Fun Fact: As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence, I want to highlight some of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.
Robert Morris was born in England in 1734. His mother died when he was two and his father moved to America to start a new life and Robert joined him later, as a teenager. Robert quickly began to build successful businesses, leading him to become the second wealthiest signer of the Declaration of Independence. Robert had reservations about America breaking away from Great Britain through war, and when the vote for independence took place he left the room so he would not have to cast a dissenting vote. He signed the Declaration on August 2nd, and from that point on supported the cause, becoming “Financier of the Revolution.”
Because of his wealth and financial knowledge, the Continental Congress appointed him the Superintendent of Finance which made him the first executive officeholder in American history. Morris went on to serve as one of the first Senators from Pennsylvania.