Haym Salomon - Forgotten Founder
Haym Salomon (1740-1785) undeniably earned a place among the Founding Fathers of the United States. An American patriot, he played an instrumental role in the Revolutionary War and in the formation of a free new nation.
What Defines a Founding Father?
There is no universally accepted definition. The term “Founding Fathers,” coined and popularized by Warren G. Harding in the early 20th century, has historically applied to signers of the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution. More narrowly, it has come to represent seven key statesmen: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. All were Protestants or Deists, except Charles Carroll, who was Roman Catholic. Similarly, thirty-nine men signed the Constitution, 37 of whom were Protestants or Deists, and two, Daniel Carroll and Thomas Fitzsimons, were Catholics.
Jewish Exclusion
Although Jews constituted only a small fraction of the Colonial population, they served in militias, provisioned supplies, and helped finance the war in disproportionate numbers. Yet none signed the nation’s founding documents. Why?
All but two of the Thirteen Colonies limited eligibility for public office to Christians (and in some cases, strictly to Protestants). Consequently, Jews were excluded from the Second Continental Congress, which approved the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the Constitutional Convention from which the U.S. Constitution emerged. No matter their contributions, religious identity prevented American Jews from participating in these foundational events.
Haym Salomon’s Place in History
Beyond the principal seven, few signatories of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution were more consequential in American self-determination than Haym Salomon.
As a member of the Sons of Liberty, Salomon risked his life. The British imprisoned him twice for espionage, once sentencing him to death. He co-financed the American Revolution, including the decisive Siege of Yorktown, and personally guaranteed the loans, which were never repaid. A champion of equality, freedom, and religious liberty, he cofounded what is today the nation’s oldest active Jewish synagogue.
Haym Salomon historical marker on North 4th Street in Philadelphia
Haym Salomon died penniless and was buried in an unmarked grave. He gave his last full measure toward the founding of an egalitarian nation.
Haym Salomon - Forgotten Founder
Haym Salomon (1740-1785) undeniably earned a place among the Founding Fathers of the United States. An American patriot, he played an instrumental role in the Revolutionary War and in the formation of a free new nation.
What Defines a Founding Father?
There is no universally accepted definition. The term “Founding Fathers,” coined and popularized by Warren G. Harding in the early 20th century, has historically applied to signers of the Declaration of Independence or the U.S. Constitution. More narrowly, it has come to represent seven key statesmen: George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.
Fifty-six men signed the Declaration of Independence. All were Protestants or Deists, except Charles Carroll, who was Roman Catholic. Similarly, thirty-nine men signed the Constitution, 37 of whom were Protestants or Deists, and two, Daniel Carroll and Thomas Fitzsimons, were Catholics.
Jewish Exclusion
Although Jews constituted only a small fraction of the Colonial population, they served in militias, provisioned supplies, and helped finance the war in disproportionate numbers. Yet none signed the nation’s founding documents. Why?
All but two of the Thirteen Colonies limited eligibility for public office to Christians (and in some cases, strictly to Protestants). Consequently, Jews were excluded from the Second Continental Congress, which approved the Declaration of Independence in 1776, and the Constitutional Convention from which the U.S. Constitution emerged. No matter their contributions, religious identity prevented American Jews from participating in these foundational events.
Haym Salomon’s Place in History
Beyond the principal seven, few signatories of the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution were more consequential in American self-determination than Haym Salomon.
As a member of the Sons of Liberty, Salomon risked his life. The British imprisoned him twice for espionage, once sentencing him to death. He co-financed the American Revolution, including the decisive Siege of Yorktown, and personally guaranteed the loans, which were never repaid. A champion of equality, freedom, and religious liberty, he cofounded what is today the nation’s oldest active Jewish synagogue.
Haym Salomon historical marker on North 4th Street in Philadelphia
Haym Salomon died penniless and was buried in an unmarked grave. He gave his last full measure toward the founding of an egalitarian nation.