DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER & KUNTA KINTE

September 17-23 is Constitution Week, every year. This year marks the 237th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution in June, 1788. Story courtesy of Louise Hunt, Regent Turtle Creek Chapter, NSDAR

WARREN COUNTY, OH -- The life of Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer is a simple story. He was an American politician and a Founding Father who was one of the signers of the Constitution of the United States. Even though Daniel was active for many years in the Maryland’s colonial government, at the time when conflicts began with Great Britain, he wholeheartedly supported the Patriot cause.

Daniel was born in Maryland, on an estate owned by his family, who were descendants of Sweden. Due to his father’s status in the local community, Daniel experienced first-hand the unfair taxation and trade regulation forced upon the colonial gentry by England’s Parliament.

He defended the proprietors of Maryland against British Loyalists who sought to make Maryland a Royal colony. When the Revolution began, Daniel pledged his support and wealth to the Patriot cause. He became the president of Maryland's Council of Safety, a Patriot body established to organize Maryland's military forces for the Revolution (1775–1777).

While his political reputation grew, Jenifer actively purchased land, traded in mercantile goods, bought and sold enslaved African Americans, and handled contracts for indentured servants. He invested in a shipload of about 140 enslaved men and women that arrived in Annapolis, Maryland on September 29, 1767. It is believed that one of the enslaved was Kunta Kinte, whose life was featured in the book Roots by Alex Haley.

During and after the American Revolution, Daniel became increasingly involved in national affairs. He represented his state in the Continental Congress (1778–1782) while also serving as president of Maryland's first senate (1777–1780). Calling upon his positive public reputation, he campaigned for a strong and permanent union of the states.

Known as a nationalist, Daniel favored a national legislature with taxing powers. As a 64-year-old delegate to the Constitutional Convention, he was in awe of the fact that, despite many heated disagreements, by the end of the Convention all the gentlemen came together as friends.

He never held political office again and lived only three years after the Constitutional Convention. As a confirmed bachelor, his principal heir was his nephew to whom he left all his earthly possessions. One exception was all his books written in French, which he bequeathed to his friend, James Madison, and contributed specific funds to John Wilson Peale

More News from Lebanon

• DOROTHY LANE MASON: A FOOD PALACE DEBUTS The store has beautiful and tempting aisles in all departments.
• CONSTITUTION CHARLIE Charles Pinckney - Delegate from South Carolina