Robert Mendenhall, Sr.

MENDENHALL, ROBERT Ancestor #: A077386 Service: PENNSYLVANIA Rank(s): CIVIL SERVICE, PATRIOTIC SERVICE Birth: 7-7-1713 CHESTER CO PENNSYLVANIA Death: 6-26-1785 CONCORD TWP CHESTER CO PENNSYLVANIA Service Source: ASHMEAD, HIST OF DELAWARE CO, PA, P41; PA HIST & MUS COMM, RG 4.61, ROLL #323; PA ARCH, 2ND SER, VOL 14, P 127; 3RD SER, VOL 12, P 340; 5TH SER, VOL 5, PP 451, 452 Service Description: 1) JUSTICE, 1776, PAID SUPPLY TAX, 1779, 1780, 1781; MEMBER OF REV COMMITTEE, 12-20-1774 - 1-9-1775; 2) MEMBER COMM OF OBSERVATION, 12-20-1774 .......................................... Much of the research about the family/ancestors/descendants of Robert Mendenhall, Sr. comes from Wally Garchow (wally@calweb.com).

Other sources of Mendenhall research: http://mendenhall.org/mfa/mailing-list/archive/0493.html, http://mendenhall.org/mfa/mailing-list/archive/0494.html, and http://mendenhall.org/ - Mendenhall Family Association website.

Little is known about the childhood of Robert Mendenhall, but sometime before his father's death in 1740 he received title to the family plantation and operated it during the rest of his father's lifetime. He would have been considered a very good catch when he announced his intentions to marry: "Robert Mendenhall and Phebe TAYLOR appered here & preposed their Intention of taking each other in marriage this being the first time Jacob Vernon and Richard Eavonson are appointed to Inquire into his Clearness relating to marriage & report to our next meeting" (Ref: Concord Monthly Meeting men's minutes 2nd, 8mo, 1734 pg. 265). His marriage certificate is also found in later minutes, 13 Nov 1734. (For a transcription of the Marriage Certificate of Robert Mendenhall and Phebe Taylor 13th, 9mo, 1734 - go to the Media/Documents section).

Children of the union of Robert & Phebe (Taylor) Mendenhall: Philip, Ann (Mendenhall) Pierce; Rebecca; Moses; John; Stephen; Joseph; Nathan; and Robert Mendenhall (http://mendenhall.org/).

After the death of his first wife Phebe on May 13, 1861, Robert, Sr. married for the 2nd time to Elizabeth (White) Hatton, widow of John Hatton, at Concord Meeting on 23 June 1762. Elizabeth was the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Harlan) White. Children born to Robert, Sr & Elizabeth (White) Hatton Mendenhall were: Elizabeth, William, Adam; and Phebe Mendenhall. Elizabeth also preceded him in death. (To read a transcription of this marriage certificate, go to the Media/Documents section).

Robert, Sr. was to marry one more time, to Esther (Medcalf) Newlin Temple, widow of Nathaniel Newlin & William Temple. This marriage occurred on February 6, 1777; a transcription of this certificate can also be seen in the Media/Documents section). No children were born to this union, and she survived him at his death. One note of interest related to this union: Robert's son John married his stepsister, i.e., his stepmother Esther's daughter, Tabitha Newlin.

Robert Mendenhall Sr. was intimately involved in the affairs of other members of the community, particularly the Society of Friends. He inventoried the Estate of Joseph Williams on 4,5 Oct. 1750. On 14 Nov. 1758 he signed the Inventory of the Estate of his adjacent neighbor Peter Hatton. On 27 Jan. 1759, he witnessed the will of Wm. Brinton and was named a trustee in the will. On 6 Oct. 1759, he was Executor of the will of Mary Hayward, a widow of Concord. He inventoried the Estate of Thomas Marshall on 15 Jan. 1760 and in the same year, that of John Gest on 25 Oct. 1760.

By 1760 Robert had cultivated and sowed 20 acres of the family farm, and had a servant, seven horses, 10 cattle, and 12 sheep.

On 29 Dec 1764 Robert signed the Will of Simon Gest, and was listed as co-executor with Simon's wife Mary. (Later on, Robert was guardian of John Gess (sic), possibly a child of Simon, mentioned in the recollections of Phebe Mendenhall Thomas).

In 1767/1768 Robert constructed and operated a sawmill along Deborah Run which was a branch of Chester Creek. This was on the old Mendenhall Tract. He ran it until 1788 when his son Stephen took over its operations through approximately 1793. It later went out of use. During this same period, two of his sons, Philip and Stephen, lived with him on the property; Philip farmed the eastern end (50 acres) and Stephen the western portion (200 acres).

In 1771 Robert was chosen as one of the Commissioners of Chester County, PA. He remained involved with the affairs of his Quaker friends, and on 27 Jan 1772 Robert witnessed the Will of Thomas Wilcox, the owner of the paper mill at Ivy Mills in Concord. On 6 Oct 1773, Robert was co-executor of the Simon Gest Estate and signed the Account of the Estate.

By 1774 Robert was listed in the Concord tax records as having a saw mill, 250 acres, 4 horses, 9 cattle, 10 sheep, 1 servant.

On 13 Jul 1774 and on 20 Dec 1775, Robert Mendenhall was a member of a committee to draft a set of resolutions in response to the selfish policy of England to her colonies which was aimed to make the colonies buy as much and sell as much as possible. Futhey and Cope called this period during Robert Mendenhall's life "the most momentous period of our history" saying: "The selfish policy pursued by Great Britain towards her colonies was more like what might be expected towards a conquered nation than that which marks the treatment of a child by a parent." Subsequent to the Boston Tea Party and the closing of that port by the English in 1774, Robert and others drew up resolutions for consideration by the Provincial Assembly. Though Robert was a Quaker and generally adhered to their tenets regarding military activity he didn't hesitate in political activity that could result in military action. Futhey & Cope notes further that "... the period under consideration was one of great tribulation with the more staid members of the Society of Friends. Their tenets imposed a condition of perfect neutrality, and this was generally adhered to; but many, and among them men in high repute for their intelligence, took an active part in opposing the arbitrary measures of the mother-country. The effect of allowing their members to participate in the commotions of the times was foreseen, and the most kindly caution was repeatedly administered by the visitation of committees." Perhaps this is one reason that Robert's name is not found subsequently in similar efforts.

In Feb 1776, Robert brought suit, in the court at Chester, against Thomas Hall, Jr., a member and vestryman of St John's Church in Concord, to recover a debt of 300 Pounds. (CCA Inquisition Papers, Mar 1776) The court ruled that Thomas Hall, Jr.'s land could not produce sufficient revenue in 7 years to repay the debt, so his property was seized in the name of King George III, and subjected to sale by the High Sheriff, Nathaniel Vernon, Esq. In May 1776, Robert bought the 100 acres and, 7 months later, sold it back to Stephen Hall, who wanted to recover the original Hall homestead. (CCCH Deed Bk. V p.533) Thomas Hall Jr. had received the property in the will of his father, Thomas Hall, Sr., in 1704. (CCA Estate Papers #60) On 15 Jul 1776, Robert was appointed Justice of Common Pleas by a Convention, although it is uncertain whether he acted in this capacity as there were no sessions of court held between May 1776 and Aug 1777.

The Chester County Tax List for 1779 shows Robert Mendenhall as having 200 acres, 2 cattle, no horses, cattle or servants. One can only assume that he suffered severely at the tax collectors hands. They routinely confiscated goods of citizens, particularly the Quakers, who refused to pay the war taxes. A vivid description of this practice, as seen through the eyes of a 7 year old, is described in the 'Recollections' of his daughter, Phebe Mendenhall Thomas, mentioned previously. By 1781 he was assessed on a saw mill, 200 acres, and 1 cattle; no horses, sheep or servants.

Robert Mendenhall, Sr. died 23 Jun 1785, as a result of severe injuries sustained from a fall from his riding chair (a light carriage). Thomas Hatton was summoned to bleed him. (See affidavits following.) That his death was sudden and unexpected is illustrated by the flurry caused by his injury. He had not signed his Will and was quite concerned that his Estate would not be properly settled, and so he called a number of witnesses to attest to the fact that he had a will, although unsigned, and wished it to be probated. (Copies of transcriptions of the Will and accompanying affidavits can be seen in the Media/Documents section). His son Philip entered a 'Caveat' to challenge the Will but shortly withdrew it and the will was submitted for probate. It is understandable that he would challenge the Will as he was only allowed to keep the 50 acres of farm, which he had worked, during his and his wife's lifetime, and then it was to revert to his father's estate. Stephen inherited the plantation on which his father had lived. Robert's son John, is only mentioned in the will to the extent that he got the largest Clothes Press (portable upright clothes closet). Possibly he had already been provided for, or possibly he was disinherited for fighting in the Revolutionary War. No record has been found to explain.