In the fall of 1682, George Fitzwater and his family landed at New Castle, DE after a two-month voyage across the Atlantic. They had joined William Penn and others aboard the ship Welcome, a small cargo vessel, 150 feet in length maximum. In cramped conditions, the roughly 100 future settlers of the Pennsylvania colony survived on salted meat, dried vegetables, and hardtack. Small pox claimed a third of the lives on board. (Mr. Fitzwater’s mother was among those who died.) Such a venture in the 17th century required resoluteness amid these hardships and setbacks.

George Clymer, Mr. Fitzwater’s grandson, would exhibit the same qualities as he assisted in leading the 13 colonies in its pursuit of freedom.   

Mr. Clymer was born in Philadelphia on March 16, 1739. Orphaned at the age of seven, he began living with his uncle, George Coleman, and his mother’s sister, Hannah Coleman. She and George’s mother, Deborah, were daughters of Mr. Fitzwater. Reared and informally educated by Mr. Coleman, Mr. Clymer was given full partnership in his uncle’s mercantile firm once of age. He solidified his position when he merged operations with his father-in-law, Reese Meredith, the second wealthiest man in Philadelphia.

His inclinations to speak against the crown came in the 1760s when the British implemented measures intended to control trade in America. For example, he joined 400 other businessman who agreed not to import goods from England in 1765. And at the first Continental Congress, he and like-minded colleagues achieved passage of the Articles of Association, which formed a governing body that enforced a national boycott on imports and a ban on exports.   

In 1774, George Clymer began procuring munitions for the new army. He continued in this role as a delegate to the Continental Congress, which he was elected to on July 20, 1776. Despite arriving to Congress after the vote on the resolution for independence, Mr. Clymer was provided the privilege of signing the Declaration of Independence on August 2nd. A month later, Congress fled Philadelphia due to advancing British forces. Mr. Clymer and Robert Morris along with George Walton stayed behind in Philadelphia to keep the army supplied and the government functioning. He also involved himself in hospital administration. He worked tirelessly to keep hospitals stocked with the necessary supplies to treat the wounded. 

In the fall of 1777, the British were determined to punish Mr. Clymer for his traitorous actions against the home country. While he was in Philadelphia performing his congressional duties, his family was living about 25 miles outside of Philadelphia. British soldiers found the house where the family was residing and ransacked the dwelling, destroying furniture and a large collection of liquors. The family did escape and suffered no physical harm. The soldiers almost tore the house down, but stopped short of doing so when they learned it was not owned by Mr. Clymer.

The situation for America’s troops became critical in the spring of 1780. The war had crippled the economy rendering paper money worthless, and the army’s stock of critical goods was dangerously low. General Washington did not know if the army would make it until harvest. Mr. Clymer and other Philadelphia merchants chartered a private bank in order to provide necessary supplies. As co-director, he oversaw a massive search and procurement for key supplies. Representatives secured flour from locations across the colonies. They also procured casks of rum and hundreds of tents. General Washington expressed his deepest gratitude and the Commissioner General of the Continental Army concluded the actions of Mr. Clymer and his partners staved off the army’s dissolution. 

His enthusiasm for his fellow Americans and their flourishing did not wane in retirement. He served in the presidency of the Philadelphia Bank and the Philadelphia Academy of Fine Arts. He also served as vice-president of the Philadelphia Agricultural Society. While serving in these roles, a brief illness claimed his life on January 23, 1813. He was one of six men to sign the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.