HARRISON, Benjamin, Congress, VA (1726-1791)

HARRISON, Benjamin, (father of Carter Bassett Harrison and William Henry Harrison, grandfather of John Scott Harrison, great-grandfather of Benjamin Harrison [1833-1901] and great-great-great grandfather of William Henry Harrison [1896-]), a Delegate from Virginia; born on the plantation “Berkeley,” Charles City County, Va., April 5, 1726; pursued classical studies and attended the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Va.; member of the colonial house of burgesses 1749-1775; member of the Virginia revolutionary convention in March, July, and December, 1775; Member of the Continental Congress 1774-1777; as chairman of the Committee of the Whole House he reported the resolution on June 10, 1776, offered three days before by Richard Henry Lee, declaring the independence of the American Colonies, and reported the Declaration of Independence, of which he was one of the signers, on July 4, 1776; resigned in 1778; member of the State house of delegates 1776-1782 and 1787-1791 and served as speaker 1778-1782, 1785, and 1786; Governor of Virginia 1782-1784; delegate to the State convention for the ratification of the Federal Constitution in 1788; died at his home, “Berkeley,” Charles City County, Va., April 24, 1791.

Bibliography Smith, Howard W. (Howard William). Benjamin Harrison and the American Revolution . Edward M. Riley, editor. Williamsburg, Va.: Virginia Independence Bicentennial Commission, 1978.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present