History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 160

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 160

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Thus it appears that the ownership of the lands of Enos Hibberd has been in that name one hundred and ninety- nine years, and the lands have been lived- upon by them since the year 1722, making one hundred and fifty-nine years.

Caleb Hibberd, son of Benjamin (1), was the grand- father of the late Walter Hibbard. He married Phebe Thomas, daughter of Isaac Thomas, the grandfather of the late Dr. Isaac Thomas, of West Chester.

Daniel Hibberd married Rachel, daughter of Richard and Mary Bonsall, in 1697, and lived in Darby. Their children were Mary, Aaron, Moses, Phebe, Hannah, and perhaps others. It is presumed that Daniel was a brother of Josiah.

Walter Hibbard, a son of William and Jane (William- son) Hibbard, was born in Willistown township. In early life he followed the profession of school-teacher in his na- tive district, and about the year 1837 became a resident of West Chester, where he resided uninterruptedly up to his death.

Shortly after taking up his residence in this place he was chosen clerk to the board of county commissioners, in which position he continued for several years. Subse- quently he opened a conveyancing office, and resided in the building now occupied by Bernard Bowen, on East Market Street, and from there removed a few years afterwards to his late residence on South Church Street.

He first became identified with the National Bank of Chester County in November, 1850, when he was chosen as one of its board of directors. He continued in the board a term of three years, and after the lapse of three more was again elected in 1857. Serving a term of three years, he was again elected in 1864, and on June 27, 1873,

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he was chosen to the presidency of that well-known institu- tion, a place he filled with credit to himself and to the bank as well.

During all the years since his clerkship in the county commissioner's office he has attentively attended to the business of conveyancing, in which, owing to his careful and reliable business accomplishments, patrons were many and of the very best class of our citizens. He was noted for his strict integrity and precise dealings in everything with which he was associated. In every way the attributes which form the true gentleman and Christian were demon- strated in all his walks of life.

He was born Dec. 30, 1804, and died at Cape May, N. J., July 31, 1879.

The Hibberds of Whiteland are descended from Josiah, the eldest son of Benjamin and Phebe. In some branches of the family the name is written Hibbard.

HICKMAN .- Letters written to some of the early settlers from Marlborough, in Wiltshire, England, mention persons of this name, and in one, dated 6, 2, 1684, William Hitchcock informs John Harding, of Chichester, of "a little fardle of things ffrancis Hickman's wife left wth me to send to her daufter, thy servant mayde."

Francis Hickman and Elizabeth, his wife, had arrived in Pennsylvania and purchased land prior to Nov. 27, 1685, the date of his will. It is uncertain where they were settled, but after his death the family came to Thornbury township, where the widow died in 1698. Her first hus- band was a Chamberlin, by whom she had children, some or all of whom came to America before their mother. The children of Francis and Elizabeth Hickman were Joseph, Benjamin, Mary (married to Joseph Edwards), and Han- nah (married to Robert Way).

Joseph Hickman was living in Caln in 1709, and after- wards at Pequea, in Lancaster County, beyond which noth- ing is known of him or his family. Benjamin Hickman married, in 1701, Ann, daughter of Richard Buffington, of Bradford, and settled in Westtown on property immediately east of the boarding-school. The site of their first resi- dence, a cave, is marked by an evergreen tree on the farm of the late William C. Hickman.

Their children were as follows : Mary, b. 3, 9, 1702; m. Joseph Hunt. Elizabeth, b. 1, 19, 1704; d. 1788 ; m. Thomas Cheyney and Jacob Vernon. John, b. 2, 5, 1706; d. unmarried at the age of ninety-two. For some reason he was nicknamed " Nunkey," perhaps a corruption of "Uncle." Francis, b. 5, 27, 1708; m. Ann Marshall. Benjamin, b. 9, 18, 1710; d. 1760; m. Hannah Trego. Ann, b. 12, 14, 1713 ; m. John Cheyney. Hannah, b. 3, 21, 1715 ; d. 5, 23, 1806 ; m. Joseph James. Three of these were born in the cave above mentioned. The father died 10, 7, 1742.

Francis Hickman's wife was the daughter of Thomas and Hannah Marshall, of Concord, b. 9, 18, 1719, to whom he was married, in Philadelphia, about the beginning of 1737. In 1745 they were living in West Caln, but re- turned to Westtown five years later. Their children were Hannah, m. to Caleb Strode ; Joseph, d. 8, 5, 1820, un- married. Thomas, d. 12, 17, 1825 ; m. Mary Jefferis. Sarah, b. 9, 20, 1741 ; d. 4th mo., 1822 ; m. Richard

Strode. William, m. Hannah Chamberlin. Moses, m. Hannah Jefferis. Benjamin, unmarried. Ann, m. to Ezra Hoopes. Francis, b. 1, 17, 1760 ; d. 12, 28, 1844; m. 4, 25, 1799, to Alice Cheyney. Mary, d. 2, 21, 1846, aged about eighty ; m. Joseph James.

Benjamin Hickman, Jr., married Hannah, daughter of William and Margaret Trego. She died Oct. 13, 1756, and he in 1760. Their children were Ann, b. April 1, 1745 ; m. Phinehas Lewis. Lucy, b. July 8, 1747; d. Oct. 2, 1756. Benjamin, b. Sept. 27, 1749; d. March 25, 1826; m. Lucy Cheyney, March, 1774. Francis, b. May 6, 1752 ; d. 1827. He went to Tennessee. Elisha, b. Oct. 1, 1755 ; d. Oct. 27, 1756.

Thomas Hickman married Mary, daughter of James and Ann (Cheyney) Jefferis, born 9, 9, 1750, died 9, 11, 1812. They resided in Thornbury, where Thomas died at the age of eighty-two years. Their children were John, b. 3, 20, 1769 ; died 7, 2, 1846 ; m. Sarah Jefferis. Ann, b. 7, 13, 1770 ; m. Henry Myers. Thomas, b. 9, 13, 1773; d. 10, 29, 1838 ; m. Elizabeth Battin. James, b. 3, 14, 1776; d. 2, 17, 1855 ; m. Hannah Grubb and Elizabeth Cheyney. Emmor, b. 4, 28, 1778 ; d. 4, 4, 1825 ; m. Susanna Sharpless. Mary, b. 10, 27, 1780 ; d. 1861 ; m. Benjamin Hickman. Francis, b. 11, 6, 1784; d. 9, 1, 1834; m. Hannah James. Benjamin, b. 3, 25, 1786 ; m. Susan James. Martha, b. 7, 20, 1789 ; d. 3, 3, 1859 ; m. Gibbons Gray.

Moses Hickman married, Jan. 4, 1786, Hannah Jef- feris, daughter of James and Ann, b. 10, 19, 1757, died 6, 13, 1815. They lived in East Bradford, on the farm . now of John M. Hildeburn. He died in 1819. Their children were Elizabeth, b. 9, 12, 1786 ; d. 10, 7, 1812 ; mı. Emmor Moore. Jacob, b. 8, 8, 1790; d. unmarried. Sarah, b. 9, 21, 1792 ; m. Joseph Townsend, of West Chester. Joseph, b. 7, 7, 1795 ; m. Nancy Davis. Moses, b. 3, 5, 1798 ; d. unmarried.

John Hickman, son of Thomas, married Sarah, daughter of Emmor and Charity Jefferis, of East Bradford, and had three children,-Benjamin, Hannah (married to Edward Gheen), and John, late member of Congress.

Thomas Hickman, Jr., married Elizabeth, daughter of Marshall and Susannah Battin, born 12, 7, 1782, died 8, 8, 1871. They resided in West Bradford, now Pocopson township, and were the parents of Dr. Joseph, Marshall B. Hickman, and others.

HON. JOHN HICKMAN was born in what was then part of West Bradford township, but is now in Pocopson, Ches- ter Co., Pa., on the anniversary of the battle of Brandy- wine, Sept. 11, 1810. His father was a farmer, whose sturdy stories of the doings of his farm won for it the name of " Brag Hill." His parents were well known for their practical common sense, and having observed the evidences of uncommon intellectual ability in their son, they endeav- ored to secure the best education that could be afforded him. His teacher was an inmate of the family,-a gradu- ate of the University of Edinburgh,-and his pupil rapidly acquired considerable familiarity with the classics, and be- came well grounded in mathematical acquirements.

He first entered on the study of medicine, but ill health, which rendered him unable to attend the dissecting-room,

BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

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HON. JOHN HICKMAN.

soon compelled him to abandon that pursuit, and he then read law in the office of Hon. Townsend Haines, and was admitted to the bar in 1832. He became devoted to his profession, and his career as a lawyer was one of eminent success. Naturally a good speaker, he cultivated the art of oratory, until in later years, when he was in his prime, he was a most charming and winning speaker. His powers as a stump-speaker caused him to rise at once to a prominent position in the Democratic party of Chester County, and in 1844 he was one of the delegates to the National Conven- tion that nominated James K. Polk for President. Half- way or compromise men or measures were never to his taste, and thus we find the report says "that a young man named Hickman, from Pennsylvania, nominated Andrew Jackson." Believing firmly in the principles of the old Jacksonian Democracy, young Hickman thought the best leader of the party must be Old Hickory himself. In 1844 he received the Democratic nomination for Congress, but was defeated by Hon. Abraham R. McIlvaine. In 1845 he was appointed district attorney, under Governor Shunk's administration, by Attorney-General Kane. June 23, 1846, Hon. John M. Read was appointed attorney-general, and appointed Hon. Joseph J. Lewis to succeed Mr. Hickman. Judge Read was succeeded, on Dec. 18, 1846, by Hon. Benjamin Champneys, who reappointed Mr. Hickman. After hold- ing the office a term or two Mr. Hickman resigned, and was succeeded by John H. Brinton, Esq.

In 1854, Mr. Hickman was again nominated for Con- gress by the Democracy. His opponent was Hon. John M. Broomall. Know-Nothingism was at its height at that time, and through some influences which have never been satisfactorily explained, Mr. Hickman secured the vote of the order, and was elected by a majority of 2656 in the district.

He took his seat in the Thirty-fourth Congress Dec. 3, 1855, where a long contest for the organization terminated Feb. 3, 1856, by the election of Hon. N. P. Banks as Speaker, the first time for many years that this important position was awarded to a man not thoroughly acceptable to the Sonth. Mr. Hickman took sides against the pro-slavery faction.

His sentiments seem to have undergone considerable change soon after being brought in personal contact with the slave-owners in Congress. The Kansas and Nebraska troubles commenced during his term, and his votes were generally on the side of the Free-State men. He was again renominated by the Democracy in 1856. His opponent was John S. Bowen, of Chester County. Owing to some dissatisfaction a division occurred in the party in Delaware County, which again gave success to Mr. Hickman by a small majority. This was the year in which the celebrated campaign between James Buchanan and John C. Fremont occurred. Mr. Hickman warmly supported Mr. Buchanan. But the Kansas and Nebraska troubles increased in impor- tance and bitterness, and Mr. Hickman, throwing his old slavery convictions overboard, marshaled squarely under the banners of Free Soil, and at once became a leader of its advocates.

In a speech delivered in the House Jan. 28, 1858, Mr. Hickman declared that the President had broken faith with the Democratic party in his Kansas policy, and he could not support him. On the vote to admit Kansas as a State under the Lecompton constitution, April 1, 1858, Mr. Hickman voted no. In the fall of 1858 he was re-elected to Congress by a large majority over the regular Republican and Democratic nominees, and took his seat in the XXXVIth Congress, where the long contest for Speaker

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

terminated in the election of Pennington, Mr. Hickman voting with the Republicans to break the dead-lock. Dur- ing the stormy two years that followed, Mr. Hickman was at the zenith of his power. Under his scathing taunts the slave-holders grew furious, and his reputation became na- tional. His readiness in debate and his capabilities in the way of biting, withering sarcasm made him both hated and feared by the Southerners. A man of slight physique, he yet never quailed in debate. No man was better qualified by nature to lead the opposition to the pro-slavery men in Congress. His speeches attracted attention throughout the civilized world for their force and keenness of satire. His independence and dash were a match for any of the South- ern fire-eaters, and he at once became a shining mark for their contumely and denunciations.

In response to a serenade, he spoke of the John Brown raid, and said the whole State of Virginia was frightened by seventeen men and a cow. For this, on Feb. 10, 1860, he was assaulted on the Capitol grounds by Edmundson, of Virginia, but an affray was prevented by Vice-President Breckinridge. An encounter seemed also imminent on the floor of the House between Mr. Hickman and Keitt, of South Carolina, for words spoken by Mr. Hickman. On one occasion, during the fierce debates of this session, he said, in reference to the menaces of disunion, that if disso- lution meant a dividing line of sentiment between the North and South, it existed already ; that it was dangerous then for a Northern man to travel in the South ; that any postmaster whose receipts did not amount to five dollars per annum could, if a letter bearing his frank came into his hands, "open it, examine it, and burn it, on the pretext that it is incendiary." "But if dissolution," he added, "means that there is to be a division of territory by Mason and Dixon's line, or any other line, I say no ; the North will never tolerate a division of territory." To an interruption from a Georgian, inquiring how the North could prevent it, he replied that there was as much true courage at the North as at the South. "I always believed it," he said, " and therefore I will express it; and I believe that, with all the appliances of art to assist, eighteen millions reared in in- dustry, with habits of the right kind, will always be able to cope successfully, if need be, with eight millions of men without these appliances." This dignified and well-ex- pressed retort produced a profound impression, and was frequently referred to in the subsequent debates.

His course in Congress brought him so prominently be- fore the nation that he was a leading candidate for the Vice- Presidency when Mr. Lincoln was nominated for President in 1860, Mr. Hickman himself being confident of the nomination.

In 1860 he was nominated and re-clected to Congress by the Republicans; after this term he declined re-election. His health had been badly shattered by the excitement he had been through, which was augmented by the " National Hotel poisoning.

During the civil war Mr. Hickman's views in regard to the measures and policy of the government were greatly in advance of his political contemporaries. He was, perhaps, the first prominent citizen to advocate the confiscation of the property of those in rebellion, " including slaves," and

to favor the employment of negro soldiers, since on March 20, 1862, as chairman of the Judiciary Committee, he in- troduced a "joint resolution in relation to the powers of the President of the United States," which received very little attention at the time, but was eventually received as settled law. It was in substance this : "The President of the .United States, as commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, should make use of all means not inconsistent with the laws of war which in his judg- ment may be necessary to crush the Rebellion, including the seizure and final disposition of all the property, real and personal, of those engaged in armed rebellion against the government of the United States, or aiding in such Rebel- lion, including slaves." Dec. 8, 1862, Mr. Hickman, on leave, also introduced a bill, which was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs, and which was never reported back to the House, providing for the provisioning, arming, and equipping of negro regiments not exceeding one hun- dred. This bill was never acted on. Here was the pio- neer movement. Although in advance of both the Presi- dent and Congress, his views were finally accepted and car- ried into effect.

In recording the incidents that occurred in our national history during the few years preceding the late Rebellion, the historian will have occasion to refer to the record of few men then in Congress more frequently than to that of Mr. Hickman. He gave this Congressional district a national reputation. But with all his powers as an orator, Mr. Hickman possessed none of those qualities that are essen- tial to successful political leadership. Neither was he a statesman in the full sense of that term. His true position was in the minority, where his combative and aggressive qualities could have free and untrammeled play. In 1867 he was induced to allow himself to run for the Legislature, and was elected, taking his seat in January, 1868. He there offered an amendment to the State constitution making suffrage free to all that could read. He made a powerful speech in support of his proposed measure, closing, " Oh, Almighty God, Thou wilt record this great act of my life as a credit to offset my many shortcomings." He re- signed his seat at the end of the term, and refused to run again.

The remainder of his life he spent at his home in West Chester, where he delighted to receive visits from his friends, who derived wisdom from his philosophical remarks, and en- joyment from his badinage and wit. He was in many re- spects a remarkable as well as a very singular man. Pos- sessed of a strong, and even stubborn will, when he espoused a cause he adhered to it through good and through evil report, and from it no earthly power could divert him. But notwithstanding this marked feature of his character, coupled as it was with an unusually erratic disposition, he at the same time possessed high social qualities, pleasing manners, and attractive conversational powers, which en- deared him to his personal friends. He was also a man of fine literary tastes, with a most retentive memory, and his mind was a perfect store-house of apt quotations, both sacred and profane. He died March 23, 1875, the remarkable mental power and brilliant scintillations of wit for which he was celebrated continuing almost to the close of his life.

Marshall B Hic Kinan

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

His first wife was Eunice Phelps, daughter of Hon. John Phelps, of Guilford, Vt., where she was born Aug. 7, 1815. She died at West Chester, Oct. 12, 1858. His second wife was Mrs. Mary A. Brown, née Love.

DR. JOSEPH HICKMAN was born in West Bradford township, Chester Co., April 12, 1804. After completing his preliminary education he engaged for a time in teach- ing school. Having determined to enter the profession of medicine, he became a pupil of Dr. George McClellan, who at that time occupied the chair of surgery in the Jefferson Medical College, and after attending the requisite course of lectures he graduated at that institution in 1829. He first practiced his profession in Thornbury township, Delaware Co., where he remained about two years, and then removed to Willistown township, Chester Co., where he continued in the performance of his professional duties, mingled with agricultural pursuits, until his death. On March 17, 1831, he married Mary, a daughter of Samuel Grubb, who ranked among the most respectable citizens and farmers of Willistown. In 1852 he represented the county in the State Legislature, where he was considered a diligent and faithful guardian of the interests of his constituents, and entered with zeal into measures of reform calculated to benefit the community, especially that of temperance. He died suddenly, it was supposed of apoplexy, on May 14, 1856. He was a kind and worthy citizen, and had many warm and confiding friends. As a physician, he was cau- tions and devoted, laboring earnestly to give relief, comfort, and health to his patients. Two of his sons, Samuel G. and Nathaniel G. Hickman, are engaged in the business of banking in West Chester.

MARSHALL B. HICKMAN was born in West Bradford township, March 22, 1806. He received the usual edu- cation afforded by the common schools, and followed farm- ing until the year 1863. In 1857 he became interested in railroad enterprises, and was chosen president in 1860 of the Philadelphia and West Chester Railroad, when the shares of its stock sold for an insignificant sum, and he continued in the position until 1870, when the bonds of the company were above par, largely owing to his efficient control and management. He is yet a director in its board. From 1851 to 1857 he served as a director of the poor, and was twelve years treasurer of the school board in East Brad- ford, where he lived thirty-seven years, besides holding many other local offices. He was twelve years one of the man- agers of the County Agricultural Society, sixteen years a director in the Chester County National Bank, eight ycars a member of the borough council, and is now second bur- gess. He is president of the West Chester Gas Company, which position he has held for seven years ; a director of the West Chester and Wilmington Plank-road Company ; also of the Farmers' Market-House Company, and one of the trustees of the State Normal School. He married, June 11, 1835, Mrs. Sarah Ann Gibbons, daughter of Caleb Brinton, by whom he has three children,-Elizabeth B., married to Rev. Francis E. Arnold, who has charge of the Episcopal churches of St. Mary's, St. Mark's, and St. Andrew's; Catharine A., married to Granville B. Haines, merchant ; and George B., banker in West Chester. His wife died Aug. 18, 1872; he was married again, July 17,

1878, to Mrs. Lydia J. Dunlap, née Strader, of New Jersey. He began life with no resources save his own will and en- ergy, but by his methodical business habits and good man- agement has been most successful.

HICKS, EDWARD, of Goshen, was married Nov. 8, 1769, to Hannah, daughter of William and Rebecca Rat- tew, and resided on a farm purchased from the Goodwins, and where his grandson, of the same name, now resides. Tradition says that the land was bought by his father, Charles Hicks, but the deed is in the son's name, and the father's residence is uncertain.

The wife of Charles Hicks was Mary Kimble. The children of Edward and Hannah Hicks were Sarah, Wil- liam, Rebecca, Hannah, Charles, Abigail, and Thomas. Hannah, the mother, died 3d mo. 21, 1835, aged 91 years.

William Hicks, oldest son of Edward and Hannah, was born 9th mo. 26, 1776, and 6th mo. 11, 1801, married Abigail, daughter of Jesse and Abigail Garrett, of Willis- town. They removed from East Caln to Willistown about 1810. Their children were Edward, Jesse G., William, and John G. Thomas Hicks, youngest son of Edward and Hannah, was born 3d mo. 9, 1793, and married, first, Amy Wilkinson, and second, Rachel Hilles. His children by his first wife were Edward W., Hannah, who married Samuel H. Hoopes, Francis, Mary, who married James Barnard, and Elias ; and by his second wife, Amy, who married Da- vid Fell. The first wife of Thomas Hicks was born 2d mo. 5, 1785, and died 4th mo. 2, 1823, and his second wife died 3d mo. 5, 1879, at David Fell's, in New London, in her ninety-first year.

HODGSON .- Several persons of this name were among the Quakers who suffered persecution in England, one of whom, Robert, going to visit some friends in prison, was not admitted, but for preaching at a meeting in a private house near by was arrested by a justice, who asked him whence he came. He replied, from Reading, and that he came to visit his friends in prison. "The justice replied, you shall go and see them ; and thereupon tendered him the Oath, and sent him instantly to Goal, having first rifled his Pockets, and taken away his Letters. He was detained there sixteen weeks." This was in 1655, and we next find Robert Hodgson landing at New Amsterdam in the sixth month, 1657, in company with nine other Friends, five of whom had been formerly banished from New England. Robert went to Hempstead, L. I., and had a meeting with some Friends who dwelt there, where he met with barbarous usage. Pinioned and tied to a cart's tail, he was taken back to New Amsterdam (now New York), and put into a nasty dungeon, afterwards receiving sentence to work two years with a negro at the wheelbarrow. Not being used to such work he declined, whereupon he was chained to the wheelbarrow and a negro was ordered to beat him with a pitched rope. This was continued for several days, until he was almost dead. At length his sufferings excited com- passion in the sister of Governor Stuyvesant, who prevailed with her brother to set the poor man free.

The traditions in the Hodgson family of our county leave little room to doubt their descent from this man, but his further history remains in the dark. The name is fre- quently written Hutchinson in the early records; thus, at

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 160

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