- March 6, 1809, 217 years ago — Death of Thomas Heyward Jr..
- March 6, 1724, 302 years ago — Birth of Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress.
- March 7, 1707, 319 years ago — Birth of Stephen Hopkins, signer of the Declaration of Independence.
- March 7, 1699, 327 years ago — Birth of Susanna Boylston Adams, mother of John Adams.
Robert Morris
Robert Morris was born in Liverpool, England, January 20, 1734. He came to America at the age of thirteen, and entered a mercantile house in Philadelphia. He soon became a partner in the firm, and acquired a large fortune. He was distinguished for his business talents and integrity.
He was a member of the Committee of Safety, and in 1776 was elected a delegate to the Continental Congress. He was present at the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, and affixed his signature to that instrument.
During the war, he rendered the most important services to the country by his financial operations. He was appointed Superintendent of Finance in 1781, and by his skill and energy succeeded in restoring public credit and providing means for carrying on the war.
He was a member of the Convention which framed the Federal Constitution, and was afterward elected a Senator in Congress. He was unfortunate in his speculations in land, and passed the latter part of his life in poverty.
He died May 8, 1806, in the seventy-third year of his age.
Source:
Lossing, Benson J. The Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1855. Patriot Echoes Archive
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