John Hanson

John Hanson is considered the first President of the United States in Congress assembled under the Articles of Confederation, but in fact, he was the third man to hold that position. Prior to his election to the office, the thirteenth state, Maryland, approved the Articles, and therefore Hanson was the first to hold the position after all of the thirteen colonies had approved the Articles.

Hanson was born in Charles County, Maryland on April 3, 1715 to descendants of Swedish settlers. He served in the Maryland Assembly from 1757 to 1773, where he was active in raising troops and providing arms. He served as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1779.

Hanson held the Presidential office from November 5, 1781 to November 4, 1782. During his tenure the first consular service was established, a post office department was initiated, a national bank was chartered, progress was made towards taking the first census, and a uniform system of coinage was adopted.

He died on November 15, 1783 in Prince George's County, Maryland.

He was preceded in office by Thomas McKean and succeeded by Elias Boudinot.

Biographical Facts

• Born April 3, 1715, Mulberry Grove, Charles County, Maryland
• Died November 22, 1783, at the residence of Hanson's nephew, Oxon Hill, Prince Georges County, Maryland
• Buried in Prince George's County, Maryland
• Father: Samuel Hanson
• Wife: Jane Contee (b. September 28, 1728, d. February 21, 1812) in 1747
• Children:
  • Samuel Hanson
  • Jane Contee Hanson (b. February 23, 1744)
  • John Hanson Jr.
  • Alexander Contee Hanson (b. 1749, d. January 16, 1806)
  • Peter Contee Hanson (b. 1776)

Other Political Offices

• Maryland State House of Delegates
• Maryland State Senate (1757 - 1773)
• Delegate to the General Congress at Annapolis (1774)
• Treasurer of Frederick County, Maryland (1775)
• Member of Maryland Convention (1775)
• Member of the Continental Congress (1780 - 1782)
• Signer of the Articles of Confederation of the United States