History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 147

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

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He was married, May 14, 1761, by Rev. William Currie, to Sarah Smith, and his death occurred in the summer of 1783. His children were Mary (m. to William Rogers), Sarah, Jesse, John, and William. In his will he also men- tions his brother David, of Vincent, and James, and sister Eleanor, wife of John Dodson, in Frederick County, Md.

ABNER EVANS, from Wales, settled in East Nantmeal about 1755, and purchased a large tract of land. " Abner's Hill" derives its name from him. He was the father of George Evans, and the grandfather of Jesse, James and Evan Evans, the latter at one time a county commissioner. The late Abner G. Evans, who died Feb. 23, 1881, in East Nantmeal, was also a descendant.

EVERHART, WILLIAM .- James Everhart, of German descent, was a volunteer in the Revolutionary war, and a native of West Vincent township, Chester Co., as were his three sons, whom he educated and started in business. Of these, James was proprietor of a furnace in Schuylkill County, and was a member of the Legislature in 1826. William, the eldest, and the subject of this notice, was born May 17, 1785, and acquired under the instruction of Wil- liam Peters, brother of Judge Peters, sufficient knowledge of geometry, mensuration, surveying, and navigation to teach those branches satisfactorily before his eighteenth year. For some time he practiced surveying, and about the time of his majority commenced mercantile business in Tredyffrin township, and afterwards moved to Pughtown. He next purchased a farm in West Whiteland, adjoining the "Boot" farm, and erected thereon a dwelling- and store-house. On March 8, 1814, he married the grand- daughter of Isaiah Matlack, who owned most of the land in the north end of West Chester, and who built the Green Tree and Eagle Hotels. He had by his wife eight children, of whom Mary died young, Isaiah F. was accidentally killed in his sixteenth year while trying to stop a team run- ning away, and Elizabeth died since the deccase of her father. The five living children are Benjamin M., James, Bowen, John R., Thomazine, and Mary. In the war of 1812, William Everhart raised a rifle company of eighty picked men, and offered their services to the government. They were directed to hold themselves in readiness, but were not called into the field. He had been previously appointed by the Governor a justice of the peace, and in that capacity amicably settled every eivil and assault and battery case that came before him. It is also due to history to say that for most of the time in which he acted as mag- istrate he took no fees, except in cases of marriage. In 1822, Mr. Everhart sailed for England in the packet-ship " Albion," which was wrecked on the coast of Ireland, and

he was the only cabin passenger saved. He lost, however, nearly ten thousand dollars in gold, which he had taken with him to buy merchandise. Gold was subsequently found in the wreck, which was tendered to him, and which he could have received had he been willing to swear to its identity, but he could not conscientiously do that, as it was not sufficiently marked, and he declined it. He was, how- ever, so well remembered by friends whom he had previ- ously met abroad that he was enabled to purchase as largely as he desired. In 1824 he purchased a property in Gay Street, West Chester, and moved there. In 1829 he bought the Wollerton farm, which reached from near the Wilmington road to Cedar Hill. This property he divided into lots, extended Market and Church Streets west and south from the Chester County Hotel, now called the Mansion House, which be built, and he named the streets which he laid out after his friends, Isaac Wayne, Gen. Barnard, Charles Miner, and Dr. William Darlington. He realized largely from the purchase of this farm, and this laid the foundation of his subsequent princely fortunc. From 1830 to 1862 he crected, perhaps, a hundred brick buildings in the borough.

In 1852 he was elected to the Thirty-third Congress of the United States, running considerably ahead of the rest of the ticket. He declined a unanimous renomination, considering it merely a complimentary approval of his course. He delivered a most able, forcible, and comprehen- sive speech in Congress on May 19, 1854, on the Kansas and Nebraska bill of Senator Douglas repealing the Mis- souri Compromise, which speech showed with prophetic eye the dire results that would follow its passage, and that its authors would reap a tornado. In the fall of 1867, Mr. Everhart retired from mercantile business, after an uninter- rupted application to it of over sixty years, with a credit unimpaired in the commercial circles of the leading cities of this country and England. It may be said that he was comprehensive and long-sighted in his views, and yet not indifferent to details. His judgment was rapid, and with- out being intractable, he had much self-reliance and acted promptly on his own convictions. His extensive inter- course and experience gave him such practical knowledge that he appreciated characters and transactions, values and events, with remarkable facility and correctness. Although but little devoted to literary composition, he could express himself forcibly on paper, and without being an extempore speaker, was seldom unprepared with an answer or sugges- tion. His presence of mind scarcely ever forsook him in any emergency of difficulty or peril. His habits, his mor- als, his integrity, were beyond reproach. He had genuine charity, giving to the poor and deserving without ostenta- tion ; never forgetting a favor nor failing to forgive an injury, nor disparaging merit on account of prejudice or interest, nor in any way countenancing persecution or intol- erance. He stood guard over an Abolitionists' meeting in his own house when they could procure no other room, and when they were followed by mobs all through the North. His faith in religion was from early life, and un- faltering to its close, and though a member of church for half a century, he had a catholic regard for all sects, revered all good men, and entertained with equal hospitality clergy-

An Everland

J. B. EVANS.

Daniel Evans was born in Caernarvonshire, Wales, in 1743, and came to America in 1752 with his father, Lewis, who settled in Vincent town- ship. Daniel was a schoolmate of Gen. Anthony Wayne, and on the latter's retreat from Paoli to Warwick Furnace he encamped one night on Daniel's farm. Daniel, who died in 1820, married Esther Benner, and their third son and fourth child was Ezra, who married Eliza King, of German extrac- tion, to whom were born two children,-Jesse Benner and Newton. Of these, Jesse Ben- ner Evans was born Oct. 3, 1824, and was raised on a farm, receiving the education the public schools afforded. He was married July 16, 1850, to Sarah S. Wagonseller, daughter of Jacob Wagonseller, of Union County, by whom he has had six children : Franklin ; Eliza, married to Clark Pierson, editor of Lambertville (N. J.) Record; Lewis Wilmer; Martha K .; Abigail; and Gertrude. In early life he studied dentistry, and practiced his profession at Phoenixville until 1855, when he removed to the farm of ninety-seven acres he now owns, and where he has since

J. B. Evans

resided. He has served seven years as school director, and one term as justice of the peace, and is now on his second one as magistrate. He is a member of the Windsor Baptist Church, with his family, and to which he liberally contributes. He was originally a Democrat, but on the repeal of the " Missouri Compromise," in 1854, attached himself to the Republican party. Belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry, and has been Master of Grange Lodge, No. 53. In 1853 he joined Phoenix Lodge, No. 75, A. and Y. M., and was afterwards a charter member of Williamson Lodge, No. 309, of Downingtown, of which he was its second Wor- shipful Master. He subsequent- ly as a charter member aided in the organization of Mount Pickering Lodge, No. 446, of which he was the first Wor- shipful Master, and to which he yet belongs. His farm lies on the State road from West Chester to Pottstown, midway between them, and his post- office is Uwchlan. He is a gentleman of deserved high standing in the community, as is well attested by the many responsible positions to which he has been chosen.

RESIDENCE AND FARM OF J. B. EVANS, UPPER UWCHLAN.

٢٠

Wymi by Samuel Cartauk rud.

A Letters 11 11

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

men of every denomination. Mr. Everhart did more to contribute to the wealth and prosperity of West Chester than any other one of its citizens, and his death, on Oct. 30, 1868, was as deeply regretted as his memory is fondly cherished by all who knew him.

Of his three sons, Benjamin M. is well known for his proficiency in natural history, and especially in all branches of botany. James B. studied law in West Chester and at the Cambridge (Mass.) Law-School, and successfully prac- ticed his profession in West Chester for a time ; was captain and major in the two " emergencies" of the late Rebellion ; and is at present (1881) State senator, to which office he was elected in 1876, and again in 1880. He is also the author of two volumes of poetry and one of miscellanies of travel. John R. is a physician, who attended lectures in Philadelphia and Paris, performed one of the most success- ful operations for cataract in the county, and was surgeon during the late war and was promoted for efficiency.

FAIRLAMB, NICHOLAS, from Stockton, in the county of Durham, England, came to Pennsylvania in 1700, and settled at first in Philadelphia. In 1703 he married Katha- rine, daughter of Richard Crosby, of Middletown, to which place he removed, afterwards residing in Chester. His chil- dren were Mary, b. 7, 19, 1705, m. John Tomlinson ; Samuel, b. 10, 20, 1707, died young ; Katharine, b. 4, 8, 1709, m. Joseph Tomlinson ; Hannah, b. 8, 19, 1711, m. John Hurford ; John, m. 11, 13, 1742-3, to Susanna Engle; Eleanor, m. 4, 23, 1743, to Caleb Harrison.

John was a member of Assembly, sheriff, justice of the courts, etc., and died in 1766, leaving children,-Nicholas, Frederick, Samuel, John, Catharine, Anne, Susanna, Eleanor, and Mary.

John, Jr., married Susanna Ashbridge, of Goshen, in 1784. Catharine married, 4, 3, 1773, Peter Hill, of Mid- dletown, who built what was known as " Hillsdale Factory," on the Brandywine, in East Bradford, now a paper-mill.

FETTERS, GEORGE, was born in Philadelphia about 1760. His parents died when he was quite young, and he lived with relatives in Germantown until the Revolutionary war, in which he served for some time. In 1784 he mar- ried Margaret, daughter of John and Sarah Smith,* who emigrated from Germany about 1745, and settled first at Germantown, later near Skippack, (now) Montgomery Co. About the year 1800, George Fetters settled in Charles- town township, and afterwards in East Whiteland. Their children were twelve in number, of whom eight married and raised families, viz. : Mary, m. James Pennypacker ; Margaret, m. Peter Hartman ; Susan, m. Matthias Penny- packer ; Sarah, m. Henry Hartzell ; John, m. Mary Sloyer ; Abraham and Samuel ; George, m. Catharine Laubaugh. The sons were all six feet high. George, Sr., and wife finally owned a farm in Pikeland. He died Dec. 25, 1836, and she February, 1847; both buried at Pikeland church. George Fetters' son Samuel married Mary, daughter of

John and Catharine Acker, by whom he had children,- John, Abraham, Isaac, Mary, Elizabeth, and Samuel.

ABRAHAM FETTERS, son of Samuel and Mary (Acker) Fetters, was born in Uwchlan township, Sept. 17, 1828, and when four years of age went to live with his grandfather, John Acker, in East Whiteland, with whom he remained until he was sixteen. His early education was received in the public school of Valley Creek, in East Whiteland, where he made good progress in his studies, particularly in mathematics. He was fond of reading, and devoted his first earnings, saved from gathering nuts, etc., to the pur- chase of books, historical and biographical being his favor- ites. After he was sixteen he returned to his father's, and soon after went one term to Prospect Hill Academy, in East Bradford, kept by Benjamin Price, Jr. In the fall of 1846, at the age of eighteen, he began teaching at Hope- well public school, in Charlestown township. Though the manners of the times and place were rude and the boys large, he had about him a personal dignity, backed by good strong health, a six-foot stature, and plenty of muscle, that enabled him to secure and maintain good discipline and a good reputation as a teacher from the very start. He taught afterwards in the public schools,-three sessions at Hopewell ; nine at White School, in Uwchlan ; three at Franklin Hall, West Pikeland; and three at School No. 1, Birmingham. He was also in charge of the primary department of the West Chester Academy for two years, under Prof. Wyers as principal. Twelve hundred pupils in all have been under his charge, and it is safe to say no teacher in the county has exerted a wider or more healthful influence over the rising generation. Always enthusiastic in his profession, he has labored in the cause thirty-four years with an amount of energy and a success of which any man may well feel proud. At White School, in 1856, he established the first public-school library in the county, and he was the first, as far as is known, who had vocal music in his school. His success in all these enterprises is attested by the large num- ber of well-educated and well-doing men and women who owe their early training to him. One particular case is worthy of mention. A poor bound boy who came to his school and read the books in the library at White School, Uwchlan, is now a celebrated newspaper writer of Cincin- nati, O. He told Mr. Fetters that it was the impulse his training and the reading of the books in the above library gave him that raised him to his present position.

Mr. Fetters married Rebecca K., youngest daughter of John and Hannah Brownback, of Upper Uwchlan, on Christmas Day, 1866, and moved in the following spring to his present residence, having resigned his position as a teacher in the West Chester Academy, and intending to devote his time and energies to farming. His farm is one of the finest in the county, but the old school-teacher im- pulse was too strong to allow him to devote his whole time to farming, and in the fall of 1868, having the previous winter taught the public school at Prospect Hill, Upper Uwchlan, he opened a day- and boarding-school at his resi- dence. This he named " Edgefield Institute," and it has been in successful operation ever since, with an average attendance of twenty-five pupils of both sexes. The repu- tation of his school is deservedly high, and his farm and

# John Smith, with three of his sons, served in the Revolutionary war in the patriot army. Smith was a miller, and hy detecting adul- terations in the flour that was furnished the American army while at Valley Forge he was appointed to the position of flour inspector. His son Isaiah witnessed the execution of Major Andre, and served until the close of the war.

546

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

farm buildings are models of neatness, thrift, and elegance. During the Rebellion he was captain of Co. G, 12th Regi- ment P. V. M., in fall of 1862, and in 1863 was first ser- geant of Co. A, 43d Regiment P. V. M. He is one of the jury commissioners for the county. On the whole, he may well feel a satisfaction in his work, and few men have done more or better. He is, moreover, even now reaping the substantial fruits of a successful life. He is possessed of an ample competency, and as a specimen of physical manhood few men equal him. Strictly temperate and pure in his life, honest, industrious, and useful in the highest degree, he is a credit to the name and an honor to his native county.

ABRAHAM FETTERS, son of George and Margaret, was a soldier in the war of 1812, and one of the most successful farmers of his time. He married Elizabeth, daughter of John and Catharine Acker, whose ancestors were thrifty land-owners in Uwchlan before the Revolution.

LEVI FETTERS, the first son and second child of Abra- ham and Elizabeth (Acker) Fetters, was born Nov. 3, 1831. He had a fair chance for a common-school education, hav-

Devi Felturo

ing attended two years the school of Miss Elizabeth Jones, daughter of the late Judge Thomas Jones, a most estimable lady, and an accomplished teacher. He also spent two win- ters at the Howard Academy, Rockville, under the charge of Prof. James McClune. He taught school from 1854 to the breaking out of the war, in the winters. In 1859 he visited Europe on a tour of six months, and contributed a series of letters to the Chester County Times, then owned by Samuel Downing and published in West Chester. They were read with great favor and largely copied by other papers. During the war he was first lieutenant in the 21st Pennsylvania Militia, and captain of Co. C, 175th P. V. He served in Virginia and North Carolina until his regi-

ment was mustered out. His reputation as an officer was such that on one occasion his company was selected from the whole brigade for a special service. He taught infantry tactics in the Free Military School, 1210 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, for six months during the war. This school was established and paid for by the Union League of Phila- delphia for instructing officers for colored troops. It was a most successful institution, and sent over four hundred well-qualified young officers to the front and field. As an evidence of the appreciation the Union League had of his services the following resolution is appended :

" HEADQUARTERS SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE FOR RECRUITING COLORED

TROOPS,

" 1210 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Sept. 26, 1864. " LEVI FETTERS, EsQ. :

" Dear Sir, -- At a meeting of the committee last evening the follow- ing resolution was unanimously adopted :

"' Resolved, That the thanks of this committee are due and are hereby tendered to Levi Fetters, late captain 175th P. V., assistant preceptor of the Free Military School for applicants for command of colored troops, for his ahle and unremitting services in the discharge of his duties.' Respectfully,

" CADWALADER BIDDLE, Sec'y." ·

In 1869 he married Mary, daughter of Isaac King, of East Whiteland, and has now two sons, Arthur H. and Lawrence K. He now resides at Barneston, West Nant- meal township, where he is ticket and freight agent" of the Pennsylvania Railroad at that station. He is also agent of Adams Express Company, and a direc- tor in the Phoenixville Fire Insurance Company. He has been postmaster there since 1872. He is also engaged in the mercantile and warehouse business. He was a candi- date in the last County Republican Convention for the nomination for the Legislature, and received forty-four votes, being next to the one nominated. All his ancestors were of German or Swiss extraction, and all honest and success- ful farmers. His grandfather, George Fetters, and others of his ancestors, were soldiers in the patriot army in the Revolution. His father, Abraham, when a young man, walked, in 1817, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and back to his farm in this county, and was many years a commissioned officer in a military company commanded by the late John G. Wersler, of Charlestown. Levi Fetters has acted as school director. Has been for twenty-six years a member of the I. O. O. F. In 1866 he was in Florida in the cotton cul- ture, and in 1872 embarked at Barneston in the mercantile business, where he has been most successful.

FINCHER, FRANCIS, from Worcester, England, was an early settler in Pennsylvania. His son John married Martha, daughter of Robert Taylor, of Springfield, and in 1699 was living in Newtown. After this he resided in Uwchlan, but his final settlement was in Londongrove, where he died about 1747. In 1714 he married the widow Elinor Cook, but his children were probably by his first wife. They were Elizabeth, m. 9, 2, 1722, to Thomas Cox ; Rebecca, b. 9, 6, 1708, m. Joseph Bennett; Jona- than, m. 4, 29, 1726, to Deborah Dicks; Sarah, m. 2, 25, 1728, to Edward Swayne ; Mary, m. 2, 17, 1729, to Na- thaniel Newlin, owner of Newlin township; Francis, m. 4, 30, 1731, to Hannah Shewin ; John, m. to Jane McNab.

FINLEY, REV. SAMUEL, D.D., was born in Armagh, province of Ulster, Ireland, in 1715. He emigrated to

EDGEFIELD INSTITUTE. RESIDENCE OF A. FETTERS, UPPER UWCHLAN.

RESIDENCE AND MILLS OF SAMUEL FETTERS, EAST WHITELAND.

547

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

America in September, 1734; is supposed to have studied at the " Log College" of William Tennent, at Neshaminy, Bucks Co., and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Brunswick, Aug. 4, 1740. After preaching in various places- he became, in 1744, pastor of the Nottingham Church, adjacent to the line between Chester Co., Pa., and Cecil Co., Md., having a congregation resident in both counties.

In this place he instituted an academy, which was con- ducted with admirable wisdom and success, and acquired a higher reputation than any other in the middle colonies, so that students from a great distance were attracted to it. Some of the ablest and best men in the country laid the foundation of their education, eminence, and usefulness in this academy ; among whom may be mentioned Dr. Benja- min Rush and his brother, Judge Jacob Rush, sons of a sister of Mrs. Finley ; Governor Martin, of North Carolina ; Ebenezer Hazard, Esq. ; Dr. McWhorter, of New Jersey ; Col. John Bayard ; Governor Henry, of Maryland; Dr. William M. Tennent, Dr. James Power, and James Wad- dell, D.D., the blind preacher, whose eloquence has been so highly eulogized by William Wirt in his " British Spy."

Dr. Finley was a man of sound and vigorous mind, an accomplished scholar and skillful teacher, and there were no better classical scholars formed anywhere than in his school.

In 1761 he became president of the College of New- Jer- sey, and removed to Princeton. He performed the duties of this position with distinguished wisdom and efficiency, and the college prospered greatly during his administration. He was remarkable for sweetness of temper and politeness of behavior; given to hospitality, and exemplary in the discharge of all his duties.

The degree of Doctor of Divinity was conferred upon him by the University of Glasgow in 1763, an honor not con- ferred in those days, especially by a foreign university, ex- cept when well merited. This was the second instance in which that university had conferred this degree upon a Presbyterian minister on this side of the Atlantic. It had conferred the title upon Francis Alison in 1758.

Dr. Finley died July 16, 1766. Among his descend- ants is Samuel Finley Breese Morse, inventor of the mag- netic telegraph.

FINNEY, ROBERT, born in Ireland about 1668, came to America with his wife, Dorothea, and children as early as 1720, and settled in New London township. He purchased from Michael Harlan, in 1722, the " Thunder Hill" tract of 900 acres, for which a patent was afterwards granted him, dated Aug. 4, 1733. Tradition states that he was one of the defenders of Londonderry, and in the battle of the Boyne, 1690, he was wounded and left upon the field as dead. Regaining consciousness in the night, and finding a horse grazing near, he mounted and rode away. It is also said that at the burial of some one years after his se- pulture, his skull was discovered with a hole in it, showing where the wound had been. Another oft-repeated tradi- tion is to the effect that before leaving Ireland he dreamed that he had emigrated and purchased land in America, and when he actually came he recognized in " Thunder Hill" the home of his dream.

Upon a corner of this tract he and his wife were buried, and the spot was reserved for a family burying-ground. He died in March, 1755, and his wife in May, 1752.

Their children were, so far as known,-1. John, who settled at New Castle, physician, died 1774 ; was the father of David Finney, judge of the Supreme Court of Delaware. 2. Robert, physician, of Thunder Hill, who died about 1782, probably unmarried. 3. Lazarus, m. Catharine Si- monton, was the first tavern-keeper at New London Cross- roads; died about 1740, leaving children,-Robert, John, Dorothy, and Catharine. The widow married John Frew, who continued the tavern-keeping business at the old stand. 4. Letitia, m. William McKean, was the mother of Governor Thomas Mckean. 5. William, m. Jane Stephenson; died about 1751, leaving children,-Robert, John, Walter (judge), Elizabeth (m. to Andrew Henderson), and Jane (m. to a Mr. Hunter, and lived in Pittsburgh). 6. Thomas, m. to Mary -; died in New London about 1767, leav- ing children,-Robert, Dorothea, and Ann. 7. Ann, m. to John McClenachan, of New London.

Rev. Spencer L. Finney, of Rye, N. Y., is descended from Lazarus Finney through Robert, Lazarus, and Rob- ert, he being of the sixth generation. He has in his pos- session the old deed and patent for Thunder Hill, with other family papers.

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 147

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