Jacob Shallus: The Pennman of the original copy of the United States Constitution
Jacob Shallus, born in Pennsylvania to German immigrant parents, played a historically significant yet largely unsung role in American history as the penman of the original United States Constitution. His life, marked by service to both the state and the nation, led him to be entrusted with the transcription of the document that would become the bedrock of American governance. Despite his essential contribution, Shallus’s name does not appear on the Constitution, and it wasn’t until years later that his role as its transcriber became known.
Jacob Shallus carefully engrossed document is preserved and displayed in the Charters of Freedom Rotunda at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. Image: Shallus’s engrossed presentation of the constitution’s preamble
Early Life and Family Background
Jacob Shallus was born in Pennsylvania to Valentine Schallus (sometimes spelled Shallus) and Frederica Catherina, both German immigrants who had settled in the American colonies.
His father, Valentine, had immigrated a year before Jacob’s birth and worked to establish the family in their new homeland. Jacob had at least one brother, Thomas, who became a notable mapmaker.
Growing up in Pennsylvania, Shallus was raised in a family with a strong sense of responsibility and connection to their community, values that would be evident throughout his life.
Military Service During the Revolutionary War
During the American Revolutionary War, Shallus demonstrated his commitment to the revolutionary cause by volunteering for service. He fought in Canada and eventually attained the rank of quartermaster for Pennsylvania’s 1st Battalion, a position that involved overseeing supplies and provisions, a crucial role during the turbulent war years.
Shallus also played a part in preparing privateering vessels, including one called the Retrieve, which were used to disrupt British shipping and bolster the colonial cause. His experiences during the war helped establish him as a dependable individual, trusted in critical circumstances.
Career and Role in the Constitutional Convention
After the war, Shallus pursued a career in public service. By the time of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, he was working as an Assistant Clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, which convened at the Pennsylvania State House, known today as Independence Hall.
His position in close proximity to the Convention, combined with his reliability and reputation, likely influenced the decision to select him for the task of engrossing the new Constitution. Engrossing, the process of preparing a fair copy of a document, required precision, dedication, and skill, all of which Shallus possessed.
The Task of Engrossing the Constitution
Shallus was commissioned to prepare the official copy of the Constitution on short notice, as the delegates aimed to complete their work with efficiency. He was paid $30 for this engrossing work, a sum equivalent to about $726 in today’s terms. The payment was noted as compensation for “clerks employed to transcribe & engross,” and Shallus’s role as the document’s penman was only confirmed in 1937, nearly 150 years later, during an investigation commemorating the Constitution’s anniversary.
The engrossing process involved copying the Constitution onto four large sheets of parchment, each measuring 28 ¾ by 23 ⅝ inches. This parchment was most likely made from animal skin, although the exact source (whether calf, goat, or sheep) remains uncertain.
Shallus used traditional materials—a goose quill and ink made from iron filings mixed with oak gall, which, while originally black, has since aged to a brownish color. He transcribed the entire document, save for the list of states at the end, which was completed in Alexander Hamilton’s handwriting.
Style and Technique: A Reflection of the Times
The Constitution’s calligraphic style reflects both Shallus’s skill and the period’s aesthetic. His work was clear, legible, and stylistically consistent, following the classical approach to penmanship that was expected for such official documents. The clarity and elegance of Shallus’s handwriting ensured that the Constitution would be a document not only of legal significance but also of visual dignity.
The Constitution Shallus produced became the original, official copy, and it remains on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., under strict preservation measures. This handwritten document has become an enduring symbol of American ideals and governance.
Discovering Shallus’s Identity
Interestingly, Shallus’s name appears nowhere on the Constitution itself. His identity as the penman remained unknown until the 1937 investigation led by historians commemorating the 150th anniversary of the document.
Through meticulous archival research, they identified Shallus as the individual responsible for its transcription. This discovery brought long-overdue recognition to Shallus and highlighted the often-overlooked contributions of individuals involved in the creation of foundational American documents.
Later Contributions and the Pennsylvania State Constitution
Following his role in engrossing the U.S. Constitution, Shallus continued his public service. He was involved in the re-drafting of Pennsylvania’s State Constitution in 1790, serving as Assistant Secretary.
This role underscored his continuing commitment to the principles of governance and his engagement in the evolving framework of American political structures at the state level.
His work in Pennsylvania illustrated his dedication to supporting the state’s legislative needs and contributing to the broader structure of American governance.
Personal Life and Marriage to Elizabeth Melchor
Shallus married Elizabeth Melchor, a woman who shared his dedication to the Revolutionary cause. Elizabeth came from a family with strong patriotic ties; her brother, Colonel Isaac Melcher, served as Barrack-Master-General of the Continental Army. Elizabeth’s own contributions were significant; she was part of a group of Philadelphia women who organized to provide supplies such as shirts and stockings to soldiers. Her 1818 obituary in the Democratic Press in Pennsylvania praised her patriotism, describing her as one of the “patriotic Ladies of Philadelphia” who supported the Revolutionary forces during a time that “tried and appalled even men’s souls.” The couple’s shared dedication to American ideals and the Revolutionary cause underscored their commitment to their nation.
Legacy and Lasting Impact on American History
Though Shallus’s name is not widely recognized, his role in engrossing the U.S. Constitution is a testament to the contributions of individuals who played essential, if sometimes underappreciated, roles in American history. The document he transcribed has come to symbolize the principles of American democracy and governance, preserved as a foundational piece of the nation’s heritage.
Shallus’s meticulous transcription ensured that the Constitution would endure not only as a legal framework but also as an object of historical and aesthetic importance. His life reflects the broader commitment of early Americans to the ideals of liberty, governance, and service.
Conclusion
Jacob Shallus may not have achieved the fame of the founding fathers, but his work on the U.S. Constitution remains one of the most crucial, if quiet, contributions to American history. Through his service, Shallus exemplified dedication, skill, and patriotism—qualities that reflect the spirit of those who helped establish the United States. Today, his handiwork endures as a testament to his role in preserving the country’s founding document, inspiring appreciation for the many individuals, named and unnamed, who contributed to the nation’s beginnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
The first page of Jacob Shallus’s official engrossed Constitution, signed by Constitutional Convention delegates in Philadelphia, 1787.
Who were Jacob Shallus’s parents and where were they from?
Jacob Shallus was born to German immigrants Valentine Schallus and Frederica Catherina in Pennsylvania.
What role did Shallus play in the American Revolutionary War?
He volunteered and served in the Revolutionary War, participating in the Canadian campaign and later becoming a quartermaster for Pennsylvania’s 1st Battalion. He also assisted in outfitting a privateering vessel, the Retrieve.
What position did Shallus hold at the time of the Constitutional Convention?
He served as an Assistant Clerk for the Pennsylvania General Assembly, which met at the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall).
Why was Jacob Shallus chosen to engross the United States Constitution?
His position and proximity to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia likely made him a convenient and reliable choice for the role of engrosser.
Did Shallus’s name appear on the original U.S. Constitution?
No, his name does not appear on the document. His identity as the transcriber was revealed only in 1937 during a special investigation for the Constitution’s 150th anniversary.
How much was Shallus paid for his work on the Constitution, and what is that equivalent to in today’s currency?
He was paid $30, which is approximately $726 in today’s currency.
What materials and tools did Shallus use to engross the Constitution?
He used a traditional goose quill and iron-based ink mixed with oak gall on four large sheets of parchment, possibly made from calf, goat, or sheep skin.
Who is believed to have written the list of states at the end of the Constitution?
The list of states is believed to be in Alexander Hamilton’s handwriting.
What other official role did Shallus serve in after the Constitutional Convention?
He served as Assistant Secretary for the 1790 re-drafting of Pennsylvania’s State Constitution.
Who was Jacob Shallus’s wife, and what role did she play during the American Revolution?
Shallus’s wife was Elizabeth Melchor, who, along with other patriotic women in Philadelphia, provided soldiers with essential supplies like shirts and stockings during the Revolution.
How did Jacob Shallus contribute to American history?
He played a crucial role in preserving the United States Constitution by serving as its engrosser, and his work reflected the dedication that helped shape the early United States.
