Person:David Semple (9)

Providing solid links between David and subsequent generations has been slow. What is known is that David Semple was the son of John Semple and listed in his will.[Citation needed.] There was a David Sample that graduated the University of Pennsylvania in 1766, that was subsequently a lawyer.⁵ There is also a great deal of evidence that there was a David Sample who practiced law in Bedford and Westmoreland counties in the late 1700's.³ He was a prominent man that eventually became a judge. The question remains as to whether each of these David Samples is the same person or not.

1.   Coleman, William; Shippen, Jr., Edward; Strettell, Amos; Willing, Thomas; Coxe, William; Allen, Joh. Univesity of Pennsylvania, College Tuition Book from 1758(sic)-1769. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1757-1769)
   44r, 49v, 18 Jul. 757- 23 Dec. 1769.

   The University of Pennsylvania tuition account books shows two payments for David Sample made 08 Oct. 1764 and 12 May 1766.

   Page 44r of Tuition accounting book for the University of Pennsylvania Page 49v of Tuition accounting book for the University of Pennsylvania
2. ↑ Catalogue of the Alumni of the University of Pennsylvania 1749-1877: Comprising Lists of the Provosts, Vice-provosts, Professors, Tutors, Instructors, Trustees, and Alumni of the Collegiate Departments, with a List of the Recipients of Honorary Degrees. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1877)
   16, 1877.

   The alumni catalog of the University of Pennsylvania shows that David Sample graduated in 1766.

3. ↑ ^3.0 3.1 History of Bedford, Somerset, and Fulton Counties, Pennsylvania: with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its pioneers and prominent men. (Chicago: Waterman, Watkins & Co., 1884)
   Pages 201, 205, 207, and 247-248.

   In a section about the Bedford Bench and Bar, "Of Col. Robert Galbraith, David Sample, Col. David Espy, James Martin, Col. George Woods and Col. Thomas Smith frequent mention is made in the chapters relating to the settlement of this region, the organization of Bedford county and revolutionary period. All were residents of the town of Bedford before the beginning of the struggle for national independence, and all achieved enviable and widespread reputation. See Bedford county civil lists. David Sample removed to Pittsburgh at an early day and passed the remainder of his life there. As was customary with many prominent attorneys one hundred years ago, his practice extended into all the counties of the southwest quarter of the state, and journeys from one seat of justice to another were invariably made upon horseback. During one of these trips an amusing colloquy took place between a judge and a limb of the law, which Sample took great delight in repeating afterward. It appears that the attorney was Sample himself and that he was accompanied by the president judge of the district. The judge had recently supplied himself with a new pair of leather saddle-bags, the side of which were neatly secured with small brass padlocks. They had proceeded but a short distance upon their journey when the judge's recent acquisition attracted the attention of Sample, and the latter passed a remark or two concerning the beauty and completeness of the outfit. "But, judge," added Sample, "why have you had padlocks placed upon them?" "To secure the contents, of course," replied the judge. "But suppose the thief was determined to secure the contents of the saddle bags," continued the lawyer, "of what use would be the padlocks, providing the thief had a sharp knife in his hand?" The judge's chin dropped upon his breast for a moment and as he raised it he concluded the subject that day at least by answering a in a very earnest manner, "Well, I had not thought of that; who but a rascal would have thought of it?"
   
   "There were, beside a number of single taxables, among whom were David Espy, Esq., and David Sample, Esq., attorneys at law."

   Here are the pages where David Sample is mentioned in the above-cited book:
4. ↑ Boucher, John N. (John Newton), and Fenwick Y Hedley. Old and new Westmoreland. (New York, New York: American Historical Society, 1918)
   Vol. I, page 199, 1918.

   Pennsylvania passed "An act for the gradual abolition of slavery" in 1780. As part of the act to end slavery, a census was taken of the slaves in Pennsylvania.
   
   The above book transcribes the list of slaveowners for Westmoreland County. There is an entry for 28 Oct. 1780, of a slaveowner "David Sample, Esq. Male, 14, Tom; male, 12, Nero; female, 12, Vine; female, 14, Dinah."

5.   University of Pennsylvania, Biographical Catalogue of the Matriculates of the College: Together with Lists of the Members of the College Faculty and the Trustees, Officers and Recipients of Honorary Degrees, 1749-1893. (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1894)
   page 14.

   In the list of the graduates of 1766, there is an entry: "David Sample. Entered 1763. Lawyer"

6.   Crosby, Nathan. Annual obituary notices of eminent persons who have died in the United States, for 1857-[1858]. (Boston, Massachusetts: Phillips, Sampson, 1858-1859)
   1858, p. 114-115.

   "Flinn, Mrs. Sarah, Pittsburg, March 15, ae. 78, consort of William Flinn, Esq. It is a tribute which nature owes to the living to cherish the memory of the dead. Mrs. F. was the daughter of David Sample, of Westmoreland Co., Pa., attorney at law, in which profession he occupied a very eminent position in his day. Mr. Sample, owing to the dangers to which his family were exposed from the frequent incursion of the Indians, especially in his absence from home, attending to official duties, removed them, for a short time, to Cumberland Co. It was in this county, near Big Spring, that Mrs. Flinn was born. It was her privilege to be able to point back to a father who was an ornament to the legal profession, who was esteemed for his urbanity, and beloved for his generosity ; but she had a higher honor in that she could refer to a parentage who feared and served the Lord. Her father was no less a Christian than a gentleman or a lawyer. Mrs. Flinn finally cherished the religious instruction which had been inculcated by her pious parents in the morning of her days. Frequently has the writer heard her speak, with thankfulness and gratitude to God, of her parents."

   Here are the pages where David Sample is mentioned in the above-cited book:
7. ↑ Portrait and biographical album of Lee County, Iowa: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county, together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Iowa, and of the presidents of the United States. (Chicago: Chapman Bros., 1887)
   paage 361.

   The biography of William Sample mention William's father, David Sample:
   
   "CAPT. WILLIAM SAMPLE, who was an honored pioneer of Ft. Madison, was a native of Westmoreland, County, Pa., born near Greensburg, Sept. 23, 1786. His father, David Sample, was devoted to the practice of law in Westmoreland, Pa., where he was an early settler, and in the course of a long and busy life attained to a position of high standing in his profession. He died at Greensburg in that county while attending a session of court."

   
8. ↑ Pennsylvania. Supreme Executive Council, and 1776-1777 Pennsylvania. Council of Safety. Minutes of the Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania from its organization to the termination of the revolution. (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania: The State, 1852-1853)
   Pages 539-540.

   "In Council.
   
   Philad'a, Monday Nov'r 13th, 1780
   ...
   A return of the general election of the county of Westmoreland was received and read, by which it appears that the following gentlemen were duly elected, ... Represent's in the General Assembly - ... David Sample, Esq...."

   
9. ↑ Journals of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
   pages 161, 193, 1782.

   "Friday, November 21, 1777.
   ...
   The house received returns for the counties of Bedford, and Westmoreland, by which it appeared that ....David Sample .... were elected for the county of Westmoreland."
   
   Monday, March 9, 1778.
   ...
   David Semple, esquire, for the County of Westermoreland appeared in the house for the first time, and having taken and subscribed the oaths, and also made and subscribed the declaration prescribed by the constitution of this state, took their seats accordingly."

   
10. ↑ The Members of the Philadelphia Bar, A Complete Catalogue from July, 1776 to July, 1855
    Page 1, 1855.