Betsy Ross (1752-1836)
Jan 1 American seamstress widely credited with making the first American flag, born in Gloucester City, Colony of New Jersey
- Jan 2 Philip Freneau, poet of American Revolution (The American Village), born in New York city (d. 1832)
- Jan 19 James Morris III, American army officer (d. 1820)
- Jan 23 Muzio Clementi, Italian composer, born in Rome, Italy (d. 1832)
- Jan 30 Joseph Matthias Kracher, Austrian composer, born in Mattighofen, Austria (d. 1835)
- Jan 31 Gouverneur Morris, American lawmaker and diplomat (d. 1816)