Eleanor Finch
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer (1723 –1790) was an American Founding Father and politician who was one of the signers of the United States Constitution. Jenifer was born in Charles County, Maryland, and served in the Continental Congress. He was active in the colonial government of Maryland and supported the Patriot cause during the American Revolution. After the Constitutional Convention, he retired to his plantation near Annapolis, where he died in 1790.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer |
| Birth Year | 1723 |
| Death Date | November 16, 1790 |
| Age at Death | 66-67 |
| Origin | Coates Retirement (now Ellerslie), an estate west of Port Tobacco in Charles County, Maryland |
| Occupation | American politician, Founding Father, receiver general, justice of the peace, financial agent, planter, and landowner |
| Achievements | Signed the United States Constitution, helped resolve a boundary dispute between Pennsylvania and Delaware, served as president of Maryland's Council of Safety, and freed his slaves in his will |
| Family | Dr. Daniel Jenifer (father), Elizabeth Mason (mother), Thomas Stone, Michael J. Stone, and John Hoskins Stone (nephews) |
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What You'll Learn
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a Founding Father from Maryland
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, born in 1723, was a Founding Father from the state of Maryland. Jenifer was born at Coates Retirement (now Ellerslie), an estate west of Port Tobacco in Charles County, Maryland. He was the son of Dr. Daniel Jenifer and Elizabeth Mason. Jenifer's family was of Swedish origin, with his father being a planter of English and Swedish ancestry.
Jenifer served as a receiver-general, making him the local financial agent for Maryland's last two proprietors. He also served as justice of the peace for Charles County and later for the western circuit of Maryland. In 1760, he was part of a commission that resolved a boundary dispute between Pennsylvania and Delaware. Jenifer also held several positions of high esteem, aiding the office of the governor and serving on the Governor's Council, the upper house of the Maryland legislature.
As conflict arose with Great Britain, Jenifer, a wealthy landowner, embraced the Patriot cause. He became the president of Maryland's Council of Safety, the Patriot body established to organize Maryland's military forces for the Revolution from 1775 to 1777. During the American Revolution, despite his advanced age, Jenifer contributed by using his wealth and land to support the American cause.
In 1787, Jenifer was named to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he represented Maryland. He was one of 29 delegates who attended nearly all of the proceedings. Despite his age limiting his participation, Jenifer used his prestige and good humour to help broker compromises on key issues. He was a strong advocate for a strong central government. After the Convention, Jenifer retired to his plantation near Annapolis, where he died in 1790.
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He was a wealthy landowner who supported the Patriots
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a Founding Father from the State of Maryland. He was born in 1723 at Coates Retirement (now Ellerslie), an estate west of Port Tobacco in Charles County, Maryland. His father, Dr. Daniel Jenifer, was a planter of English and Swedish ancestry.
Jenifer was a wealthy landowner and plantation holder. He inherited a large plantation near Annapolis, Maryland, known as Stepney, where he lived for most of his life. Despite earlier disagreements with the Patriots, he supported the American Revolution and lent his considerable support to the Patriot cause. He became the president of Maryland's Council of Safety, the Patriot body established to organize Maryland's military forces for the Revolution from 1775 to 1777.
Jenifer's leadership of Maryland's finances from 1782 to 1785 allowed the state to survive the critical economic depression after the Revolutionary War. He was close friends with many founders, including George Washington, James Madison, and John Dickinson. He sought creative solutions to the political and economic challenges following the weakened position of the colonies. He was a part of the Mount Vernon Conference, which directly contributed to the later Constitutional Convention.
After the Constitutional Convention, Jenifer retired to his plantation near Annapolis and did not seek further public office. He passed away in 1790, leaving his roughly 16,000-acre (65 km2) land holdings to his nephew, Daniel Jenifer, and instructed that all his slaves be freed six years after his death.
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Jenifer was a delegate at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a Founding Father from the State of Maryland. He was born in 1723 in Charles County, Maryland, and grew up to become a wealthy landowner and plantation holder. Jenifer was also active in politics, serving in the colonial government of Maryland and holding various positions of influence.
In 1787, Jenifer was appointed as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Despite his advanced age, he represented Maryland and played a significant role in the debates and discussions that shaped the United States Constitution. Jenifer was one of 29 delegates who attended almost all of the proceedings. He is remembered for his wisdom, humour, and candour, which helped resolve conflicts between delegates and foster compromise on critical issues.
Jenifer's experience and prestige, combined with his friendship with influential figures like George Washington, James Madison, and John Dickinson, contributed to his elder statesman status during the Convention. He advocated for a strong central government and used his reputation to advance this position.
After the Constitutional Convention, Jenifer retired to his plantation near Annapolis, Maryland, named Stepney, where he spent the remaining years of his life. He passed away in 1790, leaving behind a legacy as one of the signers of the United States Constitution.
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He was known for his humour and candour
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was known for his humour and candour. He was a Founding Father from the State of Maryland, and he served in the Continental Congress and signed the U.S. Constitution. Jenifer was born in 1723 in Maryland's Charles County. His father was a planter of English and Swedish ancestry. Jenifer held various positions in the colonial government of Maryland, including receiver-general, making him the financial agent for Maryland's last two proprietors. He also served as justice of the peace for Charles County and later for the western circuit of Maryland.
Jenifer was a wealthy landowner and plantation holder, and he lent his support to the Patriots during the American Revolution, despite earlier disagreements with the party. His leadership of Maryland's finances from 1782 to 1785 helped the state survive the critical economic depression after the Revolutionary War. Jenifer was close friends with George Washington and other founders, including James Madison and John Dickinson. He sought creative solutions to political and economic problems and was a strong advocate for a central government.
Jenifer's humour and candour were often reflected in his quotes, such as his utterance after being outvoted on the term of office for elected delegates to the House of Representatives: "The first month we only came to grips, and the second it seemed as though we would fly apart forever, but we didn’t-we jelled." He was also known for his ability to resolve conflicts between delegates and broker compromises on key issues. After the Constitutional Convention, Jenifer retired to his plantation near Annapolis, where he died in 1790. In his will, he passed his roughly 16,000-acre land holdings to his nephew and instructed that all his slaves be freed six years after his death.
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Jenifer freed his slaves in his will
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a Founding Father from the State of Maryland. He was born in 1723 and died in 1790. Jenifer was a wealthy landowner and plantation holder, and he played a significant role in the American Revolution. He was a member of the Continental Congress and one of the signers of the United States Constitution.
After the Constitutional Convention, Jenifer retired to his 16,000-acre plantation near Annapolis, known as Stepney, where he lived out the rest of his life. In his will, Jenifer passed on his vast land holdings to his nephew, Daniel Jenifer. Notably, he also instructed that all his slaves be freed six years after his death. This decision to free his slaves is particularly interesting given the context of the time and his position as a wealthy landowner.
Jenifer's decision to free his slaves in his will can be seen as a progressive act for the time, especially considering the context of the American Revolution and the growing movement for independence and freedom from British rule. It is possible that the ideals of liberty and freedom that were central to the Revolution may have influenced Jenifer's decision to emancipate his slaves.
Additionally, Jenifer's experience as a Founding Father and his involvement in shaping the Constitution, with its emphasis on individual rights and liberties, could have contributed to his decision. As a member of the Continental Congress, he would have been intimately familiar with the debates and discussions surrounding freedom and equality.
While the exact reasons for Jenifer's decision to free his slaves remain unknown, it is clear that his actions were aligned with the principles of freedom and equality espoused by the Founding Fathers during the formation of the United States. His decision to free his slaves in his will can be seen as a testament to his commitment to these ideals and a recognition of the inherent dignity and rights of all individuals, regardless of their race or social status.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer signed the Constitution of the United States.
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer was a Founding Father from the State of Maryland. He was a wealthy landowner and threw his support behind the Patriots, despite earlier disagreements with the party. He was also a member of the Mount Vernon Conference, which contributed to the later Constitutional Convention.
After the signing of the Constitution, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer retired to his plantation near Annapolis, called Stepney, where he lived out the rest of his days. He died in 1790, at the age of roughly 66 or 67.
Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer is remembered as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He is also known for his humour and candour, as well as his ability to resolve conflicts between delegates and broker compromises. In his will, he passed on his roughly 16,000-acre land holdings to his nephew, Daniel Jenifer, and instructed that all his slaves be freed six years after his death.
