Roger Sherman was a signee and a helper in the drafting of The Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. He was born in April 19, 1721 in Newton, Massachusetts to Mr. William who was a farmer and a shoemaker and Mrs. Mehetabel, his mother, who was known for her strong values in upbringing her children.
He went to a grammar school in Stoughton, but spent most of his time in helping in his father’s trade. Schooling then was still scarce, but Sherman was considered intelligent.He was also guided and aided by their Harvard graduate church priest and at the same time, Sherman diligently read books from his father’s library. Two years after his father died, Sherman moved to New Milford, Connecticut to join his brother and start a more prosperous life. He then opened the town’s first mercantile store in partnership with his brother.
One of his interests included his knowledge regarding mathematics which made him become the town’s surveyor. He also obtained some position in the government which made him a leader.In the year, 1749 he married Elizabeth Hartwell who later died in 1760. Sherman remarried to Rebecca Prescot with whom he had eight children.
In 1754, even without formal education he was given the chance to take the bar exam and he did passed the examination, turning him to a lawyer. He was also a contributor to the almanac for 11 years. In 1761, he grew tired of practicing law and moved to New Haven, Connecticut wherein he opened two stores, one across Yale College. He then served as the treasure of the college for many years.
In 1773, his political career started to blossom – he was elected as the Continental Congress and this started to wake him up and urged him to start doing things for his country. Body While under the Continental Congress, Sherman become an influential member and hoped to create laws for each colony so that they wouldn’t be obliged to follow Britain’s laws. In the year 1744, he became member of the drafting committee for the Declaration of Independence. He was noted for being very vocal and active during the Constitutional Convention, in total he delivered183 speeches about the declaration.
He gave great importance to smaller states, having lived in one – his home of Connecticut. After the Declaration of Independence, he was made member of the drafting committee for the Articles of Confederation. Sherman is also acknowledged for contributing the 11 features of the United States’ Constitution. He also presented a letter to his home state, Connecticut, entitled, “To the people of Connecticut from a Countryman”, which helped explained to the people why ratification for the constitution was needed and why the constitution must be given importance.On his later years, he gained recognition and respect from ordinary people to fellow politicians. He was once described by Thomas Jefferson as, “That is Mr.
Sherman of Connecticut, a man who has never said a foolish thing in his life”. In the Congress, he was described as, someone who provided sound judgment and a clear head. Conclusion Even in his early years, Sherman showed the characteristics of a wise person and a future good leader. Education may not be that common and available to most people at that time but he was smart enough to read and use the books in his father’s library.Aside from actively participating in his father’s business that resulted in his acquisition of his father’s skills in shoe making, he also became knowledgeable in different field and became a well traveled person. It was surprising to know that even without formal education he was able to pass the board exam and became a lawyer.
Politics seems to have been magnetized by his leadership skills, and he made contributions that would be remembered by people and would also educate them.When he became part of the Congress, he realized how important it was for a colony to have its own laws and how small states must be given importance. Coming from a small state himself, he understood well why small states must be attended to. He became popular in the Congress for his enthusiasm during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence being able to state 183 speeches. He was known to be a vocal man with sense, he knew well what he was talking about, unlike other politicians who were randomly blabbering. He was making doing meaningful things for the people.
He had reaped fruitful and positive outcomes for his hard work. Later, he was again requested to become part of the drafting and signing committee of the U. S. Constitution. And he inspired people by creating and sharing 11 features for the Constitution.
He was the only man to sign all four great state papers – 1. )Articles of Association, 2) Declaration of Independence, 3. ) Articles of Confederation, 4. ) Constitution. After becoming an important part of the said documents, he continued to give service to the government and became part of the 11 members to prepare the Senate rules and procedures.
He also taught theology, and created sermons regarding religious matters. He also advocated that taxes must be increased instead of excessive borrowing. He also made the motion that each state must have its representative regardless of its population or size. He made the Connecticut Compromise, and founded the New Jersey Plan.
Sherman lived his life in servicing his people; he did every sharing he could to improve the lives not only of his state members but people from every state benefited from his wise reactions, suggestions and actions.
