Background
Thomas Hartley was born on September 7, 1748, in Colebrookdale, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of George Hartley, early settler and well-to-do farmer. He was born of an English family.
Thomas Hartley was born on September 7, 1748, in Colebrookdale, Pennsylvania, United States, the son of George Hartley, early settler and well-to-do farmer. He was born of an English family.
Receiving a liberal education at Reading, at eighteen Thomas went to York, Pennsylvania, to study law with Samuel Johnston, a relative.
Thomas Hartley was admitted to the bar in 1769 and soon acquired a lucrative practice. In the Revolution Hartley enthusiastically embraced the colonial cause. He was vice-president of the York County Committee of Observation in 1774 and 1775; deputy to the provincial conferences at Philadelphia in July 1774 and January 1775; and a lieutenant (later lieutenant-colonel) of Associators. On January 10, 1776, Congress elected him lieutenant-colonel of the 6th Battalion of the Pennsylvania Line, with which unit he served in the Canadian campaign. In 1777 he commanded the 16t Pennsylvania Brigade at Brandywine, Germantown, and Paoli, playing a conspicuous part in the defense of Philadelphia. On February 13, 1779, he resigned his commission to accept a seat in the Pennsylvania Assembly. Hartley spent the remainder of his life as a lawyer and politician.
In the Council of Censors (1783 - 1884), Hartley advocated revision of the radical state constitution. In the state ratifying convention (1787) he was an outspoken champion of the Federal Constitution. From 1789 t0 1800 he was in Congress. He favored Wright’s Ferry on the Susquehanna for the permanent seat of government. Pleading ill health and derangement of his private affairs, he resigned on September 8, 1800. Before the end of that year he died.
(The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)
(The 18th century was a wealth of knowledge, exploration a...)
(Molly Sparks was still wearing her lab coat when a Chevy ...)
(This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curat...)
An avowed Federalist, Hartley vigorously supported Hamilton’s financial program, excepting his assumption plan, advocated protection for manufactures and an adequate military establishment. Although irritated by England’s commercial policy, he considered war imprudent and opposed higher duties on British manufactures because they would cut off the revenue which was paying the national debt.
Quotations: “The nation which is prepared for war can most easily obtain peace. ”
Hartley was among the original members of the Society of the Cincinnati.
Hartley was a fluent speaker, energetic, determined, and independent in judgment, although somewhat vain, pretentious, and high spirited.
Quotes from others about the person
“Hartley was a strange piece of pomposity. ” - William Maclay
Hartley was married to Catherine, daughter of Bernhart Holtzinger.
