Tilghman, Matthew, 1718-1790

TILGHMAN, Matthew, a Delegate from Maryland; born at the ``Hermitage,'' near Centerville, Queen Annes County, Md., February 17, 1718; was tutored privately; justice of the peace for Talbot County; member of the Maryland House of Delegates 1751-1777, serving as speaker 1773-1775; president of the Revolutionary convention that directed the affairs of the colony 1774-1777; member of the committee appointed to draw up the protest against the Stamp Act; chairman of the committee of correspondence in 1774; Member of the Continental Congress 1774-1776; was summoned from his seat in Congress to attend the convention at Annapolis, Md., convening June 21, 1776, and served as president of that body; chairman of the committee of safety in 1775; chairman of the committee which prepared the first declaration and charter of rights and plan of government (constitution) for the State of Maryland; elected as a member of the State senate in 1777; reelected, but resigned before the expiration of his term; was an extensive land owner and engaged in planting; died at his home ``Rich Neck,'' near Claiborne, Talbot County, Md., May 4, 1790; interment in the family cemetery at ``Rich Neck.''

<p>Matthew Tilghman (February 17, 1718 – May 4, 1790) was an American Founding Father, planter, and Revolutionary leader from Maryland. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress from 1774 to 1776, where he signed the 1774 Continental Association.</p>

<p>Matthew was born on the family plantation, The Hermitage, near Centreville in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. He was educated through private tutoring before moving to Talbot County on the Eastern Shore (of Chesapeake Bay). Tilghman married Anne Lloyd (1723–1794) on April 6, 1741. The couple took up residence on a large plantation in Claiborne, Maryland known as Rich Neck Manor.</p>

<p>Tilghman's first public service was as a Justice of the Peace for Talbot County. In 1751 he was elected to the Maryland House of Delegates. He would serve there through the remainder of its service to the Colony, although in 1760 and 1761 he represented Queen Anne's County. (Maryland, like several other colonies, permitted a representative to be elected by any district in which he owned property.) He was elected the Speaker of the House from 1773 to its end in 1775.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>02/13/1777 MD Governor Lost 1.92% (-75.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1775 MD Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1774 MD Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>08/01/1774 MD Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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