Happy 4th of July!

I'm back, and I had a wonderful time in the Berkshires! In celebration of the 4th of July, this Musing is about Connecticut Patriot, Roger Sherman, the only American Revolutionary to sign his name to all four of the important founding documents of the United States. 

Founding Father, Roger Sherman

Roger Sherman was born in Massachusetts in 1721.  He was the second oldest son and when his father died in 1741 he took on the responsibility of looking after the family.  His older brother, William, had moved from Massachusetts to Connecticut. Roger decided to follow his lead and within a couple of years, moved the family to New Milford.

Early in his life, he had worked on the family farm and been trained as a cordwainer, a tradesman who works with cordovan leather, usually making new leather shoes.  In New Milford, Roger opened a store, worked as a surveyor and practiced law before becoming deeply involved in local and ultimately national, politics.

“There goes a man who never said a foolish thing in his life."- Thomas Jefferson

Although not nearly as well known as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman was also there at the very beginning. He was influential in the early decision making that led to the birth of the United States, and he is the only founding father to have signed all four documents fundamentally important in the creation of the new nation. He began his political career in the Connecticut House of Representatives.  Early on he also began serving what would become a career of over two decades as a Connecticut Superior Court Justice. Late in his political career, he was elected as a Representative from Connecticut, to the First United States Congress. He then served in the Second and Third US Congress as a Senator, until his death in 1793, at the age of 72.

The Four Great State Documents

Continental Association

In September 1774, Roger traveled to Philadelphia, PA, to represent Connecticut at the First Continental Congress. Although he was not among the committee's first choices to be a delegate, in the end he was very influential in his debates, and was an excellent choice. In October 1774, Roger Sherman signed his name to the first of four great state papers, the Continental Association. This document was in response to the Coercive Acts passed in England. It solidified an agreement among the colonies to abstain from importing, buying or using any goods from Great Britain, and from exporting any American products to England until they repealed the punitive Acts.

"...one of the most sensible men in the world..
one of the soundest and strongest pillars of the Revolution..."- John Adams

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence by John Trumbull (1819) depicts the Committee of Five presenting its work to Congress. Sherman is second from the left.

In October 1775, the Connecticut Assembly selected a new delegation to represent the colony, and Roger was the only one of the original three delegates to be retained. In June 1776, Roger was assigned to a committee tasked with drafting the Declaration of Independence. The other four members were Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and the lesser known Robert Livingston of New York. The finished Declaration was to become the second distinguished state document Roger signed.

"If I am absent during the discussion of a subject, and consequently know not on which side to vote, I always look at [him], for I am sure if I vote with him I shall vote right.”- Fisher Ames

Articles of Confederation

Roger was one of the hardest working delegates. In 9 years he served over 1500 days, an attendance record attained by only four other members. During this time, Roger served not only on the committee to draft the Declaration of Independence, but also on the Grand Committee to draw up the Articles of Confederation, the document that would govern the newly independent states. The Articles of Confederation were adopted in November 1777, becoming the third foundational state document bearing Roger's signature.

“Sherman’s air is the reverse of grace; there cannot be a more striking contrast to beautiful action than the motion of his hands …. He has a clear head and sound judgment, but when he moves a hand in anything like action, Hogarth’s genius could not have invented a motion more opposite to grace.”- John Adams

United States Constitution

Roger may not have been graceful in his oratory, but he knew how to be persuasive, and he knew how to compromise.  Probably his most well known contribution to these state documents, happened during the creation of the United States Constitution with what is known as the Connecticut Compromise.  When delegates from small states were deadlocked with delegates from large states over how to decide legislative representation, Roger suggested a compromise, establish a bicameral legislature. Each state, regardless of size, would elect two members to the Senate, and the population of a state, would decide the number of members elected to the House of Representatives. 

Roger Sherman may not have been Connecticut's first choice for a delegate, he may not have been the most eloquent orator, and he may not be the founding father in the forefront of the paintings, but Roger Sherman leaves a lasting legacy with the Connecticut Compromise and as the only patriot to have signed all four founding documents.

Fourth of July Trivia

Which state is the only one with a unicameral legislature?
Happy Holiday Everyone!

Sources used in this Musing:
(all website sources were assessed accessed July 01, 2022)

- Mangan, Gregg,  Roger Sherman, Revolutionary and Dedicated Public Servant, ConnecticutHistory.org, October 10, 2020.

- Rommel, John G., Connecticut's Yankee Patriot:  Roger Sherman, The American Revolution Bicentennial Commission of Connecticut, 1979

- Werther,Richard J., Roger Sherman: The Only Man Who Signed All Four Founding Documents, Journal of the American Revolution.
- Roger Sherman, Biography website.

Please forward this email to anyone who might be interested.