Henry Middleton from South Carolina was the second president of the Continental Congress. He came from a very influential family. His father Arthur was govenor of South Carolina just preceeding the war. Henry resigned his post to help fight the British for independence. His son Arthur was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
John Hancock eventually was named as president of the 2nd Continental Congress on May 24, 1775 after Peyton Randolph, the first choice was called back to Virginia, and Henry Middleton declined the office.
