Biddle, Edward, 1738-1779

<p>Edward Biddle (1738–1779) was an American Founding Father, soldier, lawyer, and statesman from Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774 and 1775 and a signatory to the Continental Association.</p>

<p>Biddle was the son of William (1698–1756) and Mary (Scull) (1709–1790) Biddle. He was born in 1738 at Philadelphia and had nine brothers and sisters, although two died in infancy. His formal education was limited to the common (public) schools and ended at about age fourteen. When the French and Indian War began in 1754, he joined the provincial forces as an ensign. By the time he left the service, at the end of the war in 1763 he had been promoted to captain.</p>

<p>On June 6, 1761, Edward married Elizabeth Ross, the sister of George Ross. After the war he read law in the offices of her brother. By 1767 he had been admitted to the bar, and the couple moved to Reading where he began his practice. Although the couple had no children, they both came from large families. Betsy Ross who gained fame as the seamstress of the first American flag was the wife of her nephew. He was the uncle of Congressman Richard Biddle and financier Nicholas Biddle.</p>

BIDDLE, Edward, (Uncle of Richard Biddle), a Delegate from Pennsylvania; born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1738; entered the provincial army as an ensign in 1754, promoted to lieutenant and captain, and served until 1763, when he resigned; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Reading, Pa.; member of the State assembly 1767-1775, serving as speaker in 1774; member of the provincial convention held at Philadelphia in 1775; again a member of the State assembly in 1778; Member of the Continental Congresses in 1774 and 1775; died at Chatsworth, near Baltimore, Md., September 5, 1779; interment in St. Paul's Churchyard, Baltimore, Md.

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/31/1774 PA Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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