Arthur St. Clair

Arthur St. Clair (March 23, 1734-1736?–August 31 1818) was the ninth President of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation, holding office from February 2, 1787 to October 29, 1787. He was preceded in office by Nathaniel Gorham and succeeded by Cyrus Griffin. He was also a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and the only territorial governor of Ohio.

Related Topics:
March 23 - 1734 - 1736 - August 31 - 1818 - President of the Continental Congress - Articles of Confederation - February 2 - 1787 - October 29 - Nathaniel Gorham - Cyrus Griffin - Continental Army - American Revolution - Ohio

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St. Clair was born Thurso, Caithness, Scotland on March 23, sometime between 1734 and 1736. He attended the University of Edinburgh and studied medicine under the renowned anatomist William Hunter. In 1757, St. Clair purchased a commission in the British Army and came to America with Admiral Edward Boscawen's fleet for the French and Indian War. He served under General Jeffrey Amherst at the capture of Louisburg, Nova Scotia on July 26, 1758. On April 17, 1759 he received a lieutenant's commission and was assigned to the command of General James Wolfe, under whom he served at the Battle of the Plains of Abraham.

Related Topics:
Thurso - Caithness - Scotland - March 23 - 1734 - 1736 - University of Edinburgh - Medicine - Anatomist - William Hunter - 1757 - British Army - Edward Boscawen - French and Indian War - Jeffrey Amherst - Louisburg, Nova Scotia - July 26 - 1758 - April 17 - 1759 - James Wolfe - Battle of the Plains of Abraham

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On April 16, 1762, he resigned his commission, and in 1764 he settled in Ligonier Valley, Pennsylvania, where he purchased land, and erected mills. He was the largest landowner in western Pennsylvania.

Related Topics:
April 16 - 1762 - 1764 - Pennsylvania

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In 1770 St. Clair became a justice of the court, of quarter sessions and of common pleas, a member of the proprietary council, a justice, recorder, and clerk of the orphans' court, and prothonotary of Bedford and Westmoreland counties.

Related Topics:
1770 - Bedford - Westmoreland

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In 1774, the colony of Virginia took claim of the area around Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and some residents of western Pennsylvania took up arms to reject them. St. Clair issued an order for the arrest of the officer leading the Virginia troops. Lord Dunmore's War eventually settled the boundary dispute.

Related Topics:
1774 - Virginia - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Lord Dunmore's War

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