Jan 21

Jan 21 William Jackson - Secretary at the Constitutional Convention

William Jackson’s most notable contribution to the American Founding was his work as the Secretary for the Constitutional Convention.

However, Jackson was a secretary for many leading Founders and was at the center of several important moments of the Revolution.

William Jackson

William Jackson joined the Continental Army at just 16-years-old.

As a South Carolinian, he fought primarily in the Revolutionary War’s Southern Department.

Jackson proved himself valuable and was eventually chosen as the Secretary for Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who was then in command of the Southern Theater.

Unfortunately, William was among those captured after the Siege of Charleston.

Shopping in The Netherlands

The following year, Jackson was released in a prisoner exchange.

He was immediately chosen as Secretary to John Laurens, who was on General Washington’s staff and a member of his ‘Family.’

Jackson accompanied Laurens to France on a mission to secure financial support from both the French and Dutch.

There was a significant amount of confusion with the Dutch negotiations. Additionally, William had severe disagreements with Alexander Gillion.

This led to the purchase of a great deal of supplies in Amsterdam that could not be paid for and were simply left on boats in the harbor.

Career Hopping

Jackson returned to the United States in 1782, having missed the Battle of Yorktown.

He again became Secretary for Benjamin Lincoln, who by this time had become the Continental Congress’ first Secretary of War.

When he resigned two years later, he bounced around a bit. William worked briefly for Robert Morris in Europe before coming back to study law, though it would be several years before he actively practiced that profession.

Secretary of the Constitutional Convention

When the Constitutional Convention was called together, the first act of business was choosing a Secretary.

Jackson was nominated by Alexander Hamilton and approved by the Delegates. Many were surprised he was selected over William Temple Franklin, Benjamin Franklin’s grandson who had just acted as Secretary during the peace negotiations which led to the Treaty of Paris.

In truth, Jackson seems to have been a poor choice. He took very little notes (his most important task) and those he did take lack substance and detail...a sad truth for historians of the Constitutional Convention.

Signing the Constitution

After the Constitution was signed, a few small details were changed (mostly punctuation).

In need of a witness for adjustments to this legal document, the Delegates had William Jackson ‘attest’ to the changes.

This means that, despite not technically having authority to represent a State, Jackson was the 40th signer of the United States Constitution.

William was then tasked with carrying the document to New York City, where the Continental Congress was in session, and reading the outline of a new government to the nation’s governing body.

Washington’s Secretary

William Jackson would go on to serve as George Washington’s personal secretary through his first two years a President.

Afterward, William again bounced around careers for a while. He finally began practicing law before working as a land agent in Maine. William assisted in selling off property confiscated in William Duer’s Land Scandal.

Jackson married into one of the wealthiest families in Philadelphia and was appointed that city’s Port Collector by President Washington (later to be removed by Thomas Jefferson).

William spent the majority of his remaining days publishing a pro-Federalist newspaper, the Political and Commercial Register.

Want to read about more Founders who WORKED FOR the Continental Congress?

Check out these articles:

No Promotion - Charles Thomson Dreams Too Big

William Hillegas Gets Hired as Treasurer of the United States

William Jackson does not have a biography of his own.

He does play a notable role in ‘Plain, Honest Men’ which is my favorite book about the Constitutional Convention.

If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).