PA)

#18 - Thomas Mifflin (PA)
Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
Age at Convention: 43

1) Religion
-- Won appointment as a major in the Continental Army, which caused him to be expelled from his Quaker faith
-- As governor of Pennsylvania, called for a day of Thanksgiving and Prayer in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety three.

2) Slavery
-- As govenor of Pennsylvania, called for the extradition of three men from Virginia accused of kidnapping a fugitive slave and returning him to their home state

3) Upbringing
-- Son of a rich merchant and local politician
-- Studied at a Quaker school and the University of Pennsylvania

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/mifflin.html
2) http://books.google.com/books?id=zEWsZ81Bd3YC&pg=PA489&lpg=PA489&dq=%22thomas+mifflin%22+slave&source=web&ots=zzU-_5s6KO&sig=Awji1Jpe9owpsU_0Crvj-6QILXY&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result
3) http://catalogue.nla.gov.au/Record/3390929

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (24) or Primarily Secular (14)
2) Abolitionist (15), Partial Abolitionist (18) or Non-Abolitionist (5)
3) Wealthy (14) or Middle-Class/Poor (24)

19 - John F. Mercer (MD)

#19 - John F Mercer (MD)
Birthplace: Stafford County, Virginia
Age at Convention: 28

Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution because he opposed it's ratification.

1) Religion
-- Episcopalian

2) Slavery
-- Held slaves

3) Upbringing
-- 5th of 9 children
-- Attended College of William and Mary

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/mercer.html
2) http://www.adherents.com/people/pm/John_Mercer.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (23) or Primarily Secular (14)
2) Abolitionist (14), Partial Abolitionist (18) or Non-Abolitionist (5)
3) Wealthy (13) or Middle-Class/Poor (24)

20 - James McHenry (MD)

#20 - James McHenry (MD)
Birthplace: County Antrim, Ireland
Age at Convention: 33

1) Religion
-- President of a Bible society
-- One of the more faithful members of the conventoin

2) Slavery
-- Candidly wrote in his private notes: "That the population or increase of slaves in Virginia exceeded their calls for their services," and thus a prohibition of the slave trade "would be a monopoly" in Virginia's "favor." Under such conditions "Virginia etc would make their own terms for such [slaves] as they might sell."49 The "etc" no doubt included McHenry's own state of Maryland.

3) Upbringing
-- Enjoyed a classical education at Dublin before emigrating to U.S. at age 18
-- Studied medicine

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/mchenry.html
2) http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2000/winter/garrisons-constitution-2.html
3) http://www.atheistparents.org/articles/2002/01/19/notes-on-the-founding-fathers

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (23) or Primarily Secular (13)
2) Abolitionist (14), Partial Abolitionist (18) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (13) or Middle-Class/Poor (23)

21 - James McClurg (VA)

#21 - James McClurg (VA)
Birthplace: Hampton, VA
Age at Convention: 41

Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution.

1) Religion
-- Presbyterian
-- No documentation found indicating religion played a significant role in his life

2) Slavery
-- Minimal documentation on his views of slavery.
-- Classifying as partial-abolitionist because he doesn't appear to have owned slaves.

3) Upbringing
-- Attended college of William & Mary

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/mcclurg.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (22) or Primarily Secular (13)
2) Abolitionist (14), Partial Abolitionist (17) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (13) or Middle-Class/Poor (22)

22 - George Mason (VA)

#22 - George Mason (VA)
Birthplace: Fairfax County, Virginia
Age at Convention: 62

Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution because he opposed it's ratification.

1) Religion
-- Supported the separation of church and state and worked to end government support of churches in Virginia
-- Proposed the following in a draft of the Virginia Declaration of Independence: "That as Religion, or the Duty which we owe to our divine and omnipotent Creator, and the Manner of discharging it, can be governed only by Reason and Conviction, not by Force or Violence; and therefore that all Men shou'd enjoy the fullest Toleration in the Exercise of Religion, according to the Dictates of Conscience, unpunished and unrestrained by the Magistrate, unless, under Colour of Religion, any man disturb the Peace, the Happiness, or Safety of Society, or of Individuals. And that it is the mutual Duty of all, to practice Christian Forebearance, Love and Charity towards Each other"
-- Played a key role in opposing Patrick Henry's 1785 Bill for the Support of the Teachers of the Christian Religion
-- Leveled some of the strongest criticism of slavery yet heard at the convention, declaring it an "evil" system that produced "the most pernicious effect on manners." He declared that "every master of slaves is born a petty tyrant" and warned that slavery would "bring the judgment of heaven on a Country" and ultimately produce "national calamities."

2) Slavery
-- Owned slaves - no record of him freeing his slaves.
-- Publicly vocal against slave importation, and he fought against its inclusion in the Constitution of the United States.
--

3) Upbringing
-- Father died at age 10, after which he was raised primarily by his uncle

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/mason.html
2) http://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/qmason.htm
3) http://www.geocities.com/peterroberts.geo/Relig-Politics/GMason.html
4) http://www.gunstonhall.org/georgemason/quotes.html#on
5) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Mason
6) http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2000/winter/garrisons-constitution-2.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (22) or Primarily Secular (12)
2) Abolitionist (14), Partial Abolitionist (16) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (13) or Middle-Class/Poor (21)

23 - Luther Martin (MD)

#23 - Luther Martin (MD)
Birthplace: Brunswick, NJ
Age at Convention: 39

Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution because he opposed it's ratification.

1) Religion
-- "we had appealed to the Supreme being for his assistance, as the God of freedom, who could not but approve our efforts to preserve the rights which he had thus imparted to his creatures; that now, when we scarcely had risen from our knees, from supplicating his aid and protection--in forming our government over a free people, a government formed pretendedly on the principles of liberty and for its preservation"
-- "spoke for a few delegates who were "so unfashionable as to think. . . that in a Christian country, it would be at least decent to hold our some distinction between the professors of Christianity and downright infidelity and paganism"

2) Slavery
-- Opposed including slaves in determining representation
-- Denounced any protection of the presence of slavery
-- Owned slaves
-- "we ought rather to prohibit expressly in our constitution, the further importation of slaves; and to authorise the general government from time to time, to make such regulations as should be thought most advantageous for the gradual abolition of slavery, and the emancipation of the slaves which are already in the States"

3) Upbringing
-- Graduated from Princeton with honors

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/martin_l.html
2) http://press-pubs.uchicago.edu/founders/documents/a1_9_1s8.html
3) http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/martin_marty/2008/01/god_and_the_constitution.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (22) or Primarily Secular (11)
2) Abolitionist (14), Partial Abolitionist (15) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (13) or Middle-Class/Poor (20)

24 - Alexander Martin (NC)

#24 - Alexander Martin (NC)
Birthplace: Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Age at Convention: 47

Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution

1) Religion
-- Presbyterian
-- Seldom identified with his religion's affiliation or doctrine

2) Slavery
-- Anti-Federalist, which implies he favored slavery
-- Owned 62 slaves at Danbury at the turn of the century
-- Agonized over slavery near... knew that no person should belong to another but he also knew that the agricultural economy of the South depended on human labor.

3) Upbringing
-- Attended local common schools
-- Graduated from Princeton

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/martin_a.html
2) http://www.adherents.com/people/pm/Alexander_Martin.html
3) http://books.google.com/books?id=8zcjYPZxPV0C&pg=PA189&lpg=PA189&dq=alexander+martin+constitutional+convention&source=bl&ots=7-9A_2tig3&sig=-N92nhkBMwERVfWEiHcZ-0Ti2GU&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=6&ct=result
4) http://www.historyteacher.net/USProjects/myessay13.htm
5) http://books.google.com/books?id=vNJ9yHdAdeAC&pg=PA16&lpg=PA16&dq=Alexander+Martin+prayer&source=bl&ots=erF28B_A5S&sig=MNcPPmOGuHcYsNGLZO9y2uvUyJk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result#PPA17,M1
6) http://books.google.com/books?id=vNJ9yHdAdeAC&pg=PA190&lpg=PA190&dq=Alexander+Martin+slave&source=bl&ots=erF28B_B7X&sig=6PqFTgyZovaj6VkBTFvJrETlfEY#PPA191,M1

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (21) or Primarily Secular (11)
2) Abolitionist (14), Partial Abolitionist (14) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (13) or Middle-Class/Poor (19)

25 - James Madison Jr (VA)

#25 - John Madison Jr (VA)
Birthplace: King George County, VA
Age at Convention: 36

1) Religion
-- Considered the ministry for a career after college graduation
-- Studied theology
-- Issued a Proclamation calling for a public day of prayer

2) Slavery
-- Held slaves his entire adult life
-- Active during later years with American Colonization Society, whose mission was the resettlement of slaves in Africa.
-- Wrote to R.E. Lee: "Another of my wishes is to depend as little as possible on the labour of slaves"
-- Wrote "the slave is no less evidently regarded by the law as a member of the society, not as a part of the irrational creation; as a moral person, not as a mere article of property"
-- Said the following during the a State of the Union address in 1810: "American citizens are instrumental in carrying on a traffic in enslaved Africans, equally in violation of the laws of humanity and in defiance of those of their own country. The same just and benevolent motives which produced interdiction in force against this criminal conduct will doubtless be felt by Congress in devising further means of suppressing the evil. "

3) Upbringing
-- Oldest of 10 children and scion of the planter aristocracy
-- Educated via tutors and private schools
-- Graduated from Princeton

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/madison.html
2) http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=3727
3) http://gmu.edu/departments/economics/wew/quotes/slavery.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (21) or Primarily Secular (10)
2) Abolitionist (14), Partial Abolitionist (13) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (13) or Middle-Class/Poor (18)

26 - William Livingston (NJ)

#26 - William Livingston (NJ)
Birthplace: Albany, NY
Age at Convention: 63

1) Religion
-- Associated with Calvinists and opposed dominant Anglicans
-- As a young man, spent time with Mohawks as an aide to a missionary

2) Slavery
-- Active in the anti-slavery movement
-- Chaired the comittee that reached a compromise on slavery
-- Set his own 2 slaves free
-- Wrote the following regarding his desire to be a member of a New York anti-slavery society: "I would most ardently wish to become a member of it [the society in New York] and... I can safely promise them that neither my tongue, nor my pen, nor purse shall be wanting to promote the abolition of what to me appears so inconsistent with humanity and Christianity... May the great and the equal Father of the human race, who has expressly declared His abhorrence of oppression, and that He is no respecter of persons, succeed a design so laudably calculated to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke."

3) Upbringing
-- Raised by maternal grandmother until age 14
-- Graduated from Yale in 1741
-- Great grandson of John Livingston

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/livingston.html
2) http://www.geocities.com/livvyboy/William-Livingston.html
3) http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g003.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (20) or Primarily Secular (10)
2) Abolitionist (14), Partial Abolitionist (12) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (12) or Middle-Class/Poor (18)

27 - John Lansing Jr (NY)

#27 - John Lansing Jr (NY)
Birthplace: Albany, NY
Age at Convention: 33

Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution. Lansing believed the convention had exceeded its authority and that the proposed consolidated government would be dangerous to the liberties of the people

1) Religion
-- No information found

2) Slavery
-- No information found
-- Classifying as partial abolitionist because he represented a northern state.

3) Upbringing
-- May have had a meager education as a youth, but by age 21 had completed his study of law
-- Wealthy as an adult, no information on his family's status as a youth.

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/lansing.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (19) or Primarily Secular (10)
2) Abolitionist (13), Partial Abolitionist (12) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (12) or Middle-Class/Poor (17)

28 - John Langdon (NH)

#28 - John Langdon (NH)
Birthplace: Portsmouth, NH
Age at Convention: 46

1) Religion
-- As governor of New Hampshire, issued proclamations calling for days of "Prayer and Fasting" and "Public Thanksgiving and Prayer"

2) Slavery
-- Supported slavery prior to the American Revolution
-- Helped draft the compromise on the slave trade
-- Freed his own slaves and rehired as workers

3) Upbringing
-- Father was a prosperous farmer with many children
-- Childhood education was intermittent

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/langdon.html
2) http://www.seacoastnh.com/Black_History/Black_History_of_the_Seacoast/Slavery_and_the_Langdon_Family/
3) http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/new_hampshire/60423
4) http://www.gracefellowship.org/resources/data/Gov_John_Langdon.pdf
5) http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=17936

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (19) or Primarily Secular (9)
2) Abolitionist (13), Partial Abolitionist (11) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (11) or Middle-Class/Poor (17)

29 - Rufus King (MA)

#29 - Rujus King (MA)
Birthplace: Scarboro, MA (Present day Scarborough, Maine)
Age at Convention: 32

1) Religion
-- Rarely spoke or wrote about his views on church and state
-- Supported a provision in an early draft of the Northwest Ordinance that would have set aside land in the Northwest Territory for the support of religious organizations (this provision was ultimately rejected by Congress)
-- Supported the provision in the 1821 Massachusetts Constitution that provided aid to ministers of the Gospel.
-- Remarked that he had never wished to see the "lawn sleeves" of Episcopal bishops in America. "I never liked the Hierarchy of the Church--an equality in the teacher of Religion, and a dependence on the people, are republican sentiments--but if the Clergy combine, they will have their influence on Government" (Rufus King: American Federalist, pp. 56-57, emphasis ours).

2) Slavery
-- Early opponent of slavery
-- In 1820, "believing that the issue of slavery could not be compromised but must be settled once and for all by the immediate establishment of a system of compensated emancipation and colonization, he denounced the Missouri Compromise"

3) Upbringing
-- Eldest son of prosperous merchant farmer
-- Graduated from Harvard

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/king.html
2) http://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/qking.htm

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (18) or Primarily Secular (9)
2) Abolitionist (12), Partial Abolitionist (11) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (10) or Middle-Class/Poor (17)

30 - William Samuel Johnson (CT)

#30 - William Samuel Johnson (CT)
Birthplace: Stratford, CT
Age at Convention: 59

1) Religion
-- Maintained a strong associated with the Anglican church

2) Slavery
-- Believed that slaves should be counted the same as other people for determining a state's representation
-- Opposed slavery

3) Upbringing
-- Born to a well known Anglican clergyman-philosopher
-- Father was president of King's College (Columbia University)
-- Graduated from Yale but was self-educated in law

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/johnson.html
2) http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_was_William_Samuel_Johnson%27s_viewpoint_on_slavery
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_notable_opponents_of_slavery
4) http://www.historynet.com/timeline-the-abolition-of-the-slave-trade.htm

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (17) or Primarily Secular (9)
2) Abolitionist (11), Partial Abolitionist (11) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (9) or Middle-Class/Poor (17)

31 - Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer (MD)

#31 - Daniel of St Thomas Jenifer (MD)
Birthplace: charles County, MD
Age at Convention: 64

1) Religion
-- No documentation of significant religious influence

2) Slavery
-- Owned slaves
-- Instructed all his slaves be freed 6 years after his death

3) Upbringing
-- Little is known of his upbringing & education

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/jenifer.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_of_St._Thomas_Jenifer

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (16) or Primarily Secular (9)
2) Abolitionist (10), Partial Abolitionist (11) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (8) or Middle-Class/Poor (17)

32 - Jared Ingersoll (PA)

#32 - Jared Ingersoll (PA)
Birthplace: New Haven, CT
Age at Convention: 37

1) Religion
-- Presbyterian

2) Slavery
-- Unable to find much documentation. Classifying as Partial Abolitionist because he represented a northern state.

3) Upbringing
-- Son of a prominent British colonial officer and later prominent Loyalist
-- Received an excellent education
-- Graduated from Yale

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/ingersoll.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (16) or Primarily Secular (8)
2) Abolitionist (10), Partial Abolitionist (10) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (8) or Middle-Class/Poor (16)

33 - William Houstoun (GA)

#33 - Wiliam Houstoun (GA)
Birthplace: Savannah, GA
Age at Convention: 32
Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution

1) Religion
-- Episcopalian

2) Slavery
-- Apparently didn't believe in slavery, but wasn't opposed to owning slaves

3) Upbringing
-- Son of a council member on the royal board of Georgia
-- Received a liberal education including legal training at Inner Temple in London

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/houston_w.html
2) http://www.biography-center.com/biographies/4205-Houston_William.html
3) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1320483/posts

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (16) or Primarily Secular (7)
2) Abolitionist (10), Partial Abolitionist (9) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (7) or Middle-Class/Poor (16)

34 - William C. Houston (NJ)

#34 - Wiliam C. Houston (NJ)
Birthplace: South Carolina
Age at Convention: 41

1) Religion
-- Leader of his local Presbyterian church

2) Slavery
-- Wrote an essay on taxation in 1782 in which he denounced slavery

3) Upbringing
-- Son of small planters
-- Likely attended a Presbyterian school
-- Attended College of New Jersey (Princeton)

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/houston_wc.html
2) http://www.laughtergenealogy.com/bin/histprof/founders/attended/houston.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (16) or Primarily Secular (6)
2) Abolitionist (10), Partial Abolitionist (8) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (6) or Middle-Class/Poor (16)

35 - Alexander Hamilton (NY)

#35 - Alexander Hamilton (NY)
Birthplace: British West Indies
Age at Convention: 30

1) Religion
-- Presbyterian in early life
-- May have used Christianity for political ends
-- Proposed a Christian Constitutional Society

2) Slavery
-- Wrote of the evils of slavery that Britain would bring to America
-- Argued that blacks natural faculties were as good as whites
-- Perhaps saw the Revolution and the struggle against slavery as inseparable
-- Attacked political opponents for demanding freedom for themselves but refusing it to blacks
-- May have owned slaves; did buy & sell on behalf of others

3) Upbringing
-- Illegitimate son of common law marriage
-- Father was a poor itinerant Scottish merchant
-- Mother was a planter's daughter
-- Mother & Presbyterian clergymen provided basic education

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/hamilton.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton#On_slavery

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (15) or Primarily Secular (6)
2) Abolitionist (9), Partial Abolitionist (8) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (6) or Middle-Class/Poor (15)

36 - Nathaniel Gorham (MA)

#36 - Nathaniel Gorham (MA)
Birthplace: Charlestown, MA
Age at Convention: 49

1) Religion
-- helped write the Massachusett's Constitution, which required: "Any person chosen governor, or lieutenant-governor, cousellor, senator, or representative, and accepting the trust, shall before he proceed to execute the duties of his place or office, take, make, and subscribe the following declaration, viz. 'I, ____, do declare, that I believe the Christian religion, and have a firm persuasion of its truth.'"

2) Slavery
-- Accepted southern demands about slavery to gain support of Carolinas and Georiga

3) Upbringing
-- Born into a family of modest means
-- Minimal education as a youth

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/gorham.html
2) http://www.errantskeptics.org/Fifty-Five-Delegates.htm
3) http://fas-history.rutgers.edu/clemens/constitutional1/gorham.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (14) or Primarily Secular (6)
2) Abolitionist (9), Partial Abolitionist (7) or Non-Abolitionist (4)
3) Wealthy (6) or Middle-Class/Poor (14)

37 - Nicholas Gilman (NH)

#37 - Nicholas Gilman (NH)
Birthplace: Exeter, NH
Age at Convention: 32

1) Religion
-- Congregationlist
-- Unable to find documentation indicating religion had a significant place in his life.

2) Slavery
-- Father may have owned a slave
-- Classifying as partial abolitionist as he was a delegate from the North
-- Unable to find much documentation

3) Upbringing
-- 2nd son of 8 children
-- Educated in local schools
-- Worked in his father's general store

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/gilman.html
2) http://www.myseacoastjob.com/2001news/2_25d.htm

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (13) or Primarily Secular (6)
2) Abolitionist (9), Partial Abolitionist (7) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (6) or Middle-Class/Poor (13)

38 - Elbridge Gerry (MA)

#38 - Elbridge Gerry (MA)
Birthplace: Marblehead, MA
Age at Convention: 43
Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution

1) Religion
-- Episcopalian
-- Called on the state of Massachusetts to pray that "with one heart and voice we may prostrate ourselves at the throne of heavenly grace and present to our Great Benefactor sincere and unfeigned thanks for His infinite goodness and mercy towards us from our birth to the present moment for having above all things illuminated us by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, presenting to our view the happy prospect of a blessed immortality"
-- As governor, issued a proclamation for a Day of Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer

2) Slavery
-- Favored the abolishment of slavery
-- Sarcastically quoted "Blacks are property, and are used to the southward as horses and cattle to the northward; and why should their representation be increased to the southward on account of the number of slaves, than horses or oxen to the north?"

3) Upbringing
-- 3rd of 12 children
-- Mother was daughter of a Boston merchant
-- Father was a wealthy & politically active merchant-shipper
-- Graduated from Harvard

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/gerry.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elbridge_Gerry
3) http://www.adherents.com/people/pg/Elbridge_Gerry.html
4) http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=8755
5) http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=18292

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (13) or Primarily Secular (5)
2) Abolitionist (9), Partial Abolitionist (6) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (6) or Middle-Class/Poor (12)

39 - Benjamin Franklin (PA)

#39 - Benjamin Franklin (PA)
Birthplace: Boston, MA
Age at Convention: 81

1) Religion
-- Suggested that "hence forth prayers imploring the assistance of Heaven, and its blessings on our deliberations, be held in this Assembly every morning before we proceed to business" on June 28 while the Constitutional Convention was in disarray.
-- Made a motion at the Convention to bring in a clergyman to pray for their deliberations
-- Said "I have lived, Sir, a long time, and the longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth - that God governs in the affairs of men"

2) Slavery
-- 1st President of the Pennsylvania Society for the Abolition of Slavery
-- First committed himself to abolishing slavery in 1730s
-- Final public act was signing of a memorial to Congress to recommend the end of the slavery system

3) Upbringing
-- 10th son of a soap & candlemaker
-- Primarily self-taught, did receive some formal education

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/franklin.html
2) http://www.adherents.com/people/pf/Benjamin_Franklin.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (12) or Primarily Secular (5)
2) Abolitionist (8), Partial Abolitionist (6) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (5) or Middle-Class/Poor (12)

40 - Thomas Fitzsimmons (PA)

#40 - Thomas Fitzsimmons (PA)
Birthplace: Ireland
Age at Convention: 46

1) Religion
-- Outstanding supporter of Philadelphia's St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church
-- Devoted philanthropist

2) Slavery
-- Member of the "39" that opposed slavery in the Northwestern Territory
-- Presented a petition stating "...we cannot doubt must produce the abolition of the slave trade"

3) Upbringing
-- Father provided him and his 4 siblings an adequate education

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/fitzsimons.html
2) http://www.pabook.libraries.psu.edu/palitmap/bios/Fitzsimmons__Thomas.html
3) http://books.google.com/books?id=YK69cgJMDkwC&pg=PA144&lpg=PA144&dq=thomas+fitzsimmons+slavery&source=bl&ots=29-3bAYRxX&sig=W9uxUDKBIWnk1EvUPRmfmyTs-jw&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result
4) http://books.google.com/books?id=4oN1AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA7&lpg=PA7&dq=thomas+fitzsimons+slavery&source=bl&ots=Xuqv8eMAYG&sig=FagqYwFYpxn38mq4Vl6mje9OCU8&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result#PPA8,M1

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (11) or Primarily Secular (5)
2) Abolitionist (7), Partial Abolitionist (6) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (5) or Middle-Class/Poor (11)

41 - William Few (GA)

#41 - William Few (GA)
Birthplace: Baltimore, MD
Age at Convention: 39

1) Religion
-- Devote Methodist
-- Donated generously to philanthropic causes

2) Slavery
-- Member of societies for the abolition of slavery
-- Voted to abolish slavery in the Northwestern Territory

3) Upbringing
-- Born on a farm
-- Encountered much hardship and minimal schooling
-- Self taught lawyer

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/few.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:American_abolitionists
3) http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20081117184842AAHmT6n
4) http://books.google.com/books?id=YK69cgJMDkwC&pg=PA144&lpg=PA144&dq=%22William+Few%22+slavery&source=bl&ots=29-3aB_RAU&sig=n9gqfdCnl6nJSdX38aunCOuiLYA&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result
5) http://books.google.com/books?id=8_1CCrRVRWUC&pg=PA100&lpg=PA100&dq=%22William+Few%22+slavery&source=web&ots=7TIn0qaM8Z&sig=G2WnAXCX7GFAxZTMPi0ntcyBBQk&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result#PPA101,M1
6) http://www.suite101.com/discussion.cfm/american_civil_war_retired/38227/265142

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (10) or Primarily Secular (5)
2) Abolitionist (6), Partial Abolitionist (6) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (5) or Middle-Class/Poor (10)

42 - Oliver Ellsworth (CT)

#42 - Oliver Ellsworth (CT)
Birthplace: Windsor, CT
Age at Convention: 42

1) Religion
-- Studied theology at Yale and College of New Jersey (Princeton)
-- Active member of the Congregational First Church of Windsor
-- "If I demean myself as a good citizen, I am accountable, not to man, but to God, for the religious opinions which I embrace, and the manner in which I worship the supreme being"
-- "A test in favour of any one denomination of Christians would be to the last degree absurd in the United States. If it were in favour of either congregationalists, presbyterians, episcopalions, baptists, or quakers, it would incapacitate more than three-fourths of the American citizens for any publick office; and thus degrade them from the rank of freemen. There need no argument to prove that the majority of our citizens would never submit to this indignity."
-- "We are almost the only people in the world, who have a full enjoyment of this important right of human nature. In our country every man has a right to worship God in that way which is most agreeable to his conscience"

2) Slavery
-- Did not own slaves
-- Opposed abolition of foreign slave trade
-- Favored slavery being subject to state authority, likely to ensure the support of Southern States to prevent a breakdown at the Convention

3) Upbringing
-- Born to Capt. David and Jemima Leavitt

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/ellsworth.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Ellsworth
3) http://www.geocities.com/peterroberts.geo/Relig-Politics/OEllsworth.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (9) or Primarily Secular (5)
2) Abolitionist (5), Partial Abolitionist (6) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (5) or Middle-Class/Poor (9)

43 - John Dickinson (DE)

#43 - John Dickinson (DE)
Birthplace: Talbot County, MD
Age at Convention: 54

1) Religion
-- "Kings or parliaments could not give the rights essential to happiness... We claim them from a higher source -- from the King of kings, and Lord of all the earth. They are not annexed to us by parchments and seals. They are created in us by the decrees of Providence, which establish the laws of our nature. They are born with us; exist with us; and cannot be taken from us by any human power, without taking our lives."
-- "As Congress is now to legislate for our extensive territory lately acquired, I pray to Heaven that they ...[c]urse not the inhabitants of those regions, and of the United States in general, with a permission to introduce bondage [slavery]."

2) Slavery
-- Freed his own slaves

3) Upbringing
-- Son of a prosperous farmer
-- Raised by private tutors

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/dickinson.html
2) http://history.delaware.gov/museums/jdp/jdpslave.pdf
3) http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g003.html
4) http://www.nhinet.org/ahern.htm
5) http://quotes.liberty-tree.ca/quote/john_dickinson_quote_9d75

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (8) or Primarily Secular (5)
2) Abolitionist (5), Partial Abolitionist (5) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (5) or Middle-Class/Poor (8)

44 - Jonathan Dayton (NJ)

#44 - Jonathan Dayton (NJ)
Birthplace: Elizabethtown, NJ
Age at Convention: 26

1) Religion
-- Submitted the following request to Ben Franklin during the Convention: "I will suggest, Mr. President, the propriety of nominating and appointing, before we separate, a chaplain to this Convention, whose duty it shall be uniformly to assemble with us, and introduce the business of each day by an address to the Creator of the universe, and the Governor of all nations, beseeching Him to preside in our council, enlighten our minds with a portion of heavenly wisdom, influence our hearts with a love of truth and justice, and crown our labors with complete and abundant success!”

2) Slavery
-- Actively opposed slavery
-- However, voted against restricting slavery in Lousiana Purchase territories

3) Upbringing
-- Son of a storekeeper who was active in local & state politics
-- Graduated from College of New Jersey (Princeton)

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/dayton.html
2) http://books.google.com/books?id=ZdK4weTixusC&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=jonathan+dayton+slavery&source=web&ots=jASJaxh1jL&sig=71B9Sg2cULPCIXyl7n0TTO3yFhw&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=4&ct=result
3) http://lass.calumet.purdue.edu/HammondJ/Hammond%20SHEAR%20paper%202004.pdf
4) http://turner.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=98020

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (7) or Primarily Secular (5)
2) Abolitionist (4), Partial Abolitionist (5) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (4) or Middle-Class/Poor (8)

45 - William R Davie (NC)

#45 - William R. Davie (NC)
Birthplace: Egremont, Cumberlandshire, England
Age at Convention: 30
Note: Delegate to the Congress, but did not sign the Constitution

1) Religion
-- Wrote to Madison of "... a constitutional guarantee for the free exercise of their religious rights and priveledges"
-- Raised by a Presbyterian clergyman
-- Insisted on a secular, scientific approach to republican education

2) Slavery
-- Owned a plantation where he held Slaves
-- Denounced those that would deprive Southern States of any share of Representation of their blacks (which was actually a pro-slavery statement).
-- Threatened to vote against joining the union if southern states were not granted 3/5 representation of slaves

3) Upbringing
-- Adopted by maternal uncle, William Richardson, a Presbyterian clergyman
-- Graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton)

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/davie.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Richardson_Davie
3) http://www.lib.unc.edu/ncc/ref/coates/watson.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (6) or Primarily Secular (5)
2) Abolitionist (4), Partial Abolitionist (4) or Non-Abolitionist (3)
3) Wealthy (4) or Middle-Class/Poor (7)

46 - George Clymer (PA)

#46 - George Clymer (PA)
Birthplace: Philadelphia, PA
Age at Convention: 48

1) Religion
-- Raised by Quaker relatives, but does not appear to have become a Quaker himself
-- In general, religion doesn't appear to have been significant in his life
-- Supported public funding for education, even if it meant money going to religious schools

2) Slavery
-- Quoted as saying "Among the expected glories of the Constitution, next to the abolition of Slavery was that of Rum"
-- Supported the prohibition of slavery in the Northwestern Territory

3) Upbringing
-- Orphaned, raised by wealthy uncle
-- Informal education

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/clymer.html
2) http://www.geocities.com/peterroberts.geo/Relig-Politics/GClymer.html
3) http://quote.papyrusfromegypt.com/quote/George_Clymer
4) http://www.cotknorwalk.org/blog/FoundingFathers/2005/09/george-clymer-signer-of-declaration.html
5) http://books.google.com/books?id=UWJStTs8-A4C&pg=PA113&lpg=PA113&dq=george+clymer+slavery&source=web&ots=FmcxKyE62S&sig=fZTEYvsfWpnuXajrg_XpUS-gM-0&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (6) or Primarily Secular (4)
2) Abolitionist (4), Partial Abolitionist (4) or Non-Abolitionist (2)
3) Wealthy (4) or Middle-Class/Poor (6)

47 - Daniel Carroll (MD)

#47 - Daniel Carroll (MD)
Birthplace: Upper Marlboro, MD
Age at Convention: 57

1) Religion
-- Studied for 6 years under Jesuits
-- Until 1776, prevented from becoming involved in Maryland politics by laws that excluded Catholics from holding public office
-- Family's ancient motto was "Strong in Faith and War"

2) Slavery
-- Unable to find notable documentation
-- As Maryland was one of the first northern states to abolish slavery, considering Carroll as a partial abolitionist

3) Upbringing
-- Son of a wealthy Roman Catholic family
-- Brother was first Roman Catholic bishop in U.S.

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/carroll.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Carroll
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slave_state

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (6) or Primarily Secular (3)
2) Abolitionist (3), Partial Abolitionist (4) or Non-Abolitionist (2)
3) Wealthy (4) or Middle-Class/Poor (5)

48 - Pierce Butler (SC)

#48 - Pierce Butler (SC)
Birthplace: County Carlow, Ireland
Age at Convention: 43

1) Religion
-- Episcopalian

2) Slavery
-- Owned slaves
-- Supported interests of other southern slave holders

3) Upbringing
-- Born in Ireland and came to America as a British Army officer
-- Lost considerable estates and fortune during British occupation of South Carolina

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/butler.html
2) http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Pierce_Butler
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierce_Butler

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (5) or Primarily Secular (3)
2) Abolitionist (3), Partial Abolitionist (3) or Non-Abolitionist (2)
3) Wealthy (3) or Middle-Class/Poor (5)

49 - Jacob Broom (DE)

#49 - Jacob Broom (DE)
Birthplace: Wilmington, Delaware
Age at Convention: 35

1) Religion
-- Found time for philanthropic and religious activities
-- Served as lay leader at Old Swedes Church
-- In letter to his son, wrote "... don't forget to be a Christian, I have said much to you on this head"

2) Slavery
-- Signed a petition to abolish slavery
-- Census shows he owned one slave, among other free servants

3) Upbringing
-- Eldest of a blacksmith or who also farmed
-- Educated at home and at a local school

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/broom.html
2) http://www.mccullough.nl/Jacob_Broom.htm
3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob_Broom
4) http://www.wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=52

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (4) or Primarily Secular (3)
2) Abolitionist (3), Partial Abolitionist (3) or Non-Abolitionist (1)
3) Wealthy (3) or Middle-Class/Poor (4)

50 - David Brearly (NJ)

#50 - David Brearly (NJ)
Birthplace: Trenton, New Jersey
Age at Convention: 42

1) Religion
-- Devoted much energy to church affairs
-- Served as delegate to Episcopal General Conference
-- Helped write the Episcopal church's prayer book

2) Slavery
-- Unable to find any references on slavery viewpoints
-- Classifying as partial abolitionst because of northern state affiliation

3) Upbringing
-- Unable to find references of poverty or wealth
-- Attended College of New Jersey (Princeton) but did not graduate

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/brearly.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Brearley
3) http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/constitution_founding_fathers_new_jersey.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (3) or Primarily Secular (3)
2) Abolitionist (3), Partial Abolitionist (2) or Non-Abolitionist (1)
3) Wealthy (3) or Middle-Class/Poor (3)

51 - William Blount (NC)

#51 - William Blount (NC)
Birthplace: Windsor, North Carolina
Age at Convention: 38

1) Religion
-- Unable to find any notable participation or influence.

2) Slavery
-- Inferred that he owned slaves
-- Governed the Southwest Territory, where unlike the Northwest Territory, slavery was still legal

3) Upbringing
-- Born into a family of distinguished merchants and planters

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/blount.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Blount
3) http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/exhibits/slavery/trustees.html
4) http://books.google.com/books?id=58kgAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA102&lpg=PA102&dq=%22william+blount%22+slavery&source=web&ots=Et46AdghQR&sig=_cL0TNJbGqkg1Vb7Kf4mHdxz9Bg&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (2) or Primarily Secular (3)
2) Abolitionist (3), Partial Abolitionist (1) or Non-Abolitionist (1)
3) Wealthy (3) or Middle-Class/Poor (2)

52 - John Blair (VA)

#52 - John Blair (VA)
Birthplace: Williamsburg, Virginia
Age at Convention: 55

1) Religion
-- Presbyterian and Episcopalian, however no evidence of extensive participation or influence
-- "But that part of the petition (from the Episcopal Clergy), which concerns me most, as well as every Non-Episcopalian in the state, is, where these Clergymen pray for an act of the Assembly to Enable, them to regulate all the spiritual concerns of that Church &c. This is an express attempt to draw the State into an illicit connexion & commerce with them, which is already the ground of that uneasiness which at present prevails thro' a great part of the State. According to the spirit of that prayer, the Legislature is to consider itself as the head of that Party, & consequently they as Members are to be fostered with particular care. This is unreasonable & highly improper, as well as dangerous. It ought therefore to [be] treated by the assembly as an ill-digested Scheme of policy in the present State of affairs. I am sorry that Christian Ministers should virtually declare their Church a mere political machine, which the State may regulate at pleasure;" (letter to James Madison - 1784)
-- "Surely we are not again to be irritated & harassed with the heavy weight of a State-Church, that is to sit as sovereign over the rest, by depending in a more particular manner for direction in Spirituals, upon that antiquated fountain head of influences, the secular power" (letter to Madison)

2) Slavery
-- Favored the immediate end of the slave trade
-- Supported a progressive program of abolition

3) Upbringing
-- Descendent of a wealthy family

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/blair.html
2) http://books.google.com/books?id=z2VzSg9hfp0C&pg=PA57&lpg=PA57&dq=John+Blair+abolition&source=web&ots=HhdpAhccfA&sig=wpq81JA8ayJZwRfgBTw2JkSNjTI&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=10&ct=result
3) http://www.adherents.com/people/pb/John_Blair.html
4) http://www.geocities.com/peterroberts.geo/Relig-Politics/JBlair.html#rlg

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (2) or Primarily Secular (2)
2) Abolitionist (3), Partial Abolitionist (1) or Non-Abolitionist (0)
3) Wealthy (2) or Middle-Class/Poor (2)

53 - Gunning Bedford, Jr (DE)

#53 - Gunning Bedford, Jr (DE)
Birthplace: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age at Convention: 40

1) Religion
-- Unable to find any notable participation or influence

2) Slavery
-- Fostered Abolitionism

3) Upbringing
-- 5th of 7 children from a distinguished family

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/bedford.html
2) http://www.state.de.us/facts/history/bedjrbio.htm

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (2) or Primarily Secular (1)
2) Abolitionist (2), Partial Abolitionist (1) or Non-Abolitionist (0)
3) Wealthy (1) or Middle-Class/Poor (2)

54 - Richard Bassett (DE)

#54 - Richard Bassett (DE)
Birthplace: Cecil County, Maryland
Age at Convention: 42

1) Religion
-- Devout Methodist who held religious meetings at Bohemia Manor (his inherited estate) and supported the church financially
-- "Mr. Bassett is a religious enthusiast, lately turned Methodist, and serves his Country because it is the will of the people that he do so" (William Pierce)

2) Slavery
-- Held a strong abolitionist position based on religious beliefs
-- Freed his own slaves
-- Advocated the emancipation of others

3) Upbringing
-- Son of part-time tavern owner and farmer who deserted his family while Bassett was young
-- Raised by his mother's relatives and eventually inherited much wealth and a plantation
-- Little formal education; self taught by reading law

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/bassett.html
2) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Bassett
3) http://www.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=113
4) http://www.geocities.com/peterroberts.geo/Relig-Politics/RBassett.html

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (2) or Primarily Secular (0)
2) Abolitionist (1), Partial Abolitionist (1) or Non-Abolitionist (0)
3) Wealthy (0) or Middle-Class/Poor (2)

55 - Abraham Baldwin (GA)

#55 - Abraham Baldwin (GA)
Birthplace: Guilford, Conn
Age at Convention: 32

1) Religion
-- Served as a minister at Yale for 3 years
-- Served as a chaplain in the Continental Army for 2 years

2) Slavery
-- Georgia delegate - not in favor of immediate abolishment of slavery in southern states.
-- Later acknowledged the "pain and difficulty which the subject (slavery) caused in that body (1st Continental Congress)"
-- Member of subsequent Continental Congresses that voted unanimously to a) ban slavery in the Northwest Territories and b) endorse federal oversight of slavery in the Louisiana Territory, a measure which prevented the import of new slaves from foreign shores.

3) Upbringing
-- One of twelve children born to a blacksmith

References:
1) http://www.teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/delegates/baldwin.html
2) http://books.google.com/books?id=JIpGSFl2yLAC&pg=PA126&lpg=PA126&dq=%22abraham+baldwin%22+northwest+1787&source=web&ots=pATsKCOh1K&sig=ALB62JaYdsMM9zyAPcMnsQP9L8s&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=2&ct=result#PPA127,M1
3) "Founding Brothers" by Joseph J. Ellis

Running tabulation:
1) Religiously Active (1) or Primarily Secular (0)
2) Abolitionist (0), Partial Abolitionist (1) or Non-Abolitionist (0)
3) Wealthy (0) or Middle-Class/Poor (1)

Overview

Inauguration Day 2009 (January 20th) will mark a monumental day in our nation's history. This blog will attempt to celebrate the moment by offering brief reviews of our Founding Fathers (recognized here as the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in Philadelphia).

As I embark on this endeavor, I am a bit embarrassed at how little I know of these influential individuals. Pardon my frankness, but until recently I allowed myself to believe that our founders were mostly secular, racist elitists. However, I've begun to challenge these beliefs after listening to a podcast titled "America's Christian Heritage" by David Barton.

My goal for this blog is narrow - to simply find evidence that contradicts my simplistic, negative image of our Founding Fathers. With the data collected, I will classify these delegates individually as follows, thus allowing myself to make a more informed classification of the entire group:
1) Religiously Active or Primarily Secular
2) Abolitionist (anti-slavery), Partial Abolitionist, or Non-Abolitionist (pro slavery)
3) Wealthy or Middle-Class/Poor

Notes / Disclaimers:
1) The phrase "separation of church and state" is not found in the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights. It first appeared in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson in 1802.
2) I acknowledge that an individual may be passionately religious yet desire a government that is free from religious influence. I will not concede that such an individual's ideals for government are not shaped in some manner by his/her spiritual beliefs.