Lot 2: (ESTATE OF JOHN NIXON) Thomas Willing (1731-1821)

(ESTATE OF JOHN NIXON) Thomas Willing (1731-1821) was an American merchant, a Delegate to the Continental Congress from Pennsylvania and the first president of the First National Bank of the United States, engaged in mercantile pursuits, in partnership with Robert Morris, until 1793. As a member of the Continental Congress in 1775 and 1776, he voted against the Declaration of Independence. Later, however, he subscribed £5,000 to supply the revolutionary cause. After the war, he became president of the Bank of North America (1781–91), preceding John Nixon, and then the first president of the Bank of the United States from 1791 to 1807. In August, 1807, he suffered a slight stroke, and he resigned for health reasons as president of the bank in November, 1807. Letter signed, Phila., 1815, sent to Sarah Nixon Cramond (1774 - 1865) daughter of John Nixon. Also signed by Henry Nixon (1776-1840), he was the son of John Nixon. Both Willing and Henry Nixon sign as Executors of the Estate of John Nixon. John Nixon was born the son of Sarah Bowles and Richard Nixon, a prominent Philadelphia shipping merchant and owner of Nixon's Wharf on the Delaware River. After being educated in the business rather than in a formal school setting, Nixon inherited his father's shipping and mercantile business in 1749. He soon became involved in public affairs, chosen a lieutenant of the Dock Ward Company in 1756, a warden of the port in 1766, one of the signers of paper money issued by Pennsylvania in 1767, and a manager of Pennsylvania Hospital, 1768-1772. In 1765 he married Elizabeth Davis; together they had five children. During early conflicts with the mother country, Nixon was an ardent proponent of the colonies. He signed the Non-Importation Agreement in 1765 and actively opposed the Stamp Act. When the Revolutionary War began, he joined the Committee of Safety, often acting as its chairman. As a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Third Battalion of Associators (a unit comprised of wealthy "Silk Stockings"), saw military action at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton. He commanded the defenses of the Delaware at Fort Island and the Philadelphia city guard. Nixon, however, is best known as the first person to publicly read the Declaration of Independence, which he did from the steps of the State House on July 8, 1776. On Monday, July 8, the Declaration of Independence was "proclaimed" (read aloud) by Col. John Nixon of the Philadelphia Committee of Safety at the State House in Philadelphia. It was also read again that evening before the militia on the Commons. Throughout the city, bells were rung all day. On that day as well the Declaration was publicly read in Easton, Pennsylvania, and Trenton, New Jersey. It was these first public readings which constituted America's first celebrations of the Fourth of July. In 1789 Nixon was one of the organizers and a director of the Bank of Pennsylvania, organized to supply the United States army with provisions and supplies. In 1784 he became a director of of the Bank of North America, the first national bank, serving as its president from 1792 until his death in 1808. Picture of Willing is NOT included here.

Very good for its age