Branch No. 8

 

 

Branch 8 Captain: None at this time.  Volunteer Needed.
......................................................................................................................................................
LAST NUMBER USED: 72
......................................................................................................................................................

See History of the Allision Family from Ireland to Pennsylvania.  http://archive.org/details/historyofalisono00morr




1 JAMES (1) LATTA


Born in No. of Ireland between 1690-1700. In winter of 1738 he came to America.   The vessel was wrecked and his records lost.   Rev. Robert P. Du Bois later wrote a sketch of the life of Rev. James Latta (his father-in-law, and son of James (1) Latta above, where he stated that "the vessel in which they sailed from Ireland was wrecked upon the American coast, and the family records being then lost, the exact date of his birth is not known."  Du Bois further stated that "they settled near Elkton, Maryland, and are believed to have been connected with the Elk River Congregation - now called "the Rock." He once, in riding by a graveyard belonging to that church, pointed it out to a daughter who was with him, as the place where his parents were buried."  Regarding the shipwreck, Du Bois stated "During the three days and nights that he remained with others on board the foundering vessel, before they could be relieved - so remarkable was his attachment to his Bible, that he kept it continually under his arm."

Issue 51:  Shipwreck Story Proven True, by Sue Lattea Cox, Br. 17 - I was recently searching through the older published books on http://archive.org/ looking for information on the early settlers in Pennsylvania. I came across a letter written by Rev. Robert P. DuBois, containing a sketch of the life and character of Rev. James Latta. Rev. DuBois was married to Jane H. Latta, daughter of John Ewing Latta, who was the son of James Latta. Rev. DuBois had a brother named Charles E. DuBois who was an attorney. He married Mary Smith Latta, a sister to Jane H. Latta. The DuBois families both lived in Doylestown, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Rev. DuBois stated in his letter, written May 9, 1850, that James Latta was born in Ireland in the winter of 1732. His family was Protestant, of the Scotch Irish Presbyterian stock. His mother's maiden name was Alison, and she was related to the Rev. Dr. Francis Alison. Nothing more is know of the family in Ireland. His parents migrated to this country when he was about six or seven years of age, bringing him with them. (This would be Branch 8, the year about 1738 or 1739) The vessel in which they sailed from Ireland was wrecked upon the American coast, and the family records being then lost, the exact date of his birth is unknown. During the three days and nights that he remained with others on board the foundering vessel, before they could be relieved, so remarkable was his attachment to his Bible, that he kept it continually under his arm. He seemed to think that the most precious of his treasurers, and if he should go down, that he must carry it with him. Rev. DuBois noted in his letter that he had gathered his information from Rev. Latta's son and other family members. Rev. DuBois noted Rev. Latta's fine character, and that all of his sons became Presbyterian ministers as well.

 

Married:{ His 2nd wife ?}: Mary Alison, a sister of Rev. Francis Alison. {Please read the end notes}, a noted divine and pastor at New London, Chester Co., Pa.  She was born at Lac, Ireland. He settled near Elkton, Maryland about 1740 and he and his wife were buried in the Rock Church Presbyterian burial ground near Elkton. The children were old enough to make a choice, they did not settle in Maryland with their families -- Mary A. A. Latta Jones, daughter of 11 William S. Latta, born in north of Ireland between 1690-1700.

C.B. Springer, great grandson of Sarah Latta, his granddaughter, writes: "The history of the old Rock church in Cecil Co., Md. says that without a doubt the parents of the noted James Latta were members of that church and are buried in ground belonging to that church at Lewisville, Pa." This does not agree with the above. Miss Allison was his second wife. He had one child, James. He had four sons by his first wife. One of them settled in Westmoreland Co., Pa., one in Ohio and one or two in N.C. Mrs. Katharine C. Malone, daughter of William Wilson Latta, writes: "The only one I ever heard of speak of my great grandfather's half brothers was my father's eldest sister. She seems to have been in the home of her grandmother and maiden aunts than any of the other grandchildren, and taking greater interest in family affairs than the others. She was recognized as an authority in such matter." She also says that tradition said the Latta's fled from France like so many of the protestants after the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, first going to Scotland, then to Ireland and then to America. She thinks that James was taken by Dr. Francis Alison, who she always understood was a brother of his mother. James was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Rev. S. A. McPherson of Wazahachie, Texas branch No. 19 writes: "The history of James Latta, one of five brothers, is well authenticated (He lost the proof.) He had four sons by his first wife, William, Samuel, Thomas and John. After her death he married Mary Alison and had one son, James. Sailing from Ireland, they were shipwrecked near Elkton, Md. 1738. His family records were lost. One of the five brothers, Robert, possibly two of them, went to Orange Co., N.C. soon after arriving. A second or third son, Thomas, came in 1760 or 1775. One, name unknown, father of Matthew Latta (Is this M. Latta who died in Cecil County, MD in 1750?) remained in Maryland with James, who with his wife was buried near Elkton, Md.   James, the six year old boy, grew up and went to school in Pennsylvania and became a prominent Presbyterian minister. After being licensed he was appointed by the Synod to work half a year among the vacant churches of Carolina. He was ordained in 1759. His half brother, John, had gone to Orange Co., N.C. probably with the first emigrants to that section. He accumulated property rapidly and in the crisis after the battle at Guilford Court House, March 15, 1781, he furnished the Militia of the State with supplies and cash amount to L572. See note in branch No. 15.

Children by first "Unknown wife":
15 SAMUEL (2) No History (Could this be Samuel #1 of Branch 45?)
16 WILLIAM (2) No History (Could this be William #1 of Branch 1?)
17 THOMAS (2) No History (Is this Thomas #1 of Branch 7?)
18 JOHN (2) No History; according to DNA tests on a Branch 8 member and a Branch 17 member, there is a 97.78% chance that the two men are related at the 12th generation, making this John Latta, the John Latta who married Mary Dougherty of Lancaster County, PA.

Child of his 2nd Wife:
2 JAMES (2) born in Ireland in 1732; d. January 29, 1801 in Pleasant Level, PA.

 



 2 JAMES (2) LATTA


James (1). Born No. of Ireland in 1732. He came to America with his parents in 1738. Fell from a carriage at Pleasant Level, Pa. and d. January 29, 1801.  Married: Mary McCalla, daughter of Capt. William McCalla of Plumbstead, Bucks Co., Pa. February 26, 1765 in Bucks Co. (Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. II) She was born in 1744 and died February 22, 1810. James and Mary Latta are buried in the Chestnut Level Cemetery. Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church is located at the intersection of Chestnut Level and River Roads west of Pennsylvania Highway 272 in the southern part of Lancaster County, near Hensel, about 8 miles north of the PA/MD state line. He had a French Bible that he used in preference to an English Bible. He was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1757, being the first class that graduated from that university. (See copy of diploma below) He studied for the ministry and spent most of his life near Philadelphia. Licensure reported in 1766. He was granted the title of D.D. probably by the University of Pennsylvania in 1799 and was the third Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church in the United States. He was quite prominent in the Revolutionary war and was called the "Fighting Parson". He took a deep interest in the cause of American liberty and firmly and zealously espoused the cause by word and deed. He stimulated his people to defend their rights and once in the course of the war, when an unusual number were drafted to serve in the Militia, took his blanket and knapsack like a soldier and accompanied them on the campaign. He also served as a chaplain. The records show that one James Latta served in said war as a chaplain in Capt. Thomas Whitesides Company, 2d Battalion of Lancaster Co. Militia commanded by Col. Thomas Porter. His name appears on an updated roll of the company for the period of December 14 to December 25. Year not stated. See Vol. 23, p. 464 Pennsylvania Archives, Series 3. Also see History of James Latta, Gen. of No. Pennsylvania Vol. 3, page 40. Colonial and Revolutionary families of Pennsylvania, Vol. 3. Dr. Latta entered College of Philadelphia now University of Pennsylvania in 1754. Graduated 1757. Tutored there from 1756 to 1759. During that period studied theology under Dr. Francis Wilson and in 1758 was licensed to preach by Presbytery of Philadelphia. In 1759 ordained and appointed to minister to scattered and destitute settlements in Virginia and Carolinas. In 1761 was pastor of Deep Run, Bucks Co., Pa. Presbyterian Church until 1770, then he resigned to take charge of the church at Pleasant Level, Lancaster Co., Pa. until his death. In a book called "Reports From Early Presbyterian Churches" located at the Presbyterian Historical Society, Vol II, No 5, p. 227 it states  of his ministry at Deep Run "By his faithful and able and faithful ministrations the Church, which has suffered much during the vacancy off the pulpit, revived, and nearly recovered its losses, consisting at that time of more than sixty families.  The foolish interference and rash speeches of a few weak people respecting Mr. Lata's marriage causing some disturbance in the place, he sought and obtained a dismission on the 12th of April 1770.  The same year he became the pastor of the Church of Chestnut Level where he continues to adorn the Christian and ministerial characters."  It is assumed that many of the "weak people" did not agree with his marriage to Mary McCalla, as her father, Capt. William McCalla ran a tavern in the town of Plumstead, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  During the war, his tavern "2nd Plough Tavern" was a forging station with a picket for the Continental Army.  McCalla was assistant forage master for Bucks County and also held a contract to quarter horses for the army during the winter.  He was in charge of the Plumstead Militia, 7th Co., 2nd Battalion, formed in 1775.

He was one of the most ardent of patriots urging the cause in and out of the pulpit. Entered the military service as a private and later as chaplain of Col. Thomas Coock's Battalion of Lancaster Co. Militia in 1776.

His four sons, Francis, William, John and James, were ministers of the Presbyterian Church. See Appleton's Cyc. Am. Biog. Vol. 3, p. 128. Also see Lineage Book D.A.R. Vol. 23, p. 141, and National Members 22407 and 9829, D.A.R. Vol. 10, p. 293, and Vol. 22, p. 288. Rev. Robert P. DuBois who married his granddaughter, has written an interesting history of Rev. James Latta which was reprinted in Philadelphia in 1901 by William J. Latta, a descendant. LATTA -- Genealogy of Northern Pennsylvania, Vol. 3, page 40. Rev. James Latta, D.D. b. North of Ireland 1732. Located at Pleasant Level. Established a school which was acquiring considerable celebrity as an educational institute when its progress was arrested by the Revolutionary War. With the beginning of the struggle for national independence Dr. Latta became one of the most ardent patriots, entered military service as a private and later as a Chaplain of Col. Thomas Gooch's Battalion of Lancaster Co., Militia in 1776. He was the author of "Psalmody" and various other published writings. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Pennsylvania.

LATTA, James, clergyman, born in Ireland in 1732; died in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, 29 January, 1801. At an early age he emigrated to this country with his parents, who settled near Elkton, Maryland He was graduated at the College of Philadelphia in 1757, and became tutor there, while he studied theology with Dr. Francis Alison. He was licensed by the presbytery of Philadelphia in 1758, ordained in 1759, and appointed to the destitute settlements of Virginia and Carolina. In 1761 he became pastor of a church in Deep Run, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, but he resigned in 1770 to accept the charge of Chestnut Level, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania Here he established a school, which was acquiring celebrity when its progress was arrested by the Revolution. During the war he served as soldier and chaplain in the American army. He published several sermons and a pamphlet showing that the principal subjects of psalmody should be taken from the gospel.

Rev. James Latta, D.D., Moderator of the General Assembly in 1793, and father of four sons who entered the ministry, the Revs. William, Francis, James and John E. Latta, the last of whom was for a considerable time permanent clerk of the General Assembly. James Latta, D.D. (1732-1801)

"He was born in Ireland, in the Winter of 1732. His parents migrated to this country when he was about six or seven years of age. He graduated from the College of Philadelphia, at the first Commencement of this Institution, and as a proof of his high standing there, has assigned to him, on that occasion, the salutatory oration in Latin. He was Tutor in the college for a few years, during which he studied theology under the Provost, Rev. Dr. Francis Alison, and was licensed to preach the gospel, February 15th, 1758, by the Presbytery of Philadelphia. He was ordained by the same Presbytery in October, 1759, and, by direction of Synod, spent some time in a mission to the then destitute settlements of Virginia and Carolina." The articles goes on to state that "One Sunday morning as Mr. Latta and his daughter, Mary, were riding to church he fell from his carriage on his head and was somewhat stunned. He said to his daughter, "I am killed, but do not tell your mother." He conducted the church service and returned home. Soon he fell into a condition which alarmed his daughter and she relayed the episode to Mother. In a few days he died. His tombstone in the old cemetery bears the inscription: "By his death society has lost an invaluable member, religion one of its brightest ornaments and the most amiable examples. His genius was masterly and his literature extensive. As a classical scholar he was equaled by few. His judgment was strong and penetrating, his taste correct, his style nervous and elegant. In the pulpit, he was a model, in the judiciaries of the church distinguished by his accuracy and precision. After a life devoted to his Master's service he rested from his labors lamented most by those who best knew his worth."

Mr. Latta was installed pastor of the congregation of Deep Run, in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in 1761, the charge of which he resigned in 1770. On the second Tuesday of November, 1771, he became pastor of the church of Chestnut Level, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania with this pastorate, and to aid in his support, he established a school, which was acquiring celebrity when its progress was arrested by the breaking out of the Revolutionary war. Subsequently the Principal of a school in the bounds of the congregation having been suddenly killed by a stroke of lightning, Mr. Latta was constrained to take charge of the school for a few years, and in it several distinguished men were educated. So deep was his interest in the cause of American liberty, that once, in the course of the war, when an unusual number of his people were drafted to serve in the militia, with a view to encourage them, he took his blanket and knapsack, like a soldier, and actually accompanied them on their campaign. At another time he served for a while in the army, as a Chaplain. He was a delegate to the meeting of the first General Assembly in 1789 for the Presbytery of New Castle.

Dr. Latta labored on in the ministry until very near the close of life. He died January 29th, 1801. As a teacher, he was remarkably well qualified. Without severity, he had the faculty of governing well, making his students both fear and love him.

REV. JAMES LATTA was pastor of Chestnut Level Presbyterian Church , and also principal for some years of an academy held there. His pastorate began in 1771, and covered a period of thirty years. When he was called to the charge his salary was fixed at £100 Pennsylvania currency, and this was never increased and sometimes was not paid in full. He manifested a deep interest in the cause of the American Independence. On one occasion he accompanied the soldiers on their campaign, and also acted as chaplain for some time. In 1785 he vigorously defended the church incorporation acts, and this action on his part incensed a number of the members of his congregation against him. He advocated the introduction of Watt's Psalmody in church service, but they were not adopted into general use, until years after his death. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Pennsylvania. His death occurred in January, 1801. Francis Latta, his son, was pastor of the same church from 1810 to 1825.

James Latta, D.D., 1771-1801 (July 1976)

The Colonial Presbyterians believed that the clery had a duty to teach as well as preach. Only through the knowedge of the Word could you live a porper life, thus when there was a church there was a school house by its side. Many pastors of this church were preacher-teachers, Dr. Latta being one.

The pastorate of Dr. Latta spans 30 years. While serving this church, the people in the community urgently requested him to open a school where they could educate their sons. He did, acquired celebrity, and soon needed an assistant. It is said that when news reach the school that the British had been defeated at Condord, many of the scholars and the assistant left the school and joined the Revolutionary Army. A number of them became distringuished officers. Dr. Latta went with men of the community on one campaign and also a chaplain during a part of the war. This resulted in the closing of the school. However, after the death of Sampson Smith in 1781, and the closing of his school, Latta again yielded to many requests and reopened the Latta school. It regained its prosperity and was continued by Francis Latta, a son, after his father's retirement. The income from this school enabled Latta to purchase a farm, erect a fine house upon it and support his large family of ten children in comfort. The school was carried on in this home about three miles west of Chestnut Level and still stand bearing a date stone with the initials JML and date 1785. It is said he had in the house a "dark room" which he used as a seclusion for disobedient scholars.

A History of the Rock Presbyterian Church by Rev. J. H. Johns (1872);
Cecil Co., MD, Copyright(c) 2003 by Stanley W. Cowan

Sons of this Church. This church has been singularly blessed in raising up young men for the ministry. The original Latta family, that afterwards became so noted for its learned and eloquent preachers, came from Ireland to this country, about 1739, and settled near Elkton. Its heads were no doubt members of this church. Their son said they were buried in the Stone Graveyard.

The Rev. James Latta was born in Ireland in 1732, and came to America with his parents. He studied under Dr. Allison [sic], at New-London, and most probably under Mr. McDowell, after the removal of the Synod’s school to this locality. He finally graduated at the University of Pennsylvania, and was licensed in 1758, by Presbytery of Philadelphia. He preached the Gospel for forty-three years, and thirty of those years he was pastor of the Chestnut-Level congregation. He was a fine scholar, eminent preacher and successful teacher. His four sons, Francis Allison, William, John Ewing, and James, were all distinguished ministers of the Gospel.

Children:
72 FRANCIS ALISON (3) b. April 27, 1766; d. April 23, 1834. Single. He was ordained as a Presbyterian minister on Nov. 23, 1796, and was a prominent teacher near Philadelphia. He was one of the early teachers of Dr. Haynes Agnew, M.D. the great surgeon. See "Life of Agnew" by J. Howe Adams, published by F.A. Davis Co., Philadelphia 1892. Rev. Latta pastored the Presbyterian churches at Wilmington, Delaware and afterwards at Chestnut Level, his father's former charge. From Futhey and Cope's THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY (1881); Rev. Francis A. Latta, the oldest son of Rev. Dr James Latta, was born April 27, 1766. He was ordained as a Presbyterian clergyman Nov. 23, 1796, and was pastor successively of Presbyterian churches in Wilmington, Del, and Lancaster and Chestnut Level, Pa, in which latter place he also maintained a classical school for many years. In the year 1826 he moved to Sadsbury twp, Chester Co, and established the Moscow Academy, a classical and literary institution, which flourished for some years. He was a man of remarkable well-cultivated mind, a poet of no mean order, a very superior classical and Hebrew scholar, and was one of the greatest instructors of his day. He was able to debate, discriminating and decided in judgment, and was a model in the pulpit. In his manners he was social and in his deportment humble and unostentatious. He died April 21, 1834.

Children:

3 WILLIAM (3) b. May 10, 1768 in Bucks Co., PA; d. February 19, 1847.
4 JOHN EWING (3) Born October 8, 1770; d. September 26, 1824.
20 JAMES (3) b. 1775; d. 1776.
5 JAMES (3) b. at Chestnut Level, in Lancaster Co., Pa. on June 10, 1787; d. May 30, 1862
19 MARY (3) b. January 26, 1773; d. August 2, 1837.
21 MARGARET (3) b. July 28, 1776; d. July 23, 1848.
22 ELIZABETH (3) b. 1779; d. 1780.
23 ELIZABETH (3) b. January 14, 1782; d. November 10, 1840.
24 SARAH (3) b. at Chestnut Level, Pa. July 29, 1784; d. May 10, 1869 at Loveville near Hockessin, Del; m. Rev. Thomas Love October 18, 1823 at New Castle, Del. He was born March 2, 1796 in Del.; d. December 22, 1879 at Loveville, Del. Both buried in cemetery at Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church, New Castle, Del. One child, Mary Elizabeth, b. October 25, 1828; m. Stephen Springer, farmer, of New Castle, Del. November 16, 1848; d. there March 22,1895. Their children were Rev. Thomas Love Springer b. August 25, 1849. Willard Springer b. August 28, 1851. Francis Latta Springer b. March 20, 1854. Idalette Springer b. March 2, 1856. Robert Springer b. March 2, 1859. Rev. Thomas Love Springer, Presbyterian minister, Baltimore, Md.; m. Mary Gould Bowker. Children: Courtland B. Mary C. James L. Frederick S. Idelette M. Harrie Latta. Emily B. Thomas.

Sarah Latta Love

Photo by Richard Morrison, Find-A-Grave

Sarah and her husband Rev. Thomas Love (1796-1879)are buried at the Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware.  Rev. Thomas Love was a prominent minister of the Red Clay Creek Presbyterian Church where he was minister from 1825 until 1862.  He also served Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church.  Rev. ove owned a small farm near the Red Clay Presbyterian Church.

 

Love family members can be seen scattered among the relatives of the Latta family in several branches.





3 WILLIAM (3) LATTA


James (2) James (1). Born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on May 10, 1768; February 19, 1847; m. Mary Cloyd, daughter of David and Ann (Boyd) Cloyd, October 1, 1801. She was born October 28, 1769 and died February 22, 1847. David Cloyd was a noted patriot (see History of Chester Co., Pa.) and was a private in Chester Co. Militia in 1780. (See Pa. Archives, 5th Series, Vol. 5). The General Assembly in 1847, said that William Latta was "One of the venerable fathers of the Presbyterian Church." He was created a Doctor of Divinity by LaFayette College a few years before his death.  From Futhey and Cope's THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY (1881); He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1794, licensed at the Presbyterian Church of New Castle, became pastor of the congregations of Great Valley and Charlestown, Chester County, PA, Oct. 1, 1799, in which he continued until his death February 19, 1847, a period of over forty-seven years.


Children:
25 MARY ANN (4) b. July 1, 1801; d. November 6, 1882.
26 MARGARET (4) b. October 2, 1803; d. June 2, 1869.
6 JAMES FRANCIS (4) Born May 8, 1808; d. December 26, 1841.
7 WILLIAM WILSON (4) Born July 1, 1810; d. September 3, 1883.


 4 JOHN EWING (3) LATTA

James (2) James (1). Born October 8, 1770; d. September 26, 1824; m. Catherine Van Voorhies of Philadelphia, Pa., daughter of John and Mary H. Van Voorhies, April 9, 1805. She was born June 9, 1787 and died May 12, 1878. He received ordination August 13, 1800. and for 24 years was the pastor of the noted churches of New Castle and Christiana in Delaware.  For a number of years he had charge of an academy at New Castle. For several years he was Permanent Clerk of the General Assembly. A sketch of his life is given in the History of Delaware by Conrad, Vol. 2, page. 769. An obituary written by Dr. Gilbert says: "He was intelligent, exemplary and conscientious; attentive to the afflicted and the anxious, a man of enlarged views and liberal feelings, clear and instructive expounder of the word of God." He left a large number of publications.  "History of Delaware:1609-1888: Local History" by John Thomas Scharf, page 828 states "The Delaware Bible Society was organized in Wilmington Nov. 22, 1813 by members of different religious denominations, "for the distribution of the Holy Scriptures among the destitute of the State.  It's original members were residents of New Castle.  At the preliminary meeting, Rev. John E. Latta was chairman...Rev. John E. Latta was elected the first President...By Oct., 1810, according to minutes, 1,560 Bibles and Testaments had been distributed by this society in the State."

 

Children:
8 JAMES McKNIGHT (4) Born August 19, 1806; d. December 24, 1851.
27 JANE HAIGHT (4) b. January 21, 1810; d. May 11, 1853; buried at the New London Church Cemetery, Chester County, PA; Married: Rev. Robert P. DuBois April 6, 1830. (See DuBois' History of Rev. James Latta, father of John Ewing Latta.) He was b. August 19, 1803; d. at New London, Pa. February 24, 1883. Children: (1) Amelia Patterson b. April 20,. 1831; d. November 3, 1899. (2) Katherine Latta b. March 9, 1833; d. July 16, 1841 at 8 years of age; buried in same cemetery as her mother. (3) Francis Latta b. October 21, 1837; d. February 24, 1895. (He was a physician in the U.S.A. Navy; m. Clara Reeves Buck, daughter of Robert S. and Caroline Buck, May 20, 1869. She was born March 4, 1843; d. May 1904. Had three children: Barron Potter b. April 18, 1879. Caroline Latta b. September 11, 1871; m. Frank Cosby, civil engineer, May 22, 1901. One child: Frank Cosby b. April 1902. Chester Buck DuBois b. June 2, 1878.) (4) William Wilberforce b. March 19, 1843; d. January 5, 1850 at 7 years of age. Buried at same cemetery as his mother. (5) Robert Graham b. October 21, 1845; d. January 3, 1850 at 4 years of age. Buried in same cemetery as his mother. (6) Ewing Latta Debois b. April 28, 1850; d. July 6, 1851 at 14 months. Buried in same cemetery as his mother. (7) Richard Stevens b. December 5, 1852; d. February 24, 1853 at 7 weeks of age. Buried in same cemetery as his mother.
28 MARY SMITH (4) b. July 22, 1812; d. March 18, 1901; m. Charles E. DuBois, lawyer, Doylestown, Franklin County, Pa. May 24, 1831. He was born July 16, 1799; d. March 5, 1865. Children: John Latta b. April 16, 1832; d. February 20, 1903; m. Emma M. Rex July 11, 1863. Three children: Samuel Moore b. April 1, 1834; d. December 12, 1859. Emma Patterson b. January 25, 1836; d. May 23, 1899; m. Edward Putnam Flint October 17, 1854. Had children. Helen Martha b. December 13, 1837. James Latta b. April 7, 184_. Louis Pierre b. May 7, 1843; d. November 25, 1889. Charles b. November 5, 1848; d. October 19, 1867. Henry M. b. July 15, 1852; lawyer in Philadelphia, Pa. m. Lillian L. Johnson. Two children: Edward F. b. March 12, 1855; d. January 2, 1857. { 1996 Note: Richard M Lyman of 9 Puffin Court Novato, Ca 94949. Letter dated June 23, 1997he list 5 records that show the above Mary Smith Latta as the daughter of 4John Ewing (3) Latta}
9 JOHN EWING (4).
29 ANNA VANDYKE (4) b. August 15, 1817. Lived at Doylestown, Franklin County, Pa.
30 CATHERINE HARRIET (4) b. April 10, 1820; d. May 27, 1888; m. Richard H. Stevens of Norfolk, Va.
31 MARGARET ELIZABETH (4) b. at New Castle, Del. June 9, 1824; d. November 18, 1880 at Doylestown, Franklin County, Pa.; m. Charles William McHenry of Doylestown, Pa. December 22, 1852. He was born February 18, 1820 at Deep Run Parsonage. Three children: Mary DuBois b. October 23, 1853; d. May 15, 1884. Catherine Latta b. November 9, 1869; d. March 14, 1887. William Ewing b. at Johnstown, Pa. February 9, 1868; m. Annie Estelle Nasby of Media, Pa. January 17, 1894.



5 JAMES (3) LATTA


James (2) James (1). Born at Chestnut Level, in Lancaster Co., Pa. on June 10, 1787; d. May 30, 1862 while attending a State Sabbath-school convention in Philadelphia.  Sitting at the breakfast table in apparent good health he suddenly fell dead. The cause of his death not being known; m. 1) Jane Sutton of New Castle, Del., daughter of John and Margaret (Nuttle) Sutton, October 8, 1818. She was born October 28, 1792 at St. George, Del.; d. June 20, 1841. Her father was prominent in the Colonial and Revolutionary affairs of Delaware; 2) Miss Ann Pinkerton of Mt. Joy, PA in May of 1850. James was graduated at College of New Jersey, now Princeton University, when 20 years of age. Prepared for the ministry under the tutorship of his eldest brother, Rev. John Ewing Latta, then pastor of Presbyterian churches of New Castle and Christiana, and was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle in 1809 and ordained Aril 3, 1811, as pastor of Upper Octoraro congregation, Chester Co., PA which he served until 1850.  He established a church at Penningtonville Mills,now Atglen, same county, where he was installed November 11, 1852. "Latta Memorial Church" erected at Christiana, Pa. A memorial to his memory is in the Presbyterian Historical Society given by his grandson, William J. Latta.  "The Presbyterian Historical Almanac and Annual Rembrances of the...Vol. 5, edited by Joseph M. Wilson" and seen on google books, states at pg. 186 - "Mr. Latta was a man of great activity and energy, impulsive, given to hospitality, very friendly, social, genial, witty, and conversable. He had a great fondness of anecdotes, and being much from home, he continually added to the store.  As a preacher, his sermons were off-hand and familiar, but had many striking thoughts, were sound and solid, and dealt plainly with sinners.  As a pastor, he was faithful, attentive to the youth, the sick and afflicted, and very ernest in hunting up wanderers, and persuading people to attend upon the means of grace...he loved good singing, excelled in it himself...."
 

Children:
10 JOHN YATES (4) b.January 27, 1827.
32 ELIZA JANE (4) b. February 3, 1833; m. John Andrew Parke in 1862. He was born in 1827; d. 1902. She lived at Parkesburg, Pa. 1907.
11 WILLIAM SUTTON (4) b. September 12, 1822; d. May 26, 1878.
33 MARY M. (4) b. 1820; d. April 17, 1855; m. William Armstrong May 12, 1842; b. in 1817; d. 1868. Children: James Latta b. May 1, 1843; m. Belle Evans. One child: John A. b. 1873; d. 1880. Sarah Jane b. 1844; d. 1902; m. William Baldwin. Two children: Emma Latta b. in 1846; m. Thomas L. McClellan February 27, 1872. Had children: Clara A. b. 1849; m. William Stout in 1874. Two children. Anna Mary b. 1852; m. Robert A. Parke in 1875. Two children. William Martin b. 1855; m. Hattie Terres. Two children.
34 MARGARET R. H. (4) b. 1825; d. April 6, 1846. Single.
35 ____ (4) daughter. Single.


6 JAMES FRANCIS (4) LATTA


William (3) James (2) James (1). b. May 8, 1808; d. December 26, 1841 in Great Valley, Chester County, Pennsylvania; m. Lydia Ledley Moore, only child of Jonathan and Mary Moore, May 11, 1836 at Philadelphia, Pa. She was born in 1813 and was brought up in the family of her paternal uncle, Samuel Moore, M.D., late director of the United States Mint, in the company of her cousins, Mrs. Mary Finley and Mrs. Surgeon-Genral C. L. Finley; d. June 1852. Physician.  "James F. Latta, honored graduate of Dickinson College, an enthusiast in his profession at the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania, died from the effects of exposure in the beginning of his practice, when his daughter was five years old.  The widowed mother, with her three little ones and her own aged mother, remained for two years on the farm at the stone house, and then disposing of the property rented the "academy" building.  This was a select school located some five miles up the valley from Dr. J. F. Latta's house, and a mile beyond the Latta (William) homestead.  In 1844, when Molly was seven, her mother moved to Waynesburg, Honeybrook, some 2 miles distant, in the same county, where she built a home opposite the parsonage of the Presbyterian Church of which Rev. W. W. Latta was then pastor.  In May, 1852, Mrs. Latta took Molly and her brother Samuel through Philadelphia on a western journey to visit cousins in Hannibal, Missouri.  There, while in the family of a distant connection, Mr. Meredith, Mrs. Latta was seized with dysentery, and after an illness of two weeks, died peacefully June 25, 1852.  The children received the care of their mother's relative, Clement L. Findley, late Surgeon-General U.S.A., then stationed at St. Louis.  The following September, Molly returned to Waynesburg, where she was the nominal ward of her uncle, Mr. David Buckhanan, the executor of her mother's property.  November 1852, Molly was a pupil at the Oakland Female Institute, Norristown, PA, graduating in Sept. 1855, and she became a teacher's assistant at the Female Boarding School of the Misses Beatty in Trenton, NJ.

Children:
36 MARY CLOYD "Molly" (5) b. February 20, 1837 in Philadelphia during her parents temporary stay there (as a relic visiting-card describes), at the "corner of Madison and Vine, near Twelfth St." and returned to Great Valley when she was two months old; d. September 10, 1870 in Africa, where she is buried; m. Rev. Robert Hamill Nassau on September 17, 1862 at Bonito, Africa.  They were missionaries on Island of Corisco, West Africa in 1862. her biography entitled, "Crowned in Palm Land", was published in 1874.   This book was written by her husband, and can be found on google books.  If you google the title of the book, you can read it on the internet.  Three children: 1) William Latta b. February 28, 1864; m. Mae Maree in Philadelphia, Pa. January 1888. Three children: Mary Elizabeth b. 1890; m. P. Howland Shaw. William Latta b. 1896. James Maree d. in infancy. 2) Charles Francis M.D., b. November 12, 1868; m. Elizabeth S. Greene near Philadelphia 1896. Two children: Katherine Latta. Dorothy. 3) George Paull b. July 12, 1866; d. December 13, 1867.
37 SAMUEL MOORE (5) b. September 1838; d. September 16, 1856. Single.  Samuel died in his 18th year, from the results of an accidental internal injury received from a playmate at school in Chester County, Pennsylvania.  Samuel was buried at the Presbyterian Church at Great Valley, Chester County, Pennsylvania.
38 WILLIAM JAMES "Willie" (5) b. September 1840; d. October 5, 1862 at Washington, D.C. from effect of strain and over work in Peninsular Campaign in Virginia. Enlisted as 2d Lieut. Promoted to Captain "I" Co. 89th Regt. (8th Pennsylvania Cavalry). "Joy at the arrival of the mail on the 1st of January, 1863, as the little company of Corisco missionaries were enjoying New Year's quiet celebration at Alongo, was shawowed by Mrs. Nassau's (Molly) receiving news of the death of her brother in a Washington hospital, from disease contracted in Virginia swamps just after his promotion to a captaincy." "Crowned in Palm Land"  Willie was buried at the Presbyterian Church at Great Valley, Chester County, PA.



7 WILLIAM WILSON (4) LATTA


William (3) James (2) James (1). Born July 1, 1810; d. September 3, 1883; m. Mary Jenkins, daughter of Robert and Catherine (Carmichael) Jenkins September 9, 1841 at Windsor Forges, Lane Co., Pa. She was born February 18, 1815 and died February 9, 1869. He was pastor for 22 years at Waynesburg, Chester Co., Pa. Buried in Caernavon Cemetery, Churchtown, Pa. five miles west of Honey Brook.

Children:
39 KATHERINE CARMICHAEL (5) b. June 5, 1842 at Philadelphia, Pa.; m. Rev. Joseph Stephenson Malone, Presbyterian minister, b. in Cynthiana, Ky. March 1840. No children except an adopted son. In 1922 lived at Germantown, Philadelphia, Pa. D.A.R. No. 9829.
40 JAMES FRANCIS (5) b. February 15, 1846; d. October 1846.
41 MARY (5) b. May 14, 1849; d. July 1850.
42 ELLEN (5) b. in 1848; d. in 1849.


8 JAMES McKNIGHT (4) LATTA


John E. (3) James (2) James (1). b. August 19, 1806; d. December 24, 1851; m. Eunice Noble Thatcher, daughter of David and Eunice Weld Noble Thatcher, on November 14, 1830. She was born March 23, 1811 at Dartmouth, Mass. and died at Old Ladies' Home in Philadelphia. Her father was born in Newbury, Mass. November 24, 1773 and died at
Philadelphia December 1, 1842, and buried there in Ronaldson's Cemetery.  James was a lawyer and resided in Philadelphia.

Children:
43 CATHERINE (5) b. September 15, 1831; d. July 23, 1853.
44 SARAH ANN (5) b. September 17, 1833. in 1907 was in the Presbyterian Old Ladies' Home in Philadelphia.



9 JOHN EWING (4) LATTA


John E. (3) James (2) James (1). Born February 26, 1815; d. November 16, 1867; m. Emma Bartlett on February 22, 1837. Lawyer in Philadelphia.

Children:
12 JAMES WILLIAM (5) b. April 19, 1839; d. March, 1922.
45 CLARA BARTLETT (5) b. September 4, 1842; d. January 12, 1901; Married: Horace Nichols, a merchant, on May 20, 1868. Children:  1) Horace W Nichols b. November 13, 1869 at Philadelphia; m. Madeline Taylor in 1900.  One child: Clara Bartlett Latta Nichols, b. July 24, 1873; d. August 8, 1873.  2) Gertrude W Nichols, b. December 17, 1874; m. Charles B. Rosa of N.Y. City, January 1900. 3) Emma L. Nichols, b. August 6, 1871; m. Capt. Edward S. Walton, U.S.A. June 17, 1879.
46 EMMA BARTLETT (5) b. October 11, 1844.
13 EUGENE EWING (5) b. March 9, 1847 in Pennsylvania.
47 GERTRUDE (5) b. August 22, 1849; d. December 8, 1858.
48 HORACE BARTLETT (5) b. December 27, 1852; m. Elizabeth Bosler February 23, 1887.
49 CORNELIA RIDGWAY (5) b. June 27, 1854; d. May 29, 1922; m. Henry Gardner Seaver October 7, 1880 in New York. Lived at Brooklyn, Kings County,New York.  Henry Seaver was a clerk with East Indies Importing House at age 16.  At 30, a member merchant in teas and Japanese goods.  Contributed considerable material to the Seaver genealogy.  Children: 1) Emma Latta Seaver, b. August 1, 1881. 2) Laura J Seaver, b. February 18, 1885.  3) Henry B Seaver, b. March 12, 1888.  Obituary: NY Times. Suddenly, on May 29, 1922, Cornelia L., beloved wife of Henry G. Seaver, in her 67th year.  Funeral services at her late res. 473 E 18th St., Flatbush, Brooklyn, on Wed at 3 p.m. Phil. papers kindly copy.

1880 Census, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Emma B. Latta, 64, b. PA
Emma Latta, 35, b. PA
Horrace Latta, 27, b. PA
Cornelia Latta, 25, b. PA
William Latta, 69, cousin
Mary Ann Latta, 18, cousin
Mary Stapleton, 17, other




10 JOHN YATES (4) LATTA


James (3) James (2) James (1). Born on a farm near Parkesburg, Pa. January 27, 1827; m. Martha Rupert in her home at Sadsbury, Pa. in 1876. She was born in 1850 and died in 1880. He was prosperous farmer and in 1907 President of the Parkesburg National Bank. He lived on the old homestead.  Source: "Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania, comprising a historical sketch of the county," by Samuel T. Wiley and edited by Winfield Scott Garner, Gresham Publishing Company, Philadelphia, PA, 1893, pp. 622-4.

"JOHN Y. LATTA, a representative farmer and stock dealer of Parkesburg, is a member of a family which has acquired considerable distinction in the religious annals of this section.  He is a son of Rev. James and Jane (Sutton) Latta, and was born on the farm where he now resides, in Sadsbury township, Chester county, Pennsylvania, January 31, 1827.

"His paternal grandfather, James Latta, was born in the north of Ireland, of Scotch-Irish parentage, and while yet a boy made his way to America and settled in the southern part of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania.  He became a Presbyterian minister, and for many years preached regularly at Chestnut Level, that county.  At his home there he died about 1800, aged 60 years, and his remains rest in the cemetery connected with the church he so faithfully served, at Chestnut Level.  He married Mary McCalla, of Bucks county, and reared a family of eight children, four sons and four daughters.  The daughters were Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth and Sarah.

"Sarah was the only one of the four who married, and she wedded a Presbyterian minister named Thomas Love, who preached during a number of years at Red Clay creek, near Wilmington, Delaware, and had one daughter, Mary, who married Stephen Springer, and now resides near Wilmington, on the old homestead.

"The sons were Francis A., William, John, and James, and one after another they all entered the pulpit, and became eloquent and successful ministers in the church of their father.

"Rev. Francis A. Latta, the eldest son, was born April 27, 1766.  He was ordained as a Presbyterian clergyman November 23, 1796, and was pastor successively of Presbyterian churches in Wilmington, Delaware, and at Lancaster and Chestnut Level, Pennsylvania, in which latter place he also maintained a classical school for many years.  In the year 1826 he removed to Sadsbury township, Chester county, and established the Moscow academy, a classical and literary institution, which flourished for some years.  he was a man of
remarkably well cultivated mind, a poet of no mean order, a very superior classical and Hebrew scholar, and one of the greatest instructors of his day.He was able in debate, discriminating and decided in judgment, and a model in the pulpit.  In his manners he was social, and in his deportment humble and unostentatious.  He died April 21, 1834.

"Rev. William Latta, the second son, was born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in May, 1768.  He graduated at the university of Pennsylvania in 1794, was licensed by the Presbytery of New Castle, and became pastor of the congregations at Great Valley and Charlestown, Chester county, October 1, 1799, in which relation he continued until his death, February 19, 1847, a period of over forty-seven years.  He was created a doctor of divinity by Lafayette college, Easton, Pennsylvania.  He was a student and a scholar, and his preparations for the pulpit were made with close study and care.  In the church he was highly esteemed, and by appointment of the general assembly held the office of trustee of that body for many years.  he was also a director in the Princeton Theological seminary.  The general assembly of 1847, in noticing his death, spoke of him as 'one of the venerable fathers of the Presbyterian church.'  On occasion of the reception of General Lafayette at West Chester, in July, 1825, the Rev. William Latta made a prayer very remarkable for its touching sentiments, fervid eloquence, and patriotic spirit.

"James Latta (father) was the youngest son of the immigrant, James Latta, and was born in Lancaster county, this State, about 1789.  He was graduated from Princeton college at the age of twenty, and shortly afterward from Princeton Theological seminary.  While yet a young man, about the beginning of the present century, he left his native place and came to Chester county; and a few years after his arrival here he purchased and settled on the farm now owned by the subject of this sketch.  Here he continued to reside until his death in 1862, when in the seventy-second year of his age.  His secular employment was that of a farmer, and in its prosecution he was alike energetic and successful.  But he also continued his labors for the church, and for more than forty years preached regularly in the Octoraro Presbyterian church.  He was chiefly instrumental in the erection of the Presbyterian churches at Atglen and Christiana, this county, and preached at those churches for eight or ten years.  He had scarcely reached his majority when he was given charge of a church, and he remained an active worker in the cause of Christ all his life, almost literally 'dying in the harness.' During his long ministry in the Octoraro church he beheld the birth, growth and death of a generation, assisting continuously in the baptismal, marriage and funeral rites made necessary by the changing phases of the deep current of actual life among his people.  His name became a household word in all the surrounding country, and he stood high both as a citizen and a preacher.

"Politically he was an old-line whig, but never took any active part in politics, preferring to find a field for his activity in the line of his religious work.  He married Jane Sutton, a daughter of John Sutton, of Dela- ware, by whom he had a family of five children, two sons and three daughters: Dr. William, who was for many years a practicing physician of Sadsbury township, and died in 1872, aged forty-five years, leaving a family of eight children - Dr. Samuel, William, John, Thomas, Jane, Mary, Margaret, and Helen; John Y., whose name heads this sketch; Mary, married William Armstrong, and died about 1867, leaving six children: Margaret, deceased at the age of twenty-one; and Eliza, who wedded John A. Parke, a farmer of Highland township, this county.  Mrs. Jane Latta was a native of Delaware, a strict member of the Presbyterian church, and died in 1842, at the age of forty-five years. "John Y. Latta was reared on the home farm and received a liberal education in the Chester county academy and similar institutions of learning at Strasburg and Wilmington.  On leaving school he engaged in farming on the old homestead, and agricultural pursuits were so agreeable to his disposition that he has devoted his entire life to cultivating the farm on which he was born, and which passed into his possession in 1862.  The farm consists of one hundred and fifty-seven acres of valuable land, well improved, and con- veniently located on the Philadelphia and Lancaster turnpike, two miles from Parkesburg.  In addition to this farm Mr. Latta also owns one hundred and eighty acres of land in this county.  Beside his farm operations he has, since 1860, been a large live stock dealer, being for more than twenty years a member of the well known stock firm of Latta & Phipps, who were engaged in shipping cattle from the west to the Philadelphia markets.  Mr. Phipps died in 1880, and since that time Mr. Latta has continued the stock business by himself, but not so extensively as before.  For a time he dealt in sheep and cattle, but now handles cattle exclusively, and has been remarkably success- ful in this business.

"On April 6, 1876, Mr. Latta was united in marriage with Martha Rupert, a daughter of William Rupert, of this county.  She died in 1880, in the thirty- first year of her age, leaving two sons; James and William.  In politics Mr.Latta is a democrat, and has served for a number of years as school director of his township.  He is one of the directors of the Parkesburg National bank, and occupies the same position in the Parkesburg Building and Loan association.  Being affable in manner, prompt and energetic in business, and thoroughly reliable in every relation of life, it is doubtful if there is a better known or more popular man in the entire township.

Children:
50 JAMES M. (5) born in 1877.
51 ELIZABETH (5) b. in 1878; d. in 1880.
52 WILLIAM RUPERT (5) b. in 1880.  Single.  Never married.

1880 US Census - Sadsburg, Chester Co., PA

Latta, John Y., age 53, born in PA, farmer and cattle dealer, father born in PA, mother in DE; Ann P. Latta, SMother, 74, born in PA, keeping house; James M. Latta, son, age 3, born in PA; William R. Latta, son, age 2 months, born in PA; William Underwood, age 22, born in Ireland, farm laborer; Mary Cronan, 55, born in Ireland, servant; and Joanna Cronan, age 48, born in Ireland, servant.

Charles C. Coyne, W'70, and his wife, Paula Latta Coyne, are pleased to announce that their daughter, Anna E. Coyne, became a freshman in the College in September. Through her grandfather, John Y. Latta II, W'36, she is a direct descendant of the Rev. Dr. James Latta, a member of the original graduating class of the College in 1757. She is the seventh generation of the Latta family and the fourth generation of the Coyne family to attend the University.



11 WILLIAM SUTTON (4) LATTA


James (3) James (2) James (1). Born in Upper Octorara, Chester Co., Pa. September 12, 1822; d. there May 26, 1878; m. Margaret Eckert Whitehill, daughter of Samuel Atlee and Margaret Douglas (Wilson) Whitehill at Philadelphia, December 25, 1845. She was born in Lancaster Co., Pa. September 29, 1822 and died August 13, 1891. The Atlee, Whitehill and Douglas families were prominent in the Revolutionary War. She was born and married in her father's home at Sadsbury, Pa. He was graduated from the Medical Department of University of Pennsylvania and was one of the most prominent physicians in Sadsbury, Chester Co., Pa. William was the first surgeon of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Children:
53 JANE SUTTON (5) b. September 16, 1846; m. James Crowell Pinkerton b. July 9, 1848; d. February 14, 1898. Seven children: 1) William Woods b. June 21, 1870; d. April 24,
1900. 2) Edith Sewers b. January 1, 1873; m. Mr. Weckerly. One child, Frank b. August 30, 1901; d. June 24, 1902. 3) Frederick Orie b. February 1, 1872; m. Nellie Evans October 28, 1903 b. December 3, 1872 4) James Crowell b. September 27, 1873; d. November 30, 1873. 5) Elizabeth G.C. b. September 24, 1874; m. Harry S. Green June 18, 1903. He was b. March 17, 1873. One child: James C. b. May 3, 1904; 6) Samuel Latta b. June 18, 1877. 7) John b. February 14, 1879. 8) James Crowell b. June 30, 1883.
54 SAMUEL WHITEHILL (5) b. at Parkesburg, Pa. July 23, 1848; d. 1923; m. Ann Abel of Eastern, Pa. September 15, 1873. He graduated from Lafayette College and received his MD at the University of Pennsylvania.  Samuel was in the U.S. Navy as Asst. Surgeon. Served in Cuba and Asia. Was in the Corean Expedition of 1871 and was mentioned in Admiral Schley's book in that connection. Samuel resigned from the Navy on July 1, 1879 and served in 1879/1880 as surgeon and purser on the steamship Nederland of the Red Star Line. In 1905 he was the Chief Physician of the Pennsylvania Railroad.  Samuel was a member of the Pennsylvania Scotch-Irish and resided at 233 S. Fourth Street, Annex, Philadelphia (Annual Meeting & Banquet of the PA Scotch-Irish, Vol. 23, by the PA Scotch-Irish Society).
55 MARY ANN ATLEE (5) b. September 25, 1850; m. John Fleming Jones April 18, 1877 of Chester Co., Pa., family in colonial history. He was born November 13, 1844. Two
children: Caroline Whitehill Jones b. June 14, 1880. John Latta Jones b. September 11, 1890. In 1924 lived in Philadelphia.
14 WILLIAM JAMES (5)  b. November 21, 1852 in Chester Co., PA.   William was a member of the Pennsylvania Scotch-Irish and resided at Wissachickon Heights, Chestnut Hill, PA (Annual Meeting & Banquet of the PA Scotch-Irish, Vol. 23, by the PA Scotch-Irish Society).
56 MARGARET DOUGLAS WILSON (5) b. April 21, 1855.
57 HELEN ELIZABETH (5) b. at Sudsbury, Pa. October 26, 1858; m. Benjamin Palmer Opdyke October 19, 1892. He was born June 3, 1838. One child: Margaret Douglas
Latta b. August 25, 1893. D.A.R. No. 22407.
58 JOHN ANDERSON (also seen as John S. in the census records) (5) b. in Chester Co., Pa. August 3, 1862. In 1905 India Rubber Goods, Philadelphia, Pa.  John S. Latta was a member of the Pennsylvania Scotch-Irish and resided at 1215 Arch St., Philadelphia (Annual Meeting & Banquet of the PA Scotch-Irish, Vol. 23, by the PA Scotch-Irish Society).
71 THOMAS LOVE (5) b. September 24, 1865.  Thomas was a member of the Pennsylvania Scotch-Irish and resided at 3819 Spruce St., Philadelphia (Annual Meeting & Banquet of the PA Scotch-Irish, Vol. 23, by the PA Scotch-Irish Society).

 

William J. Latta was born on November 21, 1852, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. His father, William Sutton Latta (1822-1872), was the first surgeon of the Pennsylvania Railroad. William J. began working at the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. as a telegraph operator at the age of eighteen. He rose through the ranks to become agent of the railroad, a position he held until his retirement in 1899. William was also an avid collector of Napoleoniana.

William J. Latta married Kitty Nigh Bingham. They had five children: Margaret Douglas, William, Jr., Katherine, Mary, and Rachel Whitehill. The family lived at 430 West Moreland Ave., Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pa. in home known as "Grey Arches." For periods of time, William and Kitty Lattas' unmarried sisters, Elizabeth Bingham, Mary Virginia Bingham, and Margaret Douglas Wilson Latta, resided with the family. "Grey Arches" remained in the possession of the family until 1958 when it was torn down. The Lattas also had a summer home in Rockport, Maine, called "White Cedars."

Most of the collection at the Winterthur Library in Winterthur, Delaware is comprised of household and personal bills, various types of railroad passes, family letters, information about William Latta's collection of Napoleoniana, diaries kept by Rachel Latta, and architectural drawings, photographs, and legal documents relating to "Grey Arches" and its greenhouse; many of the legal papers pertain to a sale of property in 1930. The bills were incurred by several members of the family who lived at "Grey Arches." They were for clothing, food, pharmaceutical items, house furnishings, funeral expenses, and general upkeep of the house. The bills date from ca.1880-ca.1912. Some of the billheads include illustrations. Other papers relating to the house are dated ca.1892-1930.

The railroad passes were for baggage, transportation, and telegraph privileges. This collection also includes catalogs from the sale of William J. Latta's collection of Napoleoniana, held in 1913 at the Anderson Galleries in New York City. His collection included letters, bronzes, portraits, caricatures, mezzotints, memoirs and other documents.

Many of the letters were sent from the Latta children to their father, mother, or Aunt Gertie between 1899 and 1919. As well, there are two letters written to Santa Claus. Another series of letters was sent from William Latta, Jr., to his father and sisters during his tour of duty in the United States Navy on Sub Chaser 212 during and after World War I. Rachel Latta's diaries cover the years 1904 and 1910 through 1914. She describes her life in Maine, Chestnut Hill, and Westover School in Middlebury, Connecticut. Also featured are details of her trip to the St. Louis Exposition.

1850 Census - Sadsbury, Chester Co., PA
William S. Latta, 28, PA
Margaret E. Latta, 27, PA
Jane S. Latta, 4, PA
Samuel W. Latta, 2, PA
Margaret Whitehill, 53, PA
Joseph Middleton, 17, PA
Jacob Kimes, 22, PA
Margaret J. Middleton, 10, PA
William Middleton, 25, PA

 


12 JAMES WILLIAM (5) LATTA


John E. (4) John E. (3) James (2) James (1). Born at Philadelphia, Pa. April 19, 1839; d. March 1922; m. Susan Eyre Withers, daughter of Hanson L. (of the firm of Dale, Ross & Withers, a well-known Market Street silk house) and Matilsa E. Withers on November 12, 1868. She was born September 17, 1845. He was a lawyer. He enlisted as a private in "D" Co. Gray Reserves, now 1st Regt. Penn. National Guards April 19, 1861. Appointed 2d Lieut. 119th Pennsylvania Vols. August 4, 1862 and Captain "B" Co. March 4, 1864. Specially selected from the 6th Army Corps as Asst. Adj. Gen. of Vols. and commissioned as Captain April 20, 1864. Was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Salem Church, Gettysburg, Rappahannach Station, Mine Run, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, Winchester, Petersburg and many others. Brevetted Major for gallant conduct at Winchester, Va. and Lieut. Col. for metorious services in the Cavalry engagements of Ebenezer Church and Columbus. Declined an appointment in the regular army and honorably mustered out January 20, 1866. Was admitted to the Bar April 19, 1860. Resumed the practice of law and again entered his old regiment, the First Infantry and became Major, Lieut. Colonel and Colonel. Was appointed Adj. General by Governor Hartranft for two terms, and by Government Hoyt for one term. "In conformity with the law, I have nominated to Senate James W. Latta, of Philadelphia to be Adj. General of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania with rank of Major General. Signed J.T. Hartranft, Governor. See Pennsylvania Archives, 4th Series, Vol. 9, p. 506. He was with Sherman in his march from Atlanta to the sea. Was on Sheridan's Staff. Was first secretary of the Municipal Civil Service Board under the new Philadelphia charter. Elected Clerk of the Quarter Sessions in 1889 and 1892 and Secretary of Internal Affairs in 1894 and 1898. Past Commander Department of Pennsylvania G.A.R., a member of Post No. 2 of Philadelphia and of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion. The Army Corps in which he served captured Jefferson Davis and other Confederate leaders and the division in which he served captured Alexander H. Stephens, Vice President of the Confederacy and Howell Cobb who had been Buchanan's Secretary of the Treasury. He wrote the "History of the First Regiment National Guard of Pennsylvania (Gray Reserves) 1861-1911", which was published in Phildelphia in 1912. This book now sells for about $375.00 as research collection. The book is 811 pages, contains photos, rosters, and full color plates of soldiers in uniform.   He had a fine collection of autographs, portraits of Napoleon and celebrities of his reign, medals and original drawings. He had the original draft of the list of the members of the Institute de L'Egypte in manuscript of Gaspard Monge and signed by Napoleon with two names added in by his pen. It was written about a month after the Battle of the Pyramids and was the conqueror's compilation of those who won his approval. Napoleon's letter to Lucian announcing his marriage to Marie Louise is a unique paper. It is intensely personal with a touch of tenderness that makes it different from the usual words that he penned. One of the most important documents is the confidential plans of campaign that was sent out by the conqueror, written in 1813. There are a score of intensely interesting documents. The Napoleon portraits are numerous and some of them important and one is amazed when the pictures of the scenes of his career and its incidents are seen together.
Children:
59 JOHN EWING (6) b. September 17, 1869. Merchant in Philadelphia in 1905.
60 HARRISON WAINWRIGHT (5) b. September 11, 1871; m. Ella Fritz Roberts, daughter of John D. and Katherine (Kitner) Roberts of Johnstown, Pa. November 17, 18__. Civil Engineer, Philadelphia.
61 EDITH WITHERS (6) b. July 24, 1879; m. Alex L. Brodhead born February 13, 1904. In 1905 living at Syracuse, N.Y.

1870 US Census - Philadelphia, Ward 7, PA
 James W. Latta, age 30
 Susan W. Latta, age 20
 John E. Latta, age 1
Emma Latta, age 56
Eugene E. Latta, age 20
Emma B. Latta, age 20
Horrace Latta, age 17
Cornelia B. Latta, age 15
Mary Bartlett, age 85
Lizzie Johnson, age 20
Brennon Ackery, age 19
 
1880 US Census - Philadelphia, PA
 James W. Latta, age 41, born in PA, lawyer, father born in PA, mother born in PA
 Susan W. Latta, age 35, born in PA, keeping house
 John E. Latta, son, age 10, born in PA, at school
 Harrison W. Latta, son, age 8, born in PA, at school
 Edith W. Latta, daughter, age 1, born in PA
 Susan Moore, 18, born in MA, servant
 Bridget O'Brien, age 20, born in Ireland, servant
 Rosa O'Brien, age 18, born in Ireland, servant.
 
1900 Census - ED 260 Philadelphia City, Ward 15, PA
 James W. Latta, age 61, b. PA
 Susan W. Latta, age 56, b. PA
John E. Latta, age 31, b. PA
Harrison W. Latta, age 29, b. PA
Edith W. Latta, age 21, b. PA
Annie Blessing, age 28, b. Ireland, servant
Annie Daley, age 26, b. Ireland, servant
 
 
 

 

13 EUGENE EWING (5) LATTA


John E. (4) John (3) James (2) James (1). Born March 9, 1847 in Pennsylvania; d. ____; m. Susan L. Lambeth of St. Louis, Mo. July 25, 1872. In 1935 he lived at Clayton, Mo. Merchant.
Children:
62 ALBERT EWING (6) b. August 24, 1873; d. March 5, 1919.  Buried in Lewisville, Virginia; m. Nellie Jenkins on November 23, 1903.  On his Draft Registration card for WWI, Albert Ewing Latta was listed as a patient at St. Elizabeth Hospital, Washington, D.C, age 46.  He listed his "nearest relative" as Mrs. Nellie J. Latta, 1321 Mars Ave SE, Washington, DC.  In 1905 worked in the P.O. Department at Washington, D.C.
63 EMMA SARAH (6) b. December 28, 1876; d. January 11, 1877.
64 NINA CORNELIA (6) b. October 16, 1879; m. Otto A. Marks on December 24,1902. One child, Irma. After Otto's death, Nina and Irma lived with her parents, Eugene and Susan.
65 HELEN BARTLETT (6) b. February 2, 1882. Never married.

1880 US Census - Denison, Grayson Co., TX
Latta, Eugene E., age 32, born in PA, commercial merchant, father born in PA, mother born in PA
 Susan Latta, age 26, born in MO, keeps house
 Albert Latta, son, age 6, born in TX, at school
Nina Latta, daughter, age 1, born in TX, at home.
 

1900 Census - ED 395 Precinct 10, St. Louis City, Ward 26, St. Louis, Missouri
Eugene E. Latta, 50, b. PA
 Susan Latta, 46, b. MO
Nina C. Latta, 20, b. TX
Helen Latta, 16, b. TX
 
1910 Census - St. Louis, Ward 27, St. Louis (Independent City), Missouri
Eugene E. Latta, 62, b. PA
 Susan Latta, 58, b. MO
Helen Latta, 24, b. TX
Nina Marks, 30, b. TX
Irma Marks, 5, b. MO
 
1920 Census - St. Louis, Missouri
Eugene E. Latta, 70, b. PA
 Susan Latta, 65, b. MO
Nina Marks, 30, b. TX
Irma Marks, 14, b. MO
 
1930 Census - Clayton, St. Louis County, Missouri
Eugene E. Latta, 82, b. PA
 Susan L. Latta, 78, b. MO
Nina Marks, 43, b. TX
Helen B. Latta, 36, b. TX
Irma C. Marks, 24, b. TX
 
 
 

14 WILLIAM JAMES (5) LATTA


William S. (4) James (3) James (2) James (1). Born November 21, 1852; m. Kitty or Kittie Nigh Bingham, at Harrisburg, Pa. __ 1884. She was born December 4, 1852. Her D.A.R. No. is 16448, Philadelphia. Her mother was a Miss Cameron. He was a telegraph operator for the Pennsylvania Railroad November 18, 1869, where he began working as a telegraph operator at the age of 18, and resigned August 31, 1899, as general agent, having passed through various positions as Superintendent, etc. In 1901 resigned the Presidency of the Telephone and Cable Company of America. He was also an avid collector of Napoleoniana.  He founded a scholarship in the University of Pennsylvania to the memory of Rev. James Latta, one of the first graduating class of eight and a memorial to Rev. James Latta in the Presbyterian Historical Society of Philadelphia. He joined the Sons of the American Revolution December 11, 1893 being great grandson of Chaplain James Latta (see family 2) and private John Wilson, a great grandson of Col. Samuel John Atlee (see family 11) and John Whitehill (see family 11) and private John Wilson, Sr.  William was a member of the Pennsylvania Scotch-Irish and resided at Wissahickon Heights, Chestnut Hill, PA (Annual Meeting & Banquet of the PA Scotch-Irish, Vol. 23, by the PA Scotch-Irish Society).

Children:
66 MARGARET DOUGLAS (6) b. August 22, 1886; m. W. Griffin Gibble, 1907,
D.A.R. No. 21788, Philadelphia. Children: Margaret Douglas b. 1908. Elizabeth Bancker b.
1910. Katharine b. 1911.
67 WILLIAM JAMES (6) b. September 15, 1888. Civil Engineer. Philadelphia.
68 KATHARINE (6) b. September 22, 1889.
69 MARY BINGHAM (6) b. November 24, 1890 in Philadelphia, PA; d. November 11, 1968 in Berkeley, CA; m. Dozier Finley on April 21, 1919. He was born on December 22, 1880 in Santa Clara Co., CA and died on May 25, 1960 in CA. In 1939 they lived at 2725 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley, Calif. Children: William Latta Finley, b. September 17, 1920; Mary Dozier Finley, b. September 1922; Cynthiana Finley, b. November 26, 1926; and Hugh Dozier Finley, b. November 18, 1928.

70 RACHEL WHITEHILL (6) b. December 20, 1892; m. Harry Alverson Franck June 28, 1919. Children: (1) Harry Alverson Jr. b. at sea April 25, 1920, (2) Katharine Latta b. Peiping, China March 26, 1923, (3) Patricia Wilsey b. Hampstead, Long Island, N.Y. November 25, 1925, (4) Charles William b. in Connecticut December 20, 1926, and (5) Peter Alverson b. at Bognor Regis, Sussex, England July 12, 1930. She was an author in her own right. Her book "I married a Vagabond" was published in 1939.

 

1880 Census, Philadelphia, PA
William J. Latta, 23, PA
Margaretta Latta, 58, PA, mother
Samuel W. Latta, 30, PA, brother
Margaret B. W. Latta, 25, PA, sister
Helen E. Latta, 21, PA, sister
John S. Latta, 17, PA, brother
Thomas L. Latta, 15, PA, brother
Eliza Clark, 22, PA
Maria McMullin, 47, PA

 

 

48 HORACE BARTLETT (5) LATTA

John Ewing (4) John E. (3) James (2) James (1).  b. December 27, 1852; d. November 16, 1913 in Philadelphia; m. Elizabeth "Lizzie" B. Bossler on February 23, 1887. Horace was a bookkeepter and lived in Philadelphia.

Children:
73  LIZZIE (6) b. February 27, 1898 in Philadelphia; d. February 28, 1898.
74  DOROTHY BARTLETT (6) b. November 24, 1904 in Philadelphia.

 

1900 Census, ED 945 Division 3, Philadelphia City, Ward 37
Horace Latta, 47, secratory, b. PA
Lizzie Latta, 35, b. May 1865 in PA
 
1910 Census, Philadelphia, Ward 34
Horace Latta, 55, b. PA
Lizzie Latta, 42, b. PA
 
 
50 JAMES M. (5) LATTA
 
John Y. (4) James (3) James (2) James (1). Born in 1877.  Married Anna Wilson.  James was an executive in wholesale and meat market and lived in Sadsbury Township, Chester County, PA.
 
Children:
75  JOHN Y. (6) b. 1914.
76  JANE (6) b. 1916.
77  JAMES M. JR. (6) b. 1918.
 
 
1920 Census, Chester Co., PA
James Latta, 43, b. PA
Anna Latta, 40, b. VT
John Latta, 5 y, 11 m., b. PA
Jane Latta, 4 y, 1 m, b. PA
James Latta, 10 m, b. PA
Blanche Powers, 21, b. PA
 
1930 Census, Sadsbury, Chester Co., PA
James Latta, 52, b. PA
Anna W. Latta, 50, b. VT
John Y. Latta, 16, b. PA
Jane Latta, 14, b. PA
James Latta, 12, b. PA
 
1940 Census, Sadsbury Township, Chester Co., PA
James Latta, 62, executive, wholesale & meat market, b. PA
Anna Wilson Latta, 60, b. VT
James Latta, Jr., 22, b. PA, son
 
 
 

52  WILLIAM RUPERT (5) LATTA

John Yates (4) James (3) James (2) James (1).  Born in 1880.

1900 Census, ED 76 Highland Township, Chester County, PA
John A. Park, 73, b. PA
Elisa L. Park, 67, b. PA
William R. Latta, 20, b. PA, nephew
Mary Lindberg, 21, b. Sweden
Gertrude Gibler, 39, b. PA
Charles Em*y, 41, b. PA
 
1910 Census, Parkesburg, Chester County, PA
Eliza Z. Parke, 77, b. PA
William R. Latta, 29, b. PA, nephew
Mary E. Linberg, 32, b. Sweden
 
1930 Census, Parkesburg, Chester County, PA
Wm. J. R. Latta, 50, b. PA, boarder, single
J. Wilson Moore, 45, b. PA
Deborah Moore, 32, b. PA
J. Wilson Moore, 9, b. PA
 

54 SAMUEL WHITEHILL (5) LATTA


William Sutton (4) James (3) James (2) James (1). b. at Parkesburg, Pa. July 23, 1848; d. 1923; m. Ann Abel of Eastern, Pa. September 15, 1873. Samuel was a physician and lived in Philadelphia.  Samuel was a member of the Pennsylvania Scotch-Irish and resided at 233 S. Fourth Street, Annex, Philadelphia (Annual Meeting & Banquet of the PA Scotch-Irish, Vol. 23, by the PA Scotch-Irish Society).

1900 Census, ED 543 Philadelphia, Ward 24, PA
Samuel W. Latta, 52, b. PA, physician
Anna A. Latta, 52, b. PA
Annie Leatherbury, 39, b. MD, servant
Clarence Short, 18, b. MD, servant
 
1910 Census, Philadelphia, PA
Samuel W. Latta, 71, b. PA
Anna A. Latta, 71, b. PA

 

 
 

60  HARRISON WAINWRIGHT (5) LATTA

James William (5) John E. (4) John E. (3) James (2) James (1) b. September 11, 1871; m. Ella Fritz Roberts, daughter of John D. and Mary C. Roberts of Johnstown, PA on November 17, 1903.  Harrison was a civil engineer and lived in Philadelphia.  "Who's Who in Engineering, Vo. 1, pg. 749"  lists Harrison W. Latta at 767 Drexel Bldg., residence 4528 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA.  Harrison was educated at Central High School in Philadelphia, and received a B.S. in Civil Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania.  He was a member of Phi Delta Theta.  He was a member of the firms Latta & Terry 1899-1915 and of Latta & Roberts after that.  One of the principal operations of his engineering career was a sea wall at the U.S. Naval Academy.  During the war he was engaged on ship yards and munition plants - specialty water-front work.  He was a member of the Am. Soc. C. E. Clubs, Union League, Engineers (Phil) Republican. Episcopalian.

 

1940 Census, Ward 27, Philadelphia, PA
Harrison Latta, 68, b. PA, civil engineer
Ella R. Latta, 64, b. PA
 

71 THOMAS LOVE (5) LATTA

William Sutton (4) James (3) James (2) James (1) b. September 24, 1865; d. _______; m. Florence Hood on January 18, 1893 in Philadelphia.  Thomas was a contractor in Philadelphia for the firm Armstrong & Printzenhoff. Thomas Love Latta attended the University of Pennsylvania.  He won a number of prizes in his class and in college athletics.

Children:
78  THOMAS LOVE, JR. (6) b. October 23, 1893; d. October 23, 1893 at Philadelphia.
79  ELIZABETH HOOD (6) b. February 2, 1895 in Philadelphia; m. John Ray McHenry.  No children.
80  MARGARET CORYELL (6) m. three times.  One daughter, Florence Rees.
81  THOMAS HOOD (6) b. October 4, 1897.  Married twice.  One adopted son, Thomas Rufus Latta, b. 1922.

 

81 THOMAS HOOD (6) LATTA

Thomas Love (5) William Sutton (4) James (3) James (2) James (1). b. October 4, 1897. m. Mary Hubble Latta.

Children:

82  THOMAS RUFUS (7) b. August 23, 1925; d. March 21, 2005.  Obituary: Thomas Rufas Latta, passed away Monday, March 21, 2005 at 8:56 a.m. in Baltimore, MD at the age of 79.  Born in  Rochester, NY on 23 August 1925, he was the son of Thomas Hood and Mary Hubble Latta.  He spent the majority of his life in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.  He spent the autumn years in Florida's East Coast and in Maryland.  He attended the University of Pennsylvania.  He was a salesman for most of his working career, but for 10 years he operated a coffee business.  He served in the US Army Air Corps for four years.  Thomas and his wife Elizabeth (Betty Jo) (Wright) were married for 59 years.  He has five children: Lisa Crump, David Latta, Barbara Parsels, Mary Mutter, and Thomas Latta, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

 


______________________________________________________________________________

THIS IS THE END OF THE BRANCH AND THE START OF THE NOTES
______________________________________________________________________________

University Archives and Records Center
University of Pennsylvania

A.B. Diploma of James Latta (1757)

large image of A.B. Diploma Awarded to James Latta in 1757

 

A.B. Diploma Awarded to James Latta in 1757, one of the first diplomas awarded by the College of Philadelphia (now the University of Pennsylvania) and therefore one of the first diplomas awarded by the University of Pennsylvania School of Arts and Sciences




1930's Note:

The following, also what is on page 1, is taken from a book printed by Rev. S.A.McPherson (branch No. 19) of Waxahachie, Texas: We may not have the records of all their ancestors, but it seems we have. Several traditions speak of five brothers coming to Pennsylvania or Maryland and two or three of them going to Orange Co., N.C. Robert was one of the five brothers. Is said to have died while his son, James, was little and with his wife was buried in Orange Co., N.C. Thomas, probably one of the five brothers, went to Orange Co., in 1760 or 1775. He appears to have married late in life, as Solomon, said to be his son, was born in 1793. Robert of Rowan, branch No. 19, may have been the son of Robert, one of the five brothers. If not, it seems he must have been the son of John, the rich one. John must have seen the possibilities of the rich Yadkin-Catawba region, and would naturally try to put his sons into such a favorable environment. As to John of Lincoln and Joseph of Machlenburg and James, the brother of John, it is nearly certain that they were sons of John. The fur, if brothers, would probably be born as follows: Robert b. 1749. Joseph b. 1751. John b. 1753. James b. 1755. The descendants of James includes a large number of prominent persons. I know nothing of the descendants of Robert except the names of his children. Of Joseph I know only the descendants of Elizabeth, the name of her brother John's wife, and of her sister Esther's husband. Assuming that James (1) Latta was one of the five traditional brothers who settled in America, we have the following table:
1 James. 2 Robert, Orange Co., N.C. 3 Thomas, Pa. later N.C. 4 Unnamed one, father of Matthew, Maryland. 5 unnamed, settled in Pa. or in Orange Co, N.C. 1 James branch No. 8, married twice. Name of first wife unknown by whom he had three children, Samuel. William settled in Pa. and Ohio. John went to Orange Co., N.C. about 1740. Married in 1747. Probably four or more sons. (No positive evidence that these were his sons.) Nothing is known of Samuel and William. John was born about 1749. He was called John Jr. Unmarried. Went to Lincoln, Mechlenburg Co., N.C. about 1769. Property also in Orange Co, N.C. Went to Antrim, Ireland in 1792. Died there. Robert born about 1751, married Jane ____ 1772. Does business in Rowan Co., N.C. in 1775. Died there in 1782. Will mentions wife Jane. Children: James. Samuel. Jane. Agnes. I have no hint as to the later life of any of these except Jane Latta, October 11, 1793 to Churza Hopkins in Orange Co., N.C. branch No. 19. Joseph the head of the family in census of 1790. Name of wife probably Nesbit. One son, four daughters. These are John b. 1779 m. Margaret Woodsides February 5, 1803, Cabarrus Co., Esther born 1791. Married Ephrain Pharr July 14, 1801, Machlenbuerg Co., daughter born 1793. Elizabeth born September 4, ____. Married twice, first husband (Robert) Cochran, January 1, 1805. Had two children. Eleanor b. December 10, 1805. Robert b. 1807. Second husband, John Stephenson, m. July 23, 1811 in Rowan Co., N.C. Six children, one was a daughter, b. 1788. James b. 1755. Married twice. First to Elizabeth Houston, 1780. Two children: William and Robert. William b. at Antrim, Ireland October 8, 1781. Married Mary P. Woods. Died at Darlington, S.C. September 26, ____. Six children. Robert b. in Antrim 1781, came to America with his father in 1792 or 1793. Married twice. First to Miss Allison. One child: William. Second wife, Miss Dilworth. Two children: Cecelia and James. Second wife of James, above, b. 1755, was Jane Knox. Three children: Mary. Nancy. Elizabeth. This James has a number of descendants. After settling his brother John's estate at Lincolntown, he removed to Hopewell, Mechlenburg Co., where his brother Joseph appears to have lived.  Going back to James (2) son of James (1). James (2) b. in Ireland 1732. Six years of age when shipwrecked in 1738. Volunteered in Revolutionary War. Afterwards Chaplain. Died in 1801. In school under his uncle Mr. Alison, for years.
There is something of doubt in my mind about the connection between my ancestor, Joseph Latta, and the other Latta's. But the above statement is to say the least the most plausible. (NOTE 1996: The above note helps to show a tie of branch 12 and 19)

The Winterthur Library

The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Jeanne Solensky

jsolensky@winterthur.org
Librarian
Downs Collection of

Manuscripts and

Printed Ephemera

(302) 888-4853

(302) 888-4870 fax


OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

Creator: Latta family; Title: Papers; Dates: 1880-ca.1930; Call No.: Col. 104; Acc. No.: 91x102, 92x182; Quantity: 5 boxes, 2 map case drawers; Location: 17 K 2, map case 6

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

William J. Latta was born on November 21, 1852 in Chester County, Pa. His father, William Sutton Latta (1822-1872), was the first surgeon of the Pennsylvania Railroad. William J. began working at the Pennsylvania Railroad Co. as a telegraph operator at the age of eighteen. He rose through the ranks to become agent of the railroad, a position he held until his retirement in 1899. William was also an avid collector of Napoleoniana.

William J. Latta married Kitty Nigh Bingham. They had five children: Margaret, William, Jr., Katherine, Mary, and Rachel. The family lived at 430 West Moreland Ave., Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Pa. in home known as "Grey Arches." For periods of time, William and Kitty Lattas' unmarried sisters, Elizabeth Bingham, Mary Virginia Bingham, and Margaret Douglas Wilson Latta, resided with the family. "Grey Arches" remained in the possession of the family until 1958 when it was torn down. The Lattas also had a summer home in Rockport, Maine called "White Cedars."

SCOPE AND CONTENT

Most of this collection is comprised of household and personal bills, various types of railroad passes, family letters, diaries kept by Rachel Latta, and architectural drawings, photographs, and legal documents relating to "Grey Arches" and its greenhouse. The bills were incurred by several members of the family who lived at "Grey Arches." They were for clothing, food, pharmaceutical items, house furnishings, funeral expenses, and general upkeep of the house. The railroad passes were for baggage, transportation and telegraph privileges. Many of the letters were sent from the Latta children to their father, mother, and Aunt Gertie between 1899 and 1919. Another series of letters was sent from William Latta, Jr. to his father and sisters during his tour of duty on Sub Chaser 212 during and after World War I.

Rachel Latta's diaries cover the years 1904 and 1910 through 1914. She describes her life in Maine, Chestnut Hill, and Westover School in Middlebury, Ct. Also featured are details of her trip to the St. Louis Exposition.

This collection also includes catalogs from the sale of William J. Latta's collection of Napoleoniana, held in April and November, 1913 at the Anderson Galleries in New York City. His collection included letters, bronzes, portraits, caricatures, mezzotints, memoirs and other documents.

ORGANIZATION

The household bills and legal documents pertaining to "Grey Arches" are in Boxes 1 and 2; plans for the house are in the map case. Also in Box 2 are items relating to William J. Latta. Boxes 3 and 4 are other Latta family items, including letters and diaries. A typescript of letters and diaries is found in Box 5.

PROVENANCE

Gift of Katherine Frank Huettner.

ACCESS POINTS

People:

Latta, William J., 1852-1938.

Latta, William Sutton, 1822-1872.

Latta, Kitty Bingham.

Latta, William J., Jr.

Franck, Rachel Whitehall Latta.

Latta, Katherine.

Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821.

Topics:

Grey Arches (Philadelphia, Pa.), Louisiana Purchase Exposition (1904 : Saint Louis, Mo.), Finance, Personal - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Architectural drawing - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, House furnishings - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Cost and standard of living - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Railroads - Employees - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Railroad passes - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Railroads - United States, Architecture - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Greenhouses - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Architecture - Designs and plans, Household supplies, Dwellings - Maintenance and repair - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, home economics - Pennsylvania - Philadelphia, Building materials, Upper class - Social life and customs, World War, 1914-1918, Young women - Diaries, Philadelphia (Pa.) - Social life and customs, Rockport (Me.) - Social life and customs, Bills of sale, Clippings, Autographs, Architectural drawings, Photographic prints, Reports, Catalogs, Tickets, Schedules, Correspondence, Vouchers, Floor plans, Blueprints, Wedding invitations, Visiting cards, Cards, Surgeons, Agents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION, Location: 17 K 2

Box 1: Illustrated bills relating to "Grey Arches" household activities, ca. 1880-ca. 1912: Bills A, B, C, D, E&F, G&H, I-K, L-N, O-Q, R, Box 2: Bills - S, T-Z, legal documents pertaining to :Grey Arches," ca. 1892-1930. Several pertain to the sale of the back lot in 1930.: Title, Mortgages, Bonds and Warrants, Sale agreements, letters, etc., to William J. Latta, Jr.; William J. Latta papers and memorabilia; club membership passes (75 items), baggage passes (78 items), telegraph passes, railroad passes (67 items), railroad tickets, timetables (25 items), Latta, William J., business correspondence, etc., report of a study of a harbor at Southport, S.C. by Wm. J. Latta when acting as a consultant on railway matters after his retirement, miscellaneous, including calling cards, reward of merit cards, and autographs of opera singers; Box 3: U.S. Military Telegraph Corps, clippings and Broad St. Station Fire, catalog -- Napoleon collection, clippings about sale of Napoleoniana Sneath, Prof. E. Hershey - Catalogs of Napoleoniana, Latta family material: Bingham family, including invitations and regrets for an 1884 wedding, Latta, Rev. William, Latta, William Sutton, Latta, Mrs. Kitty N. (Bingham) -- letters, Latta, Mrs. Kitty - Will, Latta, William J. - letters from his children, Latta, William J. - letters from William, Jr.; Box 4: Letters to Aunt Gertie from the Latta children, Letters to Santa from the Latta children, Letters to Katherine from her father, Letters to Rachel from Latta family members, Latta, Rachel--Diaries (3 vols.), Latta, William, Jr. Letters during World War I, Cruise of the Satano, Copies of newspaper clippings about Latta family members; Box 5: "Latta Letters and Diaries," with annotations by Katharine Franck Huettner (typescripts of letters and diaries in this collection); Map case 6: Architectural drawings and elevations of "Grey Arches", Proposed additions to both house and greenhouse, Blueprints of house and property, Floor plans, Plans of the grounds, Photograph album containing interior and exterior views, Pencil drawing of a children's log cabin, built in the 1890s as a playhouse for the children.

The following are the railroad papers of 14 William J. Latta. (Provided by George Latta)