Who Signed The Constitution? Nicholas Gilman's Contribution

Nicholas Gilman was an American Founding Father, a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, and a delegate to the Continental Congress. He represented New Hampshire at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was a signatory to the U.S. Constitution. After a lengthy military career, Gilman embarked on a political career, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He played a significant role in shaping the draft constitution and worked to obtain New Hampshire's acceptance of the Constitution.

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Nicholas Gilman was a Founding Father

Nicholas Gilman Jr., born on August 3, 1755, in Exeter, New Hampshire, was a Founding Father of the United States. He was a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, fighting in several key battles, including Saratoga, Monmouth, and Yorktown. After the war, Gilman returned to Exeter and worked in his father's store before embarking on a career in politics.

Gilman was an ardent supporter of independence and a delegate to the Continental Congress, representing New Hampshire. He played a crucial role in the struggle to secure New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution, working closely with his brother, John Taylor Gilman, who was a leader in the state's ratification forces. In 1787, Gilman represented New Hampshire at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he helped to debate, draft, and ultimately sign the United States Constitution.

Gilman's political career continued to flourish after the Constitutional Convention. He served in the United States House of Representatives during the first four Congresses, from 1789 to 1797, and was a member of the New Hampshire legislature in 1795, 1802, and 1804. In 1805, he was elected to the United States Senate, serving as a senator from New Hampshire until his death in 1814.

Throughout his political career, Gilman remained committed to the belief in the importance of a strong national government. He also played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of New Hampshire, with his brother John also serving as the state's governor for 14 years. The childhood home of the Gilman brothers in Exeter is now the American Independence Museum.

He represented New Hampshire

Nicholas Gilman Jr. was born in Exeter, New Hampshire, on August 3, 1755. He was the second son in a family of eight. He received his education in local schools and worked at his father's general store.

When the War for Independence began, he enlisted in the New Hampshire element of the Continental Army, soon rising to the rank of captain and serving throughout the war. After the war, he returned home and helped his father in the store, also immersing himself in politics.

In 1786, the New Hampshire legislature appointed Gilman to the Continental Congress. He was also selected to represent the state at the Annapolis Convention, though he was unable to attend. Convinced that a stronger central government was needed to strengthen the economy and unify the colonies, Gilman was pleased to be selected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he represented New Hampshire.

Gilman played a minor part in the Constitutional Convention's debates and made no speeches. However, he did serve on the Committee on Postponed Matters. He was also active in obtaining New Hampshire's acceptance of the Constitution and in shepherding it through the Continental Congress.

Gilman later became a prominent politician, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1789 to 1797 and in the New Hampshire legislature in 1795, 1802, and 1804. He was a presidential elector in 1793 and 1797. In 1804, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving until his death in 1814.

He was a delegate to the Continental Congress

Nicholas Gilman Jr. was a delegate to the Continental Congress, also known as the Congress of the Confederation. He was elected to this position in 1786, after a lengthy military career in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.

Gilman represented the State of New Hampshire at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he helped to draft and sign the United States Constitution. He was an ardent supporter of independence and a strong national government, and his political ideologies were shaped by his father's involvement in the fight for economic freedom against the British.

Gilman's role in the Continental Congress was particularly significant during the struggle to secure New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution. While his brother, John Taylor Gilman, led the state's ratification forces, Nicholas remained in New York as a member of the Continental Congress, coordinating with his brother to secure a 57-47 victory in the final vote.

Gilman continued to serve in the Continental Congress until the newly ratified Constitution was adopted, after which he represented New Hampshire as a member of the newly formed Congress. He went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, holding his seat in the Senate until his death in 1814.

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He was a member of the House of Representatives

Nicholas Gilman Jr. was a member of the United States House of Representatives during the first four Congresses, from 1789 until 1797. He was a member of the first Congress of the new United States of America, which convened in New York in 1789.

Gilman's political career began in 1786 when he was appointed to the Continental Congress (also known as the Congress of the Confederation). In 1787, he represented New Hampshire at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he helped to draft and sign the United States Constitution. He continued to serve in the Continental Congress until the newly ratified Constitution was adopted.

Gilman's belief in the importance of a strong national government was reflected in his characterization of the new government as "the best that could meet the unanimous concurrence of the States in Convention". He played a significant role in securing New Hampshire's ratification of the Constitution, working closely with his brother, John Taylor Gilman, who was a leader of the state's ratification forces.

After his time in the House of Representatives, Gilman went on to serve in the New Hampshire legislature and as the state treasurer. He was also a presidential elector in 1793 and 1797. In 1805, he was elected to the United States Senate, a position he held until his death in 1814.

He served in the US Senate

Nicholas Gilman Jr. was a Founding Father, a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and a signer of the U.S. Constitution. He represented New Hampshire in the Continental Congress and helped draft the U.S. Constitution.

Gilman served in the United States House of Representatives during the first four Congresses. He then embarked on a career in the state legislature, serving a term as a state senator in 1800. In 1804, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, a position he held until his death in 1814.

Gilman's political philosophy evolved during his time in the Senate. Initially an ardent Federalist, he later drifted toward the Democratic-Republicans. In 1802, he was defeated in his bid for a U.S. Senate seat, but President Jefferson appointed him as a bankruptcy commissioner. Two years later, he ran again as a Democratic-Republican and won election to the Senate.

Gilman's time in the Senate was marked by his continued commitment to a strong national government. He believed that a stronger central government was necessary to unify the colonies and strengthen the economy. This belief guided his actions during the Constitutional Convention, and it likely continued to inform his political philosophy during his Senate career.

Gilman's military experience also influenced his time in the Senate. He had served as a captain in the Continental Army and participated in several key battles, including Saratoga, Monmouth, and Yorktown. This military background likely shaped his approach to policy and leadership during his Senate tenure.

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