William Paca was born on October 31, 1740, in Abingdon, Maryland. His father, John Paca, was a successful farmer and a dedicated public servant. Young Paca was the second son of John and Elizabeth Paca. When he was 12, he, along with his older brother, was sent to the Academy and Charity School in Philadelphia. After completing his education there, he attended and graduated from the College of Philadelphia (presently University of Pennsylvania) in 1759. At 19 years of age, he moved to Annapolis to continue his study of law and begin his career.

William Paca read law under the supervision of the most distinguished lawyer in the area, Stephen Bordley. He also clerked for him. In addition, Mr. Paca helped found a debate society, Forensic Club, where he could hone his rhetorical skills and connect with numerous people. The last part of his legal training came in London where he attended Middle Temple, a prestigious school of law. He was admitted to the bar of the provincial court in 1764.

A year later, William Paca and Samuel Chase, a fellow-signer of the Declaration of Independence, founded Anne Arundel County’s chapter of the Sons of Liberty, a patriotic movement, which encouraged people to protest the Stamp Act. His patriotic fervor increased his respect among the public and led to his election to the city’s Common Council. Soon, he was elected to the Maryland’s general assembly.

Mr. Paca’s good standing with the public and his political colleagues led to an appointment as delegate to the First Continental Congress (September 5 - October 26, 1774). He was commended for his work in the Congress by John Adams, who wrote to Samuel Chase, “Paca [acted] generously and nobly” during Congress’s first session.

On the state level, William Paca assisted in creating Maryland’s constitution. He also served in the Senate for two years and was a member of the Council of Safety, which was a governing body smaller than the Provincial Congress in Maryland. One of the duties of the council was oversight of the state militia. At times, Mr. Paca spent significant portions of his own money to supply the troops. 

Mr. Paca’s service in the Continental Congress continued in 1775 when he signed the Olive Branch Petition. The petition was a failed attempt at reconciliation with King George III in hopes of avoiding armed conflict. In 1776, he supported the resolution for independence, but did not have the authority to vote for it due to the Maryland Provincial Congress. The legislative body longed for reconciliation with the mother country and was slow to grant the delegates in Philadelphia permission to vote for the resolution. Recognizing their reticence, William Paca, Samuel Chase, and Charles Carroll traveled back to Annapolis to talk to the state representatives about the need join the other colonies and vote for independent rule. They succeeded and were given permission to vote for Richard Henry Lee’s resolution. Mr. Paca voted for the motion on July 2nd and signed the Declaration on August 2nd. 

William Paca was an anti-Federalist who believed strongly in states’ rights and guaranteed freedoms for citizens. He was a leader of this sentiment in his home state. He, along with a number of others, believed the proposed constitution for the country localized too much power with the federal government. He did vote for ratification in 1788, but he advocated for 28 amendments to the Constitution. These amendments included freedom of religion, the press, and protection from judicial tyranny. Many of his proposals became part of the Bill of Rights. 

Mr. Paca’s influence did not wane in the last third of his life. Much of his contribution to Maryland’s public life took place between 1778 and 1782. He was appointed the chief justice of Maryland’s superior court, the Court of Appeals, in admiralty and prize cases. He also worked to improve the quality of education in his state. In 1782, William Paca helped make the founding of Maryland’s first college possible by raising funds for Washington College. He also served on its board of visitors. Finally, from 1782 to 1785, he served as governor working diligently to assist war veterans and rectify postwar issues. 

In the last decade of his life, William Paca was appointed by President George Washington as a federal district judge. On October 23, 1799, a man whose reputation was one of esteem and respect died at Wye Hall on Wye Island on Maryland’s eastern shore. 

William Paca lived to be just shy of 59 years of age.