John Barclay (January 22, 1749 – September 15, 1824) was an American soldier, politician, and jurist. He served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He served as President Judge of the Courts for Bucks County, Pennsylvania, alderman in Philadelphia, and Mayor of Philadelphia from 1791 to 1793. He worked as president of the Bank of Pennsylvania and was one of the founders of the Insurance Company of North America. He served as a Federalist member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 1st district from 1811 to 1813.
Once arriving in Philadelphia, Barclay obtained work as a shipping merchant, and served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He enlisted in 1775 and was commissioned an ensign in 1776; he was eventually promoted to lieutenant and captain. He retired from the Continental Army in 1781.[3]
He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1782 and rose to President Judge of the Courts of Bucks County in 1789.[3]
He was married twice. He married his second wife, Mary Searle, at Christ Church in the present-day Old City section of Philadelphia on December 11, 1781, and they had five children.[2]
^St. George Joyce, John (1919). Story of Philadelphia. Philadelphia: Rex print. house. p. 188. Retrieved 6 January 2019. john barclay mayor philadelphia.
