John Barclay
Mayor of Philadelphia
In office
1791–1792
Member of the Pennsylvania Senate
from the District 1 district
In office
1811–1813
Personal details
BornJanuary 22, 1749
Ballyshannon, Ireland
DiedSeptember 15, 1824
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Political partyFederalist

John Barclay (January 22, 1749 – September 15, 1824) was an American soldier, politician, and jurist. He served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as President Judge of the Courts of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, alderman in Philadelphia and as Mayor of Philadelphia from 1791 to 1793. He worked as president of the Bank of Pennsylvania and was one of the founders of the Insurance Company of North America. He served as a Federalist member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 1st district from 1811 to 1813.

Early life

Barclay was born in Ballyshannon, Ireland[1][2] on January 22, 1749.[3] He emigrated to America just before 1779[2] and lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Career

He worked as a shipping merchant and served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He enlisted in 1775 and was commissioned an ensign in 1776; he was eventually promoted to lieutenant and captain. He retired from the Continental Army in 1781.[3]

He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1782 and rose to President Judge of the Courts of Bucks County in 1789.[3]

He was one of the fifteen aldermen selected to serve in Philadelphia under the city charter of April 1790. He was a member of the Constitutional convention of 1790 and served as mayor of Philadelphia from 1791 to 1792.[4]

He became president of the Bank of Pennsylvania after the Pennsylvania Assembly established its charter in 1793.[5]

He was one of the founders of the Insurance Company of North America in 1792 and served as a director through 1793.[3]

He was elected to the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 1st district and served from 1811 to 1813.[2]

Personal life

He was married twice. He married his second wife, Mary Searle at Christ Church in Philadelphia on December 11, 1781, and together they had five children.[2]

He died in Philadelphia in 1824 and was interred in the Neshaminy Church Cemetery in Warwick Township, Pennsylvania.[6]

Legacy

The John Barclay Elementary School in Warrington, Pennsylvania, is named for him.[7]

References

  1. ↑ Poxon, Marita (2013). Irish Philadelphia. Arcadia Publishing. p. 19. ISBN 9780738597706.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "John Barclay". www.legis.state.pa.us. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Bucks County Historical Society Papers. Vol. VIII. Bucks County Historical Society. 1940. pp. 10–12.
  4. ↑ "Mayors of Philadelphia". www.phila.gov. Retrieved 6 January 2019.
  5. ↑ St. George Joyce, John (1919). Story of Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Rex print. house. p. 188. Retrieved 6 January 2019. john barclay mayor philadelphia.
  6. ↑ Moffat, R. Burnham (1904). The Barclays of New York. Robert Grier Cooke. p. 255.
  7. ↑ "School History". www.cbsd.org. Retrieved 6 January 2019.


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