Thomas McKean

Son of a Scotch-Irish immigrant, McKean studied law in Delaware and London. He became a member of the Delaware House of Assembly (1762-1775) and served as speaker in 1772. In 1765, he participated in the Stamp-Act Congress. As a member of the Continental Congress (1774-1776, 1778-1782), McKean was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was a member of the Delaware State house of representatives in 1776 and 1777. As speaker of the House (1777), McKean acted as president of the State of Delaware from 22 Sep to 20 Oct 1777 for Governor John McKinly, who was kept prisoner by the British.

On 9 Jul 1781, the Congress elected delegate from North Carolina Samuel Johnston president of the Congress, but he declined nomination (10 Jul 1781) and McKean was elected on his place. During the period when he chaired the Congress, a Peace Commission was nominated (11 Jun 1781). In October 1781, the British army surrendered following the Battle of Yorktown. On 23 Oct 1781, McKean informed Congress that he as Chief Justice of Pensylvania must leave the chair to attend the session of the Supreme Court of Pensylvania. The Congress accepted his resignation the same day and fixed 24 Oct 1781 as the date for election of president, but altered this decision on 25 Oct 1781 and requested McKean "to resume the chair, and act as President till the first Monday in November next."

In 1777-1799 McKean was chief justice of Pennsylvania. In 1799 he succeeded Thomas Mifflin as Governor of Pennsylvania (17 Dec 1799 - 20 Dec 1808) and was twice reelected. [1; 2]