William Hurrie

William Hurrie / Hurry

The Liberty Bellringer

 

Biography

 

Supporting Articles

 

Stories of Descendants

 

Associates of Wm. Hurrie

Listed in Estate Papers
Bond, George
Crawford, Alexander
Fiss, Christian
Fry,Joseph
Fry, Martha
Hurrie, Arthur
Robbins, Samuel
Wampole, Isaac
Weaver, Nicholas

 

Other Known Associates

Bayard, John
Duffield, Rev. George
McCalla, John
Mitchell, John
Paxton, William

 

Records

 

Writings
Excerpts from Book

 

Links

UK Roots  – See where in the UK is this name common
 

How to Contribute

 

 

Biography

 

 

William Hurry is generally accepted by historians to be the man who rang the Liberty Bell when Independence was declared although he wasn’t the official keeper of the House until March 4, 1777. Andrew McNair, the official keeper of the House in 1776 is believed to have been away from his job on July 8, when the bell tolled signaling the Declaration of Independence has been signed.

 

The argument for William Hurry as the bell ringer comes from the records at Old Pine St. Church. William Hurry attended this church and later a story of him ringing the Liberty Bell at the Declaration of Independence was told. It wasn’t until years later that his gravestone was uncovered in the old church yard.

 

Not everyone agreed that William Hurry was the bellringer calling people the day the Declaration of Independence was read. In July 1908, Clarence P. Wynne made a plea to the Philadelphia Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution that Andrew McNair was actually the bellringer. However, McNair has not been accepted by historians as the bellringer on that date despite his position as doorkeeper at the time.

 

William Hurry was the primary doorkeeper and ringer of the Liberty Bell beginning in March 4, 1777 until near his death. William’s son-in-law Joseph Fry succeeded him as doorkeeper of the State House.

 

 

   People Listed in Wm. Hurrie’s Estate Papers

George Bond

 

♥ Mentioned in William Hurrie’s Estate papers.

George Bond reimbursed the Hurry estate money. He was Deputy of Congress for the second half of the Revolutionary War from November 1779 through October 1783. Most of the historical record of George Bond consists of letters and resolutions. Bond petitioned Congress in several letters requesting a salary increase. Bond was appointed by the Congress to sign Continental Currency by resolution of February 23, 1779.

 

 

 

   Alexander Crawford

 

♥ Mentioned in William Hurrie’s Estate papers.

Alexander Crawford was paid for the head and foot stone for William Hurrie’s grave. The Philadelphia Directory for 1785 listed his occupation as a stone cutter.  His business  was located at Pine and Lombard Street. Alexander was born February 26, 1757 and is listed in Northern Liberties Township on the 1800 census. On Octover 29, 1772, there is a records of Alexander having an indentured servant, Jonathon Link.

 

 

 

Christian Fiss

 

♥ Mentioned in William Hurrie’s Estate papers.

Christian Fiss was listed on the inventory page of William Hurrie’s estate papers. He was a fan builder. Christian had Edward Ridgeway indentured to him in July 1773 to learn how to make fans. John Frider was also indentured to him in March 1773. In 1791 his address was 14 Spruce Street.

 

In the 1783 Federal Tax List there is a Christian Fiss who was a tavern keeper. He is about 7 lines away on the tax list from Samuel Robbins who was a boat builder. Christian Fiss died in 1795 and had a will. His wife’s name is Mary.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joseph Fry

 

♥ Mentioned in William Hurrie’s Estate papers.

Joseph Fry was the administrator for WIlliam Hurrie’s estate and was reimbursed from the estate for William’s funeral expenses, doctor’s bills. collecting sundry goods in the Jerseys and bringing them to Philadelphia, hauling goods to vendors, and his expenses in appraising. Joseph was also William’s son-in-law and he took William’s job as doorkeeper after William died.
   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Martha Fry

 

Martha Hurrie Fry, William’s daughter, was paid from 1 July 1779 to 22 Oct 1781 (119 weeks) as housekeeper to William Hurrie. She was married to Joseph Fry who was administrator of William Hurrie’s will. 

 

This payment is interesting because the beginning of the work period starts over two years earlier.  Did William hire her and agree to pay her later?  Was this a way for the Fry family to get additional funds from the estate?  It is difficult to determine.

 

 

 

 

Michael Hilligas

 

Michael Hilligas, who was the First Treasurer of the United States, paid money to the Hurrie estate. This money was probably wages due to Hurrie for his services. Michael Hilligas died in 1804 and was buried at Christ Church.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

Arthur Hurrie

 

Arthur Hurry, who is believed to be William’s son,  was listed  in the estate papers as reimbursing the estate for money owed William.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Parker

 

John Parker did the appraisal and inventory of William Hurrie/Hurry’s estate with Nicholas Weaver. There were several men named John Parker in the area and details of this particular man have not yet been identified.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Samuel Robbins

 

Samuel Robbins was mentioned on the inventory page in William Hurrie’s estate papers. He was a boat builder and merchant. One source stated that he had a “large shipping interest in the Revolutionary War.” Boats that he had an interest in were Queen of France, Robin Hood, Good Intent, Dandy, Industry, Ranger and Seaflower. He was an original member of the Vililant Fire Company. He died in 1797 in Philadelphia and had a will. His wife’s name was Hannah.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Isaac Wampole

 

On January 31, 1793, Isaac Wampole signed, along with Joseph Fry, the statement in the estate papers that declared that William Hurrie’s estate was settled. Although he had a small estate, it had taken over 11 years to settle it.

 

Isaac Wampole died in Montgomery County, PA 9 Aug 1837. Isaac was identified in the 1796 Philadelphia directory as a scrivener (a scribe and/or notary). Isaac’s father was Jacob and he lived in Montgomery County. George Washington stayed at his farm during the Revolutionary War.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nicholas Weaver

 

Nicholas Weaver did the appraisal and inventory of William Hurrie/Hurry’s estate with John Parker. Nicholas Weaver was appointed messenger of the Constitutional Convention in 1787 on the same date that Joseph Fry, William Hurrie’s son-in-law was appointed doorkeeper. He was also elected Sargent of arms in 1786. In 1785, he was a shopkeeper on Third Street between Market and Arch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Known Associates

John Bayard

 

 

John Bayard, speaker of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, signed a note to David Rittenhouse, treasure, in 1778 to pay William Hurrie 10 pounds. The note is also signed by William Hurrie. John Bayard was a merchant, businessman, and statesman.

 

Documents:

Bayard Note

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reverend George Duffield

 

 

William Hurrie  signed the call for Reverend George Duffield at what is now known as Old Pine Church. Rev. Duffield was also the Chaplin to the First Continental Congress and the Pennsylvania Militia. 

 

A man named Arthur Hurry also signed the call for Rev. Duffield.  It is believed this is a different Arthur Hurry/Hurrie than the one believed to be William’s son.  A son would not likely have been old enough to sign such a document in 1771.  Additionally, if the son was old enough to sign, William would not likely have been involved in or received money from the son’s indenture some in 1773.

 

Documents:

Call for Rev. Duffield

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John McCalla

 

Arthur Hurry, was indentured to John McCalla,who was a tailor. This is believed to be William’s son as it lists his father as William and Arthur also paid money to William’s estate. Captain John McCalla Jr. is listed in the Revolutionary Rolls as captain of the 3rd company for North Dock Ward.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Mitchell

 

John Mitchell was a servant from Ireland that was indentured to William Hurry for one year starting 19 July 1773.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

William Paxton

 

William Paxton from Ireland was an indentured servant to William Hurry starting on 21 Oct 1772. He ran away and William posted a reward for his return in the Pennsylvania Packet.