US Congressman. He studied with a local lawyer and became an attorney in Lancaster County. In 1774 he served on a committee of observation that monitored local citizens to ensure they did not buy or sell items requiring payment of taxes to the British Government, and during the Revolution he served as a Private in the militia. He served in local offices, including Justice of the Peace and Judge of the county Orphans' Court. Whitehill also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1780 to 1782, on the state Council of Censors in 1783 and 1784, and on the state Executive Council in 1784. In 1785 he was appointed to the state Board of Pardons, and in 1787 he was a Delegate to the state convention that considered adoption of the new US Constitution, where he opposed ratification. He was Associate Judge of Lancaster County in 1791, and he returned to the Pennsylvania House in 1793. In 1802 Whitehill was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican and served two terms, 1803 to 1807. He did not run for reelection in 1806 and retired to his estate in The Gap, also serving in the Pennsylvania House for the third time in 1808. John Whitehill was the father of Congressman James Whitehill and the brother of Congressman Robert Whitehill.
US Congressman. He studied with a local lawyer and became an attorney in Lancaster County. In 1774 he served on a committee of observation that monitored local citizens to ensure they did not buy or sell items requiring payment of taxes to the British Government, and during the Revolution he served as a Private in the militia. He served in local offices, including Justice of the Peace and Judge of the county Orphans' Court. Whitehill also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1780 to 1782, on the state Council of Censors in 1783 and 1784, and on the state Executive Council in 1784. In 1785 he was appointed to the state Board of Pardons, and in 1787 he was a Delegate to the state convention that considered adoption of the new US Constitution, where he opposed ratification. He was Associate Judge of Lancaster County in 1791, and he returned to the Pennsylvania House in 1793. In 1802 Whitehill was elected to the US House of Representatives as a Democratic-Republican and served two terms, 1803 to 1807. He did not run for reelection in 1806 and retired to his estate in The Gap, also serving in the Pennsylvania House for the third time in 1808. John Whitehill was the father of Congressman James Whitehill and the brother of Congressman Robert Whitehill.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Siblings
Advertisement
See more Whitehill memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
