Biographical Sketch of Stephen Webb SAVERY (1904); Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by John Morris . *********************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: Printing this file within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. http://www.usgwarchives.net/ *********************************************************************** "Historical Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of Chester and Delaware Counties, Pennsylvania", Vol. 2, edited by Gil- bert Cope and Henry Graham Ashmead, Lewis Publishing Company, New York, 1904, pp. 382-4. "STEPHEN W. SAVERY, one of the leading farmers of Chester county, is de- scended on the paternal side from ancestors who were residents of Phila- delphia, his grandfather, Thomas Savery, having been a carpenter and builder in that city, and at the time of the yellow fever epidemic he was one of the heroic few who were active in caring for the sick. Thomas Savery was descended from a family of French extraction. In 1795, he married Rebecca Scattergood, and they were the parents of the following children: 1. Sarah, who died young; 2. William, who married Rebecca Cresson, of Philadelphia; 3. Mary, who married Thomas Scattergood; 4. Thomas, mentioned at length hereinafter; 5. Elizabeth. Mr. Savery died in 1817, at the age of sixty-seven years. His widow survived him nearly forty years, dying in 1856, at an advanced age. "Thomas Savery, son of Thomas and Rebecca (Scattergood) Savery, was reared to his father's trade, but later engaged in the lumber business with his brother William. This he followed successfully until 1845, when his health failed, and he lived retired until 1854. He then removed to a farm in Chester county, which came to his wife from her father, Stephen Webb, and upon which he spent the remainder of his days. He was deeply inter- ested in educational and religious affairs, and was a member of the build- ing committee of the Westtown Boarding School, and clerk at the Friends' Monthly Meeting in Philadelphia and Kennett Monthly Meeting. He married Hannah H. Webb, born in 1810, daughter of Stephen and Mary (Harvey) Webb, and their family consisted of the following children: Stephen, mentioned at length hereinafter; Thomas, Sarah, Edward, William, deceased; Mary, deceased; Charles, deceased; and Elizabeth. Mr. Savery ended his long and useful life in March, 1860, and his wife survived him until August, 1890. "Stephen W. Savery, eldest child of Thomas and Hannah H. (Webb) Savery, was born August 27, 1835, in Philadelphia, and was educated in the schools of that city, and at Westtown Boarding School. He early evinced a prefer- ence for agricultural pursuits, and at the age of fifteen came to Chester county, to live with his uncle, Stephen Webb, with whom he remained three summers, and the fourth summer went to reside in the family of his grand- father Webb, whom he relieved of the responsibility and labor of farm management. In 1853 the death of his grandfather made it necessary for him to retain the charge of the Webb farm, and in 1854 his father, Thomas Savery, moved from Philadelphia to the farm, where he remained till he died in 1860. In 1873 his mother and sister removed to West Chester, and Mr. Savery continued to conduct the farm until 1892, when he bought the farm upon which he has since resided. "Mr. Savery was married, in 1873, to Miss Susanna Forsythe, daughter of William and Elizabeth P. (Pusey) Forsythe. Mrs. Savery is a lady of ex- cellent attainments, and has for many years been an active and influential leader in educational and benevolent affairs, and her great ability and usefulness find abundant attestation in the numerous important positions to which she has been called, and her long continuance therein. She has served most acceptably in that of school director for eight years, and her influence is clearly discernable in the increased efficiency of the schools since she first entered upon her duties. For five years she has served as chairman of the Chester County Women's Christian Temperance League, and for a considerable period as honorary president of the Chester County Needle- work Guild. She is also an active member of the Children's Aid Society, and is held in gratitude not only for her services in behalf of that bene- ficent organization, but for her aid in other humanitarian enterprises, and for her liberal personal benefactions. "Mr. and Mrs. Savery are the parents of six children - Susanna, deceased; Elizabeth, who is the wife of Charles Roberts, of West Chester; Charles W., who is engaged in the lumber business in North Carolina; Hannah E., Miriam F., and Walter Savery."