Samuel Caldwell (135)

Samuel Caldwell (1736–1798) was a merchant, and a member of the American Philosophical Society, elected in 1768. Born in Londonderry, Ireland, he eventually immigrated to Philadelphia, where he became a successful shipping merchant. During the lead-up to the American Revolution, he consistently supported independence. He signed the Non-Importation Agreement of 1765, joined the First Philadelphia Company of Light Horse, escorted exiled Quakers out of the city, and purchased supplies for Continental troops. He took the oath of allegiance in 1777. Caldwell struggled financially during the post-war depression, but by 1787 he had settled his debts and retired from business. Throughout his life he was involved with a number of fraternal, entrepreneurial, and philanthropic organizations including the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, the Silk Society, the Hibernia Fire Company, the Pennsylvania Hospital, and the Gloucester Fox Hunting Club. In 1789, he was appointed a clerk of the U.S. District Court of Pennsylvania, a position he held until his death in 1798. (PI)