William Kimble was born in Buckingham, Bucks County, around 1730 to 1735, the youngest child of Anthony and Matilda Kimble.1 William grew up on land given to Matilda by her father Richard Morrey, of the wealthy Morreys of Philadelphia and Cheltenham. William might have known his grandfather Richard, who died in 1753. Richard and his children fell away from the Quaker faith and joined the Church of England. When William married Sarah Worthington in 1770, they married at Christ Church in Philadelphia.2

Sarah was the daughter of Samuel Worthington and Mary Carver, from two good Quaker families of Buckingham township, although they were falling away from the Society by this generation. One of Sarah’s sisters, Esther Worthington, married William’s brother Anthony. Samuel named his daughters Sarah and Hester Kimble in his will of 1775.3 The marriage in 1770 was a late one for William, but they nonetheless had a large family.

William and Sarah lived in Buckingham. The tax records for Buckingham Township, starting in 1761 and extending for years, include William Kimble and his brother Anthony.4 In 1763 William added to his farm by buying 92 acres in 1763 from his nephew Thomas Hicks. He also received land, another fifty acres, from his mother’s estate in 1750.5 This entire tract of 275 acres in Buckingham adjoined the land of Benjamin Worthington.6 In 1790 there were three Kimble households living close to each other in Buckingham: William, Anthony and John.7 There is also a William Kemble living in Abington, Montgomery County. This William appears in the census with two older males, two younger males, and two females, which would closely fit the profile of his family. This would also make it easy for William’s daughter Martha to meet her husband Peter Tyson of Upper Dublin. In the direct tax list of 1798 (the “windowpane tax”) William Kimble was listed as the owner of a stone house in Abington, 30 feet by 18 feet, with two floors but no outbuildings. The occupant was William’s son Jonathan. If this is the same William, then he must have been renting out the Buckingham land, since he still owned it.

William Kimble died in 1812 or early 1813. On February 1, 1813, letters of administration were granted to his son-in-law Peter Tyson. Sarah had died before him, since she was not named in the court record.8 The Orphan’s Court of Bucks County noted that he owned 264 acres in Buckingham.9

After William’s death, Richard Kimble sold the family homestead, placing an advertisement for it.

Plantation of 269 Acres in Buckingham Township, 24 miles from Philadelphia – and 4 ½ miles from Doylestown. The later Property of Wm. Kimble (dec.d) Adjoins land of Benjamin Worthington, Wm. Titus (Anthony Kimble’s homestead) and others. Improvements are – good two story Stone House. Well of excellent Water near Door. Log Barn with Stabling. The place is well watered and divided in 2 Farms by a Road leading from Doylestown to Newtown (Swamp Road). Apple Orchard is in Prime of bearing, with many other Fruit Trees. With the Buildings, is proposed to sell about 100 A. – with a sufficient proportion of Meadow and Timber. The remaining 169 A. the Principal Part of which is under Timber will be sold in Lots of 5 A or more as may suit the Purchaser.10

Children of William and Sarah:11

Jonathan, died 1852. He served as administrator of William’s estate along with Peter Tyson. He owned a tract of 150 acres in Plumstead. He died in 1852, unmarried and with no children.12

Martha, died 1832, married about 1793 Peter Tyson, son of Rynear and Mary. Peter and Mary lived in Upper Dublin, Montgomery County, and had children Rynear, William, Peter, Martha, Sarah, Mary, Rebecca and Jesse.13 After Peter died, the daughter Mary took care of Martha. Martha and Peter are buried at Upper Dublin Friends, although they were not Quakers. Peter had close relations with his Kimble in-laws. He administered William’s estate, sued Isaiah, borrowed money from Richard and Jonathan.14

Richard, born about 1775, died in 1843, married Mary Jane Kerr, lived in Moreland, Montgomery County.15 Children: Abel, Chalkley, Isaiah, Sarah, Owen, William and Richard.16 His sons Owen and Isaiah were the administrators.

John, married a woman named Charlotte. They lived in Montgomery Township, Montgomery County, where he died in 1812, leaving Charlotte with seven children under 21. Children: John, Sarah, Mary Ann, Martha, William, Isaiah, Azor. John did not leave a will, and his estate of 94 acres was handled by the Orphan’s Court.17

William, died before 1852, married Rachel Dungan in 1794.18 William was living in Northampton when he married Rachel at the Neshaminy Presbyterian Church of Warminster. Children: William, Garret, Sarah.19

Isaiah, married a woman named Anna Maria. They lived in Abington, where Isaiah died in 1848, leaving his widow and seven children: G. Washington, Tamysan, Harriet, Jonathan, Juliana, Isaiah, Mary Jane.20 Isaiah owned 120 acres in Abington, on the Welsh Road and Limekiln Road, which was sold in two pieces after his death, part to Owen Kimble and part to Isaiah Kimble.21

Christopher, alive in 1830 but died before 1852.22 Christopher was unable to manage his own affairs, and Peter Tyson was appointed trustee for him. “Peter Tyson was appointed trustee for his brother in law Christopher Kimble a lunatic, amount unascertained but supposed to be on the 18th June 1830 to be about 6831.00.”23

Sarah, alive in 1813, died before 1852. No further records.24

Frances, died before 1852.25