Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Phillip PRICE
June 1, 1861
VILLAGE RECORD
Biography PHILIP PRICE, Junior - descended from a worthy Welsh
ancestry, who belonged to the Society of 'Friends,'and
accompanied William Penn, when he came to take possession of
his young Province in 1682 - was born near the margin of the
Delaware, below the mouth of Schuylkill, on the 8th of
January, 1764. His father, who was a farmer and grazier, in
Kingsessing, suffered materially by the loss of his stock,
taken by the military, when Gen. Howearmy came along in
1777, on their way to Philadelphia. It was a time of serious
privation, among the agriculturists of that region, - and they
found it necessary to bring up their families with rigorous
economy. Such was the training of Philip Price, on his
fatherfarm. On the 20th of October, 1784, he married
Rachel, daughter of William Kirk, of East Nantmeal, Chester
county. They were a most congenial, exemplary couple, - and
were happily spared to each other for more than half a
century. In 1791, Philip purchased a farm in East Bradford,
lying above StrodeMill, between West Chester and the
Brandywine, - where he passed the greater portion of his life,
in the business of grazing, and an enlightened agriculture. He
soon became distinguished, among his old fashioned plodding
contemporaries, for his active intellect, and newly awakened
views of the profession in which he was engaged. He was among
the first in Chester county, to regard Agriculture as a
practical science, - to introduce and advocate the use of Lime
and Plaster of Paris, in the culture of Clover and the
Grasses; and Judge Peters - one of the earliest and ablest of
our agricultural writers - always ranked Philip Price among
his most esteemed and intelligent correspondents.- When the
progress of clearing our woodlands, in the beginning of the
present century, caused the farmers to think of some
succedaneum for fence rails, Philip Price led the way, in
calling meetings to promote the culture of quickset Hedges,
and the introduction of the Virginia Thorn (CRATAEGUS CORDATA,
AST.) for that purpose. Although the attempt seems to have
been rather premature (for enlightened men are apt to be ahead
of their age, - and Philip Price was ever ready to show and to
lead the way to good works- ), there can be no doubt that the
day is coming when some kind of substitute for old fashioned
fences must be resorted to. When the first Agricultural
Society was formed in the county, Philip Price was unanimously
chosen as the President. As a matter of course, he was friend
of good schools, and good education. He was constantly among
the most active and efficient members of the Committee who had
charge of the Birmingham School, where John Forsythe was the
able and faithful Teacher. When the Westtown School was
authorized, Philip Price was one of the committee to whom was
intrusted the erection and establishment of the Institution;
and subsequently, he and his excellent wife were, for a number
of years, the Superintendents resident in the Seminary. Their
gentle guardianship is still affectionately remembered by the
surviving Pupils of that period. When advancing age induced
them to retire from that responsible station, their
enlightened benevolence prompted them to institute a Female
Boarding School in the Borough of West Chester, under the
immediate direction and management of their estimable
Daughter, the late HANNAH P. DAVIS.- That Institution was a
signal success; and that Daughter was recognized by this
entire Community, as one of the loveliest examples of a true
Quaker Lady, and Christian woman, that ever adorned and
blessed our ancient County. Philip Price was a genuine
disciple of the Founder of our commonwealth, mild, upright,
intelligent and liberal; an earnest yet inoffensive advocate
of human rights, and an unwavering opponent of human wrongs.
He departed this life the latter end of February, 1837, in the
74th year of his age. [NOTAE CESTRIENSES]
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