Biography: William Hastings: Washington County, Pa., Contributed by Michael Hastings mike hastings Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/washington/ _______________________________________________ Below is the "Biography Sketch" of William Hastings, husband of Mary Hastings of Amwell. They were most likely relatives to our Samuel Hastings 1 and Thomas Hastings.William's biography was found in a 2 volume book series at the LDS center in Los Angeles, that compiled the biographies of prominent citizens of Washington County, Pennsylvania in the 1800's....Enjoy! The question that arises from his biography, however, is that William is from English descent, not Irish. If William is the brother of Samuel and Thomas or a relative, as it seems to appear, then we have more investingating to do...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------- William P. Hastings, proprietor of one of the leading hardware stores in Washington, is of English descent, his paternal grandfather having emigrated from the "Old Country" to America, making a settlement in Washington, this county, where he followed the trade of saddler, and passed the rest of his life. He had children, of whom John C. is deceased: William (now deceased) lived in Brownsville, this county: Samuel died in Indiana: Henderson is deceased; daughter Mary is wife of Hiram Swart of Amwell Township; Nancy is deceased. John C. Hastings was born in Washington, this county, in 1818, and received his education at the local schools. He commenced life a poor boy, and when but 8 years of age began to work in Johnathan Martin's fulling mill, but later was employed on the National pike under this same Martin, who was one of the contractors. He learned the carpenter's trade with Joshua Martin, a brother of the above-mentioned Martin, and followed the trade until 1848, when he was appointed clerk in the post-office under Johnathan Leet. In 1850, he opened on his own account a grocery store, where Brady's jewelry store now stands, and in 1860 formed a partnership with R.F. Stream in hardware and agricultural implements. He bought Stream's interest in 1869, and in 1871, he removed the hardware business to the store his son, William P., now keeps. In 1878, he associated the latter with him, which alliance continued until the father's death April 16th, 1888, he then being 77 years old. He was originally a democrat, but in in 1856 became a Republican: in religion, he was a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Hastings was twice married, first to a daughter of James Nichol, of Washington County, whose immediate ancestry were agriculturists in the early days of the county. In 1852, Mr. Hastings married Miss Hannah, daughter of Huston Paul, and two children were born to them: William P and Anna G., wife of W.S.Harrah of Allegheny. William P Hastings (Jr) was born at Washington, Penn, March 22, 1853. He recieved a liberal education at the common schools of the borought, and in 1870 commenced clerking in his fathers store: In 1878, he was admitted as a partner, as already related. He was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of A.B. Ashbrook, of Buffalo township in 1875, and two bright boys have come to bless their home: Harry, born 1877 and William, born 1883. Mr. Hastings is one of the well known and enterprising young business men of Washington and represents a family whose progressiveness and integrity have never been questioned. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let's make sense of this letter by putting everything in order: William P. Hastings married Mary___-Hastings of Amwell (we don't know maiden name) John C. Hasings (their son) was born in 1818 and lived untill 1888. John C. Hastings married twice: John + Miss Nichol / John + Hannah Paul John C. Hastings and Hannah Paul had 2 children: William P. Hastings ( 1853- ) and Anna G. Hastings Anna married W.S. Harrah William P. Hastings married Sarah Ashbrook and had 2 children: Harry Hastings(1877- ) and William Hastings (1883- ) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- The reason I spelled all of this out is because there is a "will" of William Hastings in the archives at the LDS center. The will was made in apx 1890, so it probably was made by the son of John C. Hastings who was born in 1853. The earlier William (possible brother of Samuel Hastings 1 and Thomas) would have been to old and over 100 to have made the will in 1890. William's will, when uncovered probably will not tell us very much information about our family line (Samuel's line), but I will look at it anyway.