June 1741, Massachusetts

English: Main Street, Swansea Village Historic District, Swansea, Massachusetts (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

June 20, 1741

A son, John, is born to Nathan Hammond & Deborah Luther in Swansea, Bristol County, Massachusetts Bay.

(John Hammond is my second cousin 8 times removed. Our common ancestors are Samuel Luther & Mary Abell and Hugh Cole & Deborah Allen Buckland.)

John Hammond is descended from my ninth great grandfather, Samuel Luther (1636 – 20 December 1716)
Samuel was a prominent early figure in the Massachusetts Colony. He served as the minister of the First Baptist Church of Swansea from 1685 until his death. He also served as a militia captain. Through his wife Mary Abell, daughter of Robert Abell, his descendants have richly documented English ancestry, including extensive ties to royalty and nobility.
Samuel Luther perhaps survived a raid by a group of Lenape Indians at age nine while accompanying his father on a trading voyage to Delaware Bay, and was held captive for a period. His father, Captain John Luther, was killed in the raid. Some chroniclers question the likelihood of a nine-year-old boy participating in such a risky trading endeavor, proposing that an older brother may have been the captive Luther. However, no older son of Captain Luther is acknowledged by genealogical authorities. In any event, the general circumstances of the incident are corroborated by several primary sources.

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Luther

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October 1727, Maryland

October 11, 1727- James Neale dies at the age of 77 at Cobb Neck in Charles County, Maryland. James was the eldest son of Captain James Neale and Anne (Gill) his wife. He was born in Spain. His father, Captain James Neale, was a merchant and an agent for King Charles II and the Duke of York, and traveled often to Spain and Portugal.
James was around sixteen years of age when his father returned to Maryland and had James naturalized.
Young James was twice married. His first wife was Elizabeth Calvert, daughter of Colonel William Calvert, Secretary of Maryland, and granddaughter of Governor Leonard Calvert. William Calvert, upon the marriage of his daughter Elizabeth with James Neale, granted the couple 600 acres on the east side of Piscataway River and the south side of Piscataway Creek.
At the death of his father, James Neale inherited half, 1,000 acres of  the 2,000 acre "Wollaston Manor," the family plantation in Charles County. Following the death of his first wife, James wed Elizabeth Lord, the daughter of John and Elizabeth Lord. At the time John Lord was a magistrate of Westmoreland County, Virginia. In 1687, John Lord deeded his daughter Elizabeth 700 acres of land in Virginia, parts of three tracts near Giles Brent's Mill. The deed stated she was marrying James Neale of Wollaston Manor in Charles County, Maryland.

The will of James Neale of Wollaston Manor, Charles County, is dated 1 April 1725, and was proved 11 October 1727 (Annapolis, Lib. 19, fol. 246). Maryland Calendar of Wills: Volume 6 page 40

Neale (Neal), James, Sr., Wolleston Mannor, Charles Co.,
To eldest son James, Jr., deed of Woolleston Mannour afsd. confirmed; and personalty. To second son Henry, deed of 500 A. Gills Land confirmed; and personalty. To son Benjamin and hrs., 500 A. leased to and known by names of Davies, Antho. Smith, Jno. Castles and Tho. Sparkes; sd. son dying without issue, to son William and hrs.; and personalty. To son William and hrs., 500 A. leased to Cha. Rocks, Nat. Freeman and Thomas Marrish; and all land at Matta Woman bou. of Geo. Hinson; sd. son dying without issue or during minority, to son Benj. and hrs.; and personalty at age of 21.
To wife Elizabeth and hrs., interest in 340 A. lying at Upper Machoteck, Va., lately in poss. of Michaell Webb and Benja. Berryman; 1/3 personal estate. To daus. Mary Deaton, formerly Vanswerring, Mary Tawney, formerly Neale, Ann, now wife of Mr. Edward Cole, and Margaret, personalty.
To dau. Mildred, ?30 at age or marriage.
Exs.: Wife and sons Benjamin and William to divide residue of personal estate equally.
Test: Walter Story, Thos. Taney, Joseph Alvey.
Codicil: Son William and dau. Mildred to have no interest in bequests until they give bond to acquit themselves and hrs. of all interest in certain slaves once property of dau. Elizabeth.
Date and tests same as above will.

(James Neale is my first cousin 10 times removed. Our common ancestors are Benjamin Gill & Mary Mainwaring.) 

Wild Rose of Wolleston Manor (interesting memoir on the Neale family.)

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January 1727, Maryland

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Photo of Poplar Hill, His Lordship's Kindness

January 9, 1727- My sixth great grandfather, Solomon Stimson, dies at the age of 46 in Prince George's County, Maryland. Solomon was an Episcopalian Minister, in Rock Creek Parish, Maryland.

Solomon was born in Reading, Middlesex, Massachusetts in March, 1681 to James Stimson & Hannah Stearns. Solomon, father-in-law of William Hardy, was a resident of Prince George's County, Maryland, as early as March 1699 and had settled on the northwest bank of Piscataway branch about 2 miles west of Cheltenham when Colonel Henry Darnall's manor, His Lordship's Kindness, was surveyed October 10, 1701.
In 1715, he married Elizabeth Finch, daughter of Guy & Rebecca Finch. Elizabeth was the widow of William Elder. After Solomon's death, Elizabeth went on to marry Peter Hoggins.
It is my belief that Solomon was also previously married, as daughter Annie was born prior to his marriage to Elizabeth. However, I have not yet found a record of the previous marriage.

In Solomon STIMTON's will dated 9 Jan 1726/7 [Prince Georges county Will Book 19, pages 67, 68] states: "…I give & bequeath unto my Son in Law Willm Elder one Cow & Calfe. I give & bequeath unto my Son in Law Thomas Elder one Cow & Calfe. …" On 20 April 1727 "came Eliza Stimson and made oath…" as to the appraisal of the Stimton estate which included among other items: "3 negrows, 1 man, 1 dito woman, 1 dito girl; 25 head of cattle, young & old; 53 head of hogs, young & old, two feather beds,…" [Prince Georges County Inventories Box 7, 25]

Stimton (Stimson), Solomon, planter, Prince George's County, 9th Jan., 1726-7; 26th Jan., 1726/7.

To son Solomon, £30.
To son Benjamin, 50 A. where he now lives and £30.
To son-in-laws William and Thomas Elder, personalty.
To wife Elizabeth, extx., son Jeremiah, daus. Sarah and Mary, personal estate equally.
To dau. Ann, £5.
to wife Elizabeth and hrs., rights in land adj. Charles Bevans; shd. any of child. die during minority, their
portion to be divided among all child. equally.

Test: Thos. Chartur (Chartor), Paul Talbart (Tabart), Elizabeth Morris. 19.67

===

Solomon Stinson 11.906 PG £198.17.9 Apr 5 1727 Apr 20 1727

(also Solomon Stimson)
Appraisers: John Boone, James Young.
Mentions: Solomon Stinson, Benjamin Stinton, Mary Williams, William Hardy.
Administratrix/Executrix: Elisabeth Stimson.

===

Solomon Stimson 9.157 A PG £198.17.9 £110.4.6 May 20 1728

Received from: MM John Hyde & Co. (merchants in London), Thomas Charter, John Mawdesty,
Payments to: Robert Tyler, William Elder, William Hardey, John Kirkwood, Joseph Noble.
Legatees: Solomon Stimson, Benjamin Stimson, Anny Stimson (daughter) wife of William Hardy.
Executrix: Elisabeth Stimson.

===

Solomon Stimson 9.75 A PG £23.1.7 Oct 16 1728

Payments to; Mary Williams, Philemon Lloyd, Esq., Thomas Brooke & William Holland & Thomas Addison, Esq., Mr. Alexander Fraser, James Ranter.
Legatees: William Elder, Thomas Elder.
Executors: Peter Hoggins and his wife Elisabeth Hoggins.

===

Solomon Stimpson 9.480 A PG £21.18.11 Oct 23 1729

Received from: Mr. William Digges, Moses Orme.
Payments to: Charles Calvert, Esq., Alexander Countee, Simon Nicholls, Mr. Alexander Fraser, Mr. Alexander Contee, Lingan Wilson, Leonard Holliday garnishee of Thomas Brooke & Co., Mr. Robert Tyler.
Executors: Peter Hoggins and his wife Elisabeth Hoggins.

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February 1726, Maryland

Dry Docking Farm as it looks today.

February 1, 1726- Margaret Drury dies at the age of 70 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. Mary was born about 1656. In 1683, she married John Tant, who received the tract "Dry Docking" in a transfer of land from Robert Drury, Margaret's father. This may have been Margaret's dowry. 
John Tant died in 1702, leaving Margaret a widow pregnant with their last child, Susanna. Margaret served as executrix for her husband's estate.
In 1707 Margaret was in possession of 50 acres of "Noble's Victor" (which had been patented to John Noble), 70 acres of "Revell," 100 acres of "Revells Backside" and the lands owned by her late husband. "Dry Docking" had become the property of her son James Tant.


Will: Tant, Margrett. 24th Dec., 1725; 1st Feb., 1725-6.

To grandson Marke Lampton, £15 and personalty at age of 21.
To grandson William Thompson, £15 at age of 21; shd. he die during minority, sd. legacy to pass to his bro. Henry.
To Rev. Francis Loyd,, 40s.
To grandson John Manning, personalty; he dying during minority, to pass to 2 grandsons Joseph and Vitus Harbert and their hrs.
To grandsons Walter Pye, Joseph Harbert and daus. Margaret Pye,, Jean Thompson and Winefrid Harbert, personalty.
Son-in-law Richard Thompson ex. and residuary legatee.

Test: John Waughop, Geo. Craghill, John Little. 18.403,


(Margaret Drury is my seventh great grandaunt. Our common ancestor is Robert Drury.)

Dry Docking Farm
Drury Family History

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December 1725, Pennsylvania

Image via Wikipedia

Etching of Thones Kunders' House which stood at 5109 Germantown Ave.

December 21, 1725- Madtis Conders dies at the age of 45 in Germantown, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Madtis, son of Thones Kunders, was born in Germany in 1680. He was a farmer. He married Barbara Tyson, daughter of Reiner Tyson, in 1705. Madtis was married at Germantown and continued to live there during his married life. His seven children, who later adopted the name "Conard", were all born there.

WILL OF MADTIS CONDERS


I Mathias Cunrade of German Township in the County of Philadelphia in the Province of Pensilvania husbandman being sick in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, praises be given to God for the same, this twenty ninth day of the eight month in the year One Thousand seven hundred twenty five doe make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following hereby revoking all other Wills heretofore by me made. Imp I will That all my Just Debts and funeral expenses paid and discharged by my Executrix hereafter named. Item I give and bequeath out of my personal Estate the sum of Eight pounds to my beloved wife as a particular free gift. Item I give devise and bequeath my land and plantation whereupon I now dwell with all its appurtenances whatsoever contain Abt one hundred and fifty accers of Land more or less to be sold by my trusty and loving bro. John Cunrad of Upper Dublin & my bro. Henry of _______ together with my wife or by the Survivor or survivors of them and make good title thereof to the buyer & to their heirs forever to the only and proper of my wife, one third part of the purchase or value of the said land when sold, to my wife during her life; and After her decease to be divided by her among my children viz : Anthony, Margaret, Cornelius, Magdalen, William, John and Mathias or among the survivors of them. And the other two thirds of my said land and plantation be sold for to be equally divided among my said children or among the survivors of them when sold. Item It is my will That my personal Estate be divided among my wife and my said children reserving to my wife her third thereof and the remainder viz the two thirds part of my sd personal estat to be equally divided among my children, but if any happen to die after dividend be made, & before such attain to the age of one and Twenty, or be married It is my will that the Dividend or proportion fall among the survivors of my children. Item it is my Will and Desire that my Wife and children may live peaceably and lovingly together on my plantation, and that my children be maintained out of the profits thereof during their minority. Alsoe I doe hereby nominal and appoint my said loving bretheren John and Henry Cunrade to be Guardians of my children according to the true intent and meaning of this my Will, And Alsoe it is my Will That if my son Anthony be inclined to purchase my sd land and plantation when it is intended for sale. It is my Will that he may have the offer before any other upon reasonable terms Item I nominat and appoint my well beloved wife to be sole executrix of this my last Will and Testament.
Ye mark of M MATHIAS CUNRADE

Signed and published in the presence of Rouland Ellis, Katharine Ellis, Katharine Ellis junr.

[Proven April 2nd, 1726.]

He is buried in the Upper Burying Ground, in Germantown.

Image by road_less_trvled via Flickr

(Madtis Conders is my seventh great granduncle. Our common ancestors are Thones Kunders & Ellen Theisson.)

November 1725, Maryland

November 30, 1725- William Medley has died at the age of 47 in St. Mary's County, Maryland. William was born in St. Mary's about 1678 to William Medley & Anne Reynolds. He was buried at Old Chapel, Clements Town.

The Maryland Calendar of Wills: Volume V.Wills from 1720 To1726 (Volume V)

Medly (Medley), William, St Mary's Co., 22nd Sept., 1725; 30th Nov., 1725.

To cousin George and hrs., plantation ---- and 3 yrs. of time of Lawrence Whelch, indentured servant.
" bro. John, Mr. Francis Loyd, cousin John and his son John, cousins William, Thos., James and Ann, and William Daft, John Anderson, John Far and Lewis Moor, personalty.
" James Tull, on condition he remain with George Medley until he is 18 yrs. of age, personalty.
Bro. John and his son George exs. and residuary legatees.
Testator directs that he be buried at the old Chaple, Clements Town.

Test: Stephen Martin, William Sword, Sary Hammond, John Hammond. 18, 418.

William Medley 11.260 SM £181.3.0 Dec 9 1725 Apr 3 1726

Appraisers: William Greenwood, John Mills.
Creditors: William Sword, John Millman.
Next of kin: John Midlay, Jr., Rebecca Thompson.
Executors: John Medley, George Medley.

William Medley 8.219 A SM £181.3.0 £277.18.1 Apr 2 1727

Received from: James Wabe, John Norris, Henry Wensett, Samuel Johnson, Thomas Pain, James Boyd, Daniel Harris, John Owens, John Taylor.
Payments to: George Craghill, Capt. Richard Hopewell, John Millman, William Steale, Richard Sherburn, John Hammond, Stephen Martin, Barbara Johnson, Henry Williams, John Thompson, William Sword, Sarah Hammond, John Milman.
Distribution to: executors.
Executors: John Medley, George Medley. Came William Medley & George Medley.

(William Medley is my fourth cousin 5 times removed. Our common ancestor is Arthur Thompson.)

December 1724, Connecticut

December 8, 1724- John Blake dies at the age of 41 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut.
John Blake was born in 1683 at Middletown. He was a farmer. In 1705, he married Elizabeth Johnson. The marriage produced six children
The inventory of John Blake's property was taken January 19, 1725, by Jonathan Blake, Stephen Blake and William Whittmore. The administration was granted to his widow Elizabeth on Feb 2, 1725.
On January 8, 1729, Joseph Blake, John and Elizabeth's 16 year-old son, chose Captain Daniel Hall to be his guardian.On May 4, 1736, following the death of Elizabeth, their minor son, Freelove Blake, 17 years of age, chose his uncle Stephen Blake of Middletown to be his guardian.

The will of Elizabeth Johnson Blake was taken March 23, 1736, by Daniel Hall and Stephen Blake.  The Will was dated February 4, 1736. It is quite touching to read:

I, Elizabeth Blake, widow relict of John Blake the 2nd, late of Middletown, do make my last will and testament as follows: What right I have in lands in Woodstock shall be equally divided among my foure sons, viz., Richard, John, Joseph and Freelove. And that my moveable estate shall be equally divided among my fower sons, except one pair of steers 3 years old next spring, which steers I give to my son Freelove besides his equal quarter-part of all my estate whatsoever. I also give unto my son Freelove that gun which I bought with my own money. The reason why I give the above particulars to my son Freelove is because he hath taken care of me and my creatures and wrought for a great part of them. It is my will that what right I have in lands descending to me in right of my father shall be equally divided amongst my four sons. I give to Mary Bevin, who liveth with me, one cow. I appoint my son Richard sole executor.


Witness: Elizabeth Kent, Esther Blake, Joseph Rockwell.
Elizabeth X Blake, ls.

December 16, 1724- Mercy Blake dies at the age of 51 in Middletown, Middlesex, Connecticut. Mercy was born at Middletown in 1673. She married Samuel Roberts in 1691. One day after the death of Mercy Blake Roberts, on December 17, 1724, her son Samuel Roberts died at the age of 32 in Middletown. Once again, I wonder if these deaths can be attributed to the smallpox epidemic that was raging in the area at the time.

(John Blake is my seventh great granduncle. Mercy Blake is John's sister, therefore my seventh great grandaunt. Jonathan and Stephen Blake are their brothers. Our common ancestor is Sarah Hall.)

Genealogies Of Connecticut Families.

March 1723, Maryland

View of the Patuxent River in Prince George's County, Maryland

March 7, 1723- George Hardy is born to George Hardy & Elizabeth Drane in King George's Parish, Prince George's County, Maryland.

March 27, 1723- My sixth great grandfather, Anthony Drane dies at the age of 67 in Prince George's County, Maryland. Anthony was born in 1656 on a part of the Wilderness Plantation which is now Brightwood in Washington, D.C. He married Elizabeth Mockbee Nicholls in 1690 and had five children. He served as one of the Rangers, who were "continually on guard in the exposed part of the Country." He settled in Prince George's County prior to 1700, buying a property known as "Greenfield."

Anthony's will was dated March 28, 1719 , proved March 27, 1723 , and probated June 26, 1723.
He bequeathed to two sons, Thomas & Anthony, "the plantation & a piece of land I hold, during the life of Mary Drane Nichols , the wife of William Nichols, equally between them if they or either of them live so long, otherwise remainder to son James ; and bequeathed to his son James all the plantation & tract of land I now live on , after my wife's decease, to him & his heirs forever. All the rest of my estate I give & bequeath unto my loving wife, Elizabeth Mockbee Nichols Drane. To son James & heirs, dwelling plantation after decease of my wife Elizabeth. Personal estate to be divided among the children."
Maryland Calendar of Wills-Vol. V. p. 152. Upper Marlboro, Prince Georges County, Maryland Court House Record of Wills, p. 152.

(George Hardy is my first cousin 6 times removed. Our common ancestors are William Hardy & Elizabeth Hayden and Anthony Drane & Elizabeth Mockbee Nicholls. Anthony Drane is George's grandfather.
Anthony Drane is my sixth great grandfather. )

November 1722, Maryland

November 20, 1722- Anthony Neale signs his will at the age of 63 in Charles County, Maryland. There are records also showing November 20, 1722 as the date of death of his son and namesake, Anthony. Perhaps the death of his son prompted his writing of the will.
His son Thomas had died sometime earlier, and is not mentioned in the will.
The will is probated July 12, 1723. I do not have an exact date of death for Anthony, the father.
Anthony had fought in the Nanticoke Indian War in the 1670s on Maryland's Eastern Shore.

Will of Anthony Neale, Charles County, 20th Nov., 1722; 12th July, 1723.

To Thomas Mansell, William Hunter and John Bennett, priests; George Newman, James Gates and dau. Mary, personalty.
To son Raphael and hrs., "William's Folly" and personalty.
To son Henry, £12, and, in case he does not enter priesthood, 1/5 of personal estate. Shd. he take orders, or die during minority, his portion to 4 younger children, viz. Edward, Charles, Bennett and Mary.
To son Edward and hrs., ½ dwelling plantation "Aquenseek," and personalty, including silver chalice and suit of church stuff, to remain in sd. dwell, house for use of family.
To son Charles and hrs., residue of "Aquenseek," and personalty; sd. tract to be divided by sons Raphael and Roswell, Charles Diggs, Wm. Chandler and William Diggs.
To son Bennett, in case he does not enter priesthood, lease of 200 A. and 1/5 of personal estate (same condition as in bequest to son Henry).
To sons Edward and Charles, exs., and their hrs., storehouse and lot in Chandler Town bou. of Philip Hemsley and Mary, his wife.
To sons Edward and Charles and dau. Mary, residue of estate; shd. any of younger child., viz. Henry, Edward, Charles, Bennett and Mary, die during minority or without issue, survivors to divide portion of dec'd, except lands, which in sd. cases shall revert to sons Raphael and Roswell and their hrs.
Dau. Mary to receive portion at 16, son Charles immediately.

Test: John Bennet, John Sanders, Walter Pye, Margaret Pye

(Anthony Neale is my first cousin 10 times removed. Our common ancestors are Benjamin Gill & Mary Mainwaring.)

St. Ignatius Church, Chapel Point 1641

The oldest active parish in the nation with a continual pastorate, St. Ignatius sits beautifully on a 120-foot bluff above the Potomac River near Port Tobacco, Maryland. St. Ignatius was founded in 1641 by the Reverend Andrew White who accompanied Catholic settlers to Maryland on the Ark and the Dove.

The oldest surviving marker is the burial site of Elizabeth Darnall who died in 1705.

A resident priest explained the lack of older markers. In the 17th century, most of the burials were closer to the river, and mostly of wood.

During the Civil War, soldiers on the Virginia side of the Potomac fired cannon at the stone headstones, destroying them.

In 1866, much of the interior of the church was destroyed by a fire, and records were lost. However, later headstones of Robey, Digges, Neale, Mudd, etc. show that many Charles County colonists were interred here.

Merion Friends Meeting House, Montgomery, Pennsylvania

"Among the companions of the founder of Pennsylvania, when he arrived on the shores of the Delaware, in the year 1682, were a large number of Welsh people of great respectability and substance. These excellent persons, before they left their native country, had purchased of the proprietary several thousand acres of land on the western side of the Schuylkill, about six miles from the spot fixed upon for the city of Philadelphia; and this tract was called Merioneth, in honour of their birth-place."
The Merion Monthly Meeting of Friends,(Quakers), began in 1682 upon the arrival of the first boatload of Welsh families fleeing persecution for their non-conformist worship in Wales. Edward Jones, son-in-law of Dr. Thomas Wynne, Quaker physician and friend of William Penn led them.

In 1695 the now thriving community in "Merion," named in honor of their Welsh Merionethshire, built a stone meeting house. It stood on a well-used path linking the Welsh farms to Philadelphia. Tradition says William Penn visited and preached here. In the loft above the meeting room, a school was held for girls and boys, including Indian children.
The meeting house was enlarged in 1714.
The Merion Friends Meetinghouse is a National Historic Landmark and one of the oldest extant examples of early Quaker architecture in the country.
Merion Meetinghouse has been in continuous use for over three hundred years.

This information is from the Merion Monthly Meeting Homepage.
Below is a picture of the Meeting house as it looks today.

Joseph Ambler Inn

The land on which the Joseph Ambler Inn now stands was originally part of a large expanse owned by William Penn. In 1682, William Penn granted 1,000 acres to Richard Pearce. In 1711, 50 acres were sold to William Morgan. Morgan built the original section of the Farmhouse, which consisted of a ground floor where meals were prepared, and a small upstairs sleeping chamber. When Morgan died, the property was sold to Joseph Ambler.

The house remained in the Ambler family until 1825 when the property was acquired by squire John Roberts who married an Ambler daughter. It was Roberts who built the middle section of the farmhouse, adding the living room and dining room.

Over the next 100 years, the property had many owners. In 1929, under the ownership of the Wright family, the "schoolroom" was constructed. It was in this room that the children of the house were schooled. The property passed from the Wrights, to the Flood's, to the Wolfe's, and finally in 1983, the remaining 12 acres were sold to Richard Allman, the present day owner. It was Allman who put the property to use as a small bed and breakfast.

The Joseph Ambler Inn is located in North Wales, Pennsylvania.

December 1726, Maryland

December 15, 1726- Charles County Land Records, 1722-1729; Book L#2, Page 313.

At the request of Sarah Roby of CC, widow, the following instrument of writing was recorded this Dec 15, 1726. We discharge Sarah Roby of CC, the relict of John Roby Sr, late of CC, now decd, from all legacies that may or shall be due from the sd Sarah Roby to us on the acct or estate of sd John Roby.

(John Robey is my sixth great grandfather. John Robey had died sometime before May, 1726. Sources vary, stating his death as occuring in 1724 or 1726. He had married Sarah Hines Luckett in 1684 at Castle Donington in Leichestershire, England.)

December 27, 1726- Elizabeth Hardy is born to George Hardy and Elizabeth Drane in Prince George's County, Maryland.

(Elizabeth Hardy is my 1st cousin six times removed. Our common ancestors are William & Elizabeth Hardy.)

Quaker Offense of "Disorderly Walking"

The phrase "disorderly walking" dates back to some of the earliest Quakers writing of the late 1600's. The concept is that a true member of the Society of Friends walks a path throughout their lives whose proper bounds are prescribed by the Discipline. If they follow this path they remain a member in good standing. The phrase "disorderly walking" implies straying from the path required by Discipline and places the member in imminent danger of disownment.
An epistle from a general meeting in June 1676 discusses the principle of collective discipline and the responsibility of each meeting to admonish its own members:

"God hath taught us to deny the Customs, Fashions, & Words of the World, which are evil, & to bear a Testimony against it...to stir up the pure mind in one another, that the Principles of the blessed Truth, be allways Stood in..."

It goes on to state the duty of each meeting to admonish its members for "disorderly walking," and lists these offences:

not to keep the form of sound words
or use or wear needless Attire
or to oppress or defraud any man in his dealings
Not endeavor to bring up Children in the fear of the Lord

The phrase "disorderly walking" was sometimes used to conceal the real nature of the offense to protect confidentiality, or deflect outside criticisms. Event violent offenses could be cloaked in this way.

Quaker Ancestors Group

1736- Ben Franklin, Fireman

The first volunteer fire company in America, "The Union Fire Company," was founded by Benjamin Franklin and four associates on December 7, 1736. Franklin served on it as America’s first volunteer fire chief.

It lasted for eighty-four years.

After an extensive fire in Philadelphia in 1736, Franklin created a fire brigade called The Union Fire company with 30 volunteers.

 So many men wanted to join Franklin's Union Company that he suggested it would be more beneficial to the salubrity of the city if they formed their own fire brigades. In the next several years, Philadelphians witnessed the birth of the Heart-in-Hand, the Britannia, the Fellowship, as well as several other fire companies.

In the 1884 book History of Philadelphia, 1609-1884, John Thomas Scharf and Thompson Westcott described the organization of the company:

The Union Fire Company was an association for mutual assistance. Each member agreed to furnish, at his own expense, six leather buckets and two stout linen bags, each marked with his name and the name of the company, which he was to bring to every fire. The buckets were for carrying water to extinguish the flames, and the bags were to receive and hold property which was in danger, to save it from risk of theft. The members pledged themselves to repair to any place in danger upon an alarm of fire with their apparatus. Some were to superintend the use of the water, others were to stand at the doors of houses in danger, and to protect the property from theft. On an alarm of fire at night it was agreed that lights should be placed in the windows of houses of members near the fire "in order to prevent confusion, and to enable their friends to give them more speedy and effectual assistance.'

According to Scharf and Westcott, the company was limited to 30 members who met eight times a year and were fined if they were late to or missed a meeting. The company had no president, but a treasurer and a clerk, take in turns from the general membership, who not only managed communications with other members but also inspected the gear.

With respect to the equipment, Scharf and Westcott note the following:

At this time engines and buckets were the only available apparatus, as pumps were few, and the supply of water scant. The engine of the Union Company, it is believed, was imported from England, as were also those of the other companies formed down to 1768.

The engine of the Union Company was probably kept in a house in Grindstone Alley, which runs north from Market Street to Church Alley, west of Second Street.

December 27th

December 27, 2009- Happy Birthday to my son, Michael Saul, born December 27, 1972.

Also on this Date:

December 27, 1636-  Elizabeth Baset born in Wales. (Elizabeth is Michael's 9th great grandmother.)

December 27, 1762- Valentine Miller is born to Christian and Mary Miller in Neersville, Loudoun County, Virginia. (Valentine Miller is Michael's 5th great grandfather.)

December 27, 1785- Elizabeth Knott is born to John Basil Knott and Mary Drury Knott in Maryland. (Elizabeth Knott is Michael's 4th great grandmother.)

December 27, 1858- Sebastian Worland dies in Liberty Township, Shelby County, Indiana. (Sebastian Worland is the 3rd great grandfather of Michael Saul.)

Surnames: Kunders, Cunard or Conard?

I recently had another discussion about the surname of my Revolutionary War Ancestor John Conard, he is listed by the Daughters of the American Revolution as John Cunard, (DAR RECORD 127512, VOL. 128).

In my family tree, I list him as John Conard to avoid confusion regarding his daughter Sarah Conard...many others also use the Conard surname.

John Conard is descended from Thones Kunders, one of the German pioneers granted a charter for Germantown, Pennsylvania, by William Penn in 1689.

In various documents from Krefeld, Germany, Thones Kunders signs his name as Tunnes Keunen, Tunis Kunders, and Thones Kunders. In the Germantown charter, his name appears as Tenis Coenderts and Tunes Cunders. In 1691, "Touniss Kunders" was elected as one of Germantown's fence-viewers.

The numerous descendants of Thones Kunders adopted the English custom of taking their father's last name as their own, but adopted it in various forms such as Conard, Cunard, Kunraed, Cunraed, Conrad, etc.

One of these descendants was Samuel Cunard, founder in 1838 of the first regular steamship service across the Atlantic, and builder of the mighty Britannia. (Samuel Cunard is the man in the accompanying image.)

Tobacco in Maryland

"Tobacco was the great product of the province. In all the parts of Maryland at that time colonized, was it cultivated. And it is said, upon good authority, that ' a hundred sail of ships,' a year, from the West Indies and from England, traded in this article-the source also of a very large revenue to the English crown, at 'his lordship's vast expense, industry, and hazard."

From the The day-star of American freedom, Davis, George Lynn-Lachlan, 1855.

Quakers: Marrying Out of Meeting

The Quakers believed that a marital union should be acceptable to the immediate families as well as to the entire Quaker congregation. When a Quaker man and woman wanted to marry, the parents were first consulted and, if they approved, the couples intentions were announced at the women's meeting and a note regarding their proposal was sent to the men's meeting. A committee was appointed to ascertain the couples "clearness" for marriage.
If approval was given, a special Meeting for Worship was appointed, within which the marriage took place. At the appointed meeting, bride and groom took their places, with or without a wedding party. A period of silent worship followed, then the couple rose, took each other by the hand and made their marriage promises to each other. A further time of silent worship passed, and perhaps some present spoke their thoughts or offerred a prayer. The wedding certificate was brought to the newly-married for their signatures, after which it was read aloud testifying that the marriage was accomplished in accord with the good order used among Friends. Then the certificate was signed by all in attendance. The bride signed her new name under that of her husband and the immediate families of the couple signed under their signature. Others in attendance then signed beside the family signatures.


Marriages of Quakers with someone of another faith was common. As early as 1694, the Philadelphia Meeting advised: "Take heed of giving your sons and daughters who are believers and profess and confess the truth, in marriage with unbelievers; for that was forbidden in all ages...it is unbecoming those who profess the truth to go from one woman to another, and keep company and sit together, especially in the night season, spending their time in idle discourse, and drawing the affections one of another many times when there is no reality in it."
Marrying out is believed to have caused immense losses in Quaker numbers after 1740. In Quaker records there are notations that someone "married out of unity" or "mou" - this indicated that they married someone not of the Quaker faith.
It would be necessary to make amends in writing to the satisfaction of a committee of members of the monthly meeting if they wished to remain Quakers. Sometimes the spouse adopted the Quaker faith and was received by request. If the Quakers were unwilling to make amends for their actions they would be dismissed from the monthly meeting.


Taken from Quaker Marriage.

The Name Conard

"By reason of the fact that these colonists were gathered from all parts of the world and spoke many different languages, names underwent strange transformations. Thones Kunders became known to his fellow colonists as Cunred, Conrad, and Conard, and these different renderings of the name appear in colonial records. His eldest son, who removed to the nearby colony of Worcester, called himself Conrad Conard, and his descendants, removing to Virginia, founded the Southern branch of the family. The site on which stood the home of our immigrant ancestor is marked be a memorial tablet in Philadelphia."

-Howard L. Conard, from the book The Descendants of John Conard of Loudoun County, Virginia by Amy Metcalf Bowen.

The plaque is located at 5109 Germantown Avenue, Germantown, Philadelphia, PA.