Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Kinsey, William
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Joe Patterson, Patricia Bastik & Susan Walters Dec 2009

Source: History of Bucks County, Pennsylvania; edited by 
J.H. Battle; A. Warner & Co.; 1887
Bristol Township


WILLIAM KINSEY retired, P.O. Bristol, is a descendant of one 
of the earliest settlers of this state. The family was early 
divided into two branches; one engaged in iron-working and 
the other as workers in leather.  Of the former branch were 
the ancestors of our subject, and several of them were in 
the revolutionary war.  The first to settle in Bristol was 
Samuel, the son of a cotton manufacturer of Birmingham, 
England, who came here in 1728. He was a farmer.  His son 
was the great-grandfather of our subject, and was born in 
1755.  All of the family since then have been born here.  
William was born in November, 1804.  His early education was 
limited, but he has been a constant reader.  He worked in 
the cotton mill for a short time, but early in life learned 
the tradeoff a blacksmith, which he followed until 1850.  
Afterward he engaged in iron manufacturing for several 
years, subsequently dealing in real estate, acting as 
auctioneer, etc.  In 1829 he was married to Mary, daughter 
of Richard Gastine, whose family have been residents of 
Bucks county for three generations.  Their children were: 
Mary Anna, Caroline, Elizabeth, Margaret, Fanny and Samuel, 
deceased, who was a graduate of West Point.  Mr. Kinsey has 
held many public positions.  In 1829 he was elected high 
constable, serving six years; in 1836 chief burgess, holding 
the position for seven years; and in 1837 school director, 
serving twenty-four years.  In 1842 he was appointed 
assignee in bankruptcy for the county, and in March, 1845, 
was appointed postmaster, filling that office for four 
years.  In 1850 he was elected justice of the peace for five 
years.  As assignee, executor, and administrator he has 
settled about fifty estates.  In 1862 he was elected to the 
state senate for a term of three years, and proved himself 
an able speaker on the floor, besides serving on the 
committees of education, agriculture, domestic manufacture, 
etc.  On the call for troops to defend the state invasion, 
he assisted in raising a company and went into the service, 
receiving an honorable discharge at the close of his term.   
He is a frequent contributor to the newspapers and to local 
history.  He is the oldest Freemason in Bristol, and in 
politics is a democrat.