Ross, George, 1730-1779

Dates:

Birth 1730-05-10

Death 1779-07-14

Birth 1730

Death 1799

Gender:

Male

Nationality: Americans, Britons,

Language: English,

Biographical notes:

George Ross Jr (May 10, 1730 – July 14, 1779) was a Founding Father of the United States who signed the Continental Association and the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Pennsylvania. He was also the uncle of the man who married Betsy Griscom in 1773, giving her her famous married name: Betsy Ross. In 1952, he, George Washington, and Robert Morris appeared on a three-cent stamp commemorating Betsy Ross.

Born in New Castle, Delaware, Ross was educated at home and later studied law at his brother John's law office, the common practice in those days, before being admitted to the bar in Philadelphia. Initially a Tory, he served as Crown Prosecutor for 12 years and was elected to the provincial legislature in 1768. There, his sympathies began to change, and he became a strong supporter of the colonial assemblies in their disputes with Parliament.

Ross was a member of the Committee of Safety, and was elected to the Continental Congress. He was a colonel in the Pennsylvania militia (1775–1776), and vice-president of the first constitutional convention for Pennsylvania. He resigned from the Continental Congress in 1777 because of poor health. Ross was appointed to the Pennsylvania Court of Admiralty in March 1779, he died in that office four months later. He was buried at Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.