Thomas Patterson {1 October 1764-16 November 1841}: representative from Pennsylvania, half brother of John Patterson. Patterson was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, but moved in 1778 with his parents to the town now called Pattersons Mills, in Pennsylvania. He went to school there and then worked as a farmer and miller. {The Patterson family owned the local mills, and the town was thus named to honor their industriousness.} Patterson served as major general of the Militia of Pennsylvania in the War of 1812. He was elected a Democrat to the Fifteenth through Eighteenth Congresses, but declined renomination in 1824. Patterson resumed his former businesses and died near Patterson Mills.