Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Atkinson, Edward
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Wrightstown Township


   EDWARD ATKINSON president of Newtown National bank, P.O. 
Wrightstown, was born in Wrightstown township, Bucks county, 
July 24, 1823, and is a son of Jonathan and Esther (Smith) 
Atkinson, both natives of this county and of English 
descent.  The Atkinson family came from Yorkshire, England, 
at an early day, and settled in the lower end of Bucks 
county.  John Atkinson was the first of the name to come 
from England.  He and his wife both died at sea, leaving 
three children:  William, born 1687; Mary, born 1689; and 
John, born 1695.  Of these children, John married Mary Smith 
at the house of Stephen Twining in Newtown, under the care 
of Middletown meeting, on 8th month, 13th, 1717.  The 
grandfather, Thomas Atkinson, was a resident of Wrightstown 
township most of his life.  He was born and died here, and 
was a farmer by occupation.  He married Sarah Smith, by whom 
he had seven children:  Mary, Jonathan, Timothy, Thomas, 
Mahlon, Sarah and Joseph.  Jonathan married Esther, a 
daughter of Benjamin Smith, of Buckingham township, in 1807. 
 They had eight children:  Phebe S., Benjamin S., Thomas, 
Josiah, Stephen, Jonathan, Edward and Sarah. The father of 
these children died November 7, 1852, his wife, Esther, 
having died January 28, 1832.  He was a farmer all his life, 
and led a straightforward, honest and quiet life, never 
taking an active part in public affairs.  Edward Atkinson 
was reared on the farm in Wrightstown township, and has 
always resided there.  He owns a valuable farm, which is 
well improved. He lived on the old homestead until 1857, 
when he moved to where he now lives, and has since occupied 
the place.  In 1871 he was elected president of the Newtown 
National bank, which position he has occupied to the 
satisfaction of all concerned.  He was school director of 
Wrightstown township for fifteen years, and is a prominent 
and influential citizen.  He was married February 12, 1857, 
to Elizabeth H., daughter of David and Hannah (Taylor) 
Twining.  Mr. and Mrs. Atkinson are members of the Society 
of Friends.