Bispham, Joshua, 1706-1795

Joshua Bispham, son of Joseph and Hannah Bispham of Bickerstaffe, Lancashire, was born there the 11th of April 1706, and married Mary Lawrence the 29th of February 1729. Intending to join his brother Benjamin in North America he sailed with his wife from London the 13th of December, 1736, in the ship "Mary and Hannah," captained by Henry Lavage. During the voyage, on the 22d of March 1737 a daughter was born, whom they named Atlantic. They landed at Philadelphia the 26th of April 1737, after a voyage of nearly five months.

Bispham settled at first in Philadelphia, purchasing a house on Fifth Street, and remained there several years, probably till the death of his first wife. In 1743 he married for his second wife Ruth Atkinson, daughter of Samuel and Ruth. Soon after his second marriage Bispham moved to Moorestown, New Jersey, wishing to be near his brother Benjamin. He was Town Clerk and one of the assessors of the Township during the years 1744-1747 and Chosen Freeholder in 1753 as appears in the first Minute Book of Chester Township, Burlington Co. He lived there until his death in 1795. He left a large amount of property, the greater part of which, in accordance with the English custom, was inherited by his eldest son, Joshua, born 27th July 1751. His other children by his second marriage were Sarah, Samuel, Benjamin, and Joseph.