Eleanor Finch
The Founding Fathers consisted of over 250 men, including the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, the 40-55 signers of the Constitution, the framers of the Bill of Rights, leading state governors, and generals in the Revolution. Although not all of the Founding Fathers were Christians, many of them were. In fact, 29 of the 56 signers of the Declaration held what would be considered seminary degrees today, and many others were outspoken about their Christianity. While it is unclear how many of the signers of the Constitution were pastors, we know that Roger Sherman, a signer of the Constitution, was a member of the White Haven Congregational Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of signers of the US Constitution | 56 |
| Number of signers who were pastors | 1 (John Witherspoon) |
| Number of signers who were former clergymen | 2-4 |
| Youngest signer | Jonathan Dayton |
| Signer who was a chaplain in the American Revolution | Abraham Baldwin |
| Signer who supported a unicameral legislature | William Paterson |
| Signer who proposed abolishing individual state governments | George Read |
| Signer who contributed to votes in support of a strong national government | William Few |
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What You'll Learn
- John Witherspoon was a Presbyterian minister and the only active clergyman among the signers
- Roger Sherman was a member of the White Haven Congregational Church
- The signers were mostly Protestant Christians, with one Roman Catholic exception
- The signers' religious affiliations influenced the inclusion of a federal government and the right to own slaves
- The signers' religious beliefs also influenced the inclusion of a unicameral legislature
John Witherspoon was a Presbyterian minister and the only active clergyman among the signers
Witherspoon was recruited to become the president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) in 1768, after the death of its fifth president, Dr. Samuel Finley. He was popular and enjoyed great success at the College, turning it into a very successful institution. He grew the endowment fund, instituted curricular changes, and patched up a major schism in the Presbyterian church. Witherspoon was also a prolific writer, producing numerous essays, sermons, and pamphlets, as well as several books on religious and political topics.
In addition to his academic and literary pursuits, Witherspoon was an enthusiastic supporter of the American Revolution. He served on the Somerset County Committee of Correspondence from 1775 to 1776 and was a member of two provincial congresses. He was also a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1776 to 1779 and again from 1780 to 1782. In this role, he was a persuasive advocate for adopting a resolution of independence. Witherspoon voted in favour of the Declaration of Independence, believing that the country was not only ready for such a declaration but in danger of "rotting" without it.
Witherspoon's support for the revolutionary cause extended beyond politics. When British forces approached the College of New Jersey in 1776, he evacuated the students and staff, shutting down the College. The British occupied the area and caused significant damage to the College. After the war, Witherspoon devoted himself to rebuilding it. He also served twice in the state legislature. Witherspoon died in 1794 on his farm outside of Princeton, honoured and beloved by his fellow countrymen.
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Roger Sherman was a member of the White Haven Congregational Church
Sherman was a professor of religion for many years and engaged in lengthy correspondences with some of the theologians of his time. He was also a member of the First Continental Congress and signed the Continental Association to impose an economic boycott on all British trade.
As a member of the White Haven Congregational Church, Roger Sherman was asked to use his expertise to revise the wording of the congregation's statement of faith. This statement includes the belief that:
> God … did send his own Son to become man, die in the room and stead of sinners and thus to lay a foundation for the offer of pardon and salvation to all mankind, so as all may be saved who are willing to
Sherman was also a member of the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. He served as a delegate to the 1787 Philadelphia Convention, which produced the United States Constitution. In addition to his political and legal career, Sherman was a cobbler, surveyor, and merchant. He was a self-taught lawyer and served as a state senator, superior court judge, and judge in Connecticut for fourteen years.
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The signers were mostly Protestant Christians, with one Roman Catholic exception
The Founding Fathers, including the signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, consisted of over 250 men. The signers of the Declaration of Independence were "brave people, most of whom, by the way, were clergymen," according to some. However, this claim has been disputed, with only one of the 56 signers, John Witherspoon, being an active clergyman. A few others were former clergymen, but the exact number is unclear.
The religious affiliations of the signers of the Constitution were diverse. While the majority were Protestant Christians, there was one notable exception: Charles Carroll of Maryland, who was Roman Catholic. This diversity reflects the evolving religious landscape of the newly formed nation.
The influence of religion on the Founding Fathers and the framing of the Constitution is evident. For example, Roger Sherman, a signer of the Constitution, was a member of the White Haven Congregational Church. He played a role in shaping religious freedom by seconding Franklin's motion for Congress to have a chaplain lead prayer and supporting a national day of Thanksgiving to God when the amendments were passed.
Benjamin Franklin, the eldest member of the committee drafting the Constitution, chided the delegates for not submitting their plans for a new government to God. He reminded them of their reliance on "Divine protection" during the struggle for independence and urged them not to forget "that powerful friend." This sentiment underscores the importance of religious faith in the founding of the nation.
In conclusion, while the signers of the Constitution were predominantly Protestant Christians, the presence of a Roman Catholic signer underscores the emerging religious diversity within the founding leadership of the United States. The influence of Christianity and religious values on the Founding Fathers is undeniable, shaping their beliefs, actions, and the very fabric of the nation they were forging.
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The signers' religious affiliations influenced the inclusion of a federal government and the right to own slaves
The United States Constitution, adopted in 1787, says very little about religion. Aside from Article VI, which states that "no religious test shall ever be required as qualification" for federal officeholders, the Constitution does not make any other explicit references to religion. This absence of religious content in the Constitution was troubling to some Americans, who wanted the new government to give faith a larger role.
The religious affiliations of the Founding Fathers, which included Christians, Deists, and Agnostics, influenced their views on the role of religion in the federal government. For example, Benjamin Franklin, considered one of the least religious framers, requested that the Constitutional Convention pray before each session. In his Farewell Address, George Washington called religion "a necessary spring of popular government", while Adams claimed that "Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand."
The Founding Fathers' religious affiliations also influenced their views on slavery. While the Quran and the Bible both assume the existence of slavery and regulate it, they also encourage the emancipation of slaves. In the eighteenth century, the abolition movement gained momentum among Christians, and by the early nineteenth century, increasing numbers of Christian slaves demanded their freedom. The emergence of evangelical dissenting sects in the eighteenth century, such as the Moravians, Baptists, and Methodists, led to a major transformation, with slaves in the English-speaking Americas being drawn in large numbers to dissenting churches and chapels.
The retention of African religious practices by slaves, such as polygamy and idolatrous dancing, was frowned upon by colonial authorities and missionaries. However, African religions survived and adapted, enabling enslaved practitioners to enjoy a degree of freedom in their social and private lives. The continuation of the slave trade to Cuba and Brazil through the mid-nineteenth century consolidated and strengthened African religions in those countries.
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The signers' religious beliefs also influenced the inclusion of a unicameral legislature
Although the exact number of pastors among the signers of the US Constitution is unclear, it is known that the Founding Fathers—which included the signers of the Constitution—consisted of over 250 men, many of whom were Christians. In fact, 29 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence held what would be considered seminary degrees today, and several others were outspoken about their Christianity.
The religious beliefs of the signers of the Constitution influenced the inclusion of a unicameral legislature in several ways. Firstly, some signers, such as Roger Sherman, strongly advocated for religious freedom and believed that the Constitution should not establish a state-supported religion. This influenced the adoption of the First Amendment, which forbade Congress from making any law "respecting an establishment of religion."
Secondly, the signers' religious beliefs shaped their views on the role of religion in government. Many believed that religion was a necessary foundation for morality and good governance. For example, George Washington called religion "a necessary spring of popular government," while Adams claimed that "Religion and Morality alone, which can establish the Principles upon which Freedom can securely stand."
Thirdly, the signers' religious beliefs influenced the inclusion of specific references to God and divine providence in the Constitution. For example, Benjamin Franklin, the eldest member of the drafting committee, chided the delegates for not submitting their plans to God and quoted Scripture, calling for daily prayer and divine protection. This influenced the inclusion of references to God and divine providence in the Declaration of Independence, such as "with a firm reliance on divine Providence" and "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights."
Finally, the signers' religious beliefs may have influenced their views on the structure of government, including the preference for a unicameral legislature. Some historians argue that the signers' Christian beliefs promoted the idea of a single, unified body of governance, as reflected in the concept of a unicameral legislature. This contrasts with the bicameral legislature supported by some, which draws on ideas of mixed government with separate houses representing different interests or principles.
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Frequently asked questions
It is unclear how many of the signers of the US Constitution were pastors. However, it is known that Roger Sherman, who signed The Constitution of the United States in 1787, was a member of the White Haven Congregational Church.
John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was a Presbyterian minister and president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University).
While not all of the Founding Fathers were religious, many of them were Christians. 29 of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence held what would be considered seminary degrees today.
