Thomas McKean

Thomas McKean (March 19, 1734–June 24, 1817) was an American lawyer and politician from New Castle, Delaware in New Castle County and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, the second President of the U.S. Congress under the Articles of Confederation, Governor of Delaware, Chief Justice and Governor of Pennsylvania. McKean is pronounced as "McKeen."

Legal career

McKean's education began at the Reverend Francis Allison's New London Academy. At the age of 16 McKean went to New Castle, Delaware to began the study of law under his cousin, David Finney. He admitted to the bar in Delaware, or the Lower Counties as they were known, in 1755. In 1756 he was appointed deputy Attorney General for Sussex County, Delaware. From 1763 through 1776 he was a member of the Delaware House of Assembly, serving as its Speaker in 1772. From July 1765 he also served as a judge of the Court of Common Pleas and began as a customs collector at New Castle in 1771. In the November 1765 this Court of Common Pleas became the first such court in the colonies to establish a rule that all the proceedings of the court be recorded on un-stamped paper. He even secured a license to practice law, in absentia, at the Middle Temple in London. {{ref|DTG1}}

Related Topics:
New Castle - Delaware - 1755 - 1756 - Sussex County - 1763 - 1776 - Delaware House of Assembly - 1772

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~