David Rhys Williams

David William(s) was born about 1660 near Llandeilo, probably at Edwinsford, Carmarthenshire, Wales; son of Rhys Williams of Rhydodyn/Edwinsford, Carmarthenshire, Wales. David's name was David ap Rhys (David son of Rhys).

David first married Katherine (possibly Harry) in Wales c1685. David, Katherine and family emigrated from Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, Wales and brought a Certificate of Removal from Llandeilo Friends Meeting dated May 1693, recorded in Radnor MM:

"To All Whom It May Concern,

Where as our Deare & Honest Frind David William his Wife and family Late of the Parish of Llandilo vaur in the county of Caer Marthinyom is Intendinge to take his voyage for Pennsylvania God Willing. These are therefor to Certifie That he lived in This Country Peaceably & honestly And of good report amonst his Neighbours; And that he left his Native Country for noe ill deed. And as upon Consideration of his faithfullness & Integritie to the truth & it's Servic for divers years in his Native Country as a living member of the Suffering Body whereof Christ is the head; we therefore have thought it meete & noe less than an Incumbent duty Lying Upon us to recomend him to you as such as is worthy to be received. And with earnest breathings unto the Lord in his Behalfe for his Safe arrival unto you. We therefor recomend this as our Brother's Testimony. From yor Frinds in the undecevable truth of God. Att Llanstephan the 26th day of the 3rd month (May) 1693.

Attested by: William Richard, Morgan Rees, James Lewis, James Price, David Price, Rowland Powell, Tho James, Morgan James, Rich Staford, John Rees, Jon Thomas"

On pg 217, Vol I, Welsh Founders of Pennsylvania, by Thomas Allen Glenn, 1911; David's arrival was recorded: "David William (or Williams), of par. of Llandeilo Vawr, Co Carm., gentleman (descended from Princes of South Wales), Rmd. to Penna (with family), 1693." David was a member of the Edwinsford or Rhyd Odin Williams Royal Family that descends from King Henry I of England, and which displayed their family crest on the ceiling of the old Edwinsford Estate Dining Room, consisting of a pair of wings, separated in the middle by a sword pointing upwards.

About 1697, David built the Spring Mill in Whitemarsh on the Schuylkill River, and a residence next to the Mill. Spring Mill may have been the oldest Mill in Pennsylvania, and later supplied flour to General Washington's troops in Valley Forge. David helped found the Plymouth Meeting, which in 1715 was combined with Gwynedd as the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting. Prior to the Plymouth Meetings, David was a member of the Haverford Meetings, and held weekday meetings at his Spring Mill Residence.

Katherine died abt 1702 or 1703, thought to be same Katherin Williams who died on 18th of 10th month(Dec, year not given), and afterwards David remarried Mrs Mary Rhodes(Roades) Maulsby on 30 Jan 1705 at Philadelphia Meeting House. David wrote his Will on 27 Nov 1714, and listed his sons Isaac and Joseph, son Rees as Executor, and daughters Phebe, Esther, and Jennis, Will proved on 18 Dec 1714.

David died at his residence at Spring Mill, Whitemarsh, Philadelphia County (now Montgomery Co), PA. The history of Early Maltby/Maulsby Family in 1909 indicates that David and Mary are buried in Plymouth Meeting Cemetery without markers.

Children of David and Katherine:

• Rees Williams, 1686 – bef 1755, m. Elizabeth Maulsby
• Isaac Williams, 1688 – 1715, m. Elizabeth Marle
• Jennis Williams, 1690 – 1720, m. Edward David
• Phebe Williams, 1692 – 1716
• Esther Williams, 1695 – , m. poss Mr David or Mr Morgan

Children of David and Mary: Joseph Williams, 1706-1755, m. Sarah Griffith

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Apr 21 2018, 15:40:27 UTC