Joseph Galloway (1731–August 29, 1803) was an AmericanContinental Congress Delegate from Pennsylvania; born at West River, Maryland; moved with his father to Pennsylvania in 1740; received a liberal schooling; studied law; was admitted to the bar and began practice in Philadelphia; member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives 1757-1775, and served as Speaker of the Hosue 1766-1774; Member of the Continental Congress in 1774 when he proposed a plan for Union with Great Britain which would provide the colonies with their own parliament subject to the crown; signed the nonimportation agreement, but was opposed to independence of the 13 colonies and remained loyal to the King.
In December of 1776, Galloway joined the British General Howe and accompanied him on his capture of Philadelphia. During the British occupation he was appointed Superintendent of Police, and headed the civil government. When the British withdrew he went with them, and in 1778 he moved to England. That same year the General Assembly of Pennsylvania convicted him of high treason and confiscated his estates. He died in Watford, Hertfordshire, England on August 29, 1803.
Further reading
John H. Ferling; "The Loyalist Mind: Joseph Galloway and the American Revolution"; 1977, Pennsylvania State Univ Press; ISBN 0271005149.
Galloway was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1757-1775 and served as Speaker of the House from 1766-1774.
Galloway was a member of the Continental Congress in 1774, where he proposed a compromise plan for Union with Great Britain which would provide the colonies with their own parliament subject to the crown.
Galloway urged reform of the imperial administration and was critical of the trade laws, the Stamp Act of 1765, and the Townshend Acts enacted in 1767; and as early as 1765 he had a conciliatory plan to end the disputes between London and the colonies.
Feeds |
Contact