Haym Salomon - Co-Financier
Funding the Revolution
In 1778, the British sentenced Salomon to death for espionage. He escaped, fleeing to Philadelphia, the home of the Continental Congress. His wife, Rachel, and his first-born son, Ezekiel, later joined him.
In Philadelphia, Salomon gained the attention of Robert Morris, who managed wartime trade and financial logistics for the Second Continental Congress. Salomon’s understanding of international trade and monetary matters made him indispensable to Morris. Over the course of the Revolution, Salomon and Morris raised thousands of dollars (the equivalent of millions in 2026 USD) to support the war.
Funding the Victory at Yorktown
In 1781, General Washington grew desperately short of funds. Encamped with his troops and the French army in New York’s lower Hudson Valley area, he lacked sufficient financial resources to pay his men or buy food and munitions. Washington called upon Salomon and Morris to raise capital. They quickly generated the funds to carry out the Battle of Yorktown.
The British army surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, on October 19, 1781
On October 19, 1781, the British army, led by Lieutenant General Cornwallis, surrendered to Washington and the French. The surrender marked the Revolution’s last major land battle and led to the Treaty of Paris. Signed in 1783, the treaty officially ended the war and recognized the United States as a free, independent nation.
Haym Salomon - Co-Financier
Funding the Revolution
In 1778, the British sentenced Salomon to death for espionage. He escaped, fleeing to Philadelphia, the home of the Continental Congress. His wife, Rachel, and his first-born son, Ezekiel, later joined him.
In Philadelphia, Salomon gained the attention of Robert Morris, who managed wartime trade and financial logistics for the Second Continental Congress. Salomon’s understanding of international trade and monetary matters made him indispensable to Morris. Over the course of the Revolution, Salomon and Morris raised thousands of dollars (the equivalent of millions in 2026 USD) to support the war.
Funding the Victory at Yorktown
In 1781, General Washington grew desperately short of funds. Encamped with his troops and the French army in New York’s lower Hudson Valley area, he lacked sufficient financial resources to pay his men or buy food and munitions. Washington called upon Salomon and Morris to raise capital. They quickly generated the funds to carry out the Battle of Yorktown.
The British army surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia, on October 19, 1781
On October 19, 1781, the British army, led by Lieutenant General Cornwallis, surrendered to Washington and the French. The surrender marked the Revolution’s last major land battle and led to the Treaty of Paris. Signed in 1783, the treaty officially ended the war and recognized the United States as a free, independent nation.