Bedford was born in 1747, in Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania, British America,[1] the fifth of eleven children[2] to a wealthy family.

[3] He graduated from the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) on September 25, 1771, with honors, as a classmate of James Madison.

[7] During the convention, Bedford's threat, "the small ones would find some foreign ally of more honor and good faith, who will take them by the hand and do them justice" was shouted down as treasonous by the other delegates.

[1] He was confirmed by the United States Senate on September 26, 1789, and received his commission the same day.

[citation needed] In 1793, he purchased Lombardy Hall on 250 acres in Brandywine Hundred.