in 1763 he was one of the surveryors to determine Mason and Sixon's Line, using instruments of his own construction. Later he determinded the line between New York and New Jersey. A clock, made by him, remains in the family to this day and is in good running order. It was a wedding gift from him to his sister Margaret.
He was treasurer of Pennslyvania and was appointed by Washington to be the first Director of the United States Mint. He built the first Mint and coined the First United States Money. John Ward Dunsmore's painting, "Washington Inspectiong the First Money Coined by United States," portrays David as he shows this first coinage to George and Martha Washington, to Thomas Jefferson, and to Alexander Hamilton and wife. The original picture hangs in Congress Hall, Philadelphia. It shows also Voight and Eckfeldt who were associated with Him. In the picture President Washington and Thomas Jefferson stand together, Martha Washington sits near Rittenhouse who stands with hands outstretched to receive the tray from Henry Voight who is approaching. Washington's secretary, Col. Lear, stands behind him. Hamilton and wife stand side by side. Adam Eckfeldt is at the hand press. At one time reproductions of this picture in colors could be obtained from the Osborne Art Calendar Company.
During the Revolution, David Rittenhouse served in the Pennsylvania legislature and upon the Committee of Safety. He was termed the "scientish patriot" of the Revolution. He was America's first astronomer, his attainments have secrued for him the highest honors possible to be conferred by any American institution. Besides, he was given membership in the Royal Society of London. He was the second president of the American Philosophical Society, succeeding his friend Benjamin Franklin and preceding his freind Thomas Jefferson. He was a close personal friend of George Washington's. An oil portrait of him hangs in the private dining-room at Mount Vernon. His memoirs by Barton has an engraving from a portrait painted by Peale.
Rittenhouse Square in Philadelphia was named for our Rittenhouse. A meridian stone of Quincy granite was dedicated to him at the Montgomery County Centennial. His brother, Benjamin, made the surveyors' chain which has been the standard of the United States Land Office since 1796.