Difference between revisions of "Founding Fathers"

Revision as of 07:26, July 4, 2022

Portrait of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart.

The Founding Fathers are the leaders who founded the United States, especially the 40 dignitaries who signed the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Historians consider the most important founders to include John Adams, Samuel Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and George Washington. Washington is known for his leadership and honesty; Hamilton for his brilliance; John Adams for his morality; Franklin for his inventiveness; Madison for his scholarship; and Jefferson for his egalitarianism.

The 55 initial participants -- all of whom would be considered "Founders" in the broad sense of the term -- wrote 15,000 articles, books and other materials. A study found that the Bible comprised 34% of their direct quotations. They particularly liked quoting the Book of Deuteronomy.

Republicanism

The Founding Fathers sought "Honor" -- freedom from corruption, and a positive devotion to civic virtue. These were key elements of Republicanism, and the Founding Fathers made republicanism the core values of the American system of government.

Corruption was the great evil the Founding Fathers confronted. When Britain showed too much corruption, it was time to break free with the American Revolution. To overcome the temptations of corruption--such as luxury and bribery--in their own lives, the Founding Fathers cultivated the virtue of disinterestedness. That is, the made a conscious effort to not be the creature of his financial interests, and not give any sign to the public that they sought luxury or bribes. The goal was to be impartial, concerned only for the public good, not the advancement of friends or, still less, of party.

Even personal shame and humiliation was preferable to a tarnished honor or the hint of corruption. When Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton was accused of corruption for making secret payments to a man named James Reynolds, Hamilton revealed he had been set up and was paying blackmail to Reynolds following an affair with Mrs. Reynolds. Duels over honor were common in the era--Hamilton was killed in one, as was Hamilton's son.

Signatories of the Declaration of Independence

Signatories of the Articles of Confederation

Signatories of the United States Constitution

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer
William Samuel Johnson
Rufus King
John Langdon
William Livingston
James Madison
James McHenry
Thomas Mifflin
Gouverneur Morris
Robert Morris
William Paterson
Charles Cotesworth Pinckney
Charles Pinckney
George Read
John Rutledge
Roger Sherman
Richard Dobbs Spaight
George Washington (president of the Convention)
Hugh Williamson
James Wilson
William Jackson (Secretary)

Other Founding Fathers

References

External Links

Founding Fathers Quotes

Difference between revisions of "Founding Fathers"

Revision as of 07:26, July 4, 2022

Contents

Republicanism

Signatories of the Declaration of Independence

Signatories of the Articles of Confederation

Signatories of the United States Constitution

Other Founding Fathers

Further reading

References

See also

External Links

Founding Fathers Quotes

Navigation menu

Search

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 [[File:Gilbert Stuart Portrait of George Washington.jpg|thumb|Portrait of George Washington by [[Gilbert Stuart]].]]
-'''The Founding Fathers''' are the leaders who founded the [[United States]], especially the 40 dignitaries who signed the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the 57 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Historians consider the most important founders to include [[John Adams]], [[Samuel Adams]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[James Madison]], and [[George Washington]].  Washington is known for his leadership and honesty; Hamilton for his brilliance; John Adams for his morality; Franklin for his inventiveness; Madison for his scholarship; and Jefferson for his egalitarianism.
+'''The Founding Fathers''' are the leaders who founded the [[United States]], especially the 40 dignitaries who signed the U.S. Constitution at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, and the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence. Historians consider the most important founders to include [[John Adams]], [[Samuel Adams]], [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[Alexander Hamilton]], [[Thomas Jefferson]], [[James Madison]], and [[George Washington]].  Washington is known for his leadership and honesty; Hamilton for his brilliance; John Adams for his morality; Franklin for his inventiveness; Madison for his scholarship; and Jefferson for his egalitarianism.
-The 55 initial participants—all of whom would be considered "Founders" in the broad sense of the term—wrote 15,000 articles, books and other materials.  A study found that the [[Bible]] comprised 34% of their direct quotations. They particularly liked quoting the [[Book of Deuteronomy]].<ref>https://juicyecumenism.com/2017/05/26/bibles-significance-american-founders/</ref>
-The last surviving member of the signers of the Declaration was [[Charles Carroll of Carrollton]], and the last surviving Founding Father was [[James Madison]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=HGkXMM-CXxMC&pg=PA87 Virginia's Historic Homes and Gardens]</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=MlNWU1e9ppUC&pg=PA181 The American Presidents, Washington to Tyler]</ref>
-==Views==
+The 55 initial participants -- all of whom would be considered "Founders" in the broad sense of the term -- wrote 15,000 articles, books and other materials.  A study found that the [[Bible]] comprised 34% of their direct quotations.  They particularly liked quoting the [[Book of Deuteronomy]].
-The overall philosophy of the founding fathers can be summarized as "[[Americanism]]."
-===Freedom and natural law===
+==Republicanism==
-The founding fathers were heavily influenced by [[John Locke]], who promoted the principles of [[individual freedom]] and a [[limited government]] based on [[natural law]] and [[unalienable rights]], as advocated by [[John Locke]].<ref name="USHistory.org">[http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2.asp 2. Foundations of American Government]. ''USHistory.org''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref name="CRF-USA.org">[https://www.crf-usa.org/foundations-of-our-constitution/natural-rights.html The Declaration of Independence and Natural Rights]. ''Constitutional Rights Foundation''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref> The founding fathers themselves strongly supported these principles.<ref name="BoRI">[https://billofrightsinstitute.org/founding-documents/founders-quotes/ Founders’ Quotes on Founding Principles]. ''Bill of Rights Institute''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref>Bleau, Hannah (July 4, 2019). [https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/07/04/13-patriotic-quotes-from-americas-founding-fathers/ 13 Patriotic Quotes from America’s Founding Fathers]. ''Breitbart News''. Retrieved July 4, 2019.</ref> Their experience with the tyrannical British government made them distrustful of a powerful government, and their resolve to not repeat this experience is reflected in the U.S. Constitution and [[Bill of Rights]].<ref name="Best">Best, James D. [http://www.whatwouldthefoundersthink.com/the-founders-believed-in-limited-government The Founders Believed in Limited Government]. ''What Would the Founders Think''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref> For example, the Constitution goes to great lengths to mandate the [[separation of powers]], and the Bill of Rights further limits government power to protect individual rights.<ref name="Best"/><ref>Pilon, Roger (July 21, 1995). [https://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/founders-intended-only-limited-powers Founders Intended Only Limited Powers]. ''CATO Institute'' (from ''USA Today''). Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref name="Federalism">[http://www.ushistory.org/gov/3a.asp 3a. The Founders and Federalism]. ''USHistory.org''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref>Beeman, Richard R. [https://constitutioncenter.org/interactive-constitution/white-pages/the-constitutional-convention-of-1787-a-revolution-in-government The Constitutional Convention of 1787: A Revolution in Government]. ''Constitution Center''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2c.asp 2c. Creating the Constitution]. ''USHistory.org''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref><ref>[http://www.ushistory.org/gov/2d.asp 2d. The Bill of Rights]. ''USHistory.org''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref> The founders also emphasized the importance of property rights.<ref name="BoRI"/><ref>Snowball, Timothy (July 11, 2019). [https://pacificlegal.org/the-founding-fathers-of-our-limited-government-george-washington-and-the-importance-of-property-rights/ The Founding Fathers of our limited government: George Washington and the importance of property rights]. ''Pacific Legal Foundation''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref> Many of the founding fathers warned Americans to stay vigilant against trends that erode individual freedom, including the growth of bureaucracy, violation of the separation of powers, and judicial supremacy.<ref>[https://nccs.net/blogs/articles/strong-warnings-from-the-founders Strong Warnings from the Founders]. ''National Center for Constitutional Studies''. Retrieved August 24, 2019.</ref>
+The Founding Fathers sought "Honor" -- freedom from corruption, and a positive devotion to civic virtue.  These were key elements of [[Republicanism]], and the Founding Fathers made republicanism the core values of the American system of government.
-===Views on Slavery===
+[[Corruption]] was the great evil the Founding Fathers confronted. When Britain showed too much corruption, it was time to break free with the [[American Revolution]].  To overcome the temptations of corruption--such as luxury and bribery--in their own lives, the Founding Fathers cultivated the virtue of disinterestedness. That is, the made a conscious effort to not be the creature of his financial interests, and not give any sign to the public that they sought luxury or bribes. The goal was to be impartial, concerned only for the public good, not the advancement of friends or, still less, of party.
-With the understanding that Liberty is the gift of God, the Founding Fathers well understood that [[slavery]] was morally wrong despite facing the question of what could practically be done against it.<ref>Madden, Nate (December 31, 2019). [https://www.conservativereview.com/news/pete-buttigieg-said-framers-constitution-not-understand-slavery-bad-thing-heres-reality-check/ Pete Buttigieg once said that the framers of the Constitution ‘did not understand that slavery was a bad thing.’ Here’s a reality check]. ''Conservative Review''. Retrieved December 31, 2019.</ref>  In many instances however, the Founders recognized that slavery which was brought here by the British Empire could not be eliminated immediately without risking the cohesion between the [[Thirteen Colonies]].  Without this cohesion, the Founders feared, all would be hung.<ref>"We must, indeed, all hang together or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately", Benjamin Franklin</ref>  When America declared Independence, Franklin's ''Join or Die'' captured this sentiment in a very powerful way.  Thirteen years later at the [[Constitutional Convention]], James Madison expressed his concern that "the greatest danger is that of disunion of the States",<ref>[https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_823.asp Madison Debates - August 23]</ref> making it clear that for more than a decade nothing scared the Founding generation more than the might of a known superpower where the sun never set.
-In private correspondence as well as major acts or events, the Founders wrote of Britain's role, such as in the Original "rough draught" of the Declaration of Independence; the topic of the  British government's role in slavery came up in discussion at the [[Constitutional Convention]],<ref>[https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_822.asp Madison Debates - August 22], Col. Mason: This infernal traffic originated in the avarice of British Merchants. ''The British Govt constantly checked the attempts of Virginia to put a stop to it.''</ref> and several founders such as Thomas Paine and Benjamin Rush published pamphlets decrying the practice.<ref>An Address to the inhabitants of the British Settlements on the Slavery of the Negroes in America, by Benjamin Rush</ref>
+Even personal shame and humiliation was preferable to a tarnished honor or the hint of corruption. When Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton was accused of corruption for making secret payments to a man named James Reynolds, Hamilton revealed he had been set up and was paying blackmail to Reynolds following an affair with Mrs. Reynolds. Duels over honor were common in the era--Hamilton was killed in one, as was Hamilton's son.
-Not wanting to build a government with a single figure as powerful as a king, the Founders sought a Republican form.  As a republican form, all domestic issues are decided on a state level, which included the issue of slavery.  As early as 1780, the Founding generation succeeded in abolishing slavery.  Pennsylvania was the first state to abolish it, followed by Massachusetts in 1783 and Rhode Island and Connecticut in 1784.  Other states would continue to follow suit in years to come.
-The famous [[Northwest Ordinance]] specifically forbid slavery.
-===Republicanism===
-[[File:Scene at the Signing of the Constitution of the United States.jpg|thumb|300px|Signing of the United States Constitution, by Howard Chandler Christy in 1940]]
-The Founding Fathers sought "Honor"—freedom from corruption, and a positive devotion to civic virtue.  These were key elements of [[Republicanism]], and the Founding Fathers made republicanism the core values of the American system of government.
-[[Corruption]] was the great evil the Founding Fathers confronted. When Britain showed too much corruption, it was time to break free with the [[American Revolution]].  To overcome the temptations of corruption—such as luxury and bribery—in their own lives, the Founding Fathers cultivated the virtue of disinterestedness. That is, the made a conscious effort to not be the creature of his financial interests, and not give any sign to the public that they sought luxury or bribes. The goal was to be impartial, concerned only for the public good, not the advancement of friends or, still less, of party.
-Even personal shame and humiliation was preferable to a tarnished honor or the hint of corruption. When Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton was accused of corruption for making secret payments to a man named James Reynolds, Hamilton revealed he had been set up and was paying blackmail to Reynolds following an affair with Mrs. Reynolds. Duels over honor were common in the era—Hamilton was killed in one, as was Hamilton's son.
-===Sovereignty===
-The Founding Fathers cared deeply about preserving [[national sovereignty]], since a sovereign U.S. government would serve the American people alone and protect their unalienable rights, and let them govern themselves.<ref name="Groves2010">Groves, Steven (December 3, 2010). [https://www.heritage.org/american-founders/report/why-does-sovereignty-matter-america Why Does Sovereignty Matter to America?] ''The Heritage Foundation''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref> In fact, they chose to declare independence because [[United Kingdom|Britain]] was not respecting their right to self-government.<ref name="Groves2010"/> For example, in [[George Washington's Farewell Address|his farewell address]] in September 1796, [[George Washington]] warned his fellow Americans against becoming entangled in international treaties and alliances, as he knew it would end American freedom.<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/washing.asp Washington's Farewell Address 1796]. ''The Avalon Project -- Yale Law School''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref><ref>[https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21/pdf/GPO-CDOC-106sdoc21.pdf Washington's Farewell Address]. ''Government Publishing Office''. Retrieved November 27, 2017.</ref> In addition to Washington, [[Gouverneur Morris]] criticized "Citizens of the World" at the [[Constitutional Convention]] in 1787 and called for constitutional restrictions on foreigners such as a ban on holding office.<ref>[http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/debates_809.asp Madison Debates – Tuesday August 9, 1787]. ''The Avalon Project''. Retrieved December 8, 2018.</ref>
-===Federalism and separation of powers===
-The founding fathers strongly supported the principles of [[federalism]] and the [[separation of powers]] to ensure a limited government.<ref name="Federalism"/><ref>Byas, Steve (December 10, 2019). [https://www.thenewamerican.com/print-magazine/item/30746-what-happened-to-federalism What Happened to Federalism?] ''The New American''. Retrieved December 30, 2019.</ref><ref>Green, Mark (December 29, 2019). [https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/rep-mark-green-want-to-save-america-this-gift-from-the-founders-is-the-only-way Rep. Mark Green: Want to save America? Embracing this gift from the Founders is the only way]. ''Fox News''. Retrieved December 30, 2019.</ref>
-===Religion===
-The [[founding fathers]] did not discuss or advocate for a "[[separation of church and state]]."<ref>Dinan, Stephen; Swoyer, Alex (January 2, 2020). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/2/founding-fathers-never-discussed-separation-betwee/ Founding fathers never discussed wall of separation between church and state]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved January 4, 2020.</ref> They were religiously and theologically diverse, coming from several denominational backgrounds.<ref name="Holmes">David L. Holmes. [https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Founding-Fathers-Deism-and-Christianity-1272214 The Founding Fathers, Deism, and Christianity]. ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Their actual beliefs and practices are debated, but here too, they were diverse and must not be generalized.<ref name="Frazer"/> Some argue that the majority of the founding fathers were deists,<ref name="Holmes"/> while others argue that the most important fathers were "theistic rationalists," meaning they were not deists, but not necessarily Christians either.<ref name="Frazer">Dr. Greg Frazer. [http://masters.edu/the-faith-of-the-founding-fathers/ The Faith of the Founding Fathers]. ''The Master's University''. Retrieved May 22, 2017.</ref> Despite this, scholars agree that some founding fathers were orthodox Christians.<ref name="Holmes"/><ref name="Frazer"/> The founding fathers that were not Christians were influenced by Christianity in a culture where publicly being a Christian was normal.<ref name="Frazer"/>
-The founding fathers considered to be "theistic rationalists" did believe God was active in earthly affairs and that religion was essentially important to society because it brought [[morality]].<ref name="Frazer"/> However, they believed this to be true for all religions, rather than just Christianity.<ref name="Frazer"/> They opposed the establishment of an official religion but supported religion in public life.<ref name="Frazer"/>
-In a Judiciary Committee report published by the House of Representatives in 1854 titled "''Chaplains in Congress and in the Army and Navy''" it was noted that:
-:In this age, there can be no substitute for Christianity; that, in its general principles, is the great conservative element on which we must rely for the purity and permanence of free institutions. That was the religion of the founders of the republic, and they expected it to remain the religion of their descendants.<ref>[https://www.google.com/books/edition/Reports_of_Committees/zaoFAAAAQAAJ Reports of Committees - 16th Congress, 1st Session - 49th Congress, 1st Session], 1854, H. Rep. 124, 33rd Congress, 1st Session</ref>
 == Signatories of the [[Declaration of Independence]] ==
-[[File:Declaration of Independence by Trumbull.jpg|thumb|300px|Signing of the Declaration of Independence, by [[John Trumbull]] in 1817–1819]]
 {|
 | valign="top" |
-*1.[[John Adams]]
+*[[John Adams]]
+*[[Samuel Adams]]
-.[[Samuel Adams]]
+*[[Josiah Bartlett]]
+*[[Carter Braxton]]
+*[[Charles Carroll of Carrollton|Charles Carroll]]
-.[[Josiah Bartlett]]
+*[[Samuel Chase]]
+*[[Abraham Clark]]
+*[[George Clymer]]
-.[[Carter Braxton]]
+*[[William Ellery]]
-*
+*[[William Floyd]]
+*[[Benjamin Franklin]]
-.[[Charles Carroll of Carrollton|Charles Carroll]]
+*[[Elbridge Gerry]]
+*[[Button Gwinnett]]
+*[[Lyman Hall]]
-.[[Samuel Chase]]
+*[[John Hancock]]
+*[[Benjamin Harrison V|Benjamin Harrison]]
+*[[John Hart]]
-.[[Abraham Clark]]
+*[[Joseph Hewes]]
+*[[Thomas Heyward]]
+| valign="top" |
-.[[George Clymer]]
+*[[William Hooper]]
-*
+*[[Stephen Hopkins]]
+*[[Francis Hopkinson]]
-.[[William Ellery]]
+*[[Samuel Huntington (signer) |Samuel Huntington]]
-*
+*[[Thomas Jefferson]]
+*[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]]
-.[[William Floyd]]
+*[[Richard Henry Lee]]
-*
+*[[Francis Lewis]]
+*[[Philip Livingston]]
-.[[Benjamin Franklin]]
+*[[Thomas Lynch, Jr.]]
-*
+*[[Thomas McKean]]
+*[[Arthur Middleton]]
-.[[Elbridge Gerry]]
+*[[Lewis Morris]]
-*
+*[[Robert Morris]]
+*[[John Morton]]
-.[[Button Gwinnett]]
+*[[Thomas Nelson, Jr.]]
-*
+*[[William Paca]]
+*[[John Penn]]
-.[[Lyman Hall]]
+| valign="top" |
-*
+*[[Robert Treat Paine]]
+*[[George Read]]
-.[[John Hancock]]
+*[[Caesar Rodney]]
-*
+*[[George Ross]]
+*[[Benjamin Rush]]
-.[[Benjamin Harrison V|Benjamin Harrison]]
+*[[Edward Rutledge]]
-*
+*[[Roger Sherman]]
+*[[James Smith (signer)| James Smith]]
-.[[John Hart]]
+*[[Richard Stockton]]
-*
+*[[Thomas Stone]]
+*[[George Taylor]]
-.[[Joseph Hewes]]
+*[[Matthew Thornton]]
-*
+*[[George Walton]]
+*[[William Whipple]]
-.[[Thomas Heyward]]
+*[[William Williams]]
-*
+*[[James Wilson]]
+*[[John Witherspoon]]
-.[[William Hooper]]
+*[[Oliver Wolcott]]
-*
+*[[George Wythe]]
-.[[Stephen Hopkins]]
-*
-.[[Francis Hopkinson]]
-*
-.[[Samuel Huntington (signer)|Samuel Huntington]]
-*
-.[[Thomas Jefferson]]
-*
-.[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]]
-*
-.[[Richard Henry Lee]]
-*
-.[[Francis Lewis]]
-*
-.[[Philip Livingston]]
-*
-.[[Thomas Lynch, Jr.]]
-*
-.[[Thomas McKean]]
-*
-.[[Arthur Middleton]]
-*
-.[[Lewis Morris]]
-*
-.[[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]]
-*
-.[[John Morton]]
-*
-.[[Thomas Nelson, Jr.]]
-*
-.[[William Paca]]
-*
-.[[John Penn]]
-*
-.[[Robert Treat Paine]]
-*
-.[[George Read]]
-*
-.[[Caesar Rodney]]
-*
-.[[George Ross]]
-*
-.[[Benjamin Rush]]
-*
-.[[Edward Rutledge]]
-*
-.[[Roger Sherman]]
-*
-.[[James Smith (signer)|James Smith]]
-*
-.[[Richard Stockton]]
-*
-.[[Thomas Stone]]
-*
-.[[George Taylor]]
-*
-.[[Matthew Thornton]]
-*
-.[[George Walton]]
-*
-.[[William Whipple]]
-*
-.[[William Williams]]
-*
-.[[James Wilson]]
-*
-.[[John Witherspoon]]
-*
-.[[Oliver Wolcott]]
-*
-.[[George Wythe]]
 |}
@@ Line 201: / Line 78: @@
 {|
 | valign="top" |
+*[[Andrew Adams]]
 *[[Samuel Adams]]
+*[[Thomas Adams]]
+*[[John Banister]]
 *[[Josiah Bartlett]]
 *[[Daniel Carroll]]
-*[[William Ellery]]
-*[[John Dickinson]]
-*[[Elbridge Gerry]]
-*[[John Hancock]]
-*[[Samuel Huntington]]
-*[[Thomas Heyward Jr.]]
-*[[Thomas Adams]]
-*[[John Banister]]
 *[[William Clingan]]
 *[[John Collins]]
 *[[Francis Dana]]
+*[[John Dickinson]]
 *[[William Henry Drayton]]
 *[[James Duane]]
 *[[William Duer]]
+*[[William Ellery]]
+*[[Elbridge Gerry]]
+*[[John Hancock]]
 *[[John Hanson]]
 *[[Cornelius Harnett]]
 *[[John Harvie]]
+*[[Thomas Heyward Jr.]]
 *[[Samuel Holten]]
 *[[Titus Hosmer]]
+*[[Samuel Huntington]]
 *[[Richard Hutson]]
 | valign="top" |
 *[[Edward Langworthy]]
 *[[Henry Laurens]]
 *[[Francis Lightfoot Lee]]
 *[[Richard Henry Lee]]
 *[[Francis Lewis]]
 *[[James Lovell]]
 *[[Henry Marchant]]
 *[[John Mathews]]
 *[[Thomas McKean]]
 *[[Gouverneur Morris]]
+*[[Robert Morris]]
-*[[Robert Morris (financier)|Robert Morris]]
 *[[John Penn]]
 *[[Joseph Reed]]
 *[[Daniel Roberdeau]]
 *[[Nathaniel Scudder]]
 *[[Roger Sherman]]
 *[[Jonathan Bayard Smith]]
 *[[Edward Telfair]]
 *[[Nicholas Van Dyke]]
 *[[John Walton]]
 *[[John Wentworth Jr.]]
 *[[John Williams]]
 *[[John Witherspoon]]
+*[[Oliver Wolcott]]
+|}
+== Signatories of the [[United States Constitution]] ==
+{|
-*[[Oliver Wolcott]]
+| valign="top" |
+*[[Abraham Baldwin]]
+*[[Richard Bassett]]
+*[[Gunning Bedford, Jr.]]
+*[[John Blair]]
+*[[William Blount]]
+*[[David Brearly]]
+*[[Jacob Broom]]
+*[[Pierce Butler]]
+*[[Daniel Carroll]]
+*[[George Clymer]]
+*[[Jonathan Dayton]]
+*[[John Dickinson]]
+*[[William Few]]
+*[[Thomas Fitzsimons]]
+*[[Benjamin Franklin]]
+*[[Nicholas Gilman]]
+*[[Nathaniel Gorham]]
+*[[Alexander Hamilton]]
+*[[Jared Ingersoll]]
+| valign="top" |
+*[[Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer]]
+*[[William Samuel Johnson]]
+*[[Rufus King]]
+*[[John Langdon]]
+*[[William Livingston]]
+*[[James Madison]]
+*[[James McHenry]]
+*[[Thomas Mifflin]]
+*[[Gouverneur Morris]]
+*[[Robert Morris]]
+*[[William Paterson (jurist)|William Paterson]]
+*[[Charles Cotesworth Pinckney]]
+*[[Governor Charles Pinckney|Charles Pinckney]]
+*[[George Read (signer)|George Read]]
+*[[John Rutledge]]
+*[[Roger Sherman]]
+*[[Richard Dobbs Spaight]]
+*[[George Washington]] (president of the Convention)
+*[[Hugh Williamson]]
+*[[James Wilson]]
+*[[William Jackson (secretary)|William Jackson]] (Secretary)
 |}
@@ Line 351: / Line 185: @@
 |}
+==Further reading==
+* Ellis, Joseph J. ''Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation'' (2002), good overview of leading figures by top scholar [http://www.amazon.com/Founding-Brothers-Revolutionary-Joseph-Ellis/dp/0375705244/ref=cm_lmf_img_5_rdssss0 excerpt and text search]
+* McClanahan, Brion.  ''The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers'' (2009), popular book by conservative writer. [http://www.amazon.com/Politically-Incorrect-Founding-Fathers-Guides/dp/1596980923/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251266508&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
+* Wood, Gordon. ''Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different'' (2007), very good overview by leading conservative scholar [http://books.google.com/books?id=uOovRxek5AIC&dq=intitle:Revolutionary+intitle:Characters+inauthor:wood&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]
-==religious list of the singers of the us founding fathers from the articles of confederation the constitution and the declaration of indepence
+== References ==
-A Table of the Religious Affiliations
-                              of American Founders
+* [http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/charters.html The Constitution from the National Archives]
-Signer                      State       Doc.    Office          Affiliation (Ref.)
+* [http://www.foundingfathers.info/documents/constitution.html The Constitution of the United States of America]
-Adams, Andrew               CT          A                       CO(l)
-Adams, John                 MA          D       President       CO(b)UN(a)
-Adams, Samuel               MA          D/A                     CO(b)
-Adams, Thomas               VA          A
-Banister, John              VA          A
-Baldwin, Abraham            GA          C                       CO(j,k)PR(n)
-Bartlett, Josiah            NH          D/A                     CO(b)
-Bassett, Richard            DE          C                       ME(g,j,m,n)
-Bedford, Gunning, Jun.      DE          C                       PR(j,m)
-Blair, John                 VA          C       Justice         PR(a)EP(n)
-Blount, William             NC          C                       EP(n)PR(f,j)
-Braxton, Carter             VA          D
-Brearly, David              NJ          C			EP(n)
-Broom, Jacob                DE          C                       QU(n)EP(m)
-Butler, Pierce              SC          C                       EP(j,m)
-Carroll, Charles            MD          D                       RC(d)
-Carroll, Daniel             MD          A/C                     RC(d,j,n)
-Chase, Samuel               MD          D       Justice         EP(a)
-Clark, Abraham              NJ          D                       PR(c,e)
-Clingan, William            PA          A
-Collins, John               RI          A       Governor
-Clymer, George              PA          D/C                     QU(j,n),EP(j)
-Dana, Francis               MA          A
-Dayton, Jonothan            NJ          C                       PR(n)EP(j)
-Dickenson, John             DE          A/C                     QU(j,m,n)EP(j)
-Drayton, William Henry      SC          A
-Duane, James                NY          A                       EP(l)
-Duer, William               NY          A
-Ellery, William             RI(A)MA(D)  D/A                     CO(b)
-Few, William                GA          C                       ME(j,k,n)
-Fitzsimons, Thomas          PA          C                       RC(j,n)
-(variant spellings: Fitzsimmons, Fitz-Simons)
-Floyd, William              NY          D                       PR(c,e)
-Franklin, Benjamin          PA          D/C                     EP(n)DE(j)
-Gerry, Elbridge             MA          D/A                     EP(j)
-Gilman, Nicholas            NH          C                       CO(j,n)
-Gorham, Nathaniel           MA          C                       CO(j,n)
-Gwynnett, Button            SC          D                       EP(k,o)
-Hall, Lyman                 SC          D                       CO(b,k)
-Hamilton, Alexander         NY          C                       EP(j,n)
-Hancock, John               MA          A/D                     CO(b)
-Hanson, John                MD          A
-Harnett, Cornelious         NC          A                       EP(f)DE(f)
-Harrison, Benjamin          VA          D       Governor
-Hart, John                  NJ          D                       PR(c)
-Harvie, John                VA          A
-Hewes, Joseph               NC          D                       EP?(f)
-Heyward, Thomas             SC          A
-Heyward, Thomas, Jr.        SC          D
-Holton, Samuel              MA          A
-Hooper, William             NC          D                       EP(f)
-Hopkins, Stephen            RI          D
-Hopkinson, Francis          NJ          D                       Ep(l)
-Hosmer, Titus               CT          D
-Huntington, Samuel          CT          D/A                     CO(b)
-Hutson, Richard             SC          A                       PR(l)
-Ingersoll, Jared            PA          C                       PR(j,n)
-Jefferson, Thomas           VA          D       President       DE(a)
-Jennifer, Dan oF St. Thomas MD          C                       EP(j,n)
-Johnson, Wm. Saml.          CT          C       Justice         PR(a)EP(j,n)
-King, Rufas                 MA          C                       EP(j)CO(n)
-Langdon, John               NH          C                       CO(j,n)
-Langworthy, Edward          GA          A                       EP(o)
-Laurens, Henry              SC          A                       HU(l)
-Lee, Henry Lightfoot        VA          D/A
-Lee, Richard Henry          VA          D/A     Senator
-Lewis, Francis              NY          D/A
-Livingston, Phil.           NY          D                       P(c)
-Livingston, Wil.            NJ          C                       PR(j,n)
-Lovell, James               MA          A
-Lynch, Thomas Junr.         SC          D
-Madison, James Jr.          VA          C       President       EP(a,j,n)TH(i)
-Marchant, Henry             RI          A
-Mathews, John               SC          A
-McHenry, James              MD          C                       PR(j,n)
-Middleton, Arthur           SC          D
-Miflin, Thomas              PA          C                       QU(n)LU(j)
-M'Kean, Thomas              DE          D/A                     PR(m)
-Morris, Gouv.               NY(A)PA(C)  A/C                     EP(j)DE(i,n)
-Morris, Lewis               NY          D
-Morris, Robert              PA          D/A/C                   EP(j,n)
-Morton, John                PA          D
-Nelson, Thomas Jr.          VA          D
-Paca, William               MD          D
-Paine, Robert Treat         MA          D                       CO(b)
-Paterson, William           NJ          C       Justice         PT(a)PR(j,n)
-Penn, John                  NC          D/A                     UK(f)
-Pinckney, Charles           SC          C                       EP(j,n)
-Pinckney, Chas. Cotesworth  SC          C                       EP(j,n)
-Read, George                DE          D/C                     EP(j,m,n)
-Reed, Joseph                PA          A
-Roberdeau, Daniel           PA          A
-Rodney, Caesar              DE          D                       EP(m)
-Ross, George                PA          D
-Rush, Benjamin              PA          D                       PR(c,e)UN
-Rutledge, Edward            SC          D       Justice         CE(a)
-Rutledge, J.                SC          C                       EP(j,n)
-Scudder, Nathaniel          NJ          A
-Sherman, Roger              CT          D/A/C                   CO(b,j,n)
-Smith, James                PA          D                       PR(c,e)
-Smith, Jona. Bayard         PA          A
-Spaight, Richard Dobbs      NC          C                       EP(f,j,n)
-Stockton, Richard           NJ          D                       PR(c,e)
-Stone, Thomas               MD          D
-Taylor, George              PA          D                       PR(c,e)
-Telfair, Edward             GA          A
-Thornton, Matthew           NH          D                       PR(c,e)
-Van Dyke, Nicholas          DE          A                       EP(m)
-Walton, George              GA          D                       AN(o)
-Walton, Jno.                GA          A
-Washington, George          VA          C       President       EP(a,j,n)TH(i)
-Wentworth, John Junr.       NH          A
-Whipple, William            NH          D                       CO(b)
-Williams, Jonothan          NC          A                       UK(f)
-Williams, William           CT          D                       CO(b)
-Williamson, Hu              NC          C                       PR(f,n)DE(j)
-Wilson, James               PA          D/C     Ch. Justice*    EP(a)PR(e,n)DE(j)
-Witherspoon, Jonothan       NJ          D/A     Minister        PR(c)(e)
-Wolcott, Oliver             CT          D/A                     CO(b)
-Wythe, George               VA          D                       EP(j)
-==Further reading==
-* Ellis, Joseph J. ''Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation'' (2002), good overview of leading figures by top scholar [https://www.amazon.com/Founding-Brothers-Revolutionary-Joseph-Ellis/dp/0375705244/ref=cm_lmf_img_5_rdssss0 excerpt and text search]
-* McClanahan, Brion.  ''The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Founding Fathers'' (2009), popular book by conservative writer. [https://www.amazon.com/Politically-Incorrect-Founding-Fathers-Guides/dp/1596980923/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1251266508&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search]
-* Wood, Gordon. ''Revolutionary Characters: What Made the Founders Different'' (2007), very good overview by leading conservative scholar [https://books.google.com/books?id=uOovRxek5AIC&dq=intitle:Revolutionary+intitle:Characters+inauthor:wood&lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&num=30&as_brr=0 excerpt and text search]
 == See also ==
@@ Line 493: / Line 201: @@
 * [[Hero]]: [[Gallery of American Heroes]]
 * [[Memorial Day]], [[Veterans Day]], [[Remembrance Day]]
+* [[Oath Keepers]] - Support and defend the [[unalienable rights]] of [[America]]
 * [[Vow]]
+* [[Police state]]s-[[Nanny state]]s violate the [[United States Constitution]]-[[Bill of Rights]] (especially [[Second Amendment]] and [[Fourth Amendment]]) and [[Citizen]]'s [[Unalienable rights]] by not upholding their oath to support and defend the [[Constitution]].
-== References ==
+== External Links ==
-{{reflist|1}}
-== External links ==
+* [http://www.archives.gov/ The National Archives]
-* [https://www.archives.gov/ The National Archives]
+* [http://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/ The National Archives - Historical Documents]
-* [https://www.archives.gov/historical-docs/ The National Archives - Historical Documents]
 * [http://patriotpost.us/histdocs/ The Patriot Post - Historical Documents]
-* [https://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/charters.html The Constitution from the National Archives]
-* [http://www.foundingfathers.info/documents/constitution.html The Constitution of the United States of America]
-* [https://books.google.com/books?id=iKrsV46o00AC Anti-slavery in America from the Introduction of African Slaves to the Prohibition of the Slave Trade (1619-1808)], by Mary Stoughton Locke, 1901
-* [https://librivox.org/author/4127 Works by the Founding Fathers of the United States  - text and free audio] - [[LibriVox]]
-== Founding Fathers Quotes ==
+=== Founding Fathers Quotes ===
 * [http://www.marksquotes.com/Founding-Fathers/ Mark's Quotes: Founding Fathers Quotes]
 * [http://www.dojgov.net/Liberty_Watch.htm USDOJ & Government Watch: Spirit of America Liberty Quotes]
 * [http://www.eadshome.com/QuotesoftheFounders.htm Eads Home Ministries: Founding Fathers Quotes]
+{{Conservatism}}
-==religious affilaitons==
-https://candst.tripod.com/tnppage/qtable.htm
-{{Conservatism}}
-{{Greatest Thinkers}}{{Nationalism}}
-{{Constitutional Convention}}
 [[Category:Founding Fathers]]
+[[Category:American Revolution]]
 [[Category:Republicanism]]
 [[Category:Conservatives]]
+[[Category:Early National U.S.]]
+[[Category:Veterans]]
+[[Category:Oath Keepers]]
+[[Category:Conservatives]]
+[[Category:United States History]]
 [[Category:Pro Second Amendment]]
 [[Category:People Associated with Firearms]]
 [[Category:American Gun Rights Advocates]]
+[[Category:Survivalism]]
 [[Category:United States History Figures]]
 [[Category:Patriots]]