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- Asaph Bisbee moved to Philadelphia before 1813. He was a shoemaker, cordwainer and a dealer in various articles of footwear until his death. He made a will in Philadelphia, PA, Will Book 19, page 193, will number 163, as follows: "In the Name of God, Amen. I, Asaph Bisbee of Kensington District of the Northern Liberties, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Cordwainer, being weak in body but sound of mind, memory and understanding. Praised be God for the same!.... bequeath all property, real, personal and mixed to my beloved wife, Catherine Bisbee..."
During the various phases of Asaph's business experience he was located at the following addresses and pursuing the listed occupations: 1813 -- Esaph Bisbie, shoemaker. Corner 2nd and Prime St. Phila. 1819 -- Asoph Bisby, cordwainer. 36 South 3rd Street. Phila. 1829-1837 -- Asaph Bisbee, cordwainer. 189 Germantown Rd. Phila. 1839 -- A. Bisbee, boots, shoes, combs. 197 Germantown Rd. Phila. 1843-1847 -- Asaph Bisbee, cordwainer. 197 Germantown Rd. Phila.
Just before Asaph Bisbee came to Philadelphia in 1810, the city had a population of 53722; Southwark, 13707; Northern Liberties, 19874 and all of Philadelphia County, 111210. McKean Street was the south limit of Philadelphia in 1840. Camden, NJ, just across the river, had only a few buildings. In Philadelphia the railroad ran up Broad Street from Prime Street (now Washington Avenue), south over to Dock Street. No stations are shown on the old layouts. A railroad also ran on Lehigh Avenue and north to Richmond Piers from Reading, Pa.
He named his wife as executrix, dated 21 July 1847. Witnesses were: James B Dare (Alderman), Joseph S. Bradford and Matthias Fouse. The affidavit of authenticity of the will was dated 12 Aug. 1847. Oath by executrix was 12 Aug. 1847. Catherine Bisbee signed her mark. Asaph Bisbee was deceased at this time.
The Public Ledger and Daily Transcript of Aug 10, 1847 carried the following death notice: "Died on the 8th inst., Mr. Asaph Bisbee, in 60 years of his age. The friends of the family are respectfully invited to attend his funeral from his late residence, number 197 Germantown Road above Franklin St., this (Tuesday) afternoon at 2 o'clock without further notice, proceed to Laurel Hill."
Asaph d. "Aged 63 yrs." Burial Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, August 10, 1847. Grave is in north half of cemetery lot no. 123 Sec. R.
After writing the Laurel Hill Cemetery Co. (April 24, 1954) we visited the graves and saw the records. Asaph Bisbee was 63 yrs. old according to their records. No other information was obtained from them except the burial date of his wife Catherine Bisbee. The monument and lot is about one hundred feet from the main cemetery office and in the old North part about four blocks north of Lehigh Ave.
On Ridge Ave. an old marble monument, eight foot high, and a slab are in place. The name Asaph Bisbee is easily read, the date of death is indistinct but the words "Native of Plymouth" on the slab are legible.
Philadelphia County has no records of births, marriages or deaths prior to 1860. The wills of Plymouth County in Plymouth were examined a few years ago with the thought that George Bisbee (653) may have left a will or some kind of reference, but nothing was found. Therefore the cemetery data and other facts identify this Asaph Bisbee as Number 7166, beyond any doubt. [4]
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