William Devore, p. 991

WILLIAM DEVORE is descended from a gallant Holland pioneer, by name Andrew Devore, who was born in 1736, and was one of the Hessian soldiers captured at Trenton by Gen. Washington, and though but a boy in years, the lad was roused with indignation against the tyranny of the Hessian prince, who had sold his countrymen to serve the English. When an opportunity was offered for him to return to the British army, he flatly refused, and enlisted with the colonial cause. In the summer of 1782 he located on a farm in Nottingham township, Washington county, Penn., part of which is yet owned by his descendants. Here, amidst the scenes of pioneer life, his children were born as follows: Adam, Henry, William, Samuel, James, Andrew (deceased in infancy), Polly and Betsey, none of whom are now living. Mr. Devore became a wealthy farmer, and his industry was evinced by the crooked finger on the hand thus maimed through hard work. He gave 133 acres of land to each of his children, and died on the old place. Politically, he was a member of the Democratic party.

William Devore, the third son of Andrew, was born and reared on the homestead in Nottingham township, this county, and attended the log schoolhouse of the period. He learned the shoemaker's trade, and followed that vocation in connection with farming all his life. In 1821 he was united in marriage with Mary Martin, a native of New Jersey, and she bore him children as follows: Lydia, Andrew (living in North Strabane township), David (a resident of Monongahela City), Phoebe (wife of James Kelsey, Washington, Penn.), Jackson (a resident of Iowa), Mary (a resident of Missouri), Sarah (Mrs. Fox, of Butler county, Penn.), William and Margaret. The mother was a member of the Methodist, the father of the Baptist Church. He voted with the Democratic party.

William Devore, son of William and Mary (Martin) Devore, was born January 19, 1836, in Fallowfield township, Washington county, Penn., on Maple creek. When about five years of age he came to the home place in Nottingham township, this county, where his youth was passed. On March 6, 1862, he married Sarah Ann, daughter of James Fox, and they continued to reside on the home farm until 1867, in the spring of which year he bought a small farm in Fallowfield township, to which they removed in the autumn. They resided there several years and then bought 135 1/2 acres in Carroll township, where they are yet living. He worked six months at $8.00 per month, and from that pittance saved $42.00. He was afterward employed at $9.00 per month, then cropped on shares, afterward worked at 50 cents per day for eleven months, saving from these wages $270. He and his brother then worked four months to perfect a sawmill, and on the first investment cleared $106, on the next $200, and then $1,850 In 1873 he owed $5,000, which has been paid with 10 per cent interest. He is now engaged in farming and stock-raising, and owns some property in Monongahela City. Politically he is a Democrat. The children of this family are Mary Elizabeth, wife of S. Worman; James, interested in the sawmills at Monongahela City; Arabella and Henry C., living with their parents.

Text taken from page 991 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).

Transcribed February 1997 by Marsha Richins of Columbia, MO as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1997 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.

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