George Ross Signer of the Declaration Of Independence ADS Dated 1774

This 7"x8" ADS (Autograph Document Signed) dated May 27, 1774, is boldly signed by George Ross. It concerns a citation for Mark Bird, legal guardian of a child in Orphans’ Court, and is related to William Bird and Mark Bird’s wife, Mary Bird. What’s particularly notable is that Mark Bird and his brother-in-law, George Ross, were partners in the construction of the "Mary Ann Furnace."

The document was written just two years before George Ross would sign the Declaration of Independence. Although some portions of the letter are light and a small part of the paper is missing from the left side, nearly all the writing is intact. Ross's signature remains bold and prominent on the page.

George Ross Jr. (May 10, 1730 – July 14, 1779) was a Founding Father of the United States, signing both the Continental Association and the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of Pennsylvania. He was also the uncle of John Ross, who married Betsy Griscom in 1773, later known as Betsy Ross. 

Mark Bird played an active role in the revolutionary movement. On December 5, 1774, he was selected as a member of the Committee of Observation, and on January 2, 1775, he was chosen as a delegate to the Provincial Congress and placed on the Committee of Correspondence. He was prominently involved in the military efforts, serving as a lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Battalion of the county militia in 1775 and 1776, which was formed from companies around Birdsboro. Bird was also a public-spirited citizen, a member of the Pennsylvania Assembly, and Chairman of its Committee of Safety during the Revolutionary War. He served as Assistant Quartermaster General of the Continental Army under Thomas Mifflin and contributed significant financial support to the cause

Auction Notepad