Bucks County PA Archives Biographies.....Worth, James
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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
Middletown Township


   JAMES WORTH (deceased) was born in Kent county, Maryland, 
February 22, 1775.  His parents were Jonathan and Lalethea 
Worth.  His ancestors were among the prominent citizens of 
the state of Delaware, and were of English and Dutch origin. 
 The Worth family were prominent in the revolutionary war.  
He came to Philadelphia when 14 years of age, and for six 
years was engaged as clerk in a dry goods store.  In 1796 he 
embarked in the hardware business and met with marked 
success.  In 1812 he bought a farm of three hundred acres of 
land in Middletown, and in 1813 he moved there.  It was 
built at great cost, is named "Sharon," and is one of the 
most beautiful places in Bucks county.  Mr. Worth was a 
thorough agriculturist and a frequent contributor to 
scientific journals.  He was a writer of acknowledged 
ability.  He was three times married.  By his first wife he 
had one child, Mary E., who married Greenburry Ridgely, an 
Episcopal minister.  He established the church at Newtown 
and one at Hulmeville and at Yardley.  In early life Mr. 
Ridgely was a lawyer, and was a partner with Hon. Henry 
Clay, of Kentucky.  Mr. Worth's second wife died without 
issue.  His third wife, who now resides on the Sharon farm, 
was born in Philadelphia, November 24, 1802.  She was the 
daughter of Andrew Thatcher.  Her parents were of English 
descent and her mother was a member of the Society of 
Friends.  Her marriage to Mr. Worth was a happy one.  She 
had one child, Millementa Comegys Worth, who is now the wife 
of Henry Clay Thornton, an attorney by profession.  Mr. and 
Mrs. Thornton have two children:  Henry Worth Thornton and 
Margaret.