THE WILLIAMSON FAMILY

Page 59

In the account of the sufferings of Friends in Cheshire, Eng., we read that in November, 1663, Thomas Buckley, Dorothy Deane, William Burtonwood and Ellen Williamson were imprisoned by Writs de Excommunicato capiendo upon Prosecutions in the Ecclesiastical Court for Tithes. In 1683, Thomas Williamson and others were committed to prison for being at a meeting at Newton.

On the 31st of the Month called January, Thomas Needham and Philip Egerton, Justices, came to a Meeting at Newton, and finding a Person at Prayer, Justice Needham fell upon him, beat him on the Head, and punched him on the Breast with his Cane, pulled his Neckcloth in pieces, and threw him down and kicked him. He also struck several others so that their Heads were swelled with the Blows. The other Justices desired him to forbear, saying, Let us prosecute the Law upon them, but not abuse them. Thus checked he forbore striking, but continued railing, telling them they were Dogs and no Men, no more Christians than their Horses, &c. Then they took their Names, fined them, and granted Warrants for Distress, by which was taken from John Williamson of Creewood-hall, a mare worth œ8. [&c.].

Daniel Williamson came from Cheshire to Pennsylvania, in 1682, as a servant with Robert Taylor, of Little Leigh, in that county, whose daughter he calls "cousin" in his will. His sister Ellen (also written Helen and Eleanor,) was married to Bartholomew Coppock, of High Leigh, and another sister, Mary, was the wife of John Howell, of Budworth, all in Cheshire. Howell and wife came over in 1683, in company with Robert Taylor's wife and children, and settled in Marple township. Bartholomew Coppock and wife settled in Springfield. By agreement with Robert Taylor, Daniel Williamson was to receive 50 acres of land for his services, in addition to the 50 acres granted by Penn to servants. The whole 100 acres were laid out Oct. 22, 1683, by warrant of Oct. 20, 1683, along with 300 acres, the purchase of John Howell, in Marple, and all patented to Howell July 25, 1684. The latter, by a codicil to his will, directed his executors to confirm the 100 acres to Daniel Williamson, to whom it was subsequently patented, Jan. 10, 1708.

Among the passengers on the "Endeavour," of London, George Thorp, master, which arrived here the 29th of 7 mo., 1683, beside the Howells and Taylors above mentioned, were Thomas Pearson and Margery his wife, the grandparents of Benjamin West, who came from Pownall, in Cheshire; also John Pearson, his brother, and Mary Smith, his wife's sister.? These two doubtless came as servants in order to get their 50 acres each, and a warrant for that amount was granted Oct. 6, 1683. The land was located in Marple.

Daniel Williamson and Mary Smith declared their intentions of marriage at Chester Monthly Meeting, 7 mo. 7, 1685, and Robert Taylor and Thomas Pearson, Grace Stanfield and Ellen Coppock were appointed to make inquiry as to their clearness. On their second appearance, 8 mo. 5, 1685, they were given liberty to accomplish their marriage. Issue:

   ROBERT, b. 10 mo. 3, 1686; m. his cousin Hannah Coppock. 
   DANIEL, b. 8 mo. 6, 1688; m. Hannah, daughter of Randal Malin. 
   JOHN, b. 7 mo. 11, 1690; m. Sarah Smedley. 
   MARY, b. 7 mo. 25, 1692; m. Myrick Davies. 
   THOMAS, b. 10 mo. 10, 1694; m. Ann Malin, 1714. 
   JOSEPH, b. 2 mo. 25, 1697; living in 1727. 
   MARGARET, b. 12 mo. 12, 1698; m. Joshua Thomson, of Ridley. 
   ABIGAIL, b. 7 mo. 16, 1702; d. 12 mo. 28, 1775; m. John Yarnall and William Garrett. 

A patent was granted Jan. 29, 1684, to Thomas Rudyard for two tracts of 450 acres and 50 acres, in Newtown township. On July 15, 1685, Rudyard conveyed the same land to Andrew Robeson, of Philadelphia, and he to Daniel Williamson, Nov. 24, 1692. The latter appears to have settled in Newtown and there remained till 1723, when he removed to Edgmont township, taking a certificate from Goshen to Chester Monthly Meeting, dated 4 mo. 7, 1723, in which he is spoken of as "having been a man for peace and Quietness among his ffriends and Neighbours; and also free and Liberall on Truth's account, and we are Loath to part with him but that we hope the altering of his Sircumstances may be for his more Comfortable satisfaction for the future; so we Recommend him unto you, thinking it not needfull to Enlarge because allready Known to you," &c. This was signed by thirty-one of the members.

Application being made to the women's monthly meeting, 7 mo. 6, 1823, for a certificate for Mary Williamson, to Chester, "this meeting thought that she most Propperly belonged to that meeting already." Hannah Yarnall, Mary Lewis and Mary Ashbridge were appointed to go to Chester Monthly Meeting to ascertain their view of the matter. They reported that Chester recognized her as their member. The following proceedings relate to the marriage of their eldest daughter, and show the spirit of the time. At Chester Monthly Meeting, 11 mo. 28, 1711-2:

Springfield friends have spoke with Mary Williamson at their preparative meeting about going to her Daughter's marridge that was married contrary to friends orders, & she seemed to be sorry for it & desired friends would bare with her a litell Longer, soe friends Letts it Rest to see what she will doe of her selfe.

To the wemens months meeting held at Middeltown ye 31th of ye 1st mo. 1712.

Dear friends, Whareas I Contrary to the good order & Rules of Discipline Laid down

amongst friends I have given my consent to the Marridge of my Daughter with one that is not of our society & also went to the marridge, to the Great Greef of faithfull friends & being Justly Condemned in my selfe Doe heerby Acknowledg my selfe Greatly to blame & do desire friends to Except of this my short & humbell Acknowledgment & I hope I shall for ye time to come be so Carefull yt I shall Give friends any Just occation & so I conclude desiring ye prayers of all faithfull friends for my preservation in the Blessed truth, which we make proffestion of.

MARY WILLIAMSON. 

The will of Daniel Williamson, of Edgmont, is dated March 7, 1725-6, and proven March 8, 1727-8, in which his wife and all his children are mentioned.

Although John Williamson became a steady Friend and a minister later in life, the evidence shows that he was somewhat "frisky" in his earlier years. At Chester Monthly Meeting, held at Newtown, 6 mo. 30, 1714, "John Williamson appeared at this meeting and acknowledged himself to blame for running at a Horse Race at Chester faire, and is heartily sorry for it and hopes to never to do the like again."

Tradition says that he paid his respects to one Priscilla Thomas as well as to Sarah Smedley, and had decided in favor of the former, but being at a vendue buying goods for housekeeping, Sarah came to him and said she should die if he married Priscilla. In some perturbation of mind John went to Priscilla to find out what to do about it. She advised him to marry Sarah, adding that it never should be said that she, Priscilla, died for any man. It is further stated that a Maryland gentleman, hearing of the circumstance, and admiring Priscilla's independence, sought her hand in marriage. John Williamson was at this time an attender of Springfield Meeting. At the monthly meeting, at Providence, 2 mo. 25, 1715,--

Springfield meeting complains against John Williamson for being one of the Chief acters in Dresing a man, Pretending him to be a dead man or Corps, at Daniel Calvert's, and bringing of him into the house to affright the People: he being by some of them there Reproved for it, and was asked how he would answer it to the monthly meeting: his Reply was, it was but Giveing in a paper, and they might Get a Box and Call it Williamson's Box: for which Presumptious action and slight answer this meeting taking into Consideration and appoints ffrancis Yarnall and George Ashbridge to speak with him to be at our next monthly meeting to answer the above complaint.

For the Preservation of our Youth and others at the fair at Chester the meeting appoints Caleb Pusey, John Sharples, Thos Vernon and William Swarford to attend the fair and report to next meeting of their care.

At Middletown, 3 mo. 30, 1715: John Williamson appeared and promised amendment, whereupon he was recommended to the care of Newtown Meeting, to which he desired to belong. "The friends that were appointed to attend Chester faire in order for the Preservation of Youth, Reports Although there was some undesent or Disorderly Carriages by some that was there, yett in the maine they Believe they were of some servis."

By deed of Sept. 29, 1713, Daniel Williamson, of Newtown, yeoman "as well ffor the Consideration of the natural Love and affection that he hath and beareth Towards John Williamson of Newtown afforsd yeo. (third son of the sd Daniel), as also ffor and in Consideration of the full and Just sum of Seventy five pounds of good and current silver money of pensilvania," conveyed to the latter 315 acres of land in Newtown. This was a part of the 450 acres purchased from Andrew Robeson, and included 114 acres which had been laid out to Daniel Williamson as overplus land. As witnesses the names of Mary Williamson, Charles Brooks, Thomas Williamson and Mirick Davies appear. A memorandum was endorsed, that Peaceable & quiet possession and Seisin was had and taken by John Williamson, Feb. 12, 1713-4. This deed was not acknowledged or recorded, except that on Nov. 27, 1770, Abel Green affirmed as to the signature of Thomas Williamson, before H. H. Graham, Esq.

By another deed, dated Dec. 10, 1718, Daniel Williamson and Mary his wife convey to their son John Williamson, all of New Town, 4 acres, 100 perches additional land, adjoining the above. The witnesses were Thomas Williamson, Joseph Williamson and John Allin. Abel Green again affirmed as to the signature of Thomas Williamson, but the deed was not recorded.

With the establishment of Goshen Monthly Meeting, in 1722, Newtown Meeting ceased to be a branch of Chester Monthly Meeting. At Goshen Monthly Meeting, 4 mo. 19, 1732, the representatives of Newtown Meeting requested that John Williamson and Sarah his wife might be recommended to the meeting of ministers and elders. Lawrence Pearson and John Yarnall were appointed to prepare a few lines for that purpose. On 5 mo. 17, 1732, the recommendation was produced, approved and signed. On 12 mo. 17, 1734-5, Sarah Williamson laid before the meeting a concern she had felt to visit the meetings of Friends in New England and on Long Island. A committee was appointed to make inquiry and prepare a certificate for her use, which was signed 1 mo. 10th. On 4 mo. 16, 1735, she produced a return certificate from the Yearly Meeting at Flushing, L. I., and one from the monthly meeting at Mamaroneck, N. Y. At the first session of Goshen Monthly Meeting, 2 mo. 6, 1722, "Sarah Williamson is Chosen overseer of Newtown Meeting along with Lowry Lewis, Instead of Elizabeth Thomas." In this office she was succeeded by Esther Pearson, 6 mo. 4, 1727. She and her husband were frequently appointed on committees to visit families and for other services.

James Albin, of Newtown, tailor, and Jane his wife, by deed of Oct. 14, 1740, conveyed to John Williamson, of Newtown, yeoman, a messuage and 21 1/2 acres of land in that township, for œ80.