My Genealogy Hound

THE HUGHES FAMILY. John Hughes and his wife Jane Evans resided in Merionethshire, Wales. In this place, in the year 1671, a son Hugh was born to them, who was their only child. In 1680, when a lad of but nine years of age, Hugh Hughes left his parents and home and came to this country. They, supposing that he had gone to America, followed him to Pennsylvania and there to their great joy they found him. John Hughes and his wife, preferring the country as a home, purchased a tract of land consisting of one thousand acres in Upper Merion township, then Philadelphia county, now Montgomery. This farm has been known from that date to the present time as “Walnut Grove.” Here they resided until their deaths.

Hugh Hughes, their only child, settled in Philadelphia, his residence being on Third street. He married Martha, only child of Hugh and Martha Jones, of Lower Merion. In Philadelphia Hugh Hughes carried on the business of a tanner until the failing health of his parents obliged him to move with his family to their country home, “Walnut Grove.” Soon after this change both his parents died, and their remains were interred in the cemetery of St. Davids Episcopal church at Radnor, Delaware county, Pennsylvania. The children born to Hugh and Martha (Jones) Hughes were as follows: John (stamp officer), who married Sarah Jones in 1738; William, whose history is unknown; and Colonel Hugh, who was born in Upper Merion, April 20, 1727, and was united in marriage to Charity Smith, nee Porter, in New York city, on July 14, 1748.

At the time of the marriage of John Hughes, son of Hugh and Martha Hughes, to Sarah Jones, he resided at Walnut Grove farm. He was a man of distinction and culture, with the tone of fashionable manners, and while yet a young man he seems to have been prominent in his own neighborhood as well as among the noted political and distinguished men of Pennsylvania, where his presence and counsel were eagerly sought. Through the influence of his friend Benjamin Franklin, he was appointed stamp officer for the province of Pennsylvania. Dr. Franklin wrote to him in May, 1765, that he had recommended him for the position. His commission was received in October of that year. At this time they were residing in Philadelphia. The stamp act was passed in English Parliament on March 22, 1765, and it directed that every document used in trade, to be valid, must have a stamp affixed to it, the lowest of these in value costing one shilling, and thence increasing indefinitely in proportion to the value of the writing. This created great excitement in America, and everywhere the people determined not to use the stamps. Associations calling themselves “Sons of Liberty” were organized in opposition to the act, and for the general defense of the rights of the colonies. So powerful were these combinations, and so intense the popular indignation, that when November 1st came, the day on which the obnoxious law was to go into effect, it was found that all the stamp distributors had resigned their offices. The bells throughout the country were tolled and the flags lowered to half-mast to indicate “the funeral of Liberty”.

These demonstrations led parliament to consider the repeal of the act. Among other witnesses, they called Benjamin Franklin, who stated that these acts of parliament were lessening the affections of the colonies and unless repealed all commerce between them and the mother country would be broken up, etc. The colonies also had warm friends in parliament, who advocated their cause, the result of which was that on March 18, 1766, the stamp act was repealed. It must be remembered that at this date the colonies were presumed to be loyal to the English government, this being ten years before the Revolutionary war. Mr. Hughes, as a good and true citizen, desired to support and enforce the law, but prior to the final disposition of the act there had been great excitement in Philadelphia. Mr. Hughes’ life and position then were unenviable. Several times a mob collected about his house, threatening his life and property if he did not resign his office. His commission had not then been received, and his answer was he “could not resign what he had not.”

During the month of September; 1765, he was critically ill for twenty-five days, and his life was despaired of. While in this condition a deputation from the mob waited on him with muffled drums and muffled church bells ringing. The son of Chief Justice Allen was the leader, accompanied by James Tilghman, Robert Morris, Charles Thomson, Archibald McCall, John Cox, William Richards, and William Bradford. They insisted upon seeing him, ill as he was, and obtained his written promise not to attempt to perform the duties of the office until his majesty’s further pleasure was known. In Hazard’s Register of Pennsylvania, Volume 2, are a number of very interesting letters from Mr. Hughes upon this subject. John Hughes would not have received introduction to Boston patriots from the hand of Benjamin Franklin, a public act, committing his patron to the course of the one introduced, and making him responsible for his views, if he was not then, several years after the stamp act, in union with his party. James Otis and his father, whose flaming patriotism is mentioned at that very time when John Hughes went to Boston, would not have received him so warmly and handed him about among the most patriotic American Society, “The Sons of Liberty,” if his views had not been in accordance with theirs. Mr. Otis and son were both active in public life. There can be no question of John Hughes’ loyalty to the United States. His letters to his valued friend and neighbor, Jonathan Roberts, show conclusively that he changed his views after the stamp act was abolished. From these letters it is learned where and how he was received in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, where he held the position of collector of customs in 1769. He was the honored guest of men in high social and political standing.

Inclined to a pulmonary affection, Mr. Hughes sought the benefit of a southern climate and went to Charlestown, South Carolina, in 1771, and died there in February, 1772. The following is a correct copy of a bill of stamps sent from London to John Hughes, Esq., Philadelphia.

Shipped by the Grace of God, in good order and well conditioned, by Francis Mollison in and upon the good ship called the Royal Charlotte, whereof is master under God, for this present voyage, Benjamin Holland, and now riding at anchor in the River, Thames, and, by God’s grace, bound for Phila. To say.
3 cases, 7 packs of Stamps for Pennsylvania
2 cases, 1 pack of Stamps for Maryland
1 case, 2 packs of Stamps for New Jersey.
Being mark’d and numbered red as in the margeant, and are to be delivered in the like good order and well conditioned at the aforesaid port of Phila. (The dangers of the seas only eccepted) unto John Hughes, Esq., at Phila. or to their assigns, he, or they, paying freight for the said goods, with Primage and Average accustomed. In witness whereof, the Master or Purser of the said ship hath affirmed to these Bills of Lading, all of this tenor and Date, of which these
Bills being accomplished, the other two to stand void, and so God send the good ship to her desired port in safety, Amen.
Dated in London, July 16, 1765.
Benjamin Holland.

John Hughes held the office of collector of customs for the United States from this date, September 4, 1769, until his death in Charlestown, South Carolina, in 1772. An account book of fees received in the custom house in Piscataqua, by the collector, from September 4, 1769, to September 4, 1770, has many entries. Here are also recorded the names of the officers in the customs at Charlestown, July 13, 1770.
John Hughes, collector.
John Morris, comptroller.
William Coates, searcher.
George Roupell, searcher, etc. etc.
Benjamin Franklin writing to his wife from London, June 10, 1758, says: “I think nobody ever had more faithful correpsondents that I have in Mr. Hughes and you. It is impossible for me to keep out of your debt.” Sparks’ Life and Works of Franklin, 1838, Volume VII, page 168.

John Hughes (stamp officer) and Joseph Galloway were Owners of steel works, one of the earliest Pennsylvania industries of that kind. During the seventeenth century and also in the eighteenth, until the erection of dams for the use of the Navigation Company, the shad fisheries on the Schuylkill river were considered a matter of great value to the inhabitants residing on its banks, as well as to the families accessible to it by wagon roads. The following paper, in the writing of John Hughes, shows it was appreciated.

Whereas, Peter Rambo, in his lifetime, applied to me to lay an old right on the island by the ford, in order to secure the right of fishing for shad on the upper end of it, and at the same time said, that he desired a share for himself, and a share for his brother Jonas, and as I have the said island surveyed and returned it unto the surveyor-general’s office, I hereby do bind and oblige myself to convey and assign forever One share or Part in the fishery and also another share or part in the said fishery to Jonas Rambo and his heirs forever, as fully and effectually as the whole is versed in me. They paying me their proportion of the first cost and other charges at the delivery of a deed for each share aforesaid, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of March, 1768.

As the “Gulf Hills” are familiar to all persons who have been resident of this locality, or who have visited them, I copy a paper addressed to Mr. John Hughes, in Philadelphia, endorsed upon the back, “an account of the Gulph Hills from James Logan’s Book.’’ The extract from James Logan’s Book of Accounts, relates to his sales of lands in the Manor of Mount Joy.

“Have sold the Gulph Hills twice or thrice, containing by estimation above two hundred acres, and as the purchasers declined it, I sold it at last to Joseph Williams, a friend and preacher, for twenty pounds, but he declined it, as John Hughes, Benjamin Davis, etc.”
Advertisement.
To be sold wholesale or retail by John Hughes and son, at their store on Fourth street above Market street, Raven Duck prime linen, Ticklenburg, Oznabugs, Buckram, checks and Irish Linen, muslins, Roswall’s Tandems, Tandem Garlix, Long Lawns, spotted and cotton, chintses, calicoes and stamped linens, cross-bar and striped (obliterated) Huksets flannel, half-thicks bunts, Leghorn hats, shaloon, fam (word obliterated), diaper, worsted and thread, mens and on- (obliterated) hair, and worsted plush, hunting and everlastings, silk hankerchiefs, and table knives, Razors, scissors, sleeve buttons, mohair and silken hair metal and hair buttons, satin and paduso flower’d and plain ribbons, ferret gartering, womens leather and silk mits, silk caps, sewing silk, thread, Breeches patterns, knee snuffers, shoe and knee garters, mens gloves, pipe and spike tomahocks, Iron candlesticks, pewter, pins, needles, thimbles, snuffboxes, awl hafts, blades and shoe tacks, snuffers, shoe and knee buckles, watch keys and seals, Holmans ink powder, Mariners compasses, spectacles, cotton and silk laces, womens fans, hose-whips, coat-boxes, curtain rings, writing paper, shirt buttons, Wigg springs, small and large Brass Kettles, Gun flints, New England Rum, molassess, loaf and Muscovado sugar, rice, tea, coffee, chocolate, ginger, pepper, allspice, French Indigo, Rozin, Brimstone, whale-bone, fine salt, train oil, starch, nutmegs, cloves, mace, cinnamon, coperas, Braseel cotton and wool cards, and sundry other things at most reasonable rates.

John Hughes (stamp officer) and Sarah Jones had six children. Prudence Hughes, born July 7, 1740. Jane Hughes, born June 15, 1741. Hugh Hughes, born September 7, 1742, married very young, and settled in New Jersey. Ruth Hughes, born November 16, 1743, married Lindsay Coates, May 1, 1765. John Hughes, Jr., born December 14, 1745, married Margaret Paschall, June 11, 1767. Isaac Hughes, born December 1, 1747, married Hannah Holstein. Isaac Hughes, son of John Hughes (stamp officer), married Hannah Holstein, October 5, 1769. He served in the various positions of captain, major and lieutenant colonel of the Flying Camp, July 15, 1776, and is said to have been twice wounded. He was one of the assessors of Philadelphia, September 18, 1776, “who or a majority of them shall be a board of commissioners for the County of Philadelphia.” “He was a member of the committee of correspondence,” and was twice a member of the assembly of Pennsylvania. A short time before his health failed, Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Hughes built a new home for himself and family about half a mile from “Walnut Grove,” on a hill over-looking Gulf creek. Part of that house is still standing and in good condition at the present time. They occupied it but a brief season, when in the prime of life the summons came to “rest from his labors,” and he entered upon life eternal. He is buried in Christ Swedes churchyard, Bridgeport. He departed this life April 26, 1782, aged thirty-four years and four months.

A great portion of Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Hughes’ short married life was spent at “Walnut Grove.” General Washington was a frequent visitor to the Hughes mansion while encamped upon the hills of Valley Forge during the winter of 1777-78. A number of his letters are dated “Walnut Grove,” and dated from this then well-known landmark. After the close of the war Washington visited his friend Isaac Hughes at this place where he remained over-night, and did so at various times. Isaac Hughes and Hannah Holstein had the following children. Sarah Hughes, born July 29, 1770, died in infancy. John Hughes, born March 28, 1772, married Hannah, daughter of Captain Benjamin and Hannah Bartholomew, of Chester county Pennsylvania. Rachel Hughes, born April 18, 1774, married, March 31, 1801, William Lukens Potts, of Philadelphia. Ruth Hughes, born April 23, 1776, married David Jones. Sarah Hughes, the second, born February 22, 1778, married David Rittenhouse, April 8, 1801. Hannah Hughes, born November 28, 1780, married Francis Wade.

John Hughes, son of Lieutenant Colonel Isaac Hughes, was born at “Walnut Grove” farm, in Upper Merion, March 28, 1772, and married Hannah, daughter of Captain Benjamin Bartholomew, of Chester county, Pennsylvania. John Hughes was a man of, very pleasing mannars, and greatly interested in the promotion of education. The Roberts, Hughes, Holstein, and Henderson families joined together and erected a small schoolhouse on the Roberts place, this being the most central, and they secured a teacher for the instruction of their children. Mr. Hughes contributed a piece of land for the erection of the Gulf school. He erected a lime kiln on the “Walnut Grove” farm and burned lime for a number of years. In 1803 he built for himself and family a new home, calling it “Wood Side,” adjoining “Walnut Grove,” or in fact it being a portion of the ancestral estate. The house is of stone, situated on a high hill commanding a very beautiful view, is in a good state of preservation and will be a landmark for generations to come. The lumber, consisting of walnut, was furnished from “Walnut Grove” farm and the yellow pine from Hughes tracts of land in North Carolina. In 1814 he was elected a member of the house of representatives of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He was a vestryman of St. John’s Episcopal church of Norristown. He became interested in coal mines, and moved to Pottsville where he lived for several years, after which he moved to Philadelphia where he died of bronchitis on December 31, 1837, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. He was buried at Christ Swedes church cemetery, Bridgeport, Pennsylvania.

John Hughes and Hannah Bartholomew had five children: Rachel Bartholomew Hughes, born at “Walnut Grove,” August 2, 1801, married Jacob Dewees, M. D., of Trappe, Upper Providence township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania. Isaac Wayne Hughes, born in Montgomery county, February 14, 1804, graduated from the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1825, moved to Newbern, North Carolina, June 1, 1825, and married in 1828, Eliza A. McLin, daughter of Thomas and Eliza McLin, of Newbern, North Carolina. Benjamin Bartholomew Hughes, was married to Mary, daughter of Jonas and Nancy Rambo, of Upper Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, by the Rev. John C. Clay. Slator Clay Hughes was married to Susan, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Jarrett, of Upper Merion, August 4, 1836, by the Rev. John C. Clay. He died December 20, 1841. Francis Wade Hughes was born August 20, 1817, in Upper Merion township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

Francis Wade Hughes commenced the study of law in 1834, in the office of the late George W. Farquahar, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, and the following winter entered the office of John E. Wallace of Philadelphia. In August, 1837, he was admitted a member of Schuylkill county bar and commenced the practice of his profession in Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where he passed his life. His success was immediate, brilliant and continuous, his practice extended to all branches of the profession, and his cases were important. He was appointed deputy attorney general by Hon. F. Johnson, then attorney general. He resigned three times, but was subsequently reappointed and held the position altogether eleven years. At no period of his life was he willingly concerned for the prosecution in homicide cases, and for twenty-five years refused such engagements. He had, however, very frequent engagements for the defense, with invariable success, to the extent of presenting a conviction of murder in the first degree. When what are known as the “Molly Maguire” cases came on for trial, he took an active part in the prosecution in Carbon, Schuylkill and Columbia counties. Through the efforts of Mr. Franklin B. Gowen, and the instrumentality of the Pinkerton detective agency, the requisite proofs and knowledge of the criminals was obtained. Capital punishment in their case seemed the only remedy for the ills under which the community suffered, and acting under this belief, Mr. Hughes actively, earnestly and successfully took part in the prosecution.

In 1843 he was elected to the state senate in Schuylkill county, and after serving in the legislature one year he resigned his position and returned to the practice of law. In 1851 he was appointed by Governor Bigler secretary of the commonwealth. This office he filled until 1853, when he succeeded Judge James Campbell as attorney general. As secretary of the commonwealth, he was superintendent of common schools and took great interest in the organization of the common-school system of Pennsylvania, which, with slight modifications, is still maintained. He was the author of the common-school act of 1854, and his decisions, as superintendent of common schools, relative to the construction of the law, are regarded as authority. He regarded a civil war with dread and hoped until the last to avert it. When, however, the resort to arms was inevitable, his support of the Union was prompt, energetic and valuable. He denied utterly any right of secession and claimed that the government was one of the whole people, not a federation of states. He aided in fitting out two of the first companies that reached Washington. He maintained with voice and pen the legal right of the government to put down rebellion with force of arms. He aided in the raising of regiments when the invasion of Pennsylvania was threatened by the forces of Lee, and one regiment was familiarly known as his regiment.

In politics, as in law, he was ever recognized as a power,-brilliant and frequently irresistible. Mr. Hughes was always very active as a business man outside of his profession. He originated and aided in many enterprises, in the purchase and improvement of lands, in the opening and improvement of coal and iron mines, and in the establishment of iron works and other factories. He was of fine personal appearance, dignity of manners and character, pleasing address and amiable disposition. He was universally respected, and popular with political opponents as well as personal friends. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Silliman, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania, in April, 1839. He died October 22, 1885, aged sixty-eight years.

Theodore Jones Hughes was married to Caroline, daughter of Brice and Helen Oliver Fonville, of Onslow, North Carolina, November 19, 1844, by the Rev. N. Collin Hughes. Nicholas Colin Hughes, born in Upper Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, was ordained to the deaconate in the old St. Thomas church, New York city, June 30, 1844, by Bishop B. T. Onderdonk. He moved south in August, 1844, was ordained a priest in old Christ church, Raleigh, North Carolina, in May, 1846, by Bishop Ives. He married Adaline Edmonds, daughter of Dr. Robert and Elizabeth Ellis Williams, of Pitt county, North Carolina, October 17, 1848, the Rev. J. B. Cheshire officiating. John Curtis Clay Hughes married, March 13, 1851, Mrs. Emma R. Heebner, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah Coombe, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Bartholomew Hughes, son of John Hughes and Hannah Bartholomew, was born at “Wood Side,” Upper Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, June 27, 1808. He was a man of fine personal appearance and pleasing manners. He married Mary, daughter of Jonas and Nancy Rambo, of Upper Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, in 1829, the Rev. Jehu C. Clay officiating. Mr. Hughes determined to make himself useful by the acquirement of a trade, selecting that of a tanner and serving his apprenticeship with Jesse Walton of Frankford. He also served an apprenticeship of currier with Chambers & Evans of Philadelphia. He followed these trades for a short time only at Milton, Pennsylvania. He returned to the farm, and upon this land were extensive deposits of iron ore and a lime stone quarry of much value, to which his attention was mainly devoted until 1851, when he retired and removed to Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. He was also interested in coal land in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania. Mrs. Hughes died August 20, 1856.

Benjamin B. Hughes married for his second wife Mary J., daughter of David and Hannah Brooke, of Gulf Mills, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, August 18, 1858, the Rev. Henry Reese officiating. Though not ambitious for distinction of office, he was repeatedly elected burgess of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. His integrity and excellent judgment caused his services to be in much demand in the capacity of guardian and as the custodian of important trusts. He was a director of the Montgomery National Bank of Norristown, and afterwards connected himself with the First National Bank, serving as a director until a short time before his death. He was a member of Christ Swedes church, Upper Merion, in 11, 1892, aged eighty-four years, and was buried at Christ Swedes church cemetery, March 16, 1892. Benjamin Bartholomew Hughes and his wife Mary Rambo had the following children. John J. Hughes, the eldest married Hannah, daughter of Hunter Brooke and his wife Hannah Adams, of Gulf Mills, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1851, by Mayor Henry of Philadelphia. Isaac Wayne Hughes, who graduated in the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1852, located in Sunbury, Pennsylvania, same year, and married Alice E., daughter of Judge Charles and Elizabeth Donnel, of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, April 11, 1855, the Rev. William White Montgomery (Episcopal) officiating. Dr. Hughes returned to West Philadelphia, locating himself at Fortieth and Chestnut streets in the autumn of 1854. He was a volunteer surgeon during the late war. He organized the West Philadelphia Bank in 1869, and was the first and only president until the time of his death. He was also president of an Incinerating Company. Dr. Hughes was the rector’s warden and vestryman of St. Mary’s Protestant Episcopal church, Locust street, between Thirty-ninth and Fortieth streets, for thirty-nine years. Dr. Hughes married for his second wife Emilie Baker, daughter of John and Almira Baker, of Philadelphia, January 24, 1878, the Rev. Dr. H. H. Williets officiating. He died at his home, located at Fortieth and Chestnut streets, Friday evening, April 26, 1895, and was buried at Christ Swedes church, Upper Merion, Monday, April 29, 1895. By his first wife he had two children, Dr. Donald Hughes and Bertrand Hughes, an attorney. The children by his second wife were Wayne, David P. and July D. Hughes. Nathan Rambo Hughes married Amanda E., daughter of David M. and Emily H. Stacker, of Lower Merion township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, April 19, 1864, by Mayor Henry of Philadelphia. He was engaged in the lumber and coal business in Bridgeport, Pennsylvania. He was a member of the vestry of Christ Swedes church, Upper Merion. He died at his home which was located at Third and DeKalb streets, Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, November 28, 1880, and was buried at Christ Swedes church cemetery, Upper Merion, Pennsylvania. He had two children, Emily J. and Frank S. Charles Collin Hughes, married Emily, daughter of George and Mary Pechin, of Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, February 21, 1860. He was a druggist in Philadelphia, died December 4, 1888, and was buried in Montgomery cemetery, Norristown, Pennsylvania. Henry Clay Hughes, born at “Wood Side,” Upper Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, entered the service as a private of Company B, Fourth Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, April 20, 1861, was in the occupation of Perryville, Maryland, April 21, on duty in Washington, District of Columbia, May 8 to June 24; skirmish near Shusters Hill, Virginia, June 30; assigned to the First Brigade (Franklin) Third Division (Hentzelman) Army of Northeast Virginia, July 2; moved to Shangster’s station, Virginia, July 18, and to Centerville July 19, and mustered out at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, July 27, 1861, at the expiration of term. Henry Clay Hughes re-entered the service as corporal of Company F, Fifty-first Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, September 13, 1861; served in the Second Brigade, First Division, North Carolina Expeditionary Corps, December, 1861 to March, 1862; moved to Annapolis, Maryland, November 16-17, 1861; sailed to Hatteras Inlet, North Carolina, January 9, 26, 1862; moved to Roanoke Island, February 7; battle of Roanoke Island, February 7-8; expedition to Newbury, March 11-13; battle of Newbern, March 13-14; discharged on surgeon’s certificate at Newbern, North Carolina, May 21, 1862. He was made first lieutenant of Company G, Seventeenth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, September 17, 1862, and served in General J. F. Reynolds’ command during the invasion of Maryland by the Army of Northern Virginia, and was mustered out with company on September 28, 1862. He was second lieutenant of Company H, One Hundred and Seventy-fifth Regiment Pennsylvania Infantry, November 4, 1862, and resigned at Newbern, North Carolina, on account of ill health on January 16, 1863. His fifth and last engagement was as first lieutenant of Company I, Thirty-fourth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteer Militia, June 3, 1863, and he served in the army corps of the Susquehanna and the district of the Lehigh during the invasion of the north by the army of Northern Virginia. This regiment was held in reserve at the time of the battle at Gettysburg. He was mustered out with the company on August 24, 1863, at the expiration of the term. Henry Clay Hughes was married to Kate A. Longacre, December 25, 1871, by N. B. Durrell. Hannah Hughes, unmarried, died March 8, 1884. Catherine Dewees Hughes was married April 19, 1877, to Edmund M. Evans, son of David and Lavina Evans, by the Rev. J. P. Tustin. Their children are Benjamin H., Ray R. and May. William Corson Hughes, unmarried. Francis Wade Hughes, died at the age of five years, on May 7, 1860. Mary Ann Hughes, married Hubert O., son of Dr. Joseph and Hannah Blackfan, of Radnor, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, December 18, 1872, by the Rev. O. Perenchief.

John J. Hughes, son of Benjamin Bartholomew Hughes and his wife Mary Rambo, was born in Upper Merion, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania, January 12, 1830. He married Hannah, daughter of Hunter and Hannah Adams Brooke, of Gulf Mills, Pennsylvania, in May, 1851, by Mayor Henry of Philadelphia. They bought and moved to the farm “Wood Side,” vacated by the removal of his father to Bridgeport. He was interested in the digging of iron ore, and burned lime on the adjoining farm, “Walnut Grove,” for a period of two or three years, when he turned his attention to the cattle business in which he has been extensively engaged ever since. He is a vestryman of Christ Swedes church of Upper Merion. He has been a director of the People’s National Bank of Norristown, Pennsylvania, since its organization, and has served as vice-president about fifteen years. He is a Republican in his political views. In his young days he was very fond of sport, was often termed the “King” of fox hunters, kept good horses, had his kennel of hounds, and has held meets on his farm which have been attended by several hundred persons. Mr. Hughes and his family now reside in Norristown, Pennsylvania, whither they removed five years ago. The children of John J. and Hannah (Brooke) Hughes are as follows: J. Hunter Hughes; Mary, wife of Winfield S. Stacker; Nathan B.; Anna B., wife of Jonathan R. Tyson; Benjamin B.; Frances F., wife of J. Cloude Smith; and Charles C. Hughes.