Margaret Ross ^851,1363

  General Notes:

MARGARET ROSS. She was baptized (at St. Paul’s Church, Chester, PA) Oct. 2, 1712, and died in Radnor, Pa., Mar. 1, 1771. The Pennsylvania Gazette, March 7, 1771, contains a notice of her death. She married, first, Rev. Walter Hackett, a native of Fraserburg, Banff, Scotland, who died March 7, 1737, aged 33 years. For about five years he performed the duties of the Episcopal office at Appoquinimy, having been sent there by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. Mrs. Hackett married, second, Nov. 30, 1738 (Christ Church, Philadelphia), Rev. William Currie. He was born in Scotland. He was in charge of the mission in Radnor, subsequently and still known as at St. David’s P. E. Church, as early as 1737, where he remained until 1776; during a portion of the time having charge of St. Peter’s-in-the-Valley, also. He continued to reside in the neighborhood of Radnor until his death. One authority says he lived to be 93 years of age. Another History of Chester County says he died in 1803, aged 105 years. Subsequently to the death of his first wife, he married Nov. 25, 1771 (Swede’s Church, Philadelphia) Mrs. Lucy Ann Jones, nee Godfrey, widow of David Jones, He and both wives were buried at St. David’s Church, Radnor. Notes - (Elizabeth Curry, daughter of Rev. William and Mary Curry bpt. Jan 22nd, 1740, aged 5 weeks). A William Currie, m. May 19, 1761, Elizabeth Yates, widow of...Immanuel Church, New Castle, Del.

Margaret ROSS was born in 1712 in Chester, Delaware Co., PA. She was christened on 12 OCT 1712 in St. Paul's Church, Chester Co., PA. She died on 1 MAR 1771 in Radnor, PA. She was buried in St. David’s Church Cemetery, Radnor, Philadelphia Co., PA.

She was married to Rev. Walter HACKETT. Rev. Walter HACKETT was born about 1704 in Fraserburg, Banff, Scotland. He died on 7 MAR 1737 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He was buried in Immanuel Church Cemetery, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. Inscribed in Latin on his burial stone in the graveyard at Immanuel Church is the following:

"Under this stone are buried the remains of Reverend Walter Hackett, who, while a Missionary, discharged, with great success, the duties of the Pastoral office of Appoquinimy about five years. He was born in Fraserburg, Banff, a province of Scotland, and was descended from the ancient and respectable family of Hackett. His life was blameless; in spirit, meek; in office, faithful, in labors, abundant. He died lamented by many good, but by none more than his beloved wife, who is pleased to erect to the memory of her worthy husband this sepulchral monument. He died March 7, 1733, aged 33 years." He was sent to Appoquiminy by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts. She was married to Rev. William CURRIE on 30 NOV 1738 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA. Rev. William CURRIE was buried in St. David’s Church Cemetery, Radnor, Philadelphia Co., PA. William was born in Scotland. An Episcopal priest, he served as rector of St. David’s Church, Radnor, Philadelphia Co., PA as early as 1737, and remained there until 1776. During a portion of this time he was also in charge of St. Peter’s-in-the-Valley. He continued to reside in the neighborhood of Radnor until his death, which one authority cites at the age of 93. Another, "The History of Chester County, PA," says he died in 1803, aged 105 years. Upon the death of Margaret, William married 25 Nov 1771, in Swede’s Church, Philadelphia, Mrs. Lucy Jones, nee Godfrey, a widow of David Jones. Lucy is buried in St. David’s Church Cemetery, Radnor, Philadelphia Co., PA.

  Research Notes:

Margaret ROSS and Rev. William CURRIE had the following children:
19 i. Ross CURRIE was born in 1750. Ross was a 2nd Lieutenant in Capt. Huling's Company, 2nd Battalion, and later a 1st Lieutenant in Captain John Ree's Company, 2nd Battalion. He served under his uncle, Gen. William Thompson, in Canada. Ross was taken prisoner at Three Rivers
8 Jan 1776. He eventually settled in Nova Scotia.
20 ii. Richard CURRIE died on 16 SEP 1776. He was buried in St. David's Cemetery, Radnor, Philadelphia Co., PA. Richard served in Captain Samuel Evans' Company, Chester County Militia and fought in the Jersey campaign of 1776. He was taken sick and returned home to die. Richard married Hannah Potts.
21 iii. William CURRIE. He married Elizabeth Yates, a widow, 19 May 1761, at Immanuel Church, New Castle, DE.
22 iv. Margaret Ross CURRIE.
8. John ROSS was born in 1714 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He was christened on 21 OCT 1714 in Immanuel Church, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He died on 5 MAY 1776 in Philadelphia, PA. He was buried in St. Paul's Church, Philadelphia, PA. John was admitted to the bar of the supreme court of Pennsylvania in 1735 and soon attained such prominence as an attorney that in 1743 he was considered Andrew Hamilton's chief rival. In 1744 he engaged in the manufacture of pig-iron in Bucks County, in partnership with John Lesher, and retained his interest until his death.
John was a close friend and correspondent of Benjamin Franklin. Before the Revolutionary War he was Attorney General under the Crown for the Lower Counties (New Castle, Kent and Sussex) on the Delaware River, and a member of the assembly. John was an early member of the American Philosophical Society, and in 1760 was a founder and the first warden of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Philadelphia.
He lived in a large mansion on Chestnut St., Philadelphia, which was later occupied by the Chevalier de la Luzerne, French minister to the U.S. John also owned a beautiful country home called Tusculum, which now forms a part of the Episcopal Hospital grounds.
He was married to Elizabeth MORGAN on 28 DEC 1735 in Philadelphia, PA. Elizabeth MORGAN was born about 1714. She died on 7 OCT 1776 in Philadelphia, PA. She was aged 62 at the time of her death. She was buried in Saint Paul's Church, Philadelphia, PA. Elizabeth's parents were Benjamin and Katharine Morgan. John ROSS and Elizabeth MORGAN had the following children:
23 i. Elizabeth ROSS was born on 2 MAY 1740 in Philadelphia, PA. She died on 13 AUG 1741 in Philadelphia, PA. She was buried in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA.
24 ii. Margaret ROSS was born in 1747 in Philadelphia, PA. She died on 20 AUG 1766.
25 iii. Catharine "Kitty" ROSS was born on 21 JUL 1748 in Philadelphia, PA. She died on 27 AUG 1782.11 She was buried in Saint Paul's Church, Philadelphia, PA. Kitty married Henry Gurney, a lieutenant in the Royal Regiment of Artillery, 7 Jul 1768 at Christ Church in Philadelphia. They had no children.
9. Aeneas ROSS was born on 17 SEP 1716 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He was christened on 17 OCT 1716 in Immanuel Church, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He died in APR 1782 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. Aeneas was ordained an Episcopal clergyman in London in 1739. He served at St. James the Greater Church, Bristol, PA from 1740-41 and Christ Church, Philadelphia, from June 1741 to 14 July 1743. When in 1743 he took charge of Trinity Church, Oxford Twp. Chester Co., PA and St. Thomas's Church, Whitemarsh, PA, he lived in Germantown, PA. Upon the death of Dr. Anron Cleveland, rector of Immanuel Church, New Castle, DE, 11 Aug 1757, Aeneas was appointed to the vacancy and he assumed charge of the mission there 3 May 1758, remaining until his death in 1782. Thus, Aeneas and his father George served a combined 65 years as rector of Immanuel Church.
In "Sketch of Early Ecclesiastical Affairs in New Castle, Delaware, and History of Immanuel Church," it is written that Aeneas..."is said to have been a true patriot and to have preached many patriotic sermons. Unlike most Church of England Missionaries at the time, he was a native of the colony and identified in every way with his people and their interests. His brothers early espoused the cause of independence, one of whom, George Ross, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. Immanuel Church was the only Episcopal Church on the Peninsula which was kept open during the whole of the Revolutionary War." He was married to Sarah LEECH on 3 JAN 1745 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA. Aeneas ROSS and Sarah LEECH had the following children:
26 i. Aeneas ROSS Jr. was born in 1746. He was buried in Trinity Church, Oxford Twp., Chester Co., PA. He died young.
27 ii. Maria ROSS was born in 1748. She was buried in Trinity Church, Oxford Twp., Chester Co., PA. She died young.
28 iii. Sarah ROSS was born in 1750. She was buried in Trinity Church, Oxford Twp., Chester Co., PA. She died young.
+29 iv. John ROSS.
30 v. Mary ROSS was born about SEP 1753 in PA. She was christened on 4 FEB 1754 in Oxford Twp., Philadelphia Co., PA. Mary was aged 5 months at the time of her christening. She died before 1782.
31 vi. Joanna ROSS was born about 1754. She died after 1782. She married first Captain Thomas Holland, 13 Oct 1775 at Immanuel Church, New Castle, DE. He had been an officer in the British Army, then served as Captain in the Delaware Regiment, Continental Line, and died a few days after the Battle of Germantown of wounds received. She then married James Armstrong 29 Jan 1789. Joanna had no children.
10. Ann Catharine ROSS was born in 1719 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She was christened on 14 AUG 1719 in Immanuel Church, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She was christened "Anne," and may have added the "Catharine" afterwards. She died on 3 FEB 1772 in Immanuel Church Cemetery, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She was buried in Immanuel Church Cemetery, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. On her burial stone are the words: "Sacred to the memory of Ann Catharine Yeates, whose mortal part lies here deposited until the Resurrection of the Just. Adorned with every virtue that refines the Human Soul and elevates it to divine. She departed this life February 3, 1772, aged 48 years, in the full assurance of a most Glorious Eternity, deservedly lamented by all that knew her, to whom the sweetness of her temper rendered her particularly endearing, especially to her Husband and Children, whose loss is irreparable.
Death has Conquered her.
She by his dart is slain,
But Christ will Conquer him
And she will rise again.

In stating that her age at death was 48 years, all authorities agree her tombstone inscription is in error. Ann's daughter, name unknown, married a Scots physician named Watson and went to live in Scotland.
She was married to John YEATES in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. John YEATES was born on 4 JUL 1720 in New Castle Co., DE. He died on 14 FEB 1795 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He was buried in Immanuel Church Cemetery, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. On his burial stone are the words: "In memory of John Yeates, who departed this life February 4, 1795, aged 73 years." John was chosen Coroner of New Castle October 1751, which office he held two years. He was also one of the original Trustees for New Castle Common, having been appointed 31 Oct 1764.
His father was George Yeates, born 5 Apr 1695, and died 1747 on a plantation near New Castle, DE. His mother, Mary Donaldson, was the daughter of Maj. John Donaldson from Galloway, Scotland. John's cousin Jasper Yeates was judge of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and a resident of Lancaster, PA. After the death of Ann Catharine, John married Ann Bonner 15 Mar 1790 at Immanuel Church, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE.
11. Jacob ROSS was born before 1726. He died after 1758. Jacob was a physician and resided in New Castle, DE. In "Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families" from the PA Genealogical Magazine, 1982, Vol. III, there is reference made to a Dr. Jacob Ross being a member of Immanuel Church, New Castle, DE in 1758 when Aeneas Ross was welcomed as the new rector. At that time he served as vestryman of the church. He was married to Jayne SAYRE on 10 APR 1755 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA.
Jacob ROSS and Jayne SAYRE had the following children:
32 i. John ROSS was born on 17 OCT 1758.
33 ii. James ROSS was born on 8 FEB 1760.
12. George ROSS12 was born on 10 MAY 1730 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. He died on 14 JUL 1779 in Philadelphia, PA. He was buried on 15 JUL 1779 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA. George was an attorney who studied law under his older half-brother John in Philadelphia. He was admitted to the bar April 1751 and, deciding that there were too many lawyers to make a good living in Philadelphia, practiced in Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA. George was King's Prosecutor for 12 years and built a large legal practice.
From 1768 to 1775 (except 1772) George was a member of the Provincial Assembly. He served as one of seven Pennsylvania delegates to the first Continental Congress which met in Carpenters Hall, Philadelphia in September 1774. George gained a reputation for his deep interest in Indian affairs and for his championship of the Assembly in disputes with the governor. He served as a Colonel of the Pennsylvania Troops in 1775.
In 1776 George assisted in negotiating a treaty to pacify the Indians in northwestern Pennsylvania. He was elected a member of the Pennsylvania state constitutional convention of 15 Jul 1776 and was so popular with his fellow legislators that he was chosen vice-president (Ben Franklin was president). He prepared the Declaration of Rights which dissolved the Proprietary Government and created the Commonwealth. Chosen by the state convention to attend the Continental Congress (he served the first and third term), George thus became a signer of the Declaration of Independence. However, he did not vote to adopt the Declaration since he did not sit in the Congress from 3 Nov 1775 to 20 Jul 1776, in which interval the vote of adoption took place.
In January 1777, George became ill with the gout as a result of his fondness for rich food and wine, and he retired from public office. By 1 Mar 1779 he was recovered sufficiently to accept an appointment as an admiralty judge for Pennsylvania. His health permitted him to serve in this office for only a few months. He died from a violent attack of gout at the age of 49. Major Edward Bird, writing to his father from Philadelphia July 25, 1779, gives a quaint account of Ross' last words. He writes: "George Ross you find is dead. He was very cheerful on his death-bed; he said he was going on a long journey, and that he was almost tired before he set off, but the place was cool, and there were most excellent wines there, and he should fare deliciously. That Mrs. Ross did not expect to see him so soon after her."
George's residence in Philadelphia was in North Alley above Fifth St., opposite the Christ Church burial ground gate. His Lancaster residence was at the corner of East King and Duke Sts., where the courthouse stands. In Lancaster he also lived at 320 Ross St., between Plum and Shippen, about nine blocks north of Rte. 30 on the east side of the Ross Street Methodist Church. The Ross Street house was demolished in 1894, however a seven-foot monument to Ross now is on this site. The monument is inscribed: Here Stood the House of George Ross Signer of the Declaration of Independence Born 1730; Died 1779 Lawyer:Statesman:Patriot.
He was married to Ann LAWLER (daughter of Andrew LAWLER and Mary UNKNOWN) on 17 AUG 1751. Ann LAWLER13 was born in 1731 in Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA. She died on 28 MAY 1773 in Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA.14 She was buried on 30 MAY 1773 in St. James Church, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA. In Egles Notes and Queries (1898), Fourth Series, Vol II, page 45 -- The Pennsylvania Chronicle for May 31 - June 7, 1773, says "On Friday the 28th ult., died at Lancaster, in the 40th year of her age, Mrs. Ann Ross, wife of George Ross, esquire, attorney-at-law, and one of the members of the General Assembly for that county." She was buried on the Sunday following in St. James Church yard, Rev. Barton delivering the sermon from Psalm XXIV:4.
In "The History of St. James' Church (Protestant-Episcopal) Lancaster, PA, 1744-1944, by H.M.J. Klein and Wm. F. Diller, 1944, pg. 48, "Mrs. Ann Lawler Ross, wife of George Ross who was subsequently a signer of the Declaration of Independence, died on May 28, 1773. Her funeral on the Sunday evening following was, up to that time, perhaps the largest ever held in Lancaster." On pg. 49, "George Ross whose name first appears June 1751, on the parochial records as a contributor of three pounds for finishing the church building, was at the time of his wife's death an active member of the vestry." Ann was said to be of Scotch-Irish descent. The administration of Andrew her father's estate was granted In Lancaster Co. PA in 1747. His wife, Mary, was Administratrix and George Gibson was her bondsman. Mary is said to have kept a store in Penn Square, Lancaster.
The will of Ann's mother, Mary, dated 30 Aug 1773 and probated 30 Aug 1778, mentions daughter Ann Ross, and George, James, and Mary Ross. George ROSS and Ann LAWLER had the following children:
+34 i. George ROSS III.
+35 ii. James ROSS.
36 iii. Mary ROSS was born on 23 DEC 1765 in Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA.
She died on 20 DEC 1838 in Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA. She married first Willitts or Willis, first name unknown or James Wilson; second, William Bird, son of Mary and Mary (Ross) Bird, and third Joshua Scott. A death notice in the Lancaster Journal, 1 Jan 1839 notes, "On Dec 20, Mrs. Mary, wife of Joshua Scott, Civil Engineer, in 73rd year of age. Mrs. Scott was the only daughter of the Hon. George Ross, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. She was buried at St. James Church, Lancaster, PA, 22 Dec 1838."
With her second husband William Bird she had the following children: a son, name unknown, who is said to have gone away to sea, and a daughter Mary Ann, who was born 2 Jul 1793 and who died 23 Dec 1858. She married 21 Apr 1821 Daniel Fuller, a member of the Philadelphia and Lancaster bars. He was born in Hampton, CT, 14 Feb 1789, and died in Philadelphia 12 Mar 1850.
13. Gertrude ROSS was born about 1732 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She died on 2 SEP 1802 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE.
She was married to Thomas TILL on 6 JUN 1752 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. Thomas TILL died before 1763. Thomas was Captain of a Sussex Co., DE, Regiment in 1756 and 1758.
He was the son of William Till who served as Justice of the Peace for Sussex Co., DE, member of the Assembly, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Lower Counties, member of the Provincial Council, Judge of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and Mayor of Philadelphia. William Till died 13 Apr 1776; his son had preceded him in death.
She was married to George W. READ on 11 JAN 1763 in Immanuel Church, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. George W. READ was born on 18 SEP 1733 in Cecil Co., MD. He died on 21 SEP 1798 in New Castle Co., DE. He was buried in Immanuel Church Cemetery, New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. On his burial stone are the words: George Read born A.D. 1732, Died 21 Sept. 1798, Member of the Congress of the Revolution, the Convention that framed the Constitution of the U.S. and of the first Senate under it, Judge of the Admiralty, President and Chief Justice of Delaware, and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. George, an attorney, was admitted to the bar in 1753 and practiced in New Castle, DE. In 1763 he was appointed to succeed John Ross as attorney general of Delaware's three counties. He held this office until 1775 when he was elected to the first Continental Congress.
George served in the Congress throughout the Revolutionary War and was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was elected president of the convention which formed the first Constitution of the State of Delaware. When in 1777 the governor of Delaware was captured by a detachment of British troops, George discharged the governor's duties until his release. He was a member of the first US Senate 1789-1793, and chief justice of the Delaware Supreme Court for five years.
George's father John Read was from Ireland. His mother Mary Howell was from Wales.
Gertrude ROSS and George W. READ had the following children:
37 i. William READ. William was Consul General of the Kingdom of Naples.
38 ii. George READ Jr. was born about 1764. George served as U. S. District Attorney.
He married Mary Thompson, his cousin, 30 Oct 1786. She was the daughter of General William and Catherine (Ross) Thompson. They had the following children: George, bapt. 13 Jul 1788; William Thompson, bapt. 16 Dec 1792; Ann Catherine, bapt. 1 Feb 1795, aged 3 mos.; Charles, bapt. 19 Sep 1800, aged 3 mos.; John Dickinson, bapt. 25 Dec 1803, aged 11 mos.; and Mary Gertrude, bapt. 12 Jul 1806, aged 1 year. All were baptized at Immanuel Church, New Castle, DE.
39 iii. John READ was born in 1769. He died in 1854. John was the fourth son of Gertrude and George Read. The eldest son, John, named in honor of his grandfather, had died in infancy and the fourth son received the same name. He was an eminent lawyer, financier and philanthropist and one of the leaders of the Federal Party. John served as a U.S. Senator for Pennsylvania.
40 iv. Mary READ. She married Colonel Matthew Pearce of Cecil Co., MD.
14. Catherine ROSS was born about 1734 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She died on 24 MAR 1808 in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., PA. She was buried in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Chambersburg.
She was married to Gen. William THOMPSON on 29 MAR 1763 in St. James Church, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA. Gen. William THOMPSON15 was born about 1736 in IRE. He died on 3 SEP 1781 in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., PA. He was buried in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., PA. He was buried in the enclosure in the graveyard belonging to his kinfolk, the Hamiltons, and there is a stone marking his grave. William came to the U.S. in 1755 at the age of 20 and settled in the Cumberland Valley in Pennsylvania where some of his relatives had lived for a number of years. He was commissioned a Lieutenant, 2nd battalion, Pennsylvania Regiment 16 Jan 1756. He took part in the expedition against the Indians in 1756, under Col. Armstrong, and participated in the battle of Kittanning, receiving one of the silver medals given by the City of Philadelphia to Col. Armstrong and his commissioned officers to commemorate that victory. He was commissioned 25 Jun 1775 Colonel of Thompson's Battalion of Rifleman, Pennsylvania's first troops in the Revolutionary War and the first men from any of the colonies south of New England to join the American army before Boston in the summer of 1775. In January 1776, it became First Regiment of the Continental Line. On 1 Mar 1776, Congress appointed him Brigadier General for gallant conduct in action at Lechmere Point, near Boston, 10 Nov 1775. On 1 Apr 1776, he took command of the expedition against Canada, and 8 Jun 1776 was taken prisoner by the British at the battle of Three Rivers, near Quebec. He was not exchanged until 25 Oct 1780. He died the next year.
William was the cousin of Rev. William Thomson, who married his wife's sister Susanna Ross.
Catherine ROSS and Gen. William THOMPSON had the following children:
41 i. George THOMPSON was born on 13 JAN 1763. He married Mary Callender, daughter of Capt. Robert Callender.
42 ii. Robert THOMPSON was born on 1 JAN 1765. He was unmarried.
43 iii. Mary THOMPSON was born on 6 OCT 1767. She married her cousin George Read II of Delaware 30 Oct 1786, at Carlisle, PA.
44 iv. Catharine THOMPSON was born on 1 JUN 1770. She died on 24 FEB 1811 in Chambersburg Co., PA. She married first Galbraith Patterson, born 1767 and died 26 Feb 1801, who was the son of Capt. William Patterson. He was born at Patterson's Fort, studied law at Lancaster, was admitted to the bar in 1789, and moved to the borough of DuBoistown opposite the city of Williamsport where he died 26 Feb 1801, age 34. Catharine married second James Orbison of Chambersburg, PA. Her daughter by Patterson married first David Maclay, and second Alexander T. Hayes who was a judge of the Court of Common Pleas, Lancaster, PA.
45 v. William THOMPSON was born on 17 DEC 1772. He died on 16 JUN 1773.
46 vi. Juliana THOMPSON was born on 19 JUL 1774. She married John Holmes of Baltimore.
47 vii. Elizabeth THOMPSON was born on 10 JUL 1777. She died after 1779. She married first Count Joseph St. Leger d'Happart of France 24 Apr 1800 at Immanuel Church, New Castle, DE., and second Joseph Weidley, a lawyer in Westmoreland Co., PA. The one son by her second husband died in infancy.
48 viii. William Allen THOMPSON was born on 23 MAY 1780 in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., PA. He married 1 Jun 1802 Sarah Lewis McWilliam Clay, a widow and the daughter of Richard McWilliam of New Castle, DE. They were married in the Immanuel Church, New Castle, DE. Their daughter Sarah Ann Thompson married first James C. Thompson of Philadelphia who was no kin, and they had two children. She married second Col. Burgess Ball Long of Virginia. They had four children. In 1801 William was living at Williamsport, PA.
15. Elizabeth ROSS was born about 1736 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She died after 1779. She was married to Edward BIDDLE on 26 JUN 1761 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA. Edward BIDDLE was born in 1738 in Philadelphia, PA. He died on 5 SEP 1779 in Baltimore, Baltimore Co., MD. Edward entered the Provincial Army at age 16. In 1757, he was appointed Ensign in Col. Burd's Battalion of the Pennsylvania Regiment, and was present at the capture of Forts Duquesne and Niagara in November 1758. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1759. He was commissioned Captain in Col. Hugh Mercer's Battalion 24 Feb 1760, after which he resigned from the army and received 5000 acres of land for his services.
Edward studied law with his eldest brother in Philadelphia and set up practice at Reading, Berks Co., PA. In 1767, he represented Berks Co. in the Provincial Assembly, and was annually re-elected until 1775, and again in 1778. In 1774 and 1775, he officiated as speaker. Edward served in the Continental Congress in its first and second sessions, resigning because of ill health. An accident in January 1775 disabled him and made him an invalid for the last five years of his life. His last public service was to serve on a committee of four appointed in February 1779 to bring in a bill abolishing slavery in Pennsylvania. He was the son of William and Mary (Scull) Biddle. Elizabeth ROSS and Edward BIDDLE had the following children:
49 i. Catherine BIDDLE was born between 1762 and 1772. She married George Lux of Baltimore.
50 ii. Abigail BIDDLE was baptized on 11 FEB 1766 in St. Gabriel's Church, Amity Twp., Berks Co., PA. John Ross, Esq. of Philadelphia was her baptismal sponsor. She was born prob 1766. She married Dr. Falls of Maryland, or Capt. Peter Scull of Reading.
16. Susanna ROSS was born on 17 JAN 1738 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She died on 1 MAR 1801 in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., PA.
She was married to Rev. William THOMSON on 28 OCT 1762 in St. James Church, Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA. Rev. William THOMSON was born on 22 MAY 1735 in Cumberland Co., PA. He may have been born 26 May 1738. He died on 16 AUG 1785 in Cecil Co., MD. He was the cousin of General William Thompson, married to Catherine Ross, Susanna's sister.
William was ordained a deacon and priest of the Episcopal Church December 1759 at the Bishop of London's Palace in Fullam. He was the founder of St. John's P. E. Church at Carlisle, PA, and was appointed by Governor Eden 23 Jun 1773 to be rector of North Elk Parish (also known as St. Mary Ann's Parish), Cecil Co., MD. He was appointed rector of St. Stephen's Church, Sassafras Neck, Cecil Co., MD 6 Jul 1779 and served there until his death. William's father was Rev. Samuel Thomson who was the first pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Pennsborough, two miles from Carlisle, PA. He was installed 14 Nov 1739. William's mother was Janet Holmes. Susanna ROSS and Rev. William THOMSON had the following children:
51 i. Ross THOMSON was born on 27 OCT 1763. He was a witness to John Vangezell's will 2 Mar 1783.
52 ii. Mary THOMSON was born on 9 JAN 1765. She died on 5 FEB 1826.
She married Thomas Brockus Veasey, a Cecil Co., MD physician and planter, in Cecil Co., MD, 29 Mar 1781. He was born 29 Mar 1750 and died Feb 1806.
53 iii. Gertrude THOMSON was born on 31 MAY 1766.
54 iv. Samuel Magaw THOMSON was born on 25 OCT 1767.
55 v. Elizabeth THOMSON was born on 16 NOV 1768. She was married to Joshua George 21 Dec 1786.
56 vi. Sarah Howard THOMSON was born on 16 MAR 1770. She died on 28 DEC 1842. She married James Hamilton of Carlisle, PA, 6 May 1786.
57 vii. Susanna Warrel THOMSON was born on 13 DEC 1772.
58 viii. Jane Ramsey THOMSON was born on 13 MAR 1774. She died on 10 NOV 1796.
59 ix. William Biddle THOMSON was born on 27 FEB 1776.
17. Mary ROSS was born about 1740 in New Castle, New Castle Co., DE. She died in NC. She was married to Mark BIRD on 6 JAN 1762/63 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, PA.

  Life Events:

1. Christened, 12 Oct 1712, Saint Paul's Lutheran Church (Exton, Chester, Pennsylvania, USA). ^851,1330

Margaret married Rev. Walter Hackett before 1750 in Pennsylvania, USA.¹³⁶² (Rev. Walter Hackett was born about 1710 in Fraserburg, Banff, Scotland,^851,1330 died on 7 Mar 1737 in New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, USA ^851,1330 and was buried in Immanuel Protestant Episcopal Church Cemetery (New Castle, New Castle, Delaware, USA) ¹³³⁰.)

Margaret next married Rev. William Currie on 30 Nov 1738 in Christ Church Cemetery (Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) ⁸⁵¹.^,1330 (Rev. William Currie was born about 1698 in Scotland,^851,1330 died in 1803 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA ^851,1330 and was buried in St. David's Church Cemetery (Radnor, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA) ^851,1330.)