was born in the year 1739, at Trenton, New Jersey, during the temporary residence of his parents at that place.[1] His father died in Philadelphia in 1744, and his mother, persuaded by the friendship and acting under the advice of Edward Shippen, removed with her five children to Lancaster, Pa., where the earlier years of his life were spent. From the Reverend McGraw, a man of note, who united the two congenial occupations of a Presbyterian divine and a pedagogue, he received as thorough an education as could well be obtained in those days, and afterwards commenced the study of law.
This pursuit, adopted in extreme youth, was abandoned at the breaking out of the French and Indian War, when an ardent temperament and a sense of duty induced him to enter another field, more brilliant and more active, in which he was destined to perform services of great benefit to the cause of his country, and well worthy the remembrance of posterity.
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“William Atlee and Thomas Hooton, of Trenton, having left
off Trading in Partnership ever since December, 1739, and having
affixed up Advertisements for every Person Indebted to them to
come and settle the accounts, and to give Bonds or pay such
Ballances, But few having complied therewith, This is to give
Notice (by Reason of the Distance of many such Debtors) that
every such Person who shall neglect or refuse to pay the Ballance
of their several Accounts, or clear off such Bonds or Penal Bills
owing to the said Atlee and Hooton on or before the first Day of
May next, 1741, may expect to be sued for the same, the said Atlee
and Hooton having agreed after that Time to deliver their Books to
a Lawyer, to recover for them, the said Debts then outstanding
without Distinction of any Person whatsoever or further sending
after them.
N.B. The said William Atlee (until he can clear all Affairs relating to Partnership with Thomas Hooton), proposes with John Dagworthy, jun., to continue Store in Trenton, to sell cheap, and buy and sell only for ready money.” — American Weekly Mercury, February 26th, 1740-41.
