Edward Rees was a man of education, and considerable property, as the inventory of his personalty, taken after his decease, shows he owned Bibles and other books of history, in Welsh and English, and considerable cash in his house. Like some others of these early settlers, he re-visited his Welsh home, when advanced in years, with Benjamin Humphrey. He was buried at the Merion Meeting House, 6. 13. 1728. His will, signed G January, 1727-8, was proved at Philadelphia, 23 November, 1728. Overseers,. Jonathan Jones and Samuel Humphrey ; witnesses, Robert and Jon. Jones. He was twice married. He married first in Wales, Mably, or Mabby, daughter of Owen up Hugh levan, and niece of "Thomas ap Hugh, gent," of Wern Fawr, Merion-ethshire, and married secondly, in 1713, Rebecca, daughter of Samuel Humphrey (ap Hugh), of Haverford. She survived him, and died without issue; her will signed 18. 3. 1732, proved 19 January, 1733; she named as executors, Ellis Price, brothers Daniel and Benj. Humphreys, and sisters Ann Hogg, of New Castle, and Lydia ; gave money to school at Haverford. By his first vdfe, who came over with him, and was buried at the Merion Meeting House, 23. 8mo. 1699, he had one son and two daughters:
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Rees Price, mentioned as "Rees Rees," in his father's will, b. 11. 11 mo. 1678. His father conveyed some land to him, by deed of 7 August 1708. He married three times. His children were:—(named in their grandfather's will) Edward Price; Mary, m. Rees Harry; and Margaret, m. first, ______ Paschall; m. second, William Montgomery; issue by both husbands, and, it is said, Jane, John, and Ellis Price. He m. first, at Radnor Meeting, 6. 10 mo. 1705, Sarah, daughter of David Meredith, of Radnor.
He m. secondly, at Haverford Meeting, 9. lO mo. 1718, Elizabeth, daughter of Ellis Ellis, of Haverford, and his wife, Lydia, daughter of Samuel Humphreys aforementioned. She was buried at the Haverford Meeting House, 12mo. 5. 1733-4. Ellis Ellis' will, signed 13. 6. 1705, proved 6 April, 1706, names wife and son Thomas only. Overseers; Rowland Ellis, John Richard, Rees Price, and Benjamin Humphrey.
He m. thirdly, at Haverfon' Meeting, 10. 3mo. 1737, Ann Scotharn, a widow, of Darby. Rees Price was the second landlord of the Blue Anchor tavern, on Dock Creek (now Dock street), Philadelphia, where Penn landed on his first visit to his city, when the tavern, standing by the public landing place, was a little house, 22 feet on Dock (Street) creek, and 12 feet on Front Street, and was kept by Mr. Guest. His descendant, Esther Price, vi. at Merion Meeting, 16. 10 mo. 1834, Benjamin Hunt, and this, it is claimed, was the last marriage at this Meeting. Catharine Price, d. an infant, and was buried on her father's land, in Merion, 23. 8mo. 1682. This was the first death and burial in this little settlement, at the Falls of the Schuylkill, two months after arrival here.
Jane Price, b. 11. 9mo. 1682. This was the first birth in this settlement, three months after arrival, according to her transmitted birth date. She was buried at the Merion Meeting House, 10 mo. 13. 1769, the record saying:—"Jane Mares, widow of George Mares. Born on the banks of Schuylkill in a Stone Hut in 1683. She was the Daughter of Edward Rees, after called Edward Preist, and then Price." She m. first, Jonathan Hayes, d. before 1727, and m. secondly, George Marris, or Mares.
