Samuel John ATLEE, Congress, PA (1739-1786)

ATLEE, Samuel John, a Delegate from Pennsylvania; born in Trenton, N.J., in 1739, during the temporary residence of his parents at that place; moved with his mother to Lancaster, Pa., in 1745; educated by a private tutor and subsequently commenced the study of law, but abandoned it to enter the Army; during the French and Indian War at the age of sixteen was placed in command of a company of the provincial service from Lancaster County, Pa.; commissioned ensign in Col. William Clapham's Augusta regiment on April 23, 1756, and promoted to lieutenant December 7, 1757; served in the Forbes campaign and participated in a battle near Fort Duquesne, September 15, 1758; was commissioned captain May 13, 1759; appointed colonel of the Pennsylvania Musketry Battalion on March 21, 1776; during the Revolutionary War was captured by the British on August 27, 1776, at the Battle of Long Island and held as a prisoner until October 1, 1778, when he was exchanged; Member of the Continental Congress 1778-1782; served in the general assembly in 1782, 1785, and 1786; elected supreme executive councilor for Lancaster County in 1783; appointed a member of the board of commissioners to treat with the Indians in 1784 for the unpurchased lands in Pennsylvania; one of the charter members of the Society of the Cincinnati; died in Philadelphia, Pa., November 25, 1786, while attending a session of the assembly; interment in Christ Churchyard.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present