Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Thomas MIFFLIN
MIFFLIN, Thomas, delegate and soldier, was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1744; son of John and Elizabeth (Bagnall) Mifflin. His parents were Quakers, and he was educated accordingly. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, A.B., 1760, A.M., 1763, and entered the counting-house of William Coleman. He was married to Sarah, daughter of Morris Morris of Philadelphia. In 1765 he made a tour of Europe, and upon his return entered into a partnership with his brother in Philadelphia. He was one of the two representatives from Philadelphia to the state legislature, 1772-74, and a delegate to the Continental congress, 1774-76. He was among the first to organize and train the newly-enlisted troops; was major of one of the earliest formed regiments, and was at the head of Washington's military family, having been appointed his chief aide-de-camp shortly after the arrival of General Washington at Cambridge. He was appointed quartermaster-general of the army, July 4, 1775,[p.369] and began at once to establish order and place the department on a business basis. He was commissioned brigadier-general, May 19, 1776, and given command of Pennsylvania troops in the New York campaign. He was stationed at Kings Bridge in August, 1776, and after the disastrous battle of Long Island he commanded the rear-guard and was selected to cover the retreat. He was directed by a special act of congress to resume the duties of quartermaster-general as soon as the army had crossed the river, and he was sent to congress by General Washington with a petition for supplies to enable the army to hold its position. He made an address before congress, setting forth the peril of the army and appealing for the means to oppose the advance of the enemy. He was retained in Philadelphia for consultation, and upon the appointment of General Putnam to the command in the city, he was placed in command of the war material and stores. He was sent by congress through the state of Pennsylvania to arouse the people, by personal appeals, to recruit the ranks of the Continental army. In January, 1777, he was commissioned major-general, in acknowledgement of his services, and was appointed a member of the board of war. He resigned his commission in the army on account of impaired health, but his resignation was not accepted by congress, consequently his affairs, left largely to his subordinates, became involved. In March, 1778, General Green was appointed his successor, and with General Gates he was removed from the board of war, and congress ordered an investigation of his conduct as quartermaster-general, during the winter the army was encamped at Valley Forge. He at once demanded an examination of his accounts, and congress revoked the decree, and he again resigned his commission in the army, which congress again refused to accept, and at once ordered $1,000,000 to he placed in his hands with which to pay outstanding claims. In January, 1780, he was appointed by congress a member of the "board to examine and devise means for retrenching the general expenses," and he was tendered a vote of thanks for the "wise and salutary plans recommended." He was again a delegate to congress, 1782-84, and was elected president of congress, Nov. 3, 1783, and in this capacity replied to General Washington's address upon tendering his resignation as commander-in-chief of the army. He was speaker of the state assembly, 1785-88; a member of the constitutional convention of the United States, 1787; a member of the supreme executive council, and succeeded Benjamin Franklin as president, serving 1780-90. He was also president of the council of censors to revise the state constitution in 1790, and was elected first governor under the constitution, Dec. 21, 1790, serving till Dec. 17, 1799. During the whisky insurrection he commanded the militia of Pennsylvania, called out to suppress the insurgents. He was a representative in the state legislature, 1799-1800; a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, 1773-91, and a member of the American Philosophical society, 1765-99. He died during a session of the house of representatives assembled at Lancaster, Pa., Jan. 21, 1800.
Thomas Mifflin. Falls of Schuylkill. Co. of Phila. Nov 29, 1797. Jan 25, 1800. Y.274. To Children of Emily, Wife of Joseph Hopkinson. To Two Children of Frances, Wife of Jonathan Mifflin. To Maria La Grange, Thomas Brown La Grange of State of New York. Sister-in-Law: Susannah Morris. To Emily Hopkinson. Nephews and Nieces: Thomas and Elizabeth Mifflin. Exec: General William Irvine of Carlisle, Caleb Carmalt, Joseph Reed, Son of Late Governor Reed.
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