The Patton Family
My great-great grandfather was named after both his parents, William and Henrietta Anthony. William Anthony Patton was born in 1822. His father died just a few weeks before young William's first birthday. After the death of his father, he moved with his mother to Philadelphia where she remarried. Once he reached adulthood, he left for Pittsburgh where he engaged in the iron business. Much of his fathers family had interests in the iron industry in that city. We can only assume that is why he chose that place. In 1850, he married Sarah Williamson. Almost immediately they began their family. Daughter Henrietta Anthony was born first, followed by David Williamson, then Margaret Matilda. Tragedy struck soon after. William was killed on July 9, 1857 while away on business in Detroit, Michigan. Baby Margaret died in October of the following year and Sarah died in 1859. This left Henrietta and David orphans. Henrietta was sent to live with her father's sister, Amelia. David was sent to his Aunt Rachel. Both of the aunts resided in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania, so at least they were near each other. In the short span of 9 years, a family had began, grown and withered away.
William Patton grew up around the iron business that his father had built. He co-founded Tussey Furnace, however, he later became a lawyer. He practiced law in Philadelphia intially, but later moved to Huntingdon where he met and married Henrietta Hillegas Anthony. They married in the Presbyterian church on May 18th, 1815. At that time, he "read law" with John Henderson, Esq. In 1819, he became the Deputy District Attorney for Tioga County in northern Pennsylvania. His wife and daughter, Rachel, accompanied him. In 1823, Typhoid Fever was raging in the area and William was taken ill and died on January 23rd. As of this writing, it is not know where he is buried. He and Henrietta had 3 children.
