Jenifer, Daniel of St. Thomas (1723-1790), was a Maryland signer of the Constitution of the United States. He attended nearly every session of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Jenifer did not play a leading role in the debates, but he consistently supported efforts to develop a strong national government.
Jenifer was born in Charles County, Md. The origin of his given name is uncertain. He became a wealthy planter. Jenifer achieved early prominence as an agent for Maryland’s last two proprietors (owners of the colony).
From 1775 to 1777, Jenifer was president of the Maryland Council of Safety. This council directed Maryland’s resistance to Britain during the first two years of the Revolutionary War in America (1775-1783). In 1777, Jenifer was made the first president of the Maryland Senate. From 1778 to 1782, he was a member of the Second Continental Congress and the Congress of the Confederation. He died on Nov. 16, 1790.
