Thomas Mifflin, a descendant of one of the first settlers of
Pennsylvania, was born in Philadelphia in 1744, and educated for
the business of a merchant, which occupation he followed with much
success. In 1772 and the year following, he represented Philadelphia
in the Colonial Legislature, and in 1774 was one of the delegates for
Pennsylvania to the first Congress. After the battle of Lexington he
engaged promptly in enlisting and disciplining troops, being appointed
major. July 4, 1775, Washington made him an aide-de-camp, and in
the August following, quartermaster-general. May 16, 1776, Congress
commissioned him brigadier-general; and Feb. 17, 1777, he was appointed
major-general, in recognition of the skill and efficiency he had
shown in bringing the militia into service, though he failed to give
satisfaction in his capacity of quartermaster. Becoming discontented
during the gloomy period marked by the “retreat through the Jerseys,”
he tendered his resignation. Congress relieved him of his duties as
quartermaster and continued his rank as major-general, but without
the pay. In May, 1778, he rejoined the army, and was a mover in the
conspiracy to substitute Gates for Washington. Feb. 25, 1779, he again
resigned. In 1782, he was elected to the Continental Congress, and
being chosen president of that body the following year, received in
that capacity the commission of Washington when he resigned, on the
23d of December, 1783. Mifflin continued to take an active part in
American politics, and from 1790 to 1799 was Governor of Pennsylvania.
In December of that year he was elected to the State Legislature, and
died while attending its session at Lancaster, Jan. 20, 1800.