Rev William Dean, III

Came from North of Ireland to America in 1739 or 40. Where he was educated is not known. He probably received his academical training in his native country, and his theological under the direction of the Tennets…. During his connection with the congregation at the Synod of New Brunswick, Mr. Dean resided in a house which stood a short distance east of the dwelling of Mr. Francis Growe, in West Nantmeal Township. That house, which, like all in the neighborhood, was built of unhewn logs, the members of this church caused to be wainscoted and weather-boarded…. Dean left a widow, four sons, Joseph, Benjamin (who died when near his majority), William, John and a daughter Sarah. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Dean resided some years on the farm which they had patented, but probably on account of the education of her children, removed to Philadelphia. {ref: HISTORY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN “THE FORKS OF BRANDYWINE”, pgs 73-78 & 218-219}

In October 1742, Rev. William Dean was licensed, having been received as a candidate in the preceding August, and he was sent to Neshaminy and Forks. In the next May, Forks, with Brandywine and Cape May, presented calls for Mr. Dean, and Newcastle Presbytery requested that he might be joined to them. He declined the three invitations and the Presbytery sent him to Forks and Pequea. In the fall of 1743, Campbell and Beatty of Neshaminy went, as supplies to Forks, and the latter, with Dean, went thither in the ensuing summer. William Dean settled in Newcastle Presbytery, and was sent by the Synod in 1746, with Mr. Byram, on a mission to Virginia. President Davies says there was an extensive revival under their labors in Augusta County. Mr. Dean just before his death, in 1747, was called to Timberridge and Forks of James River. {Ref: “The Penn Germania”, Vol. 1, Jan-Dec 1912, pg. 634, from article “ The Irish Settlement in the Forks of the Delaware”; this article was previously published in “The Presbyterian” of July & August 1847}

BRANDYWINE MANOR: ecclesiastically known as Forks of Brandywine, but called in common parlance Brandywine Manor, constituted in early times a part of what is now Upper Octorara. The first pastor of the separate congregation was Rev. Samuel Black, who was installed Nov. 10, 1736, and was pastor until May 1741. In the latter year occurred the schism in the Presbyterian Church which divided it into “Old Side” and “New Side”, and this church became divided, and a second house of worship was erected by those of the “New Side”. Rev. Adam Boyd ministered to those of the “Old Side” from the separation until the settlement of Rev. William Dean, which was about 1743. Mr. Dean died July 9, 1748. {Ref: Futhey, J. Smith & Cope, Gilbert: HISTORY OF CHESTER CO PA, 1986, pg. 253}

Shortly before death, purchased land in Borden grant (area in Upper Shenandoah Valley, chiefly Rockbridge Co.VA, totaling 500,000 acres) and on Jackson’s River: this latter place fell to William Jr., who sold it to his brother John.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 9 2023, 0:21:52 UTC