Michael Hillegas (156)

Michael Hillegas (22 April 1729–29 September 1804) was a public officeholder, merchant, first Treasurer of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, and a member of the American Philosophical Society via his 1768 election to the American Society. Born in Philadelphia to a large and prosperous family, he joined his father’s store and inherited the business in 1750. Among his many wares, Hillegas was unique for offering musical instruments and was likely the leading purveyor. He bought one of Benjamin Franklin’s glass armonicas and counted Thomas Jefferson among his customers. Hillegas was active in the civil life of Philadelphia, and among his many beneficent and confraternal commitments—he supported the Philadelphia Hospital, Freemasons’ Hall, Silk Society, and various poor relief committees—he  corresponded with Franklin in London about book purchases for the Library Company of Philadelphia. Hillegas served in a variety of small public offices before being put forth as a candidate for the Pennsylvania Assembly who could woo ethnic German voters. He served in the Assembly from 1765–76 and held multiple committee posts, often regarding finance, grievances, or improvements. In the aftermath of the Boston Port Act (1774), Hillegas was elected to the Committee of Correspondence, and later served on the Committees of Observation (1774) and of Safety (1775), before becoming co-Treasurer of the United Colonies (1775) with fellow APS Member George Clymer. Hillegas became the sole Treasurer in 1776 and with Confederation in 1777 became the first Treasurer of the United States, serving until the ratification of the Constitution in 1789 created a new Treasury Department with APS member Alexander Hamilton as its Secretary. Hillegas promoted the collection of Revolutionary-era documents and stories through an exchange with fellow APS member Ebenezer Hazard and supported APS member Mathew Carey’s American Museum. Hillegas became a Philadelphia alderman and an associate judge in the mayor’s court by 1793, posts he held until his death in 1804. (PI, ANB)