Brinton, Joseph E.

William Brinton, the first of the name who emigrated to America, came from the village of Nether Gournall, parish of Sedgely, Staffordshire, England. He was born about 1630, and died in 1700. He first settled in the State of Delaware, in the year 1684. He married Ann Bagley in 1659, and had four children, of whom his son, William, born in 1666, married Jean Thatcher in 1690. Their children were five in number, — Joseph, the eldest, was born in 1692, and married, in 1711, Mary Pierce, whose children were thirteen in number. Joseph married for his second wife Mary Elgar in 1748, to whom were born no children. John Brinton, the second son of Joseph and Mary Pierce, married Margaret Williamson. To this marriage were born children, — Joseph, Sarah, and Esther. Joseph, whose birth occurred in 1754, married Mary Martin, and had children, — Weldon, Margaret, Lydia, John, Abraham, Mary, Samuel, and Thomas. Abraham was born Nov. 3, 1784, and married Mary Eavenson. Their children were Joseph E., the subject of this biographical sketch, Margaretta, Mary Ann, John, Yearsley, and Lydia. Abraham Brinton died on the 8d of November, 1859. His son, Joseph E., was born Dec. 7, 1813, in Thornbury, on the farm which his father purchased. The advantages of education at this early period were limited, and confined to the rudiments of English, which were acquired by Joseph E. at the neighboring school, after which his willing hands found occupation in cultivating the land his father owned. He continued to be thus associated with his father until his marriage, on the 1st of February, 1838, to Mary Marshall, daughter of William and Sarah Marshall, who sailed from England, and landed in Philadelphia with her parents on the 10th of October, 1820, when but four years of age. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Brinton are Marshall, Margaretta, Sarah, Anne, John, Lydia, Hannah, and Joseph A., who died May 6, 1870. On the death of his father, Mr. Brinton inherited one-half the paternal estate. This he cultivated until 1879, when, having erected an attractive residence of brick adjacent to the homestead, he retired from active labor, his son succeeding him in the management of the farm. He has been an energetic, active man, and risen by his own exertions to a position of independence. He has evinced strict truthfulness and honesty in all business transactions, his word being regarded as good as his bond. Mr. Brinton's political convictions are in accord with the principles of the Democracy, though his ballot is cast for men of worth irrespective of party. He has taken much interest in affairs connected with the township, and served in a minor official capacity. His services are also frequently called into requisition as trustee and in the settlement of estates. He worships with both the Friends' Meeting and the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and aids in the support of each.[bib]703[/bib]