The Wetherill family for over a century was prominent in Philadelphia public life as merchants, manufacturers, chemists and public servants. Among their public works were affiliation with a manufacturers society promoting local industry, the Philadelphia Water Works, the Schuylkill Navigation Company, the Schuylkill Canal, the Philadelphia Bar, the Society of Free Quakers, and with along Stephen Girard and Nicholas Biddle the Second Bank of the United States.

Samuel Wetherill (1736-1816), patriot and pioneer, came to Philadelphia prior to the Revolution from New Jersey as a carpenter but seeing a need for cloth making changed his trade to weaver. He soon recognized that the Colonies needed to manufacture their own chemicals rather than depend on imports from England. He established Wetherill & Sons, as druggists, oil and colormen at 65 N. Front St. manufacturing chemicals especially “Wetherill’s White Lead”. At this location the family established a reputation as druggists/chemists and manufacturers of assorted items. The family of chemists included: Samuel Sr. (1736-1816), Samuel Jr. (1764-1829), John Price (Samuel’s son), Dr. William, an uncle, Joseph and Dr. Charles M. Wetherill (1824-1871), a chemist. Samuel Sr. supported the Revolution and provided clothing for Washington’s Army at Valley Forge. He founded the Society of Free Quakers (known as the “Fighting Quakers”) was an eminent preacher as well as an industrious and clever entrepreneur. He enthusiastically promoted the formation of a manufacturers society in Philadelphia. He was very active in civic matters of Philadelphia being appointed to many Select Committees, especially the Philadelphia Water Works and the Schuylkill Navigation Company.

Samuel Jr. joined his father in the drugstore and in 1789 established the first white-lead factory in the United States. Wetherill’s drugstore became the oldest and most extensive manufacturer of chemicals in the country. In 1828, S.P. Wetherill was asked by the Franklin Institute to provide smelted samples of lead, a product of the Perkiomen mines, lead being one of the Commonwealth’s mineral resources for the purpose of making lead shot. Samuel Jr. also was prominent in public affairs being affiliated with the Philadelphia Bar attaching “Esquire” to his name and arbitrating lawsuits as some of the documents in the collection indicate.

John Price Wetherill followed in the druggist business with his uncle, Dr. William Wetherill but also had an interest in steam propulsion – boats as well as railroads. The Franklin Institute (established 1824 to promote and encourage manufactures and mechanics and useful arts) has an award named the John Price Wetherill Medal. John Price Wetherill, the younger, served on a citizens’ committee for the Constitutional Union Convention representing the Democratic Party prior to the Civil War. He was also involved in the local militia.

Dr. William Wetherill (c. 1835) authored a paper “Chemical and Medical Researches on Kreosote.”

Joseph Wetherill (also had name spelled Weatherill) another member of the family was involved with the Philadelphia Bar as well as a money lender also located at 65 North Front St.

Dr. Charles M. Wetherill (1824-1871) was the first chemist appointed in 1862 by President Abraham Lincoln to the new U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also was a professor of chemistry at Lehigh University (1866-1871). He authored a paper “Manufacture of Vinegar, its Theory and Practice” in 1860.

It is the manufacture of white lead that the Wetherill family seems to have its renown but this collection reflects their involvement with the Philadelphia Water Works and the Schuylkill Canal.