Who Were Our Founding Fathers? Part I

Happy Independence Day to my American readers! To my British readers, better luck next time.

I just watched a production of 1776 from several years ago. My dad played John Hancock, and I knew a good many of the other men in it. It was a (quite good) community theatre production, but it really humanized these men. Before they were Founding Fathers, they were just regular fathers. And husbands. And sons. And friends. They risked everything to commit treason because they knew it was the right thing to do. They risked their lives, property, freedom, reputations, and the safety of their friends and families. So who were these brave gentlemen?

John Adams. Mass.

Age 40. 

Lawyer. 

Married, 5 children.

Samuel Adams. Mass.

Age 53.

Civil servant. Also a lawyer, brewer, essayist, clerk, tax collector (too nice to be a good one). 

Married, 2 children.

Josiah Bartlett. New Hampshire.

Age 46.

Physician. Also a militiaman, justice, assemblyman.

Married, 9 children. One daughter died in 1776.

Carter Braxton. Virginia.

Age 39.

Landowner. Also a privateer.

Married, 2 children.

Charles Carroll. Maryland.

Age 38.

Landowner. Enormously wealthy, he had a lot to lose. Also an essayist and representative.

Married, 3 children.

Samuel Chase. "Old Bacon Face." Maryland.

Age 35.

Lawyer. Also an assemblyman.

Married, 7 children. Wife died in 1776.

Abraham Clark. NJ.

Age 50.

Lawyer (often worked pro bono). Also a surveyor, sheriff, councilman.

Married, 10 children.

George Clymer. Penn.

Age 37.

Merchant. 

Married, 5 children.

William Ellery. RI.

Age 49.

Lawyer. Also a merchant, customs collector, clerk.

Married, 19 children.

William Floyd. NY.

Age 41.

Farmer. Also a militiaman.

Married, unknown number of children.

Benjamin Franklin. Penn.

Age 70.

Statesman. Also everything.

Married, 3 children.

Elbridge Gerry. Mass.

Age 31.

Merchant. Also militiaman, local politician, hospital founder.

Unmarried at the time.

Button Gwinnett. Georgia.

Age 42.

Merchant. Also a planter, assemblyman.

Marital status unknown. (Killed in a duel in 1777.)

God Bless America,
Callie R.