Any information you can give me about Morris and Abijah Stephens, I will appreciate very much. I am looking for two brothers, Morris (also spelled Maurice) and Abijah Stephens. They are the sons of David Stephens and Elizabeth Evans. David Stephens is the son of Evans ap Stephens and Mary (Davies?), d. Tredyffrin, Chester County, 12 Jul 1784. Abijah is mentioned in her Will as a grandchild under 18; therefore he must have been born before 1757, when she wrote her Will. Morris was not mentioned. Their father, David Stephens, married Elizabeth Evans and was read out of Radnor Meeting in 1758, because, “not giving heed to the Dictates of that Divine Spirit that admits all Truth, he was married to a woman of a different Persuasion in matters of Faith”. (Radnor MM Men’s Meeting Minutes 1758-1763 Box PH – 542 Pg. 9, David Stephens, Junr. Dis. 10D 11M 1758) This helps to date the marriage of David Stephens and Elizabeth Evans and the birth of their children as being in the 1750s. They evidently became members of the Great Valley Baptist Church. (I believe Elizabeth Evans was of the Evans family of Gwynedd Friends Meeting and am puzzled about how she became a non-Friend.) Abijah was named for his father’s younger brother, Abijah, (b. 30 Nov 1732 d. Tredyffrin, Chester County, 21 Nov 1802, m. Priscilla Thomas, daughter of Thomas Thomas and Priscilla Jarman). Abijah remained a member of Radnor Friends Meeting. David Stephens and Elizabeth Evans also had a daughter, Eleanor (Ellonor, Elianor, Elanor, Elinor), who married Jacob Richardson, born 1744 and died about 1805, a member of Gwynedd Friends Meeting who was disowned for marrying her. They had five children: William, who married Hannah Jones; Maurice, who never married; Rebecca, who married Jacob Massey; Rachel, who married John Brown, Jr.; and Isaac, who never married. Although born in Chester County, both Abijah and Morris are in the 1790 U.S. Census, p.6, living next door to one another in Montgomery County, 14 and 15 doors away from Jacob and Eleanor, their sister. In 1800, all four are still in the same places, with the area being now more specifically named Upper Merion, In the 1810 U.S. Census for Upper Merion, p. 1242, Abijah and Morris are still living side by side. Abijah has four boys and five girls and Morris has two boys and four girls; and, on p.1241, Elianor (sic) (Stephens) Richardson is Head of Household, Jacob having died around 1805, with two boys and two girls still at home Her son, William, is now married and living next door with three girls and one boy. In the U.S. Census of 1820 p. 271A, Abijah is still living in Upper Merion with six boys and five girls, and Maurice is still living in Upper Merion with two boys and three girls Neither Abijah nor Morris/Maurice is to be found in the 1830 Census for Upper Merion. My specific questions are: 1. When were Abijah and Morris/Maurice born, when and whom did they marry, and what were the names of their children? 2. During the Orthodox-Hicksite split in the Society of Friends, would a member of a Hicksite Meeting be disowned for marrying a member of an Orthodox Meeting or, vice versa, would a member of an Orthodox Meeting be disowned for marrying a member of a Hicksite Meeting?

There are BIOs about the STEPHENs and MOORE lines on the Montgomery Co genweb archive board: http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/montgomery/bios/robertsannals/roberts218.txt<http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/montgomery/bios/robertsannals/roberts218.txt> http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/montgomery/bios/robertsannals/roberts122.txt<http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/montgomery/bios/robertsannals/roberts122.txt> One says: Elizabeth MOORE, born 4th mo. 4, 1771, died 8th mo. 24, 1836, married, in 1797, Abijah Stephens, son of David Stephens, who died 10th mo. 23, 1825, she being disowned by Friends, 7th mo. 13, 1797, for marrying out of meeting; MOORE, JOHN. Upper Merion. February 14, 1803. November 16, 1812. 3.433 To son John 5 pds. and to his children 5 pds. each when 21. To grandchildren: Morris Stephens, and David Stephens, 30 pds. when 21. To son Jonathan, 110 pds. To 3 children of Jonathan Moore, 10 pds. when 18. To Thomas Moore, 10 pds. when 21. To son-in-law Abijah Stephens, 5 s. To John Evans, 5 pds. To granddaughter Jane Moore, silver chains, etc. To John Moore, cow. To son Richard, clock, and rem. of estate except 55 pds. To John Moore and his 5 children. Execs: Son Richard, and Jonathan Cleaver. Wit: Hannah Jones, and Israel Jones. Diana in AL ----- Original Message ----- From: Mary Arnett<mailto:mhfarnett@hotmail.com> To: pa-old-chester-l@rootsweb.com<mailto:pa-old-chester-l@rootsweb.com> Sent: Sunday, October 15, 2006 2:28 PM Subject: [PaOldC] Morris and Abijah Stephens Any information you can give me about Morris and Abijah Stephens, I will appreciate very much. I am looking for two brothers, Morris (also spelled Maurice) and Abijah Stephens. They are the sons of David Stephens and Elizabeth Evans. David Stephens is the son of Evans ap Stephens and Mary (Davies?), d. Tredyffrin, Chester County, 12 Jul 1784. Abijah is mentioned in her Will as a grandchild under 18; therefore he must have been born before 1757, when she wrote her Will. Morris was not mentioned. Their father, David Stephens, married Elizabeth Evans and was read out of Radnor Meeting in 1758, because, "not giving heed to the Dictates of that Divine Spirit that admits all Truth, he was married to a woman of a different Persuasion in matters of Faith". (Radnor MM Men's Meeting Minutes 1758-1763 Box PH - 542 Pg. 9, David Stephens, Junr. Dis. 10D 11M 1758) This helps to date the marriage of David Stephens and Elizabeth Evans and the birth of their children as being in the 1750s. They evidently became members of the Great Valley Baptist Church. (I believe Elizabeth Evans was of the Evans family of Gwynedd Friends Meeting and am puzzled about how she became a non-Friend.) Abijah was named for his father's younger brother, Abijah, (b. 30 Nov 1732 d. Tredyffrin, Chester County, 21 Nov 1802, m. Priscilla Thomas, daughter of Thomas Thomas and Priscilla Jarman). Abijah remained a member of Radnor Friends Meeting. David Stephens and Elizabeth Evans also had a daughter, Eleanor (Ellonor, Elianor, Elanor, Elinor), who married Jacob Richardson, born 1744 and died about 1805, a member of Gwynedd Friends Meeting who was disowned for marrying her. They had five children: William, who married Hannah Jones; Maurice, who never married; Rebecca, who married Jacob Massey; Rachel, who married John Brown, Jr.; and Isaac, who never married. Although born in Chester County, both Abijah and Morris are in the 1790 U.S. Census, p.6, living next door to one another in Montgomery County, 14 and 15 doors away from Jacob and Eleanor, their sister. In 1800, all four are still in the same places, with the area being now more specifically named Upper Merion, In the 1810 U.S. Census for Upper Merion, p. 1242, Abijah and Morris are still living side by side. Abijah has four boys and five girls and Morris has two boys and four girls; and, on p.1241, Elianor (sic) (Stephens) Richardson is Head of Household, Jacob having died around 1805, with two boys and two girls still at home Her son, William, is now married and living next door with three girls and one boy. In the U.S. Census of 1820 p. 271A, Abijah is still living in Upper Merion with six boys and five girls, and Maurice is still living in Upper Merion with two boys and three girls Neither Abijah nor Morris/Maurice is to be found in the 1830 Census for Upper Merion. My specific questions are: 1. When were Abijah and Morris/Maurice born, when and whom did they marry, and what were the names of their children? 2. During the Orthodox-Hicksite split in the Society of Friends, would a member of a Hicksite Meeting be disowned for marrying a member of an Orthodox Meeting or, vice versa, would a member of an Orthodox Meeting be disowned for marrying a member of a Hicksite Meeting?

Futhey and Cope has a section on election districts, and in 1826, a district, composed of Schuylkill, had been formed into a new twp, by the division of Charlestown..it was the 26th District. The election of 1826 was held at the house of Abijah Stephens...later moved to the sign of the "Bull". (a son or grandson?) Some area wills that might have clues for you. S. STEPHENS, ABIJAH. Tredyffrin.June 15, 1801: December 4, 1802.Provides for wife, not named, including use of house and 12 acres of land during life: after her decease the house and land to four daughters Rebecca, Elizabeth, Priscilla and Anna Stephens: also £400 which I have put in their hands. To son-in-law Edward Woodman and Sarah his wife 15 acres of land whereon they now live, they paying to my granddaughter Ruth £15, and 40 s. to each of their children when 21: also to said son-in-law two other lots of land, 12 acres and 5 acres.To daughter Mary Rossiter £100 and to each of her children 40 s. when 21. To son Stephen residue of plantation on which he now lives; also a lott of land on the hill, about 40 acres, and a lott in Montgomery containing about 16 acres. Residue to be equally divided at wife's decease between six (6) daughters. Sarah, Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Priscilla and Anna. Trustees: Nephew Ezra Thomas of Newtown, relation Isaac Walker, and Jonathan Cleaver.Executors: Son Stephen Stephens and son-in-law Samuel Rossiter.Wits.: Jane Walker, Jesse Walker, Catherine Walker, Joseph Walker. Montgomery Co.... MOORE, JOHN. Upper Merion.February 14, 1803. November 16, 1812. 3.433To son John 5 pds. and to his children 5 pds. each when 21. To grandchildren: Morris Stephens, and David Stephens, 30 pds. when 21. To son Jonathan, 110 pds. To 3 children of Jonathan Moore, 10 pds. when 18. To Thomas Moore, 10 pds. when 21. To son in law Abijah Stephens, 5 s. To John Evans, 5 pds. To granddaughter Jane Moore, silver chains, etc. To John Moore, cow. To son Richard, clock, and rem. of estate except 55 pds. To John Moore and his 5 children. Execs: Son Richard, and Jonathan Cleaver. Wit: Hannah Jones, MOORE, JOHN. Upper Merion.February 14, 1803. November 16, 1812. 3.433To son John 5 pds. and to his children 5 pds. each when 21. To grandchildren: Morris Stephens, and David Stephens, 30 pds. when 21. To son Jonathan, 110 pds. To 3 children of Jonathan Moore, 10 pds. when 18. To Thomas Moore, 10 pds. when 21. To son in law Abijah Stephens, 5 s. To John Evans, 5 pds. To granddaughter Jane Moore, silver chains, etc. To John Moore, cow. To son Richard, clock, and rem. of estate except 55 pds. To John Moore and his 5 children. Execs: Son Richard, and Jonathan Cleaver. Wit: Hannah Jones, and Israel Jones. January 7, 1818. Abijah Stevens, adm. MARSH, DANIEL. New Hanover. Philadelphia Co... JENKEN, THOMAS. Upper Merion. Co. of Phila. Yeoman.August 15, 1764. October 2, 1764.Grandchildren: David, William, John, Samuel, and Martha Nox, Margaret and Zachariah Faris. Son in law: Daniel Nox. Baptist Meeting House in Tredyfrin. Friends: Rev. John David, Mathew James, Ann Thomas, Two sons of John Colloth, John and Nancy Moore. Execs.: Henry Pawling, George George, John More. Witnesses: Joseph Walker, William Godfrey. Abijah Stephens. Codicil, 15 August 1764. Great granddaughter: Martha Faris. Friend: Joseph Nicholas. Witnesses: (same). (N:193) EVANS, ELLENOR. Former husband Griffith Evans. Upper Merion, Co. of Philadelphia. Widow. January 23, 1758. July 18, 1761. M.149.Child: Elizabeth (wife of David Stephens). Grandchildren: Morris and Eleanor. Exec: Henry Paulin, Thos. Watters, James David.Witnesses: John and Abigail Brickson (her mark), Jno. Moore.Codicil: April 16, 1761.Witnesses: Danl. Walker, David Francis. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.21/511 - Release Date: 11/1/2006

Sign of the Bull is the Bull Tavern located about 1/4 mile west of Abijah Stevens home on what is now Route 23 between Valley Forge Park and Phoenixville. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sandra Ferguson" <ferg@ntelos.net> To: "Mary Arnett" <mhfarnett@hotmail.com>; <pa-old-chester-l@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, November 02, 2006 7:32 AM Subject: Re: [PaOldC] Morris and Abijah Stephens Futhey and Cope has a section on election districts, and in 1826, a district, composed of Schuylkill, had been formed into a new twp, by the division of Charlestown..it was the 26th District. The election of 1826 was held at the house of Abijah Stephens...later moved to the sign of the "Bull". (a son or grandson?) Some area wills that might have clues for you. S. STEPHENS, ABIJAH. Tredyffrin.June 15, 1801: December 4, 1802.Provides for wife, not named, including use of house and 12 acres of land during life: after her decease the house and land to four daughters Rebecca, Elizabeth, Priscilla and Anna Stephens: also £400 which I have put in their hands. To son-in-law Edward Woodman and Sarah his wife 15 acres of land whereon they now live, they paying to my granddaughter Ruth £15, and 40 s. to each of their children when 21: also to said son-in-law two other lots of land, 12 acres and 5 acres.To daughter Mary Rossiter £100 and to each of her children 40 s. when 21. To son Stephen residue of plantation on which he now lives; also a lott of land on the hill, about 40 acres, and a lott in Montgomery containing about 16 acres. Residue to be equally divided at wife's decease between six (6) daughters. Sarah, Mary, Rebecca, Elizabeth, Priscilla and Anna. Trustees: Nephew Ezra Thomas of Newtown, relation Isaac Walker, and Jonathan Cleaver.Executors: Son Stephen Stephens and son-in-law Samuel Rossiter.Wits.: Jane Walker, Jesse Walker, Catherine Walker, Joseph Walker. Montgomery Co.... MOORE, JOHN. Upper Merion.February 14, 1803. November 16, 1812. 3.433To son John 5 pds. and to his children 5 pds. each when 21. To grandchildren: Morris Stephens, and David Stephens, 30 pds. when 21. To son Jonathan, 110 pds. To 3 children of Jonathan Moore, 10 pds. when 18. To Thomas Moore, 10 pds. when 21. To son in law Abijah Stephens, 5 s. To John Evans, 5 pds. To granddaughter Jane Moore, silver chains, etc. To John Moore, cow. To son Richard, clock, and rem. of estate except 55 pds. To John Moore and his 5 children. Execs: Son Richard, and Jonathan Cleaver. Wit: Hannah Jones, MOORE, JOHN. Upper Merion.February 14, 1803. November 16, 1812. 3.433To son John 5 pds. and to his children 5 pds. each when 21. To grandchildren: Morris Stephens, and David Stephens, 30 pds. when 21. To son Jonathan, 110 pds. To 3 children of Jonathan Moore, 10 pds. when 18. To Thomas Moore, 10 pds. when 21. To son in law Abijah Stephens, 5 s. To John Evans, 5 pds. To granddaughter Jane Moore, silver chains, etc. To John Moore, cow. To son Richard, clock, and rem. of estate except 55 pds. To John Moore and his 5 children. Execs: Son Richard, and Jonathan Cleaver. Wit: Hannah Jones, and Israel Jones. January 7, 1818. Abijah Stevens, adm. MARSH, DANIEL. New Hanover. Philadelphia Co... JENKEN, THOMAS. Upper Merion. Co. of Phila. Yeoman.August 15, 1764. October 2, 1764.Grandchildren: David, William, John, Samuel, and Martha Nox, Margaret and Zachariah Faris. Son in law: Daniel Nox. Baptist Meeting House in Tredyfrin. Friends: Rev. John David, Mathew James, Ann Thomas, Two sons of John Colloth, John and Nancy Moore. Execs.: Henry Pawling, George George, John More. Witnesses: Joseph Walker, William Godfrey. Abijah Stephens. Codicil, 15 August 1764. Great granddaughter: Martha Faris. Friend: Joseph Nicholas. Witnesses: (same). (N:193) EVANS, ELLENOR. Former husband Griffith Evans. Upper Merion, Co. of Philadelphia. Widow. January 23, 1758. July 18, 1761. M.149.Child: Elizabeth (wife of David Stephens). Grandchildren: Morris and Eleanor. Exec: Henry Paulin, Thos. Watters, James David.Witnesses: John and Abigail Brickson (her mark), Jno. Moore.Codicil: April 16, 1761.Witnesses: Danl. Walker, David Francis. -- No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.1.409 / Virus Database: 268.13.21/511 - Release Date: 11/1/2006 ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PA-OLD-CHESTER-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message