Mary Newlin

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, pp 36 "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-VIlI-1691) married Edith Musprat, 22-IX-16S6. 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-Il-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, when the three hundred men under his command were cut to pieces by Colonel 'Light-horse 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." Pg 42 "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 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."

BURIAL: FindAGrave.com Mary Pyle Newlin BIRTH unknown, Concordville, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, USA DEATH unknown, Alamance County, North Carolina, USA BURIAL Spring Monthly Meeting Cemetery, Snow Camp, Alamance County, North Carolina, USA MEMORIAL ID 18791433

Ancestors of Mary Pyle

Generation No. 1

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

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

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 Dr. Algie I. Newlin (1895-1985), with the collaboration of 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 in 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.

Generation No. 2

2.  Nicholas Pyle III, born 26 Feb 1697 in Bethel, Delaware Co., PA; died Abt. 1734 in Concord Township, Delaware Co., PA.  He was the son of 4. Nicholas Pyle and 5. Abigail Bushell.  He married 3. Sarah Worrilow 07 Oct 1721 in Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville,  Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.),  PA.

3.  Sarah Worrilow, born 12 Jul 1700 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA.  She was the daughter of 6. John Worrilow II and 7. Ann Maris.

Children of Nicholas Pyle and Sarah Worrilow are:

 i. James Pyle, born Abt. 1722; married Martha Marshall.

1 ii. Mary Pyle, born Abt. 1724 in Concord Township, Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.), PA; died Abt. 1790 in Haw River area of Alamance Co., NC; married John Newlin, Jr. 13 Sep 1745 in Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville, present-day Delaware Co., PA (then part of Chester County).

 iii. Philip Pyle, born Abt. 1726; married Hannah Baldwin.

 iv. Abigail Pyle

Generation No. 3

4.  Nicholas Pyle, born Oct 1666 in Bishop's Canning, Wiltshire, England; died 1716 in Chester Co., Pennsylvania, USA.  He was the son of 8. Nicholas N. Pyle and 9. Edith Musprat.  He married 5. Abigail Bushell 11 Sep 1688 in Chester/ Delaware Co., PA.

5.  Abigail Bushell, born Abt. 1668 in Brinkworte, Wiltshire, England; died Bef. 1713 in Chester Co., PA.  She was the daughter of 10. Joseph Bushell.

Notes for Nicholas Pyle:
The following information on the first three generations of Pyles in Pennsylvania is quoted from Robert P. Case, Ph.D. in "Prosperity and Progress: Concord Township, Pennsylvania 1683-1983," pages 96-98:

The Pyle family had its roots in Wiltshire County, England. Nicholas Pyle of Bishop Cannings, Wiltshire had eight children, of whom three sons immigrated to Pennsylvania: Robert, Nicholas, and Ralph. Robert (1660-1736) was the first to sail for the New World. On May 1, 1683 he purchased 150 acres from William Smith of Wiltshire (original purchaser of 1,250 acres from William Penn in August 1682). The property was laid out to Robert in Bethel Township, and he occupied the land soon after the survey. By August 1684 he had constructed a home for his family and was an active member of Chichester Monthly Meeting. He became an active member of early Pennsylvania society, serving as a representative in the Provincial Assembly for nine terms, officiating as a judge of Chester Court, and representing Pennsylvania on the commission which determined the circular boundary line between Pennsylvania and Delaware.

In June 1711 Robert obtained 170 acres in Concord from Nathan Baker (part of the William Collett tract of 300 acres). In April 1715 Robert deeded the property to his son Jacob. Jacob (1691-1717), who married Alice Bowater in May 1713, died unexpectedly in 1717. His widow Alice retained title to the land for a year, and then deeded the tract to her son Samuel. Samuel farmed the land until February 1755 when he sold it to William McCay.

Daniel Pyle, Jr., a grandson of Robert, acquired 130 acres in December 1789 as part of a sheriff's sale of the original George Lee 200 acre property. The land was passed down through the family during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and is still owned by the Pyle family today.

Nicholas Pyle (1666-1717) apparently arrived a few years after Robert, and acquired 150 acres in Bethel Township on March 1, 1688 from John Palmer and John Hannum. In November 1688 he married Abigail Bushell, daughter of Joseph Bushell and a member of Concord Monthly Meeting. Dr. George Smith claims that Nicholas "settled in Concord as early as 1686." The only evidence uncovered this far which could substantiate this claim is an entry in the Chester Court records of November 27, 1686: "Robert Pile made over a deed unto his brother Nicholas Pile for one hundred acres of land lying in Concord..." However, there is no record of Robert acquiring land in Concord at this time. Robert did own property in Thornbury Township bordering on Concord, and the court could have mistakenly assumed that the tract was in Concord. Exactly where Nicholas lived and what he did for the period 1688 to 1693 is not clear. In December 1693 he purchased the 200 acres in Concord which had been rented to William Byers since December 1683. The failure of Byers to pay the annual quit rent or to improve the land resulted in the loss of the lease and its sale to Pyle. We do know that Nicholas left Bethel by March 1697 because on March 2, 1697 he deeded the 150 acres in Bethel to his brother Robert. In February 1701 Nicholas also obtained 250 acres from William Hitchcock which adjoined his original 200 acres on the north. Pyle acquired the property undoubtedly for its excellent economic potential: The West Branch of the Chester Creek flowed through its eastern end, along with a mill which had already been erected, and the tract abutted Concord Road on its eastern boundary. After he settled in Concord, Nicholas engaged in milling as his primary activity. Exactly when he became involved in milling is not clear. It is certain that in 1711 he constructed a grist mill on the West Branch of Chester Creek, and divided the seven acres around the mill among seven owners, creating what was known as "Society Mill." On July 30, 1711 he purchased one share and sold the other six one acre plots to George Pierce, James Gibbons, Benjamin Mendenhall, William Brinton, William Bennett, and Nathan Baker. In addition to running the mill, Nicholas also engaged in farming, raised substantial numbers of livestock, and held a considerable amount of mills and bonds. At his death in 1717, Nicholas had over 44 pounds worth of wheat and flour at the mill and his home, over 22 pounds worth of wheat under cultivation, 10 horses, 20 calves and cows and one bull, 20 sheep and 12 lambs. Moreover, he held 222 pounds in bills and bonds.

Nicholas' marriage to Abigail produced three daughters (Mary, Edith, Sarah) and four sons (Nicholas Jr., Samuel, James, Joseph). Abigail died around 1710 and Nicholas took a second wife in March 1713, marrying Ann Webb of Philadelphia at Concord Monthly Meeting. In addition to raising a family and operating a mill and farm, he was active in community and colony affairs. He was a justice of the peace in 1709 and 1715, and a representative in the Provincial Assembly for five terms between 1700 and 1714.

Nicholas Jr. (1700-1734) inherited the family homestead of 450 acres plus a three-fourths interest in the grist mill--his brother Samuel received a one-fourth share. Nicholas Jr. carried on the mill and farming operations of his father. His premature death in 1734 put his real estate in the hands of a trustee who was instructed to rent the property until his son James turned twenty one. In 1755 James gained title to the land, but his activities are not known. The original Pyle homestead and mill passed from Pyle to Marshall control in 1773. James Marshall, who had married Martha Pyle, acquired the 450 acres and kept the entire estate together for 20 years. Between 1794 and 1804 the 450 acres was sold off in various lots. In March 1794 Sarah Cloud bought 24 acres. In April 1794 Joseph Hatton and Samuel Painter each acquired 99 acres, in March 1804 Nathan Sharpless bought 157 acres and obtained a lease on the mill, and in March 1804 Joseph Cloud--who had married Sarah Pyle, widow of James Pyle--assumed title to the remaining property.

More About Nicholas Pyle:
Probate: 10 Feb 1717
Will: 18 Dec 1716, Chester/Delaware Co., PA

Children of Nicholas Pyle and Abigail Bushell are:

 i. Mary Pyle, born 23 Jun 1689 in Chester Co., PA; married Joseph Sharp 04 Sep 1713 in Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville, Chester Co., PA.

 ii. Edith Pyle, born 20 Jan 1695 in Bethel, present-day Delaware Co., PA; married Nicholas Newlin 14 Nov 1715 in Concord Friends Meeting, present-day Delaware Co., PA; born 19 May 1689 in Darby Township, present-day Delaware Co., PA; died Abt. 1768 in Concord Township, Chester Co., PA.

Notes for Nicholas Newlin:
The opening paragraph on the Payments of Accounts report submitted by Ann Speakman Newlin & Micajah Speakman for the administration of Nicholas' estate calls Thomas Newlin the "only son and heir". This does not mean Nicholas & Edith did not have other children but that any others were deceased without heirs in 1768.

2 iii. Nicholas Pyle III, born 26 Feb 1697 in Bethel, Delaware Co., PA; died Abt. 1734 in Concord Township, Delaware Co., PA; married Sarah Worrilow 07 Oct 1721 in Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville,  Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.),  PA.

 iv. Dr. Samuel Pyle, born 21 Dec 1700 in Concord, Chester/Delaware Co., PA, USA; died 1749 in Kennett Township, Chester Co., PA; married Sarah Pringle? 1721; died Aft. 18 Apr 1754.

 v. James Pyle, born 02 Oct 1703.

 vi. Joseph Pyle, born 15 Feb 1706.

 vii. Sarah Pyle, born Abt. 1707.

6. John Worrilow II, born Aug 1664 in Haughton, Staffordshire, England; died 02 Jan 1727 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA. He was the son of 12. Thomas Worrilow and 13. Grace Joan Perkes. He married 7. Ann Maris 14 Oct 1690 in home of Bartholomew Coppock, Jr., Springfield Township, Chester Co., PA.

7.  Ann Maris, born 18 Aug 1667 in Flyford-Grafton, Worcestershire, England; died Abt. 1710 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA.  She was the daughter of 14. George Maris, Jr. and 15. Alice ?.

Notes for John Worrilow II:
The following is quoted from Russell Newlin Abel in "Mendenhall-Newlin Alliance" (1989), page 214:

John Worrilow II (called II to distinguish him from his grandfather) was born in Haughton, Staffordshire, England to Thomas Worrilow and Grace (Joan) Perkes Worrilow. Church records show he was baptized on 9 Aug 1664 in the local parish church.

In 1683, the family emigrated to Chester County, PA and settled in the Springfield area, served by Darby Monthly Meeting, where they presented their certificate of transfer from Worcester Monthly Meeting. His father, Thomas "of Brasenhill" (aka Boozknoll, Broozwell, etc.) settled in Edgmont Township, Chester/Delaware Co., PA. On 1 Sep 1690, Thomas, in addition to a gift of 20 pounds, deeded to John a tract of 250 acres contiguous to the southeast end of the father's farm, "in consideration of his intended marriage to Ann Maris, daughter of George and Alice Maris of "Home House" in Springfield, of the same county.

John Worrilow and Ann Maris were married in a Friends ceremony (as recorded by the Chester Monthly Meeting) at the home of Bartholomew Coppock, Jr. in Springfield, a prominent citizen of the area, on 14 Oct 1690.

Ann Maris Worrilow was born 18, 6 mo (Aug) 1667 in Flyford-Grafton, Worcestershire, England to George Maris and Alice Wellsmith Maris. In her youth she experienced firsthand the persecution of the Quakers for their faith. She saw her father fined 20 pounds worth of goods for holding Quaker Meetings at his home; later he was imprisoned for more than eight months beginning on 23 Jul 1670.

Notes for Ann Maris:
Ann, b. 6, 18, 1667; m. 8, 14, 1690, at an appointed meeting at the house of Bartholomew Coppock, Jr. in Springfield, John Worrilow, son of Thomas of Edgemont.

Appendix, Note 5. – Thomas Worrilow was settled in Edgmont as early as 1690 and possibly earlier. He called his place ???, which was probably the name of the place in England from which he emigrated. He was in membership with Friends. The time of his death is not exactly known. His widow died at Philadelphia in 1710? - Smith's History of Delaware County, Pa.

"Thomas Worrilow, a son of the above named Thomas was settled in the County as early as 1687. In 1690 he was married to Ann, the daughter of George Maris, of Springfield. As a member of the Society of Friends, he was more active than his father. His place of residence was Edgmont. - Smith's History of Delaware

Children of John Worrilow and Ann Maris are:

 i. Mary Worrilow, born 09 Jan 1692 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; died 18 Mar 1733; married (1) Joseph Baker, Jr. 18 Mar 1709 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; died 1717 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; married (2) Dr. John Taylor 10 Jul 1718.

 ii. Walter Worrilow, born 12 Mar 1696 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; died Aft. 1729.

 iii. Alice Worrilow, born 16 May 1698 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; died 1772; married Peter Yarnall 25 Apr 1715 in Chester Monthly (Friends) Meeting, Chester Co., PA; born 20 Aug 1690 in Chester Co., PA; died 08 Aug 1775.

3 iv. Sarah Worrilow, born 12 Jul 1700 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; married Nicholas Pyle III 07 Oct 1721 in Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville,  Chester Co. (that part now in Delaware Co.),  PA.

 v. Thomas Worrilow, born 16 Aug 1702 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; married Susannah Taylor 1726; born 03 Feb 1704 in Springfield, Delaware Co., PA.

 vi. Ann Worrilow, born 31 May 1706 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; died Aft. 1724.

 vii. Jane Worrilow, born 23 Jun 1707 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; married George Whippo/Whipps/Whipple 23 Jul 1726; born 22 Feb 1703 in Barnstable, MA.

 viii. Grace Worrilow, born 09 Aug 1710 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; married Jacob Taylor 30 Aug 1728 in Concord Friends Meeting, Concordville, Chester Co., PA; born Abt. 1700; died Abt. 1745.

Generation No. 4

8.  Nicholas N. Pyle, born Abt. Mar 1625 in Bishop's Canning, Wiltshire, England; died Abt. 26 Aug 1691 in Bishop's Canning or Sarum, Wiltshire, England.  He was the son of 16. John Pyle and 17. Mary Withers.  He married 9. Edith Musprat 22 Sep 1656.

9.  Edith Musprat, born in probably Urchfont, Wiltshire, England; died Jun 1676.  She was the daughter of 18. Thomas Musprat and 19. Edith Byffen.

More About Nicholas N. Pyle:
Burial: 26 Aug 1691
Occupation: Tailor

Children of Nicholas Pyle and Edith Musprat are:

 i. John Pyle

 ii. Ambrose Pyle, died 22 Oct 1665.

 iii. William Pyle

 iv. Susannah Pyle

 v. Mary Pyle, born 31 Mar 1658; married ? Box.

 vi. Robert Pyle, born 29 Feb 1660 in Bishop's Canning,  County Wiltshire, England; died 1730 in Bethel Township, Chester/Delaware Co., PA, USA; married (1) Ann Stovey 16 Nov 1681 in Bishops Canning, Wiltshire, England; born in probably Hilperton, County Wiltshire, England; died 1724 in probably Bethel Township, Chester/Delaware Co., PA; married (2) Susannah ? 30 Dec 1725.

 vii. Edith Pyle, born 1665; married ? Painter.

4 viii. Nicholas Pyle, born Oct 1666 in Bishop's Canning, Wiltshire, England; died 1716 in Chester Co., Pennsylvania, USA; married (1) Abigail Bushell 11 Sep 1688 in Chester/ Delaware Co., PA; married (2) Ann Webb 1713 in Philadelphia, PA.

 ix. Samuel Pyle, born Feb 1668.

 x. Ralph Pyle, born Mar 1670 in Bishop's Canning,  County Wiltshire, England; died in probably Pennsylvania; married Eleanor Rawlings.

10. Joseph Bushell, born Abt. 1640 in Chipman, Wiltshire, England; died Abt. 1708 in Concord Township, present-day Delaware County, Pennsylvania USA (then part of Chester County).
Notes for Joseph Bushell:
From History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania: from the discovery of the ... By George Smith, Delaware County Institute of Science (Media, Pa.), pages 450-54:

Bushell, Joseph, with his wife Sarah, and two daughters, Jane and Abigail, emigrated from England in 1683, and settled in Bethel township the next year. The family were Quakers, but Jane, the daughter, intermarried with Walter Martin, a man who appears to have had a particular dislike to the doctrines of that sect. Abigail became the wife of Nicholas Pyle of Concord, and maintained her standing with Friends. Joseph Bushell was one of the trustees to take the conveyance of the ground upon which Chichester meeting-house was erected. He died in 1708. He, with Enoch Flower, brought a joint certificate from Brinkworte Monthly Meeting in England, which was presented to the meeting at Philadelphia.

Children of Joseph Bushell are:

 i. Jane Bushell, married Walter Martin.

Notes for Walter Martin:
From History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania: from the discovery of the ... By George Smith, Delaware County Institute of Science (Media, Pa.), pages 481-85:

Martin, Walter, was a resident of Marcus Hook before the arrival of William Penn, in 1682, and was the owner of a large tract of land on Naaman's Creek, which had been purchased in England* He appears to have been a man of good standing, but somewhat eccentric. It is not certain that he was a member of any religious denomination, but he appears to have held in veneration certain church ordinances and doctrines that were regarded by the Quakers as outward ceremonies, or that were wholly repudiated by them. This will be seen in his grant or free gift for a buryingplace, &"., mentioned elsewhere. But still it does not appear that he had any unkind feelings towards the Quakers, for in 16S4 he married Jane, the daughter of Joseph Bushell, who was a Quaker, and by his will he entrusted the administration of his estate to two Quakers—Nicholas Pyle and Daniel Williamson. He may have resided for a time on his Naaman'^ Creek purchase, but his general place of residence was Marcns Hook. He died in 1719, and was buried in the lot reserved out of his "fret gift," which now constitutes St. Martin's churchyard. Massive stones that have recently been renovated, indicate the exact resting-place of his remains, one of which bears the following quaint inscription:

"The just man lives in good men's lore, And when he dies, he's blera'd above."

Walter Martin emigrated from Westminster, in the County of Middlesex, England. At the time of his death it does not appear that he had any male descendant living.

5 ii. Abigail Bushell, born Abt. 1668 in Brinkworte, Wiltshire, England; died Bef. 1713 in Chester Co., PA; married Nicholas Pyle 11 Sep 1688 in Chester/ Delaware Co., PA.

12. Thomas Worrilow, born 19 Dec 1633 in Haughton, Staffordshire, England; died 1709 in probably residence at Chestnut and Third Streets, Philadelphia, PA, USA. He was the son of 24. John Worrilow and 25. Alice ?. He married 13. Grace Joan Perkes 17 Aug 1663 in Haughton, Staffordshire, England.

13.  Grace Joan Perkes, died Abt. 1701 in probably "Brasenhill, " Edgmont Township, Chester Co., PA.

Notes for Thomas Worrilow:
The following information is quoted from Russell Newlin Abel's "Mendenhall-Newlin Alliance" (1989), page 252:

Thomas Worrilow, the first immigrant of this family to America, was baptized 26 Dec 1636, in Haughton, Staffordshire, England. He married Grace (Joan) Perkes 17 Aug 1663 in the parish church of his birthplace. His father was John Worrilow and his mother, Alice--- Worrilow.

His seven children were all born before the immigration, which occurred about 1684, when his name first appears in Quaker records in Pennsylvania.

He immigrated from a place called "Brasenhill" in England, which place name he gave to his property in Edgmont Township, Chester/Delaware Co., PA in 1689.

In 1691, he deeded 250 acres to his son John, on the occasion of his marriage to Ann Maris. (Chester Co. Deed Book A, p. 49).

He held several offices, e.g., on 3da, 8 mo. 1689, he is listed as tax collector in Edgmont. On 13 Mar 1693/4 he served as constable in Edgmont and on 12 Jun 1694, he was supervisor of roads in the same place.

Thomas' first wife, Grace, died sometime about 1701. No record has been found establishing the date.

Thomas Worrilow married second in 1702, Susannah Bird Brightwen, widow, in Philadelphia. She died in 1710. (Philadelphia Will Book C, p. 214 File 172).

Thomas died after 23 May 1709, the date of his will. His will is recorded in Philadelphia Will Book C, 1709, p. 183-184, File 145

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http://www.brasenhill.com/

Thomas Henry Worrilow was the son of John and Alice Worrilow and was baptized on 26 Dec 1636 in the Parish Church of Haughton, Staffordshire, England. He was the first Worrilow to settle in the new world. He and his wife, Grace Perkes, had raised their family together in Haughton, and sometime after 1685 immigrated to Pennsylvania. It is known that of their 7 children, their daughter Grace and son Thomas died before emigration, for they are buried in Haughton the last being buried in 1685. Sometime before leaving their homeland, they joined the Religious Society of Friends.

The precise time of the family's departure is not known but maps showing early grants and patents of Edgmont Township clearly show that one "Thomas Worrilaw" was in possession of 490 acres in the township as of 10 1st mo. (March) 1688/89. The map also shows Thomas acquiring an additional 200 acres in 1 6th mo. (August) 1693/94, purchased from Philip Yarnall. Additionally, Thomas transferred 250 to his son John as of 1 1mo. (March) 1690/91. No one knows for sure if the families of Edgmont knew each other prior to emigration but many of the Worrilows married into the families of their neighbors. Thomas named his new home in the new world, Brooznoll most probably after his home in England, Brasenhill. Brooznoll is the only property named on the map of the Township of Edgmont showing the early grants and patents of the area.

One close neighbor, Joseph Baker, along with Thomas Worrilow were appointed tax collectors of Edgmont on 3 8th mo. (October) 1689. In 1690 Thomas was a member of the Committee to collect funds for the Chester Meeting House. On 13 Jan 1694/94 he was also appointed constable of Edgmont, and on 12 Jun 1694, supervisor of roads in the township.

Thomas' first wife, Grace, died sometime in 1700, and he next appeared at the Chester Monthly Meeting on 29 10th mo. (December) 1701, "desiring a Certificate of his clearness in relation to marriage." A signed certificate was given to him by Friends at the meeting on 26 11th Mo. (January) 1701/02. On 30 11th mo. (January), Thomas and Susannah Bird Brightwen declared their intentions of marriage at the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, "producing a certificate from Chester Meeting, the place of his late abode." At the next meeting, on 27 12th mo. (January), the couple declared their intentions a second time, as required by the Friends discipline, "and nothing appearing to obstruct, they are left to their liberty to accomplish the same."

According to his will, Thomas and his new wife lived in Philadelphia West of Third and North of Chestnut Street, which is now the site of a park and in the Society Hill district of the city. Benjamin Franklin's Home and the First Bank of North America (built 1799) were situated in the block, but sometime much later after Thomas Worrilow's death.

Thomas died sometime after 23 May 1709, the date of his Will. His Will was proved on 9 Dec 1709, and states:

I Thomas Worrilaw of the City of Philad in the Province of Pensilvania, Yeoman Being at Present but weak of Body and Sound & perfect mind & Memory do make this my last will & testament as ffolloweth/ viz/ first my will is that all my Just Debts and funeral Expences be paid & Discharged Also I Give unto my wife Susanna my Dwelling house I now live in Situate on the north Side of Chesnut Street and on the West side of the third Street in Philid with the Garden there belonging as far as the privet Hedge for and During her Natural life and after her decease I give & Devise my Dwelling House and the whole lott of Land thereunto Belonging with the New Building at Upper end of the Lott unto my Grandson Thomas Worrilaw his heirs & Assigns forever Provided always that if my Grandson shall happen to die without Issue by him Lawfully Begotten before he Attains his age of Twenty one years Then and in Such Case I give and Devise all in my house & Lott with the App'ces unto my Grandson Walter Worrilaw his Heirs & Assigns forever

Also I give unto my wife all Such Sums of money as I have heretofore given her papers to shew for Also I give unto my Grandson Thomas Worrilaw all the Goods in my Dwelling house which are Properly mine Except one feather Bed two feather Boulsters one Pillow one Rugg two Blankets & one pair of Sheets which I Give unto my Grandson William berks Also I Give unto my Son John Worrilaw all my household Goods he hath in his Possession Except one Jack to Turn the Spits I give to my Daughter Jane Hoopes And also I Give unto my Daughter Jane all my Goods which are at her husband Dan Hoopes's House Also I give & Devise unto my Son John Worrilaw all my Land & Tenements & Hereditaments in the County of Chester To Hold to him his heirs & Assigns forever Upon condicon that he Shall Discharge my Son in law Dan Hoopes from all bills & Bonds whatsoever wherein the Dan Stands bound for the Proper debt of my Son John

Otherwise I will that my Execut of the Survivor of thee Shall Sell the Lands & premises and out of the Money raised by Such Sale Shall pay to my Soninlaw Dan Hoopes what he can make appear to be his and Also my will is that my said Executors Shall Sell the Clock in my Dwelling House And also that they Shall have Power to let the Uper Land of my lotts in Philid with the New Building there on Untill my said Grandson Thomas Worrilaw Attains his age of Twenty one Yeres And also if my wife dies Before my Grandson Tho: Worrilaw Attain his Age of Twenty one years That then my Executors Shall also have power to let my Dwelling House The lott as far as the Privet Hedge until my Grandson Attains his age and that they Shall dispose of the Rents and profits of my House lott unto my Son Johns Children as my Exect Shall think fit

Also my will is that Moneys Coming to me Either by Bonds or bill, and the Horses or Mares that I have in the Woods Shall go towards Payment of my Debts & funeral Expense And also all the rest and Residue of my Estate not hereinbefore disposed of after my Debts & funeral Charges Are paid I give & Devise unto my Son John Worriliv his heirs Exec's & Assigns forever And lastly I make Ordain my Soninlow Daniel Hoopes and my friend John Maris Exec's of my list will & Testament and I give to each of them the Sum of fiftey Shillings Currant money of this Province And further I give & Devise unto my Son John Worrilaw all my wearing Cloths & Apparrell wtsoever to his his Exec's Ade & Assigns In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 23d day of May Ano Dm 1709

Signed Sealed published & Declared by the

above named Thomas Worrilaw
to be the last will & Testament
in the presense of us
/s/ Rich Heath /s/ Jos. Ransted
/s/ Wm Green /s/ Joshua Lawrence /s/ Tho: Worrilaw (Seal)

Children of Thomas Henry Worrilow and Grace Perkes:

John Worrilow was born before 9 Aug 1664 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England and was baptized on 9 Aug 1664 at Haughton. He married Ann Maris on 14 Oct 1690 at Springfield, Delaware, Pennsylvania. He died 2 Jan 1726/27 at Chester, Pennsylvania.

Thomas Worrilow was born before 29 Jan 1666/67 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England and was baptized 29 Jan 1666/67 at Haughton. He died 12 Dec 1685 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England.

Walter Worrilow was born before 26 Apr 1669 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England and was baptized on 26 Apr 1669 at Haughton. He died before 1709 at Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth Worrilow was born before 15 May 1671 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England and was baptized on 15 May 1671 at Haughton. She married William Beakes, Jr. on 5 Jan 1690/91. She died 1769 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England.

Marie Worrilow was born before 25 May 1674 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England and was baptized 25 May 1674 at Haughton. She died before 1709 at Pennsylvania.

Jane Worrilow was born before 20 Sep 1675 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England and was baptized 20 Sep 1675 at Haughton. Jane married Daniel Hoopes on 10 Oct 1696 and had 17 children. She died before 1746 at Pennsylvania.

Grace Worrilow was born before 22 Aug 1678 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England and was baptized 22 Aug 1678 at Haughton. She died 17 May 1684 at Haughton, Staffordshire, England.

Children of Thomas Worrilow and Grace Perkes are:

6 i. John Worrilow II, born Aug 1664 in Haughton, Staffordshire, England; died 02 Jan 1727 in Edgemont, Delaware Co., PA; married Ann Maris 14 Oct 1690 in home of Bartholomew Coppock, Jr., Springfield Township, Chester Co., PA.

 ii. Thomas Worrilow, born Jan 1666 in Haughton, County Staffordshire, England; died 12 Dec 1685; married Susannah.

 iii. Walter Worrilow, born Apr 1669 in Haughton, County Staffordshire, England; died Bef. 1709.

 iv. Elizabeth Worrilow, born May 1671 in Haughton, County Staffordshire, England; married William Beakes, Jr. 05 Jan 1690.

 v. Marie Worrilow, born May 1674; died Bef. 1709.

 vi. Jane Worrilow, born Apr 1675 in Haughton, County Staffordshire, England; died Abt. 1746 in "Brooznoll," Westtown, Chester Co., PA; married (1) William Collett 04 Dec 1694; married (2) Daniel Hoopes 10 Oct 1696; born Abt. 1672 in Skelton-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire, England; died Abt. 1749 in "Brooznoll," Westtown, Chester Co., PA.

Notes for Daniel Hoopes:
http://www.angelfire.com/ne/hoopesgenealogy/danielhoopes.htm

Daniel, the first born and only son of Joshua and Ann Hoopes, was baptized at the old parish church at Skelton-in-Cleveland, Yorkshire, England on May 27, 1672. He was undoubtedly born at the Hoopes ancestral home at Great Moorsholm, a few miles away, although we don't know the date. His mother died when Daniel was about six years old. His father then married Isabel (spelled Esbile in the parish register) on May 1, 1679, at the Anglican (Church of England) parish church at Skelton-in-Cleveland, where Joshua's ancestors were baptized, married and in whose churchyard were buried. However, shortly after their marriage, Joshua and Isabel joined The Society of Friends, commonly called Quakers, as some of their relatives had already done.

Because of religious persecution by the Crown, the Joshua Hoopes family, including eleven year old Daniel and his two younger sisters, Margaret and Christian, set sail on the 13th and last of William Penn's ships, the Providence of Scarborough. After weeks at sea in the tiny sailing vessel, they arrived at the mouth of the Delaware River on Nov 9, 1683. The Hoopes family settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where Joshua obtained 100 acres of prime farmland.

Without doubt, Daniel found his new country and life exciting, but hard. He became active in the local Quaker congregation. Quakers were the predominant culture and religion, as William Penn, a famous Quaker, had founded Pennsylvania, which means "Penn's woods." When Daniel was about 18 years old, his step mother died. Daniel's father married for the third time in 1693, a widow named Eleanor Pownal, who had children of her own.

By 1696, Daniel was 26, unmarried, and was working the family farm. His father had been elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly and together they had purchased another 500 or so acres of land. This new land was near Westtown, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Daniel probably lived on the land, erecting log houses before he began building more substantial dwellings of native stone.

Records found in an old Friend's (Quaker) meeting house in Lima, Pennsylvania, not far from Westtown, show that in 1696, Daniel was married to Jane Worrilow. She was the daughter of Thomas and Jean Perkes Worrilow. Although we don't know the date of her birth, we know she was baptized in the Anglican parish church of Houghton, Staffordshire, England, on April 20, 1675. Daniel and Jane immediately started having children-she gave birth to 17 in all, two of them twins. (Their 15th child, Nathan Hoopes, is our direct ancestor.)

By 1723, after they had been married 27 years and had at least 16 children, Daniel and Jane had erected a large house on the Westtown property near Street Road, which runs through Pennsylvania to Delaware. They called this place "Brooznoll," which means "windy knoll," the name of the original Worrilow home in England.

The great house at "Brooznoll" is made of local stone, and the individual blocks are about ten inches by three inches. An article published in the local newspaper in 1908, when the home was almost 200 years old, describes it as being L-shaped, with the long side facing the road. There are two front doors and two front windows, and it is obvious the house was added onto several times over the many years that Daniel and his descendants lived in it. On the east end of the house is plainly engraved and still visible in the stones, the initials and date, "D. & J. H., 1723," which stands for Daniel and Jane Hoopes. Several other initials and dates were chiseled into the stones in later years, as different additions and remodeling was done. This substantial home is still being lived in.

Daniel was active in local community affairs and was respected as a "yeoman," an old English term he used to describe himself, which means a farmer who cultivates his own land. He was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly (as was his father) and was elected the first Justice of the Peace of Westtown. Daniel and Jane, along with their children, were also active members of the Quaker community.

Jane died sometime before 1746, at the age of approximately 71.

Much can be learned about Daniel and his times from his will, which was written on April 29, 1746, some 3 years before his death. Here are some quotes: "I, Daniel Hoopes of Westtown in the County of Chester in the Province of Pennsylvania, yeoman, being indisposed in body but sound of mind and memory, prayed (sic) be the Lord for the same, considering that it is appointed for all men once to dye (sic), do make my last will and testament...I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried and dispose (sic) of as follows (viz) I order that my just debts and funeral charges be paid and discharged by my executors...I give and bequeath to my oldest son Joshua Hoopes my negro named Tom, and also my still with the appurtenances and my clock and my walnut desk and cloaths (sic) trees...to my daughter Mary ten pounds of current money of the Province...to my son Daniel Hoopes my large panel oak chest and one set of silver coat buttons and five shillings in money...I give and bequeath unto my son Nathan (our ancestor) the sum of five pounds current money aforesaid and my riding horse, saddle, and bridle... unto my daughter Christian all my beds, bedding, bedsteads, and furniture thereof and all my pewter of every sort and my great looking glass and also all my earthenware..." Daniel's written name at the bottom of his will, includes the middle initial "D."

Daniel D. Hoopes died at the age of 77, in 1749, at Westtown, Chester County, Pennsylvania and was buried there. He has a very large posterity.

 vii. Grace Worrilow, born Aug 1678 in Haughton, County Staffordshire, England; died 17 May 1684.

14. George Maris, Jr., born Abt. 1632 in Grafton-Flyford, Inkborough, Worcestershire, England; died 15 Jan 1704 in "Home House, " Springfield Township, Chester Co., (that part now in Delaware Co.) Pennsylvania USA. He was the son of 28. George Maris and 29. Alice Collier. He married 15. Alice ? in England.

15.  Alice ?, born in Worcestershire, England?; died 11 Mar 1699 in "Home House, " Springfield Township, Chester Co., (that part now in Delaware Co.) Pennsylvania USA.

Notes for George Maris, Jr.:
The best and most concise account of the lives and family of George and Alice Maris is found in Russell Newlin Abel's "Mendenhall-Newlin Alliance" (1989), pages 254-255, who summarizes the rather flowery information given in the 1885 Maris genealogy. Abel is quoted as follows:

George Maris was born in Grafton-Flyford, Parish of Inkborough, Worcestershire, England in 1632. His parentage has not been established. He was a shoemaker, by trade. He married Alice---, probably about 1668.

Alice was probably born in Worcestershire, England. One source names her as Wellsmith, but no substantiating evidence is presented.

From Futhey & Cope, p. 649, we learn that George Maris was a victim of the persecution of the Quakers of Worcestershire in 1670, "At Grafton-Flyford some soldiers of the Band called the Clergy-Band came to a Meeting at the House of George Maris, and informed against several persons there, against whom a warrant was issued by John Packington, of Westwood, and Samuel Sands, of Ambersley, Justices, buy which were taken the several Quantities of Goods following, viz.: From Francis Fincher, all his Goods for a Fine of 20 pounds. And from William Sale and John Tombs, to the value of 1 pound 14 shillings. The said George Maris's Fine was for the Meeting being at his House. He was afterward taken by an Assize Process, and sent to Prison on the 23rd of the month called July, 1670, and continued there above eight months, but never knew for what Cause he was so long imprisoned."

George Maris, with Alice his wife, and family, immigrated in 1683 from Hadswell, parish of Inkborough, Worcestershire and settled in what is now Springfield, then Chester, now Delaware County, Pennsylvania. They brought a certificate of removal dated 6 3m 1683, which he presented to Darby Monthly Meeting.

They named their plantation "Home House." This was 400 acres which he had obtained on 26 Oct 1683, being part of 1000 acres purchased by Robert Toomer on 14 May 1683. This plantation comprised the land lying along Darby Creek, from Marple Township, a short distance above the mouth of Lewis' Run. It was an irregular tract, difficult of description, the Amosland road running through the southwestern part of the estate.

In a valley, selected because of its sheltered location from the chilly blast of the severe winters on the early colonial times, George Maris built a stone house near the spring, and here he resided until his death, in 1705.

"On the Sixth of 3rd month (May), 1683, George Maris and Alice, his wife, received a certificate from a Meeting of Friends 'att Hattswell, In ye P'sh of Inkborough, and County of Worcester' directed to 'Friends in Pensilvania' which says of him that 'His Life and conversation hath adorned the Gospel of Christ and hath bene A Good Exampel In his place, And a man, ye bent of whose heart hath been to serve ye Lord, And all People in his Love: and hath not spared to spend and to be spent for ye service of Truth. And Wee can say wee do not know of any person either ffriend or others that hath aught against him, his wife or children, upon any just account whatever."

"Eight days later than the date of this certificate, or on May 14, 1683, he received from Robert Toomer, of the City of Worcester, a deed for 1,000 acres of land to be laid out in Pennsylvania, and soon after embarked with his family for Pennsylvania, to take up his land and found a home in Penn's colony." (Quotes from "The Maris Family" found in "Colonial Families of Philadelphia," Volume II, p. 960 1911, Chester County Historical Society).

"The second ship to enter Delaware Bay the end of September was the "Bristol Comfort," a Dutch-built but English-owned vessel of 200 tons. The previous April she had arrived at Bristol in old England from Virginia laden with tobacco from that place. On 25 July, a month after the last goods for Pennsylvania had been loaded, she set sail again from the 'Kingroad'--the King's Roadstead--at Bristol, arriving in the Delaware on 28 7m (September) 1683, and at Upland 1 8m (October) following. She was the first of five ships said to have arrived that month."

On the ship the following goods were assigned to George Morris (Maris): '10 doz. dressed calf skins; 1qtr. malt; 3 1/2 qtrs. wheat; 3 bushels oatmeal; 90 lbs. shoes; 1/2 cwt. pewter; cwt. brass manufactured; 2 flitches bacon; 20 cwt. wrought iron; 6 doz. woolen stockings; 10 cwt. cheese; 1 bbl. beer; 3 doz. plain sheepskin gloves; 1 1/2 firkins butter; 33 yds. flannel; 11 pcs. English earthware; 1/15 hhd. aquavita; 2 1/4 cwt. lead shot; 1/4 cwt. gunpowder; 20 ells English linen; 10 parcels several wares value 18 pounds 10 shillings.' (Quoted from Bristol Port Book E 190/1146/1).

He was over 50 years old when he emigrated, coming from Grafton, Flyford, Worcestershire, accompanied by his wife Alice, and several children. He was a man of influence in the infant colony, filling the office of justice of the court, and from 1684 to 1693 (excepting in 1689) represented Chester County in the General Assembly.

"At an Assembly held in Philadelphia, the Tenth Day of the Third Month, 1688...The Members elected for Chester County were George Maris and Robert Pile..." (PA Archives, 8th Series, Vol. I, p. 82).

PA Archives, Series I (Colonial Records) Vol. I, shows additional service "att a Councill Held at Philadelphia." George Maris was present on 23 Apr 1695 (p. 475), 8 Aug 1695 (p. 481); 18 May 1695 (p. 482); 20 May 1695 (p. 483); and 25 May 1695 (p. 484).

George was an acknowledged and esteemed minister of the Society of Friends, both in England and in America. He was with others, appointed to deliver the censure of the Yearly Meeting to George Keith, when that schismatic sought to divide the organization of Friends in Pennsylvania. (Friends Intelligencer 12.19.1885 Chester County Historical Society).

In 1695 he was called to the Provincial Council, of which he remained a member until his death on 15 Jan 1705/6 at the age of 73. His wife Alice died 11 Mar 1699.

Tradition in the Maris family says that Springfield Township got its name because of the large spring near the dwelling of George Maris. Ashmead says, "The latter was a judge of the court in 1684, and his influence was such that as he had voice in the name adopted, the tradition among his descendants is doubtless correct. On Holmes "Map of the Improved Part of Pennsylvania in America," the district is marked as "Springfield."

Alice Wellsmith Maris, wife of George Maris Sr, died 11 Mar 1699. Place of death has not been determined but it was probably at "Home House," Springfield, Chester/Delaware Co., PA.

George Maris Sr. died at "Home House" 15 Jan 1706 at age 73. At the time of his death he was still a member of the Provincial Council.

INTRODUCTION and BI-CENTENNIAL REUNION from, "The Maris Family in the United States; A Record of the Descendants of George and Alice Maris, 1683-1885." Compiled by George L. and Annie M. Maris; published 1885.

Typed by Linda Cunningham Fluharty ([email%C2%A0protected]), descendant of George & Alice Maris.

INTRODUCTION

The Centennial Exhibition held in Philadelphia, in 1876, suggested to the writer the idea of holding a Bi-Centennial Celebration of the landing in America, of GEORGE and ALICE MARIS, and at a suitable time he mentioned the subject to some of the descendants, especially to John M. Maris, of Philadelphia, Pa. The proposition received a hearty second from all.

The first step toward making an organization, was a meeting in Philadelphia, Pa., of John M. Maris, Joshua Maris, George C. Maris, and George L. Maris, at the residence of the first named, on the evening of February 14, 1882. Various plans were discussed, and it was thought, as the Bi-centennial would call together not more than 250 people, it might be held at the spacious home of John M. Maris, which was freely offered for the occasion.

At a subsequent meeting held at the house of Dr. Edward Maris, in Philadelphia, the committee was enlarged to embrace representatives of the different lines of descent, as follows:

John M. Maris, Philadelphia; Thomas R. Maris, Philadelphia; John Welsh, Philadelphia; Dr. Edward Maris, Philadelphia; John M. Broomall, Media, Pa.; George G. Maris, Lahaska, Pa.; Joshua Maris, Wilmington, Del.; George C. Maris, Wilmington, Del.; George M. Booth, Chester, Pa.; B. Frank Beatty, Chester, Pa.; Richard Maris, Wilmington, Del.; Jared Maris, Columbus, Ohio; William Maris, Chester, Pa.; George J. Maris, Guthrie Centre, Ia.; Robert Hatton, Easton, Md.; Maris Taylor, Doe Run, Pa.; Dr. Clarence F. Maris, Columbus, Ohio; George Maris, Marple, Pa.; Joseph P. Maris, Marple, Pa.; William Maris, West Branch, Ia.; Joseph Maris, Smith River Valley, Cal.; Geo L. Maris, West Chester, Pa.

Geo. L. Maris was authorized to compile a family genealogy, and on behalf of the committee to affix his name to the introduction.

As the committee thought the attendance at the Bi-Centennial would largely exceed their first estimate, and George Maris, the owner of HOME HOUSE, offered the use of his grove, it was decided to hold the Re-union on the spot originally occupied by our immigrant ancestors, GEORGE and ALICE MARIS. This property was pre-eminently suited for the occasion, as it was purchased by George Maris from William Penn, in 1683, and has remained in the name of Maris in unbroken succession.

A full account of the proceeding -- substantially the same as that published at the time in the West Chester 'Daily Local News' -- being given elsewhere, it only remains to be said here that the 'reunion' was a success in every particular, far beyond the most sanguine expectations of the committee in charge. The difficult task of compiling the family genealogy still remained to be done, though considerable data had been collected at and before Bi-centennial.

As the employment of a professional genealogist would involve a large outlay of money, the Secretary, to whom the matter had been entrusted, did not feel authorized to proceed in that way, but referred to the advisory committee - Joshua Maris, of Wilmington, Del., John M. Broomall, of Media, Pa., and William W. Maris, of Philadelphia - the proposition that his wife, Annie M. Maris, would, under his direction, do the work without compensation, if they would pay the necessary expenses for 'postage, circulars, etc.', and the employment, when necessary, of Gilbert Cope, a professional genealogist. This they agreed to do, and the work was commenced in September, 1883, and has been prosecuted without interruption ever since, involving constant daily employment for a period of over two years. The original plan of dropping the female lines after the second generation, has been departed from where an interest has been shown by such descendants.

The labor has been much greater than was at first anticipated, and though the book is far more complete than we had any reason to expect, yet we know it is not perfect, and from the very nature of the case, it cannot be. We have been obliged to rely for data, in a great measure, upon the descendants themselves, some of whom take no interest in such work, and those that do, are often unable to present reliable statistics. In many cases the dates furnished are conflicting; and in such instances we have adopted those thought most likely to be correct. Having done the best we can, we deem no further apology necessary, but leave the result of our labors to the charitable consideration of those concerned.

Our thanks are due to Hon. John Welsh, of Philadelphia, for efficient assistance; to Hon. John M. Broomall, of Media, to whom we are indebted for all the data of the descendants of Ann (5) and John Worrilow: to Phebe Maris Horton, of Ohio, for most of the material furnished in relation to the descendants of David Maris (250); to Phebe M. Taylor, of West Chester, for nearly all the facts concerning the descendants of Mary Maris (32) and Joseph Taylor; to John M. Maris, of Philadelphia, for the pamphlet entitled "The Maris Family", which furnished the basis of this work, and to many others to a greater or less degree for valuable assistance rendered.

Geo. L. Maris, Secretary

West Chester, Pa., 11th mo, 1885.

BI-CENTENNIAL REUNION

1683-GEORGE MARIS-1883

WORTHY SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF A WORTHY SIRE ASSEMBLE TO DO HONOR TO THE PIONEER OF THEIR NAME IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE OLD HOMESTEAD, AUGUST 25, 1883.

Morton station on the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad, presented an unusual scene of animation and activity last Saturday, because of its being the objective point of hundreds of people from the city, town, and hamlet en route to take part in the Be-Centennial Maris Family Reunion, which took place that day in Springfield township, Delaware county.

The morning was a propitious one for this grand event, which, for months past, had been looked forward to with zealous pride and much interest by the almost innumerable descendants of George Maris, who, on this day, have long centuries ago, landed upon these shores, the pioneer of this army (so to speak) of descendants who to-day represent the most thrifty families in this country.

From every point vehicles, great and small, freighted with young and old, grave and gay, filled into the well-chosen grounds, and deposited their passengers midst the welcoming throng, and the scenes of cheerful and heartfelt greetings which were presented during the whole of the morning were of a kind which any attempt to describe would be futile in the extreme. To hearty hand shakings, affectionate embraces and kind words of welcome the pleasurable hours were devoted, and the scores of well-ladened baskets, with snowy white coverings, made evident the very important matter that the welfare of the inner man had not by any means been lost sight of in the programme of arrangement looking to this gathering of well-to-do people, who had met to pay tribute to the memory of their honored ancestor.

In scores of cases friends who had been separated during a long term of years were brought together, and the traditions of "Auld Lang Syne" were resurrected and reviewed in that refreshing and happy manner which led the participants to feel that they were living anew the happy days of youth, and that it was indeed good to meet under the family tree and renew kindred ties on this most social and fitting of all occasions. By every train, until afternoon was reached, new accessions to the assemblage were let down at the station, while by the country highways vehicles continued to arrive and add to the throng which by this time had grown far beyond the expectations of those who were foremost in arranging for the event.

THE FARM-HOUSE AND GROVE.

The scene of this happy family gathering is one most charmingly located and admirably suited to the purposes for which the day was set apart.

Its location is about three miles north of Morton village and one mile east of the old Springfield meeting-house, where George Maris of old worshipped nearly two hundred years ago. This house was his particular place of worship, and in this connection it is worthy of mention that on this day, 8th mo. 25, 1703, he was made the custodian of its title deeds, he being a worthy one in the minds of his people to take charge of its valuable papers.

SPRINGFIELD MEETING HOUSE, BUILT IN 1738

The house which the ancestor built, and in which he lived and died, has long passed away, and on its site is a quiet, quaint and staunch stone structure of two and a half stories, erected by his grandson George, in 1722. The pioneer with his wife and family left England in 1683, and settled in Pennsylvania. Soon after his arrival he took up his abode in Chester county, (now Springfield township, Delaware county), and named his residence the "Home House," and a spring on his farm is supposed by many to have given the name to the township - Springfield.

The original tract was 400 acres, but it has, during the lapse of the long term of intervening years, been divided and sub-divided until only 70 acres remain in the name - two tracts, owned respectively by George and Joseph P. Maris, of the sixth generation. The site proper, where the old house stood, is owned by George. Near by, the old spring feeds a handsome public fountain or trough by the public's roadside, which is built of beautiful stone and in a very symmetrical and durable manner. In its construction a large pillar-block, taken from Swarthmore College, after its recent fiery ordeals, forms a conspicuous as well as an attractive part.

The grove, about four acres in extent, is composed of fine old lords of the forest, and is situated a little distance to the rear of the farm. From it the near surroundings gracefully slope toward Darby Creek on the eastern side, and the entire absence of undergrowth makes it a beautiful spot indeed, just such a one as conforms to the desires and tastes of those who delight in spending a summer's day in the woods.

Here ample provision for the comfort, convenience and pleasure of this family assemblage was provided, consisting of a speaker's platform, 10x30 feet, and seats for the audience.

In front of the stand or platform an arch was tastefully erected and most beautifully decorated. Upon the arch evergreens and pretty flowers were woven into shapely designs, forming a beautiful edging to the motto "Esse quam videri." Immediately below, a board was gracefully swung, bearing the honored name:

1683 GEORGE MARIS 1883

the whole being decorated by a generous expenditure of ivy and choice wild flowers, in which the aster and golden rod were conspicuous, and the whole setting forth the evidence of taste, coupled with patience and a love for the beautiful.

The hours preceding the midday were passed in an informal manner, being devoted to a general intermingling of the clan, to renewing old acquaintances and forming new ones - all of which served to make the event a re-union in the fullest sense of the term, as was designed by those foremost in thus calling together the many holding the title to a place beneath the widespread branches of the famous old Maris family grove.

Shortly after the sun had crossed the meridian line there began a stir which betokened the coming noonday meal, and soon into groups, large and small, the grove became dotted with scores of scenes gastronomic, as made up a pic-nic picture in the fullest measure. Creaking baskets and jingling kettles were relieved of their carefully prepared contents - contents which busy and skilled housewives had days before exerted their best efforts in providing, and appetites, sharpened by a ride in the fresh air of the morning and the long hours since an early breakfast, were appeased after a style suggestive of a sound digestion and a keen appreciation for the food things of life.

All over the grounds busy children flitted in gay colors and their merry laughter added not a little to the merry scene, and so when the inner guest looked up in his satiated woe and cried out "Hold, enough!" the remnants were gathered together and the AFTERNOON PROGRAMME was looked for - that which was to serve as a mental dessert for the feast just partaken of.

Accordingly at the sound of the slogan from the speaker's stand, almost every one repaired to the spot set apart for the library exercises of the day, and when all had found comfortable seats, and the attending bustle had subsided, the following organization was effected:

PRESIDENT

DR. EDWARD MARIS, PHILADELPHIA

LIFE OF GEORGE MARIS, THE PIONEER

Two hundred years ago the whole country by which we are surrounded was a dense forest. Deer and game of all sorts wandered at will over these hills as untamed as the red men who made them their abode. How changed in these beautiful hills gently sloping toward the Delaware. The same streams still gladden the hearts of all dwelling near. The long lapse of years has not changed the peaceful, quiet aspect so in accord with the feelings of him whose landing on this soil we are here to celebrate. No noise of mills or railroad, nor the bustle of city life, disturbs the repose of two hundred years.

Glowing reports of the "Indian country on the western side of the great river Delaware" had been sent home to England by those who had before settled in the low lands of New Jersey, and an impetus had been given to emigration by the broad and generous terms offered by that great philanthropist, William Penn, and the oppressed of all nations began to look toward Pennsylvania as a sweet asylum where they might worship God according to the dictates of their own conscience.

"The plains," say these enthusiastic settlers, "along the winding flood are, in most places, covered with corn and natural meadows, and marshes; while all on the back of this a mighty forest rose, tall and stately, darkening the western sky with its blue shade, and stretching itself north and soutsouth with the river as far as the astonished eye can travel. And as to the country we can truly say of it that it is a land most rich, and desirable to dwell in - a land of fountains and brooks - a land of might oaks and elms, and all manner of precious trees for timber - a land whose soil, especially on the water courses, was a black mould, very deep and rich, insomuch that Indian corn, without the aid of a plough, grew there to an enormous size, with two and sometimes three large shocks [ears] on a stalk; and we have counted seven and eight hundred grains on a shock.

And then for the game in the ancient forests; it is wonderful to look at, far surpassing in abundance anything we had ever thought of. For, in walking through the woods, we were ever and anon starting up deer in droves, and also frequently within sight of large herds of buffalo, all perfectly wild and wallowing in fat, and seeming in their course to shake the earth with their weight. And, indeed, no wonder; for the grass, particularly in the lowlands, grew so rank and tall that the buffalo and deer on flying into it, which they were wont to do when frightened, would disappear in a moment."

One can readily imagine how gratefully such accounts fell upon the persecuted followers of Penn and Fox, as they lay suffering in the filthy dungeons of England; how such an asylum seemed to them like a sign from God himself that they should go where freedom of conscience was the law of the land.

Among those who determined to try the fortunes of that pioneer life were George Maris, and his wife Alice, with their six children, of Grafton Flyford, and county of Worcester. His life in England had been rendered oppressive, because he could not conform to the customs of the established church; for having a religious meeting at his house he was fined 20 pounds. Afterwards "he was taken by an assize process and sent to prison on the 23rd of the month called July, 1670, and continued there above eight months, but never knew for what cause he was so long imprisoned." As persecutions in England continued there seemed to be no way left but to emigrate, and as the Colony of Pennsylvania had been founded a year or two before, and William Penn, whom all Friends so much admired, had already sailed for the shores of the Delaware, our common ancestor, as was customary, laid his intentions before the Monthly Meeting to which he belonged, and in response thereto received a testimonial, of which the following is a copy, taken from the 3d page of the oldest records of the Darby (Pa.) Monthly Meeting:

"From our meeting at Hattswell, in the pish (parish) of Inkborough, and county of Worcester, in Old England, to which meeting our friends hereafter mentioned did belong, the 6th of the 3d month, 1683.

TO FRIENDS IN PENNSYLVANIA--Dear Friends--We, whose names are here subscribed, thought good to give you this short testimony concerning our friend George Maris, with his wife and children, of the pish of Grafton, of the county and nation aforesaid:

WHEREAS, Our dear friend before mentioned, hath laid before us his intention of transporting himself and family into your country, he being free to leave our country, we have nothing against his going, but do condescend to him therein. And this may certify to all Friends and others whom it may concern, that we have this further to say for our dear friend, George Maris, that we have had good knowledge of his life and conversation, and we have known it to be such that hath adorned the gospel of Christ; and hath been a good example in his place, and a man ye bent of whose heart hath been to serve ye Lord and all people in love, and hath not spared to spend and be spent in the service of Truth; and this we can say, we do not know of any person, Friend or others, that hath aught against him, his wife or children, upon any just account whatsoever; and surely friends, we could have been glad, if it had been so ordered, that they might have spent the remaining part of their days with us, who have lived together in true love and unity for many years. And, dear friends in the unknown parts of America, having given you this short account of those, our friends, though far short of what we have testified, we remain your dear friends, Brothers and Sisters, in the love that makes us willing to submit to the will of God in all things." (Signed by fourteen men and women Friends).

Previous to leaving England our ancestor had purchased from Robert Toomer, of Worcester, 1,000 acres of land in Pennsylvania, but unlocated. In a short time after his arrival he took up a tract of 400 acres and built upon it a house on the exact spot now occupied by the residence of Geo. Maris, by whose generosity we are permitted to gather upon the land where our pioneer ancestor took up his abode 200 years ago; the house now standing on this ground was erected in 1722 by George Maris, a grandson of the immigrant.

Scarcely had he time to begin the work of clearing the timber from his farm before he was commissioned Justice of the Peace, and empowered with six others, Christopher Taylor, Wm. Wood, Robert Wade, John Blunstone, James Saunderlaine and John Warding, to hold the Courts of Chester for the County of Chester.

The oldest official Court records of Chester county (now at West Chester, Pa.), dating back to 1681, show that he took his seat on the Bench on the "1st of 5th mo., 1684," and from that time until the year 1690 he attended every sitting of the Court, when he was allowed a rest for one year; but from the beginning of 1691 till the close of 1693 he was just as assiduous in his attention to his judicial duties. Though the sessions of the Court occupied much of his time, his public service did not end with his duty, but the demands of the State were laid upon him, and he was chosen a member of the Assembly in 1684, and annually elected thereafter till the year 1693, with the exception of the year 1689; and I might state in passing that throughout this long period there is no record of his absence from a single sitting of the Court or from one session of the Assembly -- a faithful attention to duty of which we may all feel proud.

While he was thus busily engaged with affairs of justice and State, and he and his family were occupied in making a home in the wilds of a new country, he was not unmindful of his duty to his Maker, who had so blest his faithfulness to conscience and right. He was acknowledged minister in the Society of Friends, in regular attendance at its meetings for business and worship.

In those early days the cases that came before the Court were not what we, in these times, would call heavy or important, yet when we consider that all transactions in real estate, that all brands and marks on cattle, all proceedings in the laying out of roads, as well as the ordinary civil and criminal cases, had to be passed upon by the Court, we can easily imagine that his duties in this direction were by no means light.

It would be useless to give in detail many of the cases passed upon by our honored ancestor, yet I have deemed it not improper to give one or two from the records of those times.

"9th of 12th mo., 1687. By virtue of an order from ye last County Court given unto us whose names are hereunto subscribed, being of the Grand Jury, for to lay out a road way that should serve for Newtown, Marple, Springfield and ye inhabitants that way to ye landing Place at Amosland, did upon ye day above written Begin att a Road way in ye lands of George Maris which road goeth from Chester through Marple to Newtown, and from that road through Bartholomew Coppock's land, near to his house, his house being on ye left hand. Soo on through Robert Taylor's land, straight on through more land of George Maris his land, leaving his Plantation on ye right hand, through George Simcock's land, leaving his plantation on ye left hand, soo on straight through land Joining to Amosland unto ye King's road from Darby, marking ye trees as we came, soo on to ye landing place by Maine'screek's side, beyond Morton Morton's son's house. Signed, William Garrett," and others.

1-16-1687. "This court being informed that Richard Crosby was Drunk on the 6th instant last, he was upon ye same called to ye Barr, and upon his submission was amerced tenne shillings to the Governor's use to be levied upon his goods and chattles, this being his second offence."

2-18-1693. "George Maris the elder acknowledged a deed in open court, unto his son George Maris the younger foe one hundred acres of land in Springfield, bearing date the seventeenth day of ye second mo., 1693."

The sessions of the Legislature during the eight years George Maris was a member were short, occupying on an average nine days each. They began at 7 o'clock in the morning and continued till noon, and, after a recess of two hours, extended late into the afternoon, every day of the week, except the Sabbath. The pay was six shillings a day.

I shall quote a very few of the bills acted upon while our ancestor was a member of Assembly. - "It was put to vote whether a Bill relating to corporal punishment by stripes might be passed into law; this was carried in the affirmative."

"The bill relating to the Grant of Liberty for selling Rum to the Indians, upon condition, etc.; this was answered in the negative."

"Proposed to a vote, as a Rule, in the House, That whatsoever member shall not attend the House, but shall wilfully absent himself therefrom without lawful and satisfactory Reason given, shall be expelled from the House; this was carried in the affirmative."

"Put to a vote whether any member that doth not appear in due Time, according to Adjournment, shall be fined one shilling." --Carried.

"By vote Simon Irons was fined 1 shilling, 6d, for absence, and 5 shillings for being disordered with Drink."

"Carried that Custom of the Country to servants shall be two suits of apparel, ten Bushels of Wheat or fifteen Bushels of Indian Corn, one Axe and two Hoes."

This applied to apprentices who had completed their term of service.

The session of Assembly in 1692, the last attended by the pioneer, George Maris, was the longest and much the most exciting up to this time. The opponents of William Penn, who were assiduous in their efforts to prejudice the new King and Queen, William and Mary, against Penn, succeeded in their purpose in the year 1692, whereby Benjamin Fletcher, Governor of New York, received a commission giving him authority over Pennsylvania, and superseding the authority of Penn.

I shall give an outline of this controversy, because George Maris took an active part in the proceedings. At the opening of the session of the Assembly in 1693, Queen Mary's letter to Gov. Fletcher was read as follows:

"Trusty and well beloved, we greet you well. Whereas, it has been represented unto us in Council in Behalf of our province of New York in America, that same having been at great expense for the Preservation and Defense of Albany, its Frontier against the French (by the Loss of which Province the Inhabitants of Maryland and Virginia would not be able to live only in Garrison) and having hitherto preserved that Post, the Burden whereof is intolerable to the inhabitants there, we think it reasonable and necessary that our several Colonies and Provinces of New England, Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania should be aiding and assisting from Time to Time the Governor or Commander-in-Chief of our said Province of New York in the Maintenance and Defense of it during the present War; and accordingly our Will and Pleasure is that upon the Application of the Said Governor or Commander-in-Chief, you do immediately send him such Aid or Assistance, in men or otherwise, for the security of our said Province from the Attempts of the French or Indians, as the conditions of the said plantations under your government shall permit, &c., and that you return a Speedy Account of your Proceeding herein to the End that such further Directions may be given as shall be necessary for Securing the Fort at Albany from the Attempts of our Enemies in those Parts. And so we bid you farewell.

"Given at our Court at Whitehall, the seventh day of October, 1692, in the fourth year of our Reign. By Her Majesty's command. "Nottingham."

In reply to Governor Fletcher's request that Supplies be voted to equip eighty (80) soldiers for the defence of Albany, etc., the Assembly replied: "We earnestly beseech that our Procedure in Legislature may be according to the usual method and Laws of this Government founded upon the late King's Letters Patent which we humbly conceive to be yet in Force, and therefore we desire the same may be confirmed unto us as our Rights and Liberties. -- And we (with all Faithfulness and Sincerity) do give what answer we are capable of, in the present circumstances we are under, to answer the Queen's Letter and thy Request according to our ability.
"3-mo. 17, 1693."

The same day the Governor replied: "The Constitution of their Majesties Government and that of Mr. Penn's are in a direct opposition, one to the other. I