Owen Biddle, Senior was a clockmaker and watchmaker by trade, a merchant in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, an American Revolutionary War Colonel, and an astronomer and scientist
Background
He was a great-grandson of William Biddle, I (1630–1712), and Sarah Kempe (1634–1709), Quakers who emigrated to America in 1681. Owen was a grandson of William Biddle, II (1660–1743), and son of John Biddle, I, (1707–1789), who moved to Philadelphia about 1725 with his brother, William Biddle, III (b 1698–1756). His father prospered as a merchant.
Career
After eight years of formal education, Owen Biddle became a clock and watchmaker. Owen Biddle continued service with the newly constituted Council of Safety from July 24, 1776 to March 13, 1777. In June, 1777, he was appointed Deputy Commissary General of Forage, with the rank of Colonel, by the Continental Congress.
He was one of the committee of thirteen appointed by the Society to observe the transit of Venus on June 3, 1769.
He died on March 10, 1799, in Philadelphia.
Membership
American Philosophical Society. American Academy of Arts and Sciences]
William Biddle was one of the Proprietors of West Jersey, and for many years a member of the Governor"s Council of that colony. He was a delegate to the Provincial Conference January 23, 1775.
Member of the Committee of Safety from June 30, 1775, to July 22, 1776, during which period he served as defacto Governor of Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776, again on July 8 and 10, 1776, and finally on July 16, 1776.
He became a member of the Board of War on March 13, 1777, and was a member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of July 15, 1776. He was an early and active member of the American Philosophical Society, one of its curators from 1769 to 1772, and secretary from 1773 to 1782, when he became one of the councilors, continuing as such until his death.
These observations were made with eminent success by three members of the Committee, David Rittenhouse being stationed at Norristown, Doctor Ewins at Philadelphia, and Owen Biddle at Cape Henlopen, Delaware.