Philip Syng

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Philip Syng[1] (1703-1789) was, like his namesake father[2], a renowned silversmith who created fine works in silver and sometimes gold for the rich families of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He also created the Syng inkstand, which was used to sign the United States Declaration of Independence.

He was a member of Benjamin Franklin's Junto. He was a founder of the Library Company of Philadelphia, the Union Fire Company, Philadelphia Contributionship for the Insurance of Houses from Loss by Fire, Pennsylvania Hospital, and the American Philosophical Society. He was a founding trustee of the Academy and College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania), serving from 1749 to 1773. Syng was also elected to various public offices including city assessor, warden of the port, and treasurer of the city and county of Philadelphia.

He died in Philadelphia in 1789, and is buried at Christ Church, Philadelphia.