John Bull | |
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| Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from Northumberland, Pennsylvania | |
| In office December 6, 1804 – March 31, 1806 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | June 1, 1731 Montgomery, Pennsylvania |
| Died | August 9, 1824 (aged 93) Northumberland, Pennsylvania |
| Resting place | Riverview Cemetery |
| Political party | Federalist Party |
| Profession | politician, military officer, statesman, slave owner |
| Military service | |
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John Bull (June 1, 1731 – August 9, 1824) was an American politician, military officer, statesman, and planter. Initially, his military career started under John Forbes during the Forbes Expedition in the 1750s. During the American Revolution, he was a delegate in the Pennsylvania Provincial Conference, declaring Pennsylvania independent from the British Colonies.[1] Benjamin Franklin and Bull sat on many committees together.[2] Bull was a very active participant in many different roles during the revolution. He was mainly in charge of the defenses of Fort Billingsport. He held the rank of Colonel in Pennsylvania's 2nd Regiment and eventually rose to the rank of Adjutant General of the Pennsylvania Militia by the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council in defense of Philadelphia during the Philadelphia campaign.[3][4][5]
Bull was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania where he was raised on a farm. By 1758, he participated in the French and Indian War as a captain where he met George Washington and the two became friends. During the 1760s he was involved in local politics. In 1770, Benjamin Rittenhouse married Bull's oldest daughter Elizabeth. Bull became good friends with his brother American astronomer David Rittenhouse. During the revolution, George Washington visited Bull's Masonic Lodge while he was in Valley Forge. Bull was attending as the Worshipful Master of the lodge.[6] After the British evacuated Philadelphia Bull continued to proved defense to the city. Bull's son-in-law Benjamin was superintendent of the gunlock factory in Pennsylvania. After the American Revolution while he was in his seventies he briefly held the position of Pennsylvania assemblyman.[7][8]
- ^ Hazard 1829, pp. 193.
- ^ Staff Writers (July 24, 2023). "From Benjamin Franklin to John Bull, 26 August 1776". U.S Government National Archives and Records Administration. Archived from the original on March 26, 2023. Retrieved July 24, 2023.
- ^ Egle 1898, pp. 29–32.
- ^ Lockwood 1895, pp. 271–274.
- ^ Pecquet du Bellet 1907, pp. 105–106.
- ^ Bull & McGee 1919, p. 11.
- ^ Bull & McGee 1919, pp. 316–320.
- ^ Thomson 1852, pp. 14.