Gorham, Nathaniel, 1738-1796

<p>Nathaniel Gorham (May 27, 1738 – June 11, 1796; sometimes spelled Nathanial) was a Founding Father of the United States, politician, and merchant from Massachusetts. He was a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress and for six months served as the presiding officer of that body. He also attended the Constitutional Convention, served on its Committee of Detail, and was one of the signers of the United States Constitution.</p>

<p>Starting at 15, Gorham served an apprenticeship with a merchant in New London, Connecticut, after which he opened a merchant house in Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1759. He took part in public affairs at the beginning of the American Revolution: he was a member of the Massachusetts General Court (legislature) from 1771 until 1775, a delegate to the Provincial congress from 1774 until 1775, and a member of the Board of War from 1778 until its dissolution in 1781. In 1779, he served in the state constitutional convention. He was a delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from 1782 until 1783, and also from 1785 until 1787, serving as its president for five months from June 6 to November 5, 1786, after the resignation of John Hancock. Gorham also served a term as judge of the Middlesex County Court of Common Pleas.</p>

<p>Gorham married Rebecca Call (May 14, 1744 – November 18, 1812), who was descended from Anglican vicar and the first minister of Dorchester, Massachusetts, John Maverick, and his royally descended wife, Mary Gye Maverick. Rebecca was the daughter of Caleb Call and Rebecca Stimson. They were the parents of nine children.</p>

GORHAM, Nathaniel, (Father of Benjamin Gorham), a Delegate from Massachusetts; born in Charlestown, Mass., May 27, 1738; attended the public schools; engaged in mercantile pursuits; member of the provincial legislature 1771-1775; delegate to the Provincial Congress in 1774 and 1775; member of the board of war 1778-1781; delegate to the State constitutional convention in 1779; served in the State senate in 1780 and 1781; Member of the Continental Congress in 1782, 1783, 1786, 1787, and 1789, and was its president from June 6, 1786, to February 2, 1787; delegate to the Federal Convention at Philadelphia in 1787 and signed the Constitution; delegate to the State constitutional convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in 1788; judge of the court of common pleas from July 1, 1785, until his resignation on May 31, 1796; interested in the purchase and settlement of lands in the Genesee Valley, N.Y.; died in Charlestown, Mass., June 11, 1796; interment in Phipps Street Cemetery.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>11/02/1792 MA - At-Large Lost 0.97% (-51.71%)</li>
<li>11/03/1790 MA US Senate Lost 24.49% (-34.69%)</li>
<li>10/04/1790 MA District 3 Lost 39.01% (-20.54%)</li>
<li>01/29/1789 MA District 3 - 2nd Trial Lost 0.21% (-60.85%)</li>
<li>01/07/1789 MA Presidential Elector - District 03 Lost 13.95% (-10.01%)</li>
<li>12/17/1788 MA District 3 - 1st Trial Won 36.39% (+10.32%)</li>
<li>12/31/1787 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>04/02/1787 MA Lt. Governor Lost 7.36% (-38.94%)</li>
<li>12/31/1786 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>06/06/1786 US President of the Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1785 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1782 MA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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