Israel Biddle

  General Notes:

Sharon Gregory, Family Tree: In addition to the children named, this tree suggests that there were three other children not identified.

Israel settled in Derry Township by 1790 with his brother Gershom, and in 1793 they obtained a joint patent there to 100 acres. He continued to live in Derry Township until his death. He was on the 1800 and 1810 census schedules, and the tax rolls for the years 1805 through 1817. His widow, Martha, is found of the later tax lists as well as the 1820 and 1830 census schedules.

In a letter to Henry A. Tredwell, Jr. of 28 Jan 1948, a Mr. Pitman states "Israel was born about 1766" and that he settled with his brother Gershom "in that part of Northumberland County, PA which became Derry Township, Columbia County, in 1790." David Cosper erroneously gives the date of his birth as about 1769 which is after the death of Jacob's father. Cosper's date of birth is based on a tombstone inscription listing that states "aged 47 years." This could be a misreading of the stone as "aged 49 years. Accordingly, we have adopted Mr. Pitman's estimate, plus one year.

Israel Biddle's land holdings were not as extensive as those of his brother Gershom. In addition to the 1793 grant, he bought 42 acres in 1803 and 79 acres from his brother in 1808. He was assessed for 245 acres in 1816 and 230 acres in 1817. Martha was assessed for 155 acres in 1820, and 125 acres later. No land sales related to his estate have been found. Letters on Israel Biddle's estate were granted 28 Mar 1817 to Gershom and Joseph Biddle with Clark Dildine and Ferdinand Ritter as securities. The appraisal on his estate amounted to $1,860.64, and was taken on 20 Mar 1817 by Isaac Hendershot and Harmon Dildine. It included household items, farm implements, six horses and several cattle among other livestock. A total of 34 receipts were filed by 28 Sep 1828, including those signed by relatives Israel Ludlow, Peter Cosper, John Biddle, Elias Cosper and Gershom Biddle.

Richart Family Notes: The Jim Lindsley farm and the Israel Biddle farm were across the road from one another. Miss Ethel Lindsley told me once years ago, at the time of the Golden Wedding [Anniversary] of Ira Biddle (son of Israel Biddle, Jr.) that she (Ethel) was the same relation to Ira Biddle as I was, but on the mother's side of the house. Miss Ethel Lindsley [in 1950] lives in Clinton, MI.

The estate was apparently not settled quickly, for in 1823 two sons in Michigan gave power of attorney to Clark Dildine of Columbia County to represent their interests.

Edwin Bedell, Descendants of John Bedell, p i. of the Appendix, erroneously states the following under Jeremiah [rather than Jacob Bedell: "As yet I have not been able to find a connection between Jeremiah and John Bedell, or any trace of the branch since, except that an Israel Bedell, who was contemporaneous, if not he, with Israel, the second son of Jeremiah. He lived on the Bowling Green, in New York City, and was buried at Elizabethtown, N. J., which is pretty strong evidence that his family came from that section. He was married twice, his second wife being a sister of the late Right. Rev. Dr. Moore, Bishop of Virginia. His grandson is the Right Rev. Gregory Thurston Bedell, present Bishop of the Diocease of Ohio." While they were contemporaries, Israel Biddle is not the same person as Israel Bedell whose grandson was Rev. Gregory Thurston Bedell.

  Noted events in his life were:

1. Residence, 1800, Derry Township, Columbia County, Pennsylvania.

Israel married Martha Lowery in 1790. (Martha Lowery was born about 1773, died on 23 Apr 1836 and was buried in Derry Presbyterian Churchyard, Anthony Township, Montour County, Pennsylvania.)