The Buckwalter family in Chester County springs from Francis Buckwalter, a protestant refugee from Germany, who settled on the Manavon tract in 1720.  From him in the 3rd generation descended John Buckwalter, born Sept. 14, 1777, and who married, July 27, 1800, Mary Bechtel, born Jan 2, 1776.  Of their 7 children, David, the 3rd son and 5th child, was born Oct. 8, 1807, in East Nantmeal twp.  His great-great-grandfather on the maternal side was David Bachtell, who came to America from Germany about the year 1740; bought land in Montgomery County, where he settled and reared a family.  His son, Samuel married, about 1776, Elizabeth Colson, who was of English birth, but came to America and settled in the northern part of Philadelphia County (now city) previous to 1740.  Samuel had now become the owner of considerable real estate in Montgomery County, and during the Revolutionary war sold for high price and took Continental money in payment; came to Chester county where land was cheap and purchased a large tract in Londonderry twp.  He reared a family of 7 children - David, Rebecca, Betsey, Samuel Sarah and Hannah.

Samuel had a large family of sons, who all left this state, and with their descendants are scattered through almost every sate in the union.  The name of Bachtell has become almost obsolete in this section of the country.  In Virginia it is Pectell; in Maryland, Pahtell, and in Ohio, Pachtell.  David Buckwalter, the subject of this sketch, attended the common schools of the day and was raised on a farmil 24, 1855, he married Eliza, daughter of Philip and Susanna Sloneaker King, the fruits of that marriage were 3 children - Mary B., Ettie M., and Annie E.  Farming has always been his occupation except the 4 years he was engaged in the mercantile busines in Upper Uwchlan.  He purchased the farm he how owns in 1850,  upon which he erected his substantial farm residence and which contains some 200 acres well located for agricultural purposes.  Mr. Buckwalter is a member, with his family, of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Upper Uwchlan, to the support of which he is a liberal contributor.  Politically he is a Republican,but has never been an aspirant for office.

(There is an accompanying line drawing of Mr. Buckwalter and his farm in Upper Uwchlan)