Election of Samuel Huntington as President of the Continental Congress

Background. Samuel Huntington was a Connecticut lawyer, jurist, statesman, and Patriot in the American Revolution, and a Founding Father of the United States. As a delegate to the Continental Congress he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, serving in the Congress in 1776, 1778–1781, and 1783.

Election to the Presidency. When John Jay left to become minister to the Kingdom of Spain, Huntington was elected to succeed him as President of the Continental Congress on September 28, 1779. The source notes this succession as one reason Huntington is sometimes considered the first president.

Nature of the Office and Aftermath. The presidency was a mostly ceremonial position with no real authority, though it required Huntington to handle a good deal of correspondence and sign official documents. He remained in the office until July 9, 1781, when ill health forced his resignation and return to Connecticut.