DAVID SUMNY. The family, of which the subject of this memoir is a prominent member, have long been residents of Pennsylvania. Isaac Sumney, father of David, first saw the light July 5, 1776, the day after the old Liberty Bell had proclaimed the birth of our infant nation. He was born in Westmoreland county, Penn., and in 1798 was united in marriage with Mary Turney (who was also born in 1776), and nine children were born to their union, of whom three sons are yet living. The father followed the potters' trade all his life. David Sumney, the fifth son of Isaac and Mary (Turney) Sumney. was born June 6, 1808, in Westmoreland county, Penn., and learned the potters' trade of his father, following that business for thirty years. In 1830 he plighted vows at the marriage altar with Nancy Hand, a native of this county, who was born in 1808. Eleven children have blessed this union, all of whom are living in their native State, the family home circle having never yet been broken by the touch of the Silent Messenger. The children are as follows: Williamson, Julia A. (wife of Isaac Wolf), Maria (Mrs. J. Galt), Elizabeth (Mrs. Devre), Mrs. Mary Young, John T. (served three years in the war, and returned home uninjured), David H. (in the service three years, having escaped any injury), Isaac, Daniel, Benjamin F. and Nancy Isabelle (Mrs. Gilmore). These children are all married, and, with but one exception, are living in Washington county. The sons are farmers, and are all engaged in that vocation in connection with the various trades which they have mastered. Some years ago the father abandoned his trade and bought a small farm in Nottingham township, this county, consisting of forty acres, which is kept in an excellent state of cultivation. He has always been a worker in the Democratic party, having cast a vote for Gen. Jackson. He has served the township as school director. Mr. Sumney and his entire family, with a few exceptions, are members of the Presbyterian Church.
Williamson Sumney, son of David and Nancy (Hand) Sumney, was born April 29, 1827, on the old place of this county, there receiving his early education. On April 16, 1850, he selected, as a life partner, Miss Sarah Swickard, also a native of this county, and they have five children, two of whom are yet living, namely: John S., who married Melissa Sprowls, of this county, and Ann Eliza, wife of William Lusk, residing in this county. Mr. Sumney has followed the carpenter's trade since 1845, also being a millwright, and owns twenty acres of land in this county. He has filled various offices in Nottingham township, and in Church relation is connected with the Methodist denomination. Two of his brothers were soldiers in the war of the Rebellion: David and John T. They enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Fortieth Regiment P. V. I., participating in the battle of Gettysburg and all other engagements under Gen. Hancock. They both remained until the close of the war, when, John's health failing, he returned home, and afterward went West, becoming a pioneer settler.
On September 28, 1892, a reunion of the eleven children, husbands and wives, was held at the old homestead, numbering twenty-0ne. There were present thirty-one grandchildren and twenty great-grandchildren, numbering seventy-two present. Of the whole connection, there are living ninety-two children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Text taken from page 764 of:
Beers, J. H. and Co., Commemorative Biographical Record of Washington County, Pennsylvania (Chicago: J. H. Beers & Co., 1893).Transcribed February 1998 by Al Roberts of Grass Valley, CA as part of the Beers Project.
Published February 1998 on the Washington County, PA USGenWeb pages at http://www.chartiers.com/.[ Back to Beers Table of Contents] [Back to Beers Project Page]