History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 199

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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salvo de Cordova, would have secured for Wayne the title of "Gran Capitan." In 1783 he was elected one of the State Censors of Pennsylvania, and the next year a mem- ber of Assembly. In 1789 he was a member of the Penn- sylvania Convention, and an advocate of the Constitution of the United States. In 1792, Gen. Wayne was appointed by Washington the successor of Gen. St. Clair in the In- dian war on the Western frontier. By the admirable dis- cipline of his troops, and the skill and bravery with which he fought and gained the battle of the Miami of the Lakes, he brought the war to a successful termination. The Chester County .hero closed his splendid career and his valuable life at Presque Isle, in Pennsylvania, on the 14th of December, 1796, and was buried there, on the shore of Lake Erie.

In the ycar 1809 the Pennsylvania State Society of Cincinnati resolved to erect a monument to the memory of their gallant brother-soldier; and in the mean time his son, Col. Isaac Wayne, proceeded to the margin of Lake Erie, and brought the remains to the family cemetery at St. David's church, in the vicinity of the general's patrimonial estate. There were no railroads in those days, and Col. Wayne traveled in a gig or sulky. The remains were placed in a box, which was fastened to the vehicle, and in that way he brought them from Erie to his home. The colonel used to relate that at the inns where he stopped overnight the hostlers were rather shy when they learned what was in the box, of which he made no secret.

On the 5th of June, 1811, the monument was erected with appropriate ceremonies, in the presence of the Cincin- nati Society, all the troops of cavalry of the city and county of Philadelphia, an elegant troop from Montgomery County, and a large concourse of citizens.

The farm on which Anthony Wayne, the emigrant, settled in 1722, and where his grandson, Gen. Wayne, was born and always resided, is situated in Easttown township, about one mile southeast of Paoli, and near the road leading from the latter place to the Leopard. The dwelling, which is of stone, was erected by Isaac Wayne, the son of the emigrant, .and the father of the general, in. 1765. The property descended from Gen. Wayne to his son, Col. Isaac Wayne, and was by him devised to Capt. William Wayne, the present owner, who is a great-grandson of Gen. Wayne. The furniture of the parlor remains much as it was in the days of Gen. Wayne, and the room is an admirably pre- served relic of the olden time. Capt. Wayne is now (1881) a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature.

A bust of Gen. Wayne, modeled by William Marshall Swayne, a native of Chester County, and executed in marble, adorns the court-room in West Chester. It is an admirable representation of the general, and is pronounced by connoisseurs to be a highly creditable work of art, and shows that Mr. Swayne possesses much more than ordinary ability as a sculptor. The bust was completed by Mr. Swayne in 1861, and was placed in the court-house in 1872.

WEAVER, ANTHONY, and Anne Richards, " of Northly of the county of Chester, haveing poblished thare intenshon of marige the seconte time and nothing apering to the con- trary if Anthony weaver ownes himselfe to be non of us

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

if hee is willing to sobmit to the order of frendos, soe is permitted to prosed acording to the order of frendes." This was at Chester Monthly Meeting, held 5, 5, 1686. Northly appears to have been the name for Aston township at that time. Anthony Weaver did not live long after his marriage. He was a blacksmith, and letters of administra- tion on his estate were granted to his widow, Ann, 4, 10, 1689, by consent of William Weaver, of Boston, brass- founder, who was present. It does not appear that he left any children, but his brother William, who remained in the county, left issue. February, 1692, William Weaver, of Boston, brass-founder, sold 125 acres to Humphrey Scar- let, which had been purchased by Anthony Weaver, Feb. 20, 1681, from William Cecil, of England. Scarlet had married the widow, and the land was now in his possession or occupation. A survey for William Weaver of 250 acres in Caln township was made May 14, 1720, and on Dec. 4, 1727, letters of administration were granted on his estate to Mary Weaver. The land was sold by Thomas Moore and Richard Weaver, by order of Orphans' Court, March 1, 1735, and a letter written in 1737 refers to the property as " old Will Weaver's." On petition of Richard Weaver, of Chester, and Thomas Moore, of Whiteland, the children of William Weaver were allowed to choose guardiaus, Feb. 25, 1729-30, and the children-Nathan, William, Hannah, and Jonathan-made choice of the said petitioners. Whether Richard was an older brother of these children or otherwise related does not appear.

Richard Weaver married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Mary Baldwin, of Chester, and they requested, 1, 25, 1733, to be received into membership by Chester Monthly Meeting, together with their children, which request was granted. In 1737 their daughter Mary married William Hay, who was not a Friend, and she left the society. Hay was keeper of the prison for some years, and Richard Weaver is frequently mentioned in connection with repairs to the jail and work-house.

Early in 1749, Isaac Weaver and Mary, his wife, made acknowledgment for marrying out of meeting, but this wife must have died soon after, for he was again. married, 7, 20, 1750, to Sarah Dell, daughter of Thomas and Rachel (Sharpless) Dell, of Ridley. He was a tanner by occupa- tion at that time.

In 1756, Elizabeth Weaver, widow of Richard, and all her children except Isaac, joined the Episcopal Church. The other children were Valentine, Judith, and Susanna, the first of whom appears to have spent much of his time during the next four years in the military service. The children of Isaac and Sarah (Dell) Weaver were as follows: Thomas Dell, b. 9, 27, 1751 ; Joshua, b. 12, 28, 1753, d. 6, 2, 1827 ; Isaac, b. 3, 1, 1756 ; Elizabeth, b. 7, 27, 1758; Baldwin, b. 11, 20, 1760 ; James, b. 3, 25, 1763 ; Richard, b. 7, 17, 1765 ; William, b. 1, 25, 1768; Abraham, b. 3, 31, 1770; Sarah, b. 9, 21, 1774.

Thomas Dell Weaver was disowned in 1779 for taking the test. Joshua made an acknowledgment, 8, 25, 1777, for exercising in the military way, but was disowned in 1781 for paying fines. Baldwin was disowned, 6, 26, 1780, for military exercise. Joshua married Mary Trego, daugh- ter of Benjamin and Mary (Pyle) Trego, of Goshen, now

West 'Chester, where he settled, and became one of the most useful citizens of the place. His business was that of a surveyor and conveyancer, but he took part in all public measures ; was burgess and treasurer of the town, county commissioner, and clerk to the board of directors of the poor for twenty-seven years. His children were Isaac, Emmor T., Elizabeth and Sarah, unmarried; Edith, m. to Gen. George Hartman ; Maria, m. to John Rutter, Esq .; and Sidney, unmarried.

Isaac Weaver, brother of Joshua, was a member of the State Senate from Delaware County, and Speaker of that body.

WEBB, RICHARD, a settler in Birmingham, 1704, came from the city of Gloucester to Philadelphia in 1700. His wife, Elizabeth, a noted minister, had visited this country in 1697-98, and in 1710 paid a religious visit to her na- tive land. (See also Birmingham Meeting, p. 234.)

Richard Webb died in 1719. He had been a justice of the peace and an active citizen. His children were William, m. 1, 22, 1709-10, to Rebecca Harlan, and died about 1753 ; Mary, m. 1713, to George Brown, afterwards to John Willis, Jr., and Thomas Smith, died 1743 ; Esther, m. 1718 to Jacob Bennett ; Sarah, m. to William Dilworth ; Daniel, m. 9, 8, 1727, to Mary Harlan ; Benjamin, m. 1725, to Rachel Nicklin ; Elizabeth, d. young; James, b. 11, 19, 1708-9, d. 10, 26, 1785, married three times, and removed to Lancaster County.

William Webb settled in Kennet, and was an active man in public affairs, a justice of the peace, and for many years a member of Assembly. His son William, born 11, 13, 1710, married 9, 23, 1732, Elizabeth, daughter of Daniel Hoopes, of Westtown, and had children,-William, b. 9, 26, 1736, d. 6, 7, 1773, m. Sarah Smith ; Stephen, b. 12, 23, 1738, d. 9, 8, 1787, m. Hannah Harlan, 9, 17, 1766 ; Re- becca, b. 5, 25, 1741, d. 7, 22, 1775, m. Benjamin Taylor ; Ezekiel, b. 6th mo., 1747, d. 5, 26, 1828, m. Cordelia Jones and Elizabeth Hollingsworth ; Jane, m. to William White, Jr.

With Richard Webb came his sisters Mary and Rachel, unmarried, who lived among their relatives here. John Webb produced a certificate to Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, 12, 28, 1700, from Gloucester Quarterly Meeting, held 6, 27, 1700, as did also Richard Webb, but we know nothing further of him. John Lea, wool-comber (bap- tized July 12, 1674), late of the parish of Christian Mal- ford, in the county of Wilts, son of John and Joane Lea, of the same place, was married, 12, 1, 1697, at Gloucester Meeting, to Hannah Webb, of the latter place, widow of Joseph Webb. These also came over at the same time as Richard and John Webb. The children of Joseph and Hannah Webb were Hannah, b. 3, 31, 1687, m. Nathaniel Allen ; Mary, b. 9, 26, 1688, m. Edward Pilkington ; Ano, b. 8, 12, 1691; Sarah, b. 3, 21, 1693, buried in Philadel- phia, 5, 2, 1714 ; Joseph, who died before 1735, leaving children,-Hannah, Joseph, and Sarah.

WERSLER, MAJOR JOHN G., was born in Charlestown (now Schuylkill) township in 1781, and died at his resi- dence in Charlestown township, where he had lived for many years, Nov. 20, 1876.

He served with distinction in the war of 1812, first as

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BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL.

captain of a company bearing the name of Great Valley Light Infantry, numbering forty men, and located at Camp Dupont. After their return from Camp Dupont the com- pany was organized under the name of "Chester County Blues," their uniform being blue, with neat and tasty facings and trimmings. Some time after forming this company Capt. Wersler was advanced to the position of major of a volunteer battalion of this regiment, while at the same time holding the office of major of volunteers in this same brigade. He was a strict disciplinarian, and his efficiency as an officer was frequently spoken of in the most laudatory terms.

In 1810 he was made deputy sheriff to Sheriff George Hartman, and a few years later was a candidate for the sheriffalty of this county, but was defeated in the nomina- tion because of two weaker candidates combining against him.

In 1818 he was appointed by Governor William Find- lay to the office of prothonotary and clerk of the courts of Chester County, which position he held from March 25, 1818, to Feb. 29, 1821, discharging the duties with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of all who were brought in official contact with him.

Maj. Wersler was a gentleman of the old school. Hc was courteous and unobtrusive in speech and manners, and abundantly possessed the soul of truth and honor, by which he gained many friends and kept them to the end of life.

WEST, THOMAS, of the family of Lord Delaware, mar- ried Ann Gilpin, and had three sons,-William, Thomas, and John, who emigrated to Pennsylvania and settled in Chester County.

WILLIAM WEST at first settled in Concord township, but had removed to Springfield as early as 1709, when he married Deborah, the daughter of Bartholomew Coppock. In about a year after his marriage, Bartholomew Coppock, his father-in-law, conveyed to him a farm in Springfield, upon which he resided. He was in membership with Friends, and in 1720 died without children.

THOMAS WEST, of the parish of Wapping Stepney, county of Middlesex, cooper, son of Thomas, late of Cran- don, in the county of Bucks, was married to Mary Dean, of Shoreditch, at Devonshire house, London, 10, 19, 1709. After his arrival here he purchased a small quantity of land in Concord in 1712. The children of Thomas and Mary were Thomas, William, Mary, Rachel, Elinor, Elizabeth, and Joseph. The most of this family removed to Wilmiog- ton about 1736.

JOHN WEST, the father of Benjamin, the painter, im- migrated some time after his brothers, Thomas and Wil- liam. He was born at Long Crandon, in Buckinghamshire, in 1690, and is said to have married before leaving Eng- land, but his wife remained behind, gave birth to a son, and died. This son the father never saw until his return to England, many years afterwards.

John West was not a Friend, as represented by Galt and others, during the residence of his gifted son in America, and when he became a member of that society it was near the close of his life. He arrived in this country in the year 1715, and some time afterwards married Sarah, the

daughter of Thomas Pearson, but this marriage was not accomplished according to the good order of the Society of Friends. John West probably followed the seas as an occupation for some years. In 1722 he was a resident of Upper Providence, and owner of a small tract of land in that township. On May 29, 1733, he had "taken to ffarm the house with the appurtenances where James Trego Lately Dwelt on the Green near the Courthouse in Chester, where a house of entertainment hath been for some time and now is kept," and received a license. He continued in this location three years at least. Aug. 30, 1743, he " has Rented a Comoudyas house & all other the Conveanances there and to belonging for a house of Entertainment on the Roade Leading from Darby To Springfield & from thence to Conistogo; which is of late much frequented by the Duch waggons, to the number of 40 or 50 in a Day." His application for license on this occasion was granted, and it appears by his petition the next year that he was in Newtown township. In 1748 he was succeeded by Jona- than James.

In 1737 and 1739 he was a taxable in Springfield town- ship, and then it is to be presumed he occupied the farm and dwelling at which his son Benjamin was born; but he did not own this property, and it has not been ascer- tained that he ever owned land in Chester County, except the small tract in Upper Providence which he first ocen- pied.

Notwithstanding all that has been said by Galt, in his life of Benjamin West, in respect to the strict Quakerisin of the parents of the great painter, the records of the so- ciety have been searched in vain for any evidence to connect his father with the Society of Friends till the year 1759. In that year " John West, with the approbation of New- town Meeting," made application to come under the care of Goshen Monthly Meeting of Friends. The usual commit- tee was appointed to make inquiry in respect to the appli- cant, who report to the next meeting "that they under- stand he is at present indisposed in body." This was in the second month, and it was not till the ninth month that he was admitted into membership with Friends. On the 11th of 10th month, 1763, he obtained a certificate of re- moval to Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, which he did not produce to that meeting, but " resided chiefly in Maryland or the lower country" till 8th month 10, 1764, when " he had lately embarked for London." The Philadelphia cer- tificate was at this time returned to Goshen Meeting, and another requested for him to London by his son William, which was prepared by the meeting and forwarded accord- ingly. He died at Marlborough, in Oxfordshire, Oct. 5, 1776. His wife, Sarah, was born on the 8th of 2d month, 1697, in Marple township, and in membership with Friends. Of the ten children of John and Sarah, Benjamin was the youngest.

BENJAMIN WEST, son of John West, was born in the township of Springfield, Chester (now Delaware) Co., Oct. 10, 1738. His native place, on the grounds of Swarth- more College, is in view on the north side of the railroad between Media and Philadelphia. In his seventh year he gave the first indications of his propensity for the pencil. As he was watching the sleeping infant of his eldest sister

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HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

it smiled, and, struck with its beauty, he sought some paper and drew its portrait in red and black ink. His talent, as usual,. was cultivated under difficulties. From some In- dians he obtained red and yellow, and his mother gave him a piece of indigo. A relative, however, having sent him a box of paints and pencils, he opened a studio in his mother's garret, where he forgot to go to school, and excited both surprise and admiration by his performances. His indul- gent mother kissed him with rapture on beholding them, and procured a pardon from his father and teacher for the delinquencies of the truant. With the aid and counten- ance of various patrons, he was encouraged to persevere in his art for several years in his own country. In 1760, by the kindness of some friends, he was enabled to proceed to Italy, and reached Rome July 10th of that year. In 1763 he went to London, where the prospect of success induced him to establish himself as a historical painter. Benjamin was engaged to Miss Shewell, of Philadelphia, before he visited Europe, and in 1765 she went to England under the escort of his father.

Tradition gives a pleasant account of the affair. We are told that the lady's family were very much opposed to the match, and with a view to prevent it her brother under- took to be her custodian, and kept her in her chamber under lock and key. Being of age, Miss Shewell was not disposed to yield to such arbitrary treatment. She resolved to go to her betrothed, inasmuch as he could not conve- niently come for her. The gentlemen of her acquaintance sympathized with her, and determined to secure her passage in a ship then about to sail for England. They verified the saying that " Love laughs at locksmiths," and applied such apparatus as enabled the lady to descend from her prison by night, through the chamber window, in time to take her departure, under the auspices of Mr. West, Sr.,-her in- tended husband's father,-who sanctioned the procedure, and accompanied her to England. There the old gentleman first saw his eldest son, then past the meridian of life. Among the liberators of Miss Shewell, it is said, was a reverend gentleman, then very young, and subsequently known as the excellent Bishop White, of this diocese, who, as the story goes, always justified the deed, and declared he would do so again under the same circumstances. The artistic career of Benjamin West in England is too well known to require a detailed history here. He was some- what of a favorite with George III., though his political sympathies were always with his native land. In the time of the Fourth George, or Prince Regent, Benjamin was ad- vised, as president of the Royal Academy, to be present at a public exhibition, inasmuch as Majesty was to be there and would expect his attendance. He was assured that the prince, out of regard for his age and infirmities, would probably dispense with the usual etiquette on such occa- sions. His reply indicated the feeling which influenced him, and the extent of his reliance on such promises. " No," said the old man ; "it is now many years since I have had cause to know the wisdom of David's advice,-' Put not your trust in princes.'" His valuable life was terminated on the 11th of March, 1820, in the eighty-second year of his age; and if the mother of the Gracchi was excusable for the parade of her famous "jewels," surely the ancient

county of Chester may venture to present such a son as Benjamin West.

WHELEN, DENNIS, married Ann, daughter of John Townsend, of Westtown, and he not being a Friend, she was disowned, 8, 8, 1739, on account of her marriage. In 1741 she was received again into membership, and at Goshen Monthly Meeting, 2, 16, 1744, " Dennis Wheelan, with the approbation of Uwchlan Preparative Meeting, Requesteth to be joyned in society with us, who is also Received, as his Conversation Proves agreeable with our Principles."

He was a tavern-keeper at various places, and was in West Nantmeal for several years after 1747, but about 1764 occupied the Red Lion, in Uwchlan. This last prop- erty he continued to own, though others were the landlords, until his death. He married a second wife, Sarah Thomp- son, 11, 8, 1749, and his death occurred in 1782.

His children were Mary, b. 1, 28, 1740; John, b. 6, 19, 1742, d. 2, 2, 1794, m. Martha Eldridge; Catharine, b. 9, 23, 1744, m. William Clayton ; Phebe, b. 8, 21, 1746, m. Richard Evans ; Ann, b. 8, 13, 1750 ; Israel, b. 12, 13, 17,52, m. Mary Downing; Isaac, b. 8, 3, 1754; Sarah, b. 11, 20, 1756, m. - Lewis; Townsend, a physician, dicd about 1790, unmarried ; Dennis.

The children of John and Martha (Eldridge) Whelen were Dennis, b. 5, 5, 1764, m. Mary Downing; James, b. 3, 21, 1767 ; Joseph, b. 9, 21, 1769 ; Ann, -b. 9, 19, 1773, m. William Cox; Sarah, b. 5, 16, 1776; Phebe, b. 12, 8, 1778; Ann, b. 3, 26, 1782.

Dennis Whelen, son of John, we believe to have been the founder of the Chester and Delaware Federalist, after- wards the Village Record. His wife was probably the daughter of Jolin Downing, but there seems to be some confusion in the records.

WHITE, REV. ROBERT, was born in Montgomery Co, Pa., about the year 1785 ; received his classical and mathe- matical education at Norristown; studied theology under the direction of Rev. Nathan Grier, of Brandywine Manor, and was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New Cas- tle, April 4, 1809. The same year he married the eldest daughter of his theological preceptor, Mr. Grier. He be- came pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Fagg's Manor, Chester Co., in 1810, which relation he sustained until his death, Sept. 20, 1835.

He was a man of fine talents, an instructive preacher, and a friend of thorough education. He had no desire to gain the applause of man. There was nothing of an af- fected, sanctimonious manner about him. He could not act the part of a hypocrite, and no one could be in his company for any length of time without being impressed with his humble, Christian spirit. Religion with him was a reality, in the pulpit and out of it. It gave direction to all he did and said. The power of his example no man could gainsay.

As a pastor he was laborious and influential, and he was regarded by his congregation with great affection. He was succeeded at Fagg's Manor by Rev. Alfred Hamilton. One of his sons, Rev. Nathan Grier White, who was licensed to preach Oct. 2, 1833, is pastor of the Presbyterian Church at McConnellsburg, Pa.

JOHN W. WAGONER.

John Miller, June 25, 1768, in consideration of eight hundred pounds English sterling, con- veyed fifty acres and a grist-mill in West Caln township to John Wagoner. He died in 1794, leaving the following children : Peter, George, William, John, Susan (married to John Skiles), and Betsey (married to Andrew McGill). Of these, Peter and William took the property at its appraisement. Peter, after his brother's death by yellow fever, bought out his brother's half and became sole owner. He married Mary Wilson, of Lancaster County, and had eleven children, of whom John Wilson Wagoner, born Oct. 14, 1814, is the youngest. Peter Wagoner died April 1, 1832, and his wife, Mary (Wilson), in 1850. John Wagoner was an emigrant from Germany, and when he bought the place in 1768 the old log house, the original residence, was stand- ing, and had been built over fifty years. In this old house John W. was born. He learned

John W Magener

farming and also the milling business. Was educated in the common schools. He mar- ried, March 10, 1840, Jane, daughter of James and Sarah Skiles, by whom he had. two children : Sarah, married to Emanuel Hershey, and Mary S., who died in her thirteenth year. His wife, Jane (Skiles), died Feh. 24, 1877. He is a member of the Protestant Epis- copal Church of Compassville, and is treasurer of the same. He is a Republican in politics, and was a Whig when that party had its existence. His post-office is Cains, Lancaster Co. He built the present grist- mill in 1840, which is yet in active operation. He owns eighty-one acres of land in Lancaster County, hesides another tract of sixty acres in West Caln. The mill property, then having thirty-four acres, he purchased of his brother, and to it has added, making this old homestead to consist of about fifty acres. Besides milling he is a general farmer, and cultivates tobacco very largely.

PROPERTY OF JOHN W. WAGONER, COMPASSVILLE WEST CALN.

rd Woodward, son of Rohert, of

id Manor, New Castle Co., Del., mingham, Chester Co., married, Mary, the only heir of Henry of Thornbury, and at his death en children, viz .: Henry, John, Thomas, Deborah, Mary, and Of these, Thomas was married 1745, to Elizabeth Jacobs, relict Jacobs and daughter of Roger ad Elizabeth Richards, at East ;hamn Meeting. Thomas was v. 7, 1722-23, in East Bradford, d June 15, 1785, and his wife, th, was born Feh. 15, 1721, and n. 25, 1812. Roger Kirk, from , North Ireland, was among the 8 of Nottinghamn, and located in ottingham as early as 1712, and jed large tracts of land, He mar- lizabeth Richards sbont 1714, ighter of Nathaniel and Mary is, of Ashton township. Na- was a blacksmith, and her ither was Joseph Richards, who, s wife Jane, came from England, tled in Chichester townahip (now re County). Richard conveyed mas Woodward, Dec. 12, 1740, ndred acres in East Bradford. s was a Friend (member of Con- onthly Meeting), and obtained tificate of removal to New Gar- onthly Meeting, dated April 5, hich was about the time he sat- East Marlborough, and became ber of Londongrove Particular He resided on Street road, u three-quarters miles from the g-house. He was engaged in iding. also in surveying aod ancing. He held negro slaves, ter hearing John Woolman, a preacher of Friends and an anti- man, preach against the sin of bondage, he liberated them. s had children, viz .: Rebecca, th, Samuel, Thomas, Deborah,

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History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with genealogical and biographical sketches, Part 199

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