Dickinson, Philemon, 1739-1809

DICKINSON, Philemon, (Brother of John Dickinson), a Delegate from Delaware and a Senator from New Jersey; born at 'Crosia-dore,' near Trappe, Talbot County, Md., April 5, 1739; moved with his parents to Dover, Del., in 1740, where he received his education from a private tutor; graduated in the first class of the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1759; superintended his father's estates in Delaware until 1760; studied law in Philadelphia; admitted to the bar, but never practiced; moved to Trenton, N.J., in 1767; delegate to the New Jersey Provincial Congress in 1776; served in the Revolutionary War; was commissioned brigadier general in 1776, and in 1777 major general commanding the New Jersey Militia, serving in the latter capacity throughout the Revolution; Member of the Continental Congress from Delaware 1782-1783; vice president of the Council of New Jersey 1783-1784; member of the commission to choose a site for the national capital in 1784; elected to the United States Senate from New Jersey to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of William Paterson and served from November 23, 1790, to March 3, 1793; was not a candidate for renomination; devoted his time to the care of his estates; died at his home, 'The Hermitage,' near Trenton, N.J., February 4, 1809; interment in the Friends Meeting House Burying Ground, Trenton, N.J.

<p>Philemon Dickinson (April 5, 1739 – February 4, 1809) was an American lawyer and politician from Trenton, New Jersey. As a brigadier general of the New Jersey militia, he was one of the most effective militia officers of the American Revolutionary War. He was also a Continental Congressman from Delaware and a United States Senator from New Jersey.</p>

<p>Philemon Dickinson was born at "Crosiadore," near Trappe, Maryland on April 5, 1739, a younger brother of Founding Father John Dickinson. When he was one, his family moved to Delaware. He was educated by a private tutor until he went to the University of Pennsylvania, from where he graduated in 1759. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar, but never practiced. In 1767, Dickinson moved to Trenton to an estate called "The Hermitage". On July 14, 1767, he married his first cousin, Mary Cadwalader (1746–1781). They had two children; Samuel (1770–1837) and Mary (1768–1822).</p>

<p>Dickinson served as an officer during the American Revolutionary War, rising to the rank of Major General in the New Jersey Militia.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>12/02/1790 NJ US Senate - Special Election Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1782 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1781 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
</ul>