Second son of David Ross. Born, it is understood, at Balblair in 1679.

He prepared an autobiography which is published in the "Life and Correspondence of George Read of Delaware" written by William Read. It is quite interesting. Duncan Veazey had a full copy in his notebook.

"He was put to school very early and made some progress in the latin tongue under the care of the schoolmaster and being of a promising genius, his father asked him, as they were going to a farm a little distance from home, 'what he would be' to which he answered 'a scholar', young as he was, credo inspiratione. "A scholar you shall be' replied his father."

This seems to have settled his future. He was sent when about fourteen years of age to his eldest brother, Andrew (who became the Third of Balblair) then at Edinburgh. He was however required to attend so long in the office and "write from morning till night" and thus his education suffered. His father learning this ordered him to be put to school and fitted for the University.

He took his degree of Master of Arts at Edinburgh in 1700. With this feather in his cap he returned home and became tutor for a time to the son of the Lord of May. He soon took leave of his father whom he never saw again and returned to Edinburgh and entered his name among the divinity students and it was supposed that he would become a minister of the Established Church of Scotland, the Presbyterian Church. He, however formed an attachment for the Church of England and received encouragement from the Episcopal party in Edinburgh.

He wrote to a Mr. Aeneas McKenzie then in London and in the end went to London himself. Nine days after his arrival he and his friend Mr. McKenzie were put in deacon's orders by the Bishop of London. He served as Chaplain on a man of war for a time but soon resigned.

Returning to London he found his friend McKenzie making application to the "Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Ports", then newly incorporated for a mission. He determined to do the same and upon the society's being satisfied after full trial, both were admitted as missionaries; McKenzie for Slaten in Ireland and Ross for New Castle.

He arrived in New Castle in 1703 and continued (save for an interim of a few years) as rector of Immanuel Church until his death in 1754 in his 76th year.

The early history of that church seems to be mainly a record of his service. He was buried within the church and in the 1890s or so, Miss Mary Ross of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has caused a suitable memorial tablet to be placed there.

He was twice married. His first wife was Joanna Williams of Rhode Island. They were probably married soon after his arrival in America as in 1708 he speaks of having a family to provide for. Joanna died September 29, 1726, having had children:

1. David Ross, styled eldest son by William Read but Duncan Veazey had no further record.
2. Margaret Ross b. abt. 1712.
3. John Ross, b. 1714.
4. Rev. Aeneas Ross, b. Sep. 17, 1716.
5. Anne Ross, b. 1719.
6. Jacob Ross

The second wife of the Reverend George Ross was Catherine Van Gezel, daughter of Jacob and Catherine Reyniers Van Gezel. By their marriage his children were as follows:

1. George Ross, Jr.
2. Gertrude Ross
3. Catherine Ross
4. Elizabeth Ross
5. Susanna Ross
6. Mary Ross, born ___, married at Christ Church, Philadelphia, Jan. 6, 1763, Mark Bird of birdsboro, eldest son of William Bird of Birdsboro, Colonel of a Berks Co. regiment during the Revolution. Their elset son, William Bird, married Mary Ross, daughter of George Ross the signer. Their descendants are living in Philadelphia.
7. James Ross who married Eleanor and had children:
   1. Thomas born 1767
   2. Ann born 1769
   3. James born 1772.
   He is supposed to be the thirteenth child of the Reverend George Ross and is so entered here but it is understood that the proof is not quite convincing.

Last Updated: February 27, 2002.