Philemon Dickinson
This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2010) |
Philemon Dickinson | |
---|---|
United States Senator from New Jersey | |
In office November 23, 1790 – March 3, 1793 | |
Preceded by | William Paterson |
Succeeded by | Frederick Frelinghuysen |
Personal details | |
Born | Trappe, Province of Maryland | April 5, 1739
Died | February 4, 1809 Trenton, New Jersey | (aged 69)
Political party | Pro-Administration |
Military service | |
Allegiance | |
Branch/service | |
Battles/wars | American Revolutionary War |
Philemon Dickinson (April 5, 1739 – February 4, 1809) was an American lawyer and politician from Trenton, New Jersey. As a brigadier general of the New Jersey militia, he was one of the most effective militia officers of the American Revolutionary War. He was also a Continental Congressman from Delaware and a United States Senator from New Jersey.
Background
[edit]Philemon Dickinson was born at "Crosiadore," near Trappe, Maryland on April 5, 1739, a younger brother of Founding Father John Dickinson. When he was one, his family moved to Delaware. He was educated by a private tutor until he went to the University of Pennsylvania, from where he graduated in 1759. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar, but never practiced. In 1767, Dickinson moved to Trenton to an estate called "The Hermitage". On July 14, 1767, he married his first cousin, Mary Cadwalader (1746–1781). They had two children; Samuel (1770–1837) and Mary (1768–1822).
Military service
[edit]Dickinson served as an officer during the American Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of Major General in the New Jersey Militia.
At the beginning of the Revolutionary War in 1775 he was commissioned a colonel of the Hunterdon County militia. In 1776 he was elected as a delegate to New Jersey's Revolutionary provincial congress. In January 1777 Dickinson led 400 of his militia in a raid on a British foraging party near Somerset Court House, New Jersey, capturing about forty wagons of supplies and several prisoners. In June 1777 he was appointed major general in command of all New Jersey militia, a post he held throughout the rest of the war.
In November 1777 Dickinson led 1,400 men in a raid on Staten Island. While the attack was expected by Loyalist General Skinner and repulsed, Dickinson's party killed five and took 24 prisoners. Dickinson took several New Jersey Volunteers prisoner, including Lieutenant Jacob Van Buskirk, Lieutenant Edward Earle and Surgeon John Hammell.[1]
Dickinson's militia took part in the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, helping obstruct the retreat of the British to New York. When his cousin John Cadwalader dueled General Thomas Conway on July 4, 1778, Dickinson was Cadwalader's second.
Post Revolution Public Service
[edit]In 1782 and 1783, he represented Delaware at the Continental Congress. In 1783-84 he was elected to the New Jersey Legislative Council from Hunterdon County where he served as Vice-President of Council both years. He was a member of the commission that selected the site for the national capital in Washington, D.C., in 1784. When William Paterson resigned from the United States Senate, Dickinson was chosen by New Jersey to finish Paterson's term. He served in the senate from November 13, 1790, to March 3, 1793.
Death
[edit]After his service in Congress, he returned to look after his estates until he died on February 4, 1809, at his home, and was buried at Friends Burying Ground in Trenton.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Braisted, Todd W. (September 16, 2014). "How George Washington saved the life of Abraham Van Buskirk's Son". All Things Liberty. Retrieved September 20, 2019.
- ^ Dodge, Andrew R.; Koed, Betty K. (2005). Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-2005. Government Printing Office. p. 958. ISBN 9780160731761.
Bibliography
[edit]- United States Congress. "Philemon Dickinson (id: D000324)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
External links
[edit]- Philemon Dickinson at The Political Graveyard
- Philemon Dickinson at Find a Grave
- Biographical sketch at Virtualology.com (under his brother, John Dickinson)[dead link]
- 1739 births
- 1809 deaths
- People from Talbot County, Maryland
- People from colonial Maryland
- People from colonial New Jersey
- Continental Congressmen from Delaware
- Pro-Administration Party United States senators from New Jersey
- Members of the New Jersey Legislative Council
- People from Kent County, Delaware
- Politicians from Trenton, New Jersey
- University of Pennsylvania alumni
- New Jersey militiamen in the American Revolution
- Militia generals in the American Revolution
- 18th-century American legislators