November 14, 1784 - Samuel Seabury Consecrated

After being designated a bishop in the Church of England, American Samuel Seabury had to travel to Scotland for his consecration ceremony because he refused to swear his allegiance to King George III. After his consecration on November 14, 1784, Seabury became the first Anglican bishop in America. Five years later, he reorganized the American Anglicans into what is now known as the Episcopal Church. Pictured is his portrait that hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.