Three is a crowd but it is also quite popular. Three Tenors, Three Divas, and now I present: "Three Marriages at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia." * * * * * Marriage #1: Lettice Fulton m John Caldwell (1731) On 28 August 1731, Lettice Fulton married John Caldwell at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. This marriage record is found among the surviving records of the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. (Thank you, James L. Fulton, Jr. of Sterling, Virginia!) The marriage record is a two-column list written in tiny script containing about 70 marriages per page. This document is written in the same hand and appears to be contemporary to the period. It may be the personal record maintained by Rev. Jedediah Andrews. Rev. Jedediah Andrews was the minister of the First Presbyterian Church as early as 1698 and served until his death in 1747. Rev. Andrews occasionally supplied other churches in the area. The Abington Presbyterian Church, organized in 1714 at the Manor of Moreland, was served by Rev. Malachi Jones. Mr. Jones died 28 January 1729 and "For two years after his decease Rev. Jedediah Andrews occasionally officiated; but it was not until 1731 that Mr. Richard Treat was formally called." and Rev. Richard Treat "...was installed, by Philadelphia Presbytery pastor of the church at Abingdon [sic], Pa., December 30th, 1731." [Source: Nevin, Alfred, D.D., LL.D., Editor. "Enclyclopedia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: Including the Northern and Southern Assemblies" (Philadelphia: Presbyterian Encyclopedia Publishing Co., 1884).] In other words, on the date of Lettice Fulton's marriage, 28 August 1731, there was a vacancy at the Abington Presbyterian Church. While it is probable that Rev. Jedediah Andrews performed this marriage, it is not certain that this marriage took place in Philadelphia. It might have taken place at Abington Presbyterian Church or some other location. * * * * * Marriage #2: Jane Fulton m James Gillespie (1741) Ten years later, the same marriage list includes one other Fulton marriage. Only one. On 27 March 1741, Jane Fulton married James Gillespie at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. Jane Fulton is the widow of William Fulton and the daughter of Walter Denny, residents of Drumore Township, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. That last sentence is a Fulton show-stopper and summarizes years of research and collaboration by Ann Irwin, James L. Fulton, Jr., William Denny, and yours truly, Patrice Stark. Just in case you missed it: ------------------------------------------------------------------ * * * * * Fulton Show-Stopper Statement * * * * * Jane Fulton is the widow of William Fulton and the daughter of Walter Denny residents of Drumore Township, Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania ------------------------------------------------------------------ William Fulton of Drumore, according to Lancaster County historians Ellis & Evans, is the grandfather of THE Robert Fulton. ["History of Lancaster County, PA" 1883. For an opposing viewpoint, see Futhey & Cope, "History of Chester County, PA". They favor Alexander Fulton of Chester County for this honor.] Most published information will lead you to believe that William Fulton married Mary Smith. Further, you will find statements that Robert Fulton, father of THE Robert Fulton, married his first cousin, Mary Smith. It is unlikely that you will find any reference to the widow of William Fulton, Jane, daughter of Walter Denny. How do I know that? In 1734, William Fulton of Drumore Twp, received a Pennsylvania warrant for 150 acres situated on the Conowingo Creek. In 1737, Walter Denny patented the adjacent tract (formerly owned by Richard Beeson). Denny and Fulton were living here as early as 1732, possibly earlier. (Lancaster Co. Minute Book K, 1st month 1732/33). No marriage record between William Fulton and Jane Denny has been found. Similarly, no marriage record between William Fulton and Mary Smith has been found. On 25 March 1741, Jane Fulton received Letters of Administration for William Fulton, deceased, Walter Denny and Samuel Boyd, witnesses. Walter Denny submitted the inventory of William Fulton, deceased (signed by Walter Denny but undated). James Gillespie, husband of Jane (Denny) Fulton, acquired William Fulton's land. James Gillespie also acquired Walter Denny's land who is identified as Gillespie's father-in-law by surveyor John Churchman (Joseph Swift survey, 1789). What does this mean? Jane (Denny) Fulton, widow of William Fulton of Drumore Twp, Lancaster Co, PA, married (2) James Gillespie at the First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia. Why did they marry at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia? Why not marry at any one of the nearby Presbyterian Churches? Chesnut Level, Pequa, Middle Octorora, Little Britain, Nottingham, Donegal, etc., etc.) Why Rev. Jedediah Andrews? Did the marriage actually occur in Philadelphia, or did Andrews perform this marriage at some other location, the Abington Presbyterian Church near the Manor of Moreland, for example? What about Mary Smith? Please, that's another topic. * * * * * Marriage #3: Joseph Caldwell m Mary Pos/Pas? (1743) On 26 January 1743, Joseph Caldwell married Mary Pos/Pas? [difficult to read] at the First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia. This marriage caught my attention because it may be the same couple identified in the ancestral chart of James William Fulton (1822-1893) prepared by cheerful contributor, Dave "June Bug" Van Doren of Ohio. What? James William Fulton (1822-1893) is the great-grandson of Robert Fulton of Hilltown Twp, Bucks Co, PA, who purchased land in 1775 at Loudoun Co, Virginia and died there in 1798. (See "Fulton + Wynkoop" (Pt22)) In case you have not yet memorized the Robert Fulton family of Loudoun County, Virginia: 1.Robert Fulton d 1798 at Loudoun Co, VA 2. Robert Fulton [Jr] d 1841 at Loudoun Co, VA 3. David Powell Fulton (1797-1865) m Jane E. Carr 4. James William Fulton Jane E. Carr is the great-granddaughter of Joseph and Mary (Poak) Caldwell. From Dave Van Doren's research: 1. Joseph Caldwell m Mary Poak 2. Rachel Caldwell (1744-??) m Peter Carr (1740-1812) 3. William Carr (1771-1855) m Margaret Wren (1773-1809) 4. Jane E. Carr (1805-1889) m David Powell Fulton Could Joseph Caldwell and "Mary Poak" be the same couple who married 26 January 1743 at the First Presbyterian Church? The bride's surname is ambiguous. All I can make out is Mary "Pos" or "Pas". The timing, 1743, is right. Joseph Caldwell marries Mary P[?] in January 1743 and they could easily be the parents of Rachel Caldwell born 1744. The name "Peter Carr" appears in the index of the Wills of Loudoun County. Did the Fultons and Carrs come to Loudoun County together? * * * * * The First Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia and Rev. Jedediah Andrews are common denominators for these four couples. Is there some other relationship? (1) Lettice Fulton and John Caldwell (2) William Fulton and Jane Denny (3) Jane (Denny) Fulton and James Gillespie (4) Joseph Caldwell and Mary Pas/Pos or Poak ------------- Patrice (Fulton) Stark Lone Tree, Colorado