Lancaster Court House
Lancaster, Pennsylvania
September 27, 1777
No Longer Standing
50 N. Duke St
Lancaster, PA 17602
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Lancaster Court House Lancaster, Pennsylvania September 27, 1777 |
The original Lancaster Court House, constructed in 1730, stood as a modest yet vital fixture of early American civic life. With dimensions of just 30 feet by 30 feet, it was a simple brick structure that reflected the functional design of the period. The building’s interior featured a brick-paved floor, while its exterior was crowned with a small spire bearing a two-faced clock, visible to those approaching from both the north and south. Despite its unassuming appearance, this courthouse briefly became a focal point during the Revolutionary War, intersecting with significant moments in American history.
In September 1777, the Revolutionary War took a dramatic turn with the British occupation of Philadelphia on September 26. This prompted the Continental Congress to flee the city in haste. By September 27, they had arrived in Lancaster, a relatively safe location west of the British forces. However, the courthouse's role in hosting the nation’s governing body was fleeting. The next day, on September 28, the Congress was compelled to vacate the premises as Pennsylvania state officials, who had also escaped Philadelphia, needed the space to conduct their own governmental affairs. The short-lived meeting in Lancaster is remembered for its sole official action: the decision to adjourn and reconvene in York-Town (now York), located just across the Susquehanna River.
The decision to relocate to York-Town was strategic. The Susquehanna River provided a natural defensive barrier against potential British pursuit, offering a sense of security as the Congress continued its efforts to guide the colonies through the war. This relocation also reflected the precarious situation of the Continental Congress, which had to remain mobile in the face of British advances. York-Town subsequently became the temporary capital, hosting the Congress for a significant period.
The brief occupation of the Lancaster Court House highlights the interconnected nature of military and political events during the Revolution. British General William Howe’s decision to prioritize the capture of Philadelphia over supporting his Northern Army had far-reaching consequences. While his forces secured Philadelphia, this left British General John Burgoyne’s army in the north vulnerable, culminating in Burgoyne's surrender at Saratoga in October 1777. This critical victory not only marked a turning point in the war but also demonstrated the strategic errors that weakened British coordination.
The Lancaster Court House, however, did not survive to witness the end of the war. In 1781, it was destroyed by fire, erasing a physical link to its brief yet notable role in American history. By 1785, a larger and more elaborate courthouse was constructed to replace it. This new building, while significant in its own right, is often mistakenly identified as the site where the Continental Congress convened in 1777. The true site was the original, modest structure that stood as a silent witness to a tumultuous moment in the nation’s founding.
Thus, while the original Lancaster Court House may have been overshadowed by grander historical venues, its role in 1777 serves as a reminder of the Congress’s resilience and adaptability during one of the most critical periods in American history. It symbolizes the fragile yet determined efforts to maintain governance amidst the chaos of war, a testament to the challenges and sacrifices that shaped the Revolutionary era.
Journals of the US Continental Congress
September 19-26, 1777:
Delegates are in flight from Philadelphia to Lancaster, then to York, Pennsylvania, as British forces occupy Philadelphia on September 26.
September 27, 1777 (Saturday):
Congress convenes in Lancaster but soon resolves to move to York, which was safer from British advances.
The Congressional Evolution of the United States of America
For students and teachers of U.S. history, this video features Stanley and Christopher Klos presenting America's Four United Republics Curriculum at the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School. Filmed in December 2015, this video is an informal recording by an audience member capturing a presentation attended by approximately 200 students, professors, and guests. To explore the full curriculum, [download it here].
Sept. 5, 1774 to July 1, 1776
September 5, 1774 | October 22, 1774 | |
October 22, 1774 | October 26, 1774 | |
May 20, 1775 | May 24, 1775 | |
May 25, 1775 | July 1, 1776 |
Commander-in-Chief United Colonies & States of America
George Washington: June 15, 1775 - December 23, 1783
July 2, 1776 to February 28, 1781
July 2, 1776 | October 29, 1777 | |
November 1, 1777 | December 9, 1778 | |
December 10, 1778 | September 28, 1779 | |
September 29, 1779 | February 28, 1781 |
Presidents of the United States in Congress Assembled
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 to March 3, 1789
March 1, 1781 | July 6, 1781 | |
July 10, 1781 | Declined Office | |
July 10, 1781 | November 4, 1781 | |
November 5, 1781 | November 3, 1782 | |
November 4, 1782 | November 2, 1783 | |
November 3, 1783 | June 3, 1784 | |
November 30, 1784 | November 22, 1785 | |
November 23, 1785 | June 5, 1786 | |
June 6, 1786 | February 1, 1787 | |
February 2, 1787 | January 21, 1788 | |
January 22, 1788 | January 21, 1789 |
Articles of Confederation Congress
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions
United States in Congress Assembled (USCA) Sessions
USCA | Session Dates | USCA Convene Date | President(s) |
First | 03-01-1781 to 11-04-1781* | 03-02-1781 | |
Second | 11-05-1781 to 11-03-1782 | 11-05-1781 | |
Third | 11-04-1782 to 11-02-1783 | 11-04-1782 | |
Fourth | 11-03-1783 to 10-31-1784 | 11-03-1783 | |
Fifth | 11-01-1784 to 11-06-1785 | 11-29-1784 | |
Sixth | 11-07-1785 to 11-05-1786 | 11-23-1785 | |
Seventh | 11-06-1786 to 11-04-1787 | 02-02-1787 | |
Eighth | 11-05-1787 to 11-02-1788 | 01-21-1788 | |
Ninth | 11-03-1788 to 03-03-1789** | None | None |
* The Articles of Confederation was ratified by the mandated 13th State on February 2, 1781, and the dated adopted by the Continental Congress to commence the new United States in Congress Assembled government was March 1, 1781. The USCA convened under the Articles of Confederation Constitution on March 2, 1781.** On September 14, 1788, the Eighth United States in Congress Assembled resolved that March 4th, 1789, would be commencement date of the Constitution of 1787's federal government thus dissolving the USCA on March 3rd, 1789.
Presidents of the United States of America
Capitals of the United Colonies and States of America
Philadelphia | Sept. 5, 1774 to Oct. 24, 1774 | |
Philadelphia | May 10, 1775 to Dec. 12, 1776 | |
Baltimore | Dec. 20, 1776 to Feb. 27, 1777 | |
Philadelphia | March 4, 1777 to Sept. 18, 1777 | |
Lancaster | September 27, 1777 | |
York | Sept. 30, 1777 to June 27, 1778 | |
Philadelphia | July 2, 1778 to June 21, 1783 | |
Princeton | June 30, 1783 to Nov. 4, 1783 | |
Annapolis | Nov. 26, 1783 to Aug. 19, 1784 | |
Trenton | Nov. 1, 1784 to Dec. 24, 1784 | |
New York City | Jan. 11, 1785 to Nov. 13, 1788 | |
New York City | October 6, 1788 to March 3,1789 | |
New York City | March 3,1789 to August 12, 1790 | |
Philadelphia | Dec. 6,1790 to May 14, 1800 | |
Washington DC | November 17,1800 to Present |
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Edited: Open AI. (2024). ChatGPT [Large language model] - https://chatgpt.com
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