Death of Roger Sherman
Death of Roger Sherman
Roger Sherman, the only man in U.S. history to sign America’s four most important documents (the Articles of Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, and the Constitution) died on July 23, 1793.
Sherman was born on April 19, 1721, in Newton, Massachusetts. With few educational opportunities available to him, Sherman read every spare minute – and often had a book open at his work bench in his father’s shoe repair shop.
After passing the bar, he quickly became a prominent lawyer and politician. Firmly believing that “united we stand, divided we fall,” Sherman joined the Continental Congress in 1774. He helped create the Articles of Association, a precursor to the Declaration of Independence, establishing a trade boycott with Great Britain. Well-respected among his peers for his honesty and integrity, Sherman was also selected to help create the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.
At the Constitutional Convention, Sherman was noted for his impassioned support of a strong federal government and the rights of smaller states. With 138 speeches to the convention, Sherman was by far one its most vocal members. Fisher Ames once said that in cases of uncertainty he looked at Roger Sherman, knowing that “if I vote with him I shall vote right.”
Among Sherman’s notable contributions were the inclusion “or to the people” in the 10th Amendment to the Constitution and the use of the cent in America’s financial system. Sherman died in his sleep on July 23, 1793.
Click here for more about Sherman.
Click here to see what else happened on This Day in History.
Nice to know a little “behind the scenes” detail of not-so-famous individuals from our Country’s Early History. Thank You
Love your information! Keep it up please,
A man who few would be able to recognize if asked who he was and what he did. I am sure he is one of many “forgotten” figures who contributed significantly to the establishment of this country. Thanks for the continued good work! Much appreciated.
American history teachers in the 50s and 60s used to teach us these things – the ideals and values that our founding fathers created for their posterity- and the men who created this unique country founded on ideals and Chritian values, not based on color,creed,religion, Nationality, or a charismatic leader. So I knew who Roger Sherman was as one of the shapers of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, and Constitution. But this provides some new information.
And Constitution