History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 132

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162

USA > Pennsylvania > Chester County > History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches > Part 132

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The company, known as the " Phoenixville Bridge Com- pany," has its principal office at No. 410 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, and its works at Phoenixville. The firm is composed of Thos. C. Clarke, Adolphus Bonzano, and John Griffen.

a. Bonzano.

Eng & by H.B.Hall & Sons, 13 Barclay St N.Y.

SAMUEL BUCKWALTER.

In 1713 the Manavon tract, at what is now Phoenixville, was pat- ented to David Lloyd. The earli- est settler upon it was Francis Buckwalter, to whom Lloyd sold six hundred and fifty norss, in 1720, for £195. Buckwalter, a Protest- act refugee from Germany, was sohjected when in the Fatherland to many persecutions because of his faith, and it is a matter of family history that he was com- palled to read his Bible by stealth, concealed in a cow trough. He finally concluded to flee, and after leaving his home was pursued for three days by his vindictive Cath- olic brothers, who were determined upon his destruction. His chil- dreo were Joseph, Jacob, Johan- nes, Mary, and Yost, and from him are descended all of the Buckwalter

family in this county. Of these, Johannes' son John, born Sept. 14, 1777, married, July 27, 1800, Mary Bechtel, born Jan. 2, 1775, and their children were Samuel, John, David, Henry, James, and Elizabeth, who married with James Wynn. Of these children, Sam- nel, the eldest, was born May 6, 1801, in East Nantmeal town- ship, and io 1817-18 went to Charlestown township to live with his grandfather, Johannes (John), on the farm on which John Henry Buckwalter now resides. In 1832 he was married by Rev. Jacob Wampele to Mary, daughter of Daniel and Margaret High, of Schuylkill township, by whom he

J. Buchwalter

had seven children,-Charles C .; John Henry ; Samuel R .; Eliza- beth, married to Enoch J. Davis; and Helen Caroline, all living; and two deceased, Daniel and Mar- garet, who died young. Samuel Buckwalter died Feb. 26, 1869, and his wife, Mary (High), Jan. 4, 1850. He was a second time mar- ried, io 1855, to Ann Pennypacker, widow of James Pennypacker. He was one of the most systematic farmers in the county, and paid special attention to feeding good stock, in which he greatly excelled, and his farm and atock were kept always in good condition. He was, with his family, a member of the Mennonite Church. He served as a scheel director and frequently io other township offices. He was ao Old-Line Whig in politics and later a pronounced Republican. He was at the time of his death presi- dent of the Phoenixville National Baok, in which he was a very large stockholder. Of hia children, Charles C. lives in the neighbor- hood of the old homestead farm, on which resides his brother, John Henry, the popular and efficient county treasurer, elected in 1878 for a term of three years, and the remaining brother, Samuel K., is in active business at Phoenixville. He was known as a successful busi- ness mac and a model farmer. Re- spected in the community for purity of character, he was a worthy representative of his well-known family in the county.

RESIDENCE OF JOHN HENRY BUCKWALTER, CHARLESTOWN.

The Buckwalter family in Chester County springs from Francis Buckwalter, a Prot- estant refugee from Germany, who settled on the Manavon tract in 1720. From him in the third generation descended John Buckwalter, born Sept. 14, 1777, and who married, July 27, 1800, Mary Bechtel, born Jan. 2, 1776. Of their seven children, David, the third son and fifth child, was born Oct. 8, 1807, in East Nantmeal township. His great- great-grandfather on the ma- ternal side was David Bachtell, who came to America from Germany about the year 1740; bought land in Montgomery County, where he settled and reared a family. His son Sam- uel married, about 1766, Eliz- aheth Colson, who was of English birth, but came to America and settled in the northern part of Philadelphia County (now city) previous to 1740. Samuel had now become the owner of considerable real estate in Montgomery County, and during the Revolutionary war sold for high price and took Continental money in payment; came to Chester County, where land was cheap, and purchased a large tract in Londonderry township. He reared a family of seven chil- dren,-David, Rebecca, Polly,

DAVID BUCKWALTER.

David Buchwalter

Betsey, Samuel, Sarah, and Hannah.

Samuel had a large family of sons, who all left this State, and with their descendants are scattered through almost every State in the Union. The name of Bachtell has become almost obsolete in this section of the country. In Virginia it is Pe- tell; in Maryland, Pahtell; and in Ohio, Pachtell. David Buckwalter, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools of the day, and was raised on a farm. April 24, 1855, he married Eliza, daugh- ter of Philip and Susanna (Sloneaker) King, the fruits of which marriage were three children,-Mary B., Ettie M., and Annie E. Farming has always been his occupation, except the four years he was engaged in the mercantile busi- ness in Upper Uwchlan. He purchased the farm he now owns in 1850, upon which he erected his substantial farm residence, and which contains some two hundred acres well located for agricultural pur- poses. Mr. Buckwalter is a member, with his family, of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Upper Uwchlan, to the sup- port of which he is a liberal contributor. Politically he is a Republican, but has never been an aspirant for office.

RESIDENCE OF DAVID BUCKWALTER, UPPER UWCHLAN.

485

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

BONSALL, RICHARD, with wife, Mary, daughter of George Wood, came from Mouldridge, in Derbyshire, and settled in Darby (now Upper Darby) in 1683. Richard died 7, 13, 1699, and his wife 6, 24, 1698. Their chil- dren born in this country were Jacob, 10, 9, 1684; Ben- jamin, 11, 3, 1687; Enoch, 11, 2, 1692 ; Eleanor, 9, 8, 1694. Their daughters were married,-Rachel to Daniel Hibberd, 1697; Ann to Josiah Hibbard, 1698; Abigail to Joseph Rhoads, 1701. Elizabeth Bonsall was married, 9, 10, 1686, to James Hunt, but whether a daughter of Richard is uncertain.

Obadiah Bonsall, perhaps a nephew of Richard, married in 1701 Sarah Bethell, and had several children. The de- scendants of this family number many thousands, and have been largely traced by Spencer Bonsall, of Philadelphia, who is preparing a family history. His father, Edward H. Bonsall, a prominent citizen of Philadelphia, was born in the limits of Uwchlan Monthly Meeting, 5, 28, 1794, and died 4, 14, 1879, the son of Isaac and Mercy (Milhous) Bonsall.

BOYD .- In the year 1732 came William Boyd and Thomas Boyd from the county of Armagh, in Ireland, and with them two unmarried sisters, one of whom married a Mr. Dobbins and the other a Mr. Curry, all of Phila- delphia. They also left one married sister in Ireland, who with her husband afterwards emigrated to Philadelphia.

Thomas Boyd settled in the forks of Delaware, but after- wards removed to Philadelphia, where he died in 1782, leaving four sons and one daughter,-Maj. Alexander Boyd (the oldest son), James, Thomas, and Andrew, all officers in the Revolutionary army, serving through the war. Some time after the war, James and Thomas settled in Kittanning. Of their families nothing is known. The other children remained in Philadelphia and died there.

William Boyd settled near the Half-way House, in Lon- dongrove township, Chester County. In after-life he moved to Oxford township, where he died, April 17, 1767, aged fifty-eight, and his wife eleven days after her husband. Both are buried in the graveyard at Fagg's Manor. He was elected member of Assembly in 1760.

It was said by his sons that when a member of Assembly he attended the sessions in Philadelphia, leaving his home at two o'clock of a Monday morning, taking with him on horseback one or both his sons, then little boys. They would reach the ferry at Schuylkill before noon, when he would cross immediately so as to be in time for the opening of the session, committing to his boys the horse to be fed, and then taken home the same day. They carried their own provisions and provender for the horse. The following Saturday the two boys would be at the ferry again await- ing their father; thus they continued to do during the ses- sions, which lasted about six weeks. The compensation for this service was equivalent to one dollar and thirty- three cents a day. How different from these times, when ten dollars per day is considered inadequate for like services !

William Boyd left three sons-James, John, and Wil- liam-and three daughters-Jane, Mary, and Hannah.

William Boyd, the youngest son, went into the marine service early in the Revolutionary war, was soon made a captain, and was afterwards taken prisoner and carried to

England, and being exchanged, with health entirely broken, he died the day after his delivery on Long Island. His record is that of a distinguished officer.

Jane, the eldest daughter, married David Cochran.

Mary married George Boyd, brother to Matthew Boyd. Hannah married Matthew Boyd, by whom she had three children,-Jane, Rebecca, and John. Of these children Jane never married.

Rebecca married Rev. John B. Patterson, the first pastor of Mahoning Presbyterian Church, and left nine children. John died, unmarried, at the age of twenty-three years. Matthew Boyd was killed by a fall from his horse. The widow afterwards married Gen. William Montgomery.

James Boyd, the oldest son of William Boyd, was born in West Fallowfield township, about the year 1749. He was in the service in the Revolutionary war, and actually participated in some of its conflicts, and it is believed was in the battle of Germantown. He was a member of the convention which framed the constitution of Pennsylvania in the year 1790, and also of the Assembly during the years 1779, 1780, 1782, 1790, and 1791, and associate judge from Nov. 1, 1793, until his death, Aug. 10, 1821, in the seventy-third year of his age.

Judge Boyd was a man of sterling honesty of purpose and strict morality, and in all the relations of life was a most exemplary citizen. He was noted for his active sym- pathy for the widow and the orphan, the friendless stranger and the afflicted,-such ever found in him a ready helper. He was courteous and agreeable in his manners, highly esteemed by all who knew him, and always spoken of with respect. In person he was over the middle size, tall and straight, and his every feature spoke the goodness of his heart.

He was for forty years a ruling elder in the Fagg's Manor Presbyterian Church, an ensample of a true Chris- tian character, and many of the youth of his day-now men well advanced in years-will remember the good advice which he then gave them. In the early days of the temperance movement he was an advocate of that cause.

The most fitting close of this notice is the inscription on the tombstone erected to his memory over his grave in Fagg's Manor burying-ground :

"In memory of James Boyd Esquire who departed this life August 10th, 1821, Aged 73 years. " He was a member of convention in framing the present Constitu- tion, and for several years a Representative in the Legislature of Pennsylvania.

" For 27 years an Associate Judge in Chester County and for 40 years a Ruling Elder in the congregation of Fagg's Manor.

" He was a sincere friend an honest man and a devoted Christian."

On the same stone is this inscription also :

" In memory of Mary Boyd-Relict of James Boyd --- who departed this life July 22nd 1822 aged 76 years. " Hers were the virtues mild, the softer charities, connubial love, maternal tenderness friendship sincere and piety unfeigned."

John Boyd, the second son of William Boyd above named, served an apprenticeship to the tanner's trade with

486

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Thomas Strawbridge of Chester County, and on the break- ing out of the Revolutionary war entered the service, and continued in the army seven years, leaving it in 1782, having received an honorable discharge. He returned home with nothing left but his horse and equipments. On the 18th of December, 1782, he married Mary Cowan, third daughter of James Cowan, of Octorara, Chester Co.

Mr. Boyd immediately established himself in a tannery in West Fallowfield township, Chester Co., near Coch- ranville, and his industry, integrity, and high character soon brought him prosperity. He was appointed by the Governor of the State brigadier-general First Brigade, Third Division, Pennsylvania militia. He served many years as a representative from Chester County in the Legis- lature of Pennsylvania, and was a ruling elder in the Pres- byterian Church of Fagg's Manor for twenty years.

John Boyd and Mary Cowan, his wife, had seven child- ren,-Jane, Joseph, William, James, John C., Mary, and Hannah Eliza,-all of whom were carefully trained, and ed- ucated as well as could be with the limited means and op- portunity at the command of their parents, who carefully inculcated in their children lessons of piety, integrity, and honor, which, being well learned, are the sure guarantee of a useful and honored life.

Jane married Alexander Montgomery, of Danville, Pa., a son of Gen. William Montgomery.

Joseph, William, and James were brought up by their father in the tannery, and John C. Boyd, the youngest son, as a farmer. Joseph and William established themselves in a tannery in Lancaster County, but soon abandoned it. Joseph went to Philadelphia and opened a broker's office, and when John C. quit the farm his brother took him into his office as clerk, and subsequently as his principal traveling agent and collector.

Joseph married Margaret Steel,`daughter of William Steel, Esq., of Chestnut Level, Lancaster Co., by whom he had children,-John, William S., and Eliza.

William, the second son, married Eliza Steel, and left several children.

John C. Boyd married Hannah Montgomery, daughter of Gen. Daniel Montgomery, of Danville, May 18, 1820, and shortly after removed to Danville. About 1824 he removed to a farm two miles south of Danville, and built a grist-mill and mansion-house, and enlarged the farm till it contained nine hundred acres. He was a model farmer, but found time to take part in public enterprises. In the act of April 8, 1826, to incorporate the Danville and Pottsville Railroad, he and his father-in-law were named as commissioners, being the fathers of the enterprise. He was also a commissioner in the charter for the Susquehanna Canal Company in 1835, after which he organized a com- pany and built an iron furnace, which, however, was un- successful. He died Aug. 18, 1849, leaving seven children.

BOYD, REV. ADAM .- See the history of Upper Octo- rara Church, page 250.

BRADFORD, DR. JAMES H., was born in Philadel- phia, Nov. 4, 1802. His parents were Samuel F. and Abigail Bradford, a family of much distinction and great respectability in that city. He was liberally educated, and

graduated M.D. at the University of Pennsylvania in 1823. He made two voyages to China as surgeon, and on the second occasion remained in Canton, and was chosen by the Americans residing there to be their resident physician. For this service he received a stipulated salary, and was placed on the same footing as the English surgeons and physicians. All foreign residents, whether transient or permanent, were entitled to his medical services without any additional compensation. In this field of duty he labored with assiduity and attained a high position. During his residence at Canton a hospital was instituted, and he took charge of its medical and surgical departments. He continued a resident at Canton until 1835, when he re- turned to Philadelphia.

In 1838 he married Mary H., eldest daughter of the late David Caldwell, who for many years occupied the posi- tion of clerk of the District Court of the United States at Philadelphia. In 1850, Dr. Bradford removed with his family to West Chester, where he resided until his death, April 9, 1859. He died at St. Augustine, Fla., where he had shortly before gone with a member of his family, whose state of health required a change of residence for a time. During his residence in West Chester he won the confidence and esteem of all who knew him. His agreeable manners, his kindness and benevolence, his consistent and exemplary deportment, all endeared him to the community in which he spent the latter years of his life.

BRADLEY, CHARLES, married Mary Jefferis about 1752, daughter of Robert Jefferis, Jr., of East Bradford, by whom he had sons,-George, born 1753, Joseph, and Enoch. Joseph went to Warrington, in York County, where he married in 1782 and left children. Of Enoch nothing further is known.

George Bradley married Mary, daughter of Philip and Mary (Gilpin) Taylor, of Thornbury, born 12, 23, 1753. They resided for some time in West Bradford, and had issue,-Emmor, Ruth (m. to Elias Stanley), Orpha, Caleb, Joseph, Hannah, Elizabeth (m. to Reuben Taylor), Lydia (m. to Thomas Lamborn), Ziba, Rachel (m. to Benjamin Lamborn), and Albina.

Emmor, born 9, 19, 1777, died 1, 25, 1837, married Deborah, daughter of Col. John Hannum, and for a few years afterwards taught school in West Chester, then bought a part of the Hannum property, in East Bradford, and built a house thereon in 1810, and resided there the rest of his life. His children were John, Alice Ann, George W., James, Mary, Emma, Jane, Caleb H. (late secretary of the Chester County Mutual Fire Insurance Company), Taylor, Rachel, Elizabeth, and Sarah.

BRINTON,* WILLIAM, of Nether Gournall, parish of Sedgely, Staffordshire, England, with his wife, Ann, daugh- ter of Edward Bagley, came to Pennsylvania in the sum- mer of 1684, and settled in the township since called Bir- mingham. As his home in England was near that town,

# " The English family of Brinton, from whom those in America derivo descent, took their name from the parish of Brinton, now Brimpton, in Berkshire. The first so named of whom we possess any definite account is Robert de Brinton, who received a manor in Shropshire from King Henry II. about the year 1160. His lineal descendant removed to Staffordshire about 1450."-Dr. Daniel G. Brinton.

487

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

it is supposed that he gave the name to the township. He was born about the year 1630, his wife five years later, and they were married about 1659. With them eame their son, William, and daughters, Elizabeth and Esther. Their daughter Ann married John Bennett, 4, 18, 1684, and they may have accompanied her parents.

William Brinton had suffered persecution as a Friend, and in the year 1683 had his goods distrained to the value of £5 11s. to satisfy a fine of 26s. imposed under the Non- conformity Act. On his arrival in Philadelphia, and while detained there in making arrangements for a permanent settlement, he presented two certificates to a Friends' meet- ing " held at the governor's house" on the 4th of the 9th month (November), 1684. One of these certificates is from the Monthly Meeting of Dudley, and is dated the 15th of the 11th month, 1683. The other is from " his dealers & Correspondents," and is dated Jan. 14, 1683. In 1686 he received a patent for 456 acres of land, to which he made further additions by purchase. His death occurred in 1700, and that of his wife in the previous year. Their daughter Elizabeth married Hugh Harris soon after 2d month (April) 12, 1686, by whom she had four sons and five daughters. Esther Brinton, her sister, married John Willis, of Thornbury, and had several chil- dren.

William Brinton, Jr., born about 1667, married, 10, 9, 1690, Jane, daughter of Richard and Jane Thatcher, born 10, 17, 1670, died 12, 17, 1755. In 1704 he built a stone house a little distance south of Dilworthtown, which is still standing, and until a few years since without much alter- ation. He died in 1751, and was buried 8th month 17th, at Birmingham Meeting. His children were,-1. Joseph, b. 11, 30, 1692 ; buried 10, 18, 1751 ; . m. 10, 6, 1711, to Mary Peiree, and 2, 14, 1748, to Mary Elgar. 2. Wil- liam, b. 6, 25, 1694 ; d. 3d mo. 1761; m. 2, 26, 1716, to Hannah Buller, 5, 9, 1724, to Azuba Townsend, and 5th mo. 1734, to Ceeily Chamberlin. 3. Edward, b. 12, 12, 1704; d. 3, 17, 1779; m. 4, 17, 1724, to Hannah Peirce. 4. Mary, b. 2, 1, 1708; d. 12, 13, 1774 ; m. 9, 8, 1739, to Daniel Corbit. 5. Ann, b. 2, 19, 1710; m. 2, 29, 1731, to Samuel Bettle. 6. John, b. 5, 4, 1715; d. 3d mo. 1748; m. 2, 21, 1736, to Hannah Vernon.

Joseph and Edward Brinton were prominent and active citizens, and their numerous descendants have inherited marked individuality and force of. character. A daughter of Edward became the wife of Thomas Darlington and an- eestor of a large portion of the family of that name. A genealogy and history of the family, quarto, pp. 60, was compiled and printed for private distribution by Dr. Daniel G. Brinton, 1878. His brother, Joseph H. Brinton, is the proprietor of Brioton's greenstone or serpentine quar- ries in Thornbury.

BROOMALL, JOHN, came to Pennsylvania in 1682, and after his marriage settled in Edgmont or Lower Provi- dence. His death in the latter township occurred in 1729, when he left a widow, Mary, and children,-John, Lydia, Ellen, Mary, and Jane.

John Broomall, Jr., married, Oct. 12, 1720, Anne Lewis, and had several children, of whom a son, Daniel, married Martha, daughter of Joseph and Hannah Talbot, of Mid-

dletown. They resided for some time in Middletown, afterwards in Thornbury. Daniel died 4, 2, 1817, and his wife 5, 3, 1812; both buried at Middletown. Their chil- dren were,-1. Hannah, b. 2, 13, 1755. 2. Joseph, b. 1, 27, 1758. 3. John, b. 11, 8, 1760; died 3, 6, 1848 (father of Hon. John M. Broomall, of Media). 4. Isaac, b. 8, 27, 1762 ; died 11th mo. 1834. 5. Nehemiah, b. 8, 27, 1762. 6. James, b. 2, 6, 1765. 7. Jacob, b. 4, 18, 1768. 8. Rachel, b. 3, 8, 1771; m. to Caleb Temple. 9. David, b. 6, 24, 1773. 10. Eliza- beth, b. 6, 4, 1775. 11 and 12. Joseph and Nathan, twins, b. 7, 12, 1777. 13. Daniel, b. 1, 27, 1780. Isaae Broomall, or Broomell, as this branch of the family write the name, married, 1, 11, 1792, Lydia, daughter of John and Susanna Neal, of Concord, born 5, 12, 1772, died in Upper Oxford, 9, 2, 1853. About the year 1800 they removed to the western part of this county, and Isaac died at New London Cross-roads. Their son John, born 1, 10, 1794, died in Upper Oxford, 3, 15, 1881.

Hannah G., widow of Nathan Broomall, died at Phoenix- ville, Dee. 12, 1879, in her ninety-second year.

BROSIUS, HENRY, came from Germany when quite young, with his mother and step-father, who settled in Philadelphia. The latter both died of the yellow fever when it was so fatal there.

Henry married Mary Roberts, daughter of Isaae, of Bueks County, and settled in that neighborhood in 1793; but in 1805 they removed to West Fallowfield and pur- chased the farm now owned by Daniel Kent, who subse- quently married one of the daughters. Their children were Isaac, Benjamin, Mahlon, William, Harper, Mary Ann, Henry, Joseph, Abner, Nathan, Sarah, Charles, Agnes, Amos, and Ruth. Of these, Mahlon married Mary Kent, 8, 17, 1820, and resided in Londonderry, afterwards in Upper Oxford. Their children were Clarkson, Daniel K., Edwin (now of Kennet Square), Esther Ann, John Comly (physician, now of Cochranville), Joseph H., Ann Elizabeth, Lucretia M., Mary Jane, and Mahlon G.

BROWER, DR. WILLIAM .- The Brower family, orig- inally from Holland, very early settled in East Coventry township, where the ancestors of Henry Brower, grand- father of Dr. William, lived for two generations before him. Gilbert, soo of Henry Brower, married Lydia Urner, to whom were born four children, of whom the eldest (Har- rison) is deceased ; the surviving three are Rev. Isaac U., Sallie M., and William. The latter, Dr. William, was born Feb. 25, 1842, in East Coventry, and was married, Sept. 18, 1869, to Sallie M., daughter of Joseph Kendall, of Limerick Station, Montgomery Co., by whom he has one child living, Blanche, born March 9, 1872. He spent his boyhood days upon a farm, and began his academie eduea- tion at Oakdale Seminary in the summer of 1858. The two following summers were spent at Freeland Seminary (now Ursinus College). He entered the Pennsylvania State Normal School, at Millersville, Pa., in the summer of 1861, where he was also in attendance in 1862 and 1863, at which time he was a member of the senior elass. He taught school for six terms, and entered upon the study of medieine in the spring of 1865. He attended lectures at Jefferson Medieal College, in Philadelphia, and there was

488

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Mower

graduated March 9, 1867. He then located at Spring City, and soon acquired a large practice, where and in which he is now most successfully engaged. He has taken an active part in school matters, and has served uninterruptedly on the school board for the past thirteen years. The schools of Spring City are among the best in the county, which is in large measure due to his zeal and labors on the board. He has also served for several years as a director in the Phoenixville Fire Insurance Company, and his public spirit has been of great aid to the community, which deservedly holds him in high repute.

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 132

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928 Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts Number of Pages: 1162

Author: Futhey, John Smith, 1820-1888; Cope, Gilbert, 1840-1928
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Philadelphia, L. H. Everts
Number of Pages: 1162