Charles Carroll

This is a biography of the life of Charles Carroll. He and his family were important characters in the founding of America. He was the only Catholic signer of the Declaration of Independence and close friends with Benjamin Franklin. His cousin Daniel signed both the Articles of Confederation and the United States Constitution. Daniel also opposed election of the President by Congress and he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in the first U. S. Congress. His brother, John Carroll, became the first Roman Catholic bishop in the United States. First I will tell about Charles' early life, then his adulthood, and after that his later years and why he was an important builder of the United States.

Early Life

Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737 - 1832), American patriot, born in Annapolis, Maryland, and educated in Paris and London. He was the only son of Charles and Elizabeth. He always signed his name: "Charles Carroll of Carrollton" to distinguish himself from his father and several others who had the same name. Upon his return to America in 1764, his father presented him with the large estate known subsequently as Carrollton Manor.

Adulthood

Carroll was elected to the Continental Congress in 1775. Carroll went to Canada in 1776 with his cousin John Carroll, Samuel Chase and Benjamin Franklin to ask the Canadians to help America in the Revolutionary War their Mission failed. In 1778 to serve in the Maryland state senate. He was one of the first senators from Maryland, serving from 1789 to 1792. He built up a vast wealth so that his grandson inherited the greatest fortune in the American colonies. He retired from politics in 1801.

As an example of Carroll's importance, in 1824 he was even visited by George Washington's famous friend, Lafayette. Who was Lafayette?

Lafayette was from a French noble family and was educated in Paris. He served in the French army from 1771 to 1776, rising to the rank of captain. Sympathizing with the American cause in the American Revolution, Lafayette, went to America and offered his services to Congress. He was made a major general (1777) in the Continental army. He became a friend of General George Washington and a member of his staff. He was wounded in the Battle of the Brandywine and fought at Monmouth. Several years later, he visited the U.S. from 1824 to 1825 on invitation of Congress. It was during this time that he visited Carroll.

On Wednesday 14th of Nov. 1832, Charles Carroll died at age 95. Carroll was the last survivor of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Why he was an important builder of America

Because he signed the Declaration of Independence, because he was a U.S. Senator, because he was elected to Continental Congress, Charles Carroll was an important builder of America.

Conclusion

Charles Carroll was a significant person in history because, he was the one of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence and the only Catholic founding father. He was friends with many important people including Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, and Lafayette. But, sadly to say in all the reading I have done on Charles Carroll it does not have any thing to say about being much of a catholic. In my paper I have told you about the life of Charles Carroll, his childhood, His middle years, and his later years. In conclusion we can now say we know more about a catholic builder of America.

© Copyright 1999, Taylor Black, All Rights Reserved

This page was last updated 08/16/99 02:32:18 PM