John Inglis was born in Scotland in 1708. He came to Philadelphia in 1736 from the Island of Nevis where he had been a merchant. He here pursued the same career, soon rising into prominence as a successful merchant, and was in partnership with Samuel M'Call, senior, his wife's brother-in-law and cousin. He was elected a Common Councilman 1 October, 1745. On 1 January, 1747–8 he was commissioned Captain of the First Company of the Associated Regiment of Foot, of which Samuel M'Call senior was a Major; and in the Association Battery Company of 1756 he was a private with his wife's brother Archibald M'Call and brother-in-law William Plumsted. During the absence of Abraham Taylor, he was Deputy Collector from 1751 to 1753. He was in the Commission of 1756, of which Alexander Stedman at that time a Trustee of the Academy was also a member, to audit the accounts of the farmers of Pennsylvania and others, who had claims for losses of horses and wagons under the contracts which Franklin had made in 1755 to supply Braddock's needs. He signed the war Importation Resolutions of 1765. He was one of the organizers of the St. Andrew's Society in 1749, and succeeded Governor Morris as its President. He died 20 August, 1775. We may recognize a familiar pen in the obituary notice of him in the Pennsylvania Gazette of 23 August:
On Sunday morning last, after a lingering and painful indisposition, which he supported with great equanimity, died John Inglis, Esq., of this city in the 68th year of his age; a gentleman who early acquired, and maintained to the last, the character of a truly honest man. Possessing a liberal and independent spirit, despising everything which he thought unbecoming a gentleman, attentive to business, frugal but yet elegant in his economy, he lived superior to the world, beloved and respected as an useful citizen, an agreeable companion, a sincere friend, and an excellent father of a family.
He married 16 October, 1736, Catherine, daughter of George M'Call, a native of Scotland then settled in Philadelphia, whose wife was a daughter of Jasper Yeates and a descendant of Joran Kyn the founder of the Swedish settlement at Upland. Of their numerous children, John was engaged in the merchant marine service, and secured a commis-
