The Minshall Family

Page 78

THOMAS MINSHALL, son of John Minshall, of Lachford, Cheshire, Eng., with Margaret, his wife, came from the parish of Stoak, in Cheshire, 1682, and settled in the upper part of Nether Providence. Before leaving England he had purchased 625 acres in Pennsylvania, by deeds of lease and release, dated March 21, 22, 1681-2. By warrant of Sept. 9, 1682, there was surveyed to him 300 acres in Nether Providence. He also took up 315 acres in Middletown and purchased from Henry Hollingsworth 127 acres more in that township. Providence Meeting was held at first at his house, and afterward at a house erected for the purpose on his land. On the 16th of 6 mo., 1707, he conveyed the land in Nether Providence to his son Isaac, and at the same time that in Middletown to his son Jacob. His wife d. 3, 27, 1727, aged 74 years and 8 mos., but the time of his death has not been noticed.

JACOB MINSHALL, b. 5, 1, 1685; d. 5, 15, 1734; m. 1707, Sarah Owen, dau. of Dr. Griffith Owen, of Philadelphia, and settled in Middletown. Their children were Thomas, who married Agnes Salkeld, Sarah, Margaret, John, who married Sarah Smedley, Moses and Ann.

John Minshall was frequently appointed on committees or represented Middletown Meeting at the monthly gatherings, and on 2, 9, 1763, was appointed with others to pay a religious visit to such as were delinquent in attendance of meetings. At Chester Monthly Meeting, 4, 25, 1757, "The women friends have acquainted this meeting that they have proposed Agnes the wife of Thomas Minshall and Sarah, the wife of John Minshall, for Elders to sit with the ministring friends in their meeting, in the room of Mary Smedley, which is approved of till further order." 5, 31, 1762: "Esther Bickerdike being about to Remove from this meeting has put Friends under a necessity of Chouseing a Clark which is Sarah Minchall." Jane Yarnall, wife of Nathan, was appointed an elder for Middletown Meeting,

3, 23, 1770, and Agnes and Sarah Minshall released. Phebe Miller, Agnes Minshall and Martha Sharples were appointed, 9, 25, 1772, to correct the women's minutes, and Sarah Minshall to transcribe them. "Sarah Minshall desires to be released from being Clark & Rebekah Sharples is chosen in her room," 6, 24, 1776.

In 1764 John Minshall was assessed in Middletown with 240 acres and buildings, 128 acres of uncultivated land, 5 horses, 12 cattle and 11 sheep, and his tax was œ2-16-9. By his will, dated 12, 27, 1783, proven May 27, 1784, provides for his wife, Sarah; gives to dau. Jane Longstreth the money her husband owes me, about œ200: To dau. Sarah Starr all the money her husband owes me, about œ200: To dau. Mary Hall, œ200 in gold or silver: To sons Thomas and Moses all the lands in Middletown and all residue of estate, except that after wife's decease each daughter was to have œ100. Sarah Minshall, in will dated 2, 23, 1799, gave to Middletown Meeting œ5 for the use of the poor.