Biographical Sketch of Rev. William CURRIE (1881); Chester County, PA

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<clroth1229@earthlink.net>.

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From THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope (1881);

pg. 509

CURRIE, Rev. William.-The following account of Mr. Currie was taken down from 
the lips of a lady who was well acquainted with him, and whose statement may be 
relied upon as being entirely correct:  "William Currie was born and educated in 
Glasgow, Scotland, and under the following circumstances emigrated to America.  
A Mr. Carter, of Virginia, having an only son, placed him at college in Glasgow 
to receive all the advantages of a liberal education; but being an only child, 
and consequently a great favorite with his parents, they were soon led to regret 
the step they had thus taken in separating themselves from their son.  They at 
once determined to send for him, requesting the faculty to send one with him who 
would be competent to perform the duties of a tutor, and under whose 
instructions he would be able to complete his education.  Mr. Currie, being then 
much esteemed in the college as a man of learning and sound judgment, was at 
once recommended, and consented to take charge of his young pupil, and shortly 
after sailed for America.  With this family he continued a number of years, 
after which he came to New Castle, in Delaware, where he became intimately 
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.  He was married 
to the eldest daughter of Mr. ross, by which marriage he had five sons and one 
daughter,-John, James, William, Richard, Alexander Ross, and Elizabeth. 
His daughter Elizabeth was married to Dr. Demon, of Reading.  John was educated 
to the legal profession, and married a wealthy lady named Crookshank; they lived 
and died near Bethlehem, Pa.  James, William and Alexander were physicians.  
Alexander went to one of the West India Islands, married and died there.  
William married and died in Philadelphia. Richard joined the First Militia, and 
went to Amboy; afterwards returned and died, leaving a widow and three children 
to the care of his father.
  "Mr. Currie continued to be the rector of the above churches until 
independence was declared.  Feeling that he could not violate his ordination 
vows by refusing to pray for the king of England, he resolved to give up the 
charge of the churches.  He accordingly left the churches, but occasionally 
preached by request, and performed other duties appertaining to his office.  His 
second wife was Lucy Ann Jones, formerly a Miss Godfrey, at this time the widow 
of David Jones.  He resided for a few years after this marriage on his farm in 
Tredyffrin, situated a short distance from Washington's encampment at Valley 
Forge.  He here lost his second wife, after which he gave his farm into other 
hands and resided with his tenants.  His granddaughter married, and Mr. Currie 
spent the remainder of his days with her, and died at the advanced age of 105 
years.  He was interred at Radnor church, together with his two wives and his 
son Richard; he died some time during the autumn of 1803."