George Ross

GEORGE ROSS was born in May 10, 1730 in New Castle, Delaware. He studied law and established a practice in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The son of a clergyman, young George, while still in his teens, read for the law in his brother John's office and was admitted to the bar when he was twenty years old. He soon established a successful law practice in Lancaster, Pennsylvania and married a lovely Scotts-Irish girl who was one of his first clients. 

Ross shied away from politics until at the age of thirty-eight he won a seat in the provincial assembly, where he served for seven years. In the Pennsylvania general assembly, Ross represented the county of Lancaster and was appointed to assist in forming rules of order for the convention, and for defining and settling what should be considered high treason and misprision of treason against the state, and the punishment which should be inflicted for those offenses. He was appointed by the convention that assembled, after the dissolution of the proprietary government, to prepare a declaration of rights. In 1774, he was elected to the First Continental Congress, being then loyal to Britain in his sympathies and opinions. He turned to the Patriot side in 1775, and for that reason he was removed from the Pennsylvania delegation. He was extremely popular in the Pennsylvania constitutional convention, suggested by the fact that only Ben Franklin got a larger vote than Ross in the balloting. It was the Pennsylvania constitutional convention that returned Ross to congress. Although too late to vote for independence, he was in time to sign the Declaration, which he did in a bold, underscored signature.

In June 1777, George Ross, in failing health, resigned his seat. In April 1779 he was appointed judge of the court of admiralty for the state of Pennsylvania, which post he filled until he died three months later. On July 14, 1779, at the age of forty-nine 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" -- an indicator that he truly enjoyed good living.

Autograph document signed "Geo. Ross," dated "January Ten 1750." A response to a summons for Nathaniel Simpson of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania to appear regarding money owed to Jacob Snevley. George Ross as attorney for Nathaniel Simpson. One page measuring 7 ½ x 12 ½ inches. 

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National Archives and Records Administration

Control Number	NRFF-75-53A-54723
Media	Textual records
Descr. Level	Item
Record Group	75
Series	53A
Item	54723
Title	Enrollment for George Ross
Sample Record(s)	(larger access file - 161315 bytes)
Creating Org.	Bureau of Indian Affairs. Commissioner to the Five Civilized Tribes.
Scope & Content	Tribe: Cherokee Type: Parent Age: Not Reported Sex: Male Degree of Indian Blood: Not Reported Census Card Number: D668 Post Office: Not Reported Roll Number: Not Reported
See Also	Series Description: Dawes Rolls
Personal Ref.	Ross, George
Items	1 item(s)
Contact	NARA's Southwest Region (Fort Worth, TX) (NRFF), Building 1, Dock 1, 501 West Felix Street, Fort Worth, TX 76115 PHONE: 817-334-5525 FAX: 817-334-5621

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