Born in Liverpool, England. He came to the U.S. in 1747. Married Mary White in 1773. They had seven children.

Member of the Continental Congress and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He served as superintendent of finance 1781 to 1784. Called the "Financier of the Revolution." In 1871 he presented a plan for establishment of a Bank of North America. Congress approved the plan May 26. A charter was granted December 31, 1781. He was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Elected Senator and served March 4, 1789, to March 3, 1795. He died in Philadelphia.

During the period of 1781 to 1782 Morris issued paper money based on his personal credit. At that time his credit rating was better than the rating for the federal government. Notes that could be redeemed at sight were referred to colloquially as "Short Bobs." Notes for future redemption were called "Long Bobs." It is believed that about $600,000 worth were issued in denominations of $20, $30, $50 and $100.

Morris appears on paper money:

$10 Silver Certificate, series 1878 and 1880

$1000 Legal Tender Notes, series 1862 & 1863

$1000 Bank of United States Note $10 Northampton Bank, Pennsylvania

bio: ApCAB; BDC; DAB; Drake (*gives date as 1733); EAB; Limpert; NCAB 2; TCBDA; WAB; WWWA-H; CW/NM 2/4/76