Merchant, born in Settle, Yorkshire, England, on the 17th of January 1734; died in New York on the 30th of October 1807; came in 1751 to New York, where he engaged in business, also becoming the owner of vessels engaged in privateering. He was prominently connected with the events leading to the war of the Revolution, being, in 1774, one of the committee to carry out the resolutions of non-intercourse; but, on account of his neutrality when hostilities began, incurred the suspicions of the Committee of Safety. Remaining in New York during the British occupation, he was able to render assistance to continental officers held as prisoners of war.
