USA > Pennsylvania > Colonial and revolutionary families of Pennsylvania; genealogical and personal memoirs, Volume IV > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57
(The Rogers Line).
Rogers belongs to the class of baptismal patronymics meaning literally "The son of Roger," and was exceedingly popular for several centuries.
(Harrison : "Surnames of the United Kingdom.")
CHEW. Arins-Gules, a chevron argent on a chief azure, three leopards' faces or.
(Crozier : "General Armory.")
Cher
BURGESS
Arms-Or a fess chequy gules and or. In chief three crosses crosslet gules. Bolton : "American Armory.")
MORLEY.
Arms-Sable a leopard's head argent jessant-de-lis or. Crest-Out of a ducal coronet a demi. talbot or.
( Burke: "General Armory.")
COURTE (COURTS).
Arms.Paly of six or and azure on a chief of the first an eagle displayed sable. (Burke: "General Armory.");
ROBYNS (ROBINS).
Arms -- Per fess indented argent and azure a fess indented counterchanged, in chief two escallops of the second. ( Burke: "General Armory.")
Courte Courta
EYRES (AYRES)
Arms -- Argent on a chevron gules three cinquefoils proper.
Crest-A leg in armour proper.
Motto-Si je puis.
('Burke: "General Armory.")
DAVIS ..
Arms-Gules a chevron ermine in chief two mounds or. in base a talbot passant of the last.
Crest- Two arms embowed. habited ermine cuffs azure hands proper support- ing a mound, as in the arms. (Burke: "Genera! Armorý.")
ROGERS.
Aims -- Argent, a mullet gules on a chief or a fleur-de-lis of the second.
( Burke: "General Armory.")
c
7
Ano Ellobo Piaget & # bonn hr the
COME .
CHEM'
who wa Mary, of \ further.
-45
. . jegpont )
She courriel John Rigg (Ripas THI. )
Marsh Se dirige to fodlet ineb s tenemos lomb s to th()-1991')
HENRY PIERPANT 2THUA KOH Rong the car's semlers of rights which were fifty cres
P :1
.bros92 9dt to aqollsoas owt teiro
7
Thi.
dl and Jxt
t md ri 1
.zing of 12-offof.
.2TTACI
WarEnl Lopslagelt If
Honque isgoing abriss sies eftuo soumis honderd bowodig emos ow T-1291 )
РЯДДОЯ
Teil "The on of River. al va creci de popular to several conturi.
O
Chem
Burgess
Morley
Courte Courts)
Robyns (Robins)
S
PUIS
VE A
Apres yreg
Davis
Rogers
I47
GAITHER
(I) JOHN ROGERS, Gentleman, left a will, dated Charles County, Maryland, January 13, 1717, proved November 4, 1717. He left their son, John, the interest in his wife's estate, who was Charity Courts, said interest then in hands of said John's uncle, John Courts. John Rogers, Sr., married Charity Courts. (Courts II.) Children :
I. John, of whom further.
2. Roadham.
3. Richard.
(J. B. Cotton: "Maryland Calendar of Wills," Vol. IV, p. 140.)
(II) CAPTAIN JOHN ROGERS, son of John and Charity (Courts) Rogers, left a will dated in Prince George County, Maryland, February 10, 1735, proved May 5, 1740. In this, he devises to his son, John, two hundred acres, "Rogers Chance"; to his wife, Joan, three hundred twenty-five acres, including the plantation dwell- ing, and two hundred acres to his daughter, Agnes. As early as 1711 he received the title of captain. "On October 6, 1711, Mr. John Rogers swore to the correct- ness of the naval officers' account, which comprised the Potomac District." ("Mary- land Archives," Vol. XXIX,'p. II.) There is also another account, "Mr. John Rogers, naval officer of the Potomac District, appeared in the Colonial Assembly and delivered his list of fees, October 26, 1711." John Rogers married Joan. Children :
I. John.
2. Samuel.
3. Agnes, of whom further.
(Ibid., Vol. III, p. 75. "Maryland Archives," Vol. XXIX, p. 11.)
(III) AGNES ROGERS, daughter of Captain John and Joan Rogers, married John Gaither. (Gaither IV.)
(Ibid.)
(The Courts Line).
This English surname originated from the many people who lived at the various courts of nobility throughout England.
(Harrison: "Surnames of the United Kingdom.")
(I) COLONEL JOHN COURTS owned in Maryland large tracts of land, extending above what is now the city of Washington and including what is now that city. His will, dated March 25, 1702, follows in abstract : "Col. John Courts, of Charles County, Maryland. His will devises to children, land in Prince George County. To son John, land. To son William, same. To daughter Ann, land near the first falls of the Potomac, on the Creek branches (now Washington city). To daugh- ter Charity, two tracts on Potomac River.
(J. B. Cotton : "Maryland Calendar of Wills," Vol. III, p. 23.)
(II) CHARITY COURTS, daughter of Colonel John and Charity Courts, married John Rogers. (Rogers I.)
(Ibid.)
(The Burgess Line).
A representative of a borough in Parliament was generally called a burgess and it is from this distinguished fact that the name arose as a surname. It was a dis-
148
GAITHER
tinct honor, for these were the first men of the land who dared assert their rights and began the very liberal government of England.
(Lower: "Patronymica Britannica.")
(I) COLONEL WILLIAM BURGESS was born in 1622 and died January 4, 1686. He was one of the most striking figures in the annals of Colonial Maryland. He arrived in the province in the year 1649-50 with the Non-Conformists from Vir- ginia. He first settled in Northampton County, Virginia, but later followed Gov- ernor William Stone to Maryland, in about 1650, bringing a company of one hun- dred and fifty men to settle there. He soon became the central figure in South River Hundred. On February 9, 1658, he received a warrant for three hundred acres of land called "The Burgh," lying on South River. This was granted him for the transporting of himself and two other persons into the province in the year 1650. He continued to acquire land and at his death owned over five thousand acres. Mr. Berkely, the historian, describes him as a sea-faring man, who had evidently been some time in the Palatinate. After the acts of 1683, his property became Londontown. He built a wharf on his holding and laid off some of his plantation into town lots, the first sale being to Thomas (Lefrithecombe, or Lin- thicum). He soon did a splendid business, when a courthouse was built; merchant vessels flying to England; All-Hallow's and Upper Anne Arundel parishes to supervise ; and his town rapidly turning into a thriving seaport. By 1696, there were four hundred and sixty taxable people there. In 1655, Colonel William Burgess was on the Council of War and in 1657 was named commissioner and associate justice for the new county of Anne Arundel. In 1661, he was in com- mand of the South River Rangers. Benedict Leonard Calvert, the son of Lord Baltimore, commissioned him, in 1665, as "Commander-in-Chief of all Forces" raised in Anne Arundel and four other counties. The following epitaph is given as a most remarkable condensation of his eventful life:
Here lieth the body of Wm. Burgess Esquire, who departed this life on ye 4th of January, 1686 Aged 64 years; leaving his Dear beloved wife, Ursula and eleven Children, viz; seven sons and four danghters And eight grand-children In his life-time a member of His Lordships' deputy Governors ;
A Justice of the High Provincial Court ; Colonel of a regiment of Trained Bands ; And sometime General of all ye Military Forces of this Province. His Loving wife, Ursula, his executrix In testimony of her true respect And due regard to the worthy Deserts of her dear deceased Husband, hath erected this monument.
Of the peaceful Quaker faith he refused to swear on the Holy Evangelists when commissioned one of the justices of Anne Arundel County, July 22, 1658, contending it was in no case lawful to swear, whose plea was disallowed by the board and Captain Thomas Besson was added to commissioners instead of William Burgess.
Having lost his first public office by refusing to take the necessary Oath of Fidelity to the Proprietary, he was evidently made to see the fallacy of his posi-
FIRST CLUBHOUSE IN AMERICA, LOCATED ON SEVERN RIVER, MARYLAND
JOHNEM. BONNET BORN IN DELBRON, WÜRTTEMBERG COMMAND MAY ( 18|1 .- DIED DEC. 20,1892 AGED 71 YS 7M. 270.
BARBARA WIFE OF. JOHN M. BONNET, BORN AUG. 29:1819, OLED: MAR. 13:189. AGED 70Y 6M. 20D.
French Huguenot .. Born in Alsace Lorraine
BONNETT TOMB.
THE WILLIAM BURGESS HOME.
149
GAITHER
tion and the next year began a career of great distinction in the civil and military life of Lord Baltimore Palatinate. On February 28, 1659, Lieutenant William Burgess was returned Member of Assembly from Anne Arundel County. Two years later, April 22, 1661, he is referred to as captain, when five men were ordered taken from Captain William Burgess' company for service against the Susque- hanna Indians. He was again appointed a commissioner of the peace for Anne Arundel County in the year 1663. High sheriff of Anne Arundel County was the next honor conferred on William Burgess and one of especial interest, as it, in accordance with English custom, made him the ranking citizen of his county, with the obligation of being host of the Proprietary or Governor when visiting the county officially, as in England the high sheriff of a county is host to Royalty when the King or his representative goes in state to the county to attend any public func- tion. He was appointed on March 23, 1664, his commission being issued May 5 that year.
Many Indian troubles were occurring in the province at this time and another evidence of Charles Calvert's friendship for Captain William Burgess is found in the following commission :
Charles Calvert to Capt. William Burgess, Greeting: Whereas Divers Forraigne Indians have of late Committed divers murthers upon the people of this Province, etc., Now Know Yee that I reposing especiall confidence in yor fidelity Courage and Experience in Martial Affairs have constituted, ordained and Appointed and by these doe Constitute, Ordaine, and appoint you Commandr in Chiefe under mee of all the forces soe raised in St. Marys Kent Charles Calvert and Anne Arundel Countys against the said Indians to make warre and pur- sue and by Gods Assistance to Vanquish and kill and Generally in all things to doe all or any thing or things as any Commander in Chiefe may or of Right Ought to doe according to such Instruccons as I have herewith sent or shall from time to time send you. Given at St. Marys undr. my hand and Seale this 6th day of June in the 34th yeare of his Lordps Dominion Our this Province Annoq Domini, 1665. CHARLES CALVERT.
The brother-in-law of William Burgess, Richard Beard, was at Beards' Creek and nearby were the Gaithers, Chews, Robins and other old southern families. William Burgess married (first) Elizabeth Robins. (Robins II.) He married (second) Ursula Moore. Among the children of his first marriage was Edward, of whom further.
("Maryland Historical Magazine," Vol. XIX, pp. 135, 136, 138. Warfield: "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," pp. 12, 45, 49, 50, 53. "Land Office, Annapolis, Maryland," Liber O, Folio 403. "Maryland Archives," Vol. I, p. 382. "Maryland Archives," Vol. II, pp. 352, 411, 489, 491-94, 523-24.)
(II) CAPTAIN EDWARD BURGESS, son of Colonel William and Elizabeth ( Rob- ins) Burgess, was the only son, with the exception of his brother, Charles, to hand down the name of Burgess in the male line. He had the important duty to open, as commissioner, the port of Londontown. He was then a justice and a captain while his father was still living. Like his father, he became a high colonial official in both civil and military affairs. He was commissioned a justice and county commissioner for Anne Arundel County, June 6, 1679, at which time he is mentioned as one of the gentlemen justices. He continued in this important office until 1689. On April 28, 1686, Captain Edward Burgess was commissioned a justice of the quorum of Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He was commanding a company of foote in the county on September 14, 1681, during Indian troubles. As was the custom of the time, he held civil and military offices at the same time. In the year 1689 he was again commissioned by the Assembly of Maryland, Captain of Foote
150
GAITHER
in his county. In 1660, he had a patent for land in South River Hundred, near Samuel Chew's "Herrington," and his plantation was under the name "Burgess' Right." Edward Burgess was also justice of the Provincial Court, and "Captain of the Foote." He was named for his grandfather, Edward Robins. He married Sarah Chew. (Chew III.) Among their children was Sarah Chew, of whom further.
(Warfield: "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties," pp. 30, 53. L. B. Thomas : "The Thomas Book," p. 254. "Maryland Archives," Vol. V, p. 462; Vol. XIII, p. 242; Vol. XV, pp. 253, 323, 324; Vol. XVII, p. 24.)
(III) SARAH CHEW BURGESS, daughter of Edward and Sarah (Chew) Bur- gess, died in 1750. She married Benjamin Gaither. (Gaither III.)
(Warfield: "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," pp. 30, 53. L. B. Thomas: "The Thomas Book," p. 254.)
(The Chew Line).
Chew is a parish in Somerset, as well as a river. The Chew family was an ancient free-holding line, residing in the manor of Cho in Billington Vill, Lan- cashire.
(Harrison: "Surnames of the United Kingdom." L. B. Thomas: "The Thomas Book.")
(I) JOHN CHEW came to Virginia in 1622 with three servants in the "Charitie," which landed opposite Jamestown, where he located. The deed of his home, dated 1623, describes him as a merchant and two years later Governor Harvey describes him as one of the ablest merchants in the colony. For a short time after his arrival, he managed the business of Robert Benet at James City. From 1623 to 1629 he appeared in the House of Burgesses, and was a burgess from York County from 1642 to 1644. He received a commission of colonel of the Provincial Forces and from 1634 to 1652 was justice of York County. One of his descendants, Joseph Chew, of Montreal, Secretary for Indian Affairs, in a letter to his cousin, Joseph Chew, of Connecticut, states that John Chew removed to Maryland about 1643, but 1653 is a more probable date. Sir William Berkely, Governor of Virginia, who had a particular regard for him, tried to dissuade him from leaving the colony. He died about 1668. He married Sarah, who came to Virginia in the "Seafloure" in 1623. The date of her death is not known, but in 1651, according to an early York County deed, he married Mrs. Rachel Constable. Children.
I. Joseph, who resided in York County, Virginia.
2. Samuel, of whom further.
(L. B. Thomas: "The Thomas Book," pp. 253-55.)
(II) SAMUEL CHEW, son of John and Sarah Chew, resided in Maryland as early as 1648. He was a member of the House of Burgesses of the Colony in 1659 and December 17, 1669, was sworn one of the justices of the Provincial Court and the Court of Chancery. On July 28 of the same year he was commissioned a member of the Governor's Council, a position which he held until his death. He also possessed large tracts of land devoted to the growing of tobacco. His home was at Herring Bay, or Herrington, as he describes it in his will, dated July 26, 1676. He died March 15, 1676-77. About 1658 he married Anne Ayres. (Ayres II.) Children :
I. Samuel, born in 1660, died in 1718.
2. Joseph, inherited Hambley; married Mrs. Elizabeth (Gassaway) Battee.
151
GAITHER
3. Nathaniel, inherited Poppingjoy at Lyons Creek, Calvert County.
4. William.
5. Benjamin; married Elizabeth Benson.
6. John, died February 19, 1696-97.
7. Caleb, died May 8, 1698.
8. Sarah, of whom further.
9. Ann, died January 28, 1699-1700.
(Ibid.)
(III) SARAH CHEW, daughter of Samuel and Anne (Ayres) Chew, married Captain Edward Burgess. (Burgess II.)
(Ibid.)
(The Ayres Line).
Traditionally, the Ayres or Eyres family, intermarried with much wealth and many nobly titled families in England.
(I) WILLIAM AYRES secured a plantation on Nansemond River for transport- ing five people from England. He had an estate on Herring Creek. William Ayres was the standard-bearer of Captain Fuller's forces and in an attack against William Stone, in 1654, at Herring Creek, he was killed before his men had started to fire. The trouble was due to the fact that an Assembly was formed, but any who bore arms against Parliament, or were of Roman faith, were deprived of the vote, with the resultant struggle between the King's men and Stone. This sud- den death explains why he left but one child, Ann, of whom further.
(Warfield : "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," pp. 6, 25.)
(II) ANNE AYRES, daughter of William Ayres, was his only child and heiress. She was a prominent member of the Society of Friends, which met monthly at her home on Herring Bay. She died April 13, 1695. She married Samuel Chew. (Chew II.)
(Ibid.)
(The Robins Line).
One of England's most popular surnames is Robbins, or Robins, a nickname of Robert. The name is widespread and to be found in all localities of England.
(I) EDWARD ROBINS was a merchant from Accomac, where he built "New- port Hance." He was named a residuary legatee to Captain George Puddington. He came to Virginia in the "Thomas" in 1635, as recorded in Hotten's "List of Immigrants Entering Virginia," although according to Warfield's "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," he came on the same ship in 1615. He died about 1646. Children :
I. Elizabeth, of whom further.
2. Rachel; married Richard Beard.
("Virginia County Records," Vol. VI, p. 136. Hotten: "List of Immigrants Entering Vir- ginia," p. 127. Warfield : "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," D. 49.)
(II) ELIZABETH ROBINS, daughter of Edward Robins, received, in 1641, together with her sister, Rachel, three hundred and fifty acres of land which they inherited from their father. She married William Burgess. (Burgess I.)
(Ibid.)
152
GAITHER
(The Morley Line).
Many parishes in Counties Norfolk, York, and Derby are named Morley and the name is likewise found in all early records.
(Lower: "Patronymica Britannica.")
(I) JOSEPH MORLEY was one of the first settlers in Maryland coming to Her- ring Creek Hundred, Anne Arundel County, before 1663. He is the first of the name of whom we have record. His will, made in 1672, follows in part :
In the name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Morley, of the county of Anarundel in the Province of Maryland, being sick and weake in body, but of good and perfect memory, love and praise to the Almighty God, my Creator, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following : First and principally, I commend my soule unto Almighty God, my Creator, assuredly believing I shall receive full pardon and free remissions of all my sins and be saved by the blessed death and merits of my Blessed Savior, Jesus Christ, and my body to the earth from whence it was taken, to be buried in a decent and Christian-like manner.
Imprimis : I do make and ordain my trusty and well beloved friends, John Gather and Robert Proctor, my full and sole executors of all my estate, both real and personal, and do by these presents unto them both after my decease, my debts being paid out of it in the first place, bequeath same. After my debts are paid the remainder to be devided equally between them both. This is the last will and testament of me, Joseph Morley, as witnesseth my hand and seal the day and year above noted.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of JAMES CHILCOTT,
(Signed)
BARTHOLOMEW INGROBRETTSON,
JOSEPH MORLEY (Seal)
On the back of the above will is written "to the Hon. Phillip Calvert, Esq., Chief Judge and 'Commissary' General for probate of Wills, who granted probate of same Feb. 15, 1674."
("Will Book," No. V, pp. 4-5, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.)
It was a peculiar feature of this will that the sons-in-law, John Gaither and Robert Proctor, were his direct heirs. It predicates that daughters were very young, hence, incapable of the care of property. The estate of Joseph Morley included several plantations. When Robert Proctor and John Gaither desired to sell the lands devised to them by their father-in-law, Joseph Morley, to Mareen Duvall, in 1679, because of the failure of the said Joseph Morley to mention his daughters as his lawful heirs in his will, the matter was taken to court in order to correct and perfect the deed. The proceedings fill ten large pages. Elizabeth Proctor, wife of Robert Proctor, and Ruth Gaither, wife of John Gaither, freely relinquished all their rights to their respective husbands in the matter. Children :
I. Elizabeth; married (first) John Freeman; (second) Robert Proctor.
2. Ruth, of whom further.
(J. H. Deeds: "No. 2, Anne Arundel County," p. 2. "Will Book," Anne Arundel County, Maryland, No. 5, pp. 4-5. Warfield: "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," pp. 6-7, 107-08. J. B. Cotton : "Maryland Calendar of Wills," Vol. I, pp. 83, 167.)
(II) RUTH MORLEY, daughter of Joseph Morley, was born about 1655. She married (first) John Gaither. (Gaither II.) She married (second), in 1704, Francis Hardesty.
(Warfield: "Founders of Anne Arundel and Howard Counties, Maryland," pp. 107-08.)
Sellers
Sellers
heju of one of Whom:
traced back for new pt . 1 2 80 The Sellers tamsin Wahr for shoes perel with the affairs of Philadelphi. aul as fiant . hod bu vom as the seventeenth century.
and well-connected fanily vi Dobro w. table po. 'tion f . v.r.l @ metale record(. auf they had dabire conf
III SURVE S TIERS, VOUSUS!
baptız deal Derby-
to l'enns Ivane riven
Derbysl
1
George, settled in Derb . He wa our al Friends, and held at different me al
August 13. 1684, Anna (ribbons chuglo
had come with her father fron Porwic
( Gibbons ) Sellers' intentions of inaresddddd
Darby Meeting, un idadeque Bersvos sendt asswied notverts's estudo-wirth more than ten years, ding Januar Gregis byenobra agniw nswe-imob A-1291) Samuel. I. of whom furthest
(III) SAMUEL SELLERS, JR., Let : lers, was born in Darby Township, Moy conduct of the weaving busine's He wa improvement of the texole manufactur
four children, grandchildren and great- ried October 28, 1712 at Darby Melva 1689, daughter of John and Eleanor 00g land, who cardron Darlos in 1684, and Sua
May 24. 578 we was the mother of
o whom furtl
IV) JOHN I) SALERS WE ( Smith ) Sellers, was born at "Sel' Darby, November 19, 17-8; died t incturer, a promoter of abdu The original members of the Ark tee of that body in 17( ,, a > c. observation's for the benent sioned on a number of mmpart times a member of the (
SELLERS.
Arms-Gules a chevron between three covered cups argent. Crest-A demi-swan, wings endorsed argent.
(Burke: "'General Armory.")
Sellers
Sellers
In the Colonial and Revolutionary ancestry of Alexander Sellers, executive head of one of Philadelphia's oldest and most widely known industries, the line is traced back for nearly two and a half centuries.
The Sellers family, which for all this period has been prominently identified with the affairs of Philadelphia and its vicinity, had its origin in England as early as the seventeenth century.
(I) THOMAS SELLERS, of Belper, County Derby, England, belonged to an old and well-connected family of Derbyshire, where his ancestors had held a respec- table position for several generations. His wife was Elizabeth (surname not of record), and they had children, of whom was Samuel, see further.
(II) SAMUEL SELLERS, youngest son of Thomas and Elizabeth Sellers, was baptized at Duffield Church, Derbyshire, England, February 3, 1655. He came to Pennsylvania from Belper, Derbyshire, England, in 1682, and with his brother, George, settled in Derby. He was one of those who established Darby Meeting of Friends, and held at different times a number of township offices. He married, August 13, 1684, Anna Gibbons, daughter of Henry and Eleanor Gibbons, who had come with her father from Parwich, Derbyshire, in 1682. Samuel and Anna (Gibbons) Sellers' intentions of marriage were the first entry on the minutes of Darby Meeting, under date of "5 mo. 2d, 1684." Anna survived her husband more than ten years, dying January 19, 1742-43. They were the parents of a son, Samuel, Jr., of whom further.
(III) SAMUEL SELLERS, JR., eldest son of Samuel and Anna (Gibbons) Sel- lers, was born in Darby Township, May 12, 1690, and succeeded his father in the conduct of the weaving business. He was a township official and an inventor for improvement of the textile manufactures. He died June 3, 1773, leaving sixty- four children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Samuel Sellers, Jr., mar- ried, October 28, 1712, at Darby Meeting, Sarah Smith, born at Darby, May 30, 1689, daughter of John and Eleanor (Dolby) Smith, both of Leicestershire, Eng- land, who came to Darby in 1684, and Sarah (Smith) Sellers died at Upper Darby, May 24, 1778. She was the mother of seven children, among whom was John (1), of whom further.
(IV) JOHN (I) SELLERS, youngest son of Samuel Sellers, Jr., and Sarah (Smith) Sellers, was born at "Sellers Hall," the old family homestead in Upper Darby, November 19, 1728; died there February 2, 1804. He was a pioneer manu- facturer, a promoter of industries, deeply interested in scientific research, one of the original members of the American Philosophical Society, and one of a commit- tee of that body, in 1769, appointed to observe the transit of Venus and report their observations for the benefit of science. A surveyor and engineer, he was commis- sioned on a number of important public works and projects. He was elected four times a member of the Colonial Assembly. For his active patriotism, in defending
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.