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==Career==

==Career==

Shortly after the War for Independence began, in 1776, Blount enlisted as a paymaster in the North Carolina forces. Two years later, he wed Mary Grainier (Granger); of their six children who reached adulthood, one son also became prominent in Tennessee politics.

Shortly after the War for Independence began, in 1776, Blount enlisted as a paymaster in the North Carolina forces. Blount spent most of the remainder of his life in public office. He sat in the lower house of the North Carolina legislature (1780-84), including service as speaker, as well as in the upper (1788-90). In addition, he took part in national politics, serving in the Continental Congress in 1782-83 and 1786-87.

 

Blount spent most of the remainder of his life in public office. He sat in the lower house of the North Carolina legislature (1780-84), including service as speaker, as well as in the upper (1788-90). In addition, he took part in national politics, serving in the Continental Congress in 1782-83 and 1786-87.

Appointed as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention at the age of 38, Blount was absent for more than a month because he chose to attend the Continental Congress on behalf of his state. He said almost nothing in the debates and signed the Constitution reluctantly--only, he said, to make it "the unanimous act of the States in Convention." Nonetheless, he favored his state's ratification of the completed document.  Other members of the North Carolina delegation to the Convention were [[Richard Dobbs Spaight]], [[William Richardson Davie]],  [[Alexander Martin]], and [[Hugh Williamson]].

Appointed as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention at the age of 38, Blount was absent for more than a month because he chose to attend the Continental Congress on behalf of his state. He said almost nothing in the debates and signed the Constitution reluctantly--only, he said, to make it "the unanimous act of the States in Convention." Nonetheless, he favored his state's ratification of the completed document.  Other members of the North Carolina delegation to the Convention were [[Richard Dobbs Spaight]], [[William Richardson Davie]],  [[Alexander Martin]], and [[Hugh Williamson]].

The episode did not hamper Blount's career in Tennessee. In 1798 he was elected to the senate and rose to the speakership. He died 2 years later at Knoxville in his early fifties. He is buried there in the cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church." <ref>http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_founding_fathers_north_carolina.html#Blount</ref>

The episode did not hamper Blount's career in Tennessee. In 1798 he was elected to the senate and rose to the speakership. He died 2 years later at Knoxville in his early fifties. He is buried there in the cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church." <ref>http://www.archives.gov/national-archives-experience/charters/constitution_founding_fathers_north_carolina.html#Blount</ref>

==References==

==References==