Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania delegates were the seventh group to introduce themselves and have their letter of introduction read. The delegates who attended the first meeting were:
- Joseph Galloway
- Samuel Rhoads
- Thomas Mifflin
- Charles Humphreys
- John Morton
- Edward Biddle
The Pennsylvania Letter of Introduction
Friday, July 22d. 1774, a.m.
The Committee of the whole house, taking into their most serious consideration, the unfortunate differences which have long subsisted between Great-Britain and the American Colonies, and been greatly increased by the operation and effects of divers late acts of the British Parliament:
Resolved, N.C.D. That there is an absolute necessity that a Congress of Deputies from the several Colonies, be held as soon as conveniently may be, to consult together upon the present unhappy State of the Colonies, and to form and adopt a plan for the purposes of obtaining redress of American grievances, ascertaining American rights upon the most solid and constitutional principles, and for establishing that Union & harmony between Great-Britain and the Colonies, which is indispensably necessary to the welfare and happiness of both.
Eodem die, P. M.
The house resumed the consideration of the resolve from the Committee of the whole house, and, after some debate thereon, adopting and confirming the same,
Resolved, N.C.D. That the honble. Joseph Galloway, speaker; Samuel Rhoads, Thomas Mifflin, Chas Humphreys, John Morton, George Ross, & Edward Biddle, Esqrs, be and they are hereby appointed a Committee, on the part of this Province, for the purposes aforesaid, and that they, or any four of them, do meet such Committees or Delegates from the other Colonies, as have been or may be appointed, either by their respective houses of representatives, or by convention, or by the provincial or Colony Committees, at such time and place, as shall be generally agreed on by such Committees.
Biographies
Edward Biddle
Edward Biddle was a lawyer, soldier, and politician. He attended the First Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Association.
John Dickinson
John Dickinson is a Founding Father, known as the “Penman of the Revolution” for his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania. Although he refused to sign the Declaration of Independence, he signed the United States Constitution.
Joseph Galloway
Joseph Galloway was a lawyer and politician. He led the Pennsylvania delegation during the First Continental Congress and proposed a Plan of Union that was rejected in favor of the Suffolk Resolves. Galloway signed the Articles of Association but was a Loyalist and opposed independence. In 1777, he helped British forces capture Philadelphia and then went to England. Later, the Pennsylvania Assembly convicted him of high treason and confiscated his property.
Charles Humphreys
Charles Humphreys was a miller. He represented Pennsylvania in the First Continental Congress and signed the Articles of Association, establishing the Continental Association. Humphreys was elected to the Second Continental Congress but resigned over the issue of independence. He felt it would lead to war and this violated his Quaker beliefs.
Thomas Mifflin
Thomas Mifflin is a Founding Father. He was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He fought in several key battles during the war and also served as a member of the Continental Congress. Although he was involved in a plot to remove George Washington as Commander-in-Chief, he participated in the Constitutional Convention and signed the document.
John Morton
John Morton Jr. is a Founding Father. Morton was a well-known representative, law enforcement officer, and judge from Pennsylvania. He participated in key events that shaped the American Revolution, including the Stamp Act Congress, First Continental Congress, and Second Continental Congress. He also signed the Declaration of Independence and helped write the Articles of Confederation.
Samuel Rhoads
Samuel Rhoads was an architect and politician. He served in the First Continental Congress but did not sign the Articles of Association.
George Ross
George Ross is a Founding Father. As a delegate to the First Continental Congress, he signed the Articles of Association. He returned to Philadelphia for the Second Continental Congress and signed the Declaration of Independence.
Notes
- Eodem die is Latin and means “on the same day.”
- George Ross took his seat in Congress on Wednesday, September 14.
- Charles Thomson, the Secretary for Congress, was also from Philadelphia.
