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This file contains:
Saved envelope cover to: President Richard Nixon, from: The Owl, Official Publication of the Wing Family of America, Mrs. Dorothy L. Laurianti, 1067 Oxford Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio [Other Document], 10/3/1970
1724 Court House Fund re: President Nixon's Baldwin Ancestors Next Door Neighbors to the Court House in Chester. 1 page with attachment of geneology. [Letter], n.d.
Copy of Die Trimmer Frienschoft Und Historie 1690-1969 by Rodney W. Trimmer. Trimmer family history. 6 pages with attachments on geneology. [Report], 9/1/1969
Copied pages from The Brinton Genealogy, a book regarding the Brintons' key pedigree. Copies of page 30-43, 60, 97-119. 22 pages total. [Report], n.d.
Nixon family geneaology tree. 2 pages. [Report], n.d.
From: Henry Swanzy, BBC External Services to: Miss Woods, Personal Secretary to the President, re: Nixon family geneaology. 1 page. [Letter], 5/10/1972
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26126290
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WHSF: Returned, 12-2
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WHSF: Returned, 12-2
description
This file contains:
Saved envelope cover to: President Richard Nixon, from: The Owl, Official Publication of the Wing Family of America, Mrs. Dorothy L. Laurianti, 1067 Oxford Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio [Other Document], 10/3/1970
1724 Court House Fund re: President Nixon's Baldwin Ancestors Next Door Neighbors to the Court House in Chester. 1 page with attachment of geneology. [Letter], n.d.
Copy of Die Trimmer Frienschoft Und Historie 1690-1969 by Rodney W. Trimmer. Trimmer family history. 6 pages with attachments on geneology. [Report], 9/1/1969
Copied pages from The Brinton Genealogy, a book regarding the Brintons' key pedigree. Copies of page 30-43, 60, 97-119. 22 pages total. [Report], n.d.
Nixon family geneaology tree. 2 pages. [Report], n.d.
From: Henry Swanzy, BBC External Services to: Miss Woods, Personal Secretary to the President, re: Nixon family geneaology. 1 page. [Letter], 5/10/1972
citationUrl
collections
Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Returned White House Special Files
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26126290
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number Folder Number Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
12
2
10/03/1970
Other Document
Saved envelope cover to: President Richard
Nixon, from: The Owl, Official Publication
of the Wing Family of America, Mrs.
Dorothy L. Laurianti, 1067 Oxford Road,
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
12
2
n.d.
Letter
1724 Court House Fund re: President Nixon's
Baldwin Ancestors Next Door Neighbors to
the Court House in Chester. 1 page with
attachment of geneology.
12
2
09/1969
Report
Copy of Die Trimmer Frienschoft Und
Historie 1690-1969 by Rodney W. Trimmer.
Trimmer family history. 6 pages with
attachments on geneology.
12
2
n.d.
Report
Copied pages from The Brinton Genealogy, a
book regarding the Brintons' key pedigree.
Copies of page 30-43, 60, 97-119. 22 pages
total.
12
2
n.d.
Report
Nixon family geneaology tree. 2 pages.
12
2
05/10/1972
Letter
From: Henry Swanzy, BBC External
Services to: Miss Woods, Personal Secretary
to the President, re: Nixon family
geneaology. 1 page.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Page 1 of 1
Stone Mountain Memorial
The OWL
SANDWI
OCT
EAST
3
UNITED STATES 6 CENTS
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
AM
Stone Mountain Memorial
1970
The Wing Family of America
0253
Circulated from
232 Massachusetts Avenue
UNITED STATES 6 CENTS
Boston, Massachusetts 02115
Return Postage Guaranteed
Stone Mountain Memorial
.NDWI
Mrs. Dorothy L. Laurianti
OCT
EAST
3
1067 Oxford Road
AM
UNITED STATES 6 CENTS
1970
Stone Mountain Memorial
Cleveland,Heights, Ohio
OCT - 6-1975 6
02531
44121 44
UNITED STATES 6 CENTS
President Richard Nixon
White House
Washington, D.C.
1724
COURT
FUND
HOUSE
HISTORIC DELAWARE COUNTY, INC., TREASURER
BOX 267
SWARTHMORE, PENNSYLVANIA
President Nimon's Baldwin Ancestors
Next Door Neighbors to the Court House
in Chester
Historians and preservationists of Delaware County are now engaged in a campaign
to raise 14,000 to save the old Court House in Chester from further deteriora-
tion. This is with the understanding that if these immediate maintenance funds
can be provided, the Commenwealth of Pennsylvania will accept this building
now, and it will be administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum
Commission. This Court House was erected for the original Chester County. After
the division in1789 this oldest settled part became Delaware County. This build-
ing is eleven years older than Independence Hall and was in use until recently.
During research it was discovcred that the John Baldwin, who owned the western
half of the block, was a direct encestor of President Wixon's. The President's
mother was Hannah Milhous. But there was as earlier ancestor, Hannah Baldwin
Wilhous, inthe days of the American Revolution. She married William Milhous,
youngest son of the imaigrant, Thomas Milhous, and his wife Sarah Miller Milhous.
The earlier Hannah was the daughter of Joshua Baldwin, who was born in Chester
in 1722. His father was John Baldwin, Jr. the saddler. 1697-1728. His fahter
was John Baldwin, the immigrant, who came to Pennsylvania in the 1680's and
married the widow Catharine Turner in 1689. John Baldwin, Jr. was their only
son. The father was ? carpenter who moved into Chester where he became 3 well-
to-do merchant long before his death in 1731.
On a survey map of early settlers in Chester. prepared by Chester F. Baker in
1928, we find the land of John Baldwin Sr. on Front Street, now Edgmont, taking
up one-half of the uare. To the east was the Court House, and down toward
Fourth Street were the jail or work house and the sheriff's home. The view of
the Court House from the Baldwin property would be the western end, as on the
illustration above.
It is probable that both father and son lived on this propert, and were so close
that they could give daily inspection in 172, when this fine stone building
was put up. The early records are missing. We wish we knew whether John Sr.
decided to lend his skill 95 a carpenter, and whether John Jr. made some leather
fire buckets to protect the Court House. Unfortunately John Jr. died the year
before the bell was made in London. This bell is still used.
Joshua, Hannah's father, was bor in Chester in 1722, and unless he was very
precccions he did not remember this great. event two years later. But the
Court House must have made considerable impression on him. He uoved to East
Celn Township, where his Grandfather Baldwin had bought land. And thus Hannah
Baldwin lived not too far from William -ilhous, whom she married in 1767. The
Milhous family had moved from New Garden to Pikeland Township.
Rev. Stephen Bachiler, Born Hampshire Co. England 1561. B. A. College
of St. John's, Oxford 1583. Vincer of Holy Cross 1585, an "incomformist".
Came to Mass, with widowed daughters Deborah and Ann in "William and
Frances" in 1632. Pastor, Saugus, Mass. 1633. Founded church and town,
Hampton, N. H. 1637. School teacher dictated to church and Mr. Bachiler
was first to advocate separation of church and state. Died in England in
1660, in his 100th year.
Nathaniel
Deborah
Rev. Stephen
Rev. Samuel
Ann
Theodate
B-1590. Wed
B-1592. Wed Rev John
B-1594.
B-1596.
B-1601.
1603-1649. Wed Christopher Hus
Helen Mercer.
Wing. B. A. Queen's
Magdalen College
Chaplain to
Wed John
sey. B-1595. Son of John. They
College, Oxford 1603.
Oxford 1610.
Morgans
Sanborn.
arrived Mass. in "Wm & Frances
Nathaniel
Regiment in
Died 1630.
July 1630.
Widowed, Deborah and
Francis Cook
Holland.
Nathaniel
her 4 sons came to
came in May-
She came
John
Mass. with Rev. Stephen
flower 1620.
to Mass.
Nathaniel
on "William & Frances"
wad
with Step-
John
1632.
Hester Mahieu
hen & 3
Susanna Wed
1603
sons in
John
Ebenezer Webster. Stephen
1632.
Abigail Wed
John
DANIEL WEBSTER
Mary Wed
Esther Wed
Whittier
B- N. H. 1782
William Taber
Thomas Taber
Record
JOHN GREEN-
Amaziah-in Rev.
Joseph
LEAF WHITTIER
Lydia Wed
B-Mass. 1807.
Jacob Griffith
Wing - Judge
Amos
William
Elizabeth Wed
Charles William
Joshua Milhou
Ruth Taber Wed Nathern Whitelessy
Franklin
Ezra Milhous
Edith
Hannah
Ezra
Jane
Olive
Wed Francis Nixon
Compiled by Ruth Milhous from Wing and Taber Geneologies
PRESIDENT RICHARD MILHOUS NIXON
DIE TRIMMER FRIENSCHOFT UND HISTORIE 1690-1969
One day in early spring in 1738, Johannes Trimmer, and his wife
Mary, and their 5 children, Matthias, Anthony, Andrew, George,
and Herbert left their home in the Palatinate area of Germany.
Wending their way up the Rhine Valley they made their way to
Rotterdam in Holland, here with many other German Palatinate's
they booked passage on the ship "DAVY." It is probable that as
many as 250-300 left Rotterdam and sailed across the English
Channel to Cowes. After taking on last minute provisions they
set sail for AMERICA! Oh! the dream of a new life in Pennsylvania.
Many of their friends had already migrated to the new world and
had written them letters of freedom and opportunities in this
new land. Indeed Mary's father or brother is thought to have
come to America with Peter Becker in 1719. But alas not many
days out of port, many of the immigrants began to take sick.
One by one they became worse, and died. Mary Trimmer was one of
these, whose dream of a new life in America, died and was buried
at sea. Even the ship's crew could not escape the sickness as
the captain, Wm. Pation, the 1st and 2nd mates, also died and
were buried at sea. The ship's carpenter took command of the
ship and finally brought it into Philadelphia on Saturday, Oct.
25, 1738, Only 94 men and 47 women's names are listed in the
ship records as having reached Philadelphia. Children under 16
yrs. of age were not counted. Johannes Trimmer took the oath of
allegiance to the King of England the same day and was cleared
to land. It seems Johannes Trimmer was illiterate as he signed
the ships registery with an (X). The English crew had much
trouble understanding the Germans and even more difficulty writ-
ing the unfamiliar names. Johanne's name appeared as this-
Ja.3(X) Trimma
-2-
How long he remained in Philadelphia, we do not know-he then
moved to Hunterdon County., N. J. He settled near what was
then Baptistown, later changed to Dunkertown, finally to the
present name of Amwell. He remarried in 1738 to Elsie Engel
and to this union 7 more children were born-Anna, Christine,
William, John, Nicholas, Judith, and Henry. He married Mary
Cabine about 1748 but had no children.
Johannes associated with the other German families at Amwell,
among whom were-Dierdorffs, Beleshomers, Loosheets, (Latshaw),
Houshell, Mohr (More) and others, who were associated with
the establishment of the German Baptist church in America.
Johannes Trimmer is not listed by Brumbaugh as being a member
of the church in Germany, so evidently he was a convert early
after he came to America. Johannes and his oldest son Matthias,
were Naturalized by the New Jersey Provincial Council on Monday,
Nov. 12, 1744. Must of the German families around this area
came from the Laasphe, Neuwitt or Kreyfeld area of Germany.
Four or five of these families came to New Jersey in 1733 along
with John Naas, and established a church there. The Trimmers
and others arrived about 5 years later and became a part of
the setilement and church. John Naas was the first preacher
of this group and after his death, May 12, 1741, John Beleshomer
and Wm. Housell were elected to succeed him. Wm. Housell was
the brother of Susunna, the wife of Andrew Trimmer, Sr. We
find John Beleshomer's name, along with Henry Dierdorff and
Hans (Johannes) Trimmer on a will dated 1739, probated in
Hunterdon Co., N. J. which proves they were neighbors at Amwell.
Many other instances of these names appearing on wills, deeds,
and other legal transactions proves the close relationship here
in America and probably before in Germany.
-3-
Johannes Trimmer was burn about 1690 and died February- 1750.
Andrew Sr. and George moved to upper York County in 1767, along
with Bossermans, Rentsels, Dierdorffs, Augenbaughs, Latshaws,
Browns, Brughs and others, George moved back to New Jersey
about 1800, and died in 807. York county at that time was
part of Lancaster County. The Original grant of land was from
the Penns. in about ! 148 and came down thru several owners until
George and Andrew bought them. George's property was 451 acres,
known 33 "Lowhille", Andrew T-immer's property was 120 acres.
George sold his property to his oldest son Anthony when he
moved back to New Jersey. Anthony is listed in the 1783 census
of Warrington Township as owning 300 acres, valued at L432.
Andrew Trimmer, Sr. died in 1793 and his will was probated
October 29, 1793, He and his wife Susannah were Members of
the Conewago Congregation in 1770.
Andrew Trimmer, Jr. is listed as serving in the Revolutionary
war. A tablet erected on his grave reads as follows "This
tablet erected as a memorial to Andrew Trimmer, a soldier in
the Revolutionary war, By his decendents through his daughter
*Sonpia Trimmer who married Jacob Brugh who was also a soldier
in the Revolutionary War. Both were Pennsylvania Troops."
Note: "This is in error, and should read his sister.
John and Andrew Trimmer are listed as privates in the 7th Co.,
7th Battalion, york Militia in 1777 and 1778 under Capt. John
Ament. They are also listed, along with Peter Trimmer, in
6th Company, 5th Battulion on Sept, 11, 1781 under Capt. Andrew
Bally. However this may be in error as both Peter & John's
names appear repeatedly in the book of fines for refusing to
serve, or report you muster, nus
-4.
Also as John was a bishop in the German Baptist Church and
being pacifists it would not seem likely that he served in
the war. John was J.LE 06 the Bishops of the German Baptist
Church present at the Annual Meeting in 1819, held on the
farm of Issas Lat. haw on the Conewago Creek.
John & Andrew and their wives and some children, along with
many Diendorffs are busied near Ort's Mill in a private cemetary,
which was deeded to remain forever in the hands of the heirs.
William Trimmer, son of John, was the presiding elder of the
Big Conewago district in 1849. It was divided that year into
Upper and Luwer Conewage and as he resided in the New Lower
Conewago, he was the first presiding elder of the District.
Peter Diendorso and Peter Trimmer (son of Barnet) were ministers
in the Lower Cowerege district. Samuel Trimmer's name appears
on the voting lind for a "Brother at the Word." Services were
held at Dancel 6, Trammers, among others, until the 1st
Bermudian Meeting House was built in 1856. In the year 1856,
71 perches from Win Harlacher and 123 perches from Peter
Trimmer were surveyed 066 for the church grounds. Peter
Trimmer served 39 the Building committee. The deed was granted
on April 18 860. The amount paid for the Land was: $94.34
The amount paid in the first church building was $1,500.00.
In 1886 it desided to build a larger church building, and
this was scipe. Ted :: 1887 at the cost of $2,553.84.
Absolum Trime: cas 0 trustee of the church when more land was
purchased in 1833. The large horse sheds were erected in 1895
on this merdy account land.
John Trimmer that chusen us the representative of the German
Baptist Charch a Custee for the Altland Meeting House in
1795. != 1611 Crimmer was also a trustee for Altland's.
-5-
John S. Trimmer ran a store in Bigmount from 1837 - 1857 on land
originally conveyed by the proprietaries of Penna. to Peter
Craver in 1750. Clement Trimmer also clerked in the store when
it was owned by John Zinn.
General Jubal Early stayed overnight at the Zinn home on his
invasions of Pennsylvania in 1863. Emma Zinn, daughter of the
owner married Clement G. Trimmer George w. Trimmer later
bought the home.
During the Civil War, Clement G. Trimmer and eighteen of his
neighbors left home with 45 horses intending to go to Lancaster
County, however when they reached Wrightsville, they could not
cross the Susquehanna, as the bridge had been burned. They
turned north into the river hills and hid for a week, then
thinking the danger over started for home. when they were
within 5 -miles of home they were captured by the Confederates
and forced to march 10 miles further, where they were relieved
of their horses, and had to walk home-arriving the next morning
Daniel K. Trimmer, a prominent lawyer in York was the grandson
of Wm. Trimmer. He was a Charter Member of The York County
Historical Society.
Ephraim & Aaron Trimmer were school teachers and are listed a-
mong the teachers attending the First Teacher's Institute in
York on December 23, 1854.
This is a short resume 06 the Trimmers in York & Adams County.
Space doesn't permit the inclusion of all the interesting facts
concerning the Trimmer's
As to the other children of Johannes most of them stayed in
New Jersey.
-6-
However some of Johannes decendants migrated westward with the
expansion of the country. Some settled in Yates Co., New Yorh;
Washington County Pennsylvania; Ohio, Kansas and other western
states until I suppose at the present probably in all 50 States
Some other prominent names associated with the Trimmers would
be President Richard M. Nixon whose great grandmother was
Margaret Hunt Trimmer who married George Nixon.
Spangler A. Brugh, better known as the late Robert Taylor,
star of screen and TV "Death Valley Days" is a direct decendant
of Sophia Trimmer who married Jacob Brugh, mentioned before as
being a soldier in the Revolutionary war.
Another name prominent in finance and politics is Rochefeller
Eliza Trimmer, great granddaughter of Johannes, married a
Rockefeller a forefather of the modern day family.
BY: RODNEY W. TRIMMER
SEPTEMBER - 1939
INFORMATION SOURCE:
The Late Ira Brown, & Raymond Bell
York County Historical Society
Prowell's History 06 York County
History of the Southern District of Penna.
Brumbaugh's History of the Brethern
MATTHIAS
PAUL
ANTHONY
MARGARET
1723-1793
1750-1825
1781-1841
1826-1865
CHILDREN
Anna Nochbur
Jane
Margaret
George
OF:
Mcelwain
Hunt
Nixon
1821-1863
JOHANNES
ANTHONY
MARY
TRIMMER
1725-1754
1752
PETER
1690+1750
Elizabeth
1808-1900
1723-1781
ANTHONY
Mary
And
1754-1838
Harlacher
Matilda
MARY DIERDORFF
ANDREW
MARY
Gouchenour
1700-1738
1727-1793
1747-1817
Susanna
Anthony
JOHN S.
Houshell
Dierdorff
1812-1899
1747-1806
JONAS
GEORGE
JOHN
BARNET
1815-1884
1729-1806
1750-1831
1774-1848
Sara Grove
Ann Hoppock
Christina
Catherine
1825-1863
1748-1823
Shriver
1784-1823
ELIZABETH
HERBERT
SOPHIA
1814-1872
1730-1810
1752-1835
Mary Beck
Martha Case
Jacob Brugh
1791-1866
GEORGE
1752-1828
JOHANNES
ANNA
WILLIAM
DANIEL B-
1739-
ANDREW
1784-1870
1813-1900/874
and
1753-1832
Catherine
Elizabeth
2nd wife
Susanna
1784-1853
1815-1900
CHRISTINE
1753-1841
ELSIE
1740-
ENGEL
PETER
ANDREW
JACOB
1757-1790
1782-1869
1811-1881
WILLIAM
1742-
DAVID
(weaver)
1762-1842
CHRISTINA
JOHN
1764-
1743-1820
(Picking)
MATTHIAS
NICHOLAS
1766-1799
1745-1825
(Elizabeth)
Ann Bowman
1774-1865
-1814
WILLIAM
JACOB
JACOB
1768-1844
1795-1860
1832-1910
JUDITH
Anna Sterner
Susanna
Elizabeth
1746-1798
1757-1849
Saur
Miller
Matthias
1807-1893
1837-1918
Dufford
ELENORA
1738-1818
1770-1853
3rd. wife
MARY CABINE
AMOS
ELIZA
(No children)
HENRY
1814-
(Rockefeller)
1747-
Susanna Scott
SAMUEL
FRANCIS A
RICHARD M.
TRICIA
NIXON
NIXON
NIXON
1847-1914
Hannah
Patricia
JULIE
Sarah
Millhouse
David
Eisenhower
BARNET
ELLEN
1837-1923
1864-1939
Elizabeth
John Hull
Paup
1835-1906
JANE
1865-1903
KESIA
Theo. wagner
IDA
1838-1929
Albert
Elias
EMMA
Hollinger
1867-1964
EDITH
Erma
Jesse
Howard
ABSOLUM
Crawford
Bufflap
Ruth
1840-1919
1868-1917
ANNA
Jean
Gina
Maria
Esther
Alfred
Lichty
ALBERT
SANFORD
William
Greco
Angelo
1842-1925
1870-1964
1899-19c
Treider
Caroline
Camilla
Abbie
SOLOMAN
1873-1916
David
Andrew
1846-1854
PAUL
Wyckoff
HATTIE
Amelia
Heide
TELTA
1872-1950
Nancy
1850-1869
Harry Hoffman
FAIRY
Hollinger
1870-1946
Melvin
Linda
PETER
ANNA
HARRY
1851
1874-1917
Evelyn
CLEM G.
ROETTA
1846-1921
1879
ETHEL
Emma Zinn
Henry weir
1849-1922
GRACE
CHAUNCEY
GEORGE
1885-
I
HAZEL
1849-1886
Nellie
Barbara
HELEN
Walters
IDA
1847-1924
JOHN
LANDIS
DANTEL K
1887-1918
1846-
Louise
DANIEL F.
1864-1924
SPANGLER
(Robert Taylor)
1830-1917
JACOB
DR. SPANGLER
SPANGLER A.
1853-1937
A. BRUGH
1911-1969
JACOB E
1881-1933
1879-1958
JACOB IV
Elizabeth
KENNETH
Pfaltzgraff
1879-1933
ROBERT
Martha
Pfaltzgraff
30
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
31
BRINTONS OF EYTON AND LONGFORD.
BRINTONS OF EYTON AND LONGFORD.
I. ROBERT de BRINTON, of BRINTON, Berks, m. 1155 (?) Eva,
KEY PEDIGREE.
dau. and heiress of Hamo of Longford and Eyton. He died about
1185, leaving issue:
II. SIR ADAM de BRINTON, Knight Lord of Eyton and Longford,
ODO
succeeded 1216; actual Lord thereof in 1217 after he had returned to
the fealty of K. John. He d. Jan. 26th, 1236.
(2) John.
HAMO, m. SIBIL
III. SIR ADAM de BRINTON, Kt., son of II, Lord of Eyton and Long-
ford, succeeded 1236, d. 1274, leaving issue:
IV. SIR ADAM de BRINTON, Kt., son and heir, b. about 1244. He m.
I. ROBERT, m. EVA
AGNES
Mary, who d. 1338. He was Lord of Eyton and Longford He d. 1315,
leaving issue:
V. SIR JOHN de BRINTON, Lord of Eyton and Longford, b. 1287. He
II. ADAM
(2) JOHN
m. Isabel, who d. 1343. They left issue (see below-VI). He d. 1336.
(2) Thomas, Rector of Eyton, b. 1305 (?) incumbent 1324 (?).
VI. SIR THOMAS de BRINTON, son and heir of Sir John (V). b. about
III. ADAM
1310. Lord of Eyton and Longford. He m. (1) Margaret, 1339.
They had issue (see below-VII, 1 and 2). He m. (2) Agnes, and
by her left issue (see below-VII, 3).
IV. ADAM
(2) Elias, Rector of Newnham, d. 1394.
=
(3) William, Rector of Longford.
VII. SIR THOMAS de BRINTON, son and heir of Sir John (VI). Lord
V. JOHN
(2) THOMAS
of Eyton and Longford, b. about 1340, d. September 13th, 1382. He
left issue (see below-VIII).
(2) William, d. s.p.
(3) Elizabeth, who m. William Stokes, and by him left issue:
VI. JOHN
(2) ELIAS
(3) WILLIAM
i. John Stokes de Brinton, cousin and heir of Sir Thomas, 1438.
VIII. THOMAS de BRINTON, b. 1380, d. 1382.
VII. THOMAS
(2) WILLIAM
(3) ELIZABETH
ROBERT de BRINTON, born about 1125. He held the
manor of Brimpton, Berks, under Earl Hugh de Mortimer.
VIII. THOMAS
In Domesday Book the manor is set down as held in 1086 by
(i) JOHN STOKES
Ralph de Mortimer, who was a relative of William the Con-
queror and is described by an old author as "one of the chief-
est Commanders in his whole Army, and the most puissant
of his Captains." He held nearly a hundred lordships, five
of them in Berkshire. As was the custom at the Conquest,
he let these to his friends and followers on feudal tenures,
by which the holder was bound to military service under
32
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
33
specified conditions. That portion of the parish of Brinton
Stafford. He had no male issue, but left three unmarried daugh-
which he possessed, he let, in this manner, to one of his fol-
ters, Eva, Agnes and Emma, who, accordingly, became royal
lowers, who took from it his second name, and called himself
wards. Emma was disposed of by being sent to the nunnery of
"de Brinton," signifying of or from Brinton.
Kingston, Wilts; Agnes was, apparently, not provided with a hus-
ROBERT de BRINTON also held the Manor of Long-
band; while Eva was given in marriage about 1155 to the above-
ford, Shropshire, direct from the King as tenant-in-chief. He
mentioned Robert de Brinton, of Berks, who thus became tenant-
obtained this latter through his marriage with Eva, daughter
in-chief of the Manor of Longford, in right of his wife.
of Hamo, Lord of Longford, in the following manner:
ROBERT de BRINTON also came into possession of
When Hugo de Belesme, Earl of Shropshire, made his in-
Lacerton, in Dorsetshire, Church-Eaton-cum-Orslow, Staf-
effectual attempt at rebellion, in 1102, his land and that of
fordshire, and Middle Aston, Oxfordshire; the two latter
his associates was confiscated to the crown, and given by the
being held under the Barons Stafford.
king to his favorites, on the feudal tenure called "in chief,"
It was probably partly as a reward for his loyalty to his
in capite.
King in these troublous times that Robert de Brinton re-
Such "tenants-in-chief" were divided into three classes,
ceived the hand and lands of Eva, and partly as being one of
those holding by "homage ancestral," those by "grand ser-
Henry II's itinerant justices. It certainly was not through
jeantry," which implied the performance of personal service,
the good offices of his feudal chief, Hugh de Mortimer, who
and those by "petty serjeantry," which was the yearly pay-
opposed the King's accession.
ment of some implement of war to the king. Until after the
The most important record preserved of this Robert de
battle of Evesham, in 1265, which cut down the power of the
Brinton, is a letter from him contained in an ancient docu-
nobles, every tenant-in-chief was, ipso facto, a baron of the
ment called "The Black Book of the Exchequer," compiled
realm, and a member of the Great Councif of the king, nor
about the year 1164. In that year Henry II betrothed his
had the king the right to omit to summon him to attend its
daughter Maud, or Mathilda, then eight years of age, to the
sessions. On the other hand, when a tenant-in-chief died
Emperor of Germany, and took advantage of the occasion to
without male issue, his daughters became royal wards, whom
exercise his privilege of levying a special tax, called an aid,
the king might give, with their estates, in marriage to whom
on all his tenants-in-chief. They were summoned to show
he pleased.
how much land each held from the crown, and on what terms,
Now, among those to whom the lands of Hugo and his
both at his accession in 1154, and in the time of his grand-
associates were given, was a certain Hamo, who received, as
father, Henry I.
tenant-in-chief, the manor of Longford, or Langford, on the
The reply which Robert de Brinton sent was as follows,
eastern border of Shropshire, close to the Staffordshire line.
written in the usual law Latin of that day:
Hamo had as wife, Ethelinda, otherwise called Sibil, or
Basilia Fitz Odo, a name hinting at high Norman connections.
CARTA ROBERTI DE BRINTON.
He died about 1160, seized of this manor of Longford, in
Karissimo Domino suo ligio H. Regi Anglorum etc., suus homo ligius
Shropshire, of Lacerton, in Dorsetshire, of Church-Eaton-
Robertus de Brinton salutem et fidele servitium.
cum-Orslow (Chirche-Eyton-cum-Orselawe), in Staffordshire,
Mihi et aliis comparibus meis, per literas vestras innotuit, ut per fidem
about six miles southeast of Longford, and of Mid-Aston,
et ligantiam, quam vobis debemus, vobis per breve nostrum, pendens extra
sigillum, mandaremus quot milites habemus de vetero feodamento de tempore
in Oxfordshire; both of these latter held under the Barons
regis H. avi vestri, et quot milites habeamus de novo feodamento post tempus
34
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY..
THEBRINTON GENEALOGY.
35
Regis H. avi vestri, super Dominium nostrum. Inde est, quod vobis ut
Domino meo karissimo, mando quod de vetero feodamento nullum militem
house of Fitz Odo, which claimed even royal blood, to any but a
habeo, praeter feodum unius quem mihi cum quadam liberali muliere, nomine
Norman of recognized position.
Eva, quae est haeres, per servitium unius militis dedistis, faciendo servi-
By the 12th Century, however, Normans and Saxons were
tium ad custum vestrum.
De novo autem feodamento, vel super Dominium meum, nullum militem
mixing more freely, and the Norman name of Robert is not an
habea. Et vobis quidem, et filio vestro, ligantiam et hominium feci.
absolutely sure index of his nationality.
Soon after his marriage, Robert, with the consent of his wife
Translation:
Eva, gave the Church of Eyton to Polesworth Nunnery, War-
THE LETTER OF ROBERT OF BRINTON.
wickshire, the Church of Longford to Shrewsbury Abbey, and
the Church of Lacerton to Kingston Nunnery, Wiltshire. This
To his most dear liege lord Henry, King of the English, his liege man
Robert of Brinton, (sends) greeting and loyal service.
gift is the last and most important of those enumerated in Henry
To me, and others my compeers, it has been notified by your letter, that
II's confirmation of 1155. As the King had only been a few
by the loyalty and liege service we owe to you, we should inform you by
months on the throne, it is hereby proved that Robert de Brinton's
our writing, with seal attached, how many knights' fees we have of the old
marriage and investiture in Longford must belong to that in-
feoffment of the time of King Henry, your grandfather, and how many
terval.
knights' fees we have of the new feoffment after the time of King Henry,
your grandfather, (assessed) upon our demesne. Therefore it is that I
He subsequently quarreled with the monks of Shrewsbury,
inform you that of the old feoffment I have no knight's fee, except the fee
and demanded back the Church of Longford. On their refusal to
of one, which you gave me with a certain gentlewoman, by name Eva, who
is heir thereof, by service of one knight, the service to be performed at your
restore it, he armed his men and seized the Chapel of Kinnersley,
expense.
belonging to the Abbey. This led to a law suit and his final re-
Of the new feoffment, or (assessed) upon my own demesne, I have no
covery of Longford Church.
knight's fee; and I have done liege service and man service, both to you and
Robert died on or before 1185, leaving his widow, and their
to your son.
two sons, Adam and John. The widow appears to have held the
In explanation of the terms here used, it may be added that a
estates up to and after the time of her marriage with Walter de
"knight's fee," or the duty of furnishing to the feudal chief, when
Witefield in 1190 or 1191. He was a litigious person and spent
he called for it, the service of one man-at-arms, was required by
much of his time in prosecuting suits about his wife's property.
the Normans as the rental of a certain quantity of land, and,
One of these was against her sister Agnes, who, though legally
hence, came to mean that quantity.
coheiress with Eva, seems to have been practically disinherited.
This was equivalent to £20 a year (xx librates) and probably
Walter de Witefield died in 1215, and
amounted to about 480 acres.
SIR ADAM de BRINTON entered into possession of his
There can be little question but that Robert was of French,
father's estates, and is described as Lord of Eyton and Longford
and not Saxon descent. His name alone is almost sufficient.
in 1216. Just at that time took place the insurrection of the
"Every Robert," says Mr. Freeman, speaking of the Christian
barons against King John, which resulted in the signing of the
names in England, in that period, "was Norman, beyond a
Magna Charta. Adam was an ardent supporter of the move-
doubt.' His rank as tenant-in-chief would not have been allowed
ment, and came in for a share of the King's vengeance. By a
to a Saxon; nor would Henry II have so violated the prejudices
royal writ, dated September 15th, 1216, his lands were confiscated
of the age as to have given the hand of an heiress of the Norman
and given to his brother John de Brinton. But King John dying
very shortly afterwards, and the barons succeeding in their de-
*"History of the Norman Conquest", vol. v, p. 558.
36
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
37
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
mands, Adam was reinvested in his domain by a writ of Henry
In 1260 King Henry III wished to negotiate a truce with
III, dated November 4th, 1217.
Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, and appointed Adam de Brinton,
At the assizes of 1221, Adam de Brinton is named as one of
together with Thomas de Roshal and Hoel ap Madoc, commis-
the Knightly Jurors who tried the cases of the Grand Assize.
sioners for this purpose, to meet the Welsh Prince at the Ford of
Adam died in 1235, and was succeeded by his son, Adam, the
Montgomery in the Welsh Marches. For their expenses on this
second of the name. On January 26th, 1236, the King ordered
journey, the "Pipe Roll" of 1261 records the payment to them
the Sheriff of Shropshire to take security of one hundred shil-
by the Sheriff of £7. 10. 0.
lings, the Relief Fee, due from the second Adam upon his inherit-
By the award of Roger Meuland, Bishop of Coventry and
ance. The King received his homage.
Lichfield, dated in April, 1261, a final concord was made between
His fees or holdings, in 1240, are enumerated as follows:
Adam de Brinton, Lord of Eyton, and the Abbess of Polesworth,
"In Shropshire, one fee, in capite, in Longford; in Staffordshire,
by which it was agreed, he should nominate a fit clerk to the said
nuns.
one fee of the Baron Stafford, in Eyton (Church Eaton) and
Orselawe; in Oxfordshire, half a fee of the Baron Stafford, in
It is recorded that in the Barons' War, 1264-1266, Adam de
Middle Aston and in Berkshire, one fee in Brinton, under Ralph
Brinton remained loyal to the King.
The writ of "Diem clausit extremum" was tested at West-
de Mortimer." According to the land measure already quoted,
this would make sixteen hundred and eighty acres in all.
minster on June 20th, 1274. He probably lived about seventy
In 35 Henry III (1250-1) Adam de Brinton had a grant of
years.
free warran in his manor of Eyton, County Stafford, as also a
He was succeeded by his son Adam (third of the name), who
market on Mondays, and a fair on the vigil and the day of St.
was born about 1244. The annual return of the manor of Lang-
Edith (April 25th).
ford, at that time, was appraised at £8. 13. 10. As its tenant
On August 6th, 1253 (37 Henry III), the King set sail from
under the crown, Adam was bound to provide one soldier, with
a "barbed" horse (that is, one furnished with a kind of defensive
Portsmouth with three hundred ships filled with troops to sup-
press an insurrection in Gascony. The Patent Roll of 37 Henry
armour, made of leather studded with projecting iron spikes,
III shews that certain Staffordshire tenants took out letters of
called la barbe), for forty days, whenever the king, in person,
should approach Wales.
Protection for the expedition. amongst them Adam de Brinton.
In 1254 he was returned amongst those who held 20 librates
He married in 1293. His wife's name was Mary or Maria; but
of land in Shropshire and Staffordshire. The Shropshire Brad-
it does not appear from what family she came. She must have
been his second wife as his eldest son was born in 1287.
ford Hundred Roll of 1255 speaks thus of his tenure at Long-
ford: "Adam de Brinton holds the Manor of Longford with
In the summer of 1277 he was summoned for service against
its appurtenances in capite of the King, by service of a knight's
Llewellyn, Prince of Wales, and, being a knight, discharged it in
fee in time of war at his own charges. He does suit neither to
person, attending the muster at Worcester, July 1. Ten years
later, January, 1287, as prominent landholder in Berks, he was
county nor hundred, but by what warranty of exemption the
appointed a "Conservator of the Peace" for that shire.
jurors knew not."
The Cuddlestone Hundred Roll of the same date states that
In October, 1292, he was one of the Knightly jurors who tried
Adam de Brinton holds Eyton of the Baron of Stafford for one
several pleas of "quo warranty" in Shropshire.
knight's fee.
"In Hilary Term (21 Edw. I) 1293, Adam de Brinton and
his wife, Mary, were summoned to answer to the King by what
Abbreviatio Literarum clausarum, anna, I Henrici III.
38
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
39
warrant they claimed to hold pleas of the Crown and to have free
the writ of Diem clausit extremum, which bears date May 10th,
Warren, Gallows and Waif in Church Eyton and Wood Eyton
1315.
(this is one of the rare mentions of Wood Eyton). In reply, it
He held nothing in Staffordshire when he died except the
was stated that Mary had no claim except as Adam de Brinton's
Manor of Eyton.
wife, and Adam de Brinton acknowledged that he had no right,
He was succeeded by his son Sir John de Brinton, who was
which therefore remained to the King."
born in 1287. From the "Fine Roll" we learn that "The King
It is not quite clear why they should have been so diffident
accepts the homage of John de Brinton, son and heir of Adam de
about claiming rights which would seem to have been fairly well
Brinton, deceased, for all the lands, etc., which the said Adam
established. Perhaps they felt that diffidence was the best policy.
held of the King in capite." Adam had another son, Thomas,
At all events they do not appear to have suffered thereby.
Clerk (in holy orders), "who was admitted to the Church of
As Lord of the Manor and a tenant-in-chief, Adam de Brinton
Eyton in 1311," that is, he was presented to the family living,
held, twice a year, a free court of high jurisdiction at his manor
in modern parlance.
house in Longford, judging pleas "of bloodshed and hue-and-
From the Subsidy Roll Cesterford, (Seighford), we obtain the
cry." He also possessed a gallows, and exercised the rights of
following account of a dispute between Thomas de Brinton, son
"fossa and furca," that is, of hanging male and drowning female
of the third Adam, Rector of Eyton, who was either born or
criminals. He had also the right of "warreny," called in question
instituted 1305, and William de Ipstanes, of Brinton (near Blym-
by the King, that is, of preserving and killing game, a privilege
hill): "Concerning the Church of Church Eyton, to which Church
highly esteemed in those days. At that time the manor of Long-
Thomas had been instituted, and he held it until the said William
ford included the vills of Brocketon and Chresthill. Adam also
of Ipstanes and John his brother and several others had in 1326
held of the King the vills of Sturcheley and Culmayre, which he
ejected him by force, and they all had besieged the house of
sublet to Robert Corbet, and he to the Abbot of Benedictine
Mary de Brinton (his mother) at Eyton with swords, bows, and
monastery of Buildwas, in Shropshire.*
arrows, to the great terror of the people, and that the said William
Again, in 1297, as a tenant-in-chief, holding lands in Shrop-
of Ipstanes and others had maintained themselves in the Church
shire, to the yearly value of £20 or upward, he was summoned to
till the Nativity of St. John from the Feast of Trinity, when the
appear, with horses and arms, at London, July 17th, for service
said Thomas de Brinton with 21 others had come armed with
beyond the seas, King Edward, at that time, contemplating an in-
both foot and horse and ejected them."
cursion into France.
The following record from "Fines of mixed counties" is puz-
In 1298 he had a military summons against the Scots. In 1299
zling in view of the fact that we only know of one Thomas de
he was returned as Knight of the Shires for the County of Berk-
Brinton (besides the infant) who does not otherwise appear to
shire. In 1300, as Adam de Brinton, Knight, he was again re-
have held any land in Oxfordshire and Berkshire.
turned as one of the three knights for the same County to the
"Between Thomas de Brinton, complainant, and John de
Parliament ordered to assemble at York on the 20th of May of
Lichfield and Elizabeth, his wife, deforciants of the Manor
that year. In 1301 he was High Sheriff of Oxfordshire, and in
of Middle Aston, in County Oxon, and of the Manor of
the same year he had military summons against the Scots.
Brimpton, in County Berkshire. John and Elizabeth granted
This is the last record of Sir Adam de Brinton, the third, until
the Manors to Thomas and his heirs, for which Thomas gave
them 200 marks."
*Ibid, p. 118.
40
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
41
Mary, the widow of Adam, had been jointly enfeoffed with
about 1339, Margaret, by whom he had two children, Thomas
her husband in the Manor of Eyton, and seems to have re-
and William. In 1346 he went on foreign service in the
sided there after his death, while her son John occupied the
retinue of Robert de Ferrers, and is recorded as having
Berkshire Estates. He is mentioned in a list of landholders,
fought under the King at Cressy and Calais in 1346, while a
in 1316, as one of the lords of Brimpton and Wasing (a
Thomas de Brinton is also mentioned in the roll of Knights
parish adjoining Brimpton, on the south), Berkshire; of
with K. Edward III at Cressy (August 26th, 1346). This
Middle Aston, Oxfordshire; of Church Eaton, Staffordshire;
Thomas, however, can hardly be either the son of John (aged
and of Longford, Shropshire. In the years 1319-22 he was
about 6), nor his uncle, who was a "clerk." On the death
sheriff of Oxfordshire and Berkshire, and again in 1327-8.*
of his first wife, Margaret, he married Agnes, by whom he
In 1324 he was ordered to seize, in the king's name, all goods
had a daughter, Elizabeth, of whom later.
and chattels belonging to aliens, in Oxfordshire, "except
In 1359 he was appointed one of twelve gentlemen of
those of Cardinal Neapoleone."+ In 1327 he sat in Parliament
Shropshire, to collect, arm, and drill the adult male inhabi-
as a knight of the shire of Berks.
tants to protect the realm in the absence of the king beyond
Though John de Brinton, son and heir of Adam, died
seas.*
seized of the manor of Eyton, he resided in Berkshire, in con-
In 1360 the name of Sir John de Brinton occurs in a list
nection with which County and that of Oxford his name con-
of the first Justices of the Peace for the County of Stafford.
stantly occurs, while his name is seldom or never to be met
We learn from the French Roll that John de Brinton,
with in connection with Staffordshire or Shropshire. He
"scutifer," in the retinue of Walter Huet, had "letters of pro-
married about 1309, Isabella, and they had issue John, Elias,
tection" for one year, dated May, 1373.
and William. He died August 19th, 1336, and his wife Isa-
There is a record of a case in the Plea Rolls between "John
bella in 1343.
:
de Brinton and Margaret his wife, complainants, and Henry
The writ of "Diem clausit extremum" on his death "was
Notts, of Solihull, deforciant of the Manor of Eyton. John
dated September 19th, 10 Edward III before the King's
acknowledged the Manor and advowson to belong to Henry,
escheator on this side Trent by the oath of Thomas de Eyton
for which Henry granted them to John and Margaret and
and other knights, who say, upon their oath, that John de
their issue, and failing such to Elias, brother of John, and
Brinton died on the 19th of August, and held to him and his
his heirs for ever."
heirs in fee the Manor of Eyton with appurtenances of Ralph,
John de Brinton appears to have been the last of his name
Baron of Stafford, by the service of one small knight's fee,
to have held, undivided, the lands brought into the family by
and the said manor is worth by the year in all ten pounds.
the heiress, Eva, of Longford, though it is not clear at what
They say also that John de Brimpton, son of the aforesaid
stage and from what cause the Berkshire Estates passed out
John, now deceased, is the next heir and he is of the age of
of the hands of the head of the family. It is not likely that
26 years."
they went either to Elias or to William, his clerical brothers,
He was succeeded by his son, John de Brinton, born about
for we do not hear of them as landholders, but as incumbents
1310. He was Lord of Eyton and Longford. He married
of Newnham and Longford respectively. It is possible that
they were left by the first John to his wife, Isabella, who
*Note.-Fine Roll, "The King commits to John de Brinton the counties
survived him by seven years, and that she may have been
of Oxon and Berkshire; dated from York 8th February." (1319?)
+Fædera, A.D. 1324, p. 577.
*Fædera, vol. iii, p.455.
42
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
43
responsible for their loss. He made a partial transfer of his
The suit was decided in favour of the family, as on the death
property before his death, and there is on record the payment
of another Baron Stafford, in 1464, Church Eyton with Or-
of a fee by him in 1375, of one hundred shillings, for permis-
slow is stated to be held by "John Brynton," probably a
sion to convey the manor of Longford to his son Thomas,
grandnephew of Thomas.*
and Thomas' wife, Isabella. In this grant he is styled "Chiv-
It will be remembered that the second John de Brinton's
aler" (chevalier, knight).*
second wife was Agnes, and their issue was Elizabeth. She
It seems probable that John, the second of the name, died
was married to William Stokes (died 1446), whose son, John
about 1379. He was succeeded by his son, Thomas, born
Stokes de Brinton (born 1438?), is described as "cousin and
about 1341. Thomas was Lord of Eyton and of Longford,
heir" to Thomas de Brinton, and is presumably the John
but did not long survive his father, dying September 13th,
Brinton here referred to.
1382, leaving an infant son, Thomas, who died a month later,
This entry is doubly interesting as showing that the family
aged 2, thereby bringing to an end the direct male line.
had now definitely removed to Staffordshire, and also had
We obtain an interesting sidelight on the condition of a
dropped the locative de to their name. The latter was, prob-
probably typical country parish in 1380 from the Poll Tax,
ably, partly because English was rapidly supplanting Nor-
1379-81, where the assessment of Church Eyton is given very
man French as a business tongue; but chiefly because the
fully. There was a rich rector (William?) and a resident
manor of Brinton passed out of the family after the death of
Lord of the Manor, Sir Thomas, and his wife, Isabella, who
John de Brinton.
had seven men servants, of whom two were married. There
On the settlement of the suits relative to the estate of John
were no doubt several women servants, but they were not
de Brinton, some time after 1398, both it and Mid-Aston,
apparently of sufficient importance to be mentioned in the
Oxfordshire, came into the possession of William Stokes.
assessment.
*Ibid, 39 Hen. VI, p. 295.
His wife, called "Dame Isabella," took in second marriage
(about 1390), Sir Robert Fraunceys, of Foremark, Derby-
shire, a man of some prominence. He was sheriff of Staf-
fordshire, under Richard II, and again under Henry IV.
Dame Isabella survived him also, and lived to an advanced
age in possession of Longford manor, as it is recorded that
she "presented" to Longford Church, in 1432. Church-
Eyton-cum-Orslow, however, which was not included in John
de Brinton's deed of gift to Thomas and Isabella, was
claimed, at Thomas' death, by the next of kin of the Brinton
name, and it seems to have been in litigation as late as 1398,
as in that year it is vaguely stated, in an Inquisitio post-mortem
on the Baron Stafford, to be held "by the heirs of John de
Brinton."t
*Abbreviatis Rotularum Originalium, xlvii Ed. III, vol. ii, p. 334.
+Calendarium Inquisitionum post-mortem, 22 Ric. II, p. 250.
60
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
BRINTONS OF NETHER GORNALL (STAFFS).
I. JOHN BRINTON, of BRINETON (?), b. about 1510, d. about 1570.
Probably brother of Richard Brinton, of Brineton (Ped. C. I.). He
left issue:
II. THOMAS BRINTON, of SEDGELEY, d. October, 1612, buried at
Sedgeley Church. He left issue:
III. THOMAS BRINTON, of SEDGELEY, b. 1562, baptised at Sedgeley,
May 31st, 1562, m. September 25th, 1605, Ellin, dau. of Thomas Mason
and Elizabeth, dau. of Robert Grazebrook, of Shenstone.
IV. THOMAS BRINTON, of LOWER GORNALL, b. 1607, baptised at
Sedgeley, July 19th, 1607, m. June-27th, 1631, Ann, dau. oi William
Biddle (Biddulph), of Sedgeley. He died 1687 (buried August 14th,
1687). They left issue:
V. WILLIAM BRINTON, of LOWER GORNALL, b. between 1632-
BRINTONS
1634. Baptised at Sedgeley Parish Church, December 1st, 1636, m.
1659, Ann, dau. of Edward Bagley, of Sedgeley, by his wife, Ann.
OF
(Edward Bagley was the second son of John Bagley, of Oulde Park
and Coseley, Sedgeley, which he held on lease from Lord Dudley.
(John Bagley d. 1635.) He emigrated in 1684 to Pennsylvania, sailing
WORCESTERSHIRE.
to Grubb's Landing, Newcastle County, Delaware, and founded the
branch of the Brinton family in America. He died 1700. They
left issue:
VI. WILLIAM BRINTON, b. December 17th, 1666, m. December 9th,
1690, Jane, dau. of Richard Thatcher, d. November, 1751.
(2) Anne, b. March 17th, 1663, m. June 18th, 1684, John Bennett, of
Worcester.
(3) Elizabeth, b. June 12th, 1670, m. March 1, 1686, Hugh Harris.
(4) Esther, m. John Willis.
[The last mentioned generation D. VI. is given as in Dr. D. G. Brinton's
book. The present writer however is inclined to identify the names quoted
from the records of the Society of Friends on p. 2 of the Appendix as all
belonging to this family. The difference is that Edward, b. 1665, is mentioned
in the one case, and Esther in the other. Of course it may be that Edward
died in infancy, and Esther's birth was not recorded.]
(61)
FIRST GENERATION.
1.
WILLIAM BRINTON, son of Thomas Brinton and Ann
Biddle or Biddulph, daughter of William, was baptized December
1. 1636, at the church of Sedgeley Parish, county of Stratford,
England. He died in 1699 or 1700, in Birmingham, Pennsyl-
vania, and is buried there with his wife on their own plantation,
a few hundred yards east of their cabin and nearly on the crest
of a fine elevated piece of ground. This little burying-ground
Was enclosed by a fence until 1810, when it was merged into the
adjacent field. He was married in 1659, in England, by Friends'
ceremony, to Ann Bagley, daughter of Edward Bagley of Sedge-
ley, who, as his son-in-law notes, was "a man of good account as
to worldly rank".
It is not known at what particular time William Brinton be-
came identified with the Society of Friends, but as George Fox
began preaching his gospel of a universal friendship among man-
kind in 1647, and William Brinton married a Friend, by Friend's
ceremony twelve years later, it is safe to assume that he was an
early convert.
Children:
2. i. ANN, b. 7-19-1660; m. John Bennett."
3. ii. EDWARD, b. 1-17-1663; died unm.
4. iii. ELIZABETH, b. 8-9-1665; m. Hugh Harris.
5. iv. WILLIAM, b. 6-12-1670; m. Jane Thatcher.
6. V. ESTHER, b. (perhaps) 1675; m. John Willis.
These births, execpt that of Esther, are found in the records of
Worcestershire, England. It is not known certainly whether
William Brinton had other children, but presumably he had.
They may have died in infancy or before his other children were
placed on record.
"William Brinton came from the village of Nether Gournall, Parish of
Sedgeley, Staffordshire, six or seven miles south of Church-Eaton-cum-
Orslow, where we have seen John Brinton was living in the latter half of
(97)
98
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
the fifteenth century. A writer who visited Sedgeley in 1660 describes it
containing nine villages at that time, 'and very populous, by reason of the a;
where profaneness and ignorance abounded'.* The present writer visited it
workers of lime, coals, and iron'. He adds that it was 'an heathenish place,
in 1861, and found it no wise improved in these respects in the two centuries
which had elapsed. It is now almost a suburb of Birmingham, the streets
unclean and crowded, the houses mean, and the population of the degraded
operatives. and ignorant character common to the lower class of English factory
"In the spring of 1684, William Brinton embarked, with his wife and son,
for Penn's colony, leaving his three daughters in England. The vessel had
a prosperous passage, and came to anchor in the Delaware River at a point
known as Grubb's Landing, now in Brandywine Hundred, Newcastle County,
Delaware. There was already a settlement of Swedes at this point, and most
of the passengers remained there; but
William advanced boldly into
the unbroken forest which then covered the country, seeking a location and
quality of soil which would suit him for a permanent residence. This he
found twelve miles back from the river, on the Indian trail which then led
from the forks of the Brandywine to the Delaware."
DR. DANIEL G. BRINTON, The Brinton Family, pp. 27, 28.
Here he erected a temporary shelter where he spent the first
winter. The weather was cold and severe; he had no white
neighbors, no provisions, and was surrounded only by the
majesty of the forest and the stillness of nature. The family
suffered greatly and would have starved had it not been for the
kindness of the Indians, who supplied them with game.
The next summer (1685) he made a clearing, built a log cabin
and planted a pear tree before his door-the same pear tree
famous to all of his descendants. By the blunder of a labourer,
it was cut down in 1852, but was replaced by a silver maple. This
now marks the site of the cabin which was the first dwelling there-
abouts. The "1704 house" was built to the southeast by his son
William.
Gilbert Cope says: "The fact that William Brinton took his
certificates to Philadelphia Monthly Meeting is strong evidence
that this was the place of his landing, and he probably left his
family there until he had found a place of settlement. The
Silver Maple which replaced the Pear tree planted by
thought of Grubb's Landing being the place of his disembarka-
William Brinton "the Elder" before his cabin door.
tion has doubtless arisen from its being nearer to his subsequent
residence, and the language used in that connection would almost
*Palmer's Non-Conformists' Memorial, vol. ii, p. 401.
FIRST GENERATION.
99
imply that as soon as he put foot upon the ground he plunged into
the forest to look for a desirable spot. It is not likely that there
was any 'landing' for large vessels there for many years later.
There were only a few farmers near there in 1684, while Marcus
Hook, a few miles above, was an old settlement, and Chester, still
higher, had been the chief landing on the Delaware aside from
New Castle. Philadelphia, as the chief city of the Province, was
the seat of the greatest activity and the location of the land
office."
The first road must have run to the cabin and there ended.
Afterwards it passed north, then west, but later changed straight
northwardly from a point opposite the 1704 house until it met
the old road in the western turn, traces of which still exist on
the brow of the ridge.
William Brinton journeyed to Philadelphia and obtained a
patent for 400 acres of land around his cabin, extending from the
Birmingham and Thornbury Township line west toward the
Brandywine, but not reaching it by three-quarters of a mile.
Later he added to this.
In selecting a location for his settlement, he came to a little
stream which marked for him the beginning of good land. This
run known to some of his descendants as "William Brinton's
Run" coursed from the Wilmington road through the woods,
joining the Big Run beyond-withal a picturesque stream. In
speaking of it in his diary, John Hill Brinton says:
"In the month of May, 1878, I visited the old place, brother
Henry's, and was much struck with the lively, swift meadow
stream, flush with pure, clear water. It was a pleasant sight as
though the water were alive. The William Brinton Run has,
near the woods and going north 250 yards, worn a zig-zag chan-
nel and returned to a natural bed out of the straight, artificial
course. Some bushes were growing along its banks at places
where pools formed. The waters in the zig-zag courses seemed
running a race. I traced one branch in the woods, over the
Thatcher line, to a spring up on a bank, where the water was
welling up out of the earth, which seems full of it.
100
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
FIRST GENERATION.
101
"The old farm is remarkable for its springs and streams. My
bearing Date the 14th day of January in the year 1683; & subscribed by
father, Thomas Hill Brinton, who succeeded to its ownership in
Thomas Brindley, John Clay, John Green, Joseph Stanney, with severall
others."
1798, upon the death of his father, George Brinton, made a mis-
take in straightening these runs through the meadows. Their
WILLIAM BRINTON.
natural beds drained the lowlands better than the artificial, as is
well attested to now after sixty years trial. If the farm were
"His Certificate was Read in the Monthly Meeting at Philadelphia and
mine, I would return to the old zig-zag courses for better drain-
accepted, which was given him by the Monthly Meeting at Dudley the 15th
day of ye 11th Mo. 1683, and subscribed by John Payton, John Newcomb,
age and beauty.
Richard Plenty, Bernard Perkes, Wm. Corbet, with severall others."
"A stone house should enclose the fine old Indian Spring in
the cabin field over the public road, also the Boiling Spring east
of the mansion house, which are treasures."
GEORGE PYERCE.
There was an Indian settlement around the forks of Brandy-
"His Certificate was Read in ye Monthly Meeting at Philadelphia and
wine. One of their villages was located at the head of Brinton's
accepted, which was given him by the Monthly Meeting at ffrenshay in the
Run, close to what is now the township line; another, by the
County of Gloucester the 7th Day of ye 5th Month/1684 and subscribed by
Nathaniel Thurston, Francis Boye, William Ball, Waltr Grymer,
north line of the Busholl, in the Pyle tract. A deputation of
John King, Thomas Wickam in ye behalf of ye whole Meeting.
these formidable-looking red men went to visit Penn at the "town
Also his Certificate from Thornbury meeting was read & accepted being
of Philadelphia." The first point they sought was William
subscribed by John Cooksey, John White with severall others."
Brinton's cabin, about five miles to the east or southeast, then
along its northern line to the Peirce tract, then through the woods
to the Delaware, blazing the trees along their course. These
George Pearce (as he wrote his name), was also the ancestor
Indians belonged to the Lenni Lenape tribe of the Algonquin
of most of William Brinton's descendants.
family. The last of them in this section, "Indian Hannah",
Until 1752, the year began March 25, and January was the
died in 1803.
eleventh month. William Brinton's certificates, therefore, were
William and Ann Brinton traveled through the woods to Chi-
dated on consecutive days.
chester Meeting until Concord was established. Birmingham
Meeting was also organized about this time and the meetings were
RECORDS OF CHESTER COUNTY.
appointed at William Brinton's cabin. Ann was a faithful
Friend, frequently speaking in meeting, but William became a
Att a Court held att Chester for ye County of Chester the 3d day in the 1st
follower of George Keith.
Weeke of ye 1st moneth Called March 1685: [1686]
William Brainton was a member of the "Grand Inquest".
"At a monthly meeting of Friends, held at the Governour's house in Phila-
He was also a member of a petit jury in a case of assault and battery.
delphia 4th of the 9th month 1684
At a court held in the 4th Mo. 1686, the grand jury, of which he was a
"Several Certificates were presented to the meeting, and committed to John
member, made report of laying out a road from Bethel to Chichester, sixty
Southworth to Record, vizt. One for William Brinton & his wife from friends,
feet wide.
another from his dealers. One for John Boweter & his wife. One for George
At a court held at Chester the 3d day in the 1st week of the 1st month,
Pearce from friends & another from his dealers," etc., etc.
1686 [1687]: "Thomas King made over a Deed to Wm. Branton for fifty
acres of land lying in Concord dated this Instant."
WILLIAM BRINTON.
At a court held the 7th of the 4th Month (June) 1687, "Joseph Bushell
"His Certificate was Read in the Monthly Meeting at Philadelphia and
made over a Deed for One Hundred acres of Land lying in Thornbury to Wm.
accepted, which was given under the Hands of his Dealers & Correspondents,
Brainton and his heires for ever dated ye 7th day of ye 4th moneth 1687".
102
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
In September 1687, William Branton was substituted for
Thomas Rawlenson as juror in a case of assault and battery.
The following gives a sample of primitive road making:
"October ye 25 day 1687"
"Laid out a High way from Burmingham to Concord being a thirty foote
way by vertue of an order of Court bearing date ye 4th of October 1687 laid
out by us Walter Marten, John Mendenhall, John Kingsman, William Cloud,
Rich Thatcher, being one third part of ye present grand jury of ye County of
Chester as follows (viz)
"Beginning att a White Oake Standing on a Small Branch att William
Brantons marked with five knotches thence along a lyne of marked trees
between Alice Brunson and land late Edward Turner to Concord Corner tree
thence downe Concord lyne Between ye said Alice Brunson [Brundsen] and
Philip Roman to a White Oake marked with five knotches then Crosse ye
Corner of said Phillip Romans land then Crosse William Hitchcocks land then
Crosse land that was William Biases thence Crosse John Mendenhalls land
thence Crosse land that was Peter Lounders then Crosse part of John
Symcockes land to ye foote Bridge of Thomas Moore then crosse part of ye
said Thomas Moore's land to a White Oake marked with five knotches."
This road, if actually opened, must have passed from William
Brinton's land in Birmingham southward to what is known as
Painter's Cross Roads and thence by way of Concordville to a
point beyond the railroad station, where it doubtless connected
with an earlier road to Chester or Marcus Hook.
"William Brinton Acknowledged a Deed in open Court to John Davis
for fifty Acres of Land Lying in Burmingham bearing date ye 10th day of
the first month 1690.
"A Deed Past by William Brainton to Hue Harry and his wife for one
hundred and ffivety acres of land lying and being in the Towneship of Burn-
ingham. The Deed bearing Date the 11th Day of June 1695.
"Another Deed Acknowledged by William Brainton to John Bennett for
one hundred Acres of land lying and being in the Towneship of Burningham
the Deed beareing Date the 11th Day of June 1695.
"Another Deed Acknowledged to William Brainton ffor one hundred and
ffivety acrs of land being in to Tracts the land lying in Burningham the
Deed beareing Date the Eleventh Day of June 1695.
"A Deed acknowledged by William Brainton Senior to John Willis and
his wife hester ffor one hundred Acres of Land lying in Burningham The
Deed Beareing Date the Tenth Day of the Tenth month 1695."
In all, William Brinton became possessed of 1,000 acres of
land. On the first day of March, 1686, he purchased of Thomas
FIRST GENERATION.
103
King, fifty acres in "the North End of Concord", which he sold
later to Thomas Bright. In the same year, on October 5, he re-
ceived from James Claypoole and Robert Turner, the Commis-
sioners of William Penn, his first patent of four hundred and
fifty acres in Birmingham (or Brumadgam) Township. The
next year, June 7, 1687, he purchased from Joseph Bushell, a tract
of one hundred acres in Thornbury, and in 1688 he obtained his
second patent of four hundred acres which, in 1695, he conveyed
to his sons-in-law. This second patent lay westward from the
first, adjoining it and extending to the banks of the Brandywine
Creek. He made over all the remainder of his real estate in
1697 to his son William providing a maintenance for himself
and wife. The patents have disappeared.
"At the date of William Brinton's arrival, the total population
of the Province was about five thousand whites.* The nearest
Monthly Meeting to his residence was that at Chichester, on the
river (begun 1 mo. 17 (March), 1684). His name first occurs
on its Records in the spring of 1686 (1 mo. 1, 1686), and it is
recorded that on 10 mo. 12, 1687, he presented, according to the
usage of the day, a certificate of 'good life and conversation in
Old England'. On 7 mo. 7 of the same year, he was sent as
representative to the yearly meeting in Philadelphia, where his
name appears to a "Testimony' against 'selling Rum and other
Strong Drink' to the Indians. A meeting was soon afterward
organized at Concord, near his home. It was first held at the
houses of the settlers, and in the records, under date 9 mo. 3,
1690, there is an entry to the effect 'Concord First Day Meeting
be every Fourth First Day at William Brinton's house, in Birm-
ingham; also the Fourth day following, if the said meeting think
fit; this to continue till further order'. In 1697 the Society
erected a meeting house in Concord; among the subscribers to it
William appears for 3£ 10s., and his son for 2£ 16s.
"In 1691/2 the peace of the Society of Friends, in the Province,
was much disturbed by the preaching of George Keith, an able,
but extravagant and seditious member. Among other erratic
*Such is the estimate of the author of an anonymous "Manuscript Descrip-
tion of Pennsylvania", written in 1700.
104
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
FIRST GENERATION.
105
doctrines, he taught that Friends should not take any part in the
meetings: doth order four friends hearunder named to go to him & see to win
civil government, should not hold any office, nor even aid in
him to ye truth and friends thearin if poseble, and if he remain refractary
executing the laws against malefactors. He also taught that the
then to refer him to ye next quarterly meeting: Nicholas Nulin-Phillip roman
-Peter Dix-Jacob Chanlar-its ordered thes four doth also Atend ye
Mosaic account of the Creation and Fall is to be understood
quarterly meeting next."
allegorically, and accused some leading Friends of teaching that
"At A Monthly Meeting held at Chichester ye 8th of ye 3d month 1693.
the inward light is sufficient to salvation, without regard to the
"the freinds ordered Last meeting to go to Will Branton reports to this
meeting yt after some time of Wayting upon ye lord haveing a good mesure of
historical sacrifice of Christ. He even asserted that 'there are
the sence of the Love of god upon their harts spake unto him & after some
more doctrines of devils and damnable heresies among the Quak-
time of Labor and travel With him found him some what pliable: & so
ers, than in any profession among the Protestants".* He was
willing to bear with him for his soul sak did not order him to ye quarterly
afterward disowned by the Society, and became a clergyman of
meeting."
"At a Monthly Meeting held at Elizabeth Newlin her house, the 14th of ye
the Church of England.
6th Month 1699:
"William Brinton sent a paper to this meeting to Condemn himselfe for
"In spite of their extravagance these ultra-quietistic doctrines
goeing to George Keith's meeting: It being of Long date and not being
found many to approve of them; and the historian tells us that
requiered of him by friends of this meeting: But after a Consideration This
'divers persons of rank, character, and reputation', became
Meeting orders Robert Pyle, Nicholas Pyle, George Pearce, & Thomas King
Keith's adherents. Among these was William Brinton, much to
to Speake with him to know the Reason & Cause of this paper being brought
at this time And Make Report thereof to the Next Monthly Meeting."
the scandal of his fellow-members of Concord Meeting."
"At a Monthly Meeting held at George Pearce his house the 9th day of the
DR. DANIEL G. BRINTON, The Brinton Family, pp. 30-31.
8th month 1699:
"William Brinton Appeared at this Meeting & After some Debate Con-
cerning his paper weh he sent to the meeting of Condemning himselfe for
going to G:K. meeting This meeting Excepts of it as Satisfaction for his
MINUTES OF CONCORD MONTHLY MEETING.
goeing to the Separates meeting But not as Relating to his Testimony." (i. e.
=
his oral teaching.)
"At A monthly meeting Held at Nicolas Nulan ye 15th of ye 12th month
1692.
This acknowledgment was made about a year before William
"The freinds ordered Last Meeting to spake with William Branton Re-
ports yt he said he should not Come to the meeting-frinds Waityly Con-
Brinton's death, and during his wife's last illness.
sidering his State and Condition and in brotherly Love to his soule doth
It was on account of his estrangement from Concord Meeting
order too frinds to go to him again to order him to appear at ye next
that neither he nor his wife was interred in that burying ground.
monthly meeting and there to Lay his Exseptions Why he absents him self
from meetings."
THE TESTIMONY OF WILLIAM BRINTON CONCERNING THE
"At a Monthly Meeting Held at Robert Pils ye 13th of ye first Month
LIFE AND DEATH OF HIS DEAR WIFE.
1692/3.
"William Branton Came to this meeting but give no satisfaction so he
She was born in the year one thousand six hundred and thirty five, and
was Referred to the next monthly meeting."
dyed in the year one thousand six hundred and ninety-nine.
"At A Monthly Meeting Held at thornbyry the 10th of ye 2°n month 1693.
Her ffather's name was Edward Bagley, a man of good account as to
"William Branton not appearing nor gives no satisfaction to this meeting
worldly Rank. He dyed some fifty years ago. Her mother became a Friend
ye Meeting haveing a sence of his Condishon being very dangerous & also his
and so continued until her death. She remayned a Widow all her Dayes,
absenting from meetings & have A sence of ye love of god upon our harts
which was some thirty years after her husband's decease.
Which reaches forth unto him wards for his restoration & unity With us in ye
My Dear Wife was one that did fear the Lord from her young and tender
blessed truth of our Lord Jesus Christ which wee sensably in joy in these our
years upward. About three years before she became my wife, she walked in
Society and Unity with the People of God, and this is the fortieth year since
*See Testimony of Denial against George Keith, Philadelphia Yearly
we were married. She loved the truth greatly, and was beloved of the Lord
Meeting, 1692, and Proud's History of Pennsylvania, p. 365.
and his People, and willingly received the Truth from the first Publishers of
106
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
it in those days. She has been a very faithfull, loving Wife, and a tender
Mother to our children. In the Neighborhood we lived in she did much good
to poor people, very pityfully, and had their good Word and Prayers. As
she was much beloved in Old England by most people who knew her, so she
continued to be in these parts of the World. She was much attended with
weakness of Body.
Upon the first day of the week, during her last sickness, it being the day
before she dyed, there came many Friends to see her, and after the Meeting
she was very weak, but in great clearness did speak much to Friends that day.
There came into her remembrance a little Paper given forth by George Fox,
about forty years ago, against strife and contention, and she desired Friends
to live in Unity and the Bond of Peace.
She then stretched out her hand to me and said-My poor Husband. I
asked her if she was willing to dye and leave me.
She said she was very willing to dye, and spake to our children to be
loving to their poor ffather.
A little before she dyed we thought she would speak no more, but she arised
and again spake and said-Be valiant for the Truth. After that a Friend
nearest her asked her how she did. She said-Near my departure, my spirit
is returning to God who gave it.
Last of all she said-Lord come quickly. We could understand no more
that she spake, and she soon after departed in great Peace.
Frances Boweter, Elisabeth Harlan and I myself were with her when she
departed.
WILLIAM BRINTON.
(From a copy.)
:
WILL OF WILLIAM BRINTON.
Know all men whome it may Concerne that on the
day of the Sixth
month 1699 I William Brinton of Burmingham in the County of Chester in
the Province of Pennsilvania-being by the goodness of the Lord in good and
perfect mind and memory-and being far in yeares-And knowing that all flesh
is as grass and the goodliness thereof as the flower of the field;-Also Calling
to mind what the Lord said to Hezekiah Set thy house in order for thou must
die and not live.-Now in the Sence of my latter end and putting off this my
Tabernacle And the trouble my Children may be in and exposed to if I should
die without a will to prevent the last And in the Sence aforesaid do make
and declare this to be my last Will and Testament Contained in maner and
forme following. I doe give unto my daughter Ann Bennit one hundred
pounds-Also I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Harry wife of Hugh Harry
one hundred pounds-and for the more sure provideing that the one hundred
pounds that I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Harry shall doe her and her
Children good my will is that twenty-pounds part of the said one Hundred
pounds shall be paid presently after my decease-And the foure-score pounds
the remaine of the said one hundred pounds shall be paid by twenty pounds a
yeare and every yeare Successively by my executors Hereafter named-Also
I give unto my daughter Easter Willis wife of John Willis one hundred
pounds-Also I give unto my grand Children of my three daughters aforesaid
Know of 1137 whent it may Complains that on,the
110.00
Brmla of Burminglam in the County of Chips milhs
An Inventowie of the yooos and battels of William
goodneys of His and in yood and perfort
Brinton of Burmingbain in the County of Cheftow
that SR for " graft and INS therry flows
was this send said "Hizokiah sit they hanfs order dis I not
2. my latter and and pulling of the Jacornals 1.1: 120-015 my Children may
in Rennfilvania friever orrafed tafen by uò whop named
" do 28 expoted " if J shouid dir without will to privated tho ings in - the since of
Filer in declare This to my layl will and Tighterst (ontained inanor - form
avo and apprixed 1700 the twentynineth day of ortob
I
3
Enzanish group unle my daughter for 3 on: And I guar and my daughter
stat haded Harry ont nundred sur providing
pounds that'I guit ""y Inaginer shill for for and her
Saring apparol
10 of of
07
00
"y Will if sink part on: shall 63 put prifertly
dicrais And IN The rheam? of 16 sand one shall is paid lutting
path D361s dur on Obligation
271 20 00
25
02
prunds and turry years Successinicy by my acceptors named -Arge gime unde
daughter W.D. wife T tohn With one -Arfe your make art ty grand (Kitzin
Deft by accompts
0.0 06
of Biblo
three daughter for said and / "Y Son William Brombon houshellings and sixpence each many
Son William Arlo my do: herely apart ordams maki and Constitute very any
wit Brinton and my Son Saw John Bennit my full and soa resentors of Ins , my 'ys
Terror thoots.flirts nackcloths and table-linon
it 63d and its appurtancess
04 15
03
00
Tightement full my wid unde my someding
your a blafs yan
07 06
and my 30m John find pounds Are my
One flagge tankaws with other fmall pantor things
powler Jijhas two plates two yorrangars
}2
15
my has and dor apoint Conflints and make my Love my rriend Grorg Harden of B,
just my wist the said Giorg: Harlan Purposed to paid by ""Y seventors And further
unls Light surfir of this my cap will I AND my with and filet
Mummor is dripping pan a griviron a poftls and Mortar.01 of
thats riaft grate with the housed jooh "Strast we squarly devided othered "Y thrit
of Grafs you an iwon pol and frying pan
OL 05 of
and H what in about more which aportsand I have away of my physician
daughters that of say my daughter Annt Bennit my daughter Harry I my
et hair cloth, aftoolmitt a.Gufhol and a half-bujhol
02 09
Alierpan longs and pothangow
DO 06 00
Eagier W.R. Decaping always on: foather-ord ant Corplar oniting ant Brandol which for
my anntx ideas that my Joni Wistiam Brimber shat have allo excipting what JShat hereanto-
Sadob and butolo
00 08 00
Signed The and Scared
sixt month on ther and Sixhundrid northy nime 1699.-
In. SH my hand and Sial this herebith day of -
et narming-pan a Chaft and chamborpotr
08 05 00
it What grater abcub it famol, and buttons
03 00
or
under
out
that
halfs
Thorps two marrs throw colts and a aftoor
26 00
nitham
the
body
will
Swins
7 00 00
$.
and
Summafotalis Summa fotalis
3671908 08
Richard your
Thomas king
faces
face Jaylor
Will of William Brinton, "the Elder" (1636-1700). The seal shows the lion rampant,
Inventory of the goods and chattels of William Brinton "the Elder."
with the forked tail.
FIRST GENERATION.
107
and of my Son William Brinton-two Shillings and Sixpence each or every
one of them.-Also my Will is,-And I doe hereby apoint, ordaine, make and
Constitute my Loveing Son William Brinton and my Son in Law John
Bennit my full and Sole executors of this my last Will and Testament-And
further my will is, and I doe give unto my Son William Brinton five pounds-
also I doe give unto my other executor my Son in Law John Bennit five
pounds,-Also my Will is, and I doe apoint Constitute and make my Loveing
friend George Harlan of Brandywine my true and Legall Overseer of this my
last will and Testament, And my Will is and I doe give unto Said George
Harlan five-pounds to be paid by my executors-And further more my Will
is-what is over and above more what aforesaid I have given away of my
personal estate and reall estate-with the house all goods Shall be equally
divided betwixt my three daughters that is to say my daughter Anne Bennit
my daughter Elizabeth Harry and my daughter Easter Willis,-excepting
always one feather-bed and bolster one Rug one Blanket which foure things
my Will is that my Son William Brinton shall have.-also excepting what I
shall hereunto annex-In Wittness hereof I have Set my hand and Seal this
twentieth day of the Sixt month one thousand six hundred ninety-nine 1699.-
WILLIAM BRINTON (Seal)
Sign'd and Sealed
in the presence of
(after bloting out that halfe
line in the body of ye will
makeing void that 51b given
to young Wm. Brinton)-
RICHARD GOVE
HANNAH WAY
JACOB CHANDLER
Philadelphia 1 December 1700:
Personally appeared before me ye within Wm. Brinton & John Bennit
Executors & did exhibit into my office ye within as ye last Will & testament
of ye within Wm. Brinton deceased & attested to execute ye same & produced
Hannah Way & Jacob Chandler witnesses yreto who did also attest yat yay
saw ye testator sign seal publish & declare ye same to be his last will and testa-
ment & yt att ye doing yreof he was of a sound & disposing mind memorie &
Judgment to ye best of yr knowledge and yt yey signed and saw Richard Gove
sign witnesses yreto.
PAT ROBINSON Secre
Wm. Penn absolute Proprietor and Governor of ye Province of Pennsil-
vania and ye Territories yreunto belonging To all to whome yese presents
shall come Know ye that at Philadelphia in ye sd Province vpon ye day &
date of yese presents was proved approved & insinuated ye last will and testa-
ment of William Brinton deceased annexed to yese presents having whilst he
lived and at ye time of his decease goods rights and credits in divers places
within ye said province and ye Territories yreunto belonging By means whereof
ye full disposition of all and singular ye goods rights and credits of ye said
William Brinton deceased and ye granting of ye administration of them as
also ye hearing of accompts calculation and reckoning of ye said administration
108
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
and ye final discharge and dismission from ye same unto mee alone solie and
not unto another inferior Judge are manifestlie known to belong and ye
administration of all and singular ye goods and credits of ye said William
Brinton deceased was granted unto William Brinton son of and John Bennit
son in law of ye said deceased Executors in ye last will & testament named
chieflie of well and truly administering ye same & making a true & perfect
Inventorie & conscionable appraisement of all and singular ye goods rights
and credits of ye said William Brinton deceased and exhibiting ye same into
ye Secres office of ye said Province & ye territories yreunto belonging att and
upon ye first day of January in the year of our Lord One thousand seven
hundred and one, being Solemlie attested. Witness William Markham ye
Lt. Gover of ye sd Province and ye seal yreof ye first day of December Anno
Domini 1700.
By ye Govr comand
PAT ROBINSON Secrey.
An Inventorie of the goods and chattels of William Brinton of Burmingham
in the County of Chester in Pennsilvania Senior deceased, taken by us whose
names are subscribed and apprized the twentynineth day of october 1700,
Wearing apparel
10
06
06
Cash
07
00
00
Debts due on Obligation
271
10
00
Debt by accompts
25
02
06
Bible
00
06
00
A bed and its appurtenances
04
15
00
Three pair of sheets, shirts neckcloths and table linen
03
00
00
Four brass kettles and a brass pan
97
06
00
Six pewter dishes two plates two porrengers
One flaggon two tankards with other small pewter
}
2
15
06
things
A Scummer a dripping pan a gridiron a pestle and mortar
01
04
08
A brass pot an iron pot and frying pan
01
05
06
A hair cloth, a steel mill a bushel and a half-bushel
01
09
00
A fire pan tongs and pot-hanger
00
06
00
Saddle and bridle
00
08
00
A warming-pan a Chest
A grater a bottle a funnel and buttons
}
01
05
00
Wheat
03
00
00
Two horses two mares three Colts and a steer
20
00
00
Swine
07
00
00
Summa totalis
367
19
08
THOMAS KING
ISAAC TAYLOR
SECOND GENERATION.
115
Ann Bennett, the widow, died intestate and letters of admini-
stration were granted Nov. 3, 1719, to John Bennett, her son.
4.
ELIZABETH² BRINTON, daughter of William and Ann
(Bagley) Brinton, was born October 9, 1665, at Worcestershire,
England. She married Hugh Harris or Harry. They passed
meeting the second time at Chichester Meeting, Pennsylvania,
April 12, 1686. They resided a short distance east of Dilworth-
town.
Among the passengers on the "Vine, of Liverpool," which
arrived at Philadelphia 7th Mo. (September) 17th, 1684, were
"From Macchinleth in Montgomeryshire, Hugh Harris & Daniel
Harris".
At Radnor Monthly Meeting of Friends, 2 Mo. 8, 1686, "Wil-
liam Howell & George Painter are ordered to speak to Hugh and
Daniel Harry concerning their Parents money".
At same, 4th Mo. 10, 1686: "George Painter & William
Howell, according to former order did speak with Hugh and
Daniel Harry, who have promised yt if any freinds would lay out
money in England upon their parents account they would out of
ye product or growth of this Countrey make them satisfaction."
Hugh Harris and Elizabeth Brinton declared their intentions
of marriage at Chichester Meeting 1st Mo. (March) 1st 1686,
and again 2 Mo. 12th 1686, and were doubtless married soon
after the last date. He was a weaver and settled in Birmingham
on land conveyed to him and his wife by her father, and where
he died in 1708.
The will of Hugh Harris, "of Brumingham, wever", being
John
sick, was dated 1 Mo. 27, 1708, and proved Sept. 28, 1708. He
directed his wife and Executrix to sell the plantation and pay £5
to each of the children when of age. To his son Evan he gave
the "waving Loom & Gares thereunto belonging".
Children:
Deed from William Brinton to his son-in-law and daughter, Hugh and Elizabeth
11.
i. EVAN, m. Elizabeth
? He settled in Kennet Twp., and d.
Harry, for two tracts of land in Birmingham.
1728. His widow m. 11-21-1735, William Webster. Children:
1. Daniel, d. 1761. 2. Mary, m. James Green. 3. Elizabeth, m.
116
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
SECOND GENERATION.
117
Thomas Hutton. 4. Ann, m. John Hutton. 5. Hannah, m. James
Tho: Speakman son of Tho. & Ann Speakman was Borne ye 11 Day of
Chalfant. 6. Evan.
ye 11 Month 1721/22 at a bought one or two a Clock in ye morning as
12. ii. WILLIAM, d. 1758, m. Esther
? He settled in Marlborough
we Suppose ye 7 Stars being a bought half a hour high. Bourn ye 5
Twp. Children: 1. William, d. 1785? 2. Amos, d. 1803, m.
Day of ye Week.
Hannah Baily. 3. Hugh. 4. Silas, m. Mary Cloud. 5. Esther,
Ebenezer Speakman Son of Tho. & Ann Speakman was borne ye 14
m. Jeremiah Cloud. 6. Abigail, m. 1756, Jesse Mendenhall. 7.
Day of ye 5 month 1724 a bought Sun Seting.
Dinah. 8. Olive.
Micaiah Speakman Son of Tho: & Ann Speakman was Borne ye 26
13. iii. HUGH, m. 1-4-1730/1, Elizabeth Wickersham, daughter of Thomas
Day of ye 9 month 1726 a bought 4 or 5 a Clock in ye after noone.
and Alice Wickersham, of East Marlborough. She was b. 11-13-
Joshua Speakman Son of Tho: & Ann Speakman was Borne ye 20 Day
1708/9. They resided in Kennet. He d. in 1760. Children: 1.
of ye 5 month 1731 a bought on quarter before 9 a Clock in ye
Evan. 2. James, d. 1799, m. Margaret
, and Sarah
Morning.
3. Elizabeth, m. her first cousin,
Lea or Lee. 4. Stephen,
m. 1761, Sarah Taylor. 5. Thomas, b. 1-8-1742, m. Rachel Way.
The early settlers were not all supplied with timepieces and
6. Jesse, m. 10-27-1768, Mary Webb. 7. Benjamin. 8. Nathan.
frequently noted the hours astronomically.
14. iv. JOHN, m. about 1732, Frances
,
and resided in York Co., but
probably died in Chester Co. about 1763. Children: 1. Miriam,
m. 6-9-1756; Riccord Hussey. 2. Mary, m. 11-23-1763, George
Harlan.
15. v. ELIZABETH, d. 3-8-1758, m. (1), Robert Eachus, of Goshen Twp.
THOMAS SPEAKMAN'S CERTIFICATE FROM ENGLAND.
(now West Chester), and (2), 1-13-1728/9, at Goshen Meeting,
"from our monthly meeting held at Reading in ye County of berks in
John Gleave, a widower of Springfield Twp. Children, all by
old England for ye service of truth ye 24th of ye 4th mo. 1712 To friends
first husband: 1. John, m. 9-22-1734, Hannah Haines. 2. Wil-
concerned for ye Like service in pensilvania These:
liam, m. 3-25-1749, Sarah Peirce, widow. 3. Robert, m. Mary
"Dear friends whereas ye bearer hereof Thomas Speakman, late of Read-
4. Enoch, m. Esther Evans. 5. Daniel. 6. Elizabeth, m.
ing aforesayd has acquainted us of his Intention to Transport himselfe into
John Taylor. 7. Ann, m. 2-22-1736, James Wickersham. 8.
your countrey, Requesting a Certificate from us concerning him These there-
Alice, m. 9-20-1746, David Ogden, of Springfield.
fore are to let you understand that he was Educated by his father in ye
16. vi. ANN, m. 1714/5, Thomas Speakman. She was not in membership
proffession of Truth vizt among friends and although for a time was over-
with Friends, so the date of their marriage was not recorded.
come by youthfull vanities untill it pleased ye lord to rebuke him and bring
On April 30, 1715, a committee was appointed to speak to him
him into a Considderation of that his present Condition wherein he was
about his taking a wife contrary to discipline, for which he finally
brought very low for a season; soon after which he went from us to London
made acknowledgment. In 1721, he protested against the require-
and Remained there about 13 months with a certain tradesman who hath
ment that young men having matrimonial intentions should first
given us a very good account of his honesty and sobriety
obtain consent from the parents of the prospective bride before
"we also Let you understand that upon Enquiry made we do not finde
proposing to the latter; but the weight of authority brought a
but that he is free and clear from any Entanglement Relating to marriage
retraction from that position. This rule, however, in time became
and also clear of Debts as far as we doe know, So Recommending to ye
obsolete.
Lord for his safe conduct and also to you for your care and over sight in
order to help him forward in ye way of Truth so far as we are Capable
SPEAKMAN BIBLE.
of helping one another therein: with the salutatuin of our unfeigned Love we
William Speakman ye sonn of Tho. & Ann Speakman was born ye 8
Remaine your friends and brethren
Day of August 1715 a bought Sun Seting. Bourn ye second Day of ye
WILLIAM LAMBOLL, and others.
Week.
"Elizabeth Speakman is well Satisfied wch is his mother."
Hugh Speakman ye Son of Tho. & Ann Speakman was born ye 2 Day
of September 1717 at night, ye moone being abought 3 quarters of a
The above certificate was received at Philadelphia Meeting
houer hie, it being a bought a week old. Bourn ye Secound day of ye
9-29-1712, where it was recorded. It was also presented to
Week.
Newark, now Kennet, Monthly Meeting, 7th Mo. 5th 1713, held
Ann Speakman Dautter of Ann & Tho: Speakman was Borne ye
13 Day of October 1719, & as we supposed a bought ye hour of one and
at Centre, and this minute made: "Tho: Speakman, late of
to in ye after noon. Bourn ye 2 Day in ye week.
Reading monthly meeting in ye Realm of Great Brittain produced
118
THE BRINTON GENEALOGY.
SECOND GENERATION.
119
to this meeting a Certificate as well of his Life & conversation
"At a monthly meeting held at Nicholos Nulins at Concord the 13th of
as also his clearness in relation to marriage, which is read & ac-
the 8th month 1690.
"William Brinton & Jane Thatcher declare their intention of marriage the
cepted of".
first time, saying: friends, if the Lord please & you see meet I doe intend
Thomas Speakman settled at first in Kennett township but in
to take Jane Thatcher to be my wife. She also said friends I doe intend
1722 purchased 200 acres of land in Londongrove township, per-
to take William Brinton to be my husband if the lord permitt, with your
haps two miles westward of the meeting of that name. The latter
Consent. "Ordered that Nicholos Nulin & Nathanel Parke inquire Concerning life
meeting was then a constituent of New Garden Monthly Meeting,
and Conversation & Clearness of ye Said William Brinton & returne an
in the minutes of which, under date of 4-24-1727, we find this:
Answer to the next monthly meeting.
"Ordered that William Brinton Nicolos Nulin & Philip Romon Attend ye
"Thos Speakman produced a Certificate from Newark Monthly
next Quarterly meeting."
meeting, recommending him to this meeting, which was read here
"At a monthly meeting held at George Pearce's at Thornberry the 10th
& accepted of". His wife is not mentioned in this connection and
of the 9th month 1690.
"William Brinton & Jane Thatcher declared their intention of marriage
does not appear to have been a member. On motion of London-
the second time-friends haveing Consider'd of it, & finding all things clear,
grove Meeting a committee was appointed to inquire into the
& haveing the Consent of his & her relations have left them to proceed as
ministry of Thomas Speakman, and on 3-21-1729, "The friends
Truth directs."
yt was appointed to make Enquiry into ye Conversation &
ministery of Thomas Speakman have given an accot yt his Con-
versation is orderly & his ministery well Received so this meeting
CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE.
have signed him a Certificate to recommend him to ye meeting of
Ministers & Elders."
"Whereas it doeth appeare by the Records of the Monthly Meeting of ye
Thomas Speakman died intestate and letters of administration
people of God called Quakers of Chichester & Concord &c; in the County
of Chester in the Province of Pennsilvania in America: That whereas Wil-
on his estate were granted to Ann Speakman Oct. 1, 1732. His
liam Brinton Junior of Burmingham in ye County aforesaid and Jane That-
death is said to have occurred 5-15-1732, in the 40th year of his
cher Junr of the ye said Burmingham & County have declared their inten-
tions of marriage at two severall Monthly Meetings of the people aforesaid
age.
the one held the 13th day of ye 8th month 1690, the other held the 10th of ye
17. vii. JANE, m. Alexander Underwood and went to York County.
9th month ensuing: the Meeting finding no obstruction on his or her part
18. viii. LOIS, supposed to have married John Kersey.
but that they were free & clear from all others as in relation to marriage-
19. ix. OLIVE, m. Daniel Baily 1-16-1720/1, and d. 10-4-1766.
And their Parents giving consent thereunto the Meeting being satisfied did
give their consent that they might proceed according to the order of Truth.
And upon the 9th day of ye 10th month 1690, They did in a meeting held in
5.
Burmingham in the County aforesaid solemnly take each other; He the said
WILLIAM2 BRINTON, only son of William and Ann
William Brinton Jun⁺ in the feare & presence of the Lord did take Jane
Thatcher Jun⁺ to be his wife promising to be a loving and kind husband
(Bagley) Brinton, was born in Worcestershire, England, August
until it shall please the Lord by death to separate them: And she the said
12, 1670, and died in Birmingham, Pennsylvania, October, 1751.
Jane Thatcher in the feare and presence of the Lord did take the said Wil-
He married, December 9, 1690, at Birmingham Meeting, but in
liam Brinton to be her husband promising to be an honest wife untill it shall
please the Lord by death to separate them-and as a further Testimony of
the cabin, Jane Thatcher, daughter of Richard and Jane (Stevens)
such their taking each other: And promising to each other have hereunto
Thatcher, neighboring settlers. She was born December 17,
sett their hands-
1670, at Uffington, England, and died February 17, 1755, at
"And we whose names are under written are wittnesses that they were so
married the day & year above written.
Birmingham.
"WILLIAM BRINTON
"JEAN BRINTON, etc., etc.
16 George Nixon
1784-aft 1860 DE PA OH
8 George Nixon
m c1806
1821-1863 PA OH
17 Hannah Wilson
c1790-c1827 DE PA
i
Samuel Brady
m 1843
18 Anthony Trimmer
Nixon 1847-
c1781-1841 PA
14 PA or
9 Margaret Ann Trimmer
m 1824
187
1826-1865 PA OH
19 Margaret Hunt
1804-1876 PA OH
ony Nix
CA
20 Robert Wadsworth
1785-1867 MD OH
10 Thomas Wiley Wadsworth
m 1823
1826-1879 MD OH
21 Elizabeth Lytle
1794-1831 MD
in I
S
m 1850
orth
22 Joseph Dickinson Moore
886 0
1794-1860 PA OH IA
11 Mary Louise Moore
m 1825
1832-1918 OH
23 Jane Brown
1807-1886 OH IA
1 Richard Milhous Nixon 1913
24 William Milhous
1783-1874 PA OH
12 Joshua Vickers Milhous
m 1807
1820-1893 OH IN
25 Martha Vickers
1786-1873 PA OH
6 Franklin Milhous
m 1847
1848-1919 OH IN CA
26 Amos Griffith
c1798-1871 PA OH
m 1879
13 Elizabeth Price Griffith m 1820
1827-1923 PA OH IN CA
27 Edith Price
1801-1873 MD PA OH
Hannah Milhous
1885-1967 IN CA
28 Jacob Burdg
1783-1862 NJ PA OH It
14 Oliver Burdg
m 1807
1821-1908 PA OH IN
CA
29 Miriam Matthews
1786-aft 1860 MD PA
7 Almira Park Burdg m 1846
1849-1943 OH IN CA
30 James Hemingway
1801-1893 NJ OH IA 1
15 Jane Hemingway
m 1823
AU TN
31 Hope Malmsbury
oil TA
64 James Nixon
65 Mary
132 ?John Seeds
1532 Peter Nilsson Laican
66
Seeds
266 Neils Laican
133 Brita Laican
67
I
267 Mary
68
Wilson
8
69
1120 Robert Scothorn
560 Francis Scothorn
280 Robert
Scothorn
1121 Ann Barret
140 Nathan
561 Marie
Scothorn
562 Henry Gibbons
281 Mary Gibbons
Nathan Scothorn
563 Helen
282 ?Thomas Lewis
141 Mary Lewis
283 ?Jane Thomas
142 John Twiggs
Hannah Twiggs
286 Paul Thomasson
143 Eleanor Thomasson
1141
in Trimmer
theny Trimm
145
y
is bet
1148
ert McElwain
'es McElwa
140
bel
1150
es Miller
:5
Agnes Miller
76
Hunt
77
78
79
80 Thomas Wadsworth
81 Rebecca Passmore
164 Luke Wiley
82 ?Matthew
Wiley
165 ?Kezia
183 ??Ann
168 George Lytle
10
84 Guy Lytle
1
340 John Webster
170 Michael Webster
85 Elizabeth Webster
341 Hannah Butterworth
342 Nathaniel Giles
171 Elizabeth Giles
1
344 Daniel McComas
172 Alexander McComas
I
86 Alexander McComas
345 ?Elizabeth
346 Nicholas Day
173 Elizabeth Day'
1347 Sarah
87 Deborah Hartley
BRITISH BROADCASTING CORPORATION
BUSH HOUSE STRAND LONDON WC2
TELEPHONE 01-240 3456 TELEGRAMS BROADCASTS LONDON TELEX
CABLES BROADCASTS LONDON-W1 TELEX 22182
10th May 1972
Dear miss Woods,
Thank you for your letter of the 5th May. I am glad
that the family study may not come amiss, even though the
President will not now be visiting Ireland - in the near
future, at any rate. Perhaps among the 350 individuals
listed under the name of Nixon in the index, some direct
links may be found - there are two references, rather late,
to young men who went to the U.S.A. (p.62 and p.96). But
even if there is no direct link, the notes, especially on
p.46 and p.182, may prove of interest, and provide a pleasant
contrast to the anxieties of the present moment.
Yours suricerely,
Huswanzy
(Henry Swanzy)
Talks and Features (General)
BBC External Services
The Personal Secretary to the President,
The White House,
Washington, D.C.,
U.S.A.
cm
Enc.