Benjamin Harrison (1726?-1791)

Benjamin Harrison (1726?-1791), American patriot and statesman, born in Charles City County, Virginia. He was a member of the Virginia legislature (1749-1775, 1777-1781; 1784-1791). As representative (1774-1777) from Virginia to the Continental Congress, he helped lay the groundwork for the departments of state, war, and the navy. He was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and presided over the debates preceding its adoption. He served (1782-1784) as governor of Virginia. In 1788 he was a member of the Virginia convention that ratified the U.S. Constitution. He was the father of William Henry Harrison and the great-grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, presidents of the U.S.