November 15, 1783, Prince George's County, Maryland, United States
John Hanson (1715 – 1783) was an American planter and merchant from Maryland, who served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and was the first President of the Continental Congress, under the Articles of Confederation.
Early Life
John Hanson was born in 1715 in Port Tobacco, Maryland. His parents were Samuel Hanson, a planter, and Elizabeth (née Addison) Hanson. He had four brothers and four sisters. He was educated at home by tutors and then attended a Quaker boarding school in Philadelphia.
Career
Hanson began his career working on his father’s tobacco plantation. He later took over the family business after his father’s death in 1744. He was also active in local politics, serving on the Charles County court from 1750 to 1757. In 1757, he was elected to the Maryland Provincial Assembly.
Hanson was a delegate to the Continental Congress from Maryland from 1774 to 1781. He served as the President of the Continental Congress from November 1781 to November 1782. Under the Articles of Confederation, he was the first and only President of the United States in Congress Assembled, the forerunner of the modern-day United States Congress.
He retired from public life after his term as President ended and returned to Maryland. He died in 1783 at his home in Port Tobacco.
Net Worth
John Hanson’s net worth is estimated to be $5 million. His salary as President of the Continental Congress was $8,000 per year.
Relationships
Hanson was married to Anne (née Smith) Hanson. They had four children together.
Physical Characteristics
John Hanson was about 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighed about 170 pounds. He had brown hair and blue eyes.
General Info
Full Name
John Hanson
Died
November 15, 1783, Prince George's County, Maryland, United States