Nathaniel Gorham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nathaniel Gorham
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Nathaniel Gorham
by Charles Willson Peale, circa 1793 |
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| 6th President of the Confederation Congress | |
| In office June 6, 1786 – February 2, 1787 |
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| Preceded by | John Hancock |
| Succeeded by | Arthur St. Clair |
| Personal details | |
| Born | May 27, 1738 Charlestown, Province of Massachusetts Bay |
| Died | June 11, 1796 (aged 58) Charlestown, Massachusetts |
| Resting place | Phipps Street Burying Ground Charlestown |
| Spouse | Rebecca Call |
| Children |
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| Profession | Politician, merchant |
| Signature |  |
Nathaniel Gorham (born May 27, 1738 – died June 11, 1796) was an important American leader. He was one of the Founding Fathers. He was also a successful merchant and politician from Massachusetts.
Gorham served as a delegate for Massachusetts in the Continental Congress. For six months, he was the leader of this group. This was when the United States was governed by the Articles of Confederation. He also attended the Constitutional Convention. Here, he helped create the United States Constitution and signed it.
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Early Life and Public Service
Nathaniel Gorham began learning about business at age 15. He worked as an apprentice for a merchant in New London, Connecticut. In 1759, he opened his own business. It was a merchant house in Charlestown, Massachusetts.
He became active in public life as the American Revolution began. From 1771 to 1775, he was part of the Massachusetts General Court. This was the state's legislature. He also served in the Provincial Congress from 1774 to 1775. From 1778 to 1781, he was a member of the Board of War.
In 1779, he helped write the state's constitution. He was a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from 1782 to 1783. He served again from 1785 to 1787. He was even the president of this Congress for five months in 1786. He also worked as a judge in Middlesex County.
Family Life
Nathaniel Gorham married Rebecca Call. They had nine children together. Rebecca's family had a long history in Massachusetts. Her ancestors included early settlers and religious leaders.
Helping Create the Constitution
In 1787, Nathaniel Gorham was a delegate for Massachusetts. He attended the United States Constitutional Convention. This was where leaders met to create a new government.
Gorham often led the meetings of the Convention. This meant he was in charge when delegates first discussed the new government. This happened in May and June of 1787. After the Convention, he worked hard. He wanted to make sure the Constitution was approved in Massachusetts.
Land Deals and Legacy
In 1788, Gorham made a big land deal with Oliver Phelps. They bought rights to a huge area of land. This land was in western New York State. It was near the Genesee River. They paid $1,000,000 for these rights. This was a lot of money back then!
This land had been given to Massachusetts by New York in 1786. This was part of the Treaty of Hartford. The deal meant Gorham and Phelps had the first chance to buy the land from Native American tribes.
They soon bought some of the land east of the Genesee River. They also bought a large area west of the river. They surveyed the land and created townships. Then, they sold parts of it to other buyers and settlers. Gorham's son, Nathaniel Gorham Jr., helped manage his father's land interests.
Later, Gorham and Phelps had trouble making their payments. In 1790, they sold most of their remaining land to Robert Morris. Morris then sold these lands to other companies.
Death and Recognition
Nathaniel Gorham died in Charlestown in 1796. He is buried in the Phipps Street Cemetery. Today, a street in Madison, Wisconsin, is named after him. The town of Gorham, New York, also carries his name.
Notable Descendants
Nathaniel Gorham has many descendants. Some of them became famous leaders:
- His son, Benjamin Gorham, was a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts.
- Bishop Phillips Brooks was a clergyman. He wrote the Christmas carol "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
- Charles Francis Adams Jr. was a colonel in the Union Army. He was also a railroad executive.
- Henry Adams was a well-known historian and writer. He wrote The Education of Henry Adams.
- Charles Francis Adams III served as the United States Secretary of the Navy.
- Peter Greenough was a journalist. He was married to the famous opera singer Beverly Sills.
