The First 14 Presidents 1774 - 1788

There are some armchair historians who will argue that George Washington was not the first President in the colonies.

They are right, but only to a point.  

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From 1774 to 1788, the colonies were governed by the First Continental Congress, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Presidents were elected by their committee, not by the citizens.  There were at least 14 Presidents before George Washington, but the job wasn't the same as held by present-day Presidents.


It comes down to the use of the word "President" and what they thought it meant.


The title "President" was chosen because the person was elected to "preside" over a group, which was how the word "president" was defined.


The President served as a chairman and he was nothing more than a glorified referee of meetings that were often very volatile.  


A new President was elected every time the Congress met.  Their terms of office were often pretty short because some resigned due to other jobs or responsibilities.    

First President Randolph

Peyton Randolph, a planter from Virginia, was elected as the first President by the First Continental Congress in 1774 in Philadelphia, the nation's capital. He served from September 5, 1774 to October 22, 1774.

Peyton Randolph

President Henry Middleton

Henry Middleton, a very wealthy plantation owner from South Carolina, took over for him but only for 4 days until Congress adjourned during which time no one served as President from October 22, 1774 to May 10, 1774.

President Peyton Randolph

Peyton Randolph was elected again from May 10, 1775 to May 24, 1775, then he resigned because he took ill; he died the same year. 

President John Hancock

John Hancock, a merchant from Massachusetts, took over from May 24, 1775 until October 28, 1777 until the start of the Revolutionary War. He has the distinction of being the only President to hold office for two years and five months. All others served from four days to about nine months.  John Hancock later served as the First and Third Governor of Massachusetts.

John Hancock

President John Jay

John Jay, who was President of the Continental Congress from  1778-1779, also served as the first Chief Justice of the United States.

President Thomas McKean

Thomas McKean who was President in 1781, resigned to serve as Governor of Pennsylvania.

President Cyrus Griffin

The last President of the Continental Congress was lawyer and judge Cyrus Griffin, who resigned in 1788 when the first general election was won by George Washington.

George Washington

President George Washington

George Washington was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army from June 15, 1775 until he resigned on  December 23, 1783 to become President. He served the Continental Army for a total of 8 years, 6 months, 8 days.  The Army eliminated the title and position and replaced with Senior Officer of the Army, and today is known as Chief of Staff of the US Army.


George Washington served as the First President of the United States from April 30, 1789 until March 4, 1797.  He retains the title "Commander-in-Chief" and it has been passed on to each President.





Source:
Atlanta Blackstar



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