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.