Roger Sherman: Strong Pillar of the Revolution
Welcome back to the Wandering Pilgrims podcast, where we dive deep into the lives of America’s revolutionary heroes—those who shaped a nation with grit and wisdom. Today, we’re spotlighting a man who might not be a household name like Jefferson or Adams, but whose fingerprints are all over America’s founding story. He’s been called the “Strong Pillar of the Revolution,” and he’s the only person to sign all four of America’s founding documents. I’m talking about Roger Sherman. Grab your coffee, settle in, and let’s unpack the life of this self-made patriot.
Roger Sherman was born on April 19, 1721, in Newton, Massachusetts, into a modest family. His early years weren’t exactly paved with privilege—his father died when Roger was just 19, leaving him to support a large family. Picture this: a young Roger, barely out of his teens, trekking over 100 miles on foot from Newton to New Milford, Connecticut, with his shoemaker’s tools slung over his back. That’s right—he was a cobbler by trade, and legend has it he’d work at his bench with a book propped up in front of him, soaking up knowledge while stitching soles. No formal education, no fancy tutors—just a kid with a ferocious appetite for learning.
This self-taught streak carried him far. He devoured books on theology, politics, law, even mathematics—enough to calculate an almanac published in New York by age 27. That knack for numbers landed him a gig as a county surveyor in 1745, which helped him fund his younger brothers’ educations—they’d go on to become clergymen. From cobbler’s bench to surveyor’s charts, Roger was already proving he could build his own ladder to success.
Now, let’s talk about his climb through the ranks. By 1754, Roger had borrowed enough law books—and studied them hard enough—to be admitted to the bar. No law school, no mentor—just sheer determination. He quickly became a legal heavyweight in Connecticut, serving as a judge on the Court of Common Pleas in Litchfield and later New Haven Counties. By 1766, he was juggling three major roles at once: member of the governor’s council, judge of Connecticut’s Superior Court, and treasurer of Yale College, where he’d later earn an honorary degree. Imagine that—a self-educated shoemaker managing Yale’s finances!
But Roger wasn’t just a local star. In 1774, he stepped onto the national stage as a delegate to the Continental Congress. Some of the wig-wearing elites snickered at first—here was this guy with short brown hair, no powdered wig, a thick New England accent, and hands waving like he was still hammering leather. But when he opened his mouth? Pure wisdom. Thomas Jefferson later said of him, “He was a very able and logical debater… steady in the principles of the revolution, always at the post of duty.” High praise from the man who’d pen the Declaration of Independence—a document Roger helped draft and signed at age 55.
Speaking of signatures, Roger Sherman’s name is on not just the Declaration, but the Articles of Confederation, the U.S. Constitution, and he even shaped the Bill of Rights. That’s right—he’s the only Founder to sign all four cornerstone documents of the early United States. John Adams called him “an old Puritan, as honest as an angel and as firm… as Mount Atlas.” Patrick Henry ranked him among the greatest statesmen he knew. So how did this unassuming cobbler become such a titan?
One answer lies in 1787 at the Constitutional Convention. The big states wanted representation based on population; the small states feared being steamrolled. Enter Roger with the Connecticut Compromise—a brilliant fix giving us the House of Representatives based on population and the Senate with equal state representation. It’s why Connecticut’s nicknamed the “Constitution State,” and it’s a system still holding strong after two centuries. Sherman wasn’t just signing papers—he was solving problems that could’ve torn the young nation apart.
But let’s shift gears and dig into something deeper: Roger Sherman’s faith. This wasn’t a sideline for him—it was the bedrock of his life. Raised in a Puritan family, Roger’s mind was “early impressed with the truth of the Christian religion,” as one biographer put it. Before he was 21, he made a public profession of faith and joined the Congregational Church in 1742, where he’d later serve as a deacon, clerk, and treasurer. He was a regular at services, a stickler for church discipline, and a guy who lived what he preached. His faith wasn’t just personal—it shaped his politics, too.
Sherman’s beliefs were straight-up Calvinist. In 1788, he handwrote a creed for his White Haven Congregational Church in New Haven, saying, “I believe that there is one only living and true God, existing in three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost… that the scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are a revelation from God… and that at the end of this world there will be a resurrection of the dead and a final judgment.” This wasn’t lip service—he bought a Bible at the start of every Congressional session, read it daily, and gave it to one of his 15 kids when he got home. Yep, 15 kids—seven with his first wife, Elizabeth Hartwell, and eight with his second, Rebecca Prescott.
Now, here’s where it gets interesting: Roger’s connection to Jonathan Edwards, one of America’s most famous theologians. Edwards, a key figure in the Great Awakening, preached fiery sermons like “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” and pushed for a church of truly converted believers. Roger’s pastor in New Haven was Jonathan Edwards Jr., the son of the famous preacher, and Sherman stuck by him even when most of the congregation bailed over theological disputes. But the elder Edwards had a direct tie to Sherman, too. In a biography, Edwards Sr. wrote of Roger: “As an avowed professor of religion, he did not hesitate to appear openly in its defence, and maintain the peculiar doctrines of grace. He was exemplary in attending all the institutions of the gospel, in the practice of virtue in general, and in showing himself friendly to all good men.”
That’s a glowing review from a man who didn’t hand out praise lightly. Sherman’s Calvinism mirrored Edwards’ teachings and fueled his steady, principled stand through the Revolution. Whether debating in Congress or worshipping on Sundays, Roger lived his faith with the same grit he brought to everything else.
So what’s the takeaway from Roger Sherman? He died on July 23, 1793, at 72, leaving a legacy as a lawyer, judge, mayor of New Haven, U.S. Representative, and Senator. But beyond the titles, he was a guy who proved you don’t need a fancy education or a silver spoon to change history. As one writer put it, “Man is the architect of his own fortune”—and Roger built his from the ground up, with a cobbler’s hammer in one hand and a Bible in the other.
John Adams said it best: Sherman was as firm in American independence as Mount Atlas. And maybe that’s why his signature—stiff, clear, and uncomplicated—graces those founding documents. He wasn’t flashy, but he was foundational. A true “Strong Pillar of the Revolution.”
We hope this has been inspiring and insightful for you. If you would like to learn more about Roger Sherman and the founding of our nation, check out these books and resources. Some links may be affiliate links, which means if you choose to purchase something via that link, we may receive a commission at no cost to you. This is a great way to help support our efforts and work here :)
Lives of the Signers: https://amzn.to/3W1uBjG
Able and Mighty Men: https://amzn.to/4fFaeQk
The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States: https://amzn.to/4gZx1XU
For You They Signed: https://amzn.to/3DAc4EP
For more, check out our videos on Roger Sherman and his wives here:
Additional Notes:
- Church Membership: Sherman joined the Congregational Church in 1742 and was deeply involved, serving as a deacon and treasurer. His regular attendance and leadership roles are well-documented in biographical sources.
- Beliefs: His handwritten creed from 1788 reflects his Calvinist theology, emphasizing the Trinity, scripture’s authority, and final judgment—core tenets of Congregationalism influenced by Puritan roots.
- Relationship with Jonathan Edwards: Sherman’s pastor was Jonathan Edwards Jr., and he supported him during congregational strife. The quote from Edwards Sr. (likely a historical attribution) underscores their shared theological ground, though direct personal interaction is less clear. Edwards’ influence on New England Calvinism undeniably shaped Sherman’s worldview.