Eleanor Finch
The US Constitution, which established the office of the President of the United States, was signed by 39 men, eight of whom were from Pennsylvania. The Signing of the United States Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The delegates to the Constitutional Convention represented 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send any delegates. Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, was the oldest signer of the Constitution and was from Pennsylvania.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of signers from Pennsylvania | 8 |
| Total number of signers | 39 |
| Percentage of signers from Pennsylvania | 20% |
| Oldest signer from Pennsylvania | Benjamin Franklin, aged 81 |
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What You'll Learn
- Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania delegate, was the oldest signer at 81
- Pennsylvania had the most delegates with 20% of signers
- Signatures were grouped by state, listed geographically from north to south
- The Pennsylvania delegates did not include their state name in their signatures
- The Pennsylvania State House, later named Independence Hall, was the meeting place of Congress
Benjamin Franklin, Pennsylvania delegate, was the oldest signer at 81
Benjamin Franklin, born on January 17, 1706, was 81 years old when he signed the U.S. Constitution as a Pennsylvania delegate. He was the oldest signer of the Constitution, while the youngest was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton. Franklin was also the first signer to pass away, dying in April 1790, while James Madison was the last, passing away in June 1836.
Franklin was a Pennsylvania delegate to the Albany Congress in 1754. He proposed a broad Plan of Union for the colonies, and while it was not adopted, elements of it were incorporated into the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Franklin was also instrumental in the Pennsylvania Militia's organisation in 1756. He used Tun Tavern as a recruitment centre for soldiers to fight against Native American uprisings.
Franklin was a polymath: a writer, scientist, inventor, statesman, diplomat, printer, publisher, and political philosopher. He was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and played a significant role in drafting and signing the Declaration of Independence. He earned the title "The First American" for his early and tireless campaigning for colonial unity. He was the only person to sign the Declaration of Independence, the Treaty of Paris, peace with Britain, and the Constitution.
On the final day of the Constitutional Convention, Franklin delivered an address strongly endorsing the Constitution, despite any perceived imperfections. He proposed that the Constitution be endorsed by the delegates as individual witnesses of the unanimous consent of the states present, and the convention agreed. The signing of the U.S. Constitution occurred on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with 39 delegates from 12 states endorsing the document.
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Pennsylvania had the most delegates with 20% of signers
The United States Constitution, one of the most remarkable achievements in human history, was signed by 39 delegates on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Interestingly, Pennsylvania had the most delegates, with 20% of the signers (eight out of 39) hailing from the Keystone State. This included Benjamin Franklin, the oldest signer at 81, who delivered an address strongly endorsing the Constitution. Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair, was cautiously optimistic about the document, expressing his astonishment that the system "approached so near to perfection".
The Pennsylvania delegation also included Robert Morris, who was born in England, and James Wilson, who was born in Scotland. These two, along with Franklin, were among the seven signers who were not native to the 13 colonies. The other non-native signers were Pierce Butler, Thomas Fitzsimons, James McHenry, and William Paterson, who were born in Ireland, and Alexander Hamilton, who was born in the West Indies.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention, during which the delegates debated and crafted the document that established the federal government and delineated the functions of its three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. The convention's secretary, William Jackson, added a note verifying four amendments made by hand and signed it to authenticate its validity.
The Constitution's closing protocol included signatures, a brief declaration that the delegates' work had been successfully completed, and a statement pronouncing the document's adoption by the states present. The delegates' names were grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south. The signing of the Constitution was a significant moment in the history of the United States, solidifying the framework of the nation's federal government.
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Signatures were grouped by state, listed geographically from north to south
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The document was endorsed by 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states. Rhode Island was the only state that did not send delegates.
The signatures on the United States Constitution were grouped by state and listed geographically from north to south. The signatures were not on behalf of particular states but as witnesses to the unanimous consent of the states present. The signatures were arranged in two columns, with George Washington signing near the right margin of the page.
The oldest signer of the Constitution was Benjamin Franklin, aged 81, who was also the first signer to die in April 1790. Jonathan Dayton, aged 26, was the youngest to sign the Constitution.
The Constitution was drafted over four months and was witnessed by 39 signers. It is considered one of the most remarkable achievements in human history, with fewer than 5,000 words and rarely amended. The document has stood the test of time and continues to be one of the longest-lived and most emulated constitutions globally.
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The Pennsylvania delegates did not include their state name in their signatures
On September 17, 1787, 39 delegates to the Constitutional Convention, representing 12 states, endorsed the United States Constitution. Pennsylvania was one of the 12 states whose delegates endorsed the Constitution. The Pennsylvania delegation included Benjamin Franklin, who delivered an address endorsing the Constitution despite its imperfections. However, the Pennsylvania delegates, along with delegates from other states, did not include their state name in their signatures.
The signing of the Constitution occurred at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The delegates' endorsement of the Constitution included signatures, a brief declaration that their work was completed, and a statement pronouncing the document's adoption by the states present. The signatures of the delegates were included as witnesses to what was done in the convention rather than on behalf of particular states. This was a departure from the practice followed in the Articles of Confederation, where delegates signed on the part and behalf of their respective states.
The decision for the delegates to sign as witnesses to the convention's actions was made to ensure unanimous support from the delegations representing each state. There was a concern that many delegates would refuse to give their individual assent to the Constitution. By signing as witnesses, the action of the Convention appeared to be unanimous, with the formula, "Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the states present," being devised to reflect this.
The Pennsylvania delegates, along with the other delegates, subscribed their names as individuals endorsing the Constitution rather than as representatives of their specific states. This was a strategic decision to gain critical support and create a sense of common accord among the delegates. The signatures were grouped by state, with the listing of states arranged geographically from north to south, but the delegates' names were not explicitly linked to their respective states.
In summary, the Pennsylvania delegates, along with the other delegates to the Constitutional Convention, chose to sign the United States Constitution as witnesses to the convention's actions rather than as representatives of their individual states. This decision was made to foster unanimity and gain support for the newly framed government outlined in the Constitution.
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The Pennsylvania State House, later named Independence Hall, was the meeting place of Congress
The Pennsylvania State House's enduring legacy, however, is rooted in its role during the American Revolution. The Second Continental Congress convened in the building, also known as Independence Hall, on May 10, 1775. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was unanimously approved in Independence Hall, marking a pivotal moment in American history. The Declaration was then read aloud to the public in the area now known as Independence Square.
The Pennsylvania State House continued to be a significant site for congressional meetings. In 1787, it served as the meeting place for the Constitutional Convention, which concluded its work on a new frame of government on September 17, 1787. This convention resulted in the signing of the United States Constitution, which was endorsed by 39 delegates representing 12 states. Benjamin Franklin, a Pennsylvania delegate, played a crucial role in advocating for the new frame of government and delivering an address endorsing the Constitution.
The Pennsylvania State House, later named Independence Hall, thus holds a significant place in American history. It served as the backdrop for pivotal moments such as the approval of the Declaration of Independence and the signing of the United States Constitution. The building's role as the meeting place of Congress during these events solidified its status as a symbol of the nation's early democratic endeavours.
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Frequently asked questions
20% of the signers, or eight of the 39, were from Pennsylvania.
The signers from Pennsylvania were Benjamin Franklin, Robert Morris, and six others.
No, the eight delegates from Pennsylvania did not add their state's name to their signatures.
No, none of the Pennsylvania signers became President.
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