Biographical Sketch of Caspar WISTAR (1881); Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Candace Roth 
<clroth1229@earthlink.net>.

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From THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope (1881);

pg. 770

WISTAR, Caspar, son of Hans Casper Wister, was born at Hilsbach, Germany, in 
1696.  Although prospective heir to a competency, he determined to come to 
America and seek his own fortune, leaving the paternal estate to younger members 
of the family.  He arrived at Philadelphia Sept. 17, 1717.  He married Katherine 
Johnson, May 25, 1726; and had seven children,-Richard, Margaret, Katherine, 
Joshua, Rebecca, Sarah and Caspar.  He brought to this country a revolving 
double-barreled gun, which is preserved by his descendants.  Not understanding 
the English language or pronunciation, he changed the terminal letters of his 
names from 'er' to 'ar.'  A younger brother, who followed him to this country, 
retained the original spelling of Wister, and their respective descendants are 
distinguished by this peculiarity.
  Caspar Wistar, Jr., born Feb. 3, 1740, married, Nov. 7, 1765, Maria Franklin, 
and had five children,-Thomas, Catharine, Sarah, Mary, and John, probably all 
born in New York.
  About the year 1784 this family came to Chester County and settled on a farm 
on the Brandywine, lately owned by John Entriken, deceased.  They were here 
members of Birmingham Friends' Meeting.  The ford and bridge at this place were 
long known as Wistar's.  Caspar died 10,31,1811, his son Samuel, 11,26,1812, and 
Thomas, 7,30,1814.  Sarah was married to George Pennock, 10,14,1790, and 
Catharine F. to Abraham Sharpless, 12,16,1802.  On the day appointed for the 
marriage of the daughter Sarah a violent storm raised the Brandywine so much as 
to prevent crossing to the meeting-house.  The dwelling-house being small, a 
meeting was held in the barn of Caspar Wistar, and the marriage solemnized 
there.