Biddle was born to a wealthy oldQuaker family on December 24, 1745, inPhiladelphia,Province of Pennsylvania in what was thenBritish America. He was the son of William Biddle, 3rd (1698–1756) and Mary (née Scull) Biddle (1709–1789). His siblings included: Lydia Biddle, who married William Macfunn; John ”Jacky” Biddle, who married Sophia Boone;Edward Biddle, a lawyer, soldier, delegate to theContinental Congress,[1] who married Elizabeth Ross, sister ofGeorge Ross; Charles Biddle, andNicholas Biddle, Revolutionary War Navy captain.[2]
During theAmerican Revolutionary War, Biddle was a captain in the merchant service and participated in the work around of the British fleet's blockade of American ports. He volunteered in the Quaker Light Infantry and, in 1778, he served under his brother, CommodoreNicholas Biddle, aboard theUSSRandolph.[4]
Although Biddle vacated his seat at Council on October 13, 1787, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania records that his Vice-Presidential term extended to October 31, the date of the next Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections. Biddle was elected Secretary of the Council on October 23.
On November 24, 1778, he was married to Hannah Shepard (d. 1825), the daughter of merchant Jacob Shepard and Sara (née Lewis) Shepard, inBeaufort, North Carolina.[9] The Biddle family had a summer home outside of Philadelphia that was furnished sumptuously with English furniture and paintings.[8] Together, they were the parents of ten children, including:[10][11]
Mary Biddle (d. 1854), who married John Gideon Biddle (1793–1826), the fourth son of Clement Biddle, in 1820.[12]
Nicholas Biddle (b. 1779), who died in infancy.[10]
William Shephard Biddle (1781–1835), who married Circe Deroneray. After her death, he married Elizabeth Bordeon Hopkinson, daughter ofJoseph Hopkinson.[10]
Thomas Biddle (1790–1831), aWar of 1812 hero who died after a duel with a Missouri Congressman over a perceived insult to his brother Nicholas. He married M. Ann Mulllanphy.[10]
John Biddle (1792–1859), Michigan politician who married Eliza Falconer Bradish.[10]
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