B. Who are the U.S. Founders?
Before discussing the faith of the U.S. Founders we have to decide who we include.
Who do we omit?. For example, James Logan (1674-1751) died before the Declaration of Independence was signed, but his library was one of the best in the Colonies and as such he had a founding influence. Ditto for others with libraries, newspapers, schools, etc. Nathan Hale was a young man executed as a spy by the British. Surely we count him. If we count him, we should count all who died. If we count all who died, we need to count all who fought, because they risked their lives. If we count those who fought, we need count their families and those who backed them. There are many other formulating influences. Estimating from this broad point of view, the number of Founders is large.
I adopt the comprehensive view. When I say U.S. Founders, I mean a large group of people (including women) who worked together for the common cause.
In the founding era, the terms ‘men’ and ‘man’ often refereed to all people, both males and female. When the terms ‘men’ and ‘man’ referred only to adults of the male gender, it is usually obvious from the context. I follow this classical convention.