John Simcocke “the Elder”

Information provided by Randall Aragron Simcox:

John Simcocke "The Elder" was born in England in 1630 and married Mary Boulton in 1657 though she died in 1658. John's second wife was Elizabeth Budd whom he married in 1658. While still a young man John met William Penn at a meeting of the Religious Society of Friends; the members of this society are commonly called Quakers. They believe that the formal practices of the Church of England violated the spirit of Christianity and that people could worship God without help from ministers.

They refused to attend the services of the Church of England or to pay tithes for its support. They were frugal and plain in dress and speech, and refused to take oaths on the ground that an oath recognizes a double standard of truth. The authorities persecuted them with fines, confiscation of property, and imprisonment. John Simcocke, now a Quaker preacher, was himself imprisoned for 15 months and fined hundreds of pounds. Nevertheless, the sect flourished and in 1681 England gave to William Penn a large grant of land where he and his followers could live. John Simcocke, having become one of William Penn's truest friends, decided to purchase 2875 acres of land east of Ridley Creek in what would later become known as Chester County Pennsylvania. This made him one of the largest English purchasers of land in America. His lots were in back of a huge constituent of Swedish plantations that occupied the entire river front. Thus, it came to pass that on August 14, 1682 the "Friendship". which was the eighth of William Penn's ships, docked at Upland and the Simcockes were established in America. John used his new found freedom to great advantage. He became a member of the Free Society of Traders and in 1683 was appointed Justice of County Courts. He was a Justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania from 1690-1693; a member of the Assembly from 1693-1697; a Speaker of the House from 1695-1696; and was one of five Commissioners appointed by Penn to govern the province. As Commissioner he personally has to settle legal troubles with Lord Baltimore. In 1696 he reached his professional zenith by becoming Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. The first courthouse that was built in Philadelphia, PA, 1685, shows by the records of the court that John Simcock(e) has purchased the court house in 1696. But this sale was made without authority of the Act. An Act of Assembly was obtained, giving the necessary authority, and a sale was affected to the same purchaser on 6h of March 1702. Unfortunately before the conveyance was completed John Simcocke died. The date was March 7, 1702. In his will which was proved April 24, 1703, he devised this property to his son-in-law but it required a second Act of Assembly to secure a perfect title to him. In one other note it is shown that Chester Meeting was built 13 August 1698 and that John Simcock(e) and his sons, John and Jacob, were subscribers to the cost of it. The children of John and Elizabeth were Benjamin, Jacob, John, Hannah, Mary, and Elizabeth.

From http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/r/e/y/Allen-Reynolds/WEB... the following information was received:

John Simcock (son of Arthur Simcock and Anne Stockton)1885, 1886, 1887, 1888, 1889, 1890, 1891, 1892 was born Abt. 1630 in Ridley, Chester CO, England1893, 1894, and died March 07, 1703/04 in Chester County, Pennsylvania1895. He married (1) Elizabeth on WFT Est. 1646-16771896. He married (2) Elizabeth Budd on 1658 in Cheshire, England1897, daughter of Thomas Budd and Joanna Knight.

Includes NotesNotes for John Simcock: [backup.FTW]

John immigrated on the "Friendship" sailing from Liverpool between May 15-30, 1682, arriving in Pennsylvania. There is an issue about John's death date, it could be as late as 1639, other information suggests March 7, 1704, yet other indicates 27 Jan 1702.[v10t4140.FTW]

John and Elizabeth Simcock immigrated to America on the Friendship in August 1682. He was one of the first governors of Pennsylvania Colony and also served as chief justice of the colony.[v5t1294.FTW]

BORN: 1630 DIED: 1703

John Simcock, of Ridley, England, came to Chester county with his wife Elizabeth about 1682; he was one of William Penn's five commissioners, and a member of provincial council, 1683-1700; judge of Chester County, 1683-86; puisine judge of province, 1686-90; provincial judge, 1690-93; and speaker of assembly, 1696. [v30t0880.FTW]

John settled in Ridley Twp., Chester Co. (now Delaware Co., PA). He was prominent in the affairs of the colony - served in 1st Assembly and on the Legislative Council and was an early judge of the PA Supreme Court. He became a wealthy landowner and businessman.

More About John Simcock: Date born 2: 1630, Cheshire, England.1898 Date born 3: 1630, Ridley, Cheshire, ENG.1899 Date born 4: 1630, Ridley,Cheshsire,England.1900 Born 2: 1630, Ridley, Cheshire, England.1901 Christening: February 07, 1629/30, Davenham, Cheshire, England.1902 Died 2: 17031903 Died 3: March 07, 1702/03, Cheshire, PA.1904 Died 4: March 07, 1702/03, Chester Co., Pa..1905 Died 5: March 07, 1702/03, Ridley Township, PA.1906 Died 2: 1703, Chester County PA.1907 Immigration: 16821908 Residence: Chester County PA.1909

More About John Simcock and Elizabeth: Marriage: WFT Est. 1646-16771909

More About John Simcock and Elizabeth Budd: Marriage 1: 1658, Cheshire, England.1910 Marriage 2: WFT Est. 1647-16791911 Marriage 3: Abt. 1655, England.1912 Marriage 4: 1658, England.1913, 1914

More About John Simcock and <Unnamed>: Marriage: 1658, England.1915, 1916

Children of John Simcock and Elizabeth are:

   +Jacob Simcock, b. Abt. 1665, England1917, d. WFT Est. 1691-17561917.

Children of John Simcock and Elizabeth Budd are:

   +Jacob Simcoke, b. January 06, 1657/58, Cheshire, England1918, d. October 10, 1708, Ridley Township, PA1918.

   Hannah Simcock, b. 1659, Stoke,Action,Cheshire,England1919, d. October 25, 17181919, 1920.

   Elizabeth Simcock, b. August 28, 1660, Stoke,Action,Cheshire,England1921, d. October 26, 1709, Chester Co., Pa.1921.

   Mary Simcock, b. May 29, 1663, Stoke,Action,Cheshire,England1921, d. 16981921, 1922.

   Lydia Simcock, b. March 29, 1665, Stoke,Action,Cheshire,England1923, d. WFT Est. 1666-17591923, 1924.

   John Simcock, b. July 19, 1668, Stoke,Action,Cheshire,England1925, d. 17271925, 1926.

   +Jacob Simcock, b. WFT Est. 1646-1672, Chester, England1927, d. WFT Est. 1689-17381927.

   +Jacob Simcock, b. Abt. 1659, Stoke, Acton, Cheshire, England1928, d. 1737, Philadelphia Co., PA1928.

Children of John Simcock are:

   +Jacob Simcoke, b. January 06, 1657/58, Cheshire, England1929, d. October 10, 1708, Ridley Township, PA1929.