Historedia
Person

Thomas Willing

Events
2
Episodes
8
Years
1781–1791

Every event in Historedia whose sources name Thomas Willing, 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. Opening of the Bank of North America

    1781–1791

    Role: First president of the bank

    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.

  2. Incorporation of the Bank of the United States

    1789–1791

    Role: Commissioner for subscriptions; later elected bank President

    1. 1789 · First Congress sessionCapitalization Through Stock Sales

      Hamilton proposed funding the bank through $10 million in stock sales, with the United States government purchasing the first $2 million in shares.

    2. circa 1790–1791 · Federal fiscal policy contextFiscal Program and Related Funding Measures

      The bank formed part of a three-part expansion of federal fiscal power; Hamilton also proposed raising duties on imported spirits and an excise on whiskey to meet government payment obligations.

    3. February 25, 1791 · Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, then the national capitalCongressional Charter of February 25, 1791

      The United States Congress chartered the Bank of the United States for twenty years on February 25, 1791, and Washington signed the bank bill into law the same day.

    4. March 19 – December 12, 1791 · Carpenters' Hall, PhiladelphiaCommissioners, Leadership, and Opening

      Washington appointed three subscription commissioners on March 19, 1791; the Philadelphia branch opened December 12, 1791, operating from Carpenters' Hall, with Willing elected President in October.

Sources

  1. Bank of North America Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-28
  2. First Bank of the United States Wikipedia, revision of 2026-09-12