Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 19

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482

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STATE OF DELAWARE

lie side by side in the quaint old cemetery and came to this country early in the overlooking the Connecticut River. A tit- eighteenth century. ting monument marks his place of burial with an appropriate epitaph carved thereon. "Ile was distinguished in the world as the Hero of Lake Champlain."

GOVERNOR JOHN MCKINLY.

Dr. John MeKinly, who had the distin- guished honor of being the first President (or Governor) of the State of Delaware, after the Declaration of Independence, was a native of the north of Ireland, where he was born February 24, 1721. Nothing is known of his parentage or family, or the year when he came to this country. That he must have had some advantages in the way of securing an education is evident, for he studied medicine; and when he arrived here he at once engaged in the pro- fession which he had chosen.

Like the majority of Irish immigrants at that time, he probably landed at New Castle, and at once made his way to Wilmington, where he settled and commenced the practice of his profession. That he was here at an early date, and when quite a young man, is shown by the records. It appears that he was appointed sheriff of New Castle county by William Denny, Colonial governor, October 4, 1757, and re-appointed in 1758 and 1759, making three years of continuous service in that line. . Noting the date of his birth, he must have been but a little over thirty years of age when the appointment of high sheriff was conferred on him.

About the time his term as sheriff closed he was chosen chief burgess of the infant borough of Wilmington. This was in 1759, and so well did he perform the duties of the office that his fellow-citizens persisted in re- electing him from year to year, so that he continued to serve until 1776, a period of fif- teen years. Ilis long service as burgess, there- fore, attests his worth and popularity as a man and officer, and the confidence reposed in him, by his fellow citizens. He married Jane Rich- ardson, about 1761 or 1766, as nearly as can be ascertained. She was the eighth daughter and twelfth child of John and Ann Richard- son, and was born near Wilmington, February 1, 1727. Her parents were English Friends,

Dr. MeKinly early took a stand against British oppression, and like all of his race, became an ardent and outspoken patriot. ile was of fearless and decided character, and pronounced in his opinions, which increased his popularity with those who opposed taxa- tion without representation. Atter the De- claration of Independence, and when a re- organization of the State government became necessary, he was honored by being chosen the first president (governor) of the State of Delaware, February 12, 1777, for three years, and administered the office until the following September.

On the night of the 11th of September 1777, just after the battle of Brandywine, a detach- ment of British soldiers suddenly appeared in Wilmington, and seeking the house of the governor, forcibly entered it and took him from his bed, and detained him as prisoner. Ilis desk was broken open, and his books and papers taken therefrom. The invaders, not content with securing his records, plundered the house of everything of value, including plate and provisions, which they carried away. The capture of the governor of a State was regarded by the invaders as securing to them a valuable prize, and they were determined to make the most of it. Gov. MeKinly was hurried away by his captors to New Castle and confined on board the Solbay, a small war vessel lying in the Delaware River off that place. Here he was carefully guarded until the British captured Philadelphia and obtained possession of the forts on the Dela- ware, when, on the 22d of November, he was removed to a prison ship lying off Chester, and taken thence to Philadelphia, where he was imprisoned in the State House. Here he was kept in close confinement until the English evacuated the city, June 16, 1778, when he was taken by sea to New York and confined at Flatbush on Long Island. In the following month he was paroled and returned to Philadelphia, where, after some delay on the part of Congress, he was exchanged in Sep- tember 1778, and returned to his home and wife in Wilmington after a captivity of about one year.

Governor McKinly resided on the north-

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

west corner of Third and French streets, Wil- mington. Great changes have taken place in the locality during the last hundred years, but the spot where his house stood can easily be pointed out. On his return from captivity he resumed the practice of his profession, and as physicians were searee in those days, he was kept busy looking after the sick. This business he followed to the close of his life, or until borne down by the weight of years he was unable to continue his regular. visita- tions. An interesting relic of the old time physician, in the form of the lantern used by him, is preserved among the antiquities of the State Historical Society, Wilmington. It is in a good state of preservation, yet venerable appearance, and contrasts strangely with our modern lanterns. A card is attached to it, which, after setting forth the name of the owner and his capture by the British while serving as the first governor of Delaware, concludes in these words. "This lantern lighted the path of the devoted, able physician, during his nightly visits to the sick and af- flieted, borne by his devoted African servant, Forten, when street lamps were unknown. There are a few persons still living in Wil- mington who bear kindly recollections of master and man."

Like nearly all the early Irish immigrants, Dr. McKinly was an adherent of the Presby- terian faith, and on December 23d, 1789, his name appears as one of the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, Wilmington, when application for incorporation was made, and he continued to act as a trustee until his death in 1796. He was liberal in his religious views, however, and at one time offered the vestry of the Old Swedes' Church a lot of ground at the corner of Seventh and Market streets, Wilmington, if they would build a church there; but for some reason the offer was declined.

Among the papers relating to Dr. MeKinly, preserved in the New York Public Library, is the following estimate of the damage he sus- tained to his property in the months of Sep- tember and October, 1777, when the British were in possession of the borough of Wil- mington:

The dwelling house broken open and

damaged, table linen and wearing

apparel, and household furniture taken and destroyed,

£35.

Shop furniture and medicines taken and destroyed, . 25

Wine and spirits taken and used, .. 50 A saddle and bridle, with plated mounting taken; riding chair, with a top, and gears, broken and damag- ed, . 20

15 Ilay taken and made use of, . . A large quantity of fencing, chiefly with red cedar posts, some railing and a parcel of boards, and loose ' posts and rails, burned and de- stroyed, .. 60.

A chest containing books and accounts, deeds, &e., together with cash and a variety of valuable effects (exclu- sive of public money and papers) taken, 850.

£1,055

Errors excepted by John McKinly.

New Castle County:

Doctor MeKinly, on his solemn oath, doth. depose that the above, amounting to £1,055, is according to the best of his knowledge, a fair and reasonable estimate of the damages. he sustained by the enemy, as above stated, at the time above mentioned.

John McKinly.

Sworn this 18th December, 1782,

Before Jno. Lea.

Whether he was reimbursed by the govern- ment for the loss he sustained is unknown; but, considering the poor financial condition of the infant republic at that time and for. many years afterwards, the probabilities are that he had to shoulder the loss.

Doctor MeKinly was an active and con- scientious practitioner, and took a deep inter- est in whatever was calculated to advance the science of medicine. He gave his influence to- ward founding the first Medical Society in the state, and his name appears first among the twenty-eight charter members. The Legisla- ture granted articles of incorporation Febru- ary 3, 1789, under the title of "The President and Fellows of the Medical Society of Dela- ware." This was the third society in the United States, and an organization was effect-

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ed at Dover, May 12, 1789, by electing Dr. James Tilton president. The society is still in existence and the name of Dr. MeKinly is revered among the pioneer practitioners of more than a hundred years ago.

When Doctor MeKinly died on the 31st of August, 1796, he had attained the age of seventy-five years, six months and seven days. Ilis death was sincerely mourned by all the inhabitants of Wilmington, for they felt that a sincere and valuable citizen had been called hence.

Claypoole's American Daily Advertiser, published in Philadelphia, contained under date of September 7, 1796, the following obituary, which shows the esteem in which he was held, not only at home but abroad:

"This respectable citizen died full of years, carrying with him to the grave the sincere respect of his friends and the esteem of all who knew him. Dr. MeKinly was a native of Ireland, but settled in Wilmington more than half a century ago. The early part of his life was spent in the laborious and useful discharge of the duties of his profession. Upon the first dawning of the Revolution he warmly and actively espoused the cause of freedom. The confidence of his fellow citi- zens rewarded his zeal for their interests and invested him with the office of President [ Governor ] of the State as soon as a govern- ment was organized under the first constitu- tion.

"The latter part of Governor McKinly's life has been spent in the pleasant enjoyment of the fruits of honest industry and virtuous fame. And when arrived at the goal which was to terminate life's career, he resigned his spirit into the hands of Him who gave it, with a serenity and content which can be experi- enced only by a mind clear of reproach."

His will bears date August 27, 1795, and was probated September 14, 1796. Ile made provision for paying the interest on a bond for $100 held by James MeKennan during his life: and £6 were to be paid to Rev. William MeKennan during his life. Thirty dollars were directed to be paid to the First Presby- terian Church, being the amount of his sub- scription, in favor of "Francis Allen Latta, as minister of the First. Presbyterian Church for seven years, providing he continues as minister." He also bequeathed £100, or so much as may be necessary, for building a

stone wall and gateway, for the First Pres- byterian Church. The rest of his estate, per- sonal and real, was devised to his wife, and hy appointed her his sole executrix. The wit- nesses to the will were James A. Bayard and Henry Latimer.

The remains of Dr. MeKinly were interred in the Presbyterian church yard, corner of Market and Tenth streets, Wilmington, in the presence of a large concourse of friends and mourners who took this opportunity to pay their last respects to the honored dead. On his tombstone are inseribed these words: "This monument is erected to the memory of John McKinly, M. D., who was born in the Kingdom of Ireland on the 24th of February, A. D., 1721, and died in this town on the 31st of August, A. D., 1796. He settled early in life in this country and pursuing the practice of physic, soon became eminent in his profession. He served in sever- al important publie employments and, parti- cularly, was the first person who filled the office of President [Governor] of the State after the Declaration of Independence. He died full of years, having passed a long life usefully to the public and honorably to him- self."

The widow of Dr. John MeKinly survived him over eight years, dying July 18, 1805, of apoplexy or paralysis, suddenly, while sit- ting in her chair, in apparent good health, at the age of seventy-eight years, five months and seventeen days. She was buried at New Castle. They left no descendants.

THE RICHARDSON FAMILY.

One of the oldest families in Delaware is the one bearing the name of Richardson. Twenty years ago (1878) Richard Richardson published a genealogy of the family, giving what facts were then obtainable regarding the early members, but as the edition was small and designed only for private circulation, copies are now difficult to obtain. From that record the following genealogy has been ob- tained.

Mr. Richardson informs us that the earliest ancestor of the family, of whom there is any account, came to this country about 1682. His name was John Richardson, and he emi- grated from Lincolnshire, England. Prond, in his History of Pennsylvania (p. 218), in a

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

note says: "Of the Quakers that settled in and about New Castle in the year 1682, were John Hussey, John Richardson, Edward Blake, &c." Another writer says: "John Hussey, John Richardson, Edward Blake, Benjamin Scott, and other Friends, being set- tled in and near New Castle, held a meeting for worship several years at private houses in said town; it was first set up by the authority of the yearly meeting of Philadelphia, the 2d of the first month 1684, and continued until 1705, when a lot of ground was purchased, and a meeting house was built."

As regards the time of his emigration to this country there is no positive knowledge. In the Register of Arrivals in Philadelphia, in the library of the Historical Society, it is stated that a John Richardson arrived at Phila- delphia in the ship Endearor on the 20th of July, 1683. This may have been the ancestor of the family: but as there was more than one John Richardson that came from England, it is uncertain which was the right one. There has been a tradition in the family that he emi grated in the shin which brought over Robert Ashton; if that be the case, the date may be fixed as being March 8, 1686. But this is several years later than the other dates. The two accounts may be reconciled, if we con- clude that John Richardson came in advance of his family, and that they came with Robert Ashton, which is not improbable.

His wife's name was Elizabeth but this is all that is known respecting her. His children were. as appears from his will, two sons, John and Richard, and a daughter, whose name is not mentioned, married to James Anderson, of George's Creek, Dela- ware.

John Richardson left nearly the whole of his estate not previously given to them-to his two sons. after the death of his widow, without specifving what it was, or where situa- ted: it is therefore impossible to give any in- formation about it. He also had real estate at New Castle.

John Richardson was a member of Assem- bly for New Castle county in 1697. as annears from the minutes of the Council held the "19th of May, 1697." at Philadelphia. He also held the office of justice of the peace-a more important office at that time than now-un- der Penn's government, as appears from a no-

tice published in the Journal of the Franklin Institute, Vol. iv., p. 11, Third Series, 1842, describing the mode of laying out the curve of the northern boundary of the State of Delaware in 1701. Penn in his order for making the survey, instructed Isaac Taylor, of the county of Chester, and Thomas Pier- son, of the county of New Castle in the terri- tories, "to accompany the magistrates of each county, or any three of them." And it ap- pears from the surveyor's memoranda, under date of October 26, 1701, that they began "at the end of the horse dyke in the town of New Castle," and that among the justices present was John Richardson.

There are several other Richard-ons men- tioned in Proud's History of Pennsylvania, and in other records; another Jolm Richard- son, who must not be confounded with the ancestor of the Delaware family, who was a member of William Penn's first council, and died in 1700; also Samuel Richardson, a men- ber of council, and many times prothonotary of Philadelphia, from whom the Richardsons of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, are de- scended; besides others of the same name in various parts of this country.

John Richardson died November 19, 1710, and his remains were probably interred in the Friends' burial ground at New Castle, where the family still has a private lot en- closed by a wall. As the date of his birth is not known, it is not possible to state his age. Neither is it known how long his wife sur- vived him. He had a brother Joseph Richard- son in England, to whose son John left a small legacy. His will is dated November 10, 1710, and he died on the 19th of the same month. In it he makes ample provision for his wife Elizabeth, remembers a number of his relatives with small bequests, and then orders that after his wife's death all of his estate, real and personal, shall go to his two sons, John and Richard. The will in full is on record at Wilmington, Book B, page 224.

SECOND GENERATION.

This relates to the children of John and Elizabeth Richardson. Nothing is known of their son Richard, except through the refer- ence made to him in his father's will. It is uncertain whether he ever was in this country, though his father's will would seem to indicate

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that he was. It is pretty certain, however, that he left no descendants in this country.

Jolm Richardson the second, son of John and Elizabeth, was born in England in 1679, and emigrated to this country with his parents when a child, in the year 1652 or thereabouts. Ile married Ann Ashton, of St. George's, New Castle county, Delaware, at a Friends' meeting, held at her father's house July 7, 1704, as appears from the marriage certiti- cate, he being twenty-five years of age, and she a year younger. Her parents were Robert and Elizabeth Ashton, of St. George's, New Castle county.

They settled on the banks of the Christiana Creek, about two miles above the present city of Wilmington, on the first point of upland on the north side of said creek above Wil- mington, and John Richardson, 2, owned nearly all the land bordering on the creek as high as the "Folly woods," as they are now called, and including them. It was his inten- tion to found a town there, the plan being arranged and the streets laid out on paper; but in this he was disappointed; the site of Wilmington being nearer the river Delaware, his enterprise was superseded. He and his sons carried on a considerable mercantile trade from this place, having wharves and storehouses there, transporting sugar, mo- lasses and other West Indian products in ves- sels of their own; his sons going out with the vessels as commanders and supercargoes. Their business was extensive for those times; and Jolm Richardson acquired a considerable estate, both real and personal. His old man- sion house, with an addition built in 1743, was standing until the year 1833, when it was taken down, the walls being cracked and in an unstable condition. The present house is on the same site; the old bricks were used in the construction of the new dwelling. The for- mer one was quite a curiosity in its way, hav- ing leaden sashes in the windows. An old corner cupboard, a relie of the furniture of John Richardson, is still preserved in the house. It belongs, or did belong, to Henry Latimer, a descendant of Robert Richardson. The house and land were left to John Rich- andson, son of Robert Richardson, by the will of his grandfather John Richardson, and the younger John Richardson dying childless and intestate, it descended to his sister, Ann Latimer, as heir-at-law.

John Richardson was a member of the As- sembly for the three lower counties, now the State of Delaware, for the year 1716 and frequently afterwards; he also held the office of Justice of the Peace and Judge of the Pro- vincial Court; he was highly esteemed, and of unblemished reputation.

It is mentioned in Smith's History of Penn- sylvania (See Hazzard's Register) that "a monthly meeting of Friends was held in a private house the 2d of 3 mo. 1686, and was composed of Friends living in the said town, and near Christiana and White Clay Creeks and the east of the Brandywine, and con- tinued to be held at New Castle till the 1st month, 1687, when it was moved to Newark, and held at Valentine Hollingsworth, Corne- lius Empson, and Morgan Derwitt's for the case of the members thereof, until the year 1704, at which time it was moved to the cen- tre, and held by turns at New Castle, Newark and Centre, and sometimes at the house of Joli Richardson; this continued until 1715."

The marriage certificate of John Richardson and Ann Ashton is still preserved, and is an interesting and treasured relic. They were united by Friends' ceremony in the presence of the parents of each and a number of rela- tives and friends, all of whom signed the cor- tificate.

John Richardson died September 4, 1755, aged seventy-six years, and was interred at New Castle in the family burial lot. He had twelve children: I. Elizabeth; II. Joseph; III. Robert; IV. Susanna; V. Sarah; VI. Ann; VII. Mary; VIII. Rebecca; IX. John; X. Richard; XI. Hannah; XII. Jane Richard- son.

His will is dated "the 20th day of the 12 mo. called December, 1752," with codicil, dat- ed "the 6th day of August 1755," and it is a long and carefully prepared document. Careful provision is made for his children, married and single, but as no mention is made of his wife she had evidently died before him. He showed some dis- pleasure towards one of his daughters in these words: "And as my daughter Hanna, who has lately married Thomas Gray, con- trary to my desire or consent, and for her dis- obedience she shall have but two hundred pounds, to be paid her two years after my de- ccase, and not before, or to her child if she

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

should have any at that time, (if she should be dead), paid by my executor, and she is hereby utterly barred from any more of my estate whatsoever."

ITis personal estate, "agreeably to a decree settled in chancery, October 29, 1759," was valued at $32,446 6 s. 1d. A pound was valued at $2.66, Pennsylvania currency, making a total of $86,306.

The real estate it is not possible to esti- mate, but from his will it must have amount- ed to six or eight hundred acres of land, ex- clusive of his property in the town of New Castle. But he states in his will that his pro- perty was "chiefly personal." Land then was very cheap. This was considered a large estate in that day. Ile appointed his two sons, Robert and Richard, his executors, and by them the provisions of the will were car- ried out. There were four witnesses to the will; Thomas Gilpin, Abraham Dawes, Jona- than Rumford, and Edward Dawes.

Anu, the wife of John Richardson, 2, the above decedent, was the daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Ashton, and was born in Lin- colnshire, England, August 5, 1680. Robert Ashton and his family emigrated in company with a number of Friends. They sailed from Hull March 8, 1686, in a ship named the Shorel, John Howell, master, and landed at New Castle in the fifth month following. Soon after that event, Robert Ashton pur- chased a large tract of land of William Penn, on St. George's creek. His daughter Sarah married Bartholomew Wyatt, of Salem county, New Jersey, in 1696. They had two children, Bartholomew and Elizabeth. The first, born January 4, 1697, married Elizabeth Tomlinson, of Haddonfield, New Jersey; and Elizabeth, born June 16, 1706, married Robert Smith. The Wyatts intermarried with the Wistar family of Philadelphia. Tradition says Jolin Richardson, 2, emigrated in the same ship. This is doubtful, though he might not have come with his father, who is be- lieved to have emigrated in 1682, when the second John was but four years old.

Ann Ashton was married to John Richard- son July 7, 1704. She is represented as being a most excellent woman, remarkable for her benevolence and kindness of heart, particular- ly to the poor and sick, riding about the neigh- borhood with necessaries to distribute among them. She died April 18, 1748, aged sixty-

seven years, eight months and thirteen days. Her husband survived her more than seven years. The Ashtons, or AAsshetons, were na- tives of Bristol, England, or its vicinity, and cousins of William Penn. Part of the family became converts to the Society of Friends, while others remained members of the Church of England. Robert Ashton, the father of Ann, was a Friend. Robert Ashton of Phila- delphia, of the same family, was a member of the Episcopal Church, and held several im- portant offices in Pennsylvania under Pen's government. He has descendants in Phili- delphia at this day.

THIRD GENERATION.

This comprises the twelve children of John and Ann (Ashton) Richardson, all of whom were born at the family residence on Christi- ana creek, a short distance from Wilmington. Their names and dates are as follows:

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 19

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1482

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482