Joseph Galloway facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Galloway
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| Continental Congressman 1774 |
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| Member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly | |
| Assumed office 1776 |
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| Speaker of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly (1st term) | |
| In office 1766–1769 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Fox |
| Succeeded by | Joseph Fox |
| Speaker of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly (2nd term) | |
| In office 1769–1774 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Fox |
| Succeeded by | Edward Biddle |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1731 West River, Maryland |
| Died | 10 August 1803 Watford, Hertfordshire, England |
| Spouse | Grace Growden Galloway |
| Residences | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Profession | lawyer, politician |
Joseph Galloway (born 1731, died 1803) was an important American politician. He lived during the time of the American Revolutionary War. At first, he was a delegate to the Continental Congress for Pennsylvania. This was a meeting of leaders from the American colonies.
However, Galloway later became a Loyalist. Loyalists were people who wanted to stay loyal to the King of Britain. For many years, he was a close friend and partner of Benjamin Franklin. Galloway became a very important leader in Pennsylvania.
As a delegate, Galloway tried to find a peaceful solution. He suggested a "Plan of Union" to avoid a full break from Britain. But his plan was rejected. After this, he became more and more loyal to Britain. After 1778, he moved to Britain. There, he became a leader for other Loyalists who had left America.
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Early Life and Education
Joseph Galloway was born in 1731 near West River, Maryland. His father owned a lot of land. In 1749, Joseph moved with his father to Pennsylvania. He received a good education there.
He studied law, learning how to be a lawyer. For a while, he studied with William Franklin. William was the son of Benjamin Franklin. He also became a Loyalist later on. Joseph Galloway then became a lawyer in Philadelphia.
Galloway married Grace Growdon on October 18, 1753. They were married in Philadelphia. Grace came from a very rich family. Joseph changed his religion from Quakerism to Anglicanism to marry her. This change also helped his political career.
Political Career in Pennsylvania
Galloway was a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. This was like the state government today. He served there from 1756 to 1774. He was also the Speaker of the House from 1766 to 1774. This meant he led the Assembly's meetings.
He was a strong voice against Pennsylvania being a "Proprietary Colony." This meant it was owned by the Penn family. Galloway wanted it to become a "Crown Colony." A Crown Colony was directly controlled by the British King. Both Galloway and Benjamin Franklin worked hard to make this happen. Galloway believed that most Americans wanted to stay loyal to the King. He thought they just needed a good government to inspire that loyalty.
Galloway's Plan for Peace
In 1774, Galloway was part of the Continental Congress. He suggested a plan to keep the colonies united with Great Britain. His "Plan for Union" would have given the colonies their own parliament. This parliament would still be under the British King. But the Continental Congress rejected his idea by just one vote.
He did sign the Continental Association. This was an agreement not to buy British goods. However, he was against the idea of the Thirteen Colonies becoming fully independent. He stayed loyal to the King. Galloway was a resident of Philadelphia. He often wrote to Benjamin Franklin about American independence.
In 1768, he joined the American Philosophical Society. Benjamin Franklin had started this group. Galloway served as its Vice-President from 1769 to 1776.
Galloway wanted to improve how the British Empire was run. He criticized unfair trade laws. He also spoke out against the Stamp Act of 1765 and the Townshend Acts of 1767. He had a plan to end the arguments between Britain and the colonies. He believed Britain had the right to tax the colonies. He also thought Britain should help the colonies grow and stay peaceful.
Congress decided to remove Galloway's plan from their official records. So, he published it himself in 1775. He criticized Congress for ignoring his ideas. He suggested a written constitution and a joint legislature for the entire British Empire.
Role in the American War of Independence
In 1775, the Pennsylvania Assembly refused Galloway's advice. They would not give up their fight for independence from Britain. So, Galloway left the Assembly and the Congress.
In the winter of 1777, he joined British General Howe. He went with General Howe during the British attack on Philadelphia. When the British army controlled Philadelphia, Galloway was put in charge of the police. He also led the local government. He worked hard to organize Loyalists in the city.
However, the British army had to leave Philadelphia in 1778. This happened after France joined the war on the American side. The British army moved to New York, and Galloway went with them.
Life in Exile in Britain
In 1778, Joseph Galloway and his daughter moved to Britain. He never returned to the United States. In London, he became a main spokesperson for American Loyalists. The government of Pennsylvania accused him of treason. They took away all his property. This included his home, Trevose Manor, and much of the land in what is now Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania.
In 1779, he spoke as a witness for the British government. This was during an investigation into how Lord Howe and General Howe led the Philadelphia attack. Galloway was very critical of their actions.
When Galloway left Philadelphia, his wife Grace stayed behind. She hoped to keep their property rights. They expected her to join her husband and daughter later. But she was forced out of their home by Charles Willson Peale.
Galloway helped convince the British that many Loyalists in America would help them. He believed that strong leadership could bring these Loyalists forward. This idea led to the British invasion of the Southern colonies. After the war, Galloway spent his remaining years studying religion and writing. He died in Watford, Hertfordshire, England, on August 10, 1803. His wife had passed away earlier, in 1782.
