Nicholas Van Dyke (politician, born 1738) facts for kids

Nicholas Van Dyke (born September 25, 1738 – died February 19, 1789) was an important American leader. He was a Founding Father, a lawyer, and a politician from New Castle, Delaware. He helped create the United States. Van Dyke worked in the Delaware General Assembly and the Continental Congress. He even signed the Articles of Confederation, which was like the first constitution for the new country. Later, he became the President of Delaware.

Nicholas Van Dyke's Early Life and Family

Nicholas Van Dyke was born at Berwick, his family's home in St. George's Hundred, Delaware. This area is close to where Delaware City is today. His parents were Nicholas and Rachael Alee Van Dyke. His grandfather, Andrew Van Dyke, had moved to Delaware from Long Island, New York, in 1704.

Young Nicholas was taught at home. Then, he studied law in Philadelphia. He became a lawyer in Pennsylvania in 1765.

Van Dyke moved back to New Castle. There, he started his law practice and lived with his family. He married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth Nixon in 1766. She passed away in 1770, shortly after their son, Nicholas, was born. After her death, he married Charlotte Stanley. They lived in New Castle and had several more children. The family attended Immanuel Episcopal Church.

Nicholas Van Dyke's Political Journey

Van Dyke started his political life in 1774. He joined the Boston Relief Committee in Delaware. This committee helped people in Boston during tough times. In 1776, he was part of the Delaware Constitutional Convention. This group helped write Delaware's first constitution.

He served in the State Council for two years, starting in 1776. In the same year, he became a judge in Delaware's Admiralty Court. On February 22, 1777, he was chosen to join the Continental Congress. This was a very important group of leaders from the American colonies. He stayed in Congress until 1781. While there, he signed the Articles of Confederation for Delaware. This document was the first agreement among the 13 original states.

From 1778 to 1783, he served in the State House. He was even the speaker of the House in 1780–81.

Becoming President of Delaware

In 1782, John Dickinson resigned as President of Delaware. The Delaware General Assembly held a special vote to pick a new leader. There were two main groups of politicians. One group wanted to elect John McKinly, who had been the first president. But the other group, called the Patriots, won. They elected Nicholas Van Dyke.

He became President of Delaware on February 1, 1783. He served until October 27, 1786.

Key Events as President

During his time as president, the American Revolution officially ended. This happened with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in September 1783. Van Dyke worked to solve problems left over from the war. He created a plan to pay Delaware's share of the war debt.

Another difficult issue was the case of Loyalist Cheney Clow. Clow had been arrested in 1778. He was tried for treason in 1782 but was found not guilty. Then, he was accused of murdering someone who tried to capture him in 1778. Even though there was no clear proof Clow killed the man, a jury found him guilty in May 1783. He was sentenced to death.

Many important people, including Caesar Rodney's brother, Thomas Rodney, believed Clow was innocent. Van Dyke could not officially pardon Clow. But he decided to delay the execution indefinitely. This meant Clow would not be put to death.

After his term as president, Van Dyke returned to the State Senate. He served briefly until his death in 1789.

Nicholas Van Dyke's Death and Legacy

Nicholas Van Dyke passed away at his home, Berwick. He was first buried there. Later, his remains were moved to the Immanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery in New Castle.

His son, also named Nicholas, followed in his footsteps. He later represented Delaware in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. Van Dyke's daughter, Nancy Ann, married Kensey Johns in 1784. General George Washington attended their wedding in New Castle. Their son, Kensey Johns Jr., also served in the U.S. House.

Much of the land around Van Dyke's original home, Berwick, was used for the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal in 1829. The house itself remained until the American Civil War. It is believed that the rest of the land and the house were taken when the canal was made bigger in 1929.

His home in New Castle, now called the Amstel House, is still standing. It is located on Fourth Street in New Castle and is open for visitors.

There are no known pictures or portraits of Nicholas Van Dyke.