Colonial families of Philadelphia, Volume II, Part 91

Author: Jordan, John Woolf, 1840-1921, ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 978

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Thomas Yorke married (first). 1736, Martha Potts, born 1718, died 1741.

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daughter of his employer, Thomas Potts, Jr., of Colebrookedale, by his second wife, Magdalen Robeson, his first wife being Martha, daughter of Peter Keurlin, one of the original founders of Germantown.

Thomas Potts, Jr., was born in Wales, 1680, and is supposed to have been a son of John Potts, of Llanrigg, Montgomeryshire, several of whose orphan chil- dren, as shown by the minutes of Philadelphia Monthly Meeting of Friends, were sent over in charge of Friends to Philadelphia, with their uncle, Thomas Potts, who was one of the colony of Welsh, collected by David Powell and John Morris, and brought over to Pennsylvania in the "William Galley" in 1698; the other "orphans" being John Potts, "ship carpenter"; Mary Potts married Mathias Tyson; Margaret Potts married Evan Morgan; and Eleanor Potts married Thomas Roberts.

Thomas Potts, Jr., resided for many years in Germantown and the adjoining township of Bristol, and became prominent in the affairs of that locality at an early age, purchasing and conveying land while still a minor ; a deed being made by him, in 1707, confirming the title to land conveyed in 1700, before he had arrived at legal age. He was elected Sheriff of Germantown, February 16, 1702- 03, and resided in that town until the death of his wife, in 1716; at about this period he is mentioned as a "victualler" and butcher in Philadelphia, but seems to have later taken up his residence in Germantown. In 1716 he purchased a tract of land in Gilbert's Manor, now Upper and Lower Providence townships, Mont- gomery county, Pennsylvania, and had removed to that locality prior to 1726, when he became associated with Thomas Rutter, pioneer iron manufacturer of Pennsylvania, in the ownership and conduct of Colebrookedale furnace and forge, and settled there, and was actively interested in the iron interests of the Mana- tawny district until the close of his life. At the death of Rutter, 1730, he pur- chased a one-half interest in the Colebrookedale tract, and 250 acres of land, in- cluding the Rutter Mansion House, called "Popodickon." He also purchased, in 1736, of Gerhard Henkel, 192 acres additional, and his three sons all having mar- ried granddaughters of Thomas Rutter, a considerable part of the Rutter iron interests became vested in the Potts family, and many of the descendants of Thomas Potts, Jr., have been largely interested in the iron business. His son, John, was the founder of Pottstown, 1752, having purchased a large tract there of Samuel McCall, and was one of the largest and successful ironmasters in the American colonies ; during the Revolution a large amount of the heavy cannon and other war supplies was manufactured at the Potts' furnace and forge. Thomas Potts died at Colebrookedale, 1752; his will, dated September 8, 1747, and proved January 10, 1752, devised to his son, Thomas, two-thirds of the Cole- brookedale furnace and iron mines, and made liberal bequests to his other children, Elizabeth Walker, Mary Clever. John and David Potts, and his grandsons, Edward and Stephen Yorke. He married (second), 1717, Magdalen, daughter of An- drew Robeson, Jr., of Oley, Berks county, and granddaughter of Andrew Robe- son, Sr., who died in 1694; said to have been of Swedish origin. Andrew Robe- son, Sr., was Surveyor General of New Jersey, 1687, and one of the eleven con- missioners of West Jersey, in same year. He returned to Philadelphia, in which county and city he was an extensive landowner, and was inducted into the Pro- vincial Council of Pennsylvania, 1693, having previously been a member of that body in 1685. He was also appointed, in 1693, one of the Provincial Judges.

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Thomas and Martha ( Keurlin) Potts had issue :

Elizabeth, m. Joseph Walker; Mary, m. Derrick Cleaver;

John, b. 1710; m. Ruth, dan. of Samuel and Anna (Rutter) Savage; Martha, d. inf.

By his second wife, Magdalen Robeson, Thomas Potts, Jr., had issue:

Martha, b. 1718; m., 1736, Thomas Yorke;

Thomas, b. 1720; m. (first) Rebecca Rutter, (second) Deborah Pyewell; d. at Cole- brookedale, 1762;

David, b. 1722; d., Colebrookedale, April 10, 1752; m. Rebecca Rutter, cousin to his brother, Thomas's wife.

Issue of Thomas and Martha (Potts) Yorke:

Stephen Yorke, b., Colebrookedale, Berks co., 1735; d. 1771; unm .;

EDWARD YORKE, b., Colebrookedale, 1740; d., Phila., April 12, 1791 ; m. Sarah Stille; of whom presently.

Thomas Yorke married (second) Margaret Robeson, a cousin of his first wife, Martha Potts ( whose mother was Magdalen Robeson), (third) Mary Robeson, a niece of his second wife.

EDWARD YORKE, son of Thomas and Martha ( Potts) Yorke, born at Colebrooke- dale, Philadelphia (now Berks) county, 1740, came to Philadelphia when a young man. He married, at Christ Church, January 22, 1762, Sarah, daughter of Peter Stille, by his wife, Sarah Campion, and resided in the old North Ward of the city. He was captain of a trading vessel prior to the Revolution, and early espoused the patriot cause. He was commissioned, March 20, 1776, Second Lieutenant of the armed boat, "Montgomery," flagship of Pennsylvania Navy, which led the little fleet of thirteen armed boats in their attack on the British frigate, "Roebuck," and the sloop-of-war, "Liverpool," May 6, 1776, the first engagement in which the Pennsylvania Navy participated. On October 1, 1776, Edward Yorke was promoted to Captain of the armed boat, "Camden," and participated with it in the defence of the Delaware river and bay, being severely wounded in the attack by the Pennsylvania Galleys, on the British vessels, "Augusta" and "Merlin," October 23, 1777, when the "Augusta" was blown up and the "Merlin" run aground and burned.

The occupation of Philadelphia by the British drove the little navy into retire- ment, up the Delaware, near Burlington, where it was later dismantled and destroyed, by order of the Navy Board.

Edward Yorke was a man of prominence in Philadelphia; he died April 12, 1791, and was buried at Gloria Dei (Old Swedes') Church, Philadelphia. His widow, Sarah (Stille) Yorke, married (second) Thomas Vanderpool, died May 5, 1825, in her eighty-seventh year, and is buried at Christ Church.

Oloff Stille (or as his name is sometimes given by historians, in its anglicized form, William Stille), in 1641, came to the Delaware, from the parish of Länna, Roslagen, Duchy of Lodermania, about thirty-six miles south of Stockholm, Sweden, bringing with him a passport, or certificate, from Baron Erick Bielke, Lord of Wyh, Penningby and Nyannes, dated December 2, 1634, which stated that he had been employed some years by the Baron, "and gave him great satis- 60

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faction by honesty and ability," and recommended him "particularly to all Gentle- men and Good People to whom he might become known in foreign countries, which he intended to visit." From the date and declaration of intention on the part of Olof Stille to visit foreign countries, it would be inferred that lie came to the Delaware with the first Swedish colonists under Peter Minuit, 1738.

Oloff Stille settled at a place called by the Indians "Techoherassi," and referred to always in the Swedish records as "Oloff Stille's Land," on the Delaware, just above Upland, now Chester, from whence he removed later to Passyunk. He held office in the Swedish colony, and was one of the bearers of the protest of Gov. Printz, October 16 1646, to Andreas Hudde, Vice-Director of the States General, against the encroachment of the Dutch on the Swedish settlement, on the Delaware. Stille was apparently much esteemed by the Indians, "who did often visit him" at his plantation on the Delaware, at mouth of Crum creek. He was one of the four Swedish Magistrates up to his death, about 1666.

John Stille, only son of Oloff Stille, was for many years a trustee of the Swedish Church, at Wicacoe, from the records of which it appears he died April 24, 1722, aged about seventy-six years, "having lived a Godly life in this World." His widow, Gertrude, survived him many years, dying January 16, 1744, aged about eighty years.

Issue of John and Gertrude Stille:

Christine Stille, b. 1685; m., Jan. 24, 1705, Zaccheus Cocks;

Anna Stille, b. 1686; m., Sept. 5, 1705, Peter Svenson;

Oloff (William), b. 1687; d. April 9, 1739;

Sarah Stille, b. 1691; m., Nov. 7, 1709, Sven Johnson ;

John Stille, b. 1693; d. Dec. 20, 1746;

Brightta (or Bridget) Stille, b. 1694; m., May 13, 1724, Philip Vandevere;

PETER STILLE, b. April 11, 1699; d. June 28, 1767; of whom presently;

Gertrude Stille, b. March 18, 1701 ; m., July 1, 1730, Samuel Hesselius, pastor of Swedish church, at Christina ;

MORTON STILLE, b. Feb., 1704; of whom presently;

Helena Stille, b. Oct. 27, 1705;

Allemky, b. Dec., 1709; m., May 1, 1733, Samuel Smith.

MORTON STILLE, fourth son of John and Gertrude Stille, was born in Philadel- phia, February, 1704. He married Mary Holton, of Gloucester county, New Jersey, and settled in that county, where he died in 1753. He had among other children, a son,

JOHN STILLE, born in Gloucester county, New Jersey, 1739. He was for many years a merchant in Philadelphia, and died there in 1802. He was married under Pennsylvania marriage license, dated November 16, 1763, to Mary Boyd, of Octarora, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.

JOHN STILLE, son of John and Mary ( Boyd) Stille, was born in Philadelphia, 1767, and succeeded his father as merchant in that city, where he died December 5, 1842. He married, December 19, 1811, Maria, born May 19, 1786, died Octo- ber 28, 1858, daughter of John and Mary (Ritz) Wagner, of Philadelphia, and granddaughter of Rev. Tobias Wagner, a Lutheran minister, who came to Penn- sylvania from Würtemberg, Germany, 1742, and was for many years pastor of Lutheran churches in Berks county, Pennsylvania, the greater part of the time in Reading, where he died in 1764. An account of his parentage, career and de- scendants is given elsewhere in these volumes.

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Issue of John and Maria (Wagner ) Stille :

DR. ALFERD STILLE, b. Oct. 30, 1813; d. Sept. 24, 1900; m. (first) Caroline C. Barnett, (second) Katharine A. Blakiston; of whom presently;

Phœbe Stille, m. (first) Dr. Burton, (second) Dr. Walker ;

DR. CHARLES JANEWAY STILLE, b. Sept. 23, 1819; d. Aug. 11, 1900; matty years provost of Univ. of Pa., president of Historical Society of Pennsylvania, etc .; m. Anna Dul- less; of whom presently;

George Stille, b. May 3, 1821; d. May 18, 1876;

Morton Stille, M. D., b. Dec. 27, 1822; d. Aug. 25, 1858; an eminent physician of Phila., and one of authors of Wharton & Stille's "Medical Jurisprudence"; m., Oct. 10, 1854, Eloise Destouet;

Maria Stille, b. Dec. 25, 1825; d. June 25, 1849; m., Sept. 21, 1848, Rev. Robinson M. Dunn, professor in Brown University, Providence, R. I.

DR. ALFRED STILLE, eldest son of John and Maria (Wagner) Stille, born in Philadelphia, October 30, 1813, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, College Department, 1832, and from the medical department of that institution in 1836. He was elected resident physician of the Pennsylvania Hospital the year of his graduation ; was lecturer on pathology and practice of medicine in Philadel- phia Association for Medical Improvement, from 1845 to 1859; held the chair of theory and practice of medicine in the Pennsylvania Medical College, 1854-59; in June, 1860, was elected to the same chair in the University of Pennsylvania, and held that position until 1884, when he became professor emeritus; was visiting physician of St. Joseph's Hospital from its organization, in 1840, until his resigna- tion, in 1877 ; was visiting physician for United States Satterlee Hospital, during the Civil War, and one of the physicians and clinical lecturers of Philadelphia Hospital, 1865 to 1871. He was one of the secretaries of the convention that founded the American Medical Association ; was president of the Philadelphia Pathological Society, 1859 to 1863; of Philadelphia County Medical Association, 1862; of American Medical Association, 1871 ; and of College of Physicians of Philadelphia, 1883, of which latter institution he was also secretary for a number of years. He was member of American Philosophical Society, and of Historical Society of Pennsylvania ; a corresponding fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine ; an honorary member of the New York Neurological Society, and of the medical societies of the states of New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and California.

Dr. Stille contributed many valuable works to medical literature. In 1844, with Dr. J. F. Meigs, he translated from the French, Audral's "Pathological Memato- logy"; in 1848 published "Elements of General Pathology"; in 1850 made a report of medical literature to the American Medical Association ; in 1860 published his first edition of "Materia Medica and Therapeutics," in two volumes, which went through four editions, up to 1878; in 1879, in collaboration with Prof. Maisch, he published his first edition of the "National Dispensatory," of which several editions have since been published ; to the second edition of Wharton & Stille "Medical Jurisprdence," of which his brother, Dr. Moreton Still, was one of the contrib- utors, Dr. Alfred Stille made numerous additions, and in 1892 he published an address on "War as an Instrument of Civilization." A monograph on "Epidemic Meningitis," written by Dr. Stille, appeared in 1867. He died at his residence, 3900 Spruce street, Philadelphia, September 24, 1900. He married (first) Caro- line C. Barnett, and (second) Katharine A. Blakiston, of Kent county, Maryland, who survived him.

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A sketch of the life and work of Dr. Alfred Stille, by William Osler, M. D., professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University, was read before the College of Physicians of Philadelphia, April 2, 1902, and was published in University of Pennsylvania, Medical Bulletin, for that year.

DR. CHARLES JANEWAY STILLE, second son of John and Maria ( Wagner ) Stille, born in Philadelphia, September 23, 1819, received his preliminary education in academical department of University of Pennsylvania, and at Edge Hill School, Princeton, New Jersey, matriculated at Yale College in 1835, and graduated there in 1839. Returning to his native city, he studied law in the office of Joseph R. Ingersoll, Esq., and was admitted to practice in 1842. After spending two years abroad he entered upon the practice of his profession and soon built up a large practice, in the management of private trusts and estates.

In October, 1861, he was appointed member of Philadelphia Association of the United States Sanitary Commission, and was made chairman of the committee on supplies. With Horace Binney, Jr., and Robert M. Lewis, he organized the Women's Branch of the Philadelphia Associates, and was one of the chief organ- izers of the movement that led to the holding of the Sanitary Fair, June, 1864, a memorial of which, and its important results, he published in book form, under the title of "A Memorial of the Great Central Fair in Aid of the Sanitary Com- mission," 1864. Dr. Stille also became a member of the standing committee of the commission, and in 1866 published a "History of the United States Sanitary Commission, Being a General Report of Its Work During the War of the Re- bellion." In 1862 he published a pamphlet, entitled "How a Free People Conduct a Long War," which attracted much attention, and reached a million copies. Many letters of commendation were received by him from eminent men, among whom was President Lincoln. In 1863 he wrote and published "Northern Inter- ests and Southern Independence, a Plea for United Action." In May, 1866, Dr. Stille was made professor of Belles Letteres, English language and literature, at University of Pennsylvania ; and in December, of that year, proposed to the trus- tees a change in the ancient curriculum of the university, by the adoption of an elective system of studies, which was adopted the following year, and his title changed to professor of history and English literature. In 1868 he was unani- mously chosen provost of the university, and in the same year received from his alma mater, Yale, degree of LL. D. Many important improvements were made in the university during his administration, notably the establishment of the Towne Scientific School, in 1872, and the removal of the university from Ninth and Market streets to its present site in West Philadelphia. Many other changes pro- motive of the university's interest and the intellectual life of the community were brought about, largely through his efforts during his fourteen years administra- tion. He labored with a fixed purpose and placed the university in the very first rank of the higher institutions of learning. In 1878 he was made John Welsh centennial professor of history and English literature, and in addition to his duties as provost, continued to fill that chair until his resignation in 1882; after which he devoted himself to literary work, though continuing to fill the chair of professor of history for some years later. In 1882 he published his "Studies in Medieval History," and in 1891 was published his "Life and Times of John Dickinson, 1732-1898," being a life and a collection of the correspondence of that distin- guished statesman, edited and collected by Dr. Stille, for the Historical Society of

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Pennsylvania, of which he was president. In 1893 he published "Anthony Wayne and the Pennsylvania Line in the Continental Army"; he also published "Beau- marchais and The Lost Million, a Chapter in the Secret History of the American Revolution," and wrote numerous essays, addresses and pamphlets, largely of an historical nature. He died at Atlantic City, whither he had gone for rest and recreation, August 11, 1899, of heart disease, having been in failing health for some months, and was buried from his late residence, 2201 St. James Place. Dr. Charles Janeway Stille married, 1846, Anna Dulles, who survived him, but left no issue.

PETER STILLE, son of John and Gertrude Stille, born in the present limits of Philadelphia, April 11. 1699, inherited from his father, part of the land originally taken up by Oloff Stille, a generation before the founding of Pennsylvania by William Penn, and it passed to his only son, John, by devise and deeds from his sisters. Peter Stille also owned a farm on Raccoon creek, New Jersey, where the town of Swedesboro now stands, though he spent his whole life in Philadelphia, dying there, June 28, 1767.

Peter Stille married (first), at Wicacoe Church (Old Swedes'), to Sarah Campion, July 12, 1725, (second), at Christ Church, April 17, 1749, to Margaret, widow of William Pocklington, and daughter of Jonas Jones, who survived him. The will of Peter Stille, dated July 1, 1766, proven July 1, 1767, devises certain estate to his son, John, should he "return to this Province"; and the remainder of his estate to his widow, Margaret, and daughters, Sarah, wife of Edward Yorke, and Elizabeth, wife of Isaac Course. Later conveyance by the daughters and their husbands to their brother, John Stille, show that he did "return to this Prov- ince."

SARAH STILLE, daughter of Peter Stille, by his first wife, Sarah Campion, born in Philadelphia, 1738, married (first), as before stated, at Christ Church, January 22, 1762, Edward Yorke, and after his death, 1791, married (second) Thomas Vanderpool.

Edward and Sarah (Stille ) Yorke had issue:

Thomas Yorke:

Eliza Yorke, m. at Christ Church, Oct. 5. 1789, Dr. John Cole, who d. 1815, (second) George Farquhar :

Stephen Yorke;

Stille Yorke;

Martha Yorke, m. Mordecai Wetherill:

Gustavus Yorke;

PETER YORKE, m. at Christ Church, Ang. 15, 1798, Mary Haynes; d. 1815: of whom presently ;

SAMUEL YORKE. b. Sept. 15. 1774; d. May 15, 1816; m. Mary Lippincott : of whom pres- ently.

PETER YORKE, son of Edward and Sarah (Stille) Yorke, was born in Philadel- phia, and continued to reside there until his death, in 1815. He married, at Christ Church, August 15, 1798, Mary Haines. The will of Margaret Haines, of Phila- delphia, dated August 8, 1809, proved April 5. 1810, devises her estate to her daughter, Mary Yorke, and her children, and names her as executor, with a nephew, John Taylor.

SARAH YORKE, daughter of Peter and Mary (Haines) Yorke, was born in Phil- adelphia, and left an orphan at an early age ; was reared among her father's rela-

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tives in that city and in the west. She married, 1829, Andrew Jackson, Jr., adopt- ed son of President Andrew Jackson, and during his term of eight years, was one of the ladies of the White House, assisting her husband's aunt, Mrs. Andrew J. Donelson, wife of the President's nephew and private secretary, as hostess of the country's guests. From the "Ladies of the White House," by Laura C. Hollo- way (1881), we quote the following sketch of her:

"Sarah Yorke Jackson, the wife of President Jackson's foster son, Andrew Jackson, Jr., was a daughter of Peter Yorke of Philadelphia, whose grandfather, Judge Yorke, held an appointment under the Crown of Great Britain, prior to the Revolution. She was educated in that city, and her accomplishments of mind were of a superior order. Left an orphan at an early age, her affections were concentrated upon those nearest to her. She married An- drew Jackson, Jr., soon after the inauguration of his adopted father, and made her entreé at the White House as a bride. Necessarily the object of remark and criticism, which has not generally a tendency to promote ease of manner, she yet managed to win sincere admiration from all who came in contact with her. Seldom has anyone in so conspicuous a position exhibited so much of the perfect self-possession which distinguishes the lady 'to the manner born.' She combined the opposite qualities of dignity and affability, and secured thereby a lasting influence over those with whom she was associated.

"Blending a quick temper and high spirits with much kindliness of heart she was, as is often the case with such natures, generous and forbearing toward loved ones, determined and unyielding where her rights were invaded.

"Her affection for her father-in-law was intense and he often testified his love for her. On one occasion when he received a deputation from the Keystone State, he remarked to them: 'Gentlemen, I am very glad to see you, for I am much indebted to Pennsylvania; she has given me a daughter who is a great comfort to me.' The tone and impressive manner convinced his hearers of the entire truth of his remark, while the look of affectionate pride bestowed upon her filled her heart with happiness.

"At the White House she shared the honors with her kinswoman Mrs. Emily Donelson, whose superior claims were gracefully acknowledged by Mrs. Jackson, and acted in accord- ance with the president's suggestion to remain as the mistress of his own home. (After the termination of his term as president of the United States and his return to the 'Hermitage' in Tennessee).

"During the long period of ill health which accompanied the declining years of General Jackson, she administered to him as a loving woman can, never for a moment was her watch- ful care withdrawn, but leaving other duties she devoted herself to his comfort. * * *

"The crowds of company which flocked to the 'Hermitage' were always smilingly re- ceived by her, and her name was dear to all who enjoyed the hospitality of the home of 'Old Hickory.' After the death of Mrs. Donelson and the failing health of her father-in-law, her task was ever one of severity. * * * After the State of Tennessee acquired the 'Hermitage, Mrs. Jackson resided there as its guest."

SAMUEL YORKE, youngest son of Edward Yorke, of Philadelphia, and his wife, Sarah Stille, born in Philadelphia, September 15, 1774, was a well-known busi- ness man of that city, and lived at his fine old country seat, known as "Chalkley Hall," still standing, near Frankford, which at the time of his decease passed to Mr. Edward Wetherill. On January 18, 1814, Samuel Yorke was elected presi- dent of the Pennsylvania Company for Insurance on Lives and Granting Annu- ities, a position he held until his death. Abraham Ritter says of him: "Mr. Yorke was a prompt, active, and good business man of very dignified carriage, without hauteur, and was highly esteemed as a merchant and as a gentleman." He devoted much of his time and means to charitable works. He died May 15, 1816, and his tombstone in the burying-ground of Christ Church, bears this in- scription :

"SACRED To the Memory of SAMUEL YORKE who departed this life. May 15, 1816, In the 42d year of his age. He exported his fortune before him into Heaven By his Charities; He has gone thither to enjoy it."

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Samuel Yorke married Mary, daughter of William and Sarah (Bispham) Lippincott, of Philadelphia. She was born September 10, 1775, died in Philadel- phia, November 6, 1856. She was also deeply interested in charitable and benev- olent works, and was one of the founders of the Home for Widows and Indigent Women.

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Colonial families of Philadelphia, Volume II, Part 91

Author: Jordan, John Woolf, 1840-1921, ed Publication date: 1911 Publisher: New York : Lewis Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 978

Author: Jordan, John Woolf, 1840-1921, ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York : Lewis Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 978