Isabella Carter
Nathaniel Gorham (1738-1796) was an American Founding Father, merchant, and politician from Massachusetts. He was a delegate from the Bay Colony to the Continental Congress and served as the presiding officer of that body under the Articles of Confederation. He also attended the Constitutional Convention, served on its Committee of Detail, and signed the United States Constitution. After the convention, Gorham worked to ensure that the Constitution was approved in his home state of Massachusetts. He played a major role in framing the Constitution of Massachusetts in 1779 and chaired the Constitutional Convention of 1787. Gorham's signature can be found in the Massachusetts section of the Constitution, alongside that of Rufus King.
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What You'll Learn
Nathaniel Gorham was a Founding Father
Gorham's political career began early, with him serving as a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, known at the time as the Massachusetts General Court, from 1771 to 1775. During this same period, he also served as a delegate to the Provincial Congress, representing the interests of his state. Following this, Gorham became involved in the American Revolution, serving on the Board of War from 1778 until its dissolution in 1781.
In the years that followed, Gorham continued to hold various political positions, including serving as a delegate to the Continental Congress and the Congress of the Confederation, and even serving as its president for a brief period from 1786 to 1786. He was also a member of the state constitutional convention in 1779 and played a key role in framing the Constitution of Massachusetts.
Gorham's most notable contribution, however, came as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he was a chairman of the Committee of the Whole and frequently chaired the sessions. He was also a member of the Committee of Detail, which was responsible for drafting the Constitution for final discussions. Gorham proposed important ideas, such as staggered terms for senators and the president's appointment of judges, subject to Senate confirmation. On September 17, 1787, Gorham signed the United States Constitution, representing Massachusetts.
After the Constitutional Convention, Gorham worked tirelessly to ensure that the Constitution was approved in Massachusetts, and he played a significant role in securing its ratification in the Massachusetts State Convention. He was also involved in a land deal in western New York State, purchasing a large tract of land near the Genesee River, which ultimately proved to be a financial disaster for him.
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He was a delegate from the Bay Colony
Nathaniel Gorham was an American Founding Father, merchant, and politician from Massachusetts. He was a delegate from the Bay Colony to the Continental Congress and served as the presiding officer of that body for six months under the Articles of Confederation.
Gorham was a delegate from the Bay Colony, also known as Massachusetts, to the Continental Congress. He was actively involved in local politics and served his home state as a member of the Massachusetts Legislature, known at the time as the Massachusetts General Court. He played a significant role in the American Revolution, serving as a delegate to the Provincial Congress from 1774 to 1775 and as a member of the Board of War from 1778 until its dissolution in 1781.
As a delegate from the Bay Colony, Gorham attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and served on its Committee of Detail. He was a key figure in the convention, often chairing its sessions and playing a crucial role in framing the Constitution. Gorham's influence extended beyond the convention as he worked diligently to ensure that the Constitution was approved in his home state of Massachusetts. He was elected to represent Massachusetts in the Philadelphia Convention, and his efforts were instrumental in securing the second U.S. Constitution's ratification in the Massachusetts State Convention.
In addition to his political career, Gorham pursued entrepreneurial endeavours. After the Constitutional Convention, he invested in a large tract of land in western New York State near the Genesee River. This purchase, known as the "Phelps and Gorham Purchase," was made in collaboration with his friend Oliver Phelps, and they acquired the rights to the land from the state of Massachusetts for $1,000,000. They also had the authority to remove Native American settlers from the land. However, the investment ultimately failed, leaving Gorham broke.
Nathaniel Gorham's contributions as a delegate from the Bay Colony were significant, not only in shaping the Constitution but also in ensuring its approval and ratification in Massachusetts. His political career and involvement in the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention solidified his place as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
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Gorham was a Massachusetts state senator
Nathaniel Gorham was an American Founding Father, merchant, and politician from Massachusetts. He was a delegate from the Bay Colony to the Continental Congress and served as the presiding officer of that body for six months under the Articles of Confederation. He was also a member of the Massachusetts General Court (legislature) from 1771 until 1775.
Gorham's political career is marked by his dedication to public service and his significant contributions to the formation and ratification of the United States Constitution. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and served as its chairman on frequent occasions. He was also a member of the Committee of Detail, which was responsible for drafting the Constitution for final discussions. Gorham proposed important ideas, such as staggered terms for senators and the appointment of judges by the president with Senate confirmation.
As a Massachusetts state senator, Gorham worked tirelessly to ensure that the Constitution was approved and ratified in his home state. He played a major role in framing the Constitution of Massachusetts in 1779, demonstrating his deep commitment to the principles of governance and representation. Gorham's influence extended beyond his role as a state senator, as he was elected to represent Massachusetts in the Philadelphia Convention, where he exerted a powerful influence in securing the second U.S. Constitution's ratification. His efforts were instrumental in gaining the support of moderates and ensuring the successful ratification of the Constitution.
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He chaired the 1787 Constitutional Convention
Nathaniel Gorham, an American Founding Father, merchant, and politician from Massachusetts, played a significant role in the 1787 Constitutional Convention. He chaired the convention, which was held in Philadelphia, and was a key figure in shaping the United States Constitution.
Gorham's involvement in the Constitutional Convention was an extension of his active participation in politics and public affairs. He had previously served as a delegate from the Bay Colony to the Continental Congress and as a member of the Massachusetts General Court (the state legislature) from 1771 to 1775. He was also a delegate to the Provincial Congress from 1774 to 1775 and served on the Board of War until its dissolution in 1781.
In the lead-up to the Constitutional Convention, Gorham continued to hold various political positions. From 1782 to 1783, and again from 1785 to 1787, he served as a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation, even serving as its president for five months in 1786 after John Hancock's resignation. Additionally, he served as a judge for Middlesex County's Court of Common Pleas.
When the Constitutional Convention convened in 1787, Gorham was one of the Massachusetts delegates. He was a chairman of the Committee of the Whole, frequently chairing convention sessions, even though George Washington was the official President of the convention. Gorham played a crucial role in the debates and discussions that shaped the Constitution. He was a member of the Committee of Detail, which was responsible for drafting the Constitution for final discussions. It was during this process that Gorham proposed that senators have staggered terms and that the President appoint judges, subject to the Senate's confirmation.
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Gorham signed the Constitution in 1787
Nathaniel Gorham, born on May 27, 1738, was a prominent American Founding Father, merchant, and politician from Massachusetts. He played a significant role in shaping the early political landscape of the United States, particularly in the latter part of the 18th century.
Gorham's political career began at a young age, serving an apprenticeship with a merchant in New London, Connecticut, from the age of 15. He later established himself in the merchant trade in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1759. However, it was his involvement in public affairs during the American Revolution that marked the beginning of his political career. From 1771 to 1775, he was a member of the Massachusetts General Court (the state legislature at the time). During this period, he also served as a delegate to the Provincial Congress from 1774 to 1775 and played a role in the state constitutional convention in 1779.
Gorham's political influence extended beyond his home state. From 1782 to 1783, and again from 1785 to 1787, he served as a delegate to the Continental Congress, representing the Bay Colony. Notably, he served as the presiding officer of this body for six months under the Articles of Confederation. In 1787, Gorham was a Massachusetts delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, a pivotal gathering in American history. He chaired the Committee of the Whole, frequently leading convention sessions, despite George Washington being the official President of the convention.
It was at this convention that Gorham's influence on the nation's founding document was cemented. He served on the Committee of Detail, which was responsible for drafting the Constitution for final discussions. Gorham made significant proposals, including staggered terms for senators and the president's appointment of judges, subject to Senate confirmation. On September 17, 1787, Nathaniel Gorham signed the United States Constitution, representing the state of Massachusetts.
Gorham's work did not end with the signing of the Constitution. He actively campaigned for its approval in his home state, ensuring that Massachusetts ratified the document. Additionally, he pursued entrepreneurial endeavours, notably purchasing a large tract of land in western New York State near the Genesee River, in collaboration with Oliver Phelps. This purchase, known as the ""Phelps and Gorham Purchase," involved the removal of Native American settlers from the land and its subsequent sale to settlers and speculators.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Nathaniel Gorham signed the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787, representing the state of Massachusetts.
Gorham was a delegate from the Bay Colony to the Continental Congress and served as the presiding officer of that body under the Articles of Confederation. He was also a member of the Committee of Detail, which drafted the Constitution for final discussions.
Gorham campaigned for the Constitution to be approved in Massachusetts and invested in a large tract of land in western New York state, which ended up being a failed investment.
