Jonathan Dayton
Signer, Youngest Delegate
Vital Statistics
Born: October 16, 1760
Died: October 9, 1824
Birthplace: Elizabethtown, New Jersey
Spouses: 1
Children: 2
Biography
At only 26 years old, Jonathan Dayton was the youngest delegate to sign the Constitution. A Revolutionary War veteran from New Jersey, he was an active and nationalist-minded speaker who defended the rights of small states but ultimately supported a strong central government. His youthful energy and forward-looking perspective were a valuable addition to the Convention's proceedings.