Revolutionary War Continental Army Officer, Continental Congressman, US Congressman. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a wealthy family, he was educated at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University), where he studied law and was mentored by future Declaration of Independence Signer Richard Stockton, whose sister he would marry. An ardent patriot, after the Revolutionary war began would provide monetary assistance to field commanders, and rebel spies operating in New York City, New York. He was commissioned as a Colonel in the Continental Army, and in May 1777 was appointed as Commissary General for Prisoners. While performing his army duties he was elected as a delegate to the Continental Congress, but could not assume his seat until he resigned his Army commission in May 1778. He served though the end of the year, and was re-elected to Congress in 1781. In 1782 he was elected as President of the Continental Congress, serving until 1783. During his tenure as President he signed the preliminary articles of peace that was a precursor to the Treaty of Paris that officially ended the Revolutionary War. Also during his tenure, the Congress relocated to Princeton, New Jersey after Philadelphia became a hotbed of unrest when returning soldiers took to the streets there demanding back pay for their service. After the United States Constitution was ratified in 1789, he was elected along with Lambert Cadwalader, James Schureman, and Thomas Sinnickson as New Jersey's first four Congressman to the newly-created United States House of Representatives. He served through three terms, leaving office in 1795. In October 1795 he was appointed as Director of the United States Mint in Philadelphia, a position he held until 1805. He was one of the founders of the American Bible Society, and served as one of its early presidents. He was also a vocal advocate for equality and civil rights for African-Americans and Native Americans, and uses his law experience to defend African-Americans in court without pay. He was eighty-one years old when he died in his home in Burlington, New Jersey in 1821. His daughter was married to William Bradford, who served as the second Attorney General of the United States.