Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: October, 1958 Volume 10 Number 2, Pages 41–42

William Currie : 1710-1803

Page 41

William Currie, a young Scotch Presbyterian and e graduate of the University of Glasgow, came to the Colonies about 1730 as a tutor to one of the Carters of Virginia. The first official information we have of him, he was in charge of the Presbyterian congregation of New Castle, Delaware, while there he was led to withdraw from the Church of Scotland by Rev. George Ross and returned to London to be ordained in the Church of England.

Returning to this country, he became the Rector of Old St. Davids Church, Radnor, from 1737 - 1776, also having in his charge St. Peter's in the Great Valley and St. James, Perkiomen. At one time he served in Christ Church, Philadelphia, during the vacancy caused by the death of Rev. Archibald Cummings. He married the daughter of his friend, Rev. George Ross, Margaret Ross-Hackett, whose brother, George Ross, and brother-in-law, George Resde, were signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Rev. Currie educated a number of young men in his parish, besides his large family of children (six sons and one daughter), preparing them for college. His sermons and writings were printed and sold by Benjamin Franklin.

Page 42

Margaret Ross Hackett Currie died March, 1771, and was buried at Old St. Davids. On November 25, 1771, Rev. Currie married Mrs. Lucy Ann Godfrey-Jones, widow of David Jones, at Gloria Dei, Philadelphia, by Rev. Andrew Goeranson. Shortly afterward they moved to the farm located near Valley Forge, on the side of the North Valley Hill. It was here that Lord Stirling, General on Washington's staff, made his headquarters during the encampment at Valley Forge.

With the outbreak of the Revolution in 1775, Rev. Currie continued to use prayers for the King and Royal Family of England. In this he was upheld by his friend, William Moore, of Moore-Hall. His actions, however, were strenuously objected to by a large majority of the members of his three congregations, and in May, 1776, he presented his letters of resignation to the Wardens and Vestrymen of the three churches. He died in 1803 and is buried with his two wives in Old St. Davids' churchyard.

An interesting "tid-bit" from an old record says, "Rev. William Currie paid taxes in 1777 on 200 land - 1 negro - 1 horse - 1 teaspoon - 1 sugar dish & tongs - 3 tablespoons - 0 money".

When he died in 1803, his estate was valued at over £ 3,000, which was a goodly sum in those days.

(This information was obtained from Mrs. Andrew Y. Drysdale, of Norristown, a direct descendant of William Currie, and notes from the Church Historical Society of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.