The first Council of Safety for the counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex convened at Dover on 11 Sep 1775. John McKinly was chosen as President, and James Sykes as secretary. The council continued its sessions through 16 Sep 1775, inclusively. The precise manner in which the original members of the Council received their authority or appointments remains uncertain.

On 20 Oct 1775, the Assembly for the Government of the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex upon Delaware, sitting at New Castle, formally elected the members of the Council of Safety.

The Council of Safety met on 8 Jan 1776 and elected John McKinly as President, and John Chew as secretary. The last known meeting of the council as found in the extant minutes was held on 13 Jan 1776.