Person Page - 2

     Peter Ward was born on 11 October 1709.¹ He was the son of Capt. Peter Ward and Mary Joy.¹ Peter Ward married Deborah Buel, daughter of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Buel and Hannah Hutchins, on 13 April 1733.¹ Peter Ward died on 3 December 1755 at age 46.¹

     Deborah Buel was born on 16 February 1715.¹ She was the daughter of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Buel and Hannah Hutchins.¹ Deborah Buel married Peter Ward, son of Capt. Peter Ward and Mary Joy, on 13 April 1733.¹ Deborah Buel died on 7 May 1750 at age 35.¹

     Maj. Gen. Benjamin Buel was born in 1686.¹ He was the son of Samuel Buel and Deborah Griswald.¹ Maj. Gen. Benjamin Buel married Hannah Hutchins in 1710.¹ Maj. Gen. Benjamin Buel died on 18 February 1725.¹

     Hannah Hutchins married Maj. Gen. Benjamin Buel, son of Samuel Buel and Deborah Griswald, in 1710.¹ Hannah Hutchins died in 1728.¹

     Thomas Overton was born on 17 September 1765.¹ He married Mary Bleasdale.¹ Thomas Overton died on 11 November 1835 at age 70.¹

     Mary Bleasdale was born in 1763.¹ She married Thomas Overton.¹ Mary Bleasdale died on 18 April 1813.¹

     Henry Clymer was born on 31 July 1767.¹ He was the son of George Clymer and Elizabeth Meredith.¹ Henry Clymer married Mary Willing, daughter of Thomas Willing and Anne McCall, on 9 July 1794.¹ Henry Clymer died on 17 April 1830 at age 62.¹

     Mary Willing was born on 15 September 1770.¹ She was the daughter of Thomas Willing and Anne McCall.¹ Mary Willing married Henry Clymer, son of George Clymer and Elizabeth Meredith, on 9 July 1794.¹ Mary Willing died on 25 October 1852 at age 82.¹

     George Clymer was born on 11 June 1739.¹ He was the son of Christopher Clymer and Deborah Fitzwater.¹ George Clymer married Elizabeth Meredith, daughter of Reese Meredith and Martha Carpenter, on 18 March 1765.¹ George Clymer died on 23 January 1813 at age 73.¹
     George Clymer was educated on 26 January 1746; Receipt, dated January 26, 1746, for the schooling of George Clymer (front).

     Elizabeth Meredith was the daughter of Reese Meredith and Martha Carpenter.¹ Elizabeth Meredith married George Clymer, son of Christopher Clymer and Deborah Fitzwater, on 18 March 1765.¹ Elizabeth Meredith died in February 1815.¹

     Christopher Clymer was born on 11 August 1711.¹ He was the son of Richard Clymer and Elizabeth (?).¹ Christopher Clymer married Deborah Fitzwater, daughter of George Fitzwater and Mary Hardiman, in 1734 or 1735.¹ Christopher Clymer died on 1 January 1746 at age 34.¹

     Deborah Fitzwater was the daughter of George Fitzwater and Mary Hardiman.¹ Deborah Fitzwater married Christopher Clymer, son of Richard Clymer and Elizabeth (?), in 1734 or 1735.¹ Deborah Fitzwater died on 6 March 1740.¹

     Reese Meredith was born in 1708.¹ He was the son of Samuel Meredith.¹ Reese Meredith married Martha Carpenter, daughter of John Carpenter and Ann Hoskins, in 1738.¹ Reese Meredith died on 17 November 1778.¹

     Martha Carpenter was born on 23 May 1738.¹ She was the daughter of John Carpenter and Ann Hoskins.¹ Martha Carpenter married Reese Meredith, son of Samuel Meredith, in 1738.¹ Martha Carpenter died on 26 September 1769 at age 31.¹

     Thomas Willing was born on 19 December 1731.¹ He was the son of Charles Willing and Anne Shippen.¹ Thomas Willing married Anne McCall, daughter of Samuel McCall and Ann Searle, on 9 June 1763.¹ Thomas Willing died on 19 January 1821 at age 89.¹
     He was born in Philadelphia but at a fairly early age, was sent to his grandfather in England where he was educated at Bath. Upon graduation he went to the Inner Temple and while there qualified for the Bar. He then returned to America and at the age of 18 entered his father's counting house. Five years later, upon the death of his father, the young man assumed full charge of the business. Associated with him was Robert Morris, 3 years his junior. Although both partners were to fight for liberty it is interesting to note that in 1762 the firm advertised having for sale "170 fine negros newly arrived from the gold coast." Thomas' political life began in 1759. In that year he became an alderman and was made an associate justice in the City Court. In 1761 he was advanced to Justice of the Court of Common Pleas and in 1763, although but 34, he became Mayor of Philadelphia. In 1767 he was appointed one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the Province which office he held until the Revolution. During all this time he was an officer of the Crown. However, in all movements preceding the Revolution he actively opposed the aggressions o the mother country. As an example: his firm led the signers of the the non-importation agreement on 1765 which document now rests in Independent Hall and which nearly led to a "Philadelphia Tea Party". In June of 1774 he presided over the mass meeting, the object of which was the calling together of representatives of the several colonies and was named a member of he Committee of Correspondence. In July of that year he also presided over the public gathering in Carpenter Hall. Later he served as a member of the Convention of the Confederation. His personal convictions were opposed to war hence he felt that he could not vote for the Declaration of Independence and in this belief he was sustained by many men of prominence. However, once war was declared he threw himself wholeheartedly into the cause. During the occupation of Philadelphia by the British he was instrumental in alleviating this suffering of American prisoners. He and his partner, Robert Morris, acted as fiscal agents for the colonists and performing notable service and when the young country was in severe financial straights he fostered the formation of the Pennsylvania Bank toward which he personally subscribed $25,000 for the purchase of military supplies. In 1781 he aided in organizing the Bank of North America (the first to be chartered) and as its first president later became known as "the Old Regulator" of American finance. Ten years later he was elected President of the historic Bank of the United States and for 25 years continued to head this institution at a time when the finances of the New Republic were strained to the utmost. It is noteworthy that the three great financial institutions which he headed are today landmarks of the "City of Brotherly Love". The old banking house of Willing and Morris on 3rd, below Chestnut, is occupied by the Girard Trust Co., The Bank of North America still occupies the sire of the original on Chestnut and 2nd, The Bank of the United States now serves as the Customs House. Thomas, who was but 2 months and 3 days older than Washington so greatly resembled the first President as to be frequently mistaken for him. He is buried in Christ Church yard not far from the grave of his friend Benjamin Franklin.¹

     Anne McCall was born on 30 March 1745.¹ She was the daughter of Samuel McCall and Ann Searle.¹ Anne McCall married Thomas Willing, son of Charles Willing and Anne Shippen, on 9 June 1763.¹ Anne McCall died on 5 February 1781 at age 35. In the narrative text he indicates her death date was 1731. This is an obvious typographical error as she was not born until 1745.¹

     Charles Willing was born on 18 May 1710.¹ He was the son of Thomas B. Willing and Ann Harrison.¹ Charles Willing married Anne Shippen, daughter of Joseph Shippen and Abagail Grosse, on 31 January 1731.¹ Charles Willing died in November 1754 at age 44. In the pedigree charts he appears twice. In both instances the death date is 1790. In one of those instances the 1790 is crossed out and the date Nov 1754 written. In the narrative text following the charts the date is 1790.¹
     Charles Willing lived at an unknown place . He was brought to this country in 1728 by his father. He was a shipping merchant and one of the founders of the University of Pennsylvania. He was twice mayor of Philadelphia in 1748 and again in 1754. A man of great wealth he maintained both a town and country house. The latter was not far from the city limits, and overlooked the Delaware River. The former was an elegant residence on property running from 3rd to 4th streets and from Spruce to Willings Alley. This locality is now the center of the financial distirct. Facing upon the alley and opposite the Willing mansion once stood the old Quaker Almshouse which Longfellow immortalized in the poem "Evangeline" as the place wher the Acdadian maiden was reunited with her Gabriel.¹

     Anne Shippen was born on 5 August 1710.¹ She was the daughter of Joseph Shippen and Abagail Grosse.¹ Anne Shippen married Charles Willing, son of Thomas B. Willing and Ann Harrison, on 31 January 1731.¹
     Her married name was Willing.¹

     Samuel McCall was born on 5 October 1721.¹ He was the son of George McCall.¹ Samuel McCall married Ann Searle, daughter of Capt. John Searle, in 1742.¹ Samuel McCall died in 1762.¹

     Ann Searle was the daughter of Capt. John Searle.¹ Ann Searle married Samuel McCall, son of George McCall, in 1742.¹ Ann Searle died in 1757.¹

     Alexander Crukshank married Elizabeth (?).¹

     Elizabeth (?) married Alexander Crukshank.¹

     Thomas Rutter married Rebecca Staples.¹

     Rebecca Staples married Thomas Rutter.¹

     James Ash was the son of John Ash and (?) Dent.¹ James Ash married (?) Dent, daughter of Alderman Robert Dent.¹

     John Ash was the son of (?) Ash.¹ John Ash married (?) Dent, daughter of Alderman Robert Dent.¹ John Ash died in 1684.¹

     (?) Dent was the daughter of Alderman Robert Dent.¹ (?) Dent married John Ash, son of (?) Ash.¹ (?) Dent married James Ash, son of John Ash and (?) Dent.¹
     Her married name was (?) Ash.¹

     John Leach was the son of Toby Leach and Hester (?).¹ John Leach married Mary Harrison.¹

     Toby Leach married Hester (?).¹ Toby Leach died on 13 November 1726.¹
     The Leach family came to England in 1066 with William, Duke of Normandy, and settled in Cheltenham. Toby Leach, together wwith his wife Hester, came to America from Cheltenham, England, in 1682 with William Penn who gave them a lot on 2nd St. above Market St. where they built a house. Penn also gave them a large tract of land on Tacony Creek where they also erected a home which they called Cheltenham. Here Toby maintained the hospitality of an English gentleman, His hunting grounds, afterwards kept up by his son Toby and later by his grandson were famous. Toby and Hester had a number of children who married into the principal families of their day. One of his daughters was the mother of William White and of Mrs. Robert Morris.¹

     Hester (?) married Toby Leach.¹ Hester (?) died on 11 August 1726.¹
     Her married name was Leach.¹

     Mary Harrison married John Leach, son of Toby Leach and Hester (?).¹
     Her married name was Leach.¹

     Capt. Peter Ward was born in 1676.¹ He was the son of Andrew Ward.¹ Capt. Peter Ward married Mary Joy, daughter of Jacob Joy and Elizabeth Spencer, on 3 March 1699.¹ Capt. Peter Ward died in 1763.¹

     Mary Joy was born on 17 September 1680.¹ She was the daughter of Jacob Joy and Elizabeth Spencer.¹ Mary Joy married Capt. Peter Ward, son of Andrew Ward, on 3 March 1699.¹
     As of 3 March 1699,her married name was Ward.¹

     Andrew Ward was born in 1647.¹ He was the son of Andrew Ward and Hester Sherman.¹ Andrew Ward married Tyrall Meigs, daughter of John Meigs.¹ Andrew Ward died in 1691.¹
     He was made a freeman in 1668 and settled in Killingsworth, Conn.¹

     Andrew Ward was born in 1597.¹ He was the son of Andrew Ward.¹ Andrew Ward married Hester Sherman, daughter of Edmund Sherman and Joan (?).¹ Andrew Ward died in 1665.¹
     Emigrated to this country with Governor Winthrop in 1630 and settled in Watertown, Mass. becoming a freeman in 1634. Later he accompanied the first settlers to Connecticut where, in Wethersfield, he was elected magistrate in 1638. In the same year the General Court of that State appointed him one of five worthies who declared war against the Pequots. Also in that year he was appointed, by the same court, with Roger Ludlow and six others to govern the Colony for one year. He was, therefore, one oft he Assistants of Judges of the Colony of the first Legislative body held in that state. In 1638 he was appointed with Captain John Mason and Mr. Allen to go to Agawam or Springfield to treat with the Indians of Warnock concerning the tribute toward the charges of the Pequot war to the value of one fathom and a quarter a man. He returned to New Haven soon after and his name is found there among the freeholders at the gathering of the church 4th of June 1639. On 27th of Oct. 1641 he was, with Francis Bell, Representative at Stamford and New Haven and both were admitted members of that Court and received the charge of freeman to treat with the Court about the Plantation. (Lately purchased by said town, called Toquams, or Stamford). At the assembling at the Gen'l Court at New Haven, April 15th, 1643, his letter was presented written in the name of the free planters, introducing Capt. John Underhill and Richard Gildersleeve as Deputies to the Court at Stamford, at the same time requesting that a magistrate might be chosen for the better administration of the affairs of that town. He, with Rob't Coe, was appointed to assist at the next Gen'l Court of election at New Haven, in counsel and advice for the more completely carrying of Public Affairs. He was again elected one of the Deputies from Stamford to the Gen'l Court of New Haven in 1644 and 1646. He may have gone to Hempstead, Long Island but he could only have remained there a short time, for on the 6th of October 1651 at the Sitting of the Gen'l Court at Hartford, he was appointed with John Banks of Fairfield to settle the Estate of Peter Johnson of Fairfield. At the same time he with George Hull and William Beardsley of Stamford, were nominated as Assistants to join with the Magistrates for the execution of justice in the towns of Conn. by the Sea Side, about 1657. He purchased Simon Hoyt’s home and house lot on the Ludlow Square. He was one of the most important and influential men in Fairfield. He died in Fairfield in 1665. His will is dated June 3rd, 1659 and probated in Fairfield. He left nine children. His will drawn by his own hand, declares himself to be strong, merry and well, both in body and in mind He gives to his wife Hestor 40Ls out of his movable estate and the use of one-third of his lands and housing in Fairfield during her widowhood; to his son John, 50 Ls at the age of 21; to his daughter Sarah (who afterwards married Nathaniel Burr), 40 Ls within one year of her marriage; to daughter Abigail, 40Ls at the age of 18; to sons Andrew and Samuel, housing and lands to be equally divided between when the oldest was 21 years of age. All the rest of his children he states had received their full portions, except Edmund who in case he came home was to receive 20Ls out of Andrew's and Samuel’s portions.¹

     Andrew Ward was the son of Richard Ward and Ann Granville.¹ Andrew Ward married Margaret (?).¹ Andrew Ward married Susan (?).¹

     Margaret (?) married Andrew Ward, son of Richard Ward and Ann Granville.¹
     Her married name was Ward.¹

     Susan (?) married Andrew Ward, son of Richard Ward and Ann Granville.¹
     Her married name was Ward.¹

     Hester Sherman was the daughter of Edmund Sherman and Joan (?).¹ Hester Sherman married Andrew Ward, son of Andrew Ward.¹
     Her married name was Ward.¹

     Edmund Sherman married Joan (?).¹

     Joan (?) married Edmund Sherman.¹
     Her married name was Sherman.¹

     Tyrall Meigs was born at Guilford, CT.¹ She is the daughter of John Meigs.¹ Tyrall Meigs married Andrew Ward, son of Andrew Ward and Hester Sherman.¹
     Her married name was Ward.¹

     John Meigs is the son of Vincent Meigs.¹

     Jacob Joy married Elizabeth Spencer, daughter of Samuel Spencer and Sarah Meakins, on 23 May 1672.¹
     Who settled in Fairfield, Conn, was a blacksmith, an occupation which in colonial days was greatly honored and respected. A village smithy in those days had his house by the Meeting House Green, near the church, and combined the arts of locksmith and gunsmith with that of horse shoeing. He later moved to Kenilworth, Conn.¹

     Elizabeth Spencer was born on 17 September 1674.¹ She was the daughter of Samuel Spencer and Sarah Meakins.¹ Elizabeth Spencer married (?) Wellman before 1672.¹ Elizabeth Spencer married Jacob Joy on 23 May 1672.¹
     As of before 1672,her married name was Wellman.¹ As of 23 May 1672,her married name was Joy.¹

     (?) Wellman married Elizabeth Spencer, daughter of Samuel Spencer and Sarah Meakins, before 1672.¹

     Samuel Spencer was born in 1634 at Hartford, Conn.² He was the son of William Spencer and Agnes Heane Pratt.¹ Samuel Spencer married Sarah Meakins.^1,2
     Resided in Hartford, Conn.¹