John Dickinson

1732	Born, November 13, in Talbot County, Maryland
1741	Moved to Kent County, Delaware, near Dover, now "The Dickinson Plantation"
1750	Age 18, began study of law with John Moland in Philadelphia
1753	Continued study of Law at London's Middle Temple; admitted to Delaware Bar.
1757	Returned to Philadelphia to practice law.
1759	Elected to the Assembly of the Lower Three Counties (Delaware).
1760	Became Speaker of the Assembly of the Lower Three Counties.
1761	Served in the Pennsylvania legislature; chosen its representative to the Stamp Act Congress and the "Continental Congress"
1762	Served in both Pennsylvania. and Delaware Assemblies
1764	Lost the Pennsylvania legislature seat because of his defence of the proprietary government against Benjamin Franklin's faction.
1765	Played a key role in debates over the Stamp Act. Wrote The Late Regulations Respecting the British Colonies Considered, urging repeal of the Stamp Act.
1767	Wrote for the Pennsylvania Chronicle the series of articles known as Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania attacking British taxation policies. Emphasized the possibility of a peaceful resolution. He became the "first native political hero," and was awarded the LLD degree from the College of New Jersey (Princeton) , and Paul Revere engraved his likeness.
1768	Championed colonial resistance to taxes inform of non-importation and non-exportation agreements.
1770	Married Mary Norris, daughter of wealthy merchant Isaac Norris (of five children, only daughters Sally and Maria survived to maturity)
1774	Though unpopular because of his opposition to use of force, he chaired the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence.
1775	After Lexington and Concord he still worked for peace, but held rank of colonel in the First Battalion recruited to defend Philadelphia. Served in the Second Continental Congress and wrote "Declaration of the Causes of Taking up Arms."
1776	Spring of 1776, he stayed at Poplar Hall, his home near Dover, DE. Part of his reason for opposing separation from Britain was "that the States had no settled governments of their own, had received no foreign aid, and had not yet set up a working confederation." Knowing well that his action would be devastating to his standing, he did not sign the Declaration of Independence. Nevertheless. he became one of only two contemporary congress members who entered military service in the Pennsylvania militia. Resigned
1777	In August, with Lord Howe marching troops toward Philadelphia, he enlisted as a private under command of Gen. Caesar Rodney, but saw no action. In October, his home, "Fairhill," was burned during the Battle of Germantown. He freed all the slaves at Poplar Hall in Delaware.
1779	He helped draft the Articles of Confederation and signed them. Poplar Hall was plundered by Tories who looted or destroyed silver chests, meat, wine, etc.
1781	Chosen Governor (President) of Delaware.
1782-85	Served as Governor of Pennsylvania. He donated 500 acres in Adams and Cumberland Counties to create Dickinson College near Carlisle. Gave 1500 books to that college's library.
1786	Elected President of the Annapolis Convention
1787	Helped draft the U.S. Constitution, and signed it for Delaware.
1792-94	Elected to the Delaware State Senate. He owned 1,279 acres in Pennsylvania. and 5,587 acres in Delaware. He furthered the cause of abolition of slavery. Much of his wealth was donated to "relief of the unhappy." He helped pay for neighbours' children's education, prison relief and other charities.
1801	Published two volumes of his collected works on politics.
1803	Wife Mary died on July 23.
1804	Poplar Hall burned; afterwards he lived in Wilmington. corner of 8th & Market.
1808	On February 14, 1808, age 75, he died, was buried in Friends Burial Ground in Wilmington

John Dickinson

John Dickinson

1732

Born, November 13, in Talbot County, Maryland

1741

Moved to Kent County, Delaware, near Dover, now "The Dickinson Plantation"

1750

Age 18, began study of law with John Moland in Philadelphia

1753

Continued study of Law at London's Middle Temple; admitted to Delaware Bar.

1757

Returned to Philadelphia to practice law.

1759

Elected to the Assembly of the Lower Three Counties (Delaware).

1760

Became Speaker of the Assembly of the Lower Three Counties.

1761

Served in the Pennsylvania legislature; chosen its representative to the Stamp Act Congress and the "Continental Congress"

1762

Served in both Pennsylvania. and Delaware Assemblies

1764

Lost the Pennsylvania legislature seat because of his defence of the proprietary government against Benjamin Franklin's faction.

1765

Played a key role in debates over the Stamp Act. Wrote The Late Regulations Respecting the British Colonies Considered, urging repeal of the Stamp Act.

1767

1768

Championed colonial resistance to taxes inform of non-importation and non-exportation agreements.

1770

Married Mary Norris, daughter of wealthy merchant Isaac Norris (of five children, only daughters Sally and Maria survived to maturity)

1774

Though unpopular because of his opposition to use of force, he chaired the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence.

1775

After Lexington and Concord he still worked for peace, but held rank of colonel in the First Battalion recruited to defend Philadelphia. Served in the Second Continental Congress and wrote "Declaration of the Causes of Taking up Arms."

1776

1777

In August, with Lord Howe marching troops toward Philadelphia, he enlisted as a private under command of Gen. Caesar Rodney, but saw no action. In October, his home, "Fairhill," was burned during the Battle of Germantown. He freed all the slaves at Poplar Hall in Delaware.

1779

He helped draft the Articles of Confederation and signed them. Poplar Hall was plundered by Tories who looted or destroyed silver chests, meat, wine, etc.

1781

Chosen Governor (President) of Delaware.

1782-85

Served as Governor of Pennsylvania. He donated 500 acres in Adams and Cumberland Counties to create Dickinson College near Carlisle. Gave 1500 books to that college's library.

1786

Elected President of the Annapolis Convention

1787

Helped draft the U.S. Constitution, and signed it for Delaware.

1792-94

Elected to the Delaware State Senate. He owned 1,279 acres in Pennsylvania. and 5,587 acres in Delaware. He furthered the cause of abolition of slavery. Much of his wealth was donated to "relief of the unhappy." He helped pay for neighbours' children's education, prison relief and other charities.

1801

Published two volumes of his collected works on politics.

1803

Wife Mary died on July 23.

1804

Poplar Hall burned; afterwards he lived in Wilmington. corner of 8th & Market.

1808

On February 14, 1808, age 75, he died, was buried in Friends Burial Ground in Wilmington

After Lexington and Concord he still worked for peace, but held rank of colonel in the First Battalion recruited to defend Philadelphia.
Served in the Second Continental Congress and wrote "Declaration of the Causes of Taking up Arms."

In August, with Lord Howe marching troops toward Philadelphia, he enlisted as a private under command of Gen. Caesar Rodney, but saw no action.
In October, his home, "Fairhill," was burned during the Battle of Germantown. He freed all the slaves at Poplar Hall in Delaware.

He helped draft the Articles of Confederation and signed them.
Poplar Hall was plundered by Tories who looted or destroyed silver chests, meat, wine, etc.