JOHN NIXON (1733-1808). Brigadier General, On July 8, 1776 Patriot John Nixon made the very First Public Proclamation Reading of the Declaration of Independence, read from the steps of the Pennsylvania State House, General George Washington’s Aide-de-Camp; Financier and Official Director of of the Bank of North America of Philadelphia, who served as a Militia Officer in the American Revolutionary War, and Chairman of the Committee of Safety.
March 1, 1769, Province of Pennsylvania, Three Pounds / Sixty Shillings dual denomination, Plate B, Colonial Current Indented Bill, Signed by “J. Nixon”, Fr. PA-133, PCGS graded Very Fine-25. Small Edge Repair as noted, printed on rag period paper, also signed by “Tho. Wharton” and “Jos. Richardson”.

This very elusive scarce note measures 88 mm x 72 mm and was Printed by David Hall and William Sellers, at Benjamin Franklin’s previously owned print shop in Philadelphia. Printed Leaves design on back with the text, “To Counterfeit Is Death”. Typeset “Pennsilvania” Spelling Error in its text. Even light circulation. Printed with sharp text and strong handwritten signatures. It appears choice in eye appeal, and for the grade (or better). Pedigree: Ex FCC Boyd Estate; Stacks sale of the John J. Ford, Jr. Collection, Part XV, October, 2006, Lot 8542.
John Nixon was a Revolutionary War Soldier and Financier. He is best remembered for making the first Public Proclamation of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.

He was the son of Richard Nixon, a wealthy shipping and mercantile merchant who owned Nixon's Wharf on the Delaware River. He received a business education in lieu of attending formal schooling. He inherited his father's business in 1749 and soon became involved in public affairs, as a lieutenant of the Dock Ward Company in 1756, a port warden in 1766, one of the Signers of paper currency issued by Pennsylvania in 1767, and a manager of Pennsylvania Hospital from 1768 until 1772.

In 1765 he joined others in signing the Non-Importation Agreement in response to the Stamp Act, imposed by the British government on Colonial America. He served in the Pennsylvania provincial conventions of 1774 and 1775 and was chosen as lieutenant colonel of the 3rd Philadelphia battalion in April 1775.

From May to July 1776 he was commander of the defenses of the Delaware River at Fort Island (later called Fort Miffin) near Philadelphia, and was in July 1776 he was assigned to the command of Philadelphia's city guard where he assumed responsibility for the city's defenses.

In 1776 he was promoted to the rank of colonel and became a member of the Navy Board. He served under General George Washington at the Battle of Trenton on December 26, 1775 and the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777, and was with him at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania during the winter of 1778 to 1779.

In 1780 he became the first director of the Bank of Pennsylvania which was formed to provision the Continental Army, and later he assisted in organizing the Bank of North America, serving as its president from 1792 until his death. He also served as a trustee of the College and Academy of Philadelphia from 1789 until it merged in 1791 with the University of the State of Pennsylvania to become the University of Pennsylvania. He died at his home in Philadelphia at the age of 75.




JOHN NIXON, Brigadier General, Declaration of Independence, George Washington, Aide-de-Camp, Bank of North America, David Hall, William Sellers, To Counterfeit Is Death, Revolutionary War, Committee of Safety