Biography

08/03/1736 - 05/01/1816

General William Montgomery (Democratic-Republican) Huntingdon, Luzerne, and Northumberland Counties 1790-1794 

Early Life: 

General William Montgomery, born August 3, 1736, Londonderry Township, Chester County, Province of Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; son of Alexander and Mary Montgomery; colonel, Fourth Battalion of Chester County Militia, saw action, New York and New Jersey Campaign, Battle of Long Island, Battle of Fort Washington, Battle of Fort Lee, Ten Crucial Days, Revolutionary War; elected Assessor Chester County, 1774-1776; nominated, Delegate (Patriot), Chester County, Committee of Inspection, 1774; nominated, Delegate (Patriot), Chester County, Convention for the Province of Pennsylvania, 1775; nominated, Delegate (Patriot), Chester County, Pennsylvania Provincial Conference, 1776; nominated Delegate (Patriot), Chester County, Pennsylvania Provincial Convention, 1776; elected, Constitutionalist, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania General Assembly (then unicameral), 1780-1783; appointed Deputy Surveyor, Northumberland County, 1783-1807; appointed Trustee, Northumberland County, Dickinson College, 1783; sent to Wyoming, Pennsylvania, 1783 settle boundary disputes; elected, Censor (Constitutionalist), Northumberland County, Council of Censors, 1783-1790; nominated, Delegate, Northumberland County, Congress of the Confederation, 1785 did not serve, resigned nomination, accepted appointment as President Judge; appointed President Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' Court, 1785-1790; Associate Judge, Northumberland County, 1791-1804; Commissioner, Pennsylvania Canal, 1791-1805; elected, Democratic-Republican, Pennsylvania State Senate, 1790- resigned 1794; commissioned, major general, Pennsylvania Militia, 1793-1807; elected, Anti-Administration, United States House of Representatives, 3rd United States Congress 1793-1795; associate judge of Northumberland County, 1801-1813; first postmaster, upon the establishment of a post office, Danville, 1801-1803; died, May 1, 1816 (aged 79), Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania; interment, Old Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Danville, Montour County, Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Politics: 

Elected Assessor Chester County, 1774-1776.

Nominated, Delegate (Patriot), Chester County, Committee of Inspection, 1774; enforced the trade boycott established by the First Continental Congress.

Nominated, Delegate (Patriot), Chester County, Convention for the Province of Pennsylvania, 1775.

Nominated, Delegate (Patriot), Chester County, Pennsylvania Provincial Conference, 1776; Proceedings ("Provincial Conference of Committees of the Province of Pennsylvania") officially declare the Province of Pennsylvania's independence from the British Empire, establish the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, mobilize the Pennsylvania militia for the American Revolutionary War, and set up the machinery for the Pennsylvania Provincial Convention (July 15-September 28, 1776) which frames the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776. As the last holdout of the Thirteen Colonies, they also enable the United States Declaration of Independence to proceed nine days later, which ensures Montgomery's execution if caught by the British. 

Nominated, Delegate (Patriot), Chester County, Pennsylvania Provincial Convention, 1776; His flying camp regiment was deployed by George Washington to reinforce New Jersey before he was able to attend. His daughter-in-law's father, Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Strawbridge, went in his place. 

Elected, Constitutionalist, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania General Assembly (then unicameral), 1780-1783. Served in the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh legislative sessions. Voted in favor of An Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery, the first law adopted by a democracy to end slavery in world history. Chairman, Armed Services Committee - "devised ways and means for the support of the [Continental] army and keeping the ranks full" and "adjust a plan proposed for the greater case of the militia service" 

Appointed, Deputy Surveyor, Northumberland County, 1783-1807; Re-appointed three times, Montgomery's longest-held office. Over his 24-year tenure, it is estimated he surveyed 1,600 tracts comprising ~500,000 acres. 

Appointed, Trustee, Northumberland County, Dickinson College, 1783.

Elected, Censor (Constitutionalist), Northumberland County, Council of Censors – inspired by Ancient Rome, the first, and only, in American history, office established, 1783-1790. Fought to preserve the Constitution of 1776. Endured until the Constitution of 1790 which established the bicameral legislature and abolished the Council of Censors. 

Nominated Delegate, Northumberland County, Congress of the Confederation, 1785; did not serve; resigned nomination, accepted appointment as President Judge. 

Appointed, President Judge, Court of Common Pleas, Quarter Sessions, and Orphans' Court, 1785-1790. Presided over Pennamite–Yankee War claims, 1787-1790.

Elected, Democratic-Republican, original member, Pennsylvania State Senate, Huntingdon, Luzerne, and Northumberland Counties, 1790-1794; Chairman, Appropriations Committee; resigned, replaced by William Hepburn, January 20, 1794.

Associate Judge, Northumberland County, 1791-1804.   

Commissioner, Pennsylvania Canal, 1791–1805.   

Continued Government Service/National Politics:

Elected, Anti-Administration, Pennsylvania's at-large district, United States House of Representatives, 3rd United States Congress, 1793-1795; voted in favor of the Slave Trade Act of 1794, voted in favor of the Naval Act of 1794.

Elected, Elector, Pennsylvania, United States presidential election, 1804, 1808.

Legacy: 

Son, Daniel Montgomery Pennsylvania State Senate, 8th district, Northumberland County, 1804-1806 United States House of Representatives, Pennsylvania 5th district, 1807-1809. Daniel Montgomery  - Pennsylvania Senate Library (pasen.gov) 

Cited:

Cox, Harold. "Senate Members M". Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

Cox, Harold. Senate1790-1869 (wilkes.edu). Wilkes University Election Statistics Project. Wilkes University.

A New Nation Votes (tufts.edu)

GEN William Montgomery (1736-1816) - Find a Grave Memorial