Malcolm Rivera
Thomas Mifflin was a Founding Father of the United States, a merchant, soldier, and politician from Pennsylvania. He was born in Philadelphia in 1744 and graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania). Mifflin joined the Continental Army in 1775, where he served as an aide to General George Washington and rose to the rank of major general. He also served as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and signed the United States Constitution. Mifflin then served as the first governor of Pennsylvania from 1790 until his death in 1800.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 10, 1744 |
| Date of Death | January 20, 1800 |
| Age at Death | 56 |
| Occupation | Merchant, Soldier, Politician |
| Significance | Signed the United States Constitution, served as President of the Continental Congress, served as President/Governor of Pennsylvania |
| Continental Congress | Appointed in 1774 and 1775, represented Pennsylvania |
| Continental Army | Joined in 1775, became an aide to General George Washington, appointed Quartermaster General |
| Rank | Major General |
| Whiskey Rebellion | Suppressed the rebellion near Pittsburgh during his term in office |
| Philadelphia | Lived in Philadelphia for much of his life |
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Thomas Mifflin's life and career
Thomas Mifflin was an American merchant, soldier, and politician from Pennsylvania. He is regarded as a Founding Father of the United States for his roles during and after the American Revolution. Mifflin signed the United States Constitution and was the first governor of Pennsylvania, serving from 1790 to 1799. He was also the state's last president, succeeding Benjamin Franklin in 1788.
Mifflin was born on January 10, 1744, in Philadelphia, in the Province of Pennsylvania. He was the son of wealthy Quaker merchant John Mifflin and his wife Elizabeth Bagnall. Mifflin graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1760 and joined the mercantile business of William Biddle. After returning from a trip to Europe in 1765, he established a commercial business partnership with his brother, George Mifflin. He also married his cousin, Sarah Morris, in 1765.
Mifflin began his political career in 1772 when he was elected to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. In 1774, he was appointed to the First Continental Congress and represented Pennsylvania. Mifflin served two terms in the Continental Congress (1774–1775 and 1782–1784), including seven months (November 1783 to June 1784) as its presiding officer. During the Revolutionary War, Mifflin was an aide to General George Washington and was appointed Quartermaster General of the Continental Army, rising to the rank of major general. He resigned the post in 1778 due to the "Conway Cabal" controversy.
After the war, Mifflin resumed his political career and obtained several key positions at the state and national levels. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and signed the United States Constitution. He then presided over the committee that wrote Pennsylvania's state constitution, becoming the state's first governor after its ratification in 1790. As governor, Mifflin suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion near Pittsburgh. He served as governor until 1799 and died the following year in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, at the age of 56.
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The Continental Congress
Thomas Mifflin was a delegate to the First Continental Congress, where he signed the Continental Association. He also served as President of the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1784. During the American Revolution, he was a major general in the Continental Army and an associate of the Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania. Mifflin was a prominent figure in Philadelphia, where he lived for much of his life. He was a merchant and graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1760. After graduating, he started a successful mercantile business with his brother.
Mifflin was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and signed the United States Constitution. He represented Pennsylvania and helped to debate, draft, and sign the document. He was also a member of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania and was elected its president in 1788, replacing Benjamin Franklin. Mifflin became the first governor of Pennsylvania under the new state constitution in 1790, a position he held until 1799.
Mifflin had a varied career and was known for his involvement in scandals as the first Quartermaster General of the Continental Army, which tarnished his reputation and led to a falling out with George Washington. He was accused of embezzlement and poor handling of the department's financial affairs. He also disagreed with Washington's war strategy and temporarily resigned as Quartermaster General during the summer of 1777. Despite these controversies, Mifflin is regarded as a Founding Father of the United States for his roles during and after the American Revolution. He died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, on January 23, 1800, at the age of 56.
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The Constitutional Convention
Thomas Mifflin was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and signed the United States Constitution. He was a merchant, soldier, and politician from Pennsylvania, regarded as a Founding Father of the United States for his roles during and after the American Revolution. Mifflin was the first governor of Pennsylvania, serving from 1790 to 1799, and was also the state's last president, succeeding Benjamin Franklin in 1788.
Mifflin played a significant role in the Convention, representing Pennsylvania and helping to debate, draft, and ultimately sign the Constitution. He was an influential figure in Philadelphia, having established a successful mercantile business with his brother, George Mifflin, after graduating from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania). Mifflin's political career began with his election to the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1772, where he advocated for revolt against Great Britain. He went on to serve as a delegate to both sessions of the Continental Congress and became an aide to General George Washington during the Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of major general.
Mifflin's achievements extended beyond his role in the Constitutional Convention. He served as President of the Continental Congress from 1783 to 1784 and was a member of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, becoming its president in 1788. He also played a crucial role in suppressing the Whiskey Rebellion near Pittsburgh during his term as governor. Mifflin's military career, however, was not without controversy. He faced scrutiny and criticism for his handling of financial affairs as the Quartermaster General of the Continental Army, and he was implicated in the Conway Cabal, a plot to replace George Washington as Commander-in-Chief. Nonetheless, Mifflin's contributions to the formation of the United States were significant, earning him a place among the nation's Founding Fathers.
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Thomas Mifflin's military career
Thomas Mifflin was born in 1744 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a family of wealthy Quaker merchants. After graduating from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) in 1760, he joined the mercantile business of William Biddle. Upon returning from a trip to Europe in 1765, he established a commercial business partnership with his brother, George Mifflin, and married his cousin, Sarah Morris.
Mifflin's military career began in 1775 when he joined the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He was appointed as a major in a volunteer company and served as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington. On August 14, 1775, Washington appointed him to become the army's first Quartermaster General, a role in which he excelled due to his experience in trade and ability to get along with others. As Quartermaster General, Mifflin was responsible for obtaining and inspecting supplies, planning the layout of military camps, and maintaining organisation and cleanliness. He established a quartermaster general's department with a team of clerks and managers overseeing various aspects of logistics and supply.
During his military service, Mifflin also played a valuable role in the Revolution by aiding in the military's decision-making and helping resolve conflicts, such as those related to the relative ranks of generals. He served on the Congressional Board of War from 1777 to 1778 and then rejoined the army, but his service as quartermaster general was criticised, and he faced accusations of embezzlement. Mifflin denied any wrongdoing and welcomed an inquiry, but it never took place. He eventually resigned his commission as a major general but continued to offer his advice to Congress.
After the war, Mifflin resumed his political career and held various key positions at the state and national levels. He served in Congress and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where he represented Pennsylvania and played a role in debating, drafting, and signing the United States Constitution. Mifflin then became the first governor of Pennsylvania under the new state constitution, serving from 1790 to 1799.
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Thomas Mifflin's legacy
Thomas Mifflin was an American Founding Father, merchant, soldier, and politician from Pennsylvania. He was born in Philadelphia on January 10, 1744, and died on January 20, 1800, at the age of 56. Mifflin graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and became a successful merchant. He joined the Continental Army in 1775 and served as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington, rising to the rank of major general. He also served as the army's first Quartermaster General but resigned due to scrutiny and controversy. Mifflin was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787 and was a signatory to the United States Constitution.
Mifflin had a significant political career both before and after the American Revolution. He served in the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly and the Continental Congress, where he represented Pennsylvania and advocated for revolt against Great Britain. He was elected President of the Continental Congress in 1783 and personally accepted Washington's resignation as Commander-in-Chief. Mifflin was a member of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania and served as its president from 1788 to 1790. He then became the first governor of Pennsylvania under the new state constitution, serving from 1790 to 1799. As governor, he suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion near Pittsburgh.
Mifflin's legacy is that of a dedicated public servant and an important figure in the early years of the United States. He was a signatory to the Continental Association and played a crucial role in the country's founding. He was also involved in drafting Pennsylvania's state constitution. Mifflin's contributions were recognized through various honours and commemorations. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society and served as its secretary for two years. A Commonwealth of Pennsylvania historical marker outside Holy Trinity, dedicated in 1975, commemorates Mifflin as one of the first and last Presidents of Pennsylvania under the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776. Mifflin Hall at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School at Fort Gregg-Adams (formerly Fort Lee), Virginia, is also named after him.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Thomas Mifflin signed the United States Constitution.
Thomas Mifflin was an American merchant, soldier, and politician from Pennsylvania. He is regarded as a Founding Father of the United States for his roles during and after the American Revolution.
Mifflin was the first governor of Pennsylvania, serving from 1790 to 1799, and was also the state's last president, succeeding Benjamin Franklin in 1788. He was also a signatory to the Continental Association, served as a delegate to the United States Constitutional Convention in 1787, and was a member of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Mifflin was born on January 10, 1744, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He graduated from the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and became a merchant.
