John Newlin, II

John Newlin was born about 1716 in Chester County, Penn- sylvania. He was the fourth son of a John Newlin Sr who had spent his life in Chester County. John had inherited some land in Newlin Township, Chester County that had been accu- mulate by his grandfather. John married Mary Pyle in 1745 in Chester County. She was the daughter of Nicholas Pyle and Sarah Worrilow. John and Mary had five children in Chester County, Pennsylvania before moving to North Carolina, about 1765. In North Carolina, John and Mary Newlin had another child, they, like their parents, were Quakers.

Moving from place to place is one of the noticeable char- acteristics of the settlers who followed in the trail of the frontiersmen. ..Many of them moved their residence several times from one place to another. It is known that John New- lin changed his residence at least three times; the last time to start life anew in a community nearly five hundred miles away. It is important to remember, however, that his restlessness was during a time when eastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding colonies were in a tremendous ferment of interest in the rapidly developing great interior, the hill country from central Pennsylvania all the way to Georgia.

This developed into the greatest migration to the interior in the whole colonial period. Pennsylvania was the starting point for the stream of emigrants who headed for the south- ern Piedmont. A great number of Quakers helped to swell the stream. In the half century preceding the outbreak of the War for Independence, Quakers set up their meetings in more than forty communities between Pennsylvania and Georgia. John and Mary Pyle Newlin and their children were in this great shift of population which settled the whole hinterland of the Middle and South Atlantic seaboard.1

It seems quite obvious that John Newlin was not disposed to submit to the strict regulations which the Friends meet- ings tried to impose on their members. The minutes of the local meetings are interspersed with accounts of infractions of these regulations, with the "laboring" .of committees and with numerous disownments of strong willed persons who would not make "acknowledgment" (express regret) for their noncon- formity. John was such a nomconformist. While living a few miles from Concord, and while a member of Bradford Meeting, he was called to account for infractions of Quaker regula- tions. For negligence in obligations to a neighbor he read- ily made amends but as for regular attendance of meetings for worship he would make no promise. A few years later Bradford Meeting granted him a certificate for the transfer of his membership back to Concord Meeting, the meeting of his birthright. This would never have been granted if he had not been considered a member "in good standing" in the eyes of Bradford Friends.1

In 1765 Quaker discipline caught up with him again. The Concord Meeting appointed a committee to "labor" with him. After the Meeting and its committee worked for four months in a futile effort to get this strong willed man to agree to conform, the Meeting decided on the action of last resort, and the disownment of John Newlin was completed. His name was removed from the membership roll for three reasons; ".. drinking to excess, going away without a certificate, and neglecting to attend religious meetings."1

It is possible that John Newlin felt that these were matters that should be left to the individual and he must have resented what appeared to him to be a strait-jacket of Quaker rules of discipline. Though he lived forty years after being removed from membership in the Society of Friends there is no indication that he ever asked to be reinstated.2

His grandfather and great grandparents immigrated from Ireland in 1688. BIOGRAPHY: From Wilma Birkeland's Family History Book; Newlin Family, pp 114-116 V. JOHN NEWLIN II [20] was born between 1712 and 1716 in Concord township, Chester County, PA; he died in Orange County, NC, in 1805. He married MARY PYLE , who was born about 1724 in Chester County, PA, and died in 1790 in Orange County, NC, daughter of NICHOLAS PYLE and SARAH WORRILOW of Concord. JOHN NEWLIN would not submit to the strict regulations imposed by the Society of Friends. While a member of the Bradford Meeting he was "labored with" by committees appointed to deal with his nonconformity. He expressed regret for negligence in obligations to a neighbor, but he wouldn't promise to attend meetings for worship regularly. However, Bradford Meeting later granted him a certificate of removal, transferring his membership back to Concord Meeting, which indicates that he was a member in good standing at that time.

For four months in 1765 he was again treated with by a committee appointed by the men's meeting to deal with three charges against him, "drinking to excess, going away without a certificate, and neglecting to attend religious meetings."

He agreed to the truth of the complaints but refused to express regret for his actions, so on II-5-1766 he was disowned and his name was removed from the membership list. There is no evidence that he ever asked to be reinstated. MARY PYLE NEWLIN and their children retained their membership in good standing. The family migrated to North Carolina about this time. It was not unusual for Chester County men to scout out the area where they planned to move. His "going away without a certificate" may have been a trip there in the spring and summer of 1765 to acquire land and. clear it for cultivation, perhaps even to build a house and plant a crop before returning to spend the winter with his family in Pennsylvania. He acquired 270 acres of land on the south side of the Haw River in Orange County, NC, in the part that is now in Alamance County.

The exact date of the migration is unknown, but their youngest child was born 11 May 1768 in North Carolina. JOHN NEWLIN made a will 8 June 1799 which was probated in August of 1805. His son, ELI, had died before he made his will, leaving five children. JOHN and MARY PYLE NEWLIN were buried in the cemetery of Spring Friends Meeting in the southern part of what is now Alamance County.

Children of JOHN NEWLIN II and MARY PYLE: 1. James - b. IX-27-1747, Chester Co, PA; d. 15.Dec 1813, Orange Co, NC, buried Spring Mtg. Cem; m. 22 Jan 1772, Cane Creek Mtg, Deborah Lindley, dau. of THOMAS LINDLEY and RUTH HADLEY , b. 28 June 1753 , Orange Co, NC; d. Orange Co, Ind. between 1823 and 1830. 2. Hannah - b. VI-30-1749, Chester Co, PA; d. after 1819 in Ind. or Ill; m. 15 Jan 1777 Robert Holladay, b. 29 Nov 1748, Chester Co, PA, son of Henry Holladay and Mary Fayle; d. 1816, Orange Co, Ind. 3. John - b. 6 Dec 1752, Chester Co, PA; d. 28 Apr 1839, Crawford Co, 11, bur. Newlin Cem; m. 22 Jan 1777 at Spring Mtg, NC, Sarah Holladay, b. 19 Mar 1758, Orange Co, NC, dau. of Henry Holladay and Mary Fayle. 4. ELI - b. 1755, Chester Co, PA; dA 28 Dec 1789, Orange Co, NC; m. 24 Nov 1779, at Cane Creek Mtg, SARAH HADLEY , b. 17 Aug 1762, Orange Co, NC , dau. of JOSHUA HADLEY and RUTH LINDLEY, d. 3 June 1827, Chatham Co, NC. 5. Mary - b. 8 Aug 1763, Chester Co, PA; m. 10 Dec 1783, Thomas Hadley, b. 10 Dec 1763, Orange Co, NC, son of JOSHUA HADLEY and RUTH LINDLEY. 6. Nathaniel - b. 11 May 1768, Orange Co, NC; d. 17 Dec 1867, bur. Bloomfield, IN; m. 13 Aug 1794, Spring Mtg, NC, Catherine Hadley, b. 1 May 1772, dau. of Joseph Hadley and Mary Cashat (Cassat), d. Jan 1842, Bloomfield, IN.

John Newlin is buried at Springs Friends Meeting, in the southern part if Alamance County, North Carolina. They are buried under a cedar tree and it still stands tall, green and healthy after 200 years. In 1930 descendants placed a marked on the grave, which reads, " In Memory of John Newlin & Mary Pyle". Grandfather and great grandparents immigrated from Ireland to Pennsylvania 1688.

Reference: "The Newlin Family, Ancestors and Descendants of John and Mary Pyle Newlin" by Algie I. Newlin, 1965, Guilford College, Greensboro, North Carolina

Don Hammond has a photo of John and Ruth's grave site.

His Will is printed on page 572 of The Newlin Family, Ancestors and Descendants of John and Mary Pyle Newlin, by Algie Newlin. The document witnessed by: John Carter, Ann Carter and Hannah Carter.

GEDCOM Note

BIOGRAPHY: From, "The Newlin Family, Ancestors and Descendants of John and Mary Pyle Newlin," by Algie I. Newlin, PO Box 8345, Guilford College, Greensboro, NC, 27410, 1965, Reprinted by Hutsonville Historical Society, Inc., Rte #1, Box 58, Hutsonville, IL 62433, 1996. Extract, pp35-36 "Most of the life story of John and Mary Pyle Newlin has been swallowed by obscurity as has been the great preponderance of all human history. John Newlin's ancestry can be definitely traced for less than one hundred years; but more is known about John's great-grandfather Nicholas, the first to stand out clearly above tradition, than is known about John, who migrated to North Carolina. The few and meager bits of information about him suggest that he must have been an independent, strong-willed and rather adventurous man. "Moving from place to place is one of the noticeable characteristics of the settlers who followed in the trail of the frontiersmen. Many of them moved their residence several times from one place to another. It is known that John Newlin changed his residence at least three times; the last time to start life anew in a community nearly five hundred miles away, It is important to remember, however, that his restlessness was during a time when eastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding colonies were in a tremendous ferment of interest in the rapidly developing great interior, the hill country from central Pennsylvania all the way to Georgia. This developed into the greatest migration to the interior in the whole colonial period. Pennsylvania was the starting point for the stream of emigrants who headed for the southern Piedmont. A great number of Quakers helped to swell the stream. In the half century preceding the outbreak of the War for Independence, Quakers set up their meetings in more than forty communities between Pennsylvania and Georgia. John and Mary Pyle Newlin and their children were in this great shift of population which settled the whole hinterland of the Middle and South Atlantic seaboard. "It seems quite obvious that John Newlin was not disposed to submit to the rather strict regulations which the Friends meetings tried to impose on their members. The minutes of the local meetings are interspersed with accounts of infractions of these regulations, with the "laboring" of committees and with numerous disownments of strong willed persons who would not make "acknowledgment" (express regret) for their nonconformity. John Newlin was such a nonconformist. While living a few miles from Concord, and while a member of Bradford Meeting, he was called to account for infractions of Quaker regulations. For negligence in obligations to a neighbor he readily made amends but as for regular attendance of meetings for worship he would make no promise. A few years later Bradford Meeting granted him a certificate for the transfer of his membership back to Concord Meeting, the meeting of his birthright. This would never have been granted if he had not been considered a member 'in good standing' in the eyes of Bradford Friends. "In 1765 Quaker discipline caught up with him again. The Concord Meeting appointed a committee to "labor" with him. After the Meeting and its committee worked for four months in a futile effort to get this strong willed man to agree to conform, the Meeting decided on the action of last resort, and (in the fifth monthly session) the disownment was completed. His name was removed from the membership roll for three reasons: '... drinking to excess, going away without a certificate, and neglecting to attend religious meetings.' "It is possible that the cumulative force of these brought the final action. There are many instances of migration without a certificate with no action by the meetings. One can hardly imagine that all who failed to attend meetings for worship regularly were disowned, though the Quaker records contain numerous instances of endeavors to deal with this act of negligence. One of the members of the committee appointed to notify John of his disownment had been called to account for failure to attend meetings for worship, and only the month before had made his 'acknowledgment,' which the meeting promptly accepted. At that time drinking alcoholic beverages was not condemned by Friends, but drinking to excess was. "It is possible that John Newlin felt that these were matters that should be left to the individual and he must have resented what appeared to him to be a straight-jacket of Quaker rules of discipline. Though he lived for forty years after being removed from membership in the Society of Friends there is no intimation that he ever asked to be reinstated. "There is a saying among Newlins in Illinois that 'Newlins have big feet and are stubborn.' The size of John's feet is unknown but it seems quite possible that he was an obstinate man, possibly to the point of personal pride, when faced with conventions and regulations with which he did not agree. When Concord Meeting complained of some of his actions the meeting's appointed committee reported that '... he agreed to the truth of the complaints but doth not incline to make acknowledgement for the same.' He had the stamina to admit the truth of the charges but was not willing to express regret. In spite of the evidence of infraction of Quaker discipline the available light on his life and character enables one to believe that he was a man of integrity whose honorable and commendable life was a constructive influence in his family and in his community." Pg 42 "The specific dates of the birth and death of John and Mary have not been found. ... John Newlin's will was proved in August, 1805 and it is assumed that he died in that year, fifteen years after the death of Mary Pyle Newlin. Taking 1716 as the most probable of the three suggested dates of his birth would give him a life span of eighty-nine years." ... "John and Mary Pyle Newlin were buried in the Cemetery of Spring Friends Meeting in the southern part of what is now Alamance County. There is the tradition that their graves were dug near a large cedar tree, which still stands tall and green and healthy 174 years after Mary's burial. In 1930 some of their descendants placed at the head of their graves a huge stone slab, sculptured by nature, and attached to it a bronze plaque bearing the inscription "In Memory of John Newlin and Mary Pyle" as a lasting memorial to these founders of a great branch of the Newlin family."

BIOGRAPHY: Migration from PA to NC Algie Newlin gives extensive documentation to support the following statement found on page 39 "John can be pictured as leaving home in the spring of 1765 when Mary, the youngest child, was no more than eighteen months old. It is quite possible that he returned in the late fall to spend the winter with the family. At this time Concord Meeting could have become aware of his long sojourn in North Carolina and of his intention to settle there. It was during this winter that he was disowned, after the Committee had "labored" with him during four of the winter months. It is quite likely that he was back on his Haw River claim during much of the year 1766 and then in the spring, or early summer, of 1767, Mary and the children began a new chapter in the life of the family in their new home. Nathaniel, their youngest child, was born on May 11, 1768, in the Newlin home in the Haw River valley, seven weeks before Concord Friends issued the certificate for Mary Pyle Newlin and the three children known to them."

BURIAL: FindAGrave.com John Newlin Jr. BIRTH unknown, Concordville, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA DEATH 1805, Alamance County, North Carolina, USA BURIAL Spring Monthly Meeting Cemetery, Snow Camp, Alamance County, North Carolina, USA MEMORIAL ID 18791419

Ancestors of John Newlin, Jr.

Generation No. 1

1.  John Newlin, Jr., born Abt. 1716 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.),  PA; died Abt. 1805 in Haw River area of Alamance Co., NC.  He was the son of 2. John Newlin and 3. Mary Woodward.  He married (1) Mary Pyle 13 Sep 1745 in Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville, present-day Delaware Co., PA (then part of Chester County).  She was born Abt. 1724 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.), PA, and died Abt. 1790 in Haw River area of Alamance Co., NC.  She was the daughter of Nicholas Pyle III and Sarah Worrilow.

Notes for John Newlin, Jr.:
The following is quoted directly from "The Newlin Family: Ancestors and Descendants of John and Mary Pyle Newlin" (1965) by their double great-great-great-grandson, Algie Inman Newlin, Ph.D. (1895-1985), with the collaboration of his brother Harvey Newlin (1888-1970), pages 35-43:

John Newlin

Most of the life story of John and Mary Pyle Newlin has been swallowed by obscurity as has been the great preponderance of all human history. John Newlin's ancestry can be definitely traced for less than one hundred years; but more is known about John's great-grandfather Nicholas, the first to stand out clearly above tradition, than is known about John, who migrated to North Carolina. The few and meager bits of information about him suggest that he must have been an independent, strong-willed and rather adventurous man.

Moving from place to place is one of the noticeable characteristics of settlers who followed in the trail of the frontiersmen. Many of them moved their residence several times from one place to another. It is known that John Newlin changed his residence at least three times; the last time to start life anew in a community nearly five hundred miles away. It is important to remember, however, that this restlessness was during a time when eastern Pennsylvania and the surrounding colonies were in a tremendous ferment of interest in the rapidly developing great interior, the hill country from eastern Pennsylvania all the way to Georgia. This developed into the greatest migration to the interior in the whole colonial period. Pennsylvania was the starting point for the stream of emigrants who headed for the southern Piedmont. A great number of Quakers helped to swell the stream. In the half century preceding the outbreak of the War for Independence, Quakers set up their meetings in more than forty communities between Pennsylvania and Georgia. John and Mary Pyle Newlin and their children were in this great shift of population which settled the whole hinterland of the Middle and South Atlantic seaboard.

It seems quite obvious that John Newlin was not disposed to submit to the rather strict regulations which the Friends meetings tried to impose on their members. The minutes of the local meetings are interspersed with accounts of infractions of these regulations, with the "laboring" of committees and with numerous disownments of strong willed persons who would not make "acknowledgement" (express regret) for their nonconformity. John Newlin was such a nonconformist. While living a few miles from Concord, and while a member of Bradford Meeting, he was called to account for infractions of Quaker regulations. For negligence in obligations to a neighbor he readily made amends but as for regular attendance of meetings of worship he would make no promise. A few years later Bradford Meeting granted him a certificate for the transfer of his membership back to Concord Meeting, the meeting of his birthright. This would never have been granted if he had not been considered a member "in good standing" in the eyes of Bradford Friends.

In 1765 Quaker discipline caught up with him again. The Concord Meeting appointed a committee to "labor" with him. After the Meeting and its committee worked for four months in a futile effort to get this strong willed man to agree to conform, the Meeting decided on the action of last resort, and (in the fifth monthly session) the disownment was completed. His name was removed from the membership roll for three reasons: "...drinking to excess, going away without a certificate, and neglecting to attend religious meetings."

It is possible that the cumulative force of these brought the final action. There are many instances of migration without a certificate with no action by the meetings. One can hardly imagine that all who failed to attend meetings for worship regularly were disowned, though the Quaker records contain numerous instances of endeavors to deal with this act of negligence. One of the members of the committee appointed to notify John of his disownment had been called to account for failure to attend meetings for worship, and only the month before had made his "acknowledgement," which the meeting promptly accepted. At that time drinking alcoholic beverages was not condemned by Friends, but drinking to excess was.

It is possible that John Newlin felt that these were matters that should be left to the individual and he must have resented what appeared to him to be a straight-jacket of Quaker rules of discipline. Though he lived for forty years after being removed from membership in the Society of Friends there is no intimation that he ever asked to be reinstated.

There is a saying among Newlins in Illinois that "Newlins have big feet and are stubborn." The size of John's feet is unknown but it seems quite possible that he was an obstinate man, possibly to the point of personal pride, when faced with conventions and regulations with which he did not agree. When Concord Meeting complained of some of his actions the meeting's appointed committee reported that "... he agreed to the truth of the complaints but doth not incline to make acknowledgements for the same." He had the stamina to admit the truth of the charges but was not willing to express regret. In spite of the evidence of infractions of Quaker discipline the available light on his life and character enables one to believe that he was a man of integrity whose honorable and commendable life was a constructive influence in his family and in his community.

Mary Pyle Newlin

Mary (Pyle) Newlin's ancestry has been traced back to 1594, to the birth of her great-great-grandfather, John Pyle, in Wiltshire, England. In 1620 he married Mary Withers. Their son, Nicholas N. Pyle (born 13-III-1625, d 24-VIII-1691) married Edith Musprat, 22-IX-1656. They had nine children. Three of them-John, Robert, and Nicholas emigrated to Pennsylvania in 1683. This Nicholas, Mary's grandfather, was born in 1666. In September 1688 he married Abigail Bushell, daughter of Joseph Bushell. Mary's grandfather Pyle emigrated from Wiltshire, England, to Pennsylvania, in the same year that her husband's grandfather and great-grandparents went from Ireland to the same locality in Pennsylvania.

Nicholas and Abigail had seven children. Nicholas, their third child, (and the third in succession by that name, in Mary's line of ancestors) was born 26-II-1697. He married Sarah Worrilow. They were Mary Pyle Newlin's parents. Sarah Worrilow was the daughter of John and Ann (Maris) Worrilow. The parents of Ann Maris were George and Alice Maris of Worcestershire, England.

Edith Pyle, who married Nicholas Newlin, was Mary's aunt; and Nicholas Newlin was the uncle of her husband, John. Mary's uncle, Dr. Samuel Pyle, had gone to England for his medical training. He and his wife, Sarah Pyle, had nine children; the second, John Pyle, became the most famous. He, too, was a physician. He married Sarah Baldwin, daughter of John and Hannah B. Baldwin. The stream of emigrants from Pennsylvania carried them to the Cane Creek community where they acquired land and built a home overlooking Cane Creek, just opposite Lindley's Mill. Dr. Pyle's home was about three miles from that of his cousin, Mary Pyle Newlin. During the Regulator Movement (1768-1771) his sympathies were with the aggrieved citizens and he is known to have helped some of them save their property from confiscation by unscrupulous tax collectors.

During the War for Independence, like many of the leading citizens of the colonies, Dr. Pyle opposed the drive for separation from Great Britain. As a colonel in the loyalist army he was seriously wounded in February, 1791 (sic 1781), when the three hundred men under his command were cut to pieces by Colonel "Lighthorse Harry" Lee's cavalry, whom the Loyalists persisted in believing to be the expected British Cavalry they had never seen. Colonel Pyle was later captured and paroled. At the Battle of Lindley's Mill, fought within sight of his home, he cared for the wounded of both armies, Whigs and Loyalists alike. The fact that the Government of North Carolina did not confiscate his land indicates that he was held in high esteem for few of the Loyalists who held large tracts of land escaped this vindictive measure.

The exact date of the arrival of the members of the Newlin family to begin life in the virgin woodland overlooking Haw River is unknown. Most of the history of the settlement of any frontier is buried in the oblivion which soon absorbed its adventures and hard daily grind. Tradition has had the family of eight trudging together over the long woodland road to the South, in the year 1768. Enough evidence has been found to shake this tradition, to lead one to doubt that they blazed the Newlin trail together as a family, and to give rise to the belief that John and Mary and their first five children were all settled there before 1768. The records of Concord Meeting in Pennsylvania give what pertinent data has been brought to light by recent research.

A few years after John Newlin and his family moved from Bradford back to Concord Township he was called to account, as already noted. It seems necessary to quote the minute again, for the date and one of the complaints start a chain of events which may throw some light on the time the members of the family first reached North Carolina.

Concord Monthly Meeting held 9th of 10th Month, 1765 says: "...Concord Preparative Meeting brings a complaint against John Newlin, for drinking to excess, going away without a Certificate and neglecting to attend religious meetings. John Brinton and Nathan Yarnall are to treat with him on the occasion and report to our next meeting." One of the three complaints- "...going away without a Certificate..." may be pertinent to the date of John's first move to North Carolina. Where did he go "without a Certificate"? It must have been for a somewhat extended sojourn.

The Minute of Concord Meeting telling of the first report of the committee, appointed to "treat with John Newlin," indicates that he must have been back in Concord at that time. This Minute of "6th of 11th Month, 1765..." reports: "...the Friends appointed to treat with John Newlin report that they have done accordingly and that he agreed to the truth of the complaints but doth not incline to make acknowledgement for the same; Richard Park and John Trimble are to prepare a testimony against him and bring to our next meeting and acquaint him therewith."

One month later, on "...4th of 12th Month, 1765..." the following minute was made: "The testimony against John Newlin is produced approved and signed. Nathan Yarnall is to proceed therein as our discipline directs and report to the next meeting." This would include notifying John Newlin. The Minutes of "...8th of 1st Month, 1766..." record the following: "The Friend appointed on John Newlin affair report that he had proceeded as ordered except the reading which is to be done and reported at next meeting." This minute indicated that John Newlin had been informed of the action of the Meeting and that the "testimony" against him would be read at the close of a future meeting for worship. The Minutes for "...5th of 2nd Month, 1766..." indicate that, "...the testimony against John Newlin is read and returned as ordered."

These five monthly sessions in which John Newlin's case was considered were in late fall and winter months. It is quite obvious that John Newlin could have spent much of the year 1765 in North Carolina, then returned to Pennsylvania for the winter months. He could have gone back to the farm on Haw River at the end of winter.

The Women's Meeting of Concord Monthly Meeting for "...8th of 6th Mo., 1768..." reports the following: "A Certificate was requested for Mary Newlin and her children to Cane Creek Monthly Meeting in North Carolina..."

This phraseology may reasonably be interpreted to mean that Mary and the children had already gone to North Carolina, and someone was presenting this request for her. If she had been in her Concord home she would have made the request herself. The Minutes of one month later remove any doubt about her location: "From our Monthly Meeting of Friends held at Concord the 6th day of 7th Month, 1768...To Friends of Cain Creek Monthly Meeting in North Carolina...Dear Friends: Application hath been made to us for a few lines by way of certificate for Mary Newlin the wife of John Newlin and her children who is removed and settled with her husband John Newlin within the verge of your meeting. Now these may certifie on her behalf, that after the needful Enquiry made we do not find but that her life and conversation have been in good degree orderly and at times frequented our religious meeting for worship and discipline her children being young and under the tuition of their parents we think it is not needful to say much concerning them only that they have had their Birthright amongst us and as such we recommend her together with her three children To Wit, John Eli and Mary to Divine protection and your Christian Care and oversight. And remain your friends Brethren and Sisters

                                                                     Signed on behalf of our Meeting

                                    by Caleb Pierce, (sic) Jun Clk."

The certificate removes any doubt as to where John and Mary Pyle Newlin migrated. The exact location of their home is known but the exact date of either from Pennsylvania is still not known. The first question is for the date John Newlin established at least "squatters claim" to the tract of land on which he and his family would make their future home. Documents in the Land Grant Office, in Raleigh, North Carolina, give important information about the survey, the area of the tract, and the official grant of the land. The earliest of these, the order for the survey, gives implications which have a bearing on the question at issue. This order, given in 1779, is as follows:

"John Butler Entry Officer of Claims for land in the County of Orange, To the Surveyor of the said County, greetings. You are hereby required as soon as may be to lay off and survey for John Newland a tract or parcel of land containing two hundred and seventy acres lying in the county aforesaid on the south side of Haw River adjoining the land of Robert Woody, including the Improvements where John Newland now lives observing the direction of the act of assembly in such case made and provided for running out land, two just and fair plans of such survey with a proper certificate annexed to each, you are to transmit with this warrant to the secretary's office without delay. Given under my hand at Mount Pleasant the Eighteenth day of October

                                                                      Anno Dom. 1779

                                                                      John Butler"

This document calls attention to an act of the colonial Assembly of North Carolina which enabled John as a settler, to establish rights of pre-emption (squatters rights) which would protect his claim to the land and to the improvements which he might make, until a patent (deed) could be secured. Sometimes two or more decades were allowed to elapse between these two acts. The order for the survey also indicates that improvements had been made, that "John Newland" was living on the land and that a previous survey had been made, since the exact acreage had been give. The survey, with the plat drawn to scale, is dated "...the 15th of February 1787." Though it was to be made "as soon as may be," more than seven years elapsed before it was completed.

One year and five months later the grant was made in the following words:

"State of North Carolina.
No 863. Know Ye that we have granted unto John Newland a tract of Land containing Two hundred and seventy acres lying in our County of Orange Lying on the waters of Haw River adjoining his own land John Carter and Mary Woody Beginning at a white cherry tree on the side of Haw River running thence South twenty nine chains to a hicory (sic) then West twenty six and one half chains to a white oak then South thirty eight chains to a post oak then East forty two chains to a post oak aline for Sheredon then forty-five degrees East thirty six chains to a beach on Haw River then down the meanders thereof to the first station to hold to the said John Newland His Heirs and Assigns forever dated the tenth day of July 1788.

                                    Sam Johnson

J. Glasgow Secretary

Certainly John Newlin held this land for as much as two decades and possibly for twenty-three years under right of preemption, before receiving a deed which finally gave him complete ownership. Though this time was unusually long it was not unique.

Though fully aware of the possibility of error there is enough available evidence to enocourage indulgence in the conjecture about the time members of this family settled in their Haw River home. It seems quite possible that John Newlin spent much if not all of the summer of 1765 in North Carolina, "spying out the land," and making necessary preparation for the coming of the other members of his family a couple of summers later. At that time he could be spared from his home and farm in Pennsylvania since James, the oldest of the children, was eighteen years of age, and it seems safe to assume that Mary Pyle Newlin was a very capable person. In those days a high percentage of the men who planned to take their families out to new country, on the edge of the frontier, would go out ahead of the other members of the family, acquire desirable land, build the necessary houses, perhaps clear some land for cultivation and even plant a crop before the arrival of the wife and children. There is no reason for thinking that John Newlin was not equally solicitous of the comfort and welfare of his wife and children.

John can be pictured as leaving home in the spring of 1765 when Mary, the youngest child, was no more than eighteen months old. It is quite possible that he returned in the late fall to spend the winter with the family. At this time Concord Meeting could have become aware of his long sojourn in North Carolina and of his intention to settle there. It was during this winter that he was disowned, after the Committee had "labored" with him during four of the winter months. It is quite likely that he was back on his Haw River claim during much of the year 1766 and then in the spring, or early summer, of 1767, Mary and the children began a new chapter in the life of the family in their new home. Nathaniel, their youngest child, was born on May 11, 1768, in the Newlin home in the Haw River valley, seven weeks before Concord Friends issued the certificates for Mary Pyle Newlin and the three children known to them.

Two hundred and seventy acres of good farm land was more than enough to enable a family to live comfortably, according to the standards of that day but it seemed very small when compared with the holdings of many of his Newlin ancestors in America. His father inherited more than a thousand acres of land; his grandfather Nathaniel acquired by inheritance and purchase more than eight thousand acres; and it is possible that his great-grandfather Nicholas bought more than twelve hundred acres in Chester County, Pennsylvania. John's eldest son, James, got back into the running by acquiring more than nine hundred acres in the Cane Creek valley. It seems that James' son, John, exceeded all previous records in North Carolina by getting possession of large tracts of land in Alamance and Orange counties.

When Concord Meeting granted a certificate of membership for Mary Pyle Newlin, the three youngest were included, while a separate certificate was granted to each of the two oldest. At that time James was approaching twenty-one, Hannah was just ninenteen, John was fifteen and a half, Eli was thirteen, Mary was nearly five, and Nathaniel, born in North Carolina less than seven weeks before, was unknown to Concord Friends.

As far as available information goes, the children of John and Mary followed the precepts of their religious faith and were held in esteem by their neighbors. Records show that every one of them was married "after the manner of Friends." Some of them took a prominent part in the life of their meeting. Nathaniel, an elder, with the approval of his meeting, made an extended religious visit to Friends and Friends meetings in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. No evidence has been found that the conduct of any of the children was ever called in question by their meeting. This may be in part the result of parental influence. In Pennsylvania and in North Carolina, Mary was rather obviously a strong and stable influence in the family. It is quite possible that John, in the last half of his life, showed greater moral stamina than is to be inferred from references to him in Pennsylvania Quaker records.

In his "Last Will and Testament," made in 1799 and probated in August, 1805, John left his "plantation" of "two hundred and seventy acres" to Nathaniel, his youngest child. There was the provision that he should pay his living brothers and sisters "the sum of thirty pounds each," and the five children of Eli (deceased) were to receive 5 each. It is regrettable that no inventory was made of "the residue" of his personal estate which was to be "sold and divided" among his "living children equally." If through his will he had divided his personal property item by item it would have preserved a better picture of his home.

The specific dates of the birth and death of John and Mary have not been found. What relative data there is indicates that Mary died in early 1790 at the age of 66. She is not mentioned in the Census of 1790.

John Newlin's will was proved in August, 1805 and it is assumed that he died in that year, fifteen years after the death of Mary Pyle Newlin. Taking 1716 as the most probable of the three suggested dates of his birth would give him a lifespan of eighty-nine years.

John and Mary Pyle Newlin were buried in the cemetery of Spring Friends Meeting in the southern part of what is now Alamance County. There is the tradition that their graves were dug near a large cedar tree, which still stands green and tall and healthy 174 years after Mary's burial (1964). In 1930 some of their descendants placed at the head of their graves a huge stone slab, sculpted by nature, and attached to it a bronze plaque bearing the inscription

                                                        In Memory

                                                              of

                                               John Newlin and Mary Pyle

as a lasting memorial to these founders of a great branch of the Newlin family.

The "Western Fever" took such a heavy toll of the North Carolina Newlins that possibly three-fourths of the descendants of John and Mary (Pyle) Newlin of the present day can now see their ancestors in the great westward migration of the first half of the nineteenth century "when the old America seemed to be breaking up and moving westward." In one decade, that of the 1820's, the inhabitants of the trans-Appalachian West increased by nearly 1,500,000 to raise the population of that area to one fourth that of the whole United States. This surge to the West caught four of the six children of John and Mary (Pyle) Newlin; three of them born in Pennsylvania. They were: Hannah (Newlin) Holladay, John, Mary (Newlin) Hadley and Nathaniel Newlin. Eli Newlin and James died in North Carolina but Deborah (Lindley) Newlin, the widow of James Newlin was among those who moved to Indiana, where three of their five sons made their home. At least four of the ten children of Hannah (Newlin) and Robert Holladay moved to the Middle West with their parents. All of the ten children of John and Sarah (Holladay) Newlin and all five of the children of Eli and Sarah (Hadley) Newlin sought new homes in Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Mary (Newlin) and Thomas Hadley saw at least four of their ten children migrate to the Mississippi valley. Only one of the ten children of Nathaniel and Catherine (Hadley) Newlin remained and watched all other members of his family leave for the West.

From this nineteenth century dispersion, Newlins and Newlin descendants have scattered to nearly all, if not all of the states to the west of the Appalachians,including Hawaii and Alaska. But of this area the greatest concentration of Newlins must have been Crawford County, Illinois. There is a saying in that county that "At one time there was nothing but Newlins and Johnson grass in Crawford County; we got rid of the Johnson grass."

More About John Newlin, Jr.:
Burial: Spring Friends Cemetery, Greensboro-Chapel Hill Road near Snow Camp, Alamance Co., NC
Comment 1: All of his children were born in Chester Co., PA except the youngest, Nathaniel, born shortly after they settled in Alamance Co., NC.
Comment 2: 2 of the 6 children of John & Mary Pyle Newlin, Hannah & John III, married children of Henry & Mary Fayle Holladay. The rest married descendants of Simon & Ruth Hadley: James their granddaughter; Eli, Mary, & Nathaniel their great-grandchildren.
Comment 3: Family settled near Lindley's Mill & Cane Creek Meeting
Comment 4: 1768, Said to have moved family to Alamance Co., NC on the Haw River
Ethnicity/Relig.: Quaker-disowned from Concord MM in PA for drinking to excess other violations
Event: Abt. 1765, Made preparations for moving from Pennsylvania to North Carolina
Occupation: Farmer; acquired 270 acres in Alamance Co., NC (little compared to grandfather)
Personality/Intrst: Was very stubborn and a nonconformist to Quaker standards; rugged individualist; disowned for drinking to excess, neglecting to attend religious meetings, etc. ca. 1745 when he still lived in Pennsylvania, and never asked to be reinstated.
Residence: Concord, Chester Co., PA & Orange (now part of Alamance) Co., NC; settled on Haw River on 270 acre farm after 1768. The house stood until the 1930s.

Notes for Mary Pyle:

QUAKER MARRIAGES
Concord Meeting Minutes - Chester Co., PA

Below are the minutes of the marriage ceremony between John Newlin and Mary Pyle, copied and pasted from the website http://www.twsgraphics.com/genealogy/MrgNotes2.htm#JohnN&MaryP

JOHN NEWLIN & MARY PYLE
FHC #0020457 Item #8 Quaker Records, Concord MM Marriages 1698-1783 p.1
13d 9m 1745 = 13 Nov 1745
"Whereas John Newlin, son of John and Mary Newlin of Concord in the County of Chester, and Mary Pyle daughter of Nicholas Pyle late of Concord, deceased... full accomplishing of their intentions this 13th day of the 9th month in the year of our Lord 1745...
WITNESSES: [1st row] John Pennel, John Griffith, Peter Hatton, Thomas Gilpin, Sam Bettle, Moses Key, William Trimble, Benjamin Marshall, Nathaniel Eavenson, James Hatton, Moses Palmer, Sam Sharpless, Ben Sharpless, Jacob Sharpless, John Palmer, Thomas Vernon Jr // [2nd row] Mary Pennell, Mary Peirce, Hannah Hatton, Catherine Eavenson, Jane Gibbons, Hannah Gilpin, Sarah Hatton, Martha Palmer, Susanna Chamberlin, Mary Newlin, Jane Sharples[s], Rebecca Fawks, Sarah Newlin, Hannah Chamberlin, Elizabeth Palmer, Abigail Palmer, Mary Mendenhall, Samuel Talkington // [3rd row] Esther Mendenhall, Isaac Harvey, Martha Harvey, Mary Eavenson, Rachel Walter, Esther Newlin, Ann Trimble, Richard Parkes, William Sharpless, Joseph Chamberlin, Richard Dawkes, Deborah Ellwell // [last row] John Newlin Jr, Mary Newlin (bride & groom), John Newlin, Mary Newlin, Sarah Strode, Nicholas Newlin, Richard Woodward, Martha Woodward, Edward Woodward, Ellis Lewis, Robert Mendenhall, Nicholas Newlin Jr, Nathaniel Newlin, James Pyle"

More About Mary Pyle:
Burial: Spring Friends Cemetery, Greensboro-Chapel Hill Road near Snow Camp, Alamance Co., NC
Comment: Was a 1st cousin of Col. John Pyle of North Carolina Tory fame
Ethnicity/Relig.: Society of Friends (Quaker)
Event: 1768, Transferred from Concord Meeting in Pennsylvania to Cane Creek Meeting in North Carolina

Generation No. 2

2.  John Newlin, born 28 Feb 1691 in Darby Township, present-day Delaware Co., PA; died Abt. 1753 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.), PA.  He was the son of 4. Nathaniel Newlin and 5. Mary Mendenhall.  He married 3. Mary Woodward Apr 1710 in Chester/Delaware Co., PA.

3.  Mary Woodward, born 09 Feb 1690 in Thornbury Township, Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.),  PA; died 24 Nov 1790 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.), PA.  She was the daughter of 6. Richard Woodward and 7. Jane Nyle?.

Notes for John Newlin:
http://www.geocities.com/nadineholder/JohnNewlin.html

John & Mary Woodward Newlin Page
-----------------------------------------------------
When Nathaniel Newlin died intestate in 1729 the land was divided according to law among his children. In these deeds we learn that John & Mary Newlin lived adjoining Richard & Jemima Newlin Eavenson when those two received 913 acres in 1733 as their share of land. When John Newlin's brother Nathaniel died he named John trustee in the sale of his lands comprising 1620 acres. When Ellis Lewis, husband of deceased Elizabeth Newlin, John's sister was granted land for his children, John participated with his brothers and sisters in providing them an 1133 acre share. John & Mary Newlin received a 443 acre tract as part of their share of the land and resold it on February 16, 1733.

John Newlin and his brother-in-law Ralph Eavenson were appointed overseers of Concord Meeting on 17th of 5th month of 1732.

On 10 May 1746 Benjamin Johnson gave a mortgage to Joseph Parker for a tract of land in Newlin Township with a bolting mill and grist mill located on them. The grist mill land was bounded by John Newlin's land and Brandywine Creek. On 1 October 1744 John Newlin, yeoman, granted a lease to Johnson with full power to build a dam on the west branch of Brandywine Creek on John Newlin's plantation bounded by the creek and to dig a water course through the said land of John Newlin for the use of a mill now being built. The lease was for 999 years with a yearly rent of 1 pound. (Land information is from Abstracts of Chester County, Pennsylvania Land Records by Carol Bryant, Vols 1-3).

More About John Newlin:
Burial: Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville, Chester Co., PA
Ethnicity/Relig.: Society of Friends (Quaker)
Occupation: Farmer
Property: 1729, Inherited 414 acres in western Concord Township; lived in Newlin Township though
Residence: Newlin Township, Chester Co., PA

Notes for Mary Woodward:
The following was quoted from Martin's "Chester in Delaware County," and cited in "The Newlin Family: Ancestors and Descendants of John and Mary Pyle Newlin" on page 27:

Died November 24, 1790, Mary Newlin, aged 100 years, 9 mos., 15 days. Nine weeks before her death she walked a mile and retained her senses and eye sight to the last. She was born in Thornbury Township, Chester County. Dr. Newlin's genealogy then states that Martin copied this from some old notes of his grandfather, Dr. William Martin.

• ************************************************

The following is taken from "Mendenhall-Newlin Alliance" (1989) by Russell Newlin Abel, page 164:

In a letter from JWM Newlin, dated Dec. 24th 1865, occurs the following which was sent to him "by Mary Newlin of Waterville." "Died on ye 24th of this Instant Mary Newlin of Concord in the one hundredth and second year of her age (she was born in the township of Thornbury in ye County of Chester in Pennsylvania, about 26 miles from Philadelphia, which was at that time the western frontier of the then Province.) She was a woman of hale constitution, affable and courteous to her friends, Hospitable and kind to strangers and to the poor. Industrious and temperate she retained her memory and sight to the last of her life. She spun and knit till within nine weeks of her death. Idleness and sloth were her greatest bane. She was buried in friends burying ground at Concord, attended by a large concourse of relations and friends, 11mo 26th 1790. She told me about 16 months past that she remembered when her father and others deadened the timber and burned the leaves and hoed in their wheat by hand, there being few houses and scarcely a plough in the settlement. That the natives were very kind to them in supplying them with their bear's meat, venison, wild fowl and eggs in plenty, and thought the white people conferred an obligation on them by receiving them."

More About Mary Woodward:
Burial: 26 Nov 1790, Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville, Chester Co., PA
Comment: Said to have spun and knit until 9 weeks before her death and to have walked a mile
Ethnicity/Relig.: Society of Friends (Quaker)
Residence: Thornbury & Concord Townships, Chester Co., PA

Children of John Newlin and Mary Woodward are:

 i. Mary Newlin, born Abt. 1711 in Chester Co., PA; married John Hall 20 May 1752 in Concord Friends Meeting, Chester Co., PA.

 ii. Jane Newlin, born Abt. 1713; died 28 Oct 1798; married Samuel Sharpless 20 Mar 1736; born 07 Dec 1710 in Nether Providence, Delaware Co., PA; died 24 Nov 1790 in Delaware Co., PA.

Notes for Jane Newlin:
http://www.twsgraphics.com/genealogy/MrgNotes1.htm#SamuelS&JaneN

QUAKER MARRIAGES
Concord Meeting Minutes - Chester Co., PA

SAMUEL SHARPLESS & JANE NEWLIN
FHC #0020457 Item #8 Quaker Records, Concord MM Marriages 1698-1783 p.86
26d 3m 1736 = 26 May 1736
"Whereas Samuel Sharples[s], son of Joseph Sharples[s] of Middeltown, Chester, Pa and Jane Newlin, dau. of John Newlin of Concord, Chester... full accomplishing their intentions this 26th of the 3rd mo. 1736...
WITNESSES: [1st row] Joseph Gilpin, Thomas West, Henry Oborn, John Pennell, Peter Hatton, Moses Key, Benjamin Talbert, Thomas Vernon Jr, Nathan Yarnall, Joseph Talbert, Enoch Eavinson, Joseph Williams, Joseph Nicklin, Ellis Lewis, William Trimble, Thomas Martin, Abraham Vernon, Isaac Woodward, Joseph Chamberlin, John Wagin // [2nd row] Mary Pennell, Elizabeth Thomas, Hannah Hatton, Sushanna Nicklin, Ann Trimble, Eliz Sharples, Mary Sharples, Mary Pennell, Mary Woodward, Katharin Eavinson, Isaac Woodward, Hannah Marshall, Mary West, Martha Palmer, Magratt Vernon, Ann Marshall, Ann Pennell, Hannah Woodward, Elizabth Key, Margery Hammans // [3rd row] Jane Woodward, Joseph Newlin, Benjamin Sharplis, James Sharplis, James Sill, Jesee Lewis, Nathan Sharples, Mary Lewis, Thomas Wilson, Joseph Eavinson, Joseph Robinson, Richard Eainson, James Hatton, John Palmmer, Moses Vernon, Daniel Sharples, John Martin, Nathaniel Eavinson // [last row] Samuel Sharples, Jane Sharples (bride & groom), Joseph Sharples, Jane Woodwarad, John Newlin, Lydia Sharples, Mary Newlin, Richard Woodward, Benjamin Mendenhall, Thomas Woodward, Edward Woodward, John Sharples, Mary Lewis, Christopher Wilson, Benjamin Mendenhall Jr, Samuel Lewis, Robert Lewis, Joseph Woodward, William Woodward, James Woodward, Joseph Lewis, Nicholas Newlin, Lydia Mendenhall, Esther Wilson, Jane Newlin, Edeth Newlin"

1 iii. John Newlin, Jr., born Abt. 1716 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.),  PA; died Abt. 1805 in Haw River area of Alamance Co., NC; married Mary Pyle 13 Sep 1745 in Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville, present-day Delaware Co., PA (then part of Chester County).

 iv. Rebecca Newlin, born Abt. 1718; married Richard Fawkes 16 Apr 1740 in Concord, present-day Delaware Co., PA; born 1710; died in possibly Newtown Township, Delaware Co., PA.

Notes for Rebecca Newlin:
Aug 4, 1740 rec.cert. to Goshen MM

 v. Abigail Newlin, born 22 Nov 1722 in Concord Township, Delaware Co., PA; died 22 Nov 1752 in Concord Township, Delaware Co., PA; married Moses Palmer Abt. 1745; born 26 May 1721 in Concord Township, Delaware Co., PA; died 20 Jun 1783.

Notes for Moses Palmer:
From "A History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and Its People," Volume 3, page 1004:

Moses, son of John and Martha (Yearsley) Palmer, was born in Concord township, Delaware county, Pennsylvania, 5th month 26, 1721, died 6th month 20, 1783. In his early life he was instructed in cordwaining, but forsook that occupation for the more congenial one of farming. He cultivated the land obtained from his father in 1748 for many years, and also the tract adjoining it on the north, where he made his home for the latter years of his life. During his lifetime he acquired a great deal of real estate, which at his death he willed to his wife and children in a testament dated 6th month 10, 1783. He was an adherent to the family faith, a member of the Society of Friends. He married (first) Abigail, daughter of John and Mary (Woodward) Newlin, of Concord; (second) Abigail (Sharp) Sharpless, widow of William Sharpless, and daughter of Joseph and Mary (Pyle) Sharp, born 2nd month 28, 1729, died 2nd month 14, 1805. Her father was an Irish emigrant. Children of Moses Palmer by his two marriages, the first, John, of further mention, being the only child of his first marriage; 2. Martha, born 9th month 7, 1753, died 2nd month 18, 1831 3. Moses, born 4th month 12, 1757, died 8th month 29, 1840. 4. Joseph, born 4th month 21, 1759, died 7th month 30, 1838. 5. Abigail, born 8th month 26, 1762, died 3rd month 10, 1842. 6. Aaron, born 7th month 17, 1765, died 3rd month 10, 1842.. 7. Mary, born 1st month 24, 1768 8. Ann, born 1st month 9, 1771, died about 1821.

 vi. Sarah Newlin, born Abt. 1724; married John Worrall 20 Feb 1771 in Concord, present-day Delaware Co., PA; born 26 Aug 1719; died 08 Jan 1800.

 vii. Nathaniel Newlin, born Abt. 1726 in Chester Co., PA; died 10 Sep 1823; married Jane Woodward 30 Nov 1757 in Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia, PA.

Generation No. 3

4.  Nathaniel Newlin, born 18 Feb 1665 in probably Mountmellick  (near Rosenallis), Ireland; died May 1729 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (now in Delaware Co.), Pennsylvania, USA.  He was the son of 8. Nicholas Newlin and 9. Elizabeth Paggott.  He married 5. Mary Mendenhall 17 Apr 1685 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (now Delaware Co.), PA.

5.  Mary Mendenhall, born Abt. 1660 in Ramsbury Parish, Wiltshire, England; died Abt. 1729 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (now in Delaware Co.), Pennsylvania, USA.  She was the daughter of 10. Thomas Mendenhall III and 11. Joan Stroud.

Notes for Nathaniel Newlin:
Nathaniel Newlin was one of the leading settlers of William Penn's Pennsylvania Quaker colony, and a biography of him is better given by quoting Dr. Algie I. Newlin in "The Newlin Family: Ancestors and Descendants of John and Mary Pyle Newlin," (1965), pages 21-26:

Gilbert Cope found in what he called the 'Taylor Papers' a horoscope giving the following biographical data about Nathaniel Newlin: "Netus Nathaniel Nulan anno 1665 desem. 18 d; 3 h; 21 m.PM." Whatever question this may raise about Nathaniel's belief in "fortune telling," it certainly gives almost a stopwatch date of his birth. it is too bad the fortune teller didn't require the place of birth.

Nathaniel was well equipped to follow in his father's footsteps as a versatile leader in Chester County and in Pennsylvania as a whole. The paths followed by the two are very similar. If anything, Nathaniel's career was more illustrious than that of his father; certainly in political and economic activities. It must be remembered that in their life in Pennsylvania Nathaniel had more than twice as long to serve in the areas of his interests.

Nathaniel's interest and work in the Society of Friends was just as evident as that of his father. Among the thirty-four contributions for the construction of Concord Meeting House, his was the largest. That of his father was second and the third was given by John Newlin, who must have been Nathaniel's brother, John. It seems quite likely that Nathaniel revolted against some of the outmoded customs and ideas of his day. He was the first of the Concord Friends to carry an umbrella. Though he was held in high esteem, members of his meeting were astounded and possibly shocked, but not speechless. One elderly "woman Friend," visibly moved and highly articulate, put him to the ultimate test with a finger pointed straight at his face, "How would thee like to have that thing carried over thee as thee goes to thy grave?" So far as is known Nathaniel continued to hold aloft both head and umbrella.

Martin's "Chester in Delaware County" calls Nathaniel Newlin "a prominent man in his day." Albert Cook Myers ranks him next to his father as among the most important of the Quakers who came from Ireland to Pennsylvania. His long and distinguished career in public office, both elective and appointive, seem clear indication of his ability and of the confidence and esteem which people gave him.

In the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries American Quakers took a very active interest in the political affairs. They wielded very great influence in New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island. Of course Pennsylvania was founded as a Quaker venture. Nathaniel Newlin began his career as a public official when he was only twenty-one years of age and continued his public service in one capacity or another until his death, more than forty years later.

His first public office came to him in 1686 when the County Court of Chester appointed him and his brother-in-law, "Benjamin Mildinghall," as "Viewers of the fence for Concord." The following year the Court made Nathaniel Newlin "...Constable for Concord...for the ensuing year." He did jury service on several occasions, and more than once was foreman of the grand jury.

In 1698 he was elected to his first term in the General Assembly of the Legislature of Pennsylvania. In this office he served thirteen terms - twenty-six years of legislative service to his province. In 1700 the Assembly named him as one member of a committee on governmental reorganization and law revision. He served at least five terms as a justice of the Chester County Court. For a short time he was one of the assessors for Chester County and was a Trustee of the General Loan Office from 1723 to 1729. The Loan Office was created in 1723 when the Provincial Government emitted 15,000 pounds in paper money. Nathaniel was on the first board of four members.

Nathaniel Newlin's wealth greatly exceeded that of his father as far as this subject is revealed in the available historical data. The greater part of it was invested in land. By inheritance and purchase he acquired a total of 8,452 acres. Through his father's will the Nicholas Newlin home tract of 552 acres came to him. This is one of the tracts in Concord which Nicholas had bought as a five hundred acre tract on which he built his home and in 1696 built a saw mill. Several historians say he built a mill on this tract. It was here that Nathaniel later built a mill on the West Branch of Chester Creek. "Nathan and Mary Newlin 1704," carved on a stone in the wall of this mill is taken as the equivalent of a cornerstone marker indicating that the mill was erected by Nathaniel Newlin in 1704. It remained in the hands of the Newlins until well into the Nineteenth Century. In 1959 it was acquired by E.M. Newlin, of Philadelphia, a descendant of Nathaniel Newlin. The mill has been reconditioned, opened to the public and the adjacent grounds and mill pond made a place for recreation.

Through his father's will Nathaniel received also "...that two hundred and fifty Akers of land which he now lives upon." It is quite possible that this is what was left of the second tract in Concord, of five hundred acres, which Nicholas acquired in 1683. This shows that Nathaniel inherited 802 acres of land located in Concord Township.

Nathaniel's greatest real estate venture came when he purchased from The Free Society of Traders, on June 10, 1724, for 800 pounds, a great tract of land in the Brandywine Valley which had been surveyed out as containing 7,100 acres. The Society of Free Traders was a company of approximately three hundred Quakers who had bought 20,000 acres of land for speculative purposes. Soon after making this purpose Nathaniel had another survey made which revealed that he had actually purchased 7,700 acres - 600 more than he thought he had acquired. It was this huge rectangle of land that became Newlin Township in 1740. Nathaniel bought it as an investment. During the next three years he sold 1,300 acres in nine tracts for more than one half of what he paid for the entire 7,700 acres. Besides tripling the per acre sales price he also attached a quitrent of one shiling per hundred acres to be paid to him in addition to that which was attached to the land before Nathaniel acquired it.

Nathaniel died intestate in 1729. At that time his estate included 7,643 acres of land to be divided among his six living children and the children of Elizabeth (Newlin) Lewis who had died six years before the death of her father.

In 1699 Nathaniel built for himself a large brick dwelling house in Concord which would be used for 150 years before being torn down.

One of the most noted incidents in the life of Nathaniel Newlin was his involvement in a clash of claims between an Indian tribe and some of the settlers who had bought land in the Brandywine Valley, which the Indians claimed. This dispute broke out in 1725 and involved the rival claimants, the General Assembly, Commissioners of Property and the Governor in discussions and negotiations which lasted for nearly a year before a satisfactory solution was agreed upon.

It seems quite obvious that Nathaniel Newlin's Society Tract was the largest provately owned tract in the disputed area, though land had been sold in the much larger area of the valley in dispute. Nathaniel Newlin had made his noted purchase of 7,100 acres in 1724, and the following year the Indians claimed lands that included two thirds of this purchase. Nathaniel had already sold several tracts of this land.

In 1685 the Indians had sold a vast area of land in Chester County to William Penn. The deed for this sale was on record. In 1705 the Indians claimed that Penn had ceded back to them a strip of land extending the distance of one mile on either side of the stream from the mouth of the Brandywine to the source of the West Branch of that stream. This deed could not be found on record or anywhere. The Indians claimed that their copy of the deed had been burned when a fire destroyed a cabin in which it was kept. In 1705 the Commissioners of Property, in a move to satisfy the Indians, paid them 100 pounds for their claimed rights to the land from the mouth of the Brandywine to a specified point on the West Branch. The clash of claims in 1725 involved the remainder of the valley of the West Branch which was not included in the action of 1705.

In 1725 the Indians protested the construction of dams and weirs which robbed them of their fish supply and the sale of lands which they claimed. They took their grievances first to the Governor and then to the Commissioners of Property. They were not able to get satisfactory action from either. Then they turned to the General Assembly. After extended discussions and negotiations, the Assembly directed the Commissioners of Property to make a full investigation of the whole affair, including, of course, the Indian claims, and give a report to the Assembly. James Logan reporting for the Commission, "...produced an Indian deed, dated 1685, signed by thirteen Indian kings which conveys all the lands..." including the area now in dispute, to the Proprietor. The report continues, "...and says he finds no footsteps for any reconveyance, neither in the land office nor upon the record...that in 1785 the Indians laid claim to all the lands from the mouth of the Brandywine up the West Branch to the head, in bredth one mile on each side of that branch..." Logan also reported that the Commissioners of Property paid the Indians 100 pounds to relinquish their claims from the mouth of the Brandywine to a point in what later became the eastern boundary of the Society Tract.

This report indicates that no legal basis had been found for the claims made by the Indians. This may be the reason whyneither the Governor nor the Commissioners of Property took any action when the Indians first presented their claims to them. The Assembly never at any time asserted that those who had bought land had anything less than full title to it. The purpose of the Assembly was to quiet the Indians and remove the threat to peace by finding a way to give them full use of the lands they claimed, after satisfying the owners who had bought the land.

Nathaniel Newlin, and other land owners, were involved in a dispute with the Assembly and the Commissioners of Property rather than with the Indians. There is no evidence that Newlin was hostile to the Indians or unsympathetic to their plight. It does appear that he was opposed to one aspect of the plan presented by the Assembly, which possibly originated with the Commissioners of Property, that those who had bought land in good faith which the Indians now claimed, should accept an equivalent amount of land to be made available inother areas. Nathaniel Newlin's objection to this plan for settlement was that it was an acre for acre proposition and he was contending that it should be an equal value exchange. The 7,100 acres of the Society Tract which he had bought was a choice piece of land and it is quite possible that there was no available land of comparable value in Chester County. For the government, which had sold the land in the first place, to offer anything less than the value of the land was repugnant to his sense of justice. Nathaniel Newlin was a veteran of more than a quarter of a century's experience in the General Assembly and he had served as a Commissioner of Property. With this background of experience he certainly knew the technique of polotical maneuvers in these two bodies. There can be little doubt that even his seeming reluctance to appear before the Assembly was a part of his plan to bring that body and the Commissioners of Property to see the validity of his claim for equal value compensation. As reported in the records of the Assembly, "He said that expected the value, and not the quantity only of the land, in lieu of that the Indians claimed of him, and that he was to meet the Commissioners of Property this afternoon and then doubted not that they should settle the affair to the satisfaction of the house."

At no time did Nathaniel Newlin show any lack of sympathy for the Indians or any unwillingness to give up to them that part of his land which they claimed but he insisted that the Commissioners of Property must give him adequate compensation. The Minutes of the Commissioners of Property for "10th Mo. 7th and 8th, 1702." show Nathaniel Newlin as one of the four commissioners who satisfied the Ockanickon Indians by setting up a reservation for them in Chester County. This was now definitely a dispute with the Provincial authorities and not with the Indians.

Following Nathaniel Newlin's meeting with the Commissioners of Property the General Assembly convened and the following minute reports the action taken: "3 P.M. The House met. Nathaniel Newlin...delivered on the table a paper subscribed with his hand, which being read, doth declare and promise that neither he nor his heirs will, by any means, disturb or molest the Indians in their posession or claims."

What compensation Nathaniel Nelwin received from the Commissioners of Property has not been ascertained. Both he and the Indians were well pleased with the settlement. When an interpreter read the paper to the Indians, "...they declared that they were well satisfied therewith...so they (Newlin and the Indians) shook hands together and they parted fully reconciled." (Futhey & Cope, "Chester County," p. 192.

In the heat of the long negotiations the Commissioners of Property seem to have lost their patience with Nathaniel Newlin and it is equally evident that the Assembly did, too. Both used rather strong language to describe his stand. If this was done with a view to bringing pressure to induce Nathaniel Newlin to change his mind the political skill of this veteran public servant must have been a match for them. He seems to have won for himself what he considered fair compensation.

Nathaniel Newlin's promise to the Indians was faithfully kept as long as he lived. A few years after his death a letter from the Indian chief charged some of those who owned land in the Society Tract, and even the Commissioners of Property, of violating the rights of Indians. It is not known if the Governor or anyone responded to this complaint. Soon after this protest the Indians moved to another locality. One wonders if it was the wisdom and political skill of Nathaniel that guided the development of a solution which pleased the Indians and satisfied the Assembly and the Commissioners of Property.

This ends the information from the book by Dr. Algie Newlin. Additional information is given in Russell Newlin Abel's "A Mendenhall-Newlin Alliance" (1989) on pages 162-188, and within these pages Nathaniel's marriage certificate, estate settlement, and estate inventory are reprinted. The following information concerning Nathaniel's 1704 grist mill and the surrounding present-day Newlin Mill Park is quoted from pages 171-172 of this book:

The Nathaniel Newlin Grist Mill was built in 1704, during the reign of Queen Anne, by Nathaniel Newlin and his wife Mary (Mendenhall) Newlin, who were married in 1685 after having emigrated, with their respective families, to this country in 1683.

The mill still survives on the headwaters of the West Branch of Chester Creek in Concord Township, then Chester, now Delaware County, PA. It has been carefully restored to working condition and the surroundings have been made into a Colonial Park that serves to remind us of our heritage.

On 18 Jun 1988, this was the site of the 100th Annivarsary of the annual reunion of the Jacob H. Mendenhall family. He was a great-great-great-grandson of Nathaniel Newlin, and his wife, Hannah Worrilow (Newlin) Mendenhall, was a great-great-great-granddaughter of the mill builder.

The original mill was a 11/2 story stone structure which still contains a datestone reading, "1704 Nathan'l Mary Newlin." Even though it has been added to since Nathaniel's time and passed from the family for a period of time, it was repurchased in 1955 by a great-great-grandson of Nathaniel, Earl Mortimer Newlin of Wayne, PA, a Philadelphia investment broker and president of the Pennsylvania Working Home for the Blind.

The mill has been lovingly restored to working condition under the supervision of Rudy Fields, the late Executive Director of the Nicholas Newlin Foundation, a non-profit charitable foundation created for the purpose by E. Mortimer Newlin, a direct descendant of Nicholas.

Mr. Field died shortly after the restoration was completed. His wife Betty continues to ba active in the daily operation of the historic site. Since 1959, the mill is again grinding corn into flour.

The process of restoration was an interesting one. Essentially it required a complete replacement of mill machinery to recreate the original handmade design. This included hand fashioning of the huge, 16 foot diameter, 603 inch circumference, 5 foot wide, white oak, wooden overshot water wheel that turns on a shaft 21 feet long. The shaft was cut from a red oak tree and soaked in the millrace for two years before being hewn to final shape prior to installation. It was only with great difficulty that the shaft was maneuvered through a window in the mill and put in place.

The wheel drives the hand fashioned wooden gears that cause the millstones to shear the grains of corn between them. Only one stone turns, the upper of the two. It weighs more than a ton and is driven by a shaft that projects up through a hole in the lower stone. The stones are "dressed" or grooved to allow the ground corn to flow from the center of the stone, where it is added, to the outside edge of the stone, where it is collected. The millstones do not actually touch together, but are controlled by a large lever that precisely adjusts the distance between them. This allows the miller to achieve any degree of fineness--from coarse corn meal to fine corn flour. This process of adjustment is called "tentering."

After collection of the flour coming out of the millstones, it is sifted through a cloth, mounted on a frame like a shaker table, to remove any coarse particles. This process is called "bolting." This process is not only interesting to see in action, but we should also be cognizant that in the colonial days, it provided a principal source of food for the area.

Although no physical evidence remains, it is known that Nathaniel operated one of the first, if not the first, General Stores in the area. His estate inventory lists numerous items for sale, including kitchen utensils, hand tools, household goods, lumber, and cloth and clothing accessories. It is interesting to compare the value of items in those days with the value of similar items still being used today.

The area surrounding the mill has been made into a park-like area containing historical exhibits and recreational facilities.

Probably the most popular activity involves the millrace that is stocked with trout. Fishing is permitted on a fee basis, you pay for what you catch, and this provides a major source of income to support the foundation's activities. Moderate fees are also charged for use of the grounds, picnic area, mill tours, etc.

Those interested in antiques will want to enjoy a tour of the restored miller's house, originally built in 1739, during the reign of George II. The house is located adjacent to the mill. It is completely furnished with appropriate items from the period 1700-1750. The original house consists of two rooms upstairs and two rooms downstairs with a fireplace in each. The kitchen fireplace is equipped with a beehive oven.

Nearby is a reproduction of a blacksmith shop of the period, which is completely equipped with an original forge, tools, and implements of the period. This was added in 1975. In addition a very old springhouse was reconstructed, stone by stone, and placed over a clear flowing springhead on the property.

There is a log cabin of authentic construction that was hand built in 1965 alongside the stream that feeds the mill. The ten foot fireplace warms visitors in the winter and is available for rental for group activities, such as the Jacob H. Mendenhall family reunion.

In addition to the buildings describes, there is a network of nature trails about three miles long. This allows you to enjoy walking along the millrace and beside the stream. The area is being made into an arboretum and unusual trees are being planted for future enjoyment.

Since 1983 the Executive Director has been Harold Dabbs Woodfin, Jr., Ph.D. He was recruited by Mr. E. Mortimer Newlin from Sleepy Hollow Restorations, Tarrytown, NY where he was responsible for restoration of buildings in the area made famous in the book, "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow," by Washington Irving. He is an interesting person to talk to and has a wealth of knowledge of the colonial period in general and the Newlin legacy in particular.

• *********************************************************************************

from THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope.

Nathaniel Newlin, son of Nicholas, was born about the year 1660, and emigrated from Ireland with his father in 1683, and April 17, 1685, married Mary Mendenhall, who came from Wiltshire, England. He resided at Concord, and was quite a prominent person, both in the meetings of Friends and in the community at large. In 1698 he was elected to the Provincial Assembly as a representative from Chester county and continued in that body at different times for several years. In 1700 he was one of the committee to consider and draw up a new frame of government and to revise the laws. He was subsequently appointed one of the
proprietaries' commissioners of property and a justice of the county courts. In 1722 he became one of the trustees of the general loan-office of the province, which position he continued to hold till the time of his death, when he was succeeded by Justice Richard Hayes.
He continued to reside in Concord as long as he lived and owned a large amount of real estate there as well as elsewhere. A brick dwelling-house, which he erected at concord in 1699, was standing until within a few years ago *(1881). In 1724 he became owner of over 7000 acres in one tract, since known as Newlin twp. It was in relation to the occupancy of this tract that he had the dispute with the Indians.
Although advanced in life he married again 2-17-1729, Mary Fincher, and his death occurred in May of the same year. His widow removed to Londongrove where she died the next year. Nathaniel Newlin was the only son of Nicholas Newlin who left issue. His children were (1) Jamima (2) Elizabeth (3) Nicholas (4) Nathaniel (5) John (6) Kezia (7) Mary,
1) Jamima Newlin was born 12-9-1685/8 married 10-4-1712 Richard Eavenson of Thornbury
2) Elizabeth Newlin was born 1-3-1687/8 married in 1713, Ellis Lewis of Radnor, and left 4 children - Robert, Mary, Nathaniel and Ellis. They resided in Kennet
3) Nicholas NEwlin was born 3-19-1689 - married in 1715 Edith, dau of Nicholas and Abigail Pyle. He became the owner of 250 acres in Birmingham which had belonged to his grandfather, Nicholas Newlin I but he continued to reside in Concord
4) Nathaniel Newlin was born 1-19---1690/1 and married in 1710/1 Jane, daughter of Richard and Jane Woodward, of Middletown. He served in the Provincial Assembly for a number of years as a representative of Chester County. He resided at Concord, where he died in Feb of 1731/2. His widow died in 1737. They left 9 children - Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas, Nathan, Rachel, Elizabeth, Jane, Mary and Martha.
5) John Newlin was born 12-28-1691 married, in 1711, Mary, dau of Richard and Jane Woodard of Middletown. She was a sister of his brother Nathaniel's wife. He died in 1753. His widow, Mary Newlin of Concord, died 11-24-1790 having attained the great age of 101 years. She preserved all her faculties to the last moment of her life. They had children - Nathaniel, John, Jane, Rebecca, Mary and perhaps others. His sons appear to have settled in Newlin twp, but their parents continued to reside in Concord.
6) Kezia Newlin was born in 12-22-1695/6 and married William Baily of Kennet.
7) Mary Newlin was born 2-2-1699 and in 1724 married Richard Clayton, of Concord. She left no children and her property was inherited by her eldest brother, Nicholas Newlin.
Nathaniel Newlin (3) son of Nathaniel (2) married Esther MIdkiff, who survived him. His son, Nathaniel NEwlin (4) was a member of the State Senate and of the Convention which framed the constitution of 1790. It is sid that he was offered a seat in Congress by the dominant party on several occasions, but refused it.
Joseph Newlin, son of Nathaniel (2) married in 1740, Phebe, granddaughter of Ralph Lewis and eminent Welsh settler. He died in 1768, his wife surviving and left his plantation to his eldest son, Ellis Newlin, who, in 1771, married Jane Mason. They had 3 sons - Joseph, William and George.
It will thus be seen that Nathaniel Newlin (1) left 3 sons - Nathaniel, Nicholas and John; that of these Nathaniel had sons - Nathaniel, Joseph, Nicholas and Nathan; and that John had sons - Nathaniel and John. From these the families of Pennsylvania bearing the surname of Newlin have probably all descended.

• *********************************************************************************

The following is quoted from the website http://www.rootsweb.com/~pacheste/chester_twplist_newlin.htm regarding the history of Newlin Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania, named for Nathaniel Newlin:

CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA
A PA-ALHN Website
NEWLIN TOWNSHIP
Home | Township Listing

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Newlin Township
1572 Embreeville Road; Coatesville 19320
610-347-2508

Unionville-Chadds Ford School District
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

William Penn, on the 22d and 23d of March, 1681, by deed of lease and release, granted to Nicholas Moore, James Claypoole, Philip Ford, William Sharloe, Edward Pierce, John Simcock, Thomas Bracey, Thomas Barker, and Edward Brooks, in trust for the Free Society of Traders in Pennsylvania, 20,000 acres of land, and lots in Philadelphia.

On the 20th of the 7th month (September), 1698, by virtue of a warrant from the commissioners of property, dated the 1st of 4th (June), 1688, there was surveyed and laid out unto Benjamin Chambers, president of the said Free Society of Traders, for the use of said society, 7100 acres of land in Chester County,--part of the said 20,000 acres,--beginning at a corner post of Benjamin Chamber's land; thence south 800 perches to a corner post of Bland's land; thence W.N.W. 1710 perches to a corner post, N.N.E., by a line of trees, 730 perches; thence E.S.E., by a line of trees, 1403 perches to the place of beginning. Returned, according to the aforesaid survey and bounds, into the proprietary's secretary's office the 23d of the 8th month, 1688.

On the 10th of June, 1724, the Free Society of Traders, by its trustees, Charles Read, Job Godsonn, Evan Owen, George Fitzwater, and Joseph Pidgeon, conveyed the abovementioned tract of 7100 acres to Nathaniel Newlin, in consideration of 800 (pounds), current money of Pennsylvania. Thus Nathaniel Newlin became the owner of the tract which afterwards constituted the township bearing his name.

The tract was resurveyed in October, 1724, and was found to contain 7700 acres instead of 7100 acres. The lines were by this resurvey of the following lengths: the east line of 835 perches, the south line 1759 perches, the west line 771 perches, and the north line 1440 perches. On the east it was bounded by lands of Abraham Marshall and Mordecai Cloud,--portions of which are still in the hands of their descendants,--on the south by Marlborough township, north by Bradford township, and west by vacant lands.

Nathaniel Newlin, after the purchase of this tract, entered into negotiations for the sales of portions of it, and granted warrants, of which the following is an example:

"Upon an agreement made with William Dean, of the county of Chester, yeoman, for a certain parcel of land, lying in ye southeast corner of ye tract of land in ye said county, called the Society tract, for which he agrees to pay to my use the sum of thirty pounds for one hundred acres, and so proportionably for ye odd measure, on or before the 25th day of March next, and the yearly quit rent of one shilling sterling per hundred, and so proportionably for a lesser quantity:
"These are to authorize and require thee to survey to the said William Dean, the said parcel of land by regular courses, and make return thereof to me in order to a further confirmation. Which survey, in case the said William Dean fulfil the above agreement shall be valid, otherwise the same is to be void, as if it had never been made, or this warrant ever granted. Given under my hand and seal, the 30th day of October, 1724.
"Natha. Newlin.
"To JOHN TAYLOR, Surveyor."

The following is an account of the portions of this tract sold by Nathaniel Newlin, the prices at which the were sold, and the names of the purchasers:

George Harlan, 169 acres; 50 pds., 14s.
Stephen Harlan, 20-1/2 acres; 20 pds., 10s.
Joseph English, 200 acres; 30 pds.
Mordecai Cloud, 326 acres; 97 pds., 16s.
Abraham Marshall, 120 acres; 36 pds.
Joel Baily, 228 acres; 68pds., 8s.
William Dean, 124 acres, 37 pds., 4s.
George Lashly, 75 acres, 22 pds., 10s.
Ralph Thompson, 75 acres, 19 pds., 19s., 9d.
a total of 1337 acres for 383 pounds. In addition to the moneys paid for the lands, the conveyances contained a reservation of a quit-rent of one English shilling per 100 acres, "or the value thereof in coyn current here," payable yearly to Nathaniel Newlin, his heirs or assigns.

Nathaniel Newlin died in 1729, intestate, leaving three sons--Nicholas, Nathaniel, and John--and three daughters,--Jemima, the wife of Richard Eavenson, Kezia, the wife of William Baily, and Mary, the wife of Richard Clayton,--and also four grandchildren, the children of his daughter, Elizabeth, who had married Ellis Lewis and was deceased, viz., Robert, Mary Nathaniel and Ellis. He owned at the time of his death the following lands: a messuage and tract of 500 acres in Concord, one other messuage and 33 acres in Concord, a messuage and 62 acres in Birmingham, a tract of 460 acres in Marlborough, a tract of 250 acres in Londongrove, and the remainder of the tract on the west branch of Brandywine, containing about 6338 acres.

After his death partition was made of some of the lands of which he had thus died seized among his descendants, in manner following:

To Nicholas Newlin the messuage and tract of 500 acres in Concord.
To John Newlin the messuage and 62 acres in Birmingham, and also 946 acres of the tract on Brandywine (in two parcels).
To Nathaniel Newlin (in two parcels) 1620 acres of the tract on Brandywine.
To Jemima, wife of Richard Eavenson, 913 acres (in two parcels) of the tract on Brandywine.
To Kezia, wife of William Bailey, 375 acres in Marlborough, and also 851 acres (in two parcels) of the tract of Brandywine.
To Mary, wife of Richard Clayton, the other messuage and 33 acres in Concord, with 895 acres (in two parcels) of the tract on Brandywine.
To the children of Elizabeth Lewis 1133 acres (in three parcels) of the tract on Brandywine.

In the formation of Pocopson township, over 300 acres were taken from the southeast corner of Newlin and included in the new township. The portion thus included embraced the above-mentioned tract, originally conveyed to William Dean, and portions of the tracts of Mordecai Cloud and of the children of Ellis Lewis.

The name of this township is almost universally pronounced in the county as if written New Linn. This is erroneous. It should be pronounced with the accent on the first syllable,--New'lin. The incorrect pronunciation however, is so fixed in the minds of the people that it will most likely continue to be used.

After William Penn had purchased from the Indians all the land in Chester County, he reconveyed to them a mile in width on each side of the Brandywine, from its mouth up the west branch to its head--at least they afterwards claimed that he did,--but the writing was accidentally destroyed. In 1706 the commissioners of property, at the request of the inhabitants on Brandywine, purchased from the Indians their claim to these lands, from the mouth of the creek up to a certain rock in the west branch, in the line of Abraham Marshall's land. The consideration given was 100 (pounds). Of this sum, 73 (pounds), was then paid, and the remainder at a subsequent date, when a deed was executed. This rock in the line of Abraham Marshall's land was also in the line of the Society tract purchased by Nathaniel Newlin.

The Indians had a town or village a short distance west of this line, on the north side of the Brandywine, on the tract purchased by Newlin, and on that portion of it now owned and occupied by Lewis Marshall. It was on this spot that Indian Hannah, the last of her race in Chester County, dwelt for many years.

Nathaniel Newlin, soon after this purchase, commenced disposing of portions of his lands. Within six months he had issued warrants for some nine parcels, generally varying in size from 150 to 300 acres, some of which were located on the creek.

A difficulty at one arose with the Indians. Their rights had only been extinguished to the rock in the western line of Abraham Marshall's lands, and they claimed that they were still the owners of one mile wide on each side of the creek, from that rock up to its source, and that Newlin had no right to sell any of their lands, or to interfere with their rights in any way. No attention seems to have been given by Newlin, or the purchasers from him, to these claims.

At the next session of the Provincial Assembly, held at Philadelphia in the summer of 1725, the Indian chief Checochinican and others complained of the encroachments on their lands and obstructions in the creek by dams, and were heard by the Assembly. The account of this interview and the proceedings thereon, in the minutes of the Assembly, is so interesting we will give it in the language of the minutes themselves:

"13th of 6 mo., 1725. The Petition of divers inhabitants of the city of Philadelphia, setting forth that the Proprietary having purchased of the Natives all the lands within certain bounds; and that the proprietary did afterwards release back to some of the said Natives a certain tract of land upon Brandywine, which said land is lately taken up and settled, to the great disturbance of said Natives, and praying that this House would take the same into their consideration; was read and ordered to be considered this afternoon.

"Then the House was given to understand that the Heads of the said Indian complainants desire to attend the House in person, to set forth their aggrievances. Ordered, that they wait on the House at three o'clock this afternoon with their Interpreters.

"3 P.M., the House met:
"The Indians ordered to attend this afternoon, waited at the door desiring to be heard. Then chairs being placed for them, they were called in, and the Speaker, on behalf of the House said: 'The House has had information that you have been with the Governor and Commissioners already. Have you received satisfaction?'
"Indians (by interpreter)--'We have not.'
"Speaker.--'What is it then, that you have to offer to the House?'
"Indians.--'When William Penn came to this country, he settled a perpetual friendship with us and after we sold him our country, he reconveyed back a certain tract of land upon Brandywine, for a mile on each side of said creek, which writing was, by the burning of a cabin, destroyed; but we all remember very well the contents thereof: That Wm. Penn promised that we should not be molested, whilst one Indian lived, grew old and blind, and died--so another, to the third generation; that is the way of expressing it--from generation to generation; and now it is not half the age of an old man since, and we are molested, and our lands surveyed out and settled before we can reap our corn off; and to our great injury, Brandywine creek is so obstructed with dams, that the fish cannot come up to our habitations. We desire you to take notice that we are a poor people, and want the benefit of the fish, for when we are out hunting, our children with their bows and arrows used to get fish for their sustenance, therefore, we desire that there dams be removed, that they fish may have their natural course.'
"Speaker.--'How did you understand that writing to be? That you should enjoy that land forever?'
"Indians.--'Not only we, but all the Indians understood it to be theirs as long as the water ran down that creek.'
"Speaker.--'Have you anything more to say?'
"Indians.--'No, but if you hear us not, we shall be obliged to come again next spring.'
"Speaker.--'The House is inclined to do you all the favor which lies in their power.;
"Indians.--'We hope we are all friends, and desire to continue so, as long as we draw breath.'
"Then the Indians withdrew, and after some debate it was ordered that Francis Rawle, John Kearlsey, and John Swift, go to James Logan, one of the Commissioners of Property, and inform him of the substance of the said petition, and matter complained of by the Indians; who being returned report that the said commissioner shows a very hearty inclination to accomodate the affair with the Indians, and although their right does not appear so clear yet they are possessed of such strong notions of it, that their is no divesting them of it; and, therefore, he is ready to do what he can to quiet their complaints, by granting the person who possesses the said lands, other lands in the stead thereof.

"Ordered, That Francis Rawle and John Kearsley draw up an address to the Governor on behalf of the Indians. Adjourned.

"6th month 14th, 1725. The House met, etc.

"Then the members appointed yesterday in the afternoon, to draw up an address to the Governor, on behalf of the Indians, brought in the same, which was read and agreed to. Ordered, That the same be transcribed and then the house adjourned to two p.m.

"Two o'clock P.M. The House met, etc.

"The address to the Governor on behalf of the Indians, according to order, being transcribed, is as follows, viz.: 'The Address of the Representatives of the said Province, in General Assembly met: May it please the Governor, As next to Divine Providence, the peace, happiness, and quietness which this Province first enjoyed, was owing to the wise conduct of the Hon. William Penn, our Proprietary and Governor, by procuring a good friendship betwixt him and the native Indians at his first arrival here, so by diligent care in cultivating and preserving the like friendship, the great happiness of peace has been hitherto enjoyed amongst us, when divers of the neighboring colonies have been obnoxious to the insults of the barbarous Indians, to the great damage of their countries; and as the Governor's care and indefatigable pains upon all occasions, has been very conspicious to that good end, this House do address themselves on an unhappy dissatisfaction some Indians are under (who have always lived peaceable with the inhabitants of this province), from an opinion that they are likely to be dispossessed of some lands they had long lived on and enjoyed on the river Brandywine, as also for being deprived of the benefit of fishing on the said river; all which they have by personal complaint laid before this House. And the House having taken into serious consideration the fatal consequence it may be to the peace of this Province, represented the same to James Logan, one of the Commissioners of Property, who has given the House ample satisfaction of his intentions to accommodate the difference with the said Indians. And we are fully satisfied (were it not for a purchase made of some part of those lands by Nathaniel Newlin, and his too wilful resolution to hold and settle the same), this part of this difference relating to the pretended encroachments on their lands would be immediately silenced. And notwithstanding this obstacle, we have reason to believe that Nathaniel Newlin will in a very short time, become sensible, that it will be as much to his own private interest as of the Province in general, to be more condescending in this affair.

" 'But, whereas, there are dams or wares which do obstruct the passing up of fish to the place where the said Indians are settled, without the verge of this Government, this House doth humbly request the Governor, that he will be pleased to exert his authority, in such manner as he shall think proper, for quieting and satisfying the said Indians, and preserving the ancient friendship between them and the inhabitants of this Province; and herein we also have that confidence as to hope that the Government of Newcastle, Kent, and Sussex, will so far think it conductive to their peace and quiet, that they will not fail to do what is necessary on their part, for the full settling and composing this dissatisfaction.

" 'Signed by order of the House, " 'William Biles,
" 'August 14th, 1725. Speaker.'

"Ordered, That Thomas Chandler and Elisha Gatchell present the same to the Governor; who return and report that they had delivered the said address according to order, and that the Governor perused the same, and said he was entirely of the opinion of the House, and that he and his Council would use their utmost endeavors to satisfy these Indians, and that he was going down to New Castle, where he would order the persons concerned to move those dams complained of, which if they did not do, he would give orders to the King's attorney to prosecute them, and oblige them thereto, by due process of law."

No further proceedings were had at that session of the Assembly in relation to the complaints of the Indians.

The claims of the Indians were not adjusted to their satisfaction, and at the next session of the Assembly, in the spring of 1726, they again sought an interview and renewed their complaints, when the following proceedings took place:

"3d month 31st, 1726, the House met, etc.
"The Indians (who claim certain rights on Brandywine Creek) came to wait upon the House, and by a member sent in a paper they received from James Logan, and likewise a message that they were not satisfied therewith, and therefore made further application to this House for redress, which paper being read, the House went into a debate thereon, and after some time referred the further consideration thereof till tomorrow, and then the House adjourned till tomorrow morning at nine o'clock.

"4th month 1st, 1726, 9 A.M., the House met, etc.
"The House proceeded further on the consideration of the affair relative to the Indians.
"Ordered, That Evan Owen go to the commissioners of property and desire some of them to attend, in order to inform the House what progress hath been made with Nathaniel Newlin towards an accommodation; who returned and reported that he spoke with James Logan, one of the commissioners of property, according to order, and that he was ready to attend the House in order to acquaint them what had been done in that affair; who, being called in, produced an Indian deed, dated 1685, signed by thirteen Indian kings, which conveys all the lands from Duck Creek to Upland Creek, alias Chester Creek, and as far back as a man could ride on horseback in two days; and says he finds no footsteps of any reconveyance, neither in the land-office nor upon record, but that in 1705 the Indians laid claim to all the lands from the mouth of Brandywine up the West Branch to the head, in breadth a mile on each side of that branch; and afterwards the commissioners of property purchased of the Indians all the lands from the mouth of Brandywine up to a certain rock by Abraham Marshall's land for the sum of one hundred pounds, seventy-three pounds and eight shillings of which was then paid to their chiefs, and the remainder they paid yesterday, and the chiefs of the Indians signed a release, but said they wanted some instrument given to them that they might know what was theirs and be secure in it. But the commissioners told them it was not at this time in their power to make them any grant of the said lands, but that they should be be disturbed in their quiet possession thereof, neither by Nathaniel Newlin nor by any other person. That the commissioners had told Nathaniel Newlin that it was in vain for him to pretend to that land, let the disappointment be what it would, so long as the Indians laid claim to the same, and would continue upon it; that after the Indians came up last year, and made the complaint, and a reconveyance was generally reported to have been given to the Indians, he went down to Chester and took certificate of all those who were reported to have seen and known of such a writing; which certificates being produced, and read in the House, none of which did amount to any certainty what that writing did contain; but since the Indians had an imperfect idea of it, and a strong resolution to hold it, the commissioners used such means as they thought most likely to satisfy them, and continue them in the quiet possession of their claims, and for that end said they had agreed and accommodated the matter with Nathaniel Newlin, as far as was in their power to do at present; and then withdrew.
"Then the House, after some debate, was of opinion that Nathaniel Newlin be sent for, to give some further assurance than what is done by the paper delivered yesterday that he will not molest the said Indians in their claims.
"Ordered, That John Wright send a letter that the House require his attendance tomorrow morning, and then the House adjourned till 3 P.M.
"3 P.M. The House met, etc. John Wright reported that he had sent a letter to Nathaniel Newlin, according to the order of the House. Adjourned till tomorrow morning at nine o'clock.
"4th month 2d. The House met, etc. Adjourned till 3 P.M.
"3 P.M. The House met. Nathaniel Newlin not attending according to the expectation of the House, after some debate, a motion was made and the question put, that if Nathaniel Newlin come not to town this evening he be sent for by the sergeant-at-arms, and that an order be forthwith issued under the Speaker's hand, and the sergeant be dispatched therewith this evening. Carried in the affirmative. Adjourned till 9 A.M.
"4 mo. 3d, 9 A.M. The House met. The Sergeant-At-Arms reports that Nathniel Newlin came to town last evening, and will attend the House this morning.
"The House being informed that Nathaniel Newlin attended, he was called in, and said that he expected the value, and not the quantity on