Thomas Mifflin, a descendant of one of the first settlers of Pennsylvania, was born in Philadelphia in 1744, and educated for the business of a merchant, which occupation he followed with much success. In 1772 and the year following, he represented Philadelphia in the Colonial Legislature, and in 1774 was one of the delegates for Pennsylvania to the first Congress. After the battle of Lexington he engaged promptly in enlisting and disciplining troops, being appointed major. July 4, 1775, Washington made him an aide-de-camp, and in the August following, quartermaster-general. May 16, 1776, Congress commissioned him brigadier-general; and Feb. 17, 1777, he was appointed major-general, in recognition of the skill and efficiency he had shown in bringing the militia into service, though he failed to give satisfaction in his capacity of quartermaster. Becoming discontented during the gloomy period marked by the “retreat through the Jerseys,” he tendered his resignation. Congress relieved him of his duties as quartermaster and continued his rank as major-general, but without the pay. In May, 1778, he rejoined the army, and was a mover in the conspiracy to substitute Gates for Washington. Feb. 25, 1779, he again resigned. In 1782, he was elected to the Continental Congress, and being chosen president of that body the following year, received in that capacity the commission of Washington when he resigned, on the 23d of December, 1783. Mifflin continued to take an active part in American politics, and from 1790 to 1799 was Governor of Pennsylvania. In December of that year he was elected to the State Legislature, and died while attending its session at Lancaster, Jan. 20, 1800.