History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 138

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 138

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In " The Strange Friend" there are some embellish- ments to which we are indebted solely to the imagination of the author. One of them is the love of the landlord's son for a daughter of his tenant, which resulted in a disappoint- ment so grievous that the young man never married.

Whether Isaac W. Pennock ever had any fancy for either of the Misses Cox I am not informed; but certain it is that if he had it was attended with nothing very serious, for he married, not long after the family left America, a very lovely lady of the city of Philadelphia, who is, I believe, still living.

In the tale of " The Strange Friend" the principal actor is represented as playing a hypocritical part from the be- ginning in passing himself off as a member of the Society of Friends conscientiously attached to its principles; and there seems to be a general impression in the community accustomed to worship at the old Londongrove meeting- house that the representation is true as applied to Henry Cox. But this view of the subject is hardly credible. It is difficult to believe that a man of his associations and high social position should have so far forgotten what was due to his own character as to wear the mask attributed to him during nineteen years of the best part of his life, when it is obvious that such a deception could afford to no honorable mind either amusement or satisfaction, but must have been most humiliating to his self-respect. It is still more diffi- cult to believe that he should have educated his children in principles essentially diverse from his own, and enforced upon them habits and usages not conformable to his own tastes and opinions. He was doubtless eccentric and proba- bly unstable, and his views and feelings may have been largely influenced at different periods of his life by differ- ences in the condition of his fortune and his prospects. He may not have had the moral courage to meet his old asso-

508

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

ciates in the character and garb of a Friend, and subject himself to the ridicule with which he would be liable to be assailed by them, wholly unacquainted as they probably were with the peculiarities of the people with whom he had con- nected himself. There was doubtless much inconsistency in his conduct, but he does not appear to have been, in any of the elements of his character, of the stuff of which hypocrites are made.

As to the merits of his poem I am unable to speak. I can recollect that it was written in heroic English meas- ure, and that the versification was easy and flowing, and the rhythm faultless. On the fidelity of its descriptions I formed no judgments. I have endeavored to find a copy, but have failed after extensive inquiry. Writing verses seems to have been a family proclivity. I have some now in my possession written by his son Richard, and others by his son Sackville. Though pretty clever for young men of their age, they are not remarkable. They give no indi- cation of genius.

Although Henry Cox before leaving this country was furnished at his own request with a certificate from the Monthly Meeting of Friends at Londongrove showing his right to membership in the society, he does not appear to have made any use of the document on his return to Ire- land. He certainly never associated with the Friends in that country, nor did he profess the principles or conform to the peculiar usages of the sect during any part of his subsequent career.

CULBERTSON, JOHN, EsQ., died Nov. 11, 1767, aged 57 years, and was buried at Brandywine Manor church. Maj. John Culbertson, probably a son, was an active Whig during the Revolution. He died Sept. 12, 1794, aged 55 years, and Sarah, his wife, April 15, 1812, aged 75.

The following notice occurs in Saffell's " Records of the Revolutionary War" :

" Captain Samuel Culbertson, of Colonel Montgomery's Regiment of Flying Camp, a Fort Washington prisoner, was captured Nov. 16, 1776. He was a prisoner, within certain hounds on Long Island, until Aug. 16, 1779, when he was ordered into the city prisons of New York. Lewis Pintard and Colonel Palfrey supplied him, in 1776 and 1777, with money. He was exchanged Nov. 2, 1780, at Elizabethtown, N. J., and made his way to his place of abode, at Yellow Springs, Pa. Capt. Culbertson was possessed of fine literary abilities and military talents."

Margaret, wife of Samuel Culbertson, died May 12, 1811, in her 66th year.

CUNINGHAM, CAPT. ALLEN, was of the Scotch- Irish stock, and was born in County Armagh, Ireland, in 1738. He emigrated to this country in 1765, and set- tled at New London Cross-roads, in Chester County, in 1775.

In the war of the Revolution he actively participated in the campaigns of 1776 and 1777, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He commanded a company at the battle of Brandywine, in the division of Gen. Maxwell. This com- pany was held in reserve, in a grove near Chads' Ford, during the whole eventful day, with positive orders not to fire a gun until specially directed ; and although exposed to dan- ger, and liable to be shot down by the enemy, not a man violated the order, but remained at his post, ready and eager for the order to fire. It was not given, and this brave

portion of the reserve, in the evening, marched off the field as coolly as veterans.

He was a man of talent and education, as his letters written while in the service (some of which have been re -. cently published) abundantly evince. He was noted for his probity and punctuality in his engagements, for his ex- cellent judgment, and his industry and uprightness in busi- ness; so much so that his honor and industry were pro- verbial in his neighborhood.

The lives of few men have been more checkered with good and evil, and although not volatile or over-cheerful in disposition, he was never known to be despondent. To use his own words, he was "twice shipwrecked, twice robbed, twice burned out, twice married, and had two sons and two daughters." He never held an office, and although fre- quently and earnestly solicited, never could be induced to accept any station either in church or state,-a virtue with which the present generation are not very familiar.

He died May 15, 1801, at the age of 63. His remains were interred in New London graveyard, and the stone which covers his grave contains the simple record of his name, his years, and the time of his death, together with a line from Pope,-

" An honest man's the noblest work of God."

Gen. John W. Cuningham was a son of Capt. Allen Cuningham, and was born in the village of New London, Chester Co. (then, and until recently, known as New Lon- don Cross-roads), in the year 1779. In this village he re- sided during his entire life.

He represented Chester County in the State Legislature. in the years 1809 and 1810, and was appointed prothono- tary by Governor Wolf, Feb. 15, 1830. This office he held during the entire administration of Governor Wolf,-six years,-and was esteemed a very efficient and accomplished officer. He also held the office of clerk of the court during the greater portion of the same period. Gen. Cuningham was a Presidential elector in 1828, when Gen. Jackson was first elected to the Presidency, and was the Democratic can- didate for Congress in 1836.

He possessed a strong and vigorous mind and great benevolence of character. He was a devoted friend of the soldiers of the Revolution, and was frequently called upon by them for assistance in making applications for pensions, and he prepared and put together the evidence of their claims for the mere pleasure of the task. Indeed, the whole neighborhood made frequent requisitions upon his services, and never in vain. To all he was kind, consider- ate, and obliging, and no one was more useful in his day , and sphere. His name and his character inspired confi- dence, and a promise given to perform anything was fol- lowed by execution, or the most strenuous efforts at fulfill- ment.

His " stane of memorial," in the old graveyard at New London, contains this inscription, --

"Sacred to the memory of John W. Cuningham. In public life esteemed and variously employed. As a neighbour, upright, firm, . and friendly. At home, tender and affectionate. Of the Presbyte- rian Church an attached member, and for twenty-nine years a ruling elder. He departed this life April 26, 1840, in the sixty-first year of his. age."

The Cornog family early set- tled in this county, where its descendants are quite numer- ous. Abner, son of Abraham and Dinah Cornog, married Margaret Davis. To them were born nine children, five sons and four daughters, of whom the eldest son and fifth child, Mordecai Davis Cornog, was born Feb. 18, 1818, in Easttown township. On his mother's (Davis) side he is likewise of Welsh descent. He passed his youth on his father's farm and was educated in the subscription schools. He was married Feb. 18, 1837, to Sophia Curll, daughter of Thomas and Margaret Curll.

This union was blessed with three children : Naomi, mar- ried to Watson Lobb; Ella, married to Christian Lapp ; and Jennette Davis, He began farming on his own account in Charlestown township just be- fore his marriage, and some seven or eight years subsequent- ly came to the place he now owns. This is the old Cornog homestead of one hundred and sixty - seven acres, to which

MORDECAI D. CORNOG.

Me S fornag

his parents removed when he was but one year old, and which after his father's death he took at the appraisement. Farming has been his avoca- tion, with considerable atten- tion paid to dairying. He has served on the school board and taken an active interest in edu- cational matters. He belongs to the Great Valley Baptist Church, where he and his fam- ily worship.

He is identified with the Re- publican party, but has never sought political place or power. His post-office is Chester Val- ley, on the railroad of the same name. His farm is located in a beautiful region, and has upon it fine improvements. He is a highly respected citi- zen in the community, and is a systematic farmer, raising large crops, particularly of corn. He is a man of good business tact and judgment, as was his father, Abner, who by industry and careful manage- ment acquired an estate of over seven hundred acres of choice farming lands.

BILLINGS

RESIDENCE OF MORDECAI D. CORNOG, TREDYFFRIN.

HENRY E. CHRISMAN.

On Sept. 5, 1730, Daniel Chrisman arrived from Ger- many in the ship " Alexander and Ann," William Clymer master, from Rotterdam, last from Cowes, as the vessel's re- port shows. He settled in Worcester township, then part of Philadelphia, now of Mont- gomery County. He had a son, Henry, who was the father of Jacob Chrisman, who mar- ried Margaret Evans. To this couple were born five children, of whom the third son and fifth child, Henry E. Chris- man, was born April 8, 1822, in East Vincent township. On the maternal side he is of Welsh extraction. He spent his hoyhood days on the farm ; attended the common schools, and afterwards the academy of Rev. Mr. Rodenbangh, in Montgomery County. He be- gan farming on hisown account in 1873, having previous to that time been managing the estate of his father. He was mar- ried June 13, 1877, to Martha, daughter of John Chrisman. He is a general farmer, and has two hundred and seventy- six acres of land, upon which, in 1880, he erected his present

Henry & Chrisman

farm residence. He has served on the school board. He at- tends, with his family, the Lutheran Church. Is a Demo- crat in politics, but has never been an office-seeker. His farm is the same deeded by Thomas Willing to Hazel Thomas, Dec. 24, 1794, and was a part of "Callowhill Manor," of one thousand acres, on a branch of French Creek, and conveyed by the Proprie- tary under Penn, April 16, 1686, to Robert Thompson. Henry, grandfather of Henry E. Chrisman, bought it at sheriff's sale, and the deed is dated Feb. 26, 1819, the land being sold in settlement of Hazel Thomas' estate at judi- cial sale.

Henry E. once belonged to the First Troop of Chester County militia, was in it some six or seven years, and in the latter part of this time com- manded a company. He went with the troop to Philadelphia to suppress the "Southwark Riot," under the command of Capt. Hallman, whom he suc- ceeded as captain, receiving his commission from Governor Johnston.

RESIDENCE OF HENRY E. CHRISMAN, EAST VINCENT.

509

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

CUNNINGHAM, SAMUEL, of Nantmeal township, was a member from this county in the convention of July 15, 1776, to form the first State constitution. He was also a member of Assembly in 1776 and 1777; appointed col- lector of excise Nov. 27, 1778, and justice of the peace Aug. 26, 1791. He died June 26, 1806, aged 74 years, and was buried at Brandywine Manor. Sarah, his widow, died Jan. 30, 1807, aged 66, and his son John, Jan. 24, 1816, in his 47th year.

CURRIE, REV. WILLIAM .- The following account of Mr. Currie was taken down from the lips of a lady who was well acquainted with him, and whose statement may be relied upon as being entirely correct: " William Currie was born and educated in Glasgow, Scotland, and under the following circumstances emigrated to America. A Mr. Carter, of Virginia, having an only son, placed him at college in Glas- gow to receive all the advantages of a liberal education ; but being an only child, and consequently a great favorite with his parents, they were soon led to regret the step they had thus taken in separating themselves from their son. They at once determined to send for him, requesting the faculty to send one with him who would be competent to perform the duties of a tutor, and under whose instructions he would be able to complete his education. Mr. Currie, being then much esteemed in the college as a man of learn- ing and sound judgment, was at once recommended, and consented to take charge of his young pupil, and shortly after sailed for America. With this family he continued a number of years, after which he came to New Castle, in Delaware, where he became intimately acquainted with the Rev. Mr. Ross, a clergyman of the Episcopal Church, and under whose influence he was led to examine the doctrines and discipline of the Church of Scotland, and was accord- ingly recommended by the Rev. Mr. Ross to the Royal Society of England, whither he proceeded for ordination. After his return he became rector of Perkiomen, Radnor, and St. Peter's Churches. He was married to the eldest daughter of Mr. Ross, by which marriage he had five sons and one daughter,-John, James, William, Richard, Alex- ander Ross, and Elizabeth. His daughter Elizabeth was married to Dr. Demon, of Reading. John was educated to the legal profession, and married a wealthy lady named Crookshank ; they lived and died near Bethlehem, Pa. James, William, and Alexander were physicians. Alexan- der went to one of the West India Islands, married and died there. William married and died in Philadelphia. Richard joined the First Militia, and went to Amboy ; af- terwards returned and dicd, leaving a widow and three children to the care of his father.

" Mr. Currie continued to be the rector of the above churches until independence was declared. Feeling that he could not violate his ordination vows by refusing to pray for the king of England, he resolved to give up the charge of the churches. He accordingly left the churches, but oc- casionally preached by request, and performed other duties appertaining to his office. His second wife was Lucy Ann Jones, formerly a Miss Godfrey, at this time the widow of David Jones. He resided for a few years after this mar- riage on his farm in Tredyffrin, situated a short distance from Washington's encampment at Valley Forge. He here

lost his second wife, after which he gave his farm into other hands and resided with his tenants. His grand- daughter married, and Mr. Currie spent the remainder of. his days with her, and died at the advanced age of 105 years. He was interred at Radnor church, together with his two wives and his son Richard; he died some time dur- ing the autumn of 1803."

DARLINGTON, JOB, of Darnhall, Cheshire, England,. with Mary, his wife, had children,-Abraham, John, Joseph, Matthew, Jane, Mary, and perhaps others. The mother dicd Dec. 18, 1728, and the records of the parish of Whitegate show that Job was buried Aug. 11, 1731. Of the children, Abraham and John came to Pennsylvania, and tradition says it was through the inducement of John Neild, an uncle by marriage, who lived in Aston township. There is evidence that the boys came while not yet fully grown. John is said to have gone to Maryland, and it is not known that there are any of his descendants bearing his name.

Abraham, born 1690, was bound apprentice to a saddler at the age of eleven years, and followed that calling after his arrival in this country. His residence for some years was in Aston, whence he removed to a farm in Birming- ham, which he bought in 1723 from the heirs of John Fred, now belonging to Clement Biddle. He early joined with Friends, and was married among them in the 1st month (March), 1712, to Deborah, daughter of Joseph Carter. She died leaving no children, and he married in the 10th month, 1716, Elizabeth Hillborn, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth, of Bucks County. She died 12, 28, 1771, and was buried at Birminghain on the 30th. Abraham died 2, 9, 1776.

Their children were as follows: 1. Mary, b. 1, 14, 1717-8 ; m. 2, 29, 1736, to Moses Pyle. 2. Deborah, b. 7, 13, 1719; m. 10, 16, 1741, to Samuel Taylor, of East Brad- ford. 3. Elizabeth, m. 9, 21, 1750, to Isaac Pyle. 4. Abraham, m. 1, 18, 1769, to Mary Nicklin, and 11, 22, 1786, to Lettice Ryan ; descendants few in number. 5. Thomas, m. 4, 25, 1754, Hannah, daughter of Edward Brinton, of Birmingham, and settled in East Bradford, on 100 acres of his father's land, purchased from John Strode in 1750. 6. John, m. 3, 17, 1751, Esther Dicks, daughter , of Peter and Sarah, of Providence, and settled on 100 acres, the remainder of his father's purchase in East Brad- ford, where he died 2, 3, 1813. 7. Hannah, m. 4, 30, 1752, to William Jefferis, of East Bradford. 8. Rachel, m. 4, 25, 1765, to William Seal, of Birmingham ; second husband Isaac Miller, a first cousin of her former husband, to whom she was married 7, 3, 1777. 9. Job, probably : dicd young. 10. Rebecca, m. 12, 28, 1763, to John Brinton, of Kennet.

Aug. 20, 1853, a sesqui-centennial gathering. of the Darlington family met at the residence of Brinton Darling- ; ton, grandson of the emigrant, in East Bradford, where nearly four hundred persons were present, out of the. thousand and more then living.

The children of Thomas and Hannah Darlington were,- 11. Edward, b. 6, 13, 1755; 12. Abraham, b. 8, 28, 1757 ; 13. Thomas, b. 1, 21, 1760 ; 14. Jesse, b. 2, 16, 1762; 15 .. Amos, b. 3, 15, 1764; 16. George, b. 8, 22, 1766 ; 17.

510

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

Stephen, b. 10, 25, 1768; 18. Hannah, b. 1, 27, 1771 ; 19. Elizabeth, b. 2, 7, 1773 ; 20. Emanuel, b. 6, 28, 1775 ; 21. Brinton, b. 12, 23, 1781.

The children of John and Esther Darlington were,- 22. Sarah, b. 3, 1, 1752; 23. Job, b. 12, 20, 1753; 24. Joseph, b. 12, 12, 1755; 25. Elizabeth, b. 8, 15, 1757 ; 26. Esther, b. 7, 7, 1759; 27. Deborah, b. 5, 1, 1761; 28. Leah, b. 8, 29, 1763; 29. Rachel, b. 8, 29, 1763; 30. John, b. 3, 17, 1766; 31. Zillah, b. 9, 5, 1769. Of these, Job married Rebecca Hoopes, remained at the home- stead, and had children,-Joshua, Esther, Susanna, Garrett, Job (now at the same place), John T., and Jacob E. Dar- lington.

Edward Darlington (11) married, 3, 8, 1781, Hannah, daughter of John and Joanna Townsend, of East Bradford, born 12, 17, 1760, died 8, 9, 1826. Edward died 4, 1, 1825. Their children were William, b. April 28, 1782, d. April 23, 1863; Thomas, b. June 27, 1784, d. Feb. 17, 1866; Ziba, b. June 1, 1788, d. Nov. 7, 1876; Sarah, b. July 19, 1790, d. May 12, 1818; Samuel, b. Nov. 6, 1793, d. Dec. 25, 1794; Jane, b. Sept. 9, 1796, d. Jan. 3, 1817 ; Edward B., b. Dec. 16, 1798, d. May 6, 1851, m. March 23, 1831, to Hannah Sharples, daughter of Nathan H. and Martha, of West Chester.

Of these, Thomas was possessed of a love for family his- tory, and many of the family papers. He died unmarried, and these papers passed into the hands of his brother Ziba, who spent the last years of his life in West Chester. He was a fine old gentleman, with a mind well stored with rem- iniscenees of the past, which he took pleasure in relating. He was first married, Feb. 19, 1829, to Hannah Webb, but their children died young. His second marriage was on March 5, 1850, to Ruth C. Gilpin, who survives him.

Henry T. Darlington, son of Edward B. and Hannah, learned the printing business, and at the time of his death was proprietor of the Bucks County Intelligencer, trustee of the West Chester State Normal School, commissioner for the erection of the Insane Asylum near Norristown, etc.

Abraham Darlington (12) married, 3, 22, 1781, Susanna, daughter of Isaac and Esther Chandler, born 10, 10, 1760, died 5, 12, 1849. He died 2, 14, 1844, having had the following children :

Isaae (judge), b. 12, 13, 1781, d. 4, 27, 1839; Han- nah, b. 5, 16, 1783, d. 11, 2, 1839 ; Thomas, b. 11, 14, 1784, d. 11, 8, 1860; Benedict, b. 9, 22, 1786, d. 7, 17, 1864; Abraham, b. 7, 17, 1789, d. 7, 31, 1879 ; Clement, b. 7, 4, 1791, d. 8, 19, 1791 ; Esther, b. 5, 5, 1793, d. 1, 7, 1877; Susanna, b. 11, 11, 1795, d. 9, 15, 1803; Eliza, b. 5, 26, 1797, d. 3, 17, 1878; Cidney, b. 2, 19, 1799, d. 7, 7, 1868; Chandler, b. 11, 4, 1800, d. 3, 29, 1879; William, b. 10, 19, 1804, d. 12, 6, 1879. Of the eldest and youngest of these sketches are here given.

Thomas, the second son, married Mary Brinton, 9, 7, 1809, daughter of Joseph and Mary, b. 6, 24, 1788, d. 1, 27, 1828. He died 11, 8, 1860. His children were Brinton (sheriff ), Clement, Abraham B., Mary Ann, Jane, Susan, Joseph, Isaac, Melinda, Franklin, Thomas, Edward, Alfred, and Chandler.

George Darlington (16) married, 5, 28, 1795, Lydia,

daughter of Richard and Lettice Barnard, of Newlin, born 8, 6, 1770, died 5, 31, 1826. He died 5, 16, 1839, in Pennsbury, now Pocopson, township. His children were Hannah, Richard, Stephen, Cyrus, George, Joseph, Hill- born, Lydia, and Eliza. Richard married Edith Smedley, daughter of Thomas and Abigail, of Willistown, and re- moved to West Marlborough. His brothers, Stephen, George, and Joseph, reside on adjoining properties in Pocopson.

Brinton Darlington (21) married, 11, 12, 1807, Sarah Garrett, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth, of Willistown, born 4, 24, 1785, died 2, 19, 1854. Brinton died 8, 29, 1860. His children were Isaac G. (who was a noted maker of ice cream), Brioton, Thomas B., Hillborn (a physician), Elizabeth, and Sarah Ann.

Jared Darlington, son of Jesse (14) and Amy, estab- lished a high reputation as a dairyman, in which he is suc- ceeded by his sons, at and near Darlington Station, in Mid- dletown, Delaware Co.

DR. WILLIAM DARLINGTON, LL.D .- Dr. William Dar- lington, the eldest child of Edward and Hannah (Town- send) Darlington, was born near the ancient village of Dil- worth, now called Dilworthstown, in Birmingham township, April 28, 1782. He descended from ancestors each branch of which, as far as it can be traced, was an unmixed race of plain English Quakers. He was early inured to the se- vere labors of agricultural life, and when old enough to hold the plow was kept at work in the summer, and only permitted to go to school in the winter season. He ob- tained a good English education under John Forsythe, an Irish Friend, one of the best teachers of that time in the county, and in the spring of 1800 entered the office of Dr. John Vaughan, a reputable physician of Wilmington, Del. While pursuing his medical studies he also acquired a knowledge of the French language, and there developed a passion for the study of languages which enabled him afterwards to master the Latin, Spanish, and German. During the scourge of the yellow fever in 1802, all the physicians in Wilmington fled but Dr. Vaughan and his pupil, William Darlington, who continued heroically at their posts and rendered faithful services in that fearful epidemic. In the winters of 1802-3 and 1803-4 be at- tended the medical lectures in the University of Pennsyl- vania, and June 6, 1804, graduated, being the first citizen of Chester County who took the degree of Doctor of Medi- cine in that university. The subject of his inaugural the- sis was " The Mutual Influence of Habits and Disease," which received a flattering compliment from the distin- guished Prof. Rush. At the close of his second course of medical lectures he attended the botanical lectures of Prof. Benjamin Smith Barton, and thus began his first acquaint- ance with that science whose beauties and pleasures he, in later years, did so much to illustrate, and in so successful a manner as to make his name known and respected through- out the botanical world. On receiving his diploma, he rc- turned to his native place and commenced the practice of medicine. In the following year he was appointed phy- sician to the Chester County Almshouse, and also surgeon to a regiment of militia. The latter appointment, how- ever, caused his disownment by the Society of Friends, of which he was a member, as it was contrary to their

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 138

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