Thomas
McKean was born in Chester County,
Pennsylvania to William and Letitia (Finney) McKean. He attended school in Pennsylvania and studied law in New
Castle, Delaware. He established a large law practice in Delaware,
Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. McKean served in the Delaware Assembly
from 1762 to 1769. From 1765 on, he was an outspoken opponent of
British policies toward the colonies. He represented Delaware in the
Stamp Act Congress in New York and was an active member of the Continental
Congress. In 1774, he moved from New Castle to Philadelphia, but
that did not prevent him from continuing to represent Delaware. When
the vote for independence was scheduled, he realized that his vote for and
George Read's vote against the resolution would cancel each other out and
leave Delaware without a voice on that important question. He sent a
messenger to Caesar Rodney, Delaware's third delegate, then at home in
Dover, urging him to come to Philadelphia to cast his vote for
independence. McKean also participated in drafting Delaware's first
state constitution. In 1777 he served briefly as acting president of
Delaware. He supported the Articles of Confederation, and served as
President of Congress from July 10 to November 5, 1781. McKean later
served twenty-two years on Pennsylvania's Supreme Court and two terms as
governor of Pennsylvania. In 1763 he married Mary Borden, who died
in 1773 after bearing him six children. In 1774 he married Sarach
Armitage, with whom he had five children.
Thomas
McKean