Jonathan Banks

***Jonathan Banks Sr.***

**Jonathan Banks Sr.** was a founding father and Governor of North Carolina. Jonathan had been a member of the Continental Congress, and was it's longest serving President. Banks would also serve at the Constitutional Convention.

## Political Career

### Continental Congress

Jonathan Banks would be nominated to the Congress in 1777, serving as the President of the Continental Congress from 1778-1783. Banks oversaw most of the American Revolution, and he had overseen some long lasting legislation like the Flag Act of 1778, which established the American Flag for many years to come. The Banks' Era of the Congress saw little legislation, and was mostly just to ensure the Colonies stayed united.

### Governorship

In 1780 alongside the State Legislature, Jonathan Banks was nominated as Governor of the State of North Carolina. Banks would do much to improve internal affairs within North Carolina, creating bills like the Independence Harbor Act and the Native Protections Act.

### Constitutional Convention

In 1787 Banks would be brought into the Constitutional Convention, serving as a key member to the Anti-Federal beliefs. Banks would be a champion of the common man in these meetings, proposing and fighting for things like the direct election of Senators, and he would also help establish the 1 senator per state rule instead of the 2 that was in place at the time. Banks also fought for some less savory ideas like enshrining slavery into the Constitution with his ally John C. Covington, but this would never come to be. Banks highly opposed the Constitution following the convention, unsuccessfully running for Governor and calling for two separate removal votes, but failing both.

### Later Political Career

In the 2 year of his life, Banks slowly devolved into a sense of madness. In 1787 after the Constitutional Convention Banks would try for Governor again, but would lose, mainly after a harrowing speech from Brigadier General George Benckendorf in support of the Constitution, the speech would gain the Federal candidate Samuel Johnston the momentum to win the Governorship.

In 1788 Banks would run as a candidate for Vice President, but he would be killed by a political opponent in a legal duel soon before the election, bringing the controversial politician's story to a close.

## Duels

### Benckendorf Duel

As Banks became enraged at George Benckendorf's interferance with his proposals at the Constitutional Convention, Banks challenged Benckendorf to a duel. Benckendorf would shoot banks in the side after the count was called down, packing up his stuff and leaving, Banks would eventually make a recovery.

### Franklin Duels

#### First Duel

Banks had grown highly opposed to the Constitution in the last few years of life, and he had even written bad about Benjamin Franklin after losing two removal votes on Samuel Johnston. Finally Banks would challenge Franklin to a duel, and Franklin would accept. The duel took place in Northern Liberties on August 23, 1788, in which Jonathan would shoot Franklin in the shoulder, ending the duel.

#### Second Duel

Benjamin Franklin was angry over the results of the first duel, and on September 10, 1788 the two had a rematch at Franklin's challenge. Banks this time would shoot Franklin through the lungs, Franklin would die 2 days later from internal bleeding. Franklin however had shot Banks in the abdomen, paralyzing him from the waist down.

### Hartwell Duel

Henry Hartwell, a Captain of the army from South Carolina had been outraged by acts, and in early October they too would duel. Hartwell would manage to hit the crippled man in the stomach, while Banks would hit Hartwell in the shoulder. Banks would die the day of the duel due to blood loss, and Hartwell would leave back to South Carolina. The whole duel would lead to aggressions between the two states, eventually leading to the Carolinian Schism.

## Personal Life

On June 3, 1743 Jonathan Banks Sr. was born. Born into a relatively low standing, Banks lifted himself out of poverty, being a business man for a number of years, and growing to deeply despise Stamp Acts and other such British acts on the economy. In 1761 Banks would marry Anna, despite her only being 10 years of age, who would be his lifelong partner. Jonathan Banks Jr. was born on November 2, 1762, when his mom was only 11 years old, and was the only child the couple had, after Banks' death Anna never married again, despite only being 37.

* Jonathan Banks Jr. (1762-1793)