Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania facts for kids

The Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania was like the main leadership group for Pennsylvania's state government. It existed between 1777 and 1790. This group was led by a president and a vice president. These roles were similar to a modern-day governor and lieutenant governor. The most famous person to be part of this Council was Benjamin Franklin. He also served as its sixth president.

Who Were the Presidents of the Council?

Seven different men served as president of the Supreme Executive Council. One of them, George Bryan, was never officially elected to the job. However, Pennsylvania today considers him a full governor because he served for a long time as the acting president.

Many of these leaders were important in Pennsylvania's history. But none were more famous than Dr. Benjamin Franklin. His time as president was one of his last public jobs. He passed away less than two years after leaving the office. Franklin was also the longest-serving president. He held the position for a little over three years. Some people wonder if he was still actively involved near the end of his term because he was getting older. But other sources say that Franklin approved all the Council's actions, even if meetings happened at his home.

The shortest term was held by George Bryan. He served as acting president for just over six months. These leaders were called Presidents of Pennsylvania. Their job was similar to today's governor. They are often included in lists of Pennsylvania's governors. Both presidents and vice-presidents were called His Excellency.

Legacy of the Council Members

In South Philadelphia, there are several streets named after Pennsylvania's early presidents and governors. If you go south on South 25th Street, you'll find Wharton, Reed, and Dickinson Streets. George Bryan's name is not on a street there because he was never officially elected. Moore Street is a bit out of order, appearing after two other streets. There isn't a Franklin Street nearby. This is likely because there are already many memorials to Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia, like North Franklin Street. After Moore Street, you'll find Mifflin Street, McKean Street, and Snyder Street. The last two were later governors under the 1790 Constitution.

Wharton Street borders Wharton Square Park. It's not clear if the park is named after Thomas Wharton or another person from his important family. Dickinson College and the Dickinson School of Law are both in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. They were named after John Dickinson.

The 1790 Constitution and New Government

In 1789, a special meeting was held to create a new state constitution. This new constitution was approved the next year, in 1790. The 1790 Constitution got rid of the Supreme Executive Council. Instead, it gave all the main executive power to a single office: the governor.

On December 21, 1790, Thomas Mifflin became the state's first governor. He had been the last President of Pennsylvania. The title of governor had been used before, during the Colonial era. But back then, it referred to someone chosen by the king or the Proprietor, not an elected official. Since 1790, the state government's executive branch has always been led by a governor.

The 1790 Constitution did not create a lieutenant governor position. If the governor died or resigned, the Speaker of the State Senate would take over. This position no longer exists today. The office of lieutenant governor was finally created by the 1873 State Constitution. The first lieutenant governor, John Latta, took office in 1875.