Isabella Carter
William Houstoun, born in 1755 in Savannah, Georgia, was a lawyer and delegate from Georgia who represented the state in the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1786. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he presented his credentials and participated in the debate on the representation question. However, despite being present during the framing of the Constitution, Houstoun did not sign the document. This article will explore the reasons why he declined to sign and his overall contribution to the founding of the nation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | William Houstoun |
| Birthplace | Savannah, Georgia |
| Born | 1755 |
| Education | Liberal education, legal training at Inner Temple in London |
| Occupation | Lawyer, delegate to the Continental Congress, Georgia agent to settle boundary disputes with South Carolina, trustee of the University of Georgia at Athens |
| Constitutional Convention Participation | Presented credentials as a Georgia delegate in 1787, but did not sign the Constitution |
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What You'll Learn
William Houstoun was a delegate from Georgia
Houstoun's legal training, which included studies at the Inner Temple in London, positioned him as a delegate representing Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1783 or 1784 through 1786. During this time, he was also chosen as an agent to settle a boundary dispute with neighbouring South Carolina in 1785, demonstrating his involvement in matters impacting Georgia's interests.
In 1787, Houstoun's role expanded further when he presented his credentials as one of Georgia's delegates to the Constitutional Convention. This convention was a pivotal gathering where the Federal Constitution was deliberated and framed. Although Houstoun participated in these discussions, he chose not to sign the Constitution. This decision is notable, as it indicates a level of dissent or disagreement with the final document.
It is important to distinguish between William Houstoun of Georgia and William C. Houston of New Jersey, another individual associated with the Constitution. Unlike William Houstoun of Georgia, William C. Houston was a Framer of the Constitution from New Jersey, having served in the Continental Congress and the military during the Revolutionary War. However, he also did not sign the Constitution due to illness.
William Houstoun's contributions as a delegate from Georgia are significant, even if he ultimately declined to endorse the Constitution. His role in shaping Georgia's boundaries, coupled with his participation in the Constitutional Convention, showcases his dedication to the development of the young nation.
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He attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787
William Houstoun, a lawyer from Georgia, attended the Constitutional Convention in 1787 as one of the state's delegates. He presented his credentials as a delegate from Georgia, despite only staying for a short period from June 1 to around July 23. During his time at the convention, Houstoun participated in the debate on the representation question, casting Georgia's vote against equal representation in the Senate.
Houstoun's presence at the Constitutional Convention was significant given his background and previous roles. He was born in 1755 in Savannah, Georgia, and came from a family with a history of high colonial officialdom. Despite many members of his family remaining loyal to the British crown during the War for Independence, Houstoun was a passionate advocate for colonists' rights and was among the first to encourage resistance to British aggression.
Houstoun's legal training, which included studies at the Inner Temple in London, positioned him as a qualified delegate at the Constitutional Convention. He had also gained political experience by representing Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1783 or 1784 through 1786, during which he served as a commissioner in a boundary dispute between Georgia and South Carolina. Additionally, he was one of the original trustees of the University of Georgia in Athens.
Although Houstoun attended the Constitutional Convention and participated in the discussions, he ultimately declined to sign the Constitution. This decision reflected his stance on the issues debated during the convention, particularly regarding representation. It is important to distinguish him from William C. Houston of New Jersey, who also did not sign the Constitution due to illness.
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Houstoun did not sign the Constitution
William Houstoun, a delegate from Georgia, did not sign the US Constitution. Born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1755, Houstoun received a liberal education, including legal training at the Inner Temple in London. The War for Independence cut short his training, and he returned home to Georgia. Houstoun represented Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1783 or 1784 through 1786. He was also chosen as one of Georgia's agents to settle a boundary dispute with South Carolina in 1785. When the Constitutional Convention convened in 1787, Houstoun presented his credentials as one of Georgia's delegates. However, he stayed for only a short time, from June 1 to about July 23, and he declined to sign the Constitution.
Houstoun's family had been high officials in the colony for many years, and while many of them remained loyal to the crown at the onset of the War for Independence, Houstoun was a zealous advocate of colonists' rights and counselled resistance to British aggression. He was one of the original trustees of the University of Georgia at Athens.
It is important to note that there was another William Houston, from New Jersey, who was also a Framer of the Constitution. This William Houston did not sign the Constitution either, as he left the convention early due to illness. Both William Houstoun of Georgia and William Houston of New Jersey should not be confused with each other, as they are different people.
In conclusion, William Houstoun of Georgia, a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, declined to sign the Constitution despite attending and participating in the deliberations. He had a background in law and colonial politics, and his family had a history of high official positions in the colony. His decision not to sign the Constitution may have been influenced by his zealous advocacy for colonists' rights and his role in resisting British aggression during the War for Independence.
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He was a zealous advocate of colonists' rights
William Houstoun, born in 1755 in Savannah, Georgia, came from a family of high officials in the colony, with many members remaining loyal to the crown when the war began. However, William, a zealous advocate of colonists' rights, was among the first to counsel resistance to British aggression. He represented Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1783 or 1784 through 1786 and was chosen as one of Georgia's agents to settle a boundary dispute with South Carolina in 1785. He was also one of the original trustees of the University of Georgia at Athens.
Houstoun's legal training at the Inner Temple in London was cut short by the War for Independence, after which he returned home to Georgia. When the Constitutional Convention convened in 1787, he presented his credentials as one of Georgia's delegates, staying for a short time from June 1 to July 23. He was present during the debate on the representation question, splitting Georgia's vote on equal representation in the Senate, voting "nay" against Abraham Baldwin's "aye."
As a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Houstoun participated in the deliberations and revisions of the Federal Constitution. However, he declined to sign the Constitution, along with other members of the Georgia delegation, including William Few, Abraham Baldwin, and William Pierce.
It is important to distinguish between William Houstoun of Georgia and William C. Houston of New Jersey, who also did not sign the Constitution due to illness. Houston Street in Manhattan, New York City, was named for Houstoun, using an alternate spelling of his surname.
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William Houstoun was a lawyer
William Houstoun, a lawyer from Georgia, was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1755. He came from a family of high colonial officials, many of whom remained loyal to the crown when the war broke out. However, William Houstoun was a passionate advocate for colonists' rights and was among the first to advocate for resistance to British aggression. He received a liberal education, including legal training at the Inner Temple in London, which was cut short by the War for Independence, after which he returned home to Georgia.
Houstoun represented Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1783 or 1784 through 1786, and was twice elected to this position. During this time, he was also chosen as one of Georgia's agents to settle a boundary dispute with South Carolina in 1785, alongside his role as one of the original trustees of the University of Georgia at Athens.
In 1787, William Houstoun presented his credentials as one of Georgia's delegates to the Constitutional Convention. He stayed for a short period, from June 1 to around July 23, and participated in the debate on the representation question. Houstoun voted "nay" on equal representation in the Senate, differing from Abraham Baldwin's "aye" vote. Although he attended and participated in the Convention's deliberations, Houstoun declined to sign the Constitution.
It is worth noting that there was another William Houston from New Jersey who was also involved in the framing of the Constitution. This William Houston did not sign the document either, due to leaving the convention early because of illness.
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Frequently asked questions
No, William Houstoun did not sign the US Constitution.
William Houstoun was a lawyer and delegate from Georgia who represented the state in the Continental Congress from 1783/1784 to 1786/1787. He was a zealous advocate of colonists' rights and counselled resistance to British aggression.
Yes, William Houstoun was also one of Georgia's agents to settle a boundary dispute with South Carolina in 1785, and he was one of the original trustees of the University of Georgia at Athens.
