General Thomas Mifflin

January 10, 1744–January 20, 1780

General Thomas Mifflin 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 as a delegate from Pennsylvania. 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, and is a Founding Father.

General Thomas Mifflin, Portrait, Illustration

Thomas Mifflin was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He was also a delegate to the Continental Congress, and signed the Constitution, making him a Founding Father. Image Source: New York Public Library Digital Collections.

Biography of Thomas Mifflin

Thomas Mifflin was a member of the First Continental Congress and signed the Continental Association. He was also a member of the Second Continental Congress. He also served in the Confederation Congress and served as President. During the American Revolutionary War, he served as an aide to General George Washington and was appointed Quartermaster General of the Continental Army, and eventually reached the rank of Major General. He participated in some of the important battles of the war, including the Battle of Long Island, Battle of Trenton, and Battle of Princeton. After the British captured Philadelphia, Mifflin joined in a plot to replace Washington as Commander-in-Chief with General Horatia Gates. The “Conway Cabal” failed, and Mifflin resigned from the army. Afterward, he entered into politics and was a delegate to the Constinstitutional Convention of 1787, where he signed the United States Constitution. Mifflin served three terms as Governor of Pennsylvania. After the Federal government was established, he was elected Governor of Pennsylvania and served for nearly a decade in that role. During his tenure, the Whiskey Rebellion took place, and President Washington used his authority to call up militia forces to end the uprising.

Washington Rallies Troops at Princeton, Painting

Mifflin was at the Battle of Princeton, where George Washington rode into the battle and rallied his men to victory.

5 Things to Know About Thomas Mifflin

  1. Mifflin was born on January 10, 1744, in Philadelphia and died on January 20, 1780.
  2. After the Continental Army was forced to retreat from New York City, he became critical of Washington and became part of a plot to have him replaced as Commander-in-Chief by General Horatio Gates. The plot failed and Mifflin resigned from the army.
  3. When Washington resigned as Commander-in-Chief on December 23, 1783, in a ceremony in Annapolis, Maryland, he handed his commission and resignation to Mifflin, who was serving as President of Congress at the time.
  4. Mifflin was President of Congress when the Treaty of Paris was ratified by the United States on January 14, 1784.
  5. As a signer of the Constitution, he is considered to be a Founding Father.

Significance

Thomas Mifflin was important to United States history because of his involvement in the conspiracy to replace George Washington as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army. The plot failed, and Washington stayed in command and led the American forces to victory over the British. As a signer of the Constitution, Mifflin is considered a Founding Father.