Richard Thomas (Pennsylvania politician)

For other people with the same name, see Richard Thomas (disambiguation).

Richard Thomas
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district
In office March 4, 1795 to March 3, 1801
Preceded by	see below
Succeeded by	Joseph Hemphill
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate from the 9th district
In office 1791–1793
Preceded by	district created
Personal details
Born	December 30, 1744 West Whiteland Township, Province of Pennsylvania, British America
Died	January 19, 1832(1832-01-19) (aged 87) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political party	Federalist

Richard Thomas (December 30, 1744 – January 19, 1832) was an American politician from Pennsylvania who served as a Federalist member of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district from 1795 to 1801. He also served in the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 9th Senatorial District from 1791 to 1793.

Early life and education

Thomas was born in West Whiteland Township in the Province of Pennsylvania and was educated at home by private teachers. He served in the American Revolutionary War as colonel of the First Regiment, Chester County Volunteers of the Pennsylvania militia.^[1] He was of Welsh and English descent.^[2]

Career

Thomas became a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1771^[3] and was later elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 9th Senatorial District serving from 1791 to 1793.^[1]

In 1793, he was appointed a brigadier-general of militia by Governor Thomas Mifflin but declined to accept the role.^[4]

He was elected as a Federalist to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Congresses, serving from March 4, 1795 to March 3, 1801.^[5] He engaged in agricultural pursuits and constructed Ivy Cottage, Whitford Lodge, and Whitford Hall in West Whiteland Township.

Thomas died in Philadelphia in 1832 and is buried at the Friends Western Burial Ground in Philadelphia.

Personal life

Thomas married Thomazine Downing, grand-daughter of Thomas Downing, founder of Downingtown, Pennsylvania.^[6]

References

1. "Richard Thomas". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
2. Welsh Founders of Pennsylvania.
3. "APS Member History".
4. Futhey, James Smith (1881). History of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts. p. 742. Retrieved December 22, 2018. richard thomas pennsylvania.
5. Ashmeade, Henry Graham (1884). History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: L.H. Everts & Co. p. 272. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
6. Browning, Charles Henry (1912). Welsh Settlement of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: William J. Campbell. p. 211. ISBN 9780608363837. Retrieved December 23, 2018.

• United States Congress. "Richard Thomas (id: T000183)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• The Political Graveyard

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by At large on a General ticket: Thomas Fitzsimons, John W. Kittera, Thomas Hartley, Thomas Scott, James Armstrong, Peter G. Muhlenberg, Andrew Gregg, Frederick A.C. Muhlenberg, Daniel Hiester, William Irvine, William Findley, John Smilie, and William Montgomery	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district 1795–1801	Succeeded by Joseph Hemphill
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by district created	Member of the Pennsylvania Senate 9th District 1791-1793	Succeeded by William Ross