Thomas Mifflin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Mifflin
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| 1st Governor of Pennsylvania | |
| In office December 21, 1790 – December 17, 1799 |
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| Preceded by | Himself as President of Pennsylvania |
| Succeeded by | Thomas McKean |
| 7th President of Pennsylvania | |
| In office November 5, 1788 – December 21, 1790 |
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| Vice President | George Ross |
| Preceded by | Benjamin Franklin |
| Succeeded by | Himself as Governor of Pennsylvania |
| Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
| In office 1785–1787 |
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| Preceded by | John Bayard |
| Succeeded by | Richard Peters |
| 3rd President of the Confederation Congress | |
| In office November 3, 1783 – June 3, 1784 |
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| Preceded by | Elias Boudinot |
| Succeeded by | Richard Henry Lee |
| Continental Congressman | |
| In office 1782–1784 |
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| In office 1774–1775 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | January 10, 1744 Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, British America |
| Died | January 20, 1800 (aged 56) Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Political party | Federalist |
| Spouse |
Sarah Morris
(m. 1767; died 1790) |
| Profession | Merchant, soldier, politician |
| Signature |  |
Thomas Mifflin (January 10, 1744 – January 20, 1800) was an important American merchant, soldier, and politician. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mifflin played many key roles during and after the American Revolution. He is considered one of the Founding Fathers.
Mifflin was the first Governor of Pennsylvania, serving from 1790 to 1799. Before that, he was the last President of Pennsylvania, from 1788 to 1790. He took over this role from Benjamin Franklin.
After studying at the College of Philadelphia, Mifflin became a merchant. He joined the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He served as an aide to General George Washington. He was also the army's Quartermaster General. He rose to the rank of major general.
Mifflin returned to the Continental Congress in 1782. He was elected President of the Continental Congress in 1783. He also served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In 1787, he was a delegate to the Philadelphia Convention. He signed the U.S. Constitution. He then helped write Pennsylvania's own constitution.
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Who was Thomas Mifflin?
Thomas Mifflin was born on January 10, 1744, in Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania. His parents were John Mifflin and Elizabeth Bagnall. His family had lived in Pennsylvania for a long time.
In 1760, Thomas Mifflin finished his studies at the College of Philadelphia. This school is now known as the University of Pennsylvania. After college, he started working in the business world. He joined a trading company owned by William Biddle.
After traveling in Europe in 1765, he started his own business. He partnered with his brother, George Mifflin. On March 4, 1767, he married his cousin, Sarah Morris. They had one child, Emily Mifflin Hopkins.
Mifflin's Role in the American Revolution
When the American Revolutionary War began, Mifflin left the Continental Congress. He joined the Continental Army. He started as a major. Soon after, he became an aide-de-camp to General George Washington. This meant he was a personal assistant to Washington.
On August 14, 1775, Washington made Mifflin the army's first Quartermaster General. This job involved making sure the army had enough supplies. Mifflin was good at this job, even though he preferred fighting on the front lines.
However, some people questioned his work later on. There were concerns about supplies not reaching the troops at Valley Forge. Mifflin was accused of selling supplies meant for the army to others. After Washington spoke to him about this, Mifflin wanted to quit. But he was convinced to stay because it was hard to find someone else for the job.
Mifflin showed great leadership in the Battle of Trenton and the Battle of Princeton. Because of his actions, he was promoted to major general.
Later, Mifflin served on the Congressional Board of War from 1777 to 1778. This board helped manage the war effort. He then rejoined the army but did not take a very active role. He faced criticism about his time as Quartermaster General. He was accused of taking money that wasn't his. He wanted an investigation to clear his name, but it never happened. He eventually resigned from the army.
Mifflin's Political Career
Before America became independent, Thomas Mifflin was part of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. This was the local government from 1772 to 1776. He served two terms in the Continental Congress. These terms were from 1774 to 1775 and again from 1782 to 1784.
For seven months, from November 1783 to June 1784, he was the President of the Continental Congress. This was a very important role. His most famous duty as president was accepting General George Washington's resignation. Washington stepped down as commander of the army on December 23, 1783.
After the war, the power of Congress became weaker. Mifflin found it hard to get enough states to send delegates. They needed delegates to officially approve the Treaty of Paris. This treaty finally ended the war. It was approved on January 14, 1784. Mifflin also appointed Thomas Jefferson as a minister to France. He also chose Colonel Josiah Harmar to lead the First American Regiment.
In 1787, Mifflin was a delegate to the United States Constitutional Convention. He signed the U.S. Constitution. He also signed the Continental Association. He served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly from 1785 to 1788.
Mifflin was a member of the Supreme Executive Council of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. On November 5, 1788, he was elected President of the Council. He took over from Benjamin Franklin. He was reelected to this position in 1789.
Mifflin led the group that wrote Pennsylvania's 1790 State Constitution. This new document changed the government. It replaced the Executive Council with a single governor.
On December 21, 1790, Mifflin became the last President of Pennsylvania. He then became the first Governor of Pennsylvania. He held this office until December 17, 1799. Thomas McKean took over as governor after him. Mifflin then returned to the state legislature. He served there until he died the next month.
Mifflin's Personal Life
Mifflin's family had been Quakers for many generations. Quakers believe in peace and do not support war. Because Mifflin joined the Continental Army, he was removed from the Religious Society of Friends. His military service went against their peaceful beliefs.
In 1768, Mifflin became a member of the American Philosophical Society. This is a group that promotes knowledge and research. He served as its secretary for two years.
He was also a trustee for the College of Philadelphia from 1773 to 1791. He helped manage the school. For two of those years, he was the treasurer.
Death and Legacy
Thomas Mifflin died in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on January 23, 1800. He is buried at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lancaster.
A historical marker outside the church honors Mifflin and Thomas Wharton Jr.. Wharton was the first President of Pennsylvania. Mifflin was the last President and first Governor. The marker was put there in 1975.
Places Named After Thomas Mifflin
Many places in Pennsylvania are named after Thomas Mifflin:
- Fort Mifflin, Philadelphia County
- Mifflin, Pennsylvania
- Mifflin County, Pennsylvania
- Mifflin Cross Roads, Pennsylvania
- Mifflin Township, Dauphin County
- Mifflin Township, Lycoming County
- Mifflinburg, Pennsylvania
- Mifflintown, Pennsylvania
- Mifflinville, Pennsylvania
- Upper Mifflin Township, Cumberland County
- West Mifflin, Pennsylvania
Schools and Buildings Named After Mifflin
- Governor Mifflin School District
- Mifflin Hall (a dormitory at Pennsylvania State University)
- Mifflin Hall (main building at the U.S. Army Quartermaster Center and School at Fort Lee, Virginia)
- Thomas Mifflin School, School District of Philadelphia
Images for kids
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Unofficial coat of arms used by family of John Mifflin
See also
In Spanish: Thomas Mifflin para niños
