William Currie (1709 - 1803)

Born 1709 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland

Husband of Margaret (Ross) Currie — married 30 Nov 1738 in Christ Church, Philadelphia,

Husband of Lucy Anne (Godfrey) Currie — married after 1771 in Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 26 Oct 1803 at about age 94 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

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Biography

Rev. William Currie was Rector of St. David’s Church, Radnor, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

William Currie found himself in a very difficult situation when the American Revolution began in 1775. On the one hand, he had married into a staunchly patriot family, his wife was Margaret Ross, whose brother George Ross had signed the Declaration of American Independence, and whose niece by marriage Betsy Ross, wife of John Ross "was the flag-maker of legend" to quote Tim Abbott, a family biographer. ^[1]

On the other hand, his ordination vows included a prayer for the King, his religious and professional loyalty was to the establishment. Finding a respectable way to retire in the face of a trying situation, he resigned his position as Rector of St. David's, pleading age and infirmity. Throughout the war, he tried to maintain an honorable neutrality. The Ratification Treaty between England and the United States in 1783 freed him of the obligation to pray for the King of England and he was able to return to St David's in Radnor. ^[2]

Rev. William Currie died 26th October 1803 and was buried in St. David’s Church Cemetery, Radnor. ^[3][4]

Memorial Notes

William Currie was born and educated in Glasgow, Scotland. He immigrated to America and settled in New Castle, in Delaware. He became acquainted with the Rev. Mr. Ross, a clergyman of the Episcopal Church, and under whose influence he was led to examine the doctrines and discipline of the Church of Scotland, and was accordingly recommended by the Rev. Mr. Ross to the Royal Society of England, whither he proceeded for ordination. After his return he became rector of Perkiomen, Radnor, and St. Peter's Churches in Pennsylvania.

On November 30, 1738, he married Rev. Ross' eldest daughter, Margaret. To this union there were five sons and one daughter: John, James, William, Richard, Alexander Ross, and Elizabeth.

Mr. Currie continued to be the rector of the above churches until independence was declared and then from 1777–1785 he preached upon request.

After the death of his first wife in 1771, he married second wife, Lucy Ann Jones, formerly a Miss Godfrey, at this time the widow of David Jones. He resided on a farm in Tredyffrin, Pennsylvania, situated a short distance from Washington's encampment at Valley Forge. After the loss of his second wife, he sold the farm and went to live with his granddaughter.

He departed this life at ninety-four years of age. The Philadelphia Repository & Weekly Register Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Dated: November 5, 1803

Deaths ~~, on the 26th ult. in the Great Valley, Chester county, in the ninety-fourth year of his age, the Rev. William Currie, formerly missionary to the churches of Radnor and Perkiomen. (conflicting source for age: * Note re death : that William Currie died in 1803, aged 105 years in stated in The History of Chester County, Pennsylvania^[5]

Find a Grave, database and images^[6]

Chester County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1713-1825 Name William Currie, Title Reverand, Mr Description Reverend Mr. Date20 Jun 1772 Prove date 20 Feb 1773 Remarks Thomas Phillips. Willistown. June 20, 1772. Feb. 20, 1773. "Gives £20 to Executors for a tombstone over his grave. To children of niece Sarah James as follows -- to Mary James £30, to Margaret, Ann and Isaac James £20 each when of age. To Ezekiel son of Owen Howell £20 at 21. To Sarah widow of Peter Mathers £10 and £10 towards the support of her son, a deaf and dumb boy. To the Church wardens of Radnor Church £5 for relief of poor. To Rev. Mr. William Currie £2. To Walter Williams, if living, £1. Plantation in Willistown containing 135 acres to be sold. All remainder of estate to brothers Evan and John Phillip and siter Doroth Evans living in the Parish of Amleston, Pembrokeshire, Wales. Executors: Friends James Massey and Joshua Evans." r ^[7] And additional Source Information- Title Chester County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1713- 1825, Chester County Estate #5056. Chester County Archives. ^[8]

Sources

1. ↑ Tim Abbott in his blog Walking the Berkshires: A House Divided: The Tory in the Family
2. ↑ Tim Abbott in his blog Walking the Berkshires: A House Divided: The Tory in the Family
3. ↑ Old Saint David Church Cemetery, Wayne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania - Currie Family Plot, Section 1 Ancient Yard, Lot 54 - Find A Grave Memorial# 30173418 Created by: KES : Record added: Sep 29, 2008
4. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #30173418
5. ↑ Died in 1803, aged 105 years in stated in The History of Chester County, Pennsylvania
6. ↑ (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 20 October 2020), memorial page for Rev William Currie (1709–26 Oct 1803), Find A Grave: Memorial #30173418, citing Old Saint David Church Cemetery, Wayne, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA ; Maintained by KES (contributor 46834452) .
7. ↑ https://tehistory.org/hqda/html/v42/v42n2p049.html#DAW
8. ↑ Title Chester County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1713- 1825, Chester County Estate #5056. Chester County Archives.

• Reading material : Tim Abbott in his blog Walking the Berkshires: A House Divided: The Tory in the Family for a review of the difficulties faced by families with divided loyalties during the Revolutionary war. Margaret (Ross) Currie's brother, the lawyer John Ross was a prominent Loyalist.

• Much more history on William Currie, Rev. Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society , History Quarterly Digital Archives, Source: Spring 2005 Volume 42 Number 2, Pages 49–65 https://tehistory.org/hqda/html/v42/v42n2p049.html