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First President of the Continental Congress
United Colonies of North America
September 5, 1774 to October 21, 1774
and May 20 to May 24, 1775
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776
September 5, 1774
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October 21, 1774
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October 22, 1774
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October 26, 1774
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May 20, 1775
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May 24, 1775
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May 25, 1775
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July 1, 1776
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Copyright © President Who? Forgotten Founders 2004 & 2008
Peyton Randolph (September 10, 1721 – October 22, 1775) was a
notable figure in American politics and a member of the esteemed Randolph
family of Virginia. He served as the attorney general in the Colony of Virginia
and held a longstanding position in the Virginia House of Burgesses,
contributing to his status as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.
Randolph's dual positions as attorney general and Burgess
sparked a significant conflict of interest, notably regarding Governor Robert
Dinwiddie's implementation of fees for certifying land patents, a measure
strongly contested by the House of Burgesses. The House entrusted Randolph with
representing their objections to Crown authorities in London. However, as
attorney general, he was obligated to defend the governor's decisions. Despite
Governor Dinwiddie's objections, Randolph traveled to London, won his case
before the Crown's authorities, and, upon his return, with the support of
George Wythe and London officials, he resumed his role as Attorney General.
Eventually, he succeeded in convincing the governor to abandon the contentious
pistole fee.
In 1765, Peyton Randolph found himself in disagreement with
Patrick Henry, a newly elected burgess, regarding Virginia's reaction to Great
Britain's Stamp Act. Despite being tasked by the House to draft objections to
the act, Randolph's more moderate stance was overshadowed by Henry's bold
Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions, five of which gained approval. Randolph's
objections were marginalized during a House meeting where many members were
absent, and he found himself presiding in the speaker's absence. After Speaker
John Robinson's passing, Randolph resigned from his role as king's attorney and
assumed the position of the new House of Burgesses' speaker.
Amid mounting tensions between Britain and the colonies,
Peyton Randolph became a vocal advocate for independence. In 1773, he assumed
the leadership of the Virginia Committee of Correspondence. However, Virginia's
solidarity with Boston in the wake of the Boston Port Act led to continued
efforts by subsequent governors, such as John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, to
dissolve the House of Burgesses.
In August 1774, Peyton Randolph was summoned to preside over the inaugural Virginia Revolutionary Convention. Following this, the Virginia convention appointed Randolph to lead the colony's delegation to the Colonial Congress of Deputies in Philadelphia. On September 5, 1774, delegates from 12 colonies gathered at Philadelphia's Carpenter Hall, where Randolph was elected president of what would later be recognized as the First Continental Congress. During his leadership, on October 20, 1774, the Congress adopted the Articles of Association. These articles stipulated that unless the Intolerable Acts were repealed by December 1, 1774, a boycott of British goods would be instigated in the colonies. Additionally, the Articles outlined plans for an embargo on exports if the Intolerable Acts persisted beyond September 10, 1775.
On October 22, Randolph, alongside Benjamin Harrison and
Richard Bland, authorized George Washington to sign their names on
congressional proceedings before departing Philadelphia to attend the Virginia
General Assembly, scheduled to meet in Williamsburg on November 3, 1774. During
Randolph's absence, Henry Middleton was elected President by the Delegates.
Subsequently, Governor Dunmore postponed the convening of the Virginia General
Assembly later that month. On March 20, 1775, Speaker Randolph convened the
second Virginia convention at Saint John's Church in Richmond, where he was
selected to lead Virginia's delegation to the Second Continental Congress. On
April 29, readers of Dixon and Hunter's Virginia Gazette were notified of
Randolph's designation as a rebel, and General Thomas Gage had been tasked with
arresting and trying Randolph and other colonial leaders.
On May 10th, Congress convened at the Pennsylvania State
House, where Peyton Randolph was unanimously elected president of the Second
Continental Congress. On May 24th, he temporarily stepped down from his
position to preside over the June 1st, 1775 meeting of the previously postponed
Virginia General Assembly. A detachment of Williamsburg volunteers greeted
Speaker Randolph at the Pamunkey River and escorted him to the capital. There,
evening illuminations marked the occasion "... and the volunteers, with many
other respectable Gentlemen, assembled at the Raleigh, spent an hour or two in
harmony and cheerfulness, and drank several patriotic toasts."
The assembly that met on June 1st and refused to do business
with Governor Dunmore, who had taken refuge aboard H.M.S. Fowey in the York
River. The Assembly adjourned on the
twenty-fourth, and within two weeks Randolph summoned the third Virginia
convention to meet on 17 July at Richmond. He presided over the convention
until August 16th, and the next day Robert Carter Nicholas was named president
pro tempore in order to allow Randolph, who was again elected to Congress,
"to retire for the present from the fatigues of the business of this
Convention."
On September 5th, he arrived in Philadelphia to find Congress in session, with John Hancock of Massachusetts presiding as President. Massachusetts delegate John Adams remarked sharply on September 19th, noting that "Mr. Randolph our former President is here and Sits very humbly in his Seat, while our new one continues in the Chair, without Seeming to feel the Impropriety." Tragically, on October 22, 1775, Peyton Randolph suffered a stroke during dinner and passed away at nine o'clock. The following day, Congress resolved to attend his funeral and observe a month of mourning. After the funeral service in Philadelphia, Randolph's body was transported to Williamsburg and laid to rest in the chapel of the College of William and Mary beside his father. Reflecting on Randolph's passing, Richard Henry Lee remarked that with his death, ''American liberty lost a powerful Advocate, and human nature a sincere friend.''
Randolph was appointed King’s Attorney for Virginia in 1748 due to his father, Sir John Randolph’s influence. His father’s fellow knight and friend, Sir William Gooch, was the Governor of the Virginia Colony. Peyton was chosen as a House of Burgesses representative for Williamsburg in 1748.
Peyton Randolph inscribed book page – Stan Klos Collection [3] |
Presidents of the Continental Congress and United States in Congress Assembled Exhibit at the 2008 RNC and DNC Conventions - image courtesy of Historic.us |
June 7th, 1770 autograph document signed by Virginia Colonial Attorney General Peyton Randolph for the receipt of fifty pounds in part of my judgement against George Blair." |
Five Pound 1774 Colonial Note signed by Peyton Randolph and John Blair [23]Stan Klos Collection |
Delegate Robert Treat Paine wrote in his diary on September 1, 1774:
6 o'Clock the Members of the Congress that were in Town met at City Tavern & adjourned to Monday next.Delegate Samuel Ward recorded in his diary on September 1, 1774:
The Delegates from N. Jersies & two from Province of N York arrived, conversed with many Delegates & at Evening had a Meeting at the New Tavern & took a List of those present, in all twenty five.Silas Deane wrote to Elizabeth Deane on September 1, 1774:
The Delegates from Virginia, Maryland, the Lower Counties, & New York, are not arrived. We spent this Day in visiting Those that are in Town, & find them in high Spirits particularly the Gentlemen from the Jersies, and South Carolina. In the Evening We met to the Number of about Thirty drank a Dish of Coffee together talked over a few preliminaries, & agreed to wait for the Gentlemen not arrived untill Monday Next, before We proceeded to Business.As decided at City Tavern on September 1st, 1774, deputies representing eleven colonies assembled at 10 am at the tavern. According to Delegate James Duane:
The Members of the Congress met at Smith's [Sic City] Tavern. The Speaker of the Pensylvania Assembly having offerd the Congress the use of the State house; & the Carpenters the use of their Hall, It was agreed to take a View of each. We proceeded to the Carpenter's hall. Mr .Lynch proposed the Question whether as that was in all respects Suitable it ought not to be fixed upon without further Enquiry.
I observed that if the State house was equally convenient it ought to be preferred being a provincial & the Carpenter's Hall[1] a private House. And besides as it was tenderd by the Speaker it seemed to be a piece of respect which was due to him, at least to enquire whether the State House was not equally convenient. The Question was however called for; & a great Majority fixed upon the Carpenters hall.John Adams wrote of the event in his diary:
Monday. At ten the delegates all met at the City Tavern, and walked to the Carpenters' Hall, where they took a view of the room, and of the chamber where is an excellent library; there is also a long entry where gentlemen may walk, and a convenient chamber opposite to the library. The general cry was, that this was a good room, and the question was put, whether we were satisfied with this room ? and it passed in the affirmative. A very few were for the negative, and they were chiefly from Pennsylvania and New York.The deputies who formed the Colonial Congress were not men who enjoyed a national reputation. The colonial population was now surpassing two million inhabitants with no continental newspaper or magazine. Consequently, they were nearly all strangers to each other with most never even hearing the names of their new colleagues. There were, however, several exceptions.
John and Samuel Adams were the Boston leaders identified with radical opposition to Great Britain and known all over the colonies. Militia Colonel George Washington of Virginia had achieved colonial fame by his service with British regulars during the French and Indian War. Peyton Randolph was known as the judicious Speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses and the attorney general who struck down Governor Dinwiddie’s Pistole land tax in a hearing before the British Lords of Trade.[4] Patrick Henry was known as an eloquent orator from his memorable opposition to the Stamp Act in 1765. There were other delegates, who were men of some known influence in their own colonies, but the new colonial council had little knowledge of their ethos. It was a new beginning.
The first order of business for the delegates after the presentation of credentials was the election of a presiding officer. Delegate James Duane writes in his notes on the debates:
The Names of the Members were then called over; After which Mr Lynch proposed that we shoud elect a President or Chairman and named Mr Peyton Randolph Speaker of the Assembly of Virginia, who was unanimously approvd & placed in the Chair. A Question was then put what Title the Convention should assume & it was agred that it should be called the Congress. Another Question was put what shoud be the Stile of Mr Randolph & it was agreed that he should be called the President.Congress next considered the election of a Secretary and Delegate Lynch put forth the name of Charles Thompson. Charles Thomson an orphan at 10 established himself through hard work as a Philadelphia merchant and intellectual in the 1750’s. He became embroiled in colonial politics 1760’s aligning himself with the more liberal colonists into the 1770’s which was quite unusual for a businessman. His conservative peers campaigned hard against his election as a delegate from Pennsylvania to the Continental Congress and were successful. His benefactor, Benjamin Franklin, was a strong supporter for his congressional appointment and despite being then known as the “Samuel Adams of Philadelphia” Thomson was elected unanimously to be the Secretary of the Continental Congress. Duane writes:
The next point was to fix on a Clerk or Secretary. Mr Thompson was proposd by Mr Lynch. Mr. Jay observed that he had Authority to say that one of the members of the Congress was willing to accept the Office & he conceivd the preference was due to him [him being James Duane]. To which it was answerd that such an appointment would deprive the Congress of a Member as he would be too much incumberd by the Duties of a Clerk to attend to the Trust for which he was chosen. The Objection being thought Reasonable Mr Thompson was appointed by the Stile of Secretary of the Congress.Thompson would serve in this position in both the Colonial & U.S. Continental Congress and the United States in Congress Assembled for nearly 15 years.
By his political connections, his long tenure of office, and his executive and legislative functions, Thomson influenced the course of congressional and Revolutionary affairs. “Secretary” was the title given to British to their executive department heads and Thomson was Secretary in that sense and not in sense of a record keeper or file clerk.Connecticut Delegate Silas Deane wrote of Peyton to Mrs. Deane:
" ... President, seems designed by Nature, for the Business; of an affable, open, & majestic deportment, large in size, though not out of Proportion, he commands respect, & Esteem, by his very aspect, independent of the high Character he sustains ... " [26]
Your name, till late, known comparatively to but few out of your own Province, now holds rank with other Chieftains in the American Cause, and is of course, in the moth of every man, woman, and child, throughout the extended Continent of English America.[28]
By his polical connections, his long tenure of office, and his executiove and legislative functions, Thomson influenced the course of congressional and Revolutionary affairs. “Secretary” was the title given to British to their executive department heads and Thomson was Secretary in that sense and not in sense of a record keeper or file clerk.[1]
“Agreeable to the resolve of yesterday, the meeting was opened with prayers by the Revd. Mr. Duché. Voted, That the thanks of the Congress be given to Mr. Duché, by Mr. Cushing and Mr. Ward, for performing divine Service, and for the excellent prayer, which he composed and deliver'd on the occasion.” [3]
“Having a Leisure Moment, while the Congress is assembling, I gladly embrace it to write you a Line. When the Congress first met, Mr. Cushing made a Motion, that it should be opened with Prayer. It was opposed by Mr. Jay of N. York and Mr. Rutledge of South Carolina, because we were so divided in religious Sentiments, some Episcopalians, some Quakers, some anabaptists, some Presbyterians and some Congregationalists, so that We could not join in the same Act of Worship. Mr. S. Adams arose and said he was no Bigot, and could hear a Prayer from a Gentleman of Piety and Virtue, who was at the same Time a Friend to his Country. He was a Stranger in Philadelphia, but had heard that Mr. Duchè (Dushay they pronounce it) deserved that Character, and therefore he moved that Mr. Duchè, an Episcopal Clergyman, might be desired, to read Prayers to the Congress, tomorrow Morning The Motion was seconded and passed in the Affirmative. Mr. Randolph our President, waited on Mr. Duchè, and received for Answer that if his Health would permit, he certainly would. Accordingly next Morning he appeared with his Clerk and in his Pontificallibus, and read several Prayers, in the established Form; and then read the Collect for the seventh clay of September, which was the Thirty fifth Psalm. You must remember this was the next Morning after we heard the horrible Rumour, of the Cannonade of Boston. I never saw a greater Effect upon an Audience. It seemed as if Heaven had ordained that Psalm to be read on that Morning.
After this Mr. Duchè, unexpected to every Body struck out into an extemporary Prayer, which filled the Bosom of every Man pre sent. I must confess I never heard a better Prayer or one, so well pronounced. Episcopalian as he is, Dr. Cooper himself never prayed with such fervour, such Ardor, such Earnestness and Pathos, and in Language so elegant and sublime--for America, for the Congress. for The Province of Massachusetts Bay, and especially the Town of Boston. It has had an excellent Effect upon every Body here.
I must beg you to read that Psalm. If there was any Faith in the sortes Virgilianae, or sortes Homericae, or especially the Sortes biblicae, it would be thought providential. It will amuse your Friends to read this Letter and the 35th. Psalm to them. Read it to your Father and Mr. Wibirt. I wonder what our Braintree Churchmen would think of this? Mr. Duchè is one of the most ingenious Men, and best Characters, and greatest orators in the Episcopal order, upon this Continent--Yet a Zealous Friend of Liberty and his Country.” [30]
“A Plan of a proposed Union between Great Britain and the Colonies That a British and American legislature, for regulating the administration of the general affairs of America, be proposed and established in America, including all the said colonies; within, and under which government, each colony shall retain its present constitution, and powers of regulating and governing its own internal police, in all cases what[so]ever.
That the said government be administered by a President General, to be appointed by the King, and a grand Council, to be chosen by the Representatives of the people of the several colonies, in their respective assemblies, once in every three years. That the several assemblies shall choose members for the grand council in the following proportions, viz.
New Hampshire. Delaware Counties. Massachusetts-Bay. Maryland. Rhode Island. Virginia. Connecticut. North Carolina. New-York. South-Carolina. New-Jersey. Georgia. Pennsylvania.
Who shall meet at the city of [ ] for the first time, being called by the President-General, as soon as conveniently may be after his appointment. That there shall be a new election of members for the Grand Council every three years; and on death, removal or resignation of any member, his place shall be supplied by a choice, at the next sitting of the Assembly of the Colony he represented.
That the Grand Council shall meet once in every year, if they shall think it necessary, and oftener, if occasions shall require, at such time and place as they shall adjourn to, at the last preceding meeting, or as they shall be called to meet at, by the President-General, on any emergency.
That the Grand Council shall have power to choose their Speaker, and shall hold and exercise all the rights, liberties and privileges, as are held and exercised by and in the House of Commons of Great-Britain.
That the President-General shall hold his office during the pleasure of the King, and his assent shall be requisite to all acts of the Grand Council, and it shall be his office and duty to cause them to be carried into execution.
That the President-General, by and with the advice and consent of the Grand-Council, hold and exercise all the legislative rights, powers, and authorities, necessary for regulating and administering all the general police and affairs of the colonies, in which Great-Britain and the colonies, or any of them, the colonies in general, or more than one colony, are in any manner concerned, as well civil and criminal as commercial.
That the said President-General and the Grand Council, be an inferior and distinct branch of the British legislature, united and incorporated with it, for the aforesaid general purposes …” [31]
Philadelphia, October 10, 1774.
SIR: The Inhabitants of the Town of Boston have informed us, the Representatives of his Majesty's faithful subjects in all the Colonies from Nova Scotia to Georgia, that the Fortifications erecting within that Town, the frequent invasions of private property, and the repeated insults they receive from the Soldiery have given them great reason to suspect a plan is formed very destructive to them, and tending to overthrow the liberties of America.
Your Excellency cannot be a stranger to the sentiments of America with respect to the Acts of Parliament, under the execution of which those unhappy people are oppressed, the approbation universally expressed of their conduct, and the determined resolution of the Colonies, for the preservation of their common rights to unite in their opposition to those Acts. In consequence of these sentiments, they have appointed us the guardians of their rights and liberties; and we are under the deepest concern that whilst we are pursuing every dutiful and peaceable measure to procure a cordial and effectual reconciliation between Great Britain and the Colonies, your Excellency should proceed in a manner that bears so hostile an appearance, and which even those oppressive Acts do not warrant.
We entreat your Excellency to consider what a tendency this conduct must have to irritate and force a free people, however well disposed to peaceable measures, into hostilities, which may prevent the endeavours of this Congress to restore a good understanding with our parent state, and may involve us in the horrours of a civil war.
In order therefore to quiet the minds and remove the reasonable jealousies of the people, that they may not be driven to a state of desperation, being fully persuaded of their pacifick disposition towards the King's Troops, could they be assured of their own safety, we hope sir, you will discontinue the Fortifications in and about Boston; prevent any further invasions of private property; restrain the irregularities of the Soldiers; and give orders that the communication between the Town and Country may be open, unmolested, and free.
"Signed by order, and in behalf of the General Congress,
PEYTON RANDOLPH, President
Boston, October 20, 1774.
SIR: Representations should be made with candour, and matters stated exactly as they stand. People would be led to believe, from your letter to me of the 10th instant, that works were raised against the Town of Boston, private property invaded, the Soldiers suffered to insult the inhabitants, and the communication between the Town and Country shut up and molested.
Nothing can be farther from the true situation of this place than the above state. There is not a single gun pointed against the Town, no man's property has been seized or hurt, except the King's by the people's destroying straw, bricks, &c., bought for his service. No Troops have given less cause for complaint, and greater care was never taken to prevent it, and such care and attention was never more necessary, from the insults and provocations daily giving to both Officers and Soldiers. The communication between the Town and Country has been always free and unmolested, and is so still.
Two works of earth have been raised at some distance from the Town, wide of the roads, and guns put in them. The remains of old works, going out of the Town, have been strengthened, and guns placed there likewise.—People will think differently, whether the hostile preparations throughout the country, and the menaces of blood and slaughter, made this necessary. But I am to do my duty.
It gives me pleasure that you are endeavouring at a cordial reconciliation with the mother country; which, from what has transpired, I have despaired of. Nobody wishes better success to such measures than myself. I have endeavoured to be a mediator, if I could establish a foundation to work upon; and have strongly urged it to people here to pay for the Tea, and send a proper Memorial to the King, which would be a good beginning on their side, and give their friends the opportunity they seek, to move in their support.
I do not believe that menaces and unfriendly proceedings will have the effect which many conceive. The spirit of the British Nation was high when I left England, and such measures will not abate it. But I should hope that decency and moderation here would create the same disposition at home; and I ardently wish that the common enemies to both countries may see, to their disappointment, that these disputes between the mother country and the Colonies have terminated like the quarrels of lovers, and increased the affection which they ought to bear to each other. I am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,
THOMAS GAGE.
To the Hon. Peyton Randolph, Esq. [34]
Articles of Association Circa 1774 Broadside from the Library of Congress collection |
We, his majesty's most loyal subjects, the delegates of the several colonies of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts-Bay, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the three lower counties of Newcastle, Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North-Carolina, and South-Carolina, deputed to represent them in a continental Congress, held in the city of Philadelphia, on the 5th day of September, 1774, avowing our allegiance to his majesty, our affection and regard for our fellow-subjects in Great-Britain and elsewhere, affected with the deepest anxiety, and most alarming apprehensions, at those grievances and distresses, with which his Majesty's American subjects are oppressed; and having taken under our most serious deliberation, the state of the whole continent, find, that the present unhappy situation of our affairs is occasioned by a ruinous system of colony administration, adopted by the British ministry about the year 1763, evidently calculated for enslaving these colonies, and, with them, the British Empire. In prosecution of which system, various acts of parliament have been passed, for raising a revenue in America, for depriving the American subjects, in many instances, of the constitutional trial by jury, exposing their lives to danger, by directing a new and illegal trial beyond the seas, for crimes alleged to have been committed in America: And in prosecution of the same system, several late, cruel, and oppressive acts have been passed, respecting the town of Boston and the Massachusetts-Bay, and also an act for extending the province of Quebec, so as to border on the western frontiers of these colonies, establishing an arbitrary government therein, and discouraging the settlement of British subjects in that wide extended country; thus, by the influence of civil principles and ancient prejudices, to dispose the inhabitants to act with hostility against the free Protestant colonies, whenever a wicked ministry shall chuse so to direct them.
To obtain redress of these grievances, which threaten destruction to the lives liberty, and property of his majesty's subjects, in North-America, we are of opinion, that a non-importation, non-consumption, and non-exportation agreement, faithfully adhered to, will prove the most speedy, effectual, and peaceable measure: And, therefore, we do, for ourselves, and the inhabitants of the several colonies, whom we represent, firmly agree and associate, under the sacred ties of virtue, honour and love of our country, as follows:
1. That from and after the first day of December next, we will not import, into British America, from Great-Britain or Ireland, any goods, wares, or merchandise whatsoever, or from any other place, any such goods, wares, or merchandise, as shall have been exported from Great-Britain or Ireland; nor will we, after that day, import any East-India tea from any part of the world; nor any molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee, or pimento, from the British plantations or from Dominica; nor wines from Madeira, or the Western Islands; nor foreign indigo.
2. We will neither import nor purchase, any slave imported after the first day of December next; after which time, we will wholly discontinue the slave trade, and will neither be concerned in it ourselves, nor will we hire our vessels, nor sell our commodities or manufactures to those who are concerned in it.
3. As a non-consumption agreement, strictly adhered to, will be an effectual security for the observation of the non-importation, we, as above, solemnly agree and associate, that from this day, we will not purchase or use any tea, imported on account of the East-India company, or any on which a duty bath been or shall be paid; and from and after the first day of March next, we will not purchase or use any East-India tea whatever; nor will we, nor shall any person for or under us, purchase or use any of those goods, wares, or merchandise, we have agreed not to import, which we shall know, or have cause to suspect, were imported after the first day of December, except such as come under the rules and directions of the tenth article hereafter mentioned.
4. The earnest desire we have not to injure our fellow-subjects in Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, induces us to suspend a non-exportation, until the tenth day of September, 1775; at which time, if the said acts and parts of acts of the British parliament herein after mentioned, ate not repealed, we will not directly or indirectly, export any merchandise or commodity whatsoever to Great-Britain, Ireland, or the West-Indies, except rice to Europe.
5. Such as are merchants, and use the British and Irish trade, will give orders, as soon as possible, to their factors, agents and correspondents, in Great-Britain and Ireland, not to ship any goods to them, on any pretence whatsoever, as they cannot be received in America; and if any merchant, residing in Great-Britain or Ireland, shall directly or indirectly ship any goods, wares or merchandize, for America, in order to break the said non-importation agreement, or in any manner contravene the same, on such unworthy conduct being well attested, it ought to be made public; and, on the same being so done, we will not, from thenceforth, have any commercial connexion with such merchant.
6. That such as are owners of vessels will give positive orders to their captains, or masters, not to receive on board their vessels any goods prohibited by the said non-importation agreement, on pain of immediate dismission from their service.
7. We will use our utmost endeavours to improve the breed of sheep, and increase their number to the greatest extent; and to that end, we will kill them as seldom as may be, especially those of the most profitable kind; nor will we export any to the West-Indies or elsewhere; and those of us, who are or may become overstocked with, or can conveniently spare any sheep, will dispose of them to our neighbours, especially to the poorer sort, on moderate terms.
8. We will, in our several stations, encourage frugality, economy, and industry, and promote agriculture, arts and the manufactures of this country, especially that of wool; and will discountenance and discourage every species of extravagance and dissipation, especially all horse-racing, and all kinds of games, cock fighting, exhibitions of shews, plays, and other expensive diversions and entertainments; and on the death of any relation or friend, none of us, or any of our families will go into any further mourning-dress, than a black crepe or ribbon on the arm or hat, for gentlemen, and a black ribbon and necklace for ladies, and we will discontinue the giving of gloves and scarves at funerals.
9. Such as are venders of goods or merchandize will not take advantage of the scarcity of goods, that may be occasioned by this association, but will sell the same at the rates we have been respectively accustomed to do, for twelve months last past. -And if any vender of goods or merchandise shall sell such goods on higher terms, or shall, in any manner, or by any device whatsoever, violate or depart from this agreement, no person ought, nor will any of us deal with any such person, or his or her factor or agent, at any time thereafter, for any commodity whatever.
10. In case any merchant, trader, or other person, shall import any goods or merchandize, after the first day of December, and before the first day of February next, the same ought forthwith, at the election of the owner, to be either re-shipped or delivered up to the committee of the country or town, wherein they shall be imported, to be stored at the risque of the importer, until the non-importation agreement shall cease, or be sold under the direction of the committee aforesaid; and in the last-mentioned case, the owner or owners of such goods shall be reimbursed out of the sales, the first cost and charges, the profit, if any, to be applied towards relieving and employing such poor inhabitants of the town of Boston, as are immediate sufferers by the Boston port-bill; and a particular account of all goods so returned, stored, or sold, to be inserted in the public papers; and if any goods or merchandizes shall be imported after the said first day of February, the same ought forthwith to be sent back again, without breaking any of the packages thereof.
11. That a committee be chosen in every county, city, and town, by those who are qualified to vote for representatives in the legislature, whose business it shall be attentively to observe the conduct of all persons touching this association; and when it shall be made to appear, to the satisfaction of a majority of any such committee, that any person within the limits of their appointment has violated this association, that such majority do forthwith cause the truth of the case to be published in the gazette; to the end, that all such foes to the rights of British-America may be publicly known, and universally contemned as the enemies of American liberty; and thenceforth we respectively will break off all dealings with him or her.
12. That the committee of correspondence, in the respective colonies, do frequently inspect the entries of their customhouses, and inform each other, from time to time, of the true state thereof, and of every other material circumstance that may occur relative to this association.
13. That all manufactures of this country be sold at reasonable prices, so- that no undue advantage be taken of a future scarcity of goods.
14. And we do further agree and resolve that we will have no trade, commerce, dealings or intercourse whatsoever, with any colony or province, in North-America, which shall not accede to, or which shall hereafter violate this association, but will hold them as unworthy of the rights of freemen, and as inimical to the liberties of their country.
And we do solemnly bind ourselves and our constituents, under the ties aforesaid, to adhere to this association, until such parts of the several acts of parliament passed since the close of the last war, as impose or continue duties on tea, wine, molasses, syrups paneles, coffee, sugar, pimento, indigo, foreign paper, glass, and painters' colours, imported into America, and extend the powers of the admiralty courts beyond their ancient limits, deprive the American subject of trial by jury, authorize the judge's certificate to indemnify the prosecutor from damages, that he might otherwise be liable to from a trial by his peers, require oppressive security from a claimant of ships or goods seized, before he shall be allowed to defend his property, are repealed.-And until that part of the act of the 12 G. 3. ch. 24, entitled "An act for the better securing his majesty's dock-yards magazines, ships, ammunition, and stores," by which any persons charged with committing any of the offenses therein described, in America, may be tried in any shire or county within the realm, is repealed-and until the four acts, passed the last session of parliament, viz. that for stopping the port and blocking up the harbour of Boston-that for altering the charter and government of the Massachusetts-Bay-and that which is entitled "An act for the better administration of justice, &c."-and that "for extending the limits of Quebec, &c." are repealed. And we recommend it to the provincial conventions, and to the committees in the respective colonies, to establish such farther regulations as they may think proper, for carrying into execution this association.
The foregoing association being determined upon by the Congress, was ordered to be subscribed by the several members thereof; and thereupon, we have hereunto set our respective names accordingly.IN CONGRESS, PHILADELPHIA, October 20, 1774.Signed, PEYTON RANDOLPH, President.[36]
September 5, 1774, Meeting of the Delegates chosen and appointed by the several Colonies and Provinces, in North America, to hold a Congress at Philadelphia, Members present from the several Colonies, Peyton Randolph elected President, Credentials read and approved, For New-Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode-Island, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, South Carolina, September 6, 1774, Richard Henry Lee, from Virginia, attended, Rules of Order adopted, Reverend Mr. Duché requested to open the Congress with Prayers, Thomas Johnson, Jun., from Maryland attended, September 7, 1774, Committee appointed to state the Rights of the Colonies, the instances in which they are violated, and the means most proper to obtain a restoration of them, Committee appointed to examine and report the several Statutes which affect the Trade and Manufactures of the Colonies, President authorized to adjourn, from day to day, when there is no business, September 12, 1774, Matthew Tilghman, a Delegate from Maryland, attended, September 14, 1774, William Hooper and Joseph Hewes, from North Carolina, attended, Henry Wisner, from Orange County, in New-York, attended, George Ross, from Pennsylvania, and John Alsop, from New-York, attended, Delegates from Massachusetts presented the Proceedings of the Joint Committees of the Towns in the County of Middlesex, at Concord, on the 30th and 31st of August, September 17, 1774, Richard Caswell from North Carolina, attended, Resolutions of the County of Suffolk, Massachusetts, on the 6th inst., laid, before the Congress, Resolution of the Congress, approving of the Suffolk County Resolutions, Contributions from all the Colonies for supplying the Sufferers in Boston, should be continued, Report of the Committee appointed to examine the Statutes, brought in and laid on the table, September 19, 1774, Referred to the Committee appointed to state the Rights of the Colonies, September 22, 1774, Merchants and others in the several Colonies requested not to send to Great Britain any orders for Goods, Report of Committee on the Rights of the Colonies, brought in and read, Copy of the Report made out for each Colony, September 24, 1774, The Report considered, Congress will now consider only such Rights as have been infringed since 1763, postponing the consideration of the General Rights of America to a future day, Committee appointed to state the Rights, brought in a Report of the Infringements and Violations of American Rights, Consideration of the Report deferred, Congress, in the meanwhile, to deliberate on the Means to be pursued for a restoration of our Rights, September 26, 1774, John Herring, from Orange County, New-York, attended, Consideration of the Means for restoring Rights, resumed, September 27, 1774, Further considered, Importation of all Goods, Wares, and Merchandise, whatsoever, from Great Britain, or Ireland, prohibited after first of December next, None exported from Great Britain, or Ireland, after that day, shall be used or purchased in the Colonies, September 28, 1774, Resolution offered by Mr. Galloway, declaring the Colonies hold in. abhorrence the idea of being considered Independent Communities, Mr. Galloway's Plan for a proposed union between Great Britain and the Colonies, Means of restoring the Rights, considered, September 29, 1774, Galloway Plan Further considered, September 30, 1774, Galloway Plan Further considered, Exportation of all Merchandise whatsoever, from the Colonies to Great Britain, Ireland, and the West Indies, prohibited after the 1st of September, 1775, unless American Grievances are redressed before that time, Committee to prepare a Plan to carry into effect the Non-Importation, Non-Consumption, and Non-Exportation resolved on,
October 1, 1774, Simon Boerum, from King's County, New-York, attended, Means of restoring the Rights, further considered, Committee to prepare an Address to the King, requesting a Redress of Grievances, October 3, 1774, Instructions to the Committee on the Address, Matters proper to be contained in the Address considered, October 4, 1774, Address to the King Further considered, October 5, 1774, Address to the King Further considered, Instruction to the Committee on the Address, Address from William Goddard received, October 6, 1774, Means for restoration of American Rights further considered, Letter from the Boston Committee of Correspondence laid before Congress, Letter to be considered tomorrow, Consideration of means for restoration of Rights, resumed, Instruction to Committee appointed to prepare the form of an Association, October 7, 1774, Letter from Boston Committee considered, Committee to prepare a Letter to General Gage, October 8, 1774, Letter from Boston further considered, Opposition of the Inhabitants of Massachusetts to late Acts of Parliament approved by Congress, If the Acts are attempted to be enforced by Arms, all America ought to support them in their opposition, October 10, 1774, Letter from Boston further considered, Removal of the People from Boston, so important in its consequences as to require the utmost deliberation, If absolutely necessary, they should be recompensed by all America, People of Massachusetts advised to submit to a suspension of the administration of justice, where it cannot be procured under the Charter, Any Person who shall act under any authority derived from the Act of Parliament, altering the Government of Massachusetts, to be held in detestation, as a wicked tool of the despotism, which is preparing to destroy the Rights of America, October 11, 1774, Letter from the Congress to General Gage, People of Boston advised to conduct themselves peaceably towards General Gage and the Troops, Committee to prepare a Memorial to the People of British America; and an Address to the People of Great Britain, October 12, 1774, Plan for carrying into effect the Non-Importation, Non-Consumption, and Non-Exportation Agreement, reported by the Committee, Consideration of the Rights and Grievances of the Colonies resumed, October 13, 1774, Further considered, October 14, 1774, Further considered, Resolutions declaring the Rights and Grievances of the Colonies, Letter from several Gentlemen, in Georgia, read, October 15, 1774, Plan of Association further considered, October 17, 1774, John Dickinson, from Pennsylvania, attended, Plan of Association further considered, October 18, 1774, Plan further considered, amended, and ordered to be transcribed, to be signed by the Members, Address to the People of Great Britain reported, October 19, 1774, The Address considered, amended, and recommitted, Memorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonies reported, October 20, 1774, The Association read and signed, Facsimile of the Signatures to the Association, Opposite Memorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonies further considered, October 21, 1774, Address to the People of Great Britain, Memorial to the Inhabitants of the Colonies, Committee to prepare an Address to the People of Quebeck, and Letters to the Colonies of St. John's. Nova-Scotia, Georgia, and East and West Florida, Committee to revise the Minutes of Congress, Address to the King considered, recommitted, and Mr. Dickinson added to the Committee, The seizing a Person, in America, to transport him beyond the Sea, for Trial, declared to be against the Law, and ought to meet with resistance and reprisal, October 22, 1774, Peyton Randolph unable to attend the Congress, Henry Middleton chosen President, Address from Christopher Tully received, Journal ordered to be printed, A Congress to be held on the 10th of May next, unless redress of Grievances should be sooner obtained, recommended, Letter from Congress to the Colonies of St. John's, &c., October 24, 1774, Address to the People of Quebeck reported, considered, and recommitted, Address to the King reported, October 25, 1774, Address considered, approved, and ordered to be engrossed, To be sent to the Colony Agents, to be presented to his Majesty; and the Agents requested to call in the aid of such Noblemen and Gentlemen as are firm friends to American Liberty, Committee to prepare a Letter to the Agents, Thanks of Congress to the patriotick Advocates of Civil and Religious Liberty who have espoused the cause of America, both in and out of Parliament, October 26, 1774, Letter to the Colony Agents, Address to the Inhabitants of the Province of Quebeck, Address to the King, List of the Colony Agents, List of the Delegates who attended the Congress.[38]
Peyton Randolph was in the chair on March 23rd, in this Second Virginia Convention in Richmond. The major issue at hand was the formation of a statewide militia to protect the citizens of Virginia from a future British occupation. It was during these debates that Patrick Henry rose and made his "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" Speech. The measure was passed and Governor Dunmore reacted in manner that would ensure Virginia's solidification to the Boston call for Colonial Independence.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I Peyton Randolph do make this my last will & testament. I give & devise to my beloved wife my dwelling house, lots & all the outhouses thereto belonging in the city of Williamsburg, with the furniture of the same, & also my chariot & horses & all her wearing apparel rings & jewels, all which estates real & personal I give to her heirs, exrs, & adrs. I give to my sd wife also Little Aggy & her children, Great Aggy & her children, Eve & her children Lucy & her children to her & her heirs forever. I give to my wife also the use & enjoyment of my whole estate real & personal, not hereafter given away during her natural life. I give to Harrison Randolph a negro boy called Caesar, the son of Sue to him & his heirs forever. I give to my brother John Randolph the two negro boys such as he shall choose out of my estate which have not been particularly disposed of to him & his heirs, after the death of my wife I give to my sd brother all my estate both real & personal to hold the same during his life except my man Johnny whom in that case I give to my nephew Edmund Randolph to him & his heirs & after the death of my brother John I give all the estate devised to him for life to the sd Edmund Randolph his heirs exrs & admrs, subject nevertheless to the payment of £500 each to his sisters Susanna & Arrianna Randolph for the payment of which sums I allow him four years after the estate shall come into his hands, he paying them interest yearly for such sums as remain unpaid. I do hereby empower my exrs. to sell my books & presses to pay my debts & if that is not sufficient to sell so many of the negroes as they think can be best shared from the use of the plantations to answer that purpose. I do appoint my wife, my brother John Randolph & Mr. James Cocke exrs. of this my will. IN WITNESS whereof I have set my hand & seal this 18th day of August in the year of our Lord 1774
Peyton Randolph L.S.
Signed sealed published & declared by the sd Peyton Randolph as & for his last will (he being present at the [signing ?] of this attestation in presence of
Thomas Mason
Samuel Henley
John Pope
3 Jan. 1776 All persons who have any Demands against the Estate of Peyton Randolph, Esq.; deceased, are desired to bring their Accounts properly proved. Those indebted to the said estate are requested to make immediate Payment.
Betty Randolph
James Cocke
Those Gentlemen who have borrowed any Books of the late speaker are desired to return them immediately.
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
Continental Congress of the United Colonies Presidents
September 5, 1774
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October 22, 1774
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October 22, 1774
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October 26, 1774
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May 20, 1775
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May 24, 1775
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May 25, 1775
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July 1, 1776
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Continental Congress of the United States Presidents
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776
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October 29, 1777
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November 1, 1777
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December 9, 1778
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December 10, 1778
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September 28, 1779
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September 29, 1779
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February 28, 1781
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March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781
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July 6, 1781
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July 10, 1781
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Declined Office
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July 10, 1781
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November 4, 1781
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November 5, 1781
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November 3, 1782
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November 4, 1782
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November 2, 1783
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November 3, 1783
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June 3, 1784
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November 30, 1784
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November 22, 1785
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November 23, 1785
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June 5, 1786
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June 6, 1786
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February 1, 1787
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February 2, 1787
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January 21, 1788
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January 22, 1788
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January 21, 1789
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(1789-1797)
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(1933-1945)
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(1865-1869)
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(1797-1801)
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(1945-1953)
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(1869-1877)
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(1801-1809)
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(1953-1961)
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(1877-1881)
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(1809-1817)
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(1961-1963)
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(1881 - 1881)
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(1817-1825)
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(1963-1969)
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(1881-1885)
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(1825-1829)
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(1969-1974)
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(1885-1889)
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(1829-1837)
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(1973-1974)
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(1889-1893)
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(1837-1841)
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(1977-1981)
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(1893-1897)
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(1841-1841)
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(1981-1989)
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(1897-1901)
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(1841-1845)
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(1989-1993)
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(1901-1909)
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(1845-1849)
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(1993-2001)
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(1909-1913)
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(1849-1850)
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(2001-2009)
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(1913-1921)
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(1850-1853)
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(2009-2017)
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(1921-1923)
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(1853-1857)
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(20017-Present)
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(1923-1929)
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*Confederate States of America
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(1857-1861)
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(1929-1933)
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(1861-1865)
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United Colonies Continental Congress
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President
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18th Century Term
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Age
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Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745-1783)
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09/05/74 – 10/22/74
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29
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Mary Williams Middleton (1741- 1761) Deceased
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Henry Middleton
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10/22–26/74
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n/a
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Elizabeth "Betty" Harrison Randolph (1745–1783)
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05/20/ 75 - 05/24/75
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30
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Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
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05/25/75 – 07/01/76
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28
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United States Continental Congress
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President
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Term
|
Age
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Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
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07/02/76 – 10/29/77
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29
| |
Eleanor Ball Laurens (1731- 1770) Deceased
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Henry Laurens
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11/01/77 – 12/09/78
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n/a
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Sarah Livingston Jay (1756-1802)
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12/ 10/78 – 09/28/78
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21
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Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
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09/29/79 – 02/28/81
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41
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United States in Congress Assembled
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President
|
Term
|
Age
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Martha Huntington (1738/39–1794)
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03/01/81 – 07/06/81
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42
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Sarah Armitage McKean (1756-1820)
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07/10/81 – 11/04/81
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25
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Jane Contee Hanson (1726-1812)
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11/05/81 - 11/03/82
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55
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Hannah Stockton Boudinot (1736-1808)
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11/03/82 - 11/02/83
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46
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Sarah Morris Mifflin (1747-1790)
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11/03/83 - 11/02/84
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36
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Anne Gaskins Pinkard Lee (1738-1796)
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11/20/84 - 11/19/85
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46
| |
Dorothy Quincy Hancock Scott (1747-1830)
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11/23/85 – 06/06/86
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38
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Rebecca Call Gorham (1744-1812)
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06/06/86 - 02/01/87
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42
| |
Phoebe Bayard St. Clair (1743-1818)
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02/02/87 - 01/21/88
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43
| |
Christina Stuart Griffin (1751-1807)
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01/22/88 - 01/29/89
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36
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Constitution of 1787
First Ladies |
President
|
Term
|
Age
|
April 30, 1789 – March 4, 1797
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57
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March 4, 1797 – March 4, 1801
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52
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Martha Wayles Jefferson Deceased
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September 6, 1782 (Aged 33)
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n/a
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March 4, 1809 – March 4, 1817
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40
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March 4, 1817 – March 4, 1825
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48
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March 4, 1825 – March 4, 1829
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50
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December 22, 1828 (aged 61)
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n/a
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February 5, 1819 (aged 35)
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n/a
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March 4, 1841 – April 4, 1841
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65
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April 4, 1841 – September 10, 1842
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50
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June 26, 1844 – March 4, 1845
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23
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March 4, 1845 – March 4, 1849
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41
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March 4, 1849 – July 9, 1850
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60
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July 9, 1850 – March 4, 1853
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52
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March 4, 1853 – March 4, 1857
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46
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n/a
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n/a
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March 4, 1861 – April 15, 1865
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42
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February 22, 1862 – May 10, 1865
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April 15, 1865 – March 4, 1869
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54
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March 4, 1869 – March 4, 1877
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43
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March 4, 1877 – March 4, 1881
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45
| ||
March 4, 1881 – September 19, 1881
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48
| ||
January 12, 1880 (Aged 43)
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n/a
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June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
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21
| ||
March 4, 1889 – October 25, 1892
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56
| ||
June 2, 1886 – March 4, 1889
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28
| ||
March 4, 1897 – September 14, 1901
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49
| ||
September 14, 1901 – March 4, 1909
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40
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March 4, 1909 – March 4, 1913
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47
| ||
March 4, 1913 – August 6, 1914
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52
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December 18, 1915 – March 4, 1921
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43
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March 4, 1921 – August 2, 1923
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60
| ||
August 2, 1923 – March 4, 1929
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44
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March 4, 1929 – March 4, 1933
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54
| ||
March 4, 1933 – April 12, 1945
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48
| ||
April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953
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60
| ||
January 20, 1953 – January 20, 1961
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56
| ||
January 20, 1961 – November 22, 1963
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31
| ||
November 22, 1963 – January 20, 1969
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50
| ||
January 20, 1969 – August 9, 1974
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56
| ||
August 9, 1974 – January 20, 1977
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56
| ||
January 20, 1977 – January 20, 1981
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49
| ||
January 20, 1981 – January 20, 1989
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59
| ||
January 20, 1989 – January 20, 1993
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63
| ||
January 20, 1993 – January 20, 2001
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45
| ||
January 20, 2001 – January 20, 2009
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54
| ||
January 20, 2009 to date
|
45
|
Philadelphia
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Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774
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Philadelphia
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May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776
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Baltimore
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Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777
| |
Philadelphia
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March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777
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Lancaster
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September 27, 1777
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York
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Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778
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Philadelphia
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July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783
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Princeton
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June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783
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Annapolis
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Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784
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Trenton
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Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784
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New York City
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Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788
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New York City
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October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789
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New York City
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March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790
| |
Philadelphia
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Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800
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Washington DC
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November 17,1800 to Present
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