Biography |
- David Rittenhouse was a lineal descendant of the celebrated astronomer and ex-State Treasurer David Rittenhouse, of Philadelphia. He was born in 1776 and followed the business of manufacturing surveying instruments, and the general repair of watches and clocks. He lived on South Front Street, and in 1817 built a large three story brick building, which he intended for a residence, but afterwards leased it to Lemuel Stoughton, where he conducted the United States Hotel. When this building was completed, it was considered so high that its owner thought It could be used as a shot tower and accordingly fitted up a place on the roof to drop the leaden globules down into the basement into water, but this experiment proved a failure. When the borough of Milton was incorporated, February 26, 1817, and at the first election for borough officers held, he was elected one of the first councilmen; he was a justice of the peace and magistrate for several years. He married a daughter of Colonel John Bull; his daughter was married to Alexander Jordan.
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