18S4.] 4y [Carson. 



years, wlien one of their number, Daniel Huraplirej^s, of Porthwen, 

 Mei"ionethshire, Wales, came to Pennsylvania in 1083, and settled in 

 Haverford township, now of Delaware county, about seven miles west of 

 Philadelphia, and was followed the next year by his motlier Elizabeth, 

 the widow of Samuel Humphreys, with her younger children.* He had 

 Joined the Friends in his native country, "and left such a testimony be- 

 hind him as is and was of good savor, "f In IGO.) he was married to 

 Hannah, the daughter of Dr. Thomas Wynn, of Merion. They had many 

 children, among whom were Joshua, Edward and Charles. Joshua was 

 the great-grandfather of the subject of this sketch. Edward acquired a 

 higli reputation as a physician and surgeon, and was beloved for his 

 benevolence and humanity. Charles Humphreys was a man of fine 

 talents, and of great influence in the county. In 1764, he was elected to 

 the Provincial Assembly, and was reelected annually to that office, until 

 1775, when he was chosen a member of the Continental Congress. In that 

 body he contended with energy against the oppressive measures of Great 

 Britain, but, fettered by his oath of allegiance, and by what he believed to 

 be the views of a large majority of his constituents, he voted with John 

 Dickerson, Thomas Willing, Edward Biddle, and Andrew Allen, against 

 the Declaration of Independence. He then retired to private life, and 

 though sympathizing with his country, took no part in the struggle.:]: 



Joshua Humphreys, the son of Joshua, and grandson of Daniel Hum- 

 phreys, the immigrant, was the grandfather of Andrew Atkinson Hum- 

 phreys. He was born in Haverford township in the year 1751. His 

 mother was Sarah, the daughter of Edward and Elinor Williams, of 

 Blockley. His ancestors were thoroughly "Welsh, and all of them 

 Quakers. With only the advantages of such an early education as the 

 common schools of the country afloi'ded at that day, Joshua was appren- 

 ticed at a tender age to a ship carpenter of Philadelphia. Before the com- 

 pletion of his apprenticeship his instructor died, and he was at once placed 

 at the head of the establishment, and managed tlie business for the widow 

 for several years with prudence and success. Possessing a comprehensive 

 and philosophical mind, he soon came to be regarded as the first naval 

 architect in the country. Such was bis eminence, that after the adoption 

 of the Constitution of the United States, and wlaen it became apparent that 

 our Government must have a navj'-, Mr. Humphrej^s was consulted, offi- 



* Elizabeth Humphreys and her children were all Friends. She brought a 

 certificate with her that recommends her "for an honest, faithful woman yt 

 has been serviceable in her place, and praiseworthy in her conversation," and 

 her children "as tender plants growing in that whicli they do profess, even the 

 truth and Grace of God." Copy of original certificate in possession of the widow 

 of Gen. A. A. Humphreys, Sniitli's History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, 

 p. 471. 



t Biographies of early settlers and eminent men of Delaware county. History 

 of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, by George Smith, JI.l)., p. 471. 



t Centennial collection. Charles Humphreys. The Pennsylvania JIagazine 

 of History and i;iographj% Vol. i, p. S3. Smith's History of Delaware County, 

 p. 472. 



PROG, A>IEB. PHILOS. SCO. XXII. 117. G. PRINTED DECEMBER 30. 1884. 



