George Taylor
Born: c. 1716
Died: February 23, 1781
Colony/State: Pennsylvania
Occupation / Public Role: Ironmaster, legislator, delegate to the Continental Congress
Contribution to the Founding Era: Delegate to the Continental Congress, signer of the Declaration of Independence, and one of the few men to rise from indentured service to become a signer of the Declaration.
George Taylor was born in Ireland around 1716 and immigrated to Pennsylvania in the 1730s. Historical accounts note that he came to the colonies as an indentured servant, making him one of the most unusual figures among the signers. He later entered the iron industry, rose through its ranks, and became an ironmaster, a background that set him apart from the many lawyers and merchants in the Continental Congress.
Before independence, Taylor had already become active in Pennsylvania public life. The U.S. House history office records that he served in the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly and also held local office as a justice of the peace. He eventually became connected with major iron operations, including Durham Furnace, which would later help support the Revolutionary cause.
Taylor entered the Continental Congress in 1776 after Pennsylvania replaced delegates who had refused to support independence. The National Constitution Center notes that he was sent to Philadelphia as one of those replacements, and he signed the engrossed copy of the Declaration on August 2, 1776. The National Archives lists him as 60 years old in 1776 and identifies his occupation as merchant, though he is especially remembered historically for his role as an ironmaster.
His service to the Revolutionary cause was not just political. Sources on Taylor’s later life note that he continued overseeing production of cannon shot and shells at Durham Furnace for the Continental Army and Navy. That means Taylor helped support independence not only with his vote and signature, but also with industrial output, which is a pretty useful skill when a revolution needs more than speeches.
George Taylor died in 1781. He is not one of the most famous signers today, but his story is one of the more striking ones: foreign-born, once indentured, later an ironmaster, legislator, Continental delegate, and signer of the Declaration. He was one of those founders who did not arrive polished and powerful. He climbed into the room the hard way.
Related Links
- Signers of the Declaration of Independence
- Declaration of Independence
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