Well Disposed to Give Battle - The Patriots of Charles County I. Rising in Importance:  Thomas Stone, part 1 II. Distinction & Despair:  Thomas Stone, part 2

III.  An Unusual Voice for Independence:  Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer

.

One Of The Wealthiest Men In Charles County

  After Thomas Stone declined his appointment as a Maryland Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, Maryland searched for another person who could inspire confidence with the same ability.  The committee didn’t take long to find such a man; they didn’t even have to leave the family.  Their selection was Stone’s uncle, elder statesman Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer.

Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Landowner, statesman, and Maryland delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

  From start to finish, Thomas Stone’s political career lasted only 13 years.  Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, however, had a political career that spanned over three decades by the time he signed the Constitution. 

  Jenifer started out in Charles County politics, as an Assembly delegate, before entering the ranks of proprietary government.  In this role, Jenifer served as a judge of the Provincial Court for Charles County and the western circuit of the colony.  He served as a receiver-general, the local financial agent to the last two proprietors of Maryland, and as a member of the Governor’s Council, the upper house of the Maryland legislature, which also served as the colony’s court of appeals.  

  In addition to this active political life, Jenifer was a prosperous merchant and landowner.  As one of the wealthiest men in Charles County, he was not exactly the type you would expect to speak out for independence.  Yet, even with such close ties to Maryland’s proprietary government in the years preceding the revolution, Jenifer did not hesitate to speak out on issues that he felt strongly about.  

  Jenifer felt Parliament’s interference with the colonies’ affairs, particularly the laws concerning taxation, infringed on colonial rights.  He believed that all issues relating to taxation should be regulated within the colonies, not from England.  

  Upon hearing of the events at Lexington and Concord in April 1775, Jenifer expressed the conflict in his own mind when he wrote, “I hope it is not true, if it should be, the Lord protect this country.”

.

~*~

.

A Boost to the Patriot Cause

  Jenifer’s support of the Patriot cause in mid 1775 was a welcome boost to the Patriots of the region.  His long and distinguished career, and his status as one of Charles County’s wealthiest landowners gave the cause additional influence and distinction.  Major role after major role came quickly.  

  Jenifer’s first Patriot role was as President of Maryland’s Council of Safety, a body established to organize Maryland’s military forces against the British.  Later he served as President of Maryland’s first state senate; his nephew Thomas Stone was in the senate as well.  

  In 1778, Jenifer took Stone’s place in the highest body in the land, the Continental Congress, where he served for four years, while still serving simultaneously as President of the Maryland Senate.  During all these years, Jenifer was known for his good humor and pleasant company, attributes that won him many friends.  

  Fellow Congressional Delegate, William Pierce, of Georgia, wrote valuable, though short, character sketches of each of the delegates.  Pierce wrote of Jenifer…

  “Mr. Jenifer is a Gentleman of fortune in Maryland; -he is always in good humour, and never fails to make his company pleased with him.  He sits silent in the Senate, and seems to be conscious that he is no politician.  From his long continuance in single life, no doubt but he has made the vow of celibacy.  He speaks warmly of the Ladies notwithstanding.”

.

~*~

.

Preventing a Weak & Ineffective Government

  Like Stone, Jenifer came to believe that the Articles of Confederation made a weak and ineffective central government.  Jenifer was concerned by the economic and political problems that he believed arose with this system.  He resolved to seek a stronger and more effective system to govern the affairs of the country.  To this end, in March of 1785, Jenifer was selected as one of the Maryland delegates chosen to represent the state at what would be known as the Mount Vernon Convention.  

  At Mount Vernon, representatives from Virginia met with Maryland representatives Jenifer, Thomas Stone, and Samuel Chase in an attempt to resolve differences regarding trade and boundary issues on the Potomac River.  The Convention was such a success that Virginia called for a meeting of all of the states, which became the Annapolis Convention in 1786, and lead to the Constitutional Convention the next year. 

  Upon arrival in Philadelphia in June 1787, Jenifer lived up to his reputation as one of the easiest going delegates.  He charmed almost everyone at the Convention with his good humored personality.  The 64-year-old Jenifer was the fourth oldest delegate in Philadelphia, behind only 81-year-old Benjamin Franklin, 66-year-old Roger Sherman, and 65-year-old William Livingston.  Although age and health limited his full participation in the day-to-day activities, Jenifer was one of the few delegates to attend almost every session.  Like Thomas Stone 11 years earlier, Jenifer stayed in the background, limiting himself to stands on issues of most importance to him. 

  One of such stand occurred over continuity in the new government.  Jenifer proposed a three-year term for individuals in the House of Representatives, arguing that too frequent elections would lead to indifference and make prominent men unwilling to seek office.  In that case, the term was set to the current two years; but Jenifer more often than not, ended on the side of the majority.  

  Jenifer favored a strong and permanent union of the states and an active central government to ensure financial and commercial stability.  He backed James Madison and Alexander Hamilton in almost every single decision.  

  When the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, Jenifer expressed delight, “The first month we only came to grips, and the second it seemed as though we would fly apart forever, but we didn’t-we jelled.”

  This was Jenifer’s last political office.  Shortly after signing the Constitution, failing health drove him to his estate, Stepney near Annapolis.  Jenifer died there on November 16, 1790 at the age of 67.  For almost 40 years, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer had built a solid reputation as a man of great charm and talent.

.

Jenifer's signature (highlighted) grouped with the Maryland Delegates, on the Constitution of the United States of America.

.

Discover the historic markers associated with this article, on Charles County roads.
Thomas Stone’s home, Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer’s home

Keep up with the latest developments at the Port Tobacco archeological dig. 
http://porttobacco.blogspot.com/