Thomas Mifflin (January 10, 1744 – January 20, 1800) was an American merchant and politician from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Major-General in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, a Continental Congressman from Pennsylvania, fifth President of the U.S. Congress under the Articles of Confederation, and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. He was a member of the Federalist Party, who served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of representatives, President of the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council and as the first Governor of Pennsylvania.

Early life and family

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Mifflin was born January 10, 1744 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, son of John Mifflin and Elizabeth Bagnall. He graduated from the College of Philadelphia, now the University of Pennsylvania, in 1760, and joined the mercantile business of William Coleman. After 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. He was a member of the American Philosophical Society.

American Revolution

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Was a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1772, 1773, and 1775, and represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress in 1774.

Early in the Revolutionary War, Mifflin left the Continental Congress to serve in the Continental Army. He was commissioned a major, then became George Washington's aide-de-camp and, on August 14, 1775, became the army's first Quartermaster General. He was good at the job, but preferred to be on the front lines. His leadership in battle gained him promotions to colonel and then brigadier general. He asked to be relieved of the job of quartermaster-general, but was then persuaded to resume those duties because Congress was having trouble finding someone to replace him.

Mifflin served on the Congressional Board of War from 1777 to 1778, then rejoined the army, but took little active role, because of criticism of his service as quartermaster general. He was accused of embezzlement, and welcomed an inquiry, which never took place. He resigned his commission--by then, as a major general--but Congress continued to ask his advice even after accepting his resignation.

In the course of his career, Mifflin held a number of political offices. He was a member of the colonial Pennsylvania legislature; served two terms in the Continental Congress (1774 - 1775, and 1782 - 1784); and served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (1785 - 1788). He was a delegate to the United States Constitutional Convention in 1787, and a signer of the United States Constitution. He then served as President of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania (October 1788 - October 1790), President of the State Constitutional Convention 1790, and governor of Pennsylvania from 1790 to 1799, finally returning to the state legislature until his death, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1800. He is buried in front of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster. Mifflin County, Pennsylvania is named for him.

References

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1744 births | 1800 deaths | Continental Army generals | Continental Congressmen | Governors of Pennsylvania | Signers of the United States Constitution