BIO: William Radcliff DeWITT, Dauphin County, PA

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Commemorative Biographical Encyclopedia of Dauphin County, 
Containing Sketches of Representative Citizens, and Many of the 
Early Scotch-Irish and German Settlers.  Chambersburg, Pa.: 
J. M. Runk & Company, 1896, pages 262-263.
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  DeWITT, WILLIAM RADCLIFF, the son of John DeWitt and Katharine Van 
Vliet, was born at Paulding's Manor, Dutchess county, N.Y., on the 25th 
of February, 1792.  His ancestors were among the first immigrants from 
Holland to New Netherlands, in 1623.  His early years were spent in 
commercial pursuits, but about 1810 he turned his attention to the 
sacred ministry.  He studied with Dr. Alexander Proudfit, of Salem, 
N.Y., and entered Washington Academy.  The war of 1812 interrupting his 
studies, he volunteered in the regiment of Colonel Rice, and was in 
service at Lake Champlain at the time of McDonough's victory, September 
11, 1814.  After the close of the war, in 1815, he entered Nassau Hall, 
Princeton, as a sophomore, but subsequently entered the senior class of 
Union College, Schenectady, where he graduated with distinction, 
completing his theological studies under Rev. Dr. John M. Mason, of New 
York.  He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of New York April 
23, 1818.  In the fall of that year he came to Harrisburg by 
invitation, and was called to the pastorate of the Presbyterian church 
October 5, 1818.  He was received by the Presbytery of Carlisle April 
13, 1819, but not ordained until the 26th of October, that year.  Dr. 
DeWitt received the degree of A.M. in course from Union College, and in 
1838 the University of Pennsylvania conferred on him the title of 
Doctor of Divinity.  From 1854 to 1860 he held the office of State 
librarian, appointed by Governors Bigler and Pollock.  In 1854 felt the 
necessity of taking a colleague, Rev. T. H. Robinson, D.D.  He died at 
Harrisburg, December 23, 1867, in his seventy-sixty year.  Dr. DeWitt 
was twice married, his first wife being Julia Woodhull, daughter of 
Rev. Nathan Woodhull, of Newton, L.I.  His second wife was Mary 
Elizabeth Wallace, daughter of William Wallace, of Harrisburg, who 
survived her husband.  During a ministry of nearly fifty years in 
Harrisburg, Dr. DeWitt enjoyed the confidence of all his ministerial 
brethren.  In the community he was greatly appreciated and respected by 
all classes.  As a theologian he had few equals in the ministry, and 
although firm and decided in his views, he was liberal and catholic in 
spirit.  His published writings were limited to twelve or thirteen 
pamphlets, the most popular of which was a small volume entitled "Her 
Price above Rubies."  He preached many powerful discourses, a volume of 
which should certainly be preserved in permanent form.