GEORGE CLYMER 1739-1813

George Clymer was born in Philadelphia in 1739 but left an orphan when seven years old.  William Coleman, his mothers brother, who was a wealthy business man in Philadelphia raised him for the business world.  Treated him to a good English education and prepared him for the business world.  George really had more interest in science and  literature.
At age 27 he met and married a Miss Meredith and entered the mercantile business with his father-in-law and brother.  About the same time George's uncle died and left him the bulk of his fortune.  He continued in the business world until 1782.
Even before his marriage George was an outspoken advocate of the Republican cause and voiced his opinion loudly and often.  He was active in public meetings and when the Stamp Act was passed by the British he rebelled loudly spoke often in opposition to it.
In 1774 when military groups began to form he accepted command of a force being formed.  After the "Tea Party" he was placed at the head of the first Council of Safety of Philadelphia and then in 1775 appointed one of the Continental Treasurers.  When two of the Pennsylvania delegates to the General Congress refused to voted for the Declaration of Independence and withdrew from their seats, he and Dr. Rush took their place.
George Clymer became such a thorn in the side of the British that he had to move his family out of harms way while the British destroyed whatever property of his they could find.
In 1782 Robert Morris and others formed a bank and George Clymer became one of the first directors.  That same year Mr. Clymer and Edward Rutledge were sent by Congress to the Southern States to impress upon them the importance of helping the new Republic by paying their fair share of the expenses of Government.
He is credited with putting together a penitentiary system that much improved the system of punishment.
Clymer, at great peril, led in the putdown of the "Whiskey Rebellion" in Pennsylvania and then went on to be a part of the group to treat successfully with the Cherokee and Creek Indians in Georgia.
George Clymer, an important part of our history...if we just taught history again...Medicineman!