Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-18
THE WILLING FAMILY.
Its Early HiStory--Identlflod with Phiie-
dsIphIa since Colonial Times.


doIphIa since Colonial Times.
The family name Of Willing hos been as-
sociated with the annals Of Philadelphia
since colonial times and figured promi-
nently in the early days of the struggle for
national existence. Owing TO the circum-
stances that the Willings, like some
others who had much TO lose and nothing
particular that they could see 10 gain
in breaking away from the arrange
ment of kingly rule, we're fervent Tories,
they have not figured especially in the
political life of the American republic,
though they upheld for o long period a
strong social influence which was after
wards transferred and strengthened by
influential marriages abroad. While oriei-
nally merchants the Wlllings for several
generations have represented pre-emi-
nently in Philadelphia the aristocratic
sentiment, and with the strong support re-
Ceiyed IN various quarters have continued
toretain a considerable influence even while
living abroad and leaving their property in
the care of agents. II was q grandfather
of the present Edward S. Willing who
voted against the Declaration of Independ-
ence and since then the family traditions
have been upheld. Louis Philippe, of Or
leans, during his exile and before he was
king was resident in the Willing house
hold. During and before the war the Will
lings sympathized with the South, as for
generations they had been slave-owners.
AS among the first promoters of the dancing
assemblies and otherwise in social life they
have always held position in prestige sec
ond TO none.
ENGLISH ASSOCIATIONS.
II is curious, in view of the later aristo-
cratic tendencies of the family, that the
first Willing in PENNSYLVANIA, Thomas;
who went there first in 172O and stayed
five years and then returned and
brought his son Charles over. was de-
scended from Joseph Willing, whose son
married q granddaughter of General
Thomas Harrison, a majors general in
CromwelPs army. so that IN this way the
Vikings and Harrisons now in the White
House are connected, though the relation
ship has never been acknowledged. This
General Harrison not only was one of the
court that tried King Charley, Of which his
wife's father was also a member, but he
was the one who superintended the execu-
tion. Thus the family that had once been
instrumental in getting rid OF king after
wards befriended king.
The name of Ava Lowle, borne by the
bride of yesterday, is the name of the wife
married by Joseph Willing In England
over two hundred years ago. She was well
born, with long Saxon ancestry, and had
O good estate, and it is the Lowle arms and
crest that the Willing family now uses.
MATERNAL CONNECTIONS.
Mrs. Edward 6. Willing, the brides
mother, is daughter of DIR. j. Rhea Barton
by his first wife. who was MISS Fraser. In
this way Mrs. Willing IS related TO Mrs.
Richard J.. Ashhurst and Mrs. Ashhursts
brother, Dr.. Persifor Fraser. They are her
cousins There we're two children-Allce,
who married Edward S. Willing, and Frank
Barton. who owns a house adjoining the
Aidine Hotel in Philadelphia, and spends
most of his time in Paris.
Although in no way related through DR..
Barton's second marriage, Mr.. Astor also
has many other important family connec-
tions in this country and abroad. When
DIR. Barton married q second time Mrs.
Rotch, o widow Of New Bedford, that lady
took a great fancy TO the two children by
his former marriage, and when she died
left them her immense fortune. Mrs.
Rotch was one of the children of Jacob
Ridgeway, the Others being Phoebe Ann.
who married DR.. Rush and was hefamous
Madame Rush, of Philadelphia; and
John Jacob, who married Edward =. VIII
hng's sister, who was Elizabeth Willing,
the greatest beauty Of her day: That was
another brilliant Willing wedding. But
while Mrs. Willing gets all her fortune
from the Ridgway estate, she IS not related
TO that family in any way, nor to Madame
Rush. The mother of Miss Ridgway, who
was DIR. Barton's second wife, was Rebecca
RaWle. By his last marriage DR. Barton
had no children. He was himself distln-
guished surgeon aud botanist, wrote seYe-
raj books, and was the son of aQriet Penn
svlyania CLERGYMAN.