Delaware lawyer and politician.

Studied law in Philadelphia and was admitted to the bar. Began to practice in New Castle, Delaware (1752).

Attorney general for lower Delaware (1763-74). Member of the provincial Assembly (1765-77). Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses.

A signer of the Declaration of Independence. President of the state constitutional convention (1776). Member of the Delaware state house of representatives (1779-80). Judge of the United States Court of Appeals in Admiralty cases (1782). Representative at the Annapolis convention (1786). Delegate to the United States Constitutional Convention (1787). United States Senator from Delaware (1789-93). Chief justice of Delaware (1793-98).

Born near North East, Cecil County, Maryland. Married in 1763 to Gertrude Ross Till.