Thomas McKean
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First Lady: Sarah Armitage
Party: Vice President : Cabinet: Born : March 19, 1734 in New London Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania Died: Died June 24, 1817 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Buried : McKean family plot at Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Avenue, Philadelphia, PA Parents: William McKean, Letitia Finney Married : Mary Borden, Sarah Armitage Children : 11 In Office : July 10, 1781 to November 5, 1781 Education: elementary education at home Studied law in New Castle under Francis Allison (Lawyer) Occupation: lawyer Other Political Offices : Governor of Pennsylvania President of Congress in 1781 Chief Justice and Governor of the State of Pennsylvania Deputy attorney-general for Sussex County, Delaware Supreme Court of the Province of Pennsylvania Collector of the customs for the Port of New Castle Note: As a student young McKean made rapid advances in a knowledge of the languages, rhetoric, logic, and moral philosophy. Admitted to the bar in the Lower Counties at age twenty (1754). At eighteen, he became deputy prothonotary of New Castle, then moved from one public office to another: deputy general. A short time before the meeting of the congress of 1774, he took up his permanent residence in the city of Philadelphia. Remained an active member of the Congress through the signing of the Treaty of Paris, September 3rd, 1783. He was not available when most Signers placed their signatures on the Declaration on August 2, 1776. 1789 Elected chairman of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention. McKean left Philadelphia immediately after the vote for independence to command the fourth Battalion of Philadephian "Associators" in Perth Amboy. He held more public offices than any of his contemporaries. both executive and judicial branches in two states and the federal government. His career is confusing because he held office in two commonwealths at the same time. In 1771 he was appointed collector of customs and commissioner of revenue at New Castle. Since the Stamp Act of 1765 he had opposed British rule. He helped frame the Delaware constitution in 1776 and signed the Articles of Confederation. He amassed a very considerable estate and gave evidence of his learning in many writings. |
