The Founders Museum: The Road to Liberty

Born on April 13, 1743, near present-day Charlottesville, Virginia, Thomas Jefferson was the primary drafter of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States. The son of Peter Jefferson, a farmer and surveyor, and Jane Randolph, who hailed from a prominent Virginia family, Jefferson was educated by private tutors. He later attended the College of William and Mary, where he studied mathematics, philosophy, law, and languages. A man of the Enlightenment, he inherited a large estate from his father and designed his lifelong residence, Monticello. At 26, Jefferson entered the Virginia House of Burgesses, where his eloquence earned him a seat in the Second Continental Congress. At 33, he agreed to draft the Declaration of Independence upon John Adams’s insistence that Jefferson was more eloquent and well-liked than him. He penned the words that inspired thousands of young men to give their lives for the ideals that still ring true in the heart of every American: “that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Following a term as Governor of Virginia, Jefferson became Minister to France, strengthening ties with America’s key wartime ally. Under George Washington, he served as the first Secretary of State. In 1796, Jefferson was elected Vice President under John Adams, and in 1800, he defeated Adams in a fiercely contested election. As President, Jefferson orchestrated the Louisiana Purchase, doubling the nation’s size, and pursued neutrality during the Napoleonic Wars. After two terms, he retired to Monticello, where he corresponded with former rival John Adams. Jefferson died on July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. According to one account, just before he died, he asked his physician, “Is it the Fourth?” Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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John Adams was a lawyer, statesman, and political theorist whose writings and intellect were vital to American independence. Born on October 30, 1735, in Braintree, Massachusetts, Adams attended Braintree Latin School and entered Harvard College at 16, later studying law and opening a practice in 1758. In 1764, he married Abigail Smith, with whom he had six children. Though initially hesitant to enter politics, the Stamp Act of 1765 spurred Adams to write essays supporting the Patriot cause and he became one of the most prominent voices for independence. Despite his fierce opposition to British rule, he defended the British soldiers in the Boston Massacre, believing that no one should be denied the right to a fair trial. In 1774, Adams was selected as one of Massachusetts’ delegates to the First Continental Congress. He returned the following year for the Second Continental Congress, where he helped draft the Declaration of Independence. Adams wrote Abigail, “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha in the History of America.” In 1789, Adams became the first Vice President, serving under George Washington. He was inaugurated as President on March 4, 1797. He avoided war with France and preserved national unity during a volatile period. He was the first president to live in the White House, leaving office in 1801. In later years, Adams renewed his friendship with his political rival, Thomas Jefferson. On July 4, 1826, the 50th anniversary of the Declaration, Adams died at age 90, reportedly saying, “Jefferson still survives.” Unbeknownst to him, Jefferson had died hours earlier that same day. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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Benjamin Franklin—printer, writer, inventor, diplomat, and Founding Father—was the most widely recognized American on the world stage at the birth of the United States. His wisdom and dedication to liberty helped shape the foundations of American democracy. Born on January 17, 1706, in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin was the fifteenth of seventeen children. At 12, he apprenticed in his brother’s printing shop. At 17, he moved to Philadelphia, where he launched a successful printing business and published the widely read Poor Richard’s Almanack. A self-taught scientist, Franklin gained international fame for his inventions, including the lightning rod, bifocal glasses, the Franklin stove, a musical instrument, and his kite-and-key experiment, which demonstrated that lightning is a form of electricity. Franklin also helped build American civic life. He helped found the first public lending library, created the first volunteer fire department, helped establish the University of Pennsylvania, and supported the chartering of the first public hospital. At 70, Franklin was the oldest delegate to the Second Continental Congress and served on the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. Soon after its signing, he sailed to France, where he played a crucial role in securing French support for American independence. In 1787, Franklin served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention at age 81, becoming one of only six men to sign both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. At the Convention’s close, when asked what kind of government had been created, he replied, “A republic, madam—if you can keep it.” Franklin died on April 17, 1790, at the age of 84. More than 20,000 people attended his funeral in Philadelphia. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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Josiah Bartlett was a physician, statesman, and Patriot whose intellect and vision earned him a place among the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Born on November 21, 1729, in Amesbury, Massachusetts, Bartlett began studying medicine at the age of 16, practicing under several local doctors before establishing his own practice in Kingston, New Hampshire. Pioneering new ways to treat common ailments such as fevers and diphtheria, Bartlett quickly earned the respect of his adoptive colony as a skilled doctor. Bartlett’s influence extended beyond his medical practice. In the 1760s, as tensions with Britain increased, Bartlett was elected to the colonial assembly. In 1774, he became such a fervent advocate for American independence that when voting for independence, Bartlett reportedly “made the rafters shake with the loudness of his approval.” He was among the first to vote for independence in 1776 and risked his own personal safety by enlisting in the New Hampshire state militia. At one point, Bartlett’s home was burned to the ground, likely by British loyalists. Bartlett played a key role in drafting the New Hampshire state constitution and served as Chief Justice of the New Hampshire Supreme Court. In 1790, he became the first governor of New Hampshire. He died on May 19, 1795, at the age of 65, but his contributions to medicine and politics fundamentally shaped our nation. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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Charles Carroll of Carrollton was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence. Born on September 19, 1737, in Annapolis, Maryland, Carroll was one of the wealthiest and most educated men in the colonies; he was a powerful voice for freedom, religious liberty, and Maryland’s place in the new nation. Educated in Europe in liberal arts and civic law, Carroll returned to Maryland at age 28, only to find himself barred from public office due to his Catholic faith. This did not prevent Carroll from amassing a fortune through agricultural estates and financing new businesses. He was reportedly worth $375 million in today’s dollars. His family had long hoped Maryland would one day serve as a haven for persecuted Catholics—a vision Carroll helped bring to life through steadfast service and sacrifice. In 1773, Carroll rose to prominence as a public advocate for colonial rights, writing under the pseudonym “First Citizen” in the Maryland Gazette. He played a crucial role in securing Maryland’s resolution for independence and served in the Second Continental Congress, where he risked his life and fortune to sign the Declaration of Independence. As one spectator is said to have remarked after Carroll signed onto the Declaration, “There go a few millions.” Carroll was a major financier of the Revolution. He helped draft the Maryland Constitution and was instrumental in the state’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution. From 1789 to 1792, he served as Maryland’s first U.S. Senator. Devoted to God, family, and country, Charles Carroll lived to the remarkable age of 95, dying on November 14, 1832, as the longest-living and last surviving signer of the Declaration. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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Samuel Chase, one of the nation’s first major legal figures, played a key role in the early formation of the American Republic and its legal system. Born on April 17, 1741, near Princess Anne, Maryland, Chase was the only child of Thomas Chase, an Anglican minister, and Matilda Walker. Educated at home, he studied law in Annapolis and was admitted to the bar in 1761 at age 20. He became known for representing middle-class clients, often pro bono, and quickly built a strong reputation as a lawyer. At 23, Chase was elected to the Maryland General Assembly, where he served from 1764 to 1784. He became a vocal opponent of British rule, particularly following Parliament’s imposition of the Stamp Act in 1765. He served in the First and Second Continental Congress, where he joined Franklin and Carroll on a trip to persuade the Canadians to join the American Revolution. The attempt was unsuccessful. After the war, Chase continued his legal career and in 1796, President George Washington appointed him a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. A committed Federalist, Chase’s political views on the bench drew criticism, and in 1804, he was impeached by the House of Representatives under the leadership of President Thomas Jefferson’s Democratic-Republican Party. Chase was charged with eight counts, including refusing to dismiss biased jurors and promoting political opinions from the bench. The Senate acquitted him on all counts, with several senators voting against his impeachment despite party affiliation. The impeachment trial set a precedent on the need for judges to refrain from advancing partisan politics from the bench, and it also further enshrined the independent nature of the judiciary. Chase remained on the Supreme Court until his death on June 19, 1811. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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Born on December 22, 1727, in Newport, Rhode Island, Ellery followed in the footsteps of his father, a prominent merchant and political leader, attending Harvard at the age of 16. After graduating in 1747, he returned home and tried his hand at several occupations, eventually taking up the study of law in 1770. Renowned for his support of Patriot causes, Ellery was selected as a delegate for the Second Continental Congress, where he earned a reputation for his witty epigrams. He’s cited as calling the Declaration of Independence a “Death Warrant.” Yet, Ellery signed with undaunted resolution. Through his epigrams, he brought humor and friendly banter to Congress. For instance, in the below epigram, Ellery criticized his colleague from Philadelphia, Andrew Allen, who was reluctant to sign the Declaration. A Commissioner, to the people of P _ _ _ _ _ a Attend all ye People of ev'ry degree No longer pretend that your Country you'll free Declare for your Treasons a hearty Contrition Regard as you tender your lives Admonition E're too late to flee from impending Perdition Who like me to the King Allegiance will swear And future Submission to Congress forbear Leave all his old Friends to the Parliaments Fury Let Rebels be hang'd without Judge or Jury Escapes condemnation to gibbet or halter Nor needs forfeiture fear unless times should alter. Ellery lived to the age of 92, keeping active in public affairs and spending many hours in scholarly pursuits and correspondence. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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William Floyd was born on December 17, 1734, on Long Island, New York, the second of nine children. His father, a successful farmer of Welsh descent, raised the family with a strong work ethic and practical education. When Floyd’s parents died in 1755, he inherited the family estate and took responsibility for his siblings. He married in 1760 and managed both the farm and family. Floyd became a respected figure in his community and helped lead the local militia, attaining the rank of Colonel in 1775. He supported the Patriot cause early, attending meetings opposing the British closure of the Port of Boston. In 1774, Floyd was chosen to represent Suffolk County in the Continental Congress, where he served until 1777 and again from 1779 to 1783. During the war, he also held the rank of Major General in the militia. While Floyd served in Congress, the British occupied his home, converting it into a barracks. He fled to Connecticut with his wife and three children. The hardships of war took a toll on his family; his wife died in 1781 after prolonged illness and stress. After the war, Floyd served several terms in the New York State Senate, supported the U.S. Constitution, and participated in the New York Constitutional Convention of 1801. He was elected to the First U.S. Congress, serving from 1789 to 1791. In later life, Floyd invested in land in central New York, securing a state grant of over 10,000 acres. He spent summers developing the property and eventually relocated there, building a home near present-day Westerville, New York. He died in 1821 at the age of 86. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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Elbridge Gerry was a merchant, politician, and diplomat who served as the fifth vice president of the United States. Born on July 17, 1744, in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Gerry came from a family of successful merchants. He graduated from Harvard College and worked closely with Samuel Adams. After a brief time in commerce, he entered public service as a member of the Massachusetts Legislature and General Court. In 1775, Gerry was elected to the Second Continental Congress, where he signed the Declaration of Independence, and continued to serve until 1780. In response to Shays’ Rebellion, Gerry was selected to attend the Constitutional Convention in 1787. He chaired the committee that helped forge the Great Compromise, which created a bicameral legislature with popular representation in the U.S. House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate. Concerned about centralized power, Gerry—along with Edmund Randolph and George Mason—refused to sign the Constitution without a Bill of Rights. After ratification, he served two terms in Congress, retiring in 1793. In 1797, Gerry participated in a diplomatic mission to France that resulted in the “XYZ Affair,” a scandal in which French agents demanded bribes from American envoys as a condition for negotiations—sparking public outrage in the United States. He later served as Governor of Massachusetts beginning in 1810, where the state legislature’s redistricting decisions led to the term “gerrymandering.” In 1813, he became vice president under James Madison, serving until his death in 1814 at age 70. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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Button Gwinnet was born in 1735 in Gloucestershire, England, to Anne and the Reverend Samuel Gwinnett, a minister in the Church of England. After Gwinnett married and had three children, he sailed to Georgia in 1765 in search of better business opportunities. After struggles with his merchant business, Gwinnett purchased St. Catherine’s Island off the coast of Georgia, near the booming port of Sunbury, where he became a planter. Gwinnett also became active in local Georgia politics, and was elected to the Commons House of Assembly in 1769. After personal and financial struggles, Gwinnett stepped back from the political scene. But when tensions rose with England, he re-entered the political arena and united coastal and rural dissidents. He was elected commander of Georgia’s Continental Battalion. After signing the Declaration, Gwinnett returned to Georgia, where he was elected Speaker of the State Assembly and helped draft the state’s first constitution. He was also appointed the provisional president and commander in chief of Georgia, where he was responsible for the unsuccessful invasion of British East Florida. The backlash from this failed invasion escalated a longstanding feud between Gwinnett and General Lachlan McIntosh, who offered a scathing criticism of Gwinnett’s handling of the invasion, calling him a “scoundrel and lying rascal.” These derogatory comments prompted an outraged Gwinnett to challenge McIntosh to a duel, and on the morning of May 16, 1777, the two men met in Sir James Wright’s Pasture, and standing just 12 feet apart, fired shots at each other. While both were hit, only Gwinnett’s wound would prove to be fatal. He died three days later. Watch the entire series here 👉 https://l.prageru.com/44uMMRY Your donation to PragerU makes a lasting impact. Give today ➡️ https://l.prageru.com/3Syr2PE 📲 Download the FREE PragerU app: https://l.prageru.com/43MsXXC Follow PragerU on social media!
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