BIO: WEAKLEY Family, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson OCRed by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/ _____________________________________________________________ >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 602-604 _____________________________________________________________ NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pa/cumberland/zeamer/ WEAKLEY. James Weakley and his wife Jane came to this country from Devonshire, England, between the years of 1725-30. They built a log house about one mile north of Yellow Breeches Creek, near the present site of Barnitz Mill, in West Pennsboro township, Cumberland Co., Pa. Later this township was divided, and the part in which the old homestead stood was called Dickinson. Until a few years ago the foundation-walls and some decayed logs still remained of the house, the first home of the Weakleys in America. James settled here in what was then a wilderness of oak. There were other settlers, however, in the Cumberland Valley, but this was a very isolated spot, and tradition has it that it was many months before a strange face was seen. In this vicinity were settlements of Scotch-Irish, and from this fact arose the mistaken idea that the Weakleys were also Scotch-Irish. The early Weakleys were staunch Presbyterians, and during the Revolutionary War were mainly on the side of the Colonies. This, in a way, was peculiar, as they were large land-owners, and might have wished to hold favor with the government of the King. The records in Harrisburg, Pa., show that James Weakley had patented an extensive area of land here; in fact, a strip extending from Mt. Holly Springs to the Old Stone Tavern, about seven miles long by three broad. This land was later divided into plantations, in the language of the will (on record in Carlisle, Pa.) and apportioned among his several sons. He and his wife rest side by side in the old graveyard at Meeting House Springs, Cumberland Co., Pa. Their graves are well marked, and they sleep in this quaint old burying-ground, close beside the banks of the Conedoguinet Creek, two miles west of Carlisle, Pennsylvania. This, then, is a brief history of the first Weakley in America. His broad lands have descended to his heirs, their children and their children's children. His descendants have scattered to the south and west, many of them not cognizant of the stock from which they sprung. They have helped fight the country's battles and develop her resources, but never proved unworthy of their sturdy father who settled in the wilds of Pennsylvania so many years ago. They have married and intermarried with the old families, until their offspring is as numerous as the trees of the forest. Along the banks of the Yellow Breeches creek, on either side lie the farms bequeathed by the fathers to the sons, silent monuments of their thrift, their energy, and their effort. The major part of James's vast estate has passed into the hands of strangers, and limestone farms, the finest in the world, occupy what was once his broad possessions. Five generations of Weakleys have lived since James settled here, many of them prominent in their day, but now, too often, their deeds are their only monument. Stephen Foulke Weakley was born Jan. 3, 1812, CUMBERLAND COUNTY. 603 on the old Weakley Farm in Dickinson township. He died Dec. 3, 1884, and is interred in the Mt. Holly Springs Cemetery. His father was James Weakley, son of Edward, who was the son of James the progenitor of the Weakley family in America. His mother was Priscilla Foulke of Carlisle, and of Welsh descent. Mr. Weakley's early life was spent in hard work on the farm in summer, and in winter he gained such education as the country afforded, which was very meager, but he applied himself to such good purpose that he was soon appointed to teach the school in which he had been a pupil. Desiring to broaden his ideas he made a trip to Ohio, then called the "back woods." This was long before the time of railroads, so he traveled by wagon part of the way and roughed it the rest. After sojourning in Dayton and New Carlisle about two years, during which time he learned the tanner's trade, he returned to the old farm on which he resided the rest of his life, with the exception of two years spent at York Springs, Adams county. He held the office of School Director in Dickinson township for nine years, and was always a zealous advocate for everything that made for the advancement in the educational field. Prior to the Civil war he was an outspoken and active Abolitionist, prominent in "Under Ground Railroad" work. By his actions he incurred the enmity of the slave-holders who had him prosecuted in the United States courts, and heavily fined. He never recanted and continued in the work of universal freedom until Abraham Lincoln struck the shackles from the bondmen. He was one of the, founders of the Republican party and an indefatigable worker during his long life, but never asked or received a political office for himself or friends. Bred in the Presbyterian faith and carefully instructed in its tenets he was unable to accept its doctrines, but took a more liberal view of Christianity and was in accord with the Unitarian Church, but was never a member of any denomination. An ardent friend of justice, truth and right, he was always ready at all times to do battle for these principles, no matter what the consequences might be. He was a radical of the radicals, and always in the advance of the age in which he lived. His life was a stormy one. Mr. Weakley married Harriet Kaufman, of Boiling Springs, in whom he had a noble wife. Their children were: James Abram (died in infancy), Mrs. Minnie Rinker, Willis James, Mrs. Emma L. Harman (deceased), Mrs. Phebe W. Weakley, Mrs. Susie Peffer, Louis Oliver, and Stephen Herbert. WILLIS JAMES WEAKLEY, son of Stephen Foulke Weakley, was born March 24, 1846, in Cumberland county, Pa. He is the eldest son to reach maturity out of a family of eight. His early life was spent on his father's farm, the old Weakley homestead, near the site of the first settlement of James Weakley. After passing through the public schools of that day he took a course of instruction at the Millersville State Normal School, and on his return began teaching in the schools of his native county. For over forty years he was thus employed, and there is no name on the rolls of the teachers of this county more honored than his. His genial personality, his skill, and his culture earned for him this reputation. Not only as a teacher, but as the friend of education, and those employed in her pursuit, was he most active and sincere. In this connection he made many friends, as he was always ready to help any worthy cause or project. 604 CUMBERLAND COUNTY. Politics, too, claimed some of Mr. Weakley's attention, and we find him taking part in the councils and efforts of his party for more than thirty years. Being a student and a thinker he was well qualified to defend and battle for his convictions. Always fair to a foe, and true to a friend seems to have been his motto. For almost twenty years he has served in the capacity of Justice of the Peace in Cumberland county with signal honor to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. He has graced the office with his ability and character and has shown the functions of it in its true light. More than this he has shown what it means to be a citizen of integrity and honor. Always of a genial nature, affable and courteous, competent and conservative, kindly in manner, and a friend of the oppressed, he has grown old gracefully and lives a retired life on his property in South Dickinson township. His family consists of two sons, Frank and Bruce, and one daughter, Mabel. Frank Weakley, born Aug. 23, 1880, began teaching at an early age after going through the country schools and taking instruction at the Cumberland Valley State Normal School, and has risen to the front ranks in the profession, and is now Ward Principal in Carlisle, Pa. He is magnetic, courteous, resourceful and capable. He has been active, too, in the councils of his party, and has held responsible appointments in this. connection. Mr. Weakley is a prominent and active member of several secret societies, and is deservedly popular. He has attained some distinction as an orator and speaker, being eloquent and well versed. He is the Historian of the Weakley Family Association and his efforts are largely responsible for the publication of a history of The Weakley Family in America. Being ambitious and energetic, he has been awake to his opportunities but has twice suffered from attacks, almost fatal, of disease brought on through overwork. Bruce Weakley, born June 17, 1882, is a young man of great promise, possessing sterling traits of industry and character. He taught for two years of his life, and is now in the employ of the government, in the capacity of railway mail clerk. He was a clerk in the Carlisle postoffice, too, for more than a year. His genial manner and courteous address have won him hosts of friends.