John Barclay (mayor)

John Barclay (January 22, 1749 – September 15, 1824) was an American soldier, politician, and jurist. He served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as President Judge of the Courts of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, alderman in Philadelphia and as Mayor of Philadelphia from 1791 to 1793. He worked as president of the Bank of Pennsylvania and was one of the founders of the Insurance Company of North America. He served as a Federalist member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 1st district from 1811 to 1813.

Early life

Barclay was born in Ballyshannon, Ireland. He emigrated to America just before 1779 and lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Career

He worked as a shipping merchant and served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He enlisted in 1775 and was commissioned an ensign in 1776; he was eventually promoted to lieutenant and captain. He retired from the Continental Army in 1782.

He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1782 and rose to President Judge of the Courts of Bucks County in 1789.

He was one of the fifteen aldermen selected to serve in Philadelphia under the city charter of April 1790. He was a member of the Constitutional convention of 1790 and served as mayor of Philadelphia from 1791 to 1792.[1]

He became president of the Bank of Pennsylvania after the Pennsylvania Assembly established its charter in 1793.[2]

He was one of the founders of the Insurance Company of North America in 1792 and served as a director through 1793.

He was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 1st district and served from 1811 to 1813.[3]

He died in Philadelphia in 1824 and is interred in the Neshaminy-Warwick Cemetery in Hartsville, Pennsylvania.[4]

Personal life

He was married twice. He married his second wife, Mary Searle at Christ Church in Philadelphia on December 11, 1781 and together they had five children.

Legacy

The John Barclay Elementary School in Warrington, Pennsylvania, is named for him.[5]

References
  1. "Mayors of Philadelphia". www.phila.gov. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  2. St. George Joyce, John (1919). Story of Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Rex print. house. p. 188. Retrieved 6 January 2019. john barclay mayor philadelphia.
  3. "John Barclay". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  4. "John Barclay". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  5. "School History". www.cbsd.org. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by
Samuel Miles		 Mayor of Philadelphia
1791		 Succeeded by
Matthew Clarkson
Pennsylvania State Senate
Preceded by
Melchior Rahm		 Member of the Pennsylvania Senate 1st District
1811-1813		 Succeeded by
Nicholas Biddle


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