Philadelphia merchant.

Immigrated to Pennsylvania with his parents (1768). Trained as a merchant in Philadelphia (1772-76). Traveled to France (1780, 1781-83) and Martinique (1783) on business. Wounded in naval combat (1781). Warden of the port of Philadelphia (1787-89); surveyor of the port (1789-91). Retired (c. 1791).

Son of Arthur Erwin of Cromlin, Ireland. Never married.

First letter in correspondence: June 2, 1788; Arthur Ervin Brown, ed., “A Philadelphia Merchant in 1768-1791,” PMHB, xix (1895), 397-402.