Evening journal., 1888-11-27
THOMAS WILLING.

In the descriptive pamphlet Of VIII
mington, recently published by the Board
of Trade, casual mention is made Of the
origin Of the name Of the city. Whining
ton Il is explained as a corruption Of
the name Willing, Thomas Willing hav-
lug saSea an active interest an laying out
the city. From Wilmington is derived
Wilmington.
ar Willing was an eminent Phila-
delphian, living during the early days Of
the Republic, Immediately succeeding the
war Of the Revolution. He was bust
ness partner Of Robert Morris. and had
served successfully as secretary TO the
Congress Of Delegates at Albany, Judge
Of therSupreme Court of Pennsylvania,
mayor Of Philadelphia. member OF the
Colonial Assembly. and president Of the
Provincial Congress- He was afterwards
chosen as a delegate to Congress under
the Confederation, and also as first presi-
dent of the Bank Of the United States.
Mr.. Willing in personal appearance could
very easily have been mistaken for
George Washington. Their portraits
show a most remarkable resemblance.
Horace Binney, the distinguished Phila-
delphia lawyer and member Of Congress.
speaking Of him, said: "His character
was not unlike that of Washington. and
in the discretion Of his conduct, the
fidelity Of his professions, and the great
influence. both public and private, which
belonged 60 him, the destined leader
Washington was certain to find the
elements of an affinity by which they
would be united in the closest manner
Mr. Willing possesseda high reputation
as a fnancier In addition to the I'M
sought honor conferred upon him
by his appointment as first president
of the Bank of the United States
he was prevailed upon to accept the first
presidency Of the first bank chartered in
he United States, the Bank Of North
America, in Philadelphia. It was the
granting Of the charter of this bank by
Congress that first raised the question as
to the existence Of the implied powers in
that body. It's organization was largely
the result Of the efforts Of Thomas vii.
ling. The part that Mr. Willing played
in the early history of Philadelphia is
somewhat analogous to the por-
tion that Mr. Wanamaker now holds.
He was an active business man, quick to
act in any business enterprise and uni
versally respected by his fellow citizens.
AR Willing thoroughly appreciated the
advantages Of the geographical situation
then occupied by this city. He took an
active interest in the laying ont Of the
lower part Of the city, foreseeing that
Wilmington was destined to extend to
the banks of the Delaware. and become
great Industrial and commercial centre.
The expectations Of Mr. Willing have
been realized only in par' Wilmington
has grown wonderfnllv but 8 growth
has been inland The series OF terraces
TO the north aud west, o .ering unex-
celled facilities for drainage, were
naturally first selected as sites
for residences in preference TO the
low-lying lands near the Delaware river
Now that these latter lands have been
rendered desirable as sites for business
houses and manufactures, the Board Of
Trade confidently predict that the Della
ware river front, before the progress Of
many years, will be lined for several
miles with large manufacturing and ship
ping establishments, warehouses and
wharves. Thomas Willing perceived
these possibilities, and his efforts viii be
remembered when Wilmington, formerly
Christianaham. occupies the position Of
commercial and national Importance, to
which the geographical situation and the
energy and push Of her citizens entities
her.