Why Were Powdered Wigs Worn By Signers?
From about 1700 onward, it was common to wear powdered wigs . This was primarily for hygienic reasons: The powder, usually made from corn flour or bean flour, helped absorb oils and odors. The white powder was also believed to give the wigs a distinguished look.
Though they started as a fashion trend, wigs came to be a fixture of the legal profession in England. Judges and lawyers began wearing them to distinguish themselves from the general population and to convey a sense of authority, anonymity, and impartiality. This custom followed as English customs came to America. These grey wigs were taken as a sign of age by many people. For this reason, most Americans thought the founding fathers were older men. In reality, most of our founding fathers were young men as you can see the examples below:
Age Of Signers Of Declaration Of Independence
Thomas Heyward, Jr., 30
Elbridge Gerry, 32
Thomas Jefferson, 33
Hooper William, 34
Samuel Chase, 35
George Clymer, 37
Charles Carroll, 38
Francis Hopkinson, 38
Carter Braxton, 39
John Adams, 40
John Hancock, 40
Francis Lightfoot Lee, 41
Button Gwinnett, 41
William Floyd 41
Henry Richard Lee, 44
Samuel Huntington, 45
Josiah Bartlett, 46
Joseph Hewes, 46
William Ellery, 48
Benjamin Harrison, 50
Abraham Clark, 50
Lyman Hall, 52
Lyman Hall, 52
Samuel Adams, 53
Philip Livingston, 60
Francis Lewis, 63
John Hart, 65
Stephen Hopkins, 69
Benjamin Franklin, 70
The four-page CONSTITUTION was signed later on Sept. 17, 1787. According to the National archives, the original states, except Rhode Island, collectively appointed 70 individuals to the Constitutional Convention. A number of these individuals did not accept or could not attend, including Richard Henry Lee, Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Samuel Adams, and John Hancock. In all, 55 delegates attended the Constitutional Convention sessions, but only 39 actually signed the Constitution.
