Historedia
Person

Robert Morris

Events
6
Episodes
18
Years
1776–1791

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Robert Morris, with the role they cite and all of that event’s episodes. This is not a biography, and mentions are grouped by name, so two people with the same name can share this page.

Events and episodes

  1. Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet

    1776

    Role: Pennsylvania Committee of Safety member who chartered the Nancy

    1. March 1, 1776 (charter date) · Delaware BayRoyal Navy Blockades Delaware Bay

      The Royal Navy blockaded Delaware Bay to cut supplies reaching Philadelphia; Robert Morris chartered the brig Nancy on March 1, 1776, to carry gunpowder and arms.

    2. June 29, 1776 · Turtle Gut Inlet, off Cape May, New JerseyNancy Runs for Turtle Gut Inlet

      Blocked from Delaware Bay and pursued by Orpheus and Kingfisher, Nancy headed for Turtle Gut Inlet in heavy fog in the early hours of June 29, 1776.

    3. June 29, 1776 · Turtle Gut InletEngagement and Death of Richard Wickes

      The engagement off Turtle Gut Inlet ended as an early Continental Navy victory under John Barry, but Lieutenant Richard Wickes was killed by British cannon fire.

    4. after June 29, 1776 · Cape May area, New JerseyAftermath: Blockade Shifted

      The battle demonstrated American resourcefulness to the British, who moved their Philadelphia blockade further from the Cape May area; it is called the war's first privateer battle.

  2. Chartering of the Bank of North America

    1781–1782

    Role: Superintendent of Finance

    1. May 17, 1781 · Congressional proceedingsPlan Presentation

      Robert Morris presented the bank plan to Congress.

    2. May 26, 1781 · Congressional proceedingsCongressional Charter

      Congress chartered the Bank of North America.

    3. January 7, 1782 · Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia Opening

      The bank opened in Philadelphia.

  3. Opening of the Bank of North America

    1781–1791

    Role: Superintendent of Finance whose plan led to the bank's charter

    1. 1781–1791 · Bank of North America, PhiladelphiaWilling's Presidency and Franklin's Token Share

      Thomas Willing became the bank's first president, serving 1781–1791, while Benjamin Franklin bought a single token share in a gesture of good faith.

    2. May 17–26, 1781 · Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaMorris's Plan and Congressional Charter

      Robert Morris presented a banking plan in May 1781, drawing on Hamilton's recommendations, and Congress chartered the bank on May 26, 1781.

    3. January 7, 1782 · Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaOpening in Philadelphia

      The Bank of North America opened in Philadelphia on January 7, 1782, as the first chartered bank in the United States.

    4. 1783 · Bank of North America, PhiladelphiaTax Payments and Post-Opening Controversy

      By 1783 several states, including Massachusetts, allowed taxes to be paid in bank notes; postwar economic turmoil later prompted petitions to revoke the Pennsylvania charter.

  4. Robert Morris's Proposal for a National Mint

    1782

    Role: Superintendent of Finance of the United States who recommended a national mint and decimal coinage to Congress

    1. February 21, 1782 · Seat of the Congress of the Confederation (city not specified in sources)Congress of the Confederation authorizes a mint

      On February 21, 1782, the Congress of the Confederation passed the first authorization for the establishment of a mint in the United States.

  5. Newburgh Conspiracy

    1783

    Role: Financier who stopped army pay in early 1782 as a cost-saving measure

    1. March 1783 · Continental Army camp at Newburgh, New YorkWashington defuses the threatened uprising

      In March 1783, George Washington calmed the soldiers and helped secure back pay, defusing the apparent threat by army leaders.

    2. March 10, 1783 · army camp at Newburgh, New YorkAnonymous letter circulates at Newburgh

      An anonymous letter circulated in the army camp at Newburgh on March 10, 1783, possibly instigated by members of the Congress of the Confederation.

    3. June 1783 · unspecified location of letter's writingGates letter describes purpose as pressuring Congress

      A June 1783 letter by General Gates illustrated disagreement over the events, writing that their purpose was to pressure Congress.

  6. Founding of the US Department of the Treasury

    1789

    Role: Washington's first choice for Secretary; declined the appointment

    1. September 1789 · Confederation finances under the treasury boardTreasury board of the confederation ends

      A treasury board consisting of three commissioners oversaw the finances of the confederation of former colonies until September 1789.

    2. September 2, 1789 · New York, seat of the First United States CongressCongress creates the Department of the Treasury

      Congress enacted legislation on September 2, 1789, establishing a permanent Department of Treasury to manage government finances.

    3. September 11, 1789 · New York, seat of the federal governmentHamilton sworn in as first Secretary of the Treasury

      On September 11, 1789, Hamilton was nominated, confirmed in the Senate, and sworn in the same day as the first Secretary of the Treasury.

Sources

  1. Battle of Turtle Gut Inlet Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-20
  2. Bank of North America Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-28
  3. Robert Morris (financier) Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-13
  4. United States Mint Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-26
  5. Newburgh Conspiracy Wikipedia, revision of 2026-08-03
  6. United States Department of the Treasury Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-17
  7. Alexander Hamilton Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-20