The Philadelphia silversmith was the son of an Irish-born silversmith, also named Philip. The family emigrated to Philadelphia, and both father and son had successful careers there. Syng is perhaps best known today as the creator of the silver inkstand owned by the Pennsylvania Assembly, which was used by members of the Second Continental Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence. The younger Syng was almost exactly Franklin's age, and became a personal friend. He was a member of Franklin's Junto, a fellow founder of the Contributionship For Insuring Houses From Loss by Fire, one of the group of men who created the educational institution that is now the University of Pennsylvania, and one of the quartet who experimented with electrical apparati. His name appears below Franklin's on the published account of Franklin's electrical experiments.