Philip Minis

Philip Minis (July 11, 1734 – March 6, 1789) was an American merchant, and the first white male born in the colony of Savannah, Province of Georgia. He went on to become paymaster to the Continental Army in Georgia during the American Revolutionary War, in addition to being an advisor to French and continental forces. His name appears in the Journals of the Continental Congress. Early life and career Minis was born on July 11, 1734, the year following his parents' arrival in the Savannah colony after emigrating from England. The third child of nine of Abraham and Abigail Minis (after sisters Leah and Esther), he was the first white male born in the colony. He married Judith Polock, of Newport, Rhode Island, on July 20, 1774. They had five children. One of them, Isaac (1780–1856), had a son named Abram, who built several properties in Savannah in the 19th century. He was "one of Savannah's leading merchants and a citizen of the highest integrity and social influence." Abram's brother, Philip, became a noted physician in Savannah. Philip and Judith's other children were daughters Abigail (1775–1835), Frances "Fanny" (1776–1827) and Philippa (or Phillipa) (1789–1865), and son Abraham (1778–1801). Judith was the daughter of Isaac Polock. During the Revolutionary War, Minis was paymaster to the Continental troops in Georgia. He advanced $11,000 of his own money to fund their purchase of supplies. He was also an advisor to French and continental forces. His name appears in the Papers of the Continental Congress.