... William Paca’s grandfather, Aquila Paca, Robert’s son, was able to purchase land at very reasonable prices and thus began his goal of amassing extensive acreage to assure that his sons would have sizeable estates and that his daughters would be able to marry well. He too married well; his wife Martha Phillips was the daughter of a wealthy planter, who left her one-fourth of his fortune. Although Aquila Paca and Martha Phillips were married in the Anglican Church, he joined the Society of Friends, and their second son John, William Paca’s father, was raised as a Quaker. Aquila Paca was an important member of the community and held prominent positions. He served as sheriff of Baltimore County, as a county justice of the peace, and as a delegate in the provincial legislature, the General Assembly. ...
