Rash's Surname Index
Notes for Samuel POWELL
SAMUEL POWEL, only son of Samuel and Mary (Morris) Powel, born in Philadelphia October 28, 1738, entered College of Philadelphia, now University of Pennsylvania, May 25, 1756, and graduated with degree of Bachelor of Arts, class of 1759. After graduation he made an extended visit to Europe, traveling extensively in Great Britain and on the Continent. During his travels he kept up a constant correspondence with friends and relatives in Philadelphia, and many of his letters have been published in the Pennsylvania Magazine; while those to his uncle, Capt. Samuel Morris, have been preserved by the family, and many of them appear in a history of the Morns family prepared by Dr. Robert C. Moon. This correspondence shows that he was entertained in the best society of England and Scotland and “had the honor of being presented to his majesty.”
He was a birthright member of the Society of Friends, but, while in England, was baptized by the Rev. Richard Peters, on his return to Philadelphia became a prominent member of St. Peter’s Protestant Episcopal Church, and was lay deputy of that church at the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church held at Christ’s Church, November 24, 1785. He was elected to Common Council of Philadelphia in 1770, advanced to position of alderman, October 4, 1774, and, October 3, 1775, was elected Mayor, the last to serve in that office under the old charter of 1701, under which his wife’s grandfather, Edward Shippen, had been the first: when the charter had been renewed in 1789, he was again elected Mayor, 2nd from the fact that he was the last magistrate under the old charter and the first under the new, he was known as the “Patriot Mayor”.
He was a man of high scholastic attainments and took a lively interest in literary and scientific subjects; he became a member of the American Philosophical Society in 1760, and took an active interest in their work. A man of public spirit and well known business ability, he was frequently consulted in affairs of state.
He was intimately associated with George Washington, who was a frequent visitor at his house, now number 244 S. Third street, between Walnut and Spruce streets, and the first president held him in high esteem, as is evidenced by his journal and correspondence. Mr. and Mrs. Powel were likewise frequently entertained at Mount Vernon.
Samuel Powel was commissioned a Justice of the Philadelphia Courts April 27, 1772, and probably served until his elevation to the Mayoralty. He was made one of the board of managers of the Pennsylvania Hospital in 1778, but resigned in 1780. He was Trustee of University of‘ Pennsylvania, and first president of Philadelphia Society for Promotion of Agriculture. He was elected to the Morris Mansion on Front street between Chestnut and Walnut streets, devised to him by his great aunt, Deborah Morris, by whose will it was directed that Senate of Pennsylvania, 1792, and filled the position of Speaker. He inherited a large fortune from his father, and gave liberal support to many philanthropic
and charitable enterprises. In 1780 he contributed five thousand pounds toward provisioning the Continental troops from Pennsylvania. He died of yellow fever September 29, 1793, at his country seat “Powelton”, on the west side of the Schuylkill.
He married, August 7, 1769, Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and Anne (Shippen) Willing, born February 10, 1742-3, died January 17, 1830, and they had two sons, both of whom died in infancy. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Powel adopted the youngest son of her sister Margaret (Willing) Hare, by
Robert Hare.
JOHN POWEL HARE,born April 22, 1786, died at Newport, Rhode Island, June 14, 1856. To him she devised the greater part of the large estate left her by her husband, including “Powelton”. He changed his name by act of legislature, to John Hare Powell. He was a colonel in the War of 1812-14, and
Secretary to American Legation at the Court of St. James. He married Julia de Veaux, and descendants of his bearing the name of Powell, still reside in Philadelphia.
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