Michael Hillegas
Michael Hillegas | |
|---|---|
 Hillega circa 1760 | |
| 1st Treasurer of the United States | |
| In office August 6 1776 – September 11, 1789 | |
| Preceded by | First |
| Succeeded by | Samuel Meredith |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1728 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | September 29, 1804 |
Michael Hillegas (1728 - September 29, 1804) was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to a family of German descent.[1] As the son of a well-to-do merchant involved in iron and sugar, he had the freedom and resources to participate in local politics. Hillegas was a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from 1765 to 1775 and served as treasurer of the Committee of Safety under Benjamin Franklin in 1774.
Hillegas was the first[2] Treasurer of the United States. On 29 July 1775 Hillegas and fellow patriot George Clymer were appointed by the Continental Congress to share the office of Treasurer of the United Colonies.[3] Because Clymer was holding this office when the Declaration of Independence was signed, Clymer's signature appears on the document.
After Clymer's resignation on August 6 1776, Hillegas assumed sole ownership of the office and held it throughout the remainder of the conflict of the American Revolution, using much of his own fortune to support the cause. He also served briefly as quartermaster to the army and served on occasional commissions. On September 9 1776, the Continental Congress officially changed the name of the country to the United States of America, but Hillegas' title did not officially change until March 1778. On September 11, 1789 the US Congress created the Treasury Department and Alexander Hamilton took the oath of office as the first Secretary of the Treasury . On that same date Hillegas tendered his resignation, and Samuel Meredith was appointed Treasurer.
Hillegas was also an early member of the American Philosophical Society, along with Franklin. He died in Philadelphia and is buried near Franklin. Late in the 19th century, agitation by his descendants resulted in his portrait appearing on the ten dollar gold certificate from 1907 to 1922.
