George Ross

Stylized handwritten text that appears to say "GWT Hub" in cursive.
Black and white oval portrait of a young man with shoulder-length wavy hair, wearing a dark suit and a high-collared shirt.

BORN - May 10, 1730, in New Castle, DE.  Parents – (Scottish and Scotts-Irish ancestry) - George Aeneas Ross, Fifth of Balblair (b1679-d1753) and second wife Catherine Van Gezel Ross (b1689-d1748).  Children – George Ross II (b1730-d1779), James Ross (b1732-d1774), Catherine Ross Thompson (b1734-d1809), Gertrude Ross Till / Read (b1735-d1820), Dorothy Ross Asbill (b1735-d___), Susanna Ross Thompson (b1738-d1801), Mary Ross Bird (b1741-d1790).  John Ross was a half-brother.  Betsy Ross, who is widely credited for creating the first American Flag, was the wife of a nephew of  George Ross.  

DIED - July 14, 1779(1779-07-14) (aged 49), in Philadelphia, PA from a violent attach of gout.  On his deathbed, Ross said that he was sure he was going to a place where "there were most excellent wines".  Religion – Anglican / Episcopalian.  Buried - Christ Church Burial Ground, Philadelphia, PA

APPEARANCE – The picture above is a portrait of George Ross painted by Philip F. Wharton in 1873 based on an earlier painting by Benjamin West. 

FAMILY – Married - Ann Lawler (b1731-1773) in 1775.  Three Children – George Ross (b1752-d1832), James Ross (b1753-d1801), Mary Ross Scott (___-d1839).   

OCCUPATION – LAWYER, LEGISLATOR, SOLDIER, JUDGE.  Home schooled.  Established a law practice in Lancaster, PA in 1750.  Attorney General for Cumberland County (Carlisle), PA from 1768 to 1776.  Member of the Continental Congress representing Pennsylvania (Lancaster County) from 1775 to 1777. 

AT SIGNING – Age 46 at signing.

AFTER SIGNING – Continued to serve in Congress in Philadelphia until 1777.  Colonel in the Pennsylvania Militia from 1775 to 1776.  Died in 1779, three years after signing.

HISTORIC SITES

Gravesite – Christ Church Burial Ground, Philadelphia, PA (1744).  Located at 20 North American Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106, near the 5th and Arch Street corner.  Phone 215-922-1695, Website www.christchurchphila.org.

Lancaster Home – Country Home, Lancaster, PA.  The roadside historical marker reads – “GEORGE ROSS – Soldier, ardent patriot, jurist, and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, settled at Lancaster about 1751.  Site of his country house, now marked by monument, is on Ross Street, nine blocks north.  Died, 1779.” 

Church – St. James’ Episcopal Church, Lancaster, PA.  Located at 119 North Duke Street, Lancaster, PA 17602, Phone 717-397-4858, Website saintjameslancaster.org.  The roadside historical marker reads – “ST. JAMES’ CHURCH (Episcopal) – Founded 1744.  Original structure built 1746-53; this building begun 1820.  George Ross, signer of  the Declaration of Independence, was vestryman.  Buried here are the patriots Edward Shippen, William Atlee, Edward Hand, and Jasper Yeates.”   

Courthouse – Old Lancaster County Courthouse, Lancaster, PA.  The roadside historical marker reads – “LANCASTER COUNTY COURTHOUSE – Old courthouse stood in the center of this square, 1739-1853.  Here Continental Congress met for a day, Sept. 27, 1777, thus making Lancaster one of the capitals of the United States.”  George Ross would have practiced law in the old courthouse.  

Small fenced park area with a brick monument or memorial in the center, topped by a black sphere and surrounded by houses and trees.

Site of Home of George Ross, Lancaster, PA. 

Located on Ross Street, Lancaster, PA.