George Ord, Sr. was born in England in May, 1741 and settled in Southwark. He married Rebecca Lindmeyer on January 17, 1767. They lived in a three-story brick house with a large garden at 784 South Front Street, between Catharine and Clymer Streets. Prior to settling in Philadelphia he was a successful ship captain.
From 1779 to 1781, Ord partnered with Samuel Inglis and made a fortune as a privateer from the bounties earned on the ships and cargoes taken. Inglis and Ord bought or insured more than 10 privateer ships, several of which were co-owned by Willing, Morris, and other leading Philadelphia merchants. The fledgling American Navy was in no position to challenge the British naval forces, the most powerful in the world at the time. To supplement its small fleet, the Continental Congress authorized private ships along the East Coast to attack and seize British commercial vessels. Ord and Inglis became wealthy from the bounties earned on the ships and cargoes taken by their privateers. In April, 1785 he was chosen as a Warden of the Port of Philadelphia. In 1798, George used his fortune to establish a successful business as a rope maker and ship chandler—that is, a merchant who provides supplies necessary for ships, such as sails, tar, pitch, oils, tools, hooks, and brooms and mops. The business was based at the Willing & Francis wharf on the Delaware River.
Ord is buried next to the Church, near the rectory. His tombstone read “Beneath This Stone are deposited the remains of Captain George Ord. He was born in The Kingdom of Great Britain May 26, 1741 and died in Philadelphia on October 13, 1806. Age 65. In his will he requested that his wife and son George carry on his business for eight years. Ord’s wife, Rebecca died June 13, 1823 at the age of 81.
The Ords had four children including George, Jr., Ann Pinkerton, Maria McMullen, and Henrietta Ord.
Conservation assessment
Beneath
This Stone are deposited
the remains of
Captain George Ord
He was born in
The Kingdom of Great Brittan
May 26, 1741
and died in Philadelphia
October 13, 1806
Aged 65
Also
Rebecca Ord
Widow of Captain George Ord
who died June 13, 1823
aged 81
Type of Marker: Table tomb with brick
Material: Marble
Issues: Biogrowth, cracking, loss
Comments: brick base
Evaluation
Historic Integrity: Intact
Structural Integrity: Excellent
Material Integrity: Excellent
Legible Inscription: Fair
Marker Details
Inventory Number: 2
Plot Number: 2
Historic Number: 2
Ledger Book Number: 2
Cemetery Section: 1
Orientation: East
Marker Height/Length (in): 72
Marker Width (in): 37
Marker Thickness/Depth (in): 3