Langworthy, Edward, 1738-1802

LANGWORTHY, Edward, a Delegate from Georgia; born in Savannah, Ga., in 1738; attended a school kept in connection with the Bethesda Orphan House, of which he was an inmate, and later became an instructor in the institution; assisted in organizing the Georgia Council of Safety and became secretary of the council December 11, 1775; Member of the Continental Congress 1777-1779; signer of the Articles of Confederation; moved to Baltimore, Md., in 1785; engaged in newspaper work until 1787; teacher of the classics in Baltimore Academy 1787-1791; moved to Elkton, Md., about 1791, where he was engaged in writing a history of Georgia; returned to Baltimore in 1795; clerk of customs from that time until his death in Baltimore, Md., November 2, 1802.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1778 GA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1777 GA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1776 GA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>

<p>Edward Langworthy (1738–1802) was an American Founding Father and teacher who was a delegate to the Continental Congress from Georgia. He signed the Articles of Confederation.

Langworthy was born in Savannah, Georgia, in 1738. Nothing is known of his ancestors since he was a foundling. He was raised in the Bethesda Orphan House at Savannah and was educated in the school there. He later taught in that same school. Since he was born only five years after James Oglethorpe shipped the first colonists to Georgia, it is likely that his parents were included with those recruited from debtors' prisons or poorhouses.</p>

<p>Langworthy began working with Georgia's Committee of Safety and was their secretary when they became a revolutionary Council of Safety on December 11, 1775. The Georgia assembly sent him to the Continental Congress in 1777, and he arrived in time to sign the Articles of Confederation. He served in the Congress until 1779.</p>

<p>Edward moved to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1785. He married a young lady named Wright, and the couple had four children. He also bought a part interest in a newspaper <i>The Maryland Journal & Baltimore Advertiser</i> and became its editor. In 1787, he sold his interest and became an instructor at the Baltimore Academy.</p>

<p>In 1795, Langworthy was made the clerk of customs for Baltimore, a post he held until his death. He died of yellow fever on November 2, 1802, and was buried at the Old Episcopal Church. The church was torn down in 1891, and details of any re-interment are unknown.</p>