Reference: PACHESTE discussion list note dated 2 May 2000 From Linda Davis <gene_ous@yahoo.com> Subject: Thomas Davis-Coventry Twp-1700-1800 Dear Linda, I saw your note on the PACHESTE list (See Reference Note #1) regarding Thomas DAVIS who in 1802 is listed as a iron master from Coventry Twp, Chester Co and buys land in Bedford Co and later builds an Iron Furnace in Bedford Co. I am enclosing a tax list (See Reference Note #2). Do you think he is the same person listed in Sadsbury Twp, Chester Co, PA in the 1790 Federal census ? The surname Davis and Fulton occurs often in PA genealogy in the same geographic area. I realize that Davis is a common surname, but there are clusters of other relationships with Fultons that may not be coincidence. Do you have any additional information on your Thomas Davis's ancestors such a family group sheet, where they came from, where they settled ? Do you know of any Davis relationship to the SMITH name ? Thomas and William Smith of a earlier generation have interests in an iron mine in Martic Township, Lancaster Co PA in the late 1700s and in marriage relationships to the Fulton and to the Davis surname (William Smith's mother-in-law's maiden name was Sarah Davis and William's brother Thomas marries the widowed mother of Robert Fulton of steamboat fame). (See Reference Note #3). Do you know of any relationship of your Davis family to Henry HELM ? Henry Helm is appointed administrator to Robert Fulton the tailor's estate (father of Robert Fulton of steamboat fame). In 1768 Henry Helm was the administrator for selling the property of the estate of John Davis for his widow Elizabeth Davis - do you have a connection to this family ? (See Reference Note #4). Do you have any relationship to a John Davis in Allegheny Co, PA in 1809 ? (See reference #5). In all these references, do you see any other surnames that may have association with your line ? Thanks, Roberta R. (Fulton) Hirth Harriman, New York 10926 Fulton web page at: http://www.frontiernet.net/~elisa96/hirth/fulton.htm Search Fulton-L archives at: http://searches.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/listsearch.pl ************************************************************************* Reference Note #1: Subject: Thomas Davis-Coventry Twp-1700-1800's Resent-Date: Mon, 22 May 2000 15:08:55 -0700 (PDT) From: Linda Davis <gene_ous@yahoo.com> To: PACHESTE-L@rootsweb.com Linda Davis wrote: > Listers, > Am seeking info on Thomas Davis who took out a land > warrant for 400 acres in Bedford Co. in 1802 and was > listed as 'iron master' from Coventry Twp., Chester > Co., Pa. > > Thomas Davis and William Lane, who is listed as a > merchant from the City of Philadelphia, built the Lane > & Davis furnace in Hopewell Twp., Bedford Co., Pa. > Supposedly the first iron furnace in the vicinity. > > An agreement lists their occupations, and I was > wondering since he was already listed as an iron > master, if it's possible to find his name involved > with any iron works in Chester Co. > > Also, I believe in addition to his son Isaiah(b 1776), > who is our direct line, there was also a William, > Edward, and possibly Zachariah. > > I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who > might have any info about iron works in Chester Co. > > And, certainly anyone who might be tracing the same > line and can help me find more about Thomas I would > love to hear from. > > I have scoured Bedford Co. It appears he had lived > there for a while as he is in census records and on > tax lists, but no trace yet of what happened to him. > Possibly he returned to Chester Co, and is buried > there somewhere? > > The years would be latter half of the 1700's and early > 1800's. > > Thanks to all > Linda & Alan Davis ******************************************************************** Reference Note #2: Subject: Chester Co, PA 1790 Federal Census Resent-Date: Thu, 23 Mar 2000 04:04:08 -0800 (PST) From: "Roberta (Fulton) Hirth" <hirth@frontiernet.net> To: FULTON-L@rootsweb.com Folks, Enclosed below are listings that show the FULTON entries in the 1790 Chester Co, PA federal census from an online source. This may be of interest to Lori who posted a query about Butler Co, PA as follows: Subject: James Fulton and Hugh Lemon Date: Tue, 14 Mar 2000 22:31:40 EST From: BLLHN@aol.com >> Does anyone have the lines of James Fulton of Middlesex twp., PA? >> Looking for a Hugh Lemon, a Gray or Davis families in the family >> line of James. Notice in the census in New London Township, the entries for FULTON, LEMMON, DAVIS, no GRAY. A cluster of three out of the four surnames. Although Davis is a common name, Lemmon is not. I draw no conclusion - just wanted to point out an observation of a Fulton entry in the context of others in that township. <snip>... Census: 1790 Head of Household Census Index, M-Z Twps: Chester County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Robin L. W. Petersen. ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/chester/census/1790ches02.txt (partial listing below to point out FULTON entries): SADSBURY TOWNSHIP Gamble, Hamilton McClelland, Samuel McClelland, James Irvin, Joseph Morrison, John Steuart, Andrew Frame, Thomas Boyd, Hannah McClelland, Robert McPherson, Agnes Mitchel, Revd A. Humphrey, John G. Robinson, William Correy, George Dougherty, Edward Fleming, John Junr Boyd, James Junr Freeman, John Wilkin, Willm Hare, James Cowen, Thomas Sloan, George Briggs, William Park, Col. Joseph Marsh (Widow) Peoples, Francis Cowen, Robert Cowen, James Forster, Mr. Carmichael, Mrs. Morrow, James Marsh, William Kerr, Benjamin Grier, John Moore, James McCleland, Henry Armstrong, John McCleland, Robert Boyce, Hezekiah Scott, James Bulla, William Chamberlin, William Cowen, Robert Chamberlin, Gershom Jack, Andrew Cowen, Mary Davis, German Dobbins, John Petit, William Senr Fleming, John Fulton, Thomas <================== Farr, William Hope, Thomas Heslip, Thomas Hope, Hannah Gardnr, Doctor James Kinkaid, Hannah Marsh, Henry Marsh, Henry Junr Moore, William Moore, Andrew Moore, John Junr Paxton, Joseph Richmond, George Russel, Thomas Russel, William Scott, Thomas Trueman, Thomas Taylor, Jacob Williams, James Junr Williams, James Wilkin, Jean Williams, John Williams, Joseph Wilson, Samuel White, Benjamin Shoemaker, Peter Glendening, John Dickey, William Quaintance, John Dean, Jacob Petit, William Junr Irvin, Gideon Moore, John Senr Whitson, Henry Boyd, George Gamble, John Wright, Samuel Davis, Thomas <==================== ?your Thomas Davis ??? *********************************************************** Reference Note #3: Subject: Thomas SMITH, Marctic Twp, Lancaster PA and ties to steamboat Fultons Resent-Date: Tue, 2 Mar 1999 04:40:42 -0800 (PST) From: "Roberta (Fulton) Hirth" <hirth@frontiernet.net> To: FULTON-L@rootsweb.com Folks, Enclosing great information from Ann Irwin. Roberta Subject: Thomas Smith Date: Sun, 28 Feb 1999 20:11:09 -0600 From: "S, ANN IRWIN" <AIRWIN@prodigy.net> To: "ROBERTA FULTON HIRTH" <hirth@frontiernet.net> <snip>.. THOMAS SMITH OF MARTIC TOWNSHIP LANCASTER CO. PA. The following is to provide background history on the Smith family that I believe the widow Mary Smith Fulton married into after her husband, Robert Fulton, the tailors, death. At this time there is no evidence that her second husbands family was related to her birth family, Joseph and Isabel Smith of Oxford, Twp, Chester Co. Pa. Thomas Smith was born in Martick Twp. where his father , William Smith, settled in 1726. The elder Smith owned a Grist & Saw Mill. His wifes name was Joannah. Thomas and his brother William Smith build Martick Furnace in 1753 or 54. Thomas Smith married Jane Allison on Jan 16, 1761 at St. James Church in Lancaster Pa.. She is listed in different records as Jane or Jean. She was the daughter of John Allison of Derry Twp. whose will was dated 1747. John Allison was a native of Londonderry, Ireland and emigrated in 1725 to the barrens of Derry which became Derry Twp, Lancaster Co. Pa. . This area is now Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. Janes Children were listed in her brother Robert Allisons will of 1768, this will also shows she was deceased at this time. The children of Thomas & Jane(Jean)Smith were John, William, James, Robert. Nothing more is known of these children at this time. Thomas Smith was elected Sheriff of Lancaster County in 1752 and 1754. Revolutionary War records show a Thomas Smith of Lancaster Co. Pa. but cannot confirm him to be this Thomas Smith. Since it is documented that his brother William was actively involved in the war, it is quite probable that Thomas was also. According to Lancaster Deed Abstracts by Mayhill, Thomas Smith is entered as Sheriff in 1753,1754,1755. In The Middle Octorrora Church pamplet by Lancaster Historical Society, in 1763 William and Thomas Smith purchased the Green Tree Inn and surrounding land. They formed the town of Smithsborough from 19 acres of this land. They then sold the town to James Fulton who resold it to Robert Thompson in 1764. This was situated in Bart Twp. Page 2 - Thomas Smith The Lancaster Deed Abstracts lists Thomas Smith and wife Jane and William Smith and wife Dinah of Martic Twp. sold lot 24 in Smithsborough 14 April 1767. The following articles are found in the Pennsylvania Gazette: 9 July, 1767 - to be sold Martick Furnace and forge and about 4000 acres situate on branch of Pequea - apply to Thomas Smith living near the works. It must have taken a large investment to purchase property of this size. 26 June 1769 - Public Sale of Martic Furnace late property of Thomas Smith, James Wallace and James Fulton. - Which evidently indicates Smith was unable to sell the property. as this sale was advertised by the Sheriff. 7 May, 1770 Black Horse Tavern & Farm situated part in Martick and part in Strasburgh Twp. Lancaster Co. for sale - Apply to Thomas Smith in Martick Twp. Then a later notice "Public Sale" Late property of Thomas Smith siezed and taken to be sold by Sheriff - also 30th at Martick Furnace will be sold quality of casing. In The Lancaster Deed Abstracts, among the original members of the Juliana Library dated 22 oct 1763 were William Smith, Thomas Smith, and Robert Fulton. There also was a Robert Fulton associated for a short time with the Martic Furnace with Thomas Smith. It seems obvious that these Smiths and the Robert Fultons were acquainted. In the Trinity Lutheran Church records of Lancaster County is a marriage dated 5 Apr 1780 of Thomas Smith and Mary Fulton, two widowed persons. Robert Fulton inventor of the Steam Boat and son of the above Mary Fulton purchased land in Hopewell Twp, Washington Co. Pa May 8, 1786. It has been stated that this farm was for his mother, and sisters. It seems unusual that the son would purchase a farm for his mother if she had remarried, but its also seems obvious that Thomas Smith had financial problems. Other records that indicate the relationship of a second marriage and the presence of Thomas Smith in Mary Smith Fulton's life are: 28 Jan, 1786 Abraham Smith Fulton brother of Robert purchased 400 acres on Waters of Potato Garden & Monture Run, witness to this transaction were Robert Fulton(brother) and Thomas Smith. Page 3 - Thomas Smith I have copies of two letters from Robert the son to his Mother Mary dated June 14, 1790, and Jan 20, 1792. One is addressed to Mary Smith, and the other asks to be remembered to M. Smith.. None of the Tax lists, nor 1790 Census for Hopewell Township, Washington Co. Pa. (where the land was located that Robert Fulton purchased for his mother) list a Mary Fulton, but both records do show a Thomas Smith.) In the Washington Co. Will Book 1 - P 397 is the will of Thomas Smith who died in 1801 left wife Mary Smith, and appoints James Cook and Mary Smith as executors, this was signed Mar 9, 1800. (Mary's daughter Isabell married a Peyton Cook) There is no will for Mary Smith Fulton Smith, or any variation thereof. But this certainly throws a question about the accuracy of the widely accepted date of her death as 1799. Some background information on the brother who was involved with Thomas in several financial transcations: William Smith married Dinah Edwards Nov. 11, 1755. Dinah was born Nov 7, 1736. She was the daughter of John Edwards (B1708) and Sarah Davis. William also was a Sheriff of Lancaster County Pa. elected in 1758 and 1760. He and his family moved to New Holland (in Earl Twp) and he was a Justice til his decease in 1806. William was said to have taken an active part in the Revolutionary War and died in New Holland. Both the Davis and Edwards families were from Earl Township, in and near New Holland. [the majority of this information came from Egle's Notes & Queries] Ann Irwin ******************************************************************** Reference Note #4: Subject: Re: Pennsylvania Gazette Resent-Date: Mon, 2 Nov 1998 15:22:43 -0800 (PST) From: "Roberta (Fulton) Hirth" <hirth@frontiernet.net> To: FULTON-L@rootsweb.com Dear Ann and Pat, I am glad that the Pennsylvania Gazette is turning out to be such a fascinating source of new information. I think I am beginning to understand why Robert's widow signed over letters of administration to Henry Helm. At the Lancaster County Historical Society, Eleanore J. Fulton had some notes on this gentlemen that clearly indicates he was a highly respected individual in the community and his involvement in various groups crossed paths with Robert's affiliations. Eleanore's notes indicate that Henry Helm appears on early Lancaster Taxabe lists (1754); was an original member of the Juliana Library (LCHSJ xxxiii 213); was an original member of the Friendship Fire Co organized 10 Dec 1763 (E&E 383); PA Gazette 21 Nov 1771 mentions the noted hotel "Crown & Boot" on Queen St in Lancaster is to be sold & so it is announced by Henry Helm, apparently the owner and that it is located a few doors below the court house (LCHSJ xxv 42); Helm was listed on a Lancaster County's contributors to the Relief of Boston 1774 (LCHSJ xxviii 3,4); he is listed among taxables in 1771 for Lancaster Boro P.A. S3 xvii 8; 2 horses, 2cows; for 1772 p 293 - 15A, 2 horses, 1 cow; for 1773 p 458 Henry Helm tavern - 1 horse, 1 cow. In the Helm Family vertical file at LCHS it shows his occupation as "innkeeper" in 1773 and cordwainer in 1777. The Rev. John Woodhull, first minister of the First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster PA, explains that Henry Helm was a ruling elder of the church and when they tried to raise funds for building the church via a lottery, Henry Helm went to Philadelphia to help solicit contributions. He lists Henry as one of the leading men in the church in 1770 when the building was completed. >From the book, Robert Fulton and the Clermont by Alice Crary Sutcliffe, great-granddaughter of the Inventor, The Century Co, NY, publ 1909, p 4 states, "The senior Robert Fulton was among the prominent men of Lancaster, his name having been on record upon all the town organizations which existed at that period. He was a founder of the Presbyterian church, the Secretary of the Union Fire Company, and a charter member of the Juliana Library of Lancaster, the third library established in the American Colonies. (1763)." Since Henry Helm and Robert Fulton the tailor belonged to the same organizations, they may have developed a close friendship. In addition, the PA Gazette article on 17 March 1768 shows that Henry Helm was the administrator for selling the property of the estate of John Davis for his widow Elizabeth Davis, so clearly Henry Helm had experience in helping to settle estates for widows. ********************************************************************** Reference Note #5: Subject: Abstracts from Gen Soc of PA Publications Resent-Date: Sat, 27 Sep 1997 10:10:22 -0700 (PDT) From: dkfulton@futura.net (dorothy k fulton) To: FULTON-L@rootsweb.com <snip...> Ref: Some abstracts on Fultons from Gen Soc of PA publications Vol VII 3/1918 Abstracts of Wills & Adm. of Allegheny Co p 227 John Jones of Deer Twp, yeoman, d 9/21/1809 p 11/21/1809 Wife Rosanna, children (some under age) Evan, Jos., Hannah, Rebecca, Mary, john, Samuel, Edmond, Jesse, James, Martha, Phoeby & Catherine; wife & John Davis executors; Wit: James Fulton & James Clendennen ***************************************************************************