A portrait of John Hanson by John Hesselius, late 1760s.

John Hanson (April 3, 1715 – November 22, 1783) was a delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland. Because he was the first man to serve a full term as President of the Continental Congress under the Articles of Confederation in 1781 and 1782, he has been called the first President of the United States. There have been several people named John Hanson. ... Image File history File links John_Hanson_Portrait_1770. ... Image File history File links John_Hanson_Portrait_1770. ... Roman-Egyptian funeral portrait of a young boy A portrait is a painting (portrait painting), photograph (portrait photography), or other artistic representation of a person, in which the face and its expression is predominant. ... is the 93rd day of the year (94th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1715 (MDCCXV) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Friday of the 11-day slower Julian calendar). ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... The Continental Congress was the first national government of the United States. ... Official language(s) None (English, de facto) Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Area  Ranked 42nd  - Total 12,407 sq mi (32,133 km²)  - Width 101 miles (145 km)  - Length 249 miles (400 km)  - % water 21  - Latitude 37° 53′ N to 39° 43′ N  - Longitude 75° 03′ W to 79° 29... The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress. ... The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, was the first governing document, or constitution, of the United States of America. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  US Government Portal      For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ...

Hanson is one of the most enigmatic figures in US history. He is frequently mentioned in connection with the claim that he was the first President, but fewer facts are clear about his life and accomplishments than is the case with most of his contemporaries. One of the difficulties this caused was that several writers in the 19th century filled in the blanks with fiction. This article presents only those aspects of the man and his character that are either clearly documented or almost universally agreed upon. For various reasons, Hanson has been the subject of a large number of misconceptions or misrepresentations. Pre-Colonial America For details, see the main Pre-Colonial America article. ... John Hanson, sometimes called the First President of the United States, was the President of the Continental Congress in 1781-1782. ...

Personal life

John was the third generation of his family to live in Maryland. Named after his grandfather John, who came from England, he was born near Port Tobacco in Charles County, Maryland. John's parents were Samuel (1684-1740) and Elizabeth Story Hanson (1689-1764) who owned a farm there. John had no extended formal education while growing up in Maryland, but he read broadly in both English and Latin. He followed the family tradition as a planter, extending and improving his holdings. For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Port Tobacco Village is a town located in Charles County, Maryland. ... Charles County is a county in the south central portion of the U.S. state of Maryland. ...

In 1744 he married Jane Contee (born 1728) in Annapolis. They would remain together until his death, and had a large family. Jane survived her husband, dying on March 21, 1812 in Frederick County. Their children included: “Annapolis” redirects here. ... Frederick County is located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland, bordering the southern border of Pennsylvania and the northeastern border of Virginia. ...

• Catherine (1744-1767) married Philip Alexander.
• Jane (1747-1781) married Dr. Philip Thomas and moved to Frederick County.
• Peter (1748-1776) enlisted in the Continental Army. In November of 1776 he was stationed at Fort Washington; killed in action while defending Fort Washington.
• Alexander (1749-1806), known as Alexander Contee Hanson, Sr., became a lawyer and a judge. His son, Alexander Contee Hanson became a US Senator.
• The twins, John and Elizabeth (1751-1753), died as infants.
• Grace (1762-1763) died as an infant.
• A second John (1753-1760) died in childhood.
• Samuel (1756-1781), known as Dr. Samuel Harrison Hanson, became a physician.

John died at his nephew's plantation at Oxon Hill in Prince George's County, Maryland on November 22, 1783. He is buried in a private family graveyard there. Illustration depicting uniforms and weapons used during the 1779 to 1783 period of the American Revolution by showing four soldiers standing in an informal group General George Washington, was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army on June 15, 1775. ... Fort Washington (New York) was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island and was located at the highest point on the island. ... Fort Washington (New York) was a fortified position near the north end of Manhattan Island and was located at the highest point on the island. ... Alexander Contee Hanson (February 27, 1786 – April 23, 1819) was an American lawyer, publisher, and statesman. ... Type Upper House President of the Senate Richard B. Cheney, R since January 20, 2001 President pro tempore Robert C. Byrd, D since January 4, 2007 Members 100 Political groups Democratic Party Republican Party Last elections November 7, 2006 Meeting place Senate Chamber United States Capitol Washington, DC United States... Prince Georges County is located in the U.S. state of Maryland immediately north, east, and south of Washington, D.C. It is the wealthiest majority African-American county in the nation. ... is the 326th day of the year (327th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1783 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

Political career

John Hanson was first elected to represent Charles County in the colonial assembly in 1757. He also served as their representative in 1758-1763, 1765, 1766, 1768-1769. At various times he held several positions in local government, including that of treasurer of Frederick County.^{[1][2][citation needed]} Frederick County is located in the western part of the U.S. state of Maryland, bordering the southern border of Pennsylvania and the northeastern border of Virginia. ...

When the colonial assembly was dismissed or prorogued in 1774, Hanson became a representative in the Annapolis Convention which replaced it as a revolutionary government. Over the next several sessions of that assembly, he gained a reputation as an outspoken supporter of moves towards revolution. His speeches contributed to Delaware's decision to support rebels engaged in the Siege of Boston. A prorogation is the period between two sessions of a legislative body. ... The Annapolis Convention was an Assembly of the Counties of Maryland that functioned as the colonys revolutionary government from 1774 to 1776. ... Combatants New England militia, Continental Army Great Britain Commanders Artemas Ward, George Washington Thomas Gage, William Howe Strength 17,000 The Siege of Boston (April 19, 1775 – March 17, 1776) was the opening phase of the American Revolutionary War, in which New England militiamen—and then the Continental Army—surrounded...

In December of 1779, the Delaware House of Delegates named John Hanson as one of its delegates to the Continental Congress. He began those duties when he took his seat in Philadelphia on June 14, 1780, serving until 1782. While Hanson was in Congress, the Articles of Confederation were at last ratified by all the states. When the Congress received notice of this on March 1, 1781, he joined Daniel Carroll in endorsing them for Delaware. The Continental Congress was the first national government of the United States. ... Nickname: City of Brotherly Love, Philly, the Quaker City Motto: Philadelphia maneto (Let brotherly love continue) Location in Pennsylvania Coordinates: Country United States State Pennsylvania County Philadelphia Founded October 27, 1682 Incorporated October 25, 1701 Mayor John F. Street (D) Area    - City 369. ... is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1780 was a leap year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, was the first governing document, or constitution, of the United States of America. ... Daniel Carroll Daniel Carroll (July 22, 1730–July 5, 1796) was a politician and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. ...

President of Congress

Before the adoption of the Constitution in 1787, the states operated under the direction of the Continental Congress, although they remained in principle a confederation of independent states. Even after the adoption of the Articles of Confederation, there was no executive branch. Therefore the President of the Continental Congress, which was a position similar to a Prime Minister, was the highest authority; under the Articles, the position adopted the title President of the United States in Congress Assembled, and Hanson was the first presiding officer of the Congress to use that title when dealing with foreign governments, diplomats, or treaties. Congress had little authority beyond those powers, which had been specifically delegated to it by the states, and its weakness during this period led directly to a decline in influence and the 1787 Constitution, with a more robust federal model. A confederation is an association of sovereign states or communities, usually created by treaty but often later adopting a common constitution. ... The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, commonly known as the Articles of Confederation, was the first governing document, or constitution, of the United States of America. ... The President of the Continental Congress was the presiding officer of the Continental Congress. ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ...

The bronze statue that stands in the United States Capitol.

Hanson's term as President of Congress, during this critical formation period, did have longstanding influence. Image File history File links Hansonnshc. ... Image File history File links Hansonnshc. ... The United States Capitol is the capitol building that serves as the location for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. ...

Among the accomplishments of Hanson's presidency of Congress:

• Delivered the official Thanks of Congress to George Washington for his victory at Yorktown
• Commended Gen. Lafayette and thanked France for his services
• Pressed states to keep up their commitments to sending delegates to Congress, which was often short of a quorum
• Passed legislation for the Bank of North America, the first central bank
• Appointed a Secretary of the United States to assist in correspondence and record-keeping
• Granted Gen. Washington broad powers to negotiate prisoner exchanges with Britain; Washington immediately worked out a trade of Gen. Cornwallis for Henry Laurens, the first president of the Continental Congress
• Established the United States Mint
• Established the predecessor agency of the State Department
• Proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving holiday
• Created the position of Chairman of Congress, a predecessor of the vice-presidency
• Negotiated a peace treaty with Britain
• Settled a dispute between Connecticut and Pennsylvania, with Hanson acting as an equivalent of Chief Justice
• Called for the first national census

Combatants France United States Great Britain German mercenaries Commanders Jean-Baptiste de Rochambeau François de Grasse Gilbert de La Fayette George Washington Nathanael Greene Charles Cornwallis # Charles O’Hara # Banastre Tarleton # (stationed at Gloucester, Virginia) Strength 10,800 French, 8,845 Americans 7,500 Casualties 62 dead 190 wounded... Lieutenant General & National Guard Commander-in-Chief Lafayette in 1792 at ~35yrs. ... Look up quorum in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... The Bank of North America was chartered in 1781 by the Continental Congress and opened on January 7, 1782, at the prodding of Finance Minister Robert Morris, and was rechartered in 1784. ... Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis (December 31, 1738-October 5, 1805) was a British general and colonial governor. ... Henry Laurens Henry Laurens (1724–1792) was an American merchant and rice planter from South Carolina who became a political leader during the Revolutionary War. ... The Continental Congress was the first national government of the United States. ... Seal of the U.S. Mint The United States Mint primarily produces circulating coinage for the United States to conduct its trade and commerce. ... “Department of State” redirects here. ... For the Canadian holiday, see Thanksgiving (Canada). ... The Vice President of the United States (sometimes referred to as VPOTUS[1] or Veep) is the first in the presidential line of succession, becoming the new President of the United States upon the death, resignation, or removal of the president. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport[3] Largest metro area Hartford Metro Area[2] Area  Ranked 48th  - Total 5,543[4] sq mi (14,356 km²)  - Width 70 miles (113 km)  - Length 110 miles (177 km)  - % water 12. ... Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Area  Ranked 33rd  - Total 46,055 sq mi (119,283 km²)  - Width 280 miles (455 km)  - Length 160 miles (255 km)  - % water 2. ... Federal courts Supreme Court Circuit Courts of Appeal District Courts Elections Presidential elections Midterm elections Political Parties Democratic Republican Third parties State & Local government Governors Legislatures (List) State Courts Local Government Other countries Atlas  Politics Portal      The Chief Justice of the United States is the head of the judicial branch... Image:1870 census Lindauer Weber 01. ...

"First President" claim

Main article: John Hanson (myths)

The origin of the claim that Hanson is the "forgotten" first President stems from a 1932 book by Seymour Wemyss Smith titled John Hanson - Our First President.^[3][4][5] Nevertheless, officially Hanson was the third presiding officer of the Congress of the United States, and he considered himself a successor to the first two men to hold the office, Samuel Huntington and Thomas McKean, who themselves were successors to prior Presidents of the Second Continental Congress. Nor was the office an executive position like the office of President that was created under the Constitution; and unlike the office of President created under the Constitution, the Presidents under the Articles of Confederation were not commander in chief. (The Second Continental Congress had already, in 1775, years before the Articles of Confederation, appointed George Washington commander of the combined militias of the colonies; Washington continued to serve as commander after the Articles of Confederation took effect, until the Revolutionary War had ended.) John Hanson, sometimes called the First President of the United States, was the President of the Continental Congress in 1781-1782. ... Samuel Huntington, 1731-1796, drawn from the life by Du Simitier in Philadelphia; engraved by B.L. Prevost at Paris. ... Thomas McKean Thomas McKean (March 19, 1734–June 24, 1817) was the second President of the United States in Congress assembled, from July 10, 1781, until November 4, 1781. ... John Trumbulls Declaration of Independence depicts the five-man drafting committee presenting the first draft of the Declaration of Independence to the Second Continental Congress. ...

Hanson was, however, the first to serve a full one-year term, and the first to formally use the title President of the United States in Congress Assembled. Also, he was the first to use the shortened title President of the United States on official documents.

Hanson was also the first person to be chosen to the office of "President of the United States in Congress Assembled" after the British surrender in America's Revolutionary War. This, coupled with his being the first to use the title in government correspondence and ceremony, is very likely one of the prime reasons some have viewed him as being differently situated than Samuel Huntington (who already held the office of Continental Congress President when the Articles were adopted) and Thomas McKean (who was the first to begin the office pursuant to a new election held under the Articles, but prior to the surrender of the British).

Legacy

Maryland law specifies that "the Governor annually shall proclaim April 13 as John Hanson's birthday and dedicate that day to the statesman."^[6][7] Also, the John Hanson Highway is named in his honor. There is also a Middle School located in Waldorf, Maryland named after the statesman. is the 103rd day of the year (104th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Routes junctioned Termini are bolded Highways in Maryland Numbered highways - State highways - Minor state highways In Maryland, U.S. Route 50 serves as a major route connecting Washington, DC with Ocean City. ...

In 1903 the state of Maryland donated a bronze statue by Richard E. Brooks to the United States Capitol's National Statuary Hall Collection. It is currently located on the 2nd floor of the Senate connecting corridor. ^[8] The United States Capitol is the capitol building that serves as the location for the United States Congress, the legislative branch of the U.S. federal government. ... Part of the National Statuary Hall Collection The National Statuary Hall Collection in the United States Capitol is comprised of statues donated by individual states to honor persons notable in their history. ...

References

1. ^ James Lucas; E. K. Deaver (1836). Proceedings of the Conventions of the Province of Maryland, Held at the City of Annapolis in 1774, 1775 and 1776. Jonas Green, 40. 
2. ^ Bernard C. Steiner; Herbert Baxter Adams (1902). Johns Hopkins University Studies in Historical and Political Science: Western Maryland in the Revolution. Johns Hopkins University, 45. 
3. ^ Don (unknown) (December 21, 2003). John Hanson — America’s First President?. Anomalistic History.
4. ^ obituary for Seymour Wemyss Smith. Time (January 18, 1932).
5. ^ Klos, Stanley L. (2004). President Who? Forgotten Founders. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: Evisum, Inc., 261. ISBN 0-9752627-5-0. 
6. ^ Article - State Government §13–401..
7. ^ CHAPTER 54 (House Bill 51) (April 13, 1973).
8. ^ John Hanson. Architect of the Capitol.

• Einstein's Refrigerator ISBN 0-7407-1419-8 by Steve Silverman, pp. 101-104
• Dictionary of American Biography Scribner's 1964 edition

External links

• Presidential Biography by Stanley L. Klos
• Hanson's Congressional Biography
• Hanson at Snopes.com