Delegates to Congress . Letters of delegates to Congress, 1774-1789, Volume 1, August 1774-August 1775
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Samuel Ward's Diary

[August 30-September 5, 1774]

   Arrived in Philadelphia 30th. Augst. 1774 in the Evening.

   Augst. 31st. In the Forenoon the Delegates from So. Carolina &


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some Gentlen. of the City came to see me, soon after the Delegates from Boston Newhampshire & of the City save those out of Town and the Farmer [John Dickinson].(1) In the afternoon several Gents. of the City, Mr. Hopkins & Lady & the Delegates from Connecticut arrived

   Sepr. 1st. The Delegates from N. Jersies & two from Province of N York arrived, conversed with many Delegates & at Evening had a Meeting at the New. Tavern & took a List of those present, in all twenty five.

   [September] 2nd. Four of the Delegates from Virginia & one from the lower Counties arrived. Met in the Evening. Bells rang.

   [September] 3rd. The Delegates from Maryland arrived (frequent Conversations).

   [September] 4th. More Delegates from Virginia.(2)

   [September] 5th. Met at the New. Tavern, went to Carp. Hall liking the Place agreed to hold the Congress there, took a List of the Delegates, chose the honble Payton Randolph Esqr. President & Mr. Charles Thompson Secry., read the Appointments of the Delegates; considered of the manner of each Colony's voting & rules for regulating the Business but adjourned until 10 o'Clock to Morrow.


Note:

   MS (RHi). Ward's diary is contained in one notebook, which was apparently bound together after it was written; the entries for 1774 follow those for several months in 1775.



1 Ward wrote a similar account of his initial meetings with these delegates in letter to his family this day. Ward to Samuel Ward, Jr., August 31, 1774. RHi.

2 Washington's diary records his arrival September 4: "Breakfasted at Christeen Ferry. Dined at Chester and lodged at Doctr. Shippen's in Phila., after supping at the New Tavern." His travel companions were Patrick Henry and Edmund Pendleton. Washington, Diaries (Fitzpatrick), 2:162.