WILLIAM BOAS, son of Frederick Boas,' was born in 1739, in the Canton of Zurich, not far from the city of Berne, Switzerland. He was of the Reformed faith, as "all his fathers were,'' some of his ancestors being distinguished ministers in the church of Zwingli. William passed through a regular course of scientific and theological training at the University of Hlalle, after which he, in 1770, came to America under the auspices of the congregations at Berne, but not with the necessary credentials from the Fathers of the Reformed church in Holland, from whom that denomination in this country received its authority. In the Cotal minutes of the Reformed church for the year 1771, mention is made of the fact that he had been joyfully expected from Europe for several years; that he had now arrived, but that Cotus felt disappointed because he brought no testimonials with him; that they declined, on that account, receiving him." However, the congregation at Reading, Pa., earnestly petitioned Cötus that he might be given them as their pastor, because they had been so long destitute. The Fathers in Holland were very tenacious of their rights, and warned Cötus against acknowledging the Reverend Boas a member, but had the consideration, in 1773, to say: "As Pennsylvania is a free country, we cannot drive him away from his congregation," by whom he was dearly loved. He labored faithfully in the Master's vineyard, and Cötus, in a letter to the Fathers, under date of May, '777, bestowed the highest praise upon Rev. Mr. Boas, stating "that his congregation in Reading is in a most flourishing condition, through his industry and zeal; that he is at this time a learned and expert laborer in the kingdom of Christ; that he is beloved, not only in Reading, but by all the members of Cötus." About the year 1781, he resigned the charge of the Reading church, to which he had been a faithful pastor for ten years. He afterward appears to have had charge of the same congregation at Reading, for in the record-books of the church in Cocalico, Lancaster county, Pa., we find that "the Rev. Mr. Boas, of the Reading congregation, on the 15th of September, 1786, preached the funeral sermon of Reverend John Waldschmid, from Psalm lxxiii. 23, 24." During the Revolution, when every able-bodied man (save those having conscientious scruples) was enlisted in the patriotic cause, the Rev. Mr. Boas served a tour as chaplain to one of the associated battalions of Berks county, namely, that in and around Philadelphia in the summer of 1777. He did not cease his pastoral work until late in life, but was the same devout and earnest minister of the New Testament. He was a good, earnest preacher, had a remarkably strong voice, and nothing could move him from the path of duty. Full of years, he died November 28, 1814, at Reading, Pa., and is there buried. He married Susanna Eppler.