Eleanor Finch
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 39 delegates who signed the Constitution, the youngest was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, a politician from New Jersey and a Founding Father. Dayton later served as the third Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1795 to 1799 and was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1799.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Jonathan Dayton |
| Date of Birth | October 16, 1760 |
| Age at the time of signing the Constitution | 26 |
| Profession | American Founding Father and politician |
| State represented | New Jersey |
| Other positions held | U.S. House of Representatives, Speaker of the U.S. House, U.S. Senate |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Who was the youngest person to sign the constitution?
The youngest person to sign the United States Constitution was 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton from New Jersey. Dayton was an American Founding Father and politician. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention, and later became a prominent Federalist legislator.
The Constitutional Convention took place in 1787, and 39 delegates representing 12 states (all except Rhode Island, which did not send any delegates) signed the Constitution. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Dayton to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
Dayton went on to be elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1791, serving as its third Speaker from 1795 to 1799. He was then elected to the US Senate, where he served one term. However, his national political career came to an end when he was arrested in 1807 for alleged treason in connection with Aaron Burr's conspiracy to establish an independent country in the Southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. Despite being exonerated by a grand jury, Dayton's reputation never recovered.
The city of Dayton, Ohio, was named after him, as he owned 250,000 acres of land in the area.
The Elusive Signature: George Mason and the US Constitution
You may want to see also
Jonathan Dayton's early life
Jonathan Dayton, the youngest person to sign the US Constitution, was born on October 16, 1760, in Elizabethtown, now known as Elizabeth, New Jersey. He was the son of Elias Dayton, a merchant prominent in local politics, and his wife, Hannah Rolfe. Elias had served as a militia officer in the French and Indian War.
Dayton studied law and opened a practice, dividing his time between land speculation, law, and politics. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention, where he was the youngest member at 26 years old. He also served in the New Jersey General Assembly in 1786–1787 and again in 1790. In 1789, he was elected to the US House of Representatives but did not take his seat until he was re-elected in 1791.
Dayton was a prominent Federalist legislator and supported the fiscal policies of Alexander Hamilton. He helped organise the suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion and supported the Louisiana Purchase. He also served in the New Jersey Legislative Council (now the New Jersey Senate) in 1789. In 1795, he became the third Speaker of the House and served until 1799 when he left after being elected to the US Senate.
Dayton was arrested in 1807 for alleged treason in connection with Aaron Burr's conspiracy to establish an independent country in the Southwestern United States and parts of Mexico. He was exonerated by a grand jury, but his national political career never recovered, and he continued to hold local and state offices. He died in 1824, shortly after hosting the Marquis de Lafayette on his tour of America.
Hamilton's Signature: Was He a Constitution Signer?
You may want to see also
Dayton's political career
The youngest person to sign the United States Constitution was Jonathan Dayton, who was 26 years old at the time of the signing in 1787. Dayton had already established himself in politics by then, and he went on to have a long and notable career.
Dayton began his political career in 1775, at the outset of the American Revolution, when he joined the local militia, rising to the rank of captain by the war's end. In 1786, he was elected to represent New Jersey in the Continental Congress, the precursor to the US Congress, where he served until 1787. During this time, he also participated in the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, where he was the youngest signer of the final document.
Following the Constitutional Convention, Dayton returned to New Jersey and was elected to the state legislature in 1790. He served as a federalist in the United States House of Representatives from 1791 to 1799. During his time in the House, he chaired the Committee on Elections (1791–1793) and the Committee on Claims (1793–1795). He was also a member of the Committee on Ways and Means. Dayton supported Alexander Hamilton's financial plans and was a strong advocate for a national bank.
In 1798, Dayton was elected as a federalist to the United States Senate, serving from 1799 to 1805. During his time in the Senate, he was an outspoken critic of the Louisiana Purchase, arguing that it was unconstitutional for the federal government to acquire such a large amount of territory. However, he did vote in favor of Thomas Jefferson's nomination of James Monroe as the minister to France in 1803.
After leaving the Senate, Dayton returned to New Jersey and remained active in politics. He served as a presidential elector in 1808 and supported James Madison's candidacy. He also served as a delegate to the New Jersey Constitutional Convention in 1844, where he argued for the expansion of suffrage and the abolition of imprisonment for debt.
Throughout his political career, Dayton was known for his strong federalist beliefs and his support for a strong central government. He was also a proponent of economic development and played a key role in the establishment of several banks and canals in New Jersey. Dayton's long and distinguished career as a founding father and his contributions to the formation of the United States government are a testament to his dedication and service to his country.
Gouverneur Morris: Constitution Signer or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![A History of Violence (The Criterion Collection) [4K UHD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71lqpbUFtWL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
The Constitutional Convention
In total, 70 individuals were appointed to the Convention, but only 55 delegates attended the sessions, and of those, 39 actually signed the final document. The delegates represented a range of ages, with the youngest being Jonathan Dayton, at 26, and the oldest being Benjamin Franklin, at 81.
The Convention was a lengthy process, spanning four months, and it culminated on September 17, 1787, when the delegates endorsed the Constitution at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The signing ceremony was a significant moment, as it marked the completion of the delegates' work and their agreement to the final document. The signatures were grouped by states, progressing from north to south, with George Washington, as president of the Convention, signing first.
Jonathan Dayton, the youngest signer, played a notable role in the Convention. Despite his youth, he went on to have a prominent political career. He served as a New Jersey delegate and later became a Federalist legislator, holding seats in both the US House of Representatives and the US Senate. Dayton's legacy is also commemorated in the naming of Dayton, Ohio, which was established on land he owned in partnership with others.
Washington's Signature: The Constitution's Founding Moment
You may want to see also
The Signing of the United States Constitution
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Of the 55 delegates who attended the convention, 39 signed the Constitution. The delegates came from 12 states, with Rhode Island being the only state that did not send any delegates.
The signing of the Constitution was the culmination of a four-month-long convention that began on May 25, 1787. The delegates ranged in age from 26-year-old Jonathan Dayton, the youngest, to 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, the oldest, who was so infirm that he had to be carried to sessions in a sedan chair.
Jonathan Dayton, a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention, was a prominent Federalist legislator. He went on to serve in the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate. Dayton, Ohio, was named after him, as he owned 250,000 acres of land in the area.
The signing of the Constitution was a significant event in the history of the United States, as it established the framework for the country's government and political system. The document was signed by delegates from each state, with George Washington, the president of the Convention, signing first. The signing of the Constitution was also witnessed and authenticated by the convention's secretary, William Jackson, who added a note to verify four amendments made to the final document.
Benjamin Franklin's Signature: A Founding Father's Legacy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
The youngest person to sign the Constitution was Jonathan Dayton, at 26 years old.
The Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787.
The Constitution was signed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
39 delegates signed the Constitution.
