Michael Hillegas Gets Hired as Treasurer of the United States
Michael Hillegas was the longtime Treasurer of the United States…before the Constitution!
Michael Hillegas
By the outbreak of the Revolutionary War, Michael Hillegas had made a fortune across several industries.
In addition to his career as a successful merchant, Hillegas also owned a sugary refinery and an iron mine.
Furthermore, Michael operated what may have been the first music store in North America.
Revolutionary
As tensions grew between Great Britain and her colonies, Hillegas began to receive election to the Pennsylvania Assembly.
When Philadelphia established a Committee of Safety, Hillegas began acting as Treasurer.
The following year, the Second Continental Congress decided it was imperative that they have someone handle the finances.
Although he was not a Delegate, Michael was hired (along with George Clymer) as one of two Treasurers.
Treasurer of the United States
After independence was declared, Clymer left the position to serve as a Congressman.
Michael Hillegas held on to the office as sole Treasure of the United States.
He would remain in this position for the next 14 years...until the US Constitution was ratified and put in operation.
Because of this, Hillegas is part of an elite club of Founders who WORKED FOR the Continental Congress through the entirety of it’s duration. The other was Secretary Charles Thomson (though credit should also be given to Ebenezer Hazard who served as Postmaster General for 7 years).
Want to read about other SUGAR REFINERS of the Founding?
Check out these articles:
Sugar, Money and Revolution - Isaac Roosevelt Earns a Fortune
Revolutionary Candyman - Christopher Leffingwell Rations Dessert to the Continental Army
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These sugar refiners were notably upset by the Sugar Act.
To learn more about this and the other Intolerable Acts, check out ‘From the Sugar Act to the Shot Heard Round the World.’
If you’d like a precious copy for your very own you can through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
