Milton in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Rotary Centennial Park
Governor James Pollock / In God We Trust
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, August 22, 2015
1. Rotary Centennial Park Marker
Inscription.
Rotary Centennial Park. Governor James Pollock, also, In God We Trust. The center of the Milton Historic Downtown Walking Tour logo is a reproduction of the design used on the 1864 two-cent coin, which was the first coin minted by the United States with the inscription "In God We Trust." The Director of the Mint at that time was Milton native and former Pennsylvania governor James Pollock. According to the Library of Congress, Gov. Pollock is the originator of the motto "In God We Trust," which still appears on all U.S. coins and currency.
James Pollock was born on September 11, 1810 in Milton, a son of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian parents, William Pollock and Sarah Wilson. Not yet seven years old when his father died in 1817, Pollock's mother, who lived to age ninety-four, managed to educate her seven children. After attending the prestigious Milton Academy, the future governor received a Bachelor's degree, with highest honors, and a Master of Arts degree, both from the College of New Jersey at Princeton. He studied law with Milton attorney Samuel Hepburn before setting up his own law practice in Milton in 1833.
He served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and was later elected governor of the state, serving 1855-1858. He was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to serve as Director of the U.S. Mint in 1861.
The motto "In God We Trust" was placed on United States coins largely because of the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Many appeals from devout persons throughout the country urged the United States to recognize the Deity on its coins. The Congress passed the Act of April 22, 1864, which authorized the minting of the two-cent coin.
The phrase "In God We Trust" may have already been developed informally by others, however, Gov. James Pollock is officially recognized as its originator. Eventually, "In God We Trust" was placed on all U.S. currency and a law was passed by the 84th Congress and approved by President Eisenhower on July 30 1956, declaring "In God We Trust" the national motto of the United States.
It can be accurately said that "you always have a piece of Milton in your pocket."
The center of the Milton Historic Downtown Walking Tour logo is a reproduction of the design used on the 1864 two-cent coin, which was the first coin minted by the United States with the inscription "In God We Trust." The Director of the Mint at that time was Milton native and former Pennsylvania governor James Pollock. According to the Library of Congress, Gov. Pollock is the originator of the motto "In God We Trust," which still appears on all U.S. coins and currency.
James Pollock was born on September 11, 1810 in Milton, a son of Scotch-Irish Presbyterian parents,
William Pollock and Sarah Wilson. Not yet seven years old when his father died in 1817, Pollock's mother, who lived to age ninety-four, managed to educate her seven children. After attending the prestigious Milton Academy, the future governor received a Bachelor's degree, with highest honors, and a Master of Arts degree, both from the College of New Jersey at Princeton. He studied law with Milton attorney Samuel Hepburn before setting up his own law practice in Milton in 1833.
He served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly and was later elected governor of the state, serving 1855-1858. He was appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to serve as Director of the U.S. Mint in 1861.
The motto "In God We Trust" was placed on United States coins largely because of
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the increased religious sentiment existing during the Civil War. Many appeals from devout persons throughout the country urged the United States to recognize the Deity on its coins. The Congress passed the Act of April 22, 1864, which authorized the minting of the two-cent coin.
The phrase "In God We Trust" may have already been developed informally by others, however, Gov. James Pollock is officially recognized as its originator. Eventually, "In God We Trust" was placed on all U.S. currency and a law was passed by the 84th Congress and approved by President Eisenhower on July 30 1956, declaring "In God We Trust" the national motto of the United States.
It can be accurately said that "you always have a piece of Milton in your pocket."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Patriots & Patriotism. A significant historical date for this entry is September 11, 1810.
Location. 41° 1.001′ N, 76° 51.403′ W. Marker is in Milton, Pennsylvania, in Northumberland County. Marker is at the intersection of S. Front Street and Mahoning Street on S. Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Milton PA 17847, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . James Pollock - Wikipedia. (Submitted on August 24, 2015, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.)
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, August 22, 2015
3. James Pollock Bridge
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, August 22, 2015
4. James Pollock Memorial Bridge
United States Mint, Philadelphia, 1864
5. Two-Cent Piece Showing "In God We Trust" Motto
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 24, 2015, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 274 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 24, 2015, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 5. submitted on August 24, 2015.
