Founding Fathers George Ross State | Pennsylvania Religion | Christian- Episcopalian [1] Founding Documents | Declaration of Independence George Ross (May 10, 1730 – July 14, 1779) was an American Founding Father from Pennsylvania. A lawyer, he was elected to the Provincial Assembly as a delegate to the First Continental Congress where he signed the Continental Association and the Declaration of Independence. He served as a colonel in the Continental Army, Vice president of the Pennsylvania constitutional convention and Judge of the Admiralty Court of Pennsylvania. ## Contents * 1 Early life * 2 Politics * 3 Death and Legacy * 4 References ## Early life[edit] George Ross was born in Newcastle, Delaware, the son of an Episcopal church clergyman.[2] Ross received a classical education at home and began to study law under the tutelage of his older brother. George was called to the Bar in Philadelphia at the age of 20 and established his own practice in Lancaster. ## Politics[edit] Ross served for some twelve years as Crown Prosecutor to Carlisle until elected to the provincial legislature of his state in 1768. In 1774 he was elected to the provincial conference and elected as a representative of Pennsylvania that same year. At that pont he was loyal to Britain. In 1775, Ross served on the Committee of Safety overseeing the defense of the colony and turned his loyalty to the colony's side. In 1776, he was elected to the Continental Congress after the vote was cast for independence but in time to sign the Declaration. In June 1777, Ross resigned his duties due to failing health. April 1779 he was appointed judge of the court of admiralty for the state of Pennsylvania. He would serve there until his death three months later.[3] ## Death and Legacy[edit] In 1779 George Ross died from a violent attack of gout. On his deathbed, Ross said that he was sure he was going to a place where "there were most excellent wines." He was buried at Christ Church, Philadelphia. The United States Postal Service issued a stamp in 1952 for the 200 year commemoration for the birth of Betsy Ross.[4] The stamp bears the likeness of Ross, George Washington, Robert Morris, and Betsy. Betsy Griscom married into the Ross family with John Ross, who was George's nephew. ## References[edit] 1. ↑ http://www.adherents.com/gov/Founding_Fathers_Religion.html 2. ↑ George Ross, Colonialhall.com 3. ↑ Goerge Ross, Gerogeross.net 4. ↑ Betsy Ross showing flag to George Washington v • d • e Declaration of Independence Grievances of the United States Declaration of Independence Forming Committee| Thomas Jefferson • Roger Sherman • Benjamin Franklin • Robert R. Livingston • John Adams The drafting committee presenting the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress, painted by John Trumbull 1817–1819. New Hampshire| Josiah Bartlett • William Whipple • Matthew Thornton Massachusetts| John Hancock • Samuel Adams • John Adams • Robert Treat Paine • Elbridge Gerry Rhode Island| Stephen Hopkins • William Ellery Connecticut| Roger Sherman • Samuel Huntington • William Williams • Oliver Wolcott New York| William Floyd • Philip Livingston • Francis Lewis • Lewis Morris New Jersey| Richard Stockton • John Witherspoon • Francis Hopkinson • John Hart • Abraham Clark Pennsylvania| Robert Morris • Benjamin Rush • Benjamin Franklin • John Morton • George Clymer • James Smith • George Taylor • James Wilson • George Ross Delaware| Caesar Rodney • George Read • Thomas McKean Maryland| Samuel Chase • William Paca • Thomas Stone • Charles Carroll of Carrollton Virginia| George Wythe • Richard Henry Lee • Thomas Jefferson • Benjamin Harrison • Thomas Nelson, Jr. • Francis Lightfoot Lee • Carter Braxton North Carolina| William Hooper • Joseph Hewes • John Penn South Carolina| Edward Rutledge • Thomas Heyward Jr. • Thomas Lynch, Jr. • Arthur Middleton Georgia| Button Gwinnett • Lyman Hall • George Walton