John Sharples baptized at Wybunbury,Cheshire,England,Aug.15,1624,died near Chester,Pa.,4 mo.11,1685;son of Geoffrey and Margaret (Ashley) Sharples;m.2 mo.(April) 27,1662,Jane Moore,born 1638;died near Chester,Pa.,9 mo.1,1722.They became members of the Society of Friends,in Cheshire,whence they migrated to Pennsylvania,arriving in Upland,now Chester,on the 14th of the 6th month (August),1682.Their children were Phebe,John,Thomas,James,Caleb,Jane and Joseph,of whom Thomas died on the passage and Phebe,Caleb and Jane within a few years after their arrival. John Sharples Jr.,born at Blakenhall,11 mo.16,1666;died near Chester,Pa. 9 mo.7,1747;married 9 mo.23,1692,at a meeting at John Bowater's house, Middletown,Hannah Pennell,b.7 mo.23,1673;d.10 mo.31,1721;dau.of Robert and Hannah Pennell,of Middletown.Jane,their 2nd child,married George Smedley Jr. Joseph Sharpless,b.at Hatherton,Cheshire,England,9-28-1678;d.in Middletown,Pa.,1757;son of John and Jane (Moore) Sharples (pg.53);m.3-31-1704,at Haverford Meeting,Lydia Lewis,b.Glamorganshire,Wales,3-8-1683 d.1763;dau.of Ralph and Mary Lewis,of Upper Darby.They resided in Nether Providence till about 1713,and afterwards in Middletown.Their children were Susanna,Joseph,Benjamin,Samuel,Lydia,Nathan,Jane,Abraham,Jacob and William,of whom the last married Abigail Sharp.Samuel Sharpless,b. Nether Providence,12-7-1710-11;d.Middletown,11-24-1790;m.3-26-1736,at Concord Meeting,Jane Newlin,b.about 1715;d.10-28-1798,aged 83 years;dau. of John and Mary (Woodward) Newlin,of Middletown.Their children were Mary,John,Thomas,Lydia,Abigail,Samuel,Hannah,Susanna,Phebe,Rachel,Samuel (2nd) and Joel. Visit The George Smedley Homepage http://smedley.lewis.home.att.net

Scottie I presume your friend is aware of "The Genealogy of the Sharpless Family" by Gilbert Cope.(1349 pages).It covers the descendants of John and Jane Sharpless and is available as a reprint. Visit The George Smedley Homepage http://smedley.lewis.home.att.net -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Scottie Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 1:49 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [PaOldC] Sharpless Hello to any that are connected to the Sharpless family...I have a good friend with the last name of Sharpless...she and I go to the same church here in Punta Gorda, Florida.   She told me she is a descendant of John Sharpless and there are Smedleys in her family.  Don't know if she is into research but know she knows a lot about her ancestors.  We kid around about possibly being "cousins"   Scottie ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Scottie, My ancestor, Phebe Sharpless, b. 25 MAY 1752, m. 6 JUN 1782 to Peter Smedley, b. 28 JAN 1754, both of Middletown and Uwchlan townships, Chester Co.,PA. Donna -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Scottie Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 1:49 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [PaOldC] Sharpless Hello to any that are connected to the Sharpless family...I have a good friend with the last name of Sharpless...she and I go to the same church here in Punta Gorda, Florida.   She told me she is a descendant of John Sharpless and there are Smedleys in her family.  Don't know if she is into research but know she knows a lot about her ancestors.  We kid around about possibly being "cousins"   Scottie ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

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 to 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 Phila.,and settled in Middletown.Their children were Thomas,who m.Agnes Salkeld,Sarah, Margaret,John,who m.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 relgious 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 approve 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 the 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 Lb2-16-9.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 Lb200:To dau.Sarah Starr all the money her husband owes me,about Lb200:To dau.Mary Hall,Lb200 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 Lb100.Sarah Minshall,in will dated 2-23-1799,gave to Middletown Meeting Lb5 for the use of the poor. Visit The George Smedley Homepage http://smedley.lewis.home.att.net

You have sent this just to me, and I don't think that's what you meant to do....so, I suggest your go to your Welcome Email and reread the section concerning REPLY vs REPLY ALL, so next time you'll know how to reach everyone on the list, not just the poster of the email. I'm unsure, from your email, what it is you're looking for....if Elinor emigrated as his wife, or if " I have not been able to find anything on them since then.", means you have no info on them past the info that Robert was listed as being on the Friendship. In case it is the latter, here's what I found. I looked at the early court records and see that Robert Varnon was the constable for the Chester Twp of Providence, in 1697, so you research would best be pointed to the Providence of Chester Co, rather than that of Del. Co. I'm sure you know that these earlyVernons were Quakers, who came together from Chester England. " Thomas was a juror at the first held court of the County of Chester. He, with his brother, Randal, settled on joining tracts of land in Lower (also referred to as Nether) Providence.....these may have been the brother of Robert Vernon. Robert was from Stoke, Cheshire, England, and was a Friend, but did not take an active part in meeting affairs, as did Thomas and Randal. His wife Elinor, who came with him, was the dau of John Minshall and sister of Thomas Minshall, a settler in Providence. (this wording looks to me like Thomas was the Providence settler, with no mention of John, the father actually being here.....this might be an avenue to pursue....seeing what you can find about Eliinor, her brother, Thomas, and their father.....did John actually come to the new world?) Elinor died , 24, 1720." Robert conveyed his brick messurage and 330 acres of land, where he lived, to his son Jacob, before his death in Jan or Feb of 1709-10." This is all from THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY PA, by Futhey and Cope, although no documentation for it is included. F&C also includes all the children of Robert and Elinor...if interested I'll post them. I checked, and John Minshall did not leave a will in Chester or surrounding counties, nor did Robert Vernon. I looked at the Lower Providence tax list for 1715, their first year, and while there were several Vernons....Jacob, Joseph, Thomas, John....there was no Robert...nor in Upper Providence, either.,,,and no Minshalls . Ordinarily, when meetings were well established, there will be a record of a certificate brought from GB, to the new meeting..however, these folks came during the very beginning of the creation of Chester co meetings, and the prep. meetings seemed to have been held, not in meeting houses (as yet unbuilt), but the homes of members, so it may well be that these very early records, are no longer extant.....however, you might search them. I checked the early Phil MM records, early members of other meetings often presented their certificates to this meeting, before moving on to other areas....no luck. But, you might want to follow up searching early MM records, just in case the certificate info is still around. Sandra this is the email of someone who says "Elinor Minshall daughter of John Minshall and Margaret being married to Robert Vernon in 1689 in Chester, PA"...you might want to contact her to see where she found this info. [email protected] (keep your fingers crossed it's still a working address!) " Robert Vernon came over in 1682 on the Friendship which was one of William Penn's ships. I > found him, two of his brothers, his brother-in-law and sister-in-law on > the ships log, but cannot find anything that shows when his wife came > over although family history says that they came together. I have not > been able to find anything on them since then."

Sandra, Sorry, I thought I replied to the whole list. I show that Robert Vernon and Elinor Minshall were married in the home of William Barnes, Stoke, Cheshire England in 1678. They immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1682 with William Penn. As far as I know, neither of their parents ever came to America. Corky Swanson

Hello to any that are connected to the Sharpless family...I have a good friend with the last name of Sharpless...she and I go to the same church here in Punta Gorda, Florida.   She told me she is a descendant of John Sharpless and there are Smedleys in her family.  Don't know if she is into research but know she knows a lot about her ancestors.  We kid around about possibly being "cousins"   Scottie

While Nether Providence may now be in Delaware Co, it was once in Chester... which county you look in for your folks will be determined by the timeframe they lived in, and there was no Del. Co till around 1789. Knowing where someone lived is heavily influenced by WHEN they lived. Sandra "I am looking for "Nether Providence" in Chester Co. Pennsyl. My ancestor Robert and Elinor Minshall Vernon are reported to be from there."

Nether Providence is a township east of Media. It is now Delaware County Nancy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Corky Swanson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, March 15, 2009 12:01 AM Subject: [PaOldC] Chester County Research >I am looking for "Nether Providence" in Chester Co. Pennsyl. My > ancestor Robert and Elinor Minshall Vernon are reported to be from there. > > Corky Swanson > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.0.237 / Virus Database: 270.11.13/2001 - Release Date: 03/14/09 06:54:00

LOL! I love it! My great grandmother claimed she was a widow. Her husband had run off and remarried, without getting divorced first. Yours, Dora Smith Austin, TX [email protected] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra Ferguson" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 9:06 PM Subject: [PaOldC] Fw: Definition of "widow" > This was suggested by a list member, and seems logical to me....at least > an interesting explanation. > > S. > " Perhaps the terms of 'grass widow' and 'sod widow' came abou t > during the late 19th and early 20th century to accommodate those women who > were no longer married nor single (grass widow) and those whose husband's > had actually died (sod widow). It was a way to distinguish between the > two." > > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

According to A HISTORY OF UWCHLAN TOWNSHIP 1682-1782, by Brody; inmate - the term used to refer to a married man, who did not own land but resided in the twp freeman - term used to refer to an unmarried man who did not own land but resided in the twp. S.

I am looking for "Nether Providence" in Chester Co. Pennsyl. My ancestor Robert and Elinor Minshall Vernon are reported to be from there. Corky Swanson

http://www.delawarecountyhistory.com/chestertownship/ChesterTwpTax1802-3-4.htm I am looking for an ancestor, Caleb Buffington, and on this list he comes up as an "inmate for occupation tax." Anyone know what that is? p.s. Sandra, you'll see he's right next to George Sneath - the owner of the store, hence they called it "Sneath's Corner!" Lynn

I agree that the true definition of widow is a woman whose husband has died, but also agree that women often have used that term when divorced or separated, as it was difficult socially to be a single woman until relatively recently. (Not that it is easy now, but it is more common.) My grandmother was divorced through no fault of her own- her husband ran around town drinking and with a 'floozy' (that he actually married and lived with- in that order- for 60+ years) in a small Iowa town c. 1930. The women were worried if she even glanced at their husbands, and she would not speak to the men in order to not 'stir up a fuss.' She was shunned by her former women friends too. When a new, divorced man moved into town, they were 'fixed up' and she felt forced to marry him. He was awful to my dad (child of her first marriage) and did not treat her well, but she felt she had no other choice than to stay with him. She needed him economically as well as socially- she was able to have friends again once she married this other man. She loved her errant first husband for the rest of her life, and put up with the second for that long too. I have numerous family members who are listed on the census as "widow" when they were actually divorced or separated from their husbands. In one family, there are 2 censuses where she lists "widow", which are the years when they were separated and legally divorced; she then remarried him and was listed as "wife" again. Interestingly, I found him on the earlier census in another state, living with his mother and listed as "single." Once again, the divorce was because of bad behavior on his part (with money), but the woman always bore the greater stigma, even if she had been a perfect wife. Pamela

This was suggested by a list member, and seems logical to me....at least an interesting explanation. S. " Perhaps the terms of 'grass widow' and 'sod widow' came abou t during the late 19th and early 20th century to accommodate those women who were no longer married nor single (grass widow) and those whose husband's had actually died (sod widow). It was a way to distinguish between the two."

I don't believe that there is any other definition for widow, other than a woman whose husband is dead, and who has not remarried. I think it wasn't too uncommon for women to NOT wish others to know they were divorced, and using the term widow might have made the divorce more palliative.... maybe, when the census taker came 'round she knew she wasn't married, and she wasn't exactly single, so perhaps she just said widowed, for lack of anything better. S.. I believe I read on these boards a while ago that the term "widow" was used for other than a woman who's husband was dead. My reason for asking is my great grandmother, Emma Cox Miller, appears in the 1888-89 Chester City Directory as "widow of E.P.", yet I know my great grandfather, Ellis Pusey Miller was alive in November of 1890. They were in the middle of a divorce in 1888/89 and I wondered if this was a term that a woman would use if she was separated or felt she was "deserted" by her husband.

I believe I read on these boards a while ago that the term "widow" was used for other than a woman who's husband was dead. My reason for asking is my great grandmother, Emma Cox Miller, appears in the 1888-89 Chester City Directory as "widow of E.P.", yet I know my great grandfather, Ellis Pusey Miller was alive in November of 1890. They were in the middle of a divorce in 1888/89 and I wondered if this was a term that a woman would use if she was separated or felt she was "deserted" by her husband. Any information would be really appreciated. Thanks Joan **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100126575x1220439616x1201372437/aol?redir=http:%2F%2Fwww.freecreditreport.com%2Fpm%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fsc%3D668072%26hmpgID %3D62%26bcd%3DfebemailfooterNO62)

I mistakenly sent this reply to Sandra, but think someone on the list might have something more, so I decided to send again. BTW, everything on the list is coming to me as forwarded messages. Is there something I need to change on my subscription? Sandra, thank you so much for checking on Sarah Hull! Sandra Ferguson wrote: > As they married in Baltimore, Md, wouldn't you think this the likely > home of Sarah? I always figure couples generally marry where the bride > is from, don't you? I assume you've looked for the Hull family there, > with no luck. I'm just not sure what the reason is you think the Hulls > might have been from Chester. I've looked for Sarah for many years, probably reaching for straws here! But there are some connections to Chester County and to New Castle County in Delaware. James Bankson (1759-1808) was up and down the coast during 1776-1781. He was in the Maryland Line in June of 1780 during the battle at Monmouth, New Jersey. He signed on as mariner on the privateer “Viper” out of Boston in September of 1780. He might have met Sarah anywhere along this area. If they had an understanding before his ship was captured, she might have left her home and traveled to Baltimore to be with James' family, hoping for James' safe return. James’ 1C1R was Jacob Bankson, who m. Hannah Bond, daughter of Joseph Bond of Chester Co. PA. James’ grandfather married Hannah ?, who was first married to William Hewes of Chester Co., PA. The Hewes and Bond families were either kin or friends. James’ daughter, Maria Louisa Bankson, married Hugh Bolton, who was from Delaware, possibly Pencader Hundred, in 1822. James’ uncle, Laurance Bankson, married Rebecca Hendricks in 1726. Her family, originated in Chester Co., PA. > I've looked in THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope, and > the only Banksons were early ones and there are no Hulls included in > the index. I also checked the 1765 Chester Archives (looking for > potential parents for Sarah), and no Hulls. I checked the CD of wills, > and no Hulls mentioned in any way, in Chester. a John Hull served as > witness in 1827, Radnor...Del. Co but that's it. I really appreciate your looking! I think I've about exhausted everything that's online, but then again, new material is being added! I'm hoping that there's some evidence of Sarah's parentage locally, that's not online. Martha Bankson Lyle

Rich, I think your Margaret Hague's family might have lived in Conshohocken. I checked the 1910 census for several counties around (Berks, Bucks, Lancaster, Montgomery, Phila., Chester and Delaware). This is the only one that had a Margaret who fit into the age group you listed. 1910 > PENNSYLVANIA > MONTGOMERY > 5-WD CONSHOHOCKEN Series: T624 Roll: 1377 Page: 74 Hague, John W, Head, 52, M1, 21, b. England, parents b. England, Puddler, iron Mill " Margaret E, Wife, 42, M1 21, 9 ch, 8 living, b. England, parents b. England " Charles H, son, 18, b. PA, parents b. England, Designer, Cotton Mill " George W, son, 16, parents b. England, Rubber maker, Surgical Works " Elizabeth T [or F?], daughter, 14, parents b. England, none " Clara J, daughter, 12, parents b. England, none " Catherine, daughter, 11, parents b. England, none " Margaret, daughter, 8, parents b. England, none " Lucy G, daughter, 7, parents b. England, none " Annie A, daughter, 4, parents b. England, none 1920 > PENNSYLVANIA > MONTGOMERY > 5-WD CONSHOHOCKEN Series: T625 Roll: 1606 Page: 235 443 Tenth Avenue Hague, John W, Head, 61 IMM 1880, Nat. 1884, b. England, parents b. England, Laborer, [??] Mfg " Margaret, Wife, 55, IMM 1888, " Margaret, daughter, 18, b. PA, parents b. England, Folder, Hosiery " Lucy G, daughter, 16, b. PA, parents b. England, Clerk, Glass works " Annie A, daughter, 14, b. PA, parents b. England Durn, Joseph F, Head, 26, Laborer, Boiler shop Clara, 22, Wife, b. PA, parents b. England Isabel, daughter, 3 6/12, b. PA, parents b. PA Elena, daughter, 1 1/12, b. PA, parents b. PA Best wishes, Liz J > Date: Mon, 9 Mar 2009 20:47:35 -0600 > From: "Suunsu" <[email protected]> > Subject: [PaOldC] (no subject) > To: <[email protected]> > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain;       charset="us-ascii" > > Greeting all, > >                I am looking for my paternal grandmother.  All the info I > have is her name: Margaret Hague, b. 1901, d. 1925.  I think that she was > married in Norristown, as well as dying in Norristown.  I can find no record > of her in the 1910 census.  Any help I can get is great., as this is all the > info I have. > > Rich

I have much on the Bengtssons, and if you tell James' line of descent, I'll see if I have anything. As they married in Baltimore, Md, wouldn't you think this the likely home of Sarah? I always figure couples generally marry where the bride is from, don't you? I assume you've looked for the Hull family there, with no luck. I'm just not sure what the reason is you think the Hulls might have been from Chester. I've looked in THE HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, by Futhey and Cope, and the only Banksons were early ones and there are no Hulls included in the index. I also checked the 1765 Chester Archives (looking for potential parents for Sarah), and no Hulls. I checked the CD of wills, and no Hulls mentioned in any way, in Chester. a John Hull served as witness in 1827, Radnor...Del. Co but that's it. Absolutely no luck this morning, I'm sorry to say. Sandra Sarah (Susan) Hull, b. 1759, d. 1836. Married James Bankson, 1783. The marriage was performed by the Rev. Siegfried Gerock, minister of Zion Lutheran in Baltimore. James served in the Revolution in the Maryland Line, and later as a privateer on the ship "Viper" out of Boston. He was imprisoned in Mill Prison in England from 1781-1782. James was a descendant of Anders Bengtsson, 1640-1705 who was one of the early Swedish settlers in Pennsylvania. I have been unable to learn anything about Sarah Hull. Some of the Bankson family associates were living in the Welsh Tract, so there may have been connections there. I find a David Hull and Rachel Hull in Vol. 1 of "Early Church Records of New Castle County, Delaware" and a Sarah and Elizabeth Hull in Vol. 2, but these do not seem to match my Sarah.