Chester County PA

Genealogy of the Sharpless family

Genealogy of the Sharpless family

Five years after the great family bi-centennial reunion held on 25 August 1882 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, Gilbert Cope published his massive volume on the 200 years of Sharpless family ancestry in America, called “Genealogy of the Sharpless family : descended from John and Jane Sharples, settlers near Chester, Pennsylvania, 1682 : together with some account of the English ancestry of the family, including the results of researches by Henry Fishwick, F.H.S., and the late Joseph Lemuel Chester, LL.D. : and a full report of the bi-centennial reunion of 1882.”. This monumental, well-researched tome sought to answer the genealogical and historical questions and answers brought to light from that 1882 reunion. This book is free to search, read, and/or download.

The William Wade Hinshaw index to Pennsylvania Quaker meeting records

Stroudsburg Pennsylvania Monthly Meeting Book

The William Wade Hinshaw index includes transcriptions of Pennsylvania Quaker Monthly Meeting records, originally abstracted in the 1930s. This collection contains vital records (births, deaths, marriages), meeting minutes, and removals, archived at the Friends Historical Library post-Hinshaw’s death. Key Meetings like Concord, Exeter, and Frankford are detailed, alongside their established dates and record spans. Although the transcriptions may vary in clarity, they serve as a valuable resource for Quaker history and genealogical research, with original records available for verification.

Descendants of John Harris of Pennsylvania

Title page to Record of the Harris family descended from John Harris, born in 1680 in Wiltshire, England containing the descendants of John Harris of Pennsylvania.

In 1903, Joseph Smith Harris published “Record of the Harris Family Descended from John Harris, Born in 1680 in Wiltshire, England,” a detailed account tracing the lineage and migration of the Harris family from their English roots to their settlement in Pennsylvania. The book begins with John Harris, Sr., an early investor in William Penn’s Pennsylvania colony, and covers the family’s decision not to emigrate, the eventual sale of their Pennsylvania lands, and the subsequent movements of his descendants. Published in Philadelphia by G. F. Lasher, this genealogical record provides insights into the Harris family’s involvement in colonial American settlements, their economic activities, and the continuation of their lineage through subsequent generations, making it an essential resource for both family members and historians interested in the dynamics of early American settlers.

The Cox family in America

The Cox family in America

Two volumes of Cox family genealogy combined as one. The first volume contains information about the various early Cox families across America. The second volume deals specifically with the descendants of James and Sarah Cock of Killingworth upon Matinecock, in the township of Oysterbay, Long Island, New York.

Record of the Smith family descended from John Smith

Record of the Smith family descended from John Smith

This book contains the history of the descendants of John Smith, born in Ireland in 1686, died in Uwchlan, Chester County, Pennsylvania, December 19, 1765; and his wife, Susanna, born in Ireland in 1691, died in Uwchlan, Chester County, Pennsylvania, December 24, 1767.

The Crum family in America

The Crum family in America

“The Crum Family in America” by Edwin Wallace Crum and Ferris Bertrand Crum is a comprehensive exploration of the Crum lineage, focusing primarily on two branches that emigrated from the Lower Rhineland, Germany, and settled in Pennsylvania and Virginia. Published in 1949 by Wallace Press, this book meticulously compiles historical and genealogical data about the Crum family without claiming to encompass all bearers of the Crum name. Delving into the lives and legacies of key figures such as Anthony Crum, Sr., and Matthias Crum, Sr., the text presents a detailed account of their migration to America around 1770, their subsequent settlements, and their family developments in Virginia. By combining archival records and the first U.S. Census data, this work aims to piece together the family’s early American history, while acknowledging gaps and unresolved connections in the family’s lineage.

Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, PA

Title Page for Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County Pennsylvania

An introductory page for the Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania, this volume includes a historical sketch of the county by Samuel T. Wiley and more than 500 biographical sketches of prominent local men and leading citizens. It also outlines Chester County’s colonial origins, early boundaries, and its role in the formation of neighboring counties.

Upper Otorara Presbyterian Church Records, Chester County PA

Upper Octorara Church, Erected in 1840

Provides records for the Upper Otorara Presbyterian Church in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Many early members are mentioned by names. Includes many drawings of the church, as well as the history of the church. Includes transcriptions of both cemeteries for the church.

Narrative of the Sufferings of Peter Williamson – Indian Captivities

Not for the faint of heart or stomach, this is a graphically descriptive recounting of the captivity of Peter Williamson, who was taken by the Delaware Indians, at his own house near the forks of the Delaware in Pennsylvania. Of all the sufferings reported by captives, this particular account appears to go above and beyond the usual descriptions, almost to the point of unbelievability – because in this case, he doesn’t simply report the acts of cruelty, but vividly describes them in the most horrid fashion, even to claim the Delaware committed cannibalism on one of their captives, and then explaining how they did it.

Philadelphia To Steubenville

On October 4, 1819, Dr. Hall and the author departed Philadelphia, traveling through fine weather and well-cultivated lands. They stopped in West Chester, where they noted the plight of a man imprisoned for debt. The journey continued to Strasburg and Lancaster, with observations on the industrious German residents and the notable Susquehanna bridge. As they passed through various towns, they encountered trials such as rough terrain, bad hospitality, and even a violent election incident. The travelers reached Pittsburgh, a smoky industrial town, on October 12, and left for Steubenville, where they took a restful day amidst the bustling village.

Biography of Ziba Hibbard Moore

Ziba Hibbard Moore, born on March 14, 1845, in Pennsylvania, became a notable figure in Marshall County, Kansas, where he passed away on December 19, 1916. He began his career as a carpenter before moving to Nebraska in 1875, later settling in Oketo in 1879 as a merchant and founding a bank in 1889. A strong Republican and Quaker, he also served as Oketo’s mayor. His widow, Lavina Griest Moore, succeeded him in business and public service, continuing their legacy in the community.

Biography of Horace Mann Philips

Horace Mann Philips, born December 7, 1850, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was a banker who moved to Kansas in 1891 to manage real estate investments. Initially a county treasurer in Shawnee County, he later became the cashier of the Dover State Bank. Philips had a notable military background, serving in the Pennsylvania State Militia and later the Kansas National Guard, rising to the rank of major. Married to Mary Griffith, he has one son, Allen, who teaches at Purdue University.

Biographical Sketch of Harry Brinton Jones

Harry Brinton Jones, born on September 13, 1872, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, was a noted florist. He was educated at West Chester Friends High School and Pierce Business College in Philadelphia. Jones served as an apprentice from 1890 to 1893 and managed The Penroch Floral Company from 1894 to 1898. He worked briefly in Washington, D.C., and held a managerial position at the J. M. Gasser Company until 1909. He then became secretary and treasurer of The Jones Russel Company and was active in various clubs and organizations.

Biographical Sketch of Malcolm McBride

Malcolm McBride was born on April 29, 1865, in Glasgow, Scotland, and immigrated to West Chester, Pennsylvania, in 1879. He later moved to Cleveland in 1884, where he worked as a journeyman plumber until 1908, when he succeeded his uncle in the plumbing business. Educated in public schools in West Chester, he married Clara Budbill in Cleveland on December 24, 1889, and they had three sons. McBride was also a member of Cleveland City Lodge No. 15, F. A. M., and Oak Lodge No. 77, K. of P.

Biography of James C. Lysle

James C. Lysle, born December 2, 1828, in Chester County, Pennsylvania, was a pioneering manufacturer in Leavenworth who embodied perseverance and integrity. Despite limited education and early financial setbacks, he established a successful hub and spoke factory, later transitioning to furniture manufacturing and milling. His business acumen and commitment to honesty earned him a lasting reputation. A devout Presbyterian, Lysle contributed significantly to local charities and the Young Men’s Christian Association. He served diligently on the school board, leaving a positive legacy in his community.