Roger Sherman - CT Declaration if Independence Signer

Roger Sherman of Connecticut was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He lived from 1721 to 1793. He is related to General William T. Sherman a notorious Union general that pillaged the South during the Civil War. Sherman by trade was a Shoemaker and stayed in this profession until his early twenties. He was never formally educated. After his father passed and he moved to Milford, he went into business with his brother and also took up surveying. He marries Elizabeth Hartwell and has 7 children. Eventually Sherman becomes a prosperous landowner and becomes a successful lawyer and political figure. He marries for a second time after his first wife passes away and they have 8 children together.

He is appointed to the Continental Congress in May of 1774 and re-elected to the Second Continental Congress. He serves until1783 for a total of 1,543 days and this is the 5th longest of any member. He participates in the Constitutional Convention, speaks frequently and was a major contributor to the Great Compromise.

He is the only Founding Father to sign all five major Founding Documents - Declaration and resolves, Articles of Association, Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the Constitution.