Wilmington daily commercial., 1874-12-08
Obituary.
JOSEPH BANCROFT

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The brief announcement of tue death of Jo-
seph Bancroft printed in a late edition of last
evenings COMMERCIAL, was road by many of his
friends with feelings of surprise as well pain
for Notwithstanding the critical condition in
which he had been lying for several weeks, and
the steady progrsss Of his malady, he had, for
DAY or two previously seemed to be somewhat
more comfortable. After being very low, during
several days of last week, he was regarded as
rather better, the day before his death.
Friend Bancroft was one of our most excel
lent citizens. Neither ambitious OF distinction
nor no engaged es to attract public attention, he
spent much of his life in doing good, giving his
lime, his means, his influence, aud his persua-
=lon all literally and practically to that end.
Born at Manchester, England, in 1903, of parents
IN membership with the Society of Friends, he
was, throughout his long life of more than
three-score aud ten years, an earnest member of
that Society, devoted to its principles
with warmth now seldom found in
1t, appearing AZ Il preacher i'll the meetings
for worship, for many years, and lately deyoting
himself with great earnestnesa To the work of
leconciling and uniting the two divisions of the
Society Of Friends, known as 'Orthodox, and
p" Hicksite. At the time of the " Separation,
III 1927, he renamed with the latter, and his
membership, in Wilmington, with the meet
ing at 4th and West Streets Iu the pursuit of
his Jealous effort to heal the long existing
breach he has travelled extensively, visiting
many localities, and personally urging Friends to
willingness for reunion. Within year, he
published volume, entitled " Persuasive to
Unity, " bearing on this subject and he had
previously written nnmber OF tracts and short
presentations Of his views,
Besides his unobtrusiye excellence as a citizen
his earnest and practical philanthropy, aud his
Jealous efforts in behalf of Quaker Unity, Friend
Bancroft has the record of most Industrious
and persevering manufacturer, achieving solid
and ample degree of success, and leaving behind
him large estate and very extensive busi-
ness. He came of a family and from a commn-
ulty famous for spinning and weaving aud for
Just fifty years had been manufacturer on
che Brandywine. His parents, John and Eliza
beth Bancroft, were of a Lancashire family and
Jacob Bright the father of the distinguished
English statesman John Bright and of the present
Jacob Bright, was his uncle. To him, Joseph
was apprenticed at the age OF fourteen, having
previously received his education at Ackworth, a
Friends school, At the age of twenty-one, his
apprenticeship completed, he came at once,
(l52i,) to this country, whittier his father and
other members of the family had preceded him
aud Joined them in the enterprise of manutac-
turing flannel in mill at the Northwest cor
nor of the bridge over the Brandywine, on Mar
bet st., building which was destroyed
BY fire only few years ago Remain
ing with them for year or two, ht
then superintended the large cotton factor,
of William Young, located on the Brandywln'
where Jessup Il Moores Rockland paper mill
now stand In 1881, he purchased the propert,
where he has since carried on business, know
as Rockford" about mile up the Brandywine
above the city limits. This was the place of al
old ford across the stream, and hence the name
The property had been owned by corporation
called the sRockford Manufacturing Company,
which held large area OF land besides, includ
ing the site of the now extensive mills of til
Mcssrs. Riddle, but it's operations proved unsuc
ssssful, and the sale was made TO Friend Ban
croft as stated 1t included small woollen mill
two houses, stable, and about seventy-hv
acrea of the land.
From this purchase has been developed YER
handsome and valuable property. Large an
convenient factories have been erected and th
manufacture eof finely finished cotton goods
carried on in all its branches, including spinning
weaving bleaching and finishing. The exec
ienee OF the work, especially in the beacher
has brought thousands of pieces OF goods fror
the best mills of New England to pass throug
that department, ut Bancrofts', and this perfet
ton of results is largely due to the solid qnal
ties of Joaeph's character. which led him to al
precate and seek the best work. Passing throug
the panics of 1887 and 1857, without misfortune
though not without severe struggles, in th
former, and in 1885, when food did grei
damage to his property he adhered strictly to
liberal policy of dealing with his employees pa.
ing them in cash instead OF store ORDERS" Gu
tivating friendly relations with thom, and esta
iiHhing, in later years, free readng-roOm al
library for their benefit. Under this polio
strikes have been unknown in the history Of h
business career, and his mills have seldom ceas
work.
Iu establishing his business, and afterwal
Friend Bancroft had been literally aided
Thomas Janvier, of New Castle Hundred, and
repeated him 4olf, this excellent example, ofte
by aiding Young men to begin business and a
sisting them through difficulties, rendering tt
help IN quiet and unassuming, bnt practlc
manner. In this. as in all the other mantle
lations of his character he showed its Aimplcil
earnestness, and true philanthropy.
His illness, which proceeded from dlsea
VI the kidneys, has been severe for sever
thu H., aran ri Of tla Summer
the mountains in North Eastern Pennsyly Ivan
tut obtained no permanent relief, and since |
turning home, has gradually grown worse, l
til the end came, a fnalty to which none
more resigned, and for it we think, few bet
prepared.