History of Kingsessing, (Philadelphia County) Pennsylvania United States of America

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Biographies:

John Bartram, botanist, was born at Marple, Delaware county, Pa., March 23, 1699. His first intention was to become a physician, and he devoted some time to studying for that profession, but his natural tastes inclined him toward botany, and he founded, near Philadelphia, the first botanical garden in this country. His success was so marked that Linn?us called him the most accomplished natural botanist of the world, and in America he became known as "the father of American botany." He made long excursions and collected many valuable specimens. He was held in so high esteem abroad, that he was made American botanist to George III. He is the author of "Observations on the Inhabitants, Climate, Soil, Rivers, Productions, Animals and Other Matters Worthy of Notice, Made by Mr. John Bartram in his Travels from Pennsylvania to Onondaga, Oswego, and the Lake Ontario in Canada" (1751), and he also contributed to several scientific journals, notably a paper on his visit to East Florida in 1765-'66. He died at Kingsessing, Pa., Sept. 22, 1777.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor

William Bartram, botanist, was born in Kingsessing, near Philadelphia, Pa., Feb. 9, 1739; son of John Bartram, the "father of American botany." Being bred in an atmosphere of natural science, he acquired a taste for botany, and the business life which he first entered was soon exchanged for the study of that science. He published in 1792 a book entitled "Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, the Cherokee Country, the Extensive Territories of the Muscogules, or Creek Confederacy, and the Country of the Choctaws." He became famous as a scientist. He was unmarried, and lived quite alone. His home was filled with rare plants and flowers, and was frequently visited by strangers. In 1797 William Dunlap paid him a visit, which he describes: "Arrived at the botanist's garden, we approached an old man, who, with a rake in his hand, was breaking the clods of earth on a tulip bed. His hat was an old one, and flopped over his face; his coarse shirt was seen near his neck, as he wore no cravat or kerchief; his waistcoat and breeches were both of leather, and his shoos were tied with leather strings. We approached and accosted him. He ceased his work and entered into conversation wish the ease and politeness of nature's nobleman; his countenance was expressive of benignity and happiness. This was the botanist, traveller and philosopher we had come to see." Alexander Wilson was greatly aided in his scientific work by Mr. Bartram, whose ornithological studies were very extended. His publications include: "Anecdotes of a Crow," "Description of Certhia." "Memoirs of John Bartram," "Observations on the Creek and Cherokee Indians," and a list of American birds. He died July 22, 1823.

From: Twentieth Century Biographical Dictionary of Notable Americans, Johnson, Rossiter, editor