Van Dyke, Nicholas, 1738-1789

VAN DYKE, Nicholas, (Father of Nicholas Van Dyke [1770-1826]), a Delegate from Delaware; born in New Castle County, Del., September 25, 1738; studied law in Philadelphia, Pa.; admitted to the bar in 1765 and commenced practice in New Castle County; delegate to the State constitutional convention in July 1776; elected a member of the Council of Delaware in 1777, serving as speaker in 1779; appointed judge of admiralty February 21, 1777; Member of the Continental Congress 1777-1781; a signer of the Articles of Confederation; served as President of Delaware from February 1, 1783, to October 27, 1786; died in New Castle County, Del., February 19, 1789; interment in Immanuel Churchyard, New Castle, Del.

<p>Nicholas Van Dyke (September 25, 1738 – February 19, 1789) was an American Founding Father, lawyer, and politician from New Castle, in New Castle County, Delaware. He served in the Delaware General Assembly, in the Continental Congress, where he signed the Articles of Confederation, and as President of Delaware.</p>

<p>Van Dyke was born at Berwick, his family's home in St. George's Hundred, New Castle County, Delaware, near the present location of Delaware City. He was the son of Nicholas and Rachael Alee Van Dyke, whose father, Andrew Van Dyke, had moved there from Long Island in New York in 1704. Young Nicholas was educated at home, then read law in Philadelphia where he was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar in 1765.</p>

<p>Van Dyke returned to New Castle where he lived with his family and began a law practice. He married twice, first in 1766 to Elizabeth Nixon who died in 1770, two weeks after the birth of Nicholas. After her death he married Charlotte Stanley. They made their home in New Castle and had several more children. They were members of Immanuel Episcopal Church.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>02/01/1783 President of Delaware Won 60.00% (+20.00%)</li>
<li>10/01/1782 DE House - New Castle Won 14.29% (+0.00%)</li>
<li>10/01/1781 DE House - New Castle Won 14.29% (+0.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1780 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>10/01/1780 DE House - New Castle Won 14.29% (+0.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1779 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>10/01/1779 DE House - New Castle Won 14.29% (+0.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1778 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>10/01/1778 DE House - New Castle Won 14.29% (+0.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1777 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1776 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>