If you count the value of human beings highest, then the largest slaveowner might get title of “richest man.” Washington owned over 300 slaves, but Thomas Jefferson had twice as many slaves, 600. Later, Col. Ward owned over 1,000 slaves, in the 1850’s. Among non-slave owners, John Hancock might be richest. Hancock was president of the Continental Congress in 1776, and considered the most dangrerous by the British, except for maybe Sam Adams. When the British offerred amnesty to any colonialist who laid down arms, the British exempted two people, Hancock & Sam Adams. Those two the British wanted hung, with no possibility of amnesty. Hancock opposed slavery. Hancock wanted to be general of the colonial army, but they picked Washington instead. They were two of the richest Americans, if not the richest. While Hancock had bought or sold less than a handful of slaves, his views changed and he came to oppose slavery completely, fairly early. Hancock was considered to be very generous to others, out distancing politicians or Founders, in his Massachusetts. His generosity may be an index of his wealth.