Maryland Delegates to the First Continental Congress
The First Continental Congress convened in Philadelphia on Monday, September 5, 1774. The colonial delegations were introduced in geographical order, from North to South. The Maryland delegates were the ninth group to introduce themselves and have their letter of introduction read. The delegates who attended the first meeting were:
- Robert Goldsborough
- William Paca
- Samuel Chase
- Thomas Johnson
- Matthew Tilghman
The Mayland Letter of Introduction
At a Meeting of the Committees appointed by the several Counties of the province of Maryland, at the City of Annapolis, the 22d day of June, 1774, and continued by adjournment, from day to day, till the 25th of the same month:
Matthew Tilghman, Esqr. in the Chair:
John Ducket, Clerk
Resolved, That Matthew Tilghman, Thomas Johnson, Junr., Robert Goldsborough, William Paca, and Samuel Chase, Esqrs. or any two or more of them, be deputies for this province, to attend a General Congress of deputies from the Colonies, at such time and place as may be agreed on, to effect one general plan of conduct, operating on the commercial connexion of the colonies with the mother country, for the relief of Boston, and preservation of American liberty.
Biographies
Samuel Chase
Samuel Chase is a Founding Father. As a member of the First Continental Congress, he signed the Articles of Association, which set up the Continental Association. He was also elected to the Second Continental Congress, signed the Olive Branch Petition, and signed the Declaration of Independence. Chase is also the only Supreme Court Justice impeached by the House of Representatives.
Robert Goldsborough
Robert Goldsborough was a lawyer and politician. He was a member of the First Continental Congress but did not sign the Articles of Association because he was not at the meeting. Goldsborough was elected to the Second Continental Congress but returned to Maryland to help work on the new state constitution, so he missed the independence vote. Later, he was elected to represent Maryland at the Constitutional Convention but declined due to poor health.
Thomas Johnson
Thomas Johnson was a lawyer, politician, and soldier. He signed the Articles of Association but was working on the Maryland Constitution during the vote for independence. As a member of Congress, Johnson served on the Secret Committee of Correspondence, which was tasked with secretly securing foreign support for the American war effort. In 1777, he was elected as the first Governor of Maryland under its Constitution.
William Paca
William Paca is a Founding Father. He was a key figure in the Patriot movement during the American Revolution and was a member of the Sons of Liberty. Paca served in the First Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Association. In 1775, he returned to Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence.
Matthew Tilghman
Matthew Tilghman was a planter who served in the First Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Association. He was also a member of the Second Continental Congress and voted in favor of independence. However, he was replaced by Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who signed the document.
Notes
- Thomas Johnson took his seat on Tuesday, September 6.
- Matthew Tilghman took his seat on Monday, September 12.
