George Ross

Involved with Indian treaties, involved with states' rights,

Late to be a patriot, Ross worked to re-set his sights.

         Born in Delaware, George was the eldest son of "a highly esteemed minister of the Episcopal Church" who immigrated from Scotland.  Robert G. Ferris (editor), Signers of the Declaration: Historic Places Commemorating the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, published by the United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service: Washington, D.C. (revised edition 1975), pages 122-123.   George was also an uncle by marriage to Betsy Ross.

        After a preliminary classical education, he read law with his stepbrother John, a very successful practitioner and a personal friend of Benjamin Franklin, at Philadelphia; and in 1750, George entered the bar.  He established himself at Lancaster which was near the western limits of civilization and for several years devoted himself to his career.  He met and married Ann Lawler, an only child of the widow Mary Lawler, and they had three children:  George, James, and Mary.          

        Mr. Ross commenced his political career in 1768 as a representative to the assembly of Pennsylvania.  He continued to be re-elected a member until 1774 when he was chosen a delegate to congress which met at Philadelphia.  He proved to be a very active and influential member, attending to his duties without accepting monetary payment.  Preferring peaceful means of settling differences, but knowing a brick wall when he saw it, Ross went along willingly with Lee's resolution for independence and signed the Declaration in August of 1776. 

        He continued to work unselfishly, at personal sacrifice, and his devotion did not go without notice by his fellow congressmen as they resolved the following:        

        Resolved, that the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds, out of the county stock, be forthwith transmitted to George Ross, one of the members of assembly for this county, and one of the delegates for this colony in the continental congress; and that he be requested to accept the same, as a testimony from this county, of their sense of his attendance on the public business, to his great private loss, and of their approbation of his conduct. Resolved, that if it be more agreeable, Mr. Ross purchase with part of the said money, a genteel piece of plate, ornamented as he thinks proper, to remain with him, as a testimony of the esteem this county has for him, by reason of his patriotic conduct, in the great struggle of American liberty.

        Mr. Ross was grateful but apologized that he could not accept the gift as he considered it the "duty of every man, and especially of every representative of the people, to contribute, by every means within his power, to the welfare of his country, without expecting pecuniary rewards."  Rev. Charles A. Goodrich Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence. New York: William Reed & Co., 1856. Pages 309-312.

        George Ross displayed an unusual sympathy toward the downtrodden such as the Indians in his vicinity.  Because of his kindness, much of their anger and acts of revenge were diverted.  He was a natural to later be chosen as mediator when difficulties with them arose.  Also, in spite of much cruelty shown toward the patriots by the Tories, Ross was ready to forgive; and he often defended them.

        In 1779, Ross was appointed Judge of the Court of Admiralty for Pennsylvania, but he died shortly thereafter.  George Ross was an Anglican.   Benson J. Lossing, Signers of the Declaration of Independence, George F. Cooledge & Brother: New York (1848) [reprinted in Lives of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, WallBuilder Press: Aledo, Texas (1995)], page 130.         

 Image above by Ole Erekson, Engraver, c1876, Library of Congress

St. James Episcopal Church in Lancaster
Founded in 1744 by the Reverend Richard Locke as requested by King George II of England.  George Ross was a member.
HISTORY OF LANCASTER COUNTY  230 North President Avenue | Lancaster, PA 17603   http://www.lancasterhistory.org/education/lancastercounty.htmlHotel Brunswick, Lancaster, named a George Ross room.

 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

 Philippians 4:13