Matthias Pennypacker (August 15, 1786 – April 4, 1852) was an American politician from Pennsylvania. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County from 1827 to 1828 and in 1831.

Matthias Pennypacker
Member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
from the Chester County district
In office
1831–1831
Preceded byJoshua McMinn, Jesse James, Jesse Pugh, Matthew Stanley
Succeeded byThomas Ashbridge, Arthur Andrews, Benjamin Griffith, Elijah F. Pennypacker
In office
1827–1828
Preceded byJoshua Hunt, David Potts Jr., John Chandler, William Thompson
Succeeded byRobert Miller, John Morgan, Isaac Trimble, Samuel McCleane
Personal details
Born(1786-08-15)August 15, 1786
Schuylkill Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedApril 4, 1852(1852-04-04) (aged 65)
Chester County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Political partyWhig
Spouse
Sarah Anderson
(m. 1807)
Children5, including Matthias J.
Relatives
Occupation
  • Politician
  • farmer
  • miller

Early life

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Matthias Pennypacker was born on August 15, 1786, at Pennypacker's Mill in Schuylkill Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, to Mary (née Custer) and Matthias Pennypacker. His father was a farmer and a miller and was a preacher at a church in Phoenixville.[1] Pennypacker grew up on the farm and was educated at subscription schools.[1]

Career

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Pennypacker worked as a farmer and a miller. He operated a sawmill and was a lumber dealer.[1]

Pennypacker was a Whig. He served as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing Chester County from 1827 to 1828 and in 1831.[1][2] He was a member of the 1837 constitutional convention.[1] In 1831, Pennypacker was one of the organizers of the Reading Company and was an incorporator of the Philadelphia & Reading Railroad.[1]

Personal life

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In 1807, Pennypacker married Sarah Anderson, daughter of Isaac Anderson, of Schuylkill Township. They had four sons and one daughter, James A., Mary A., Isaac A., Washington and Matthias J. His son Matthias also served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.[1] His grandson was Pennsylvania Governor Samuel W. Pennypacker. His great-grandson was Union General Galusha Pennypacker.[1][3] Pennypacker was a Mennonite.[1]

Pennypacker died on April 4, 1852, at his home on Pickering Creek in Chester County.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Wiley, Samuel T. (1893). Garner, Winfield Scott (ed.). Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Chester County, Pennsylvania, Comprising A Historical Sketch of the County. Gresham Publishing Company. pp. 640–643. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Archive.org. 
  2. ^ Thomson, W. W., ed. (1898). Chester County and Its People. The Union History Company. p. 439. Retrieved November 10, 2023 – via Archive.org. 
  3. ^ Jordan, John W. (1978). Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania. Genealogical Publishing Company. pp. 485–488, 491. ISBN 0-8063-0811-7. Retrieved November 10, 2023.