Hello, I have been working hard to get over my brick wall. Specifically, "Which Thomas WOODWARD married Rebecca MILLARD?" Here's what I know. My great great grandfather was Lewis Woodward(b. 1/9/1808 in Berks-d. 4/29/1881 in Berks). He married Hannah KERST on 2/4/1836 at St. Thomas Church in Morgantown, Berks. They are both buried at St. James Lutheran in Geigertown, Berks. His mother was Rebecca MILLARD(b. 10/23/1770-d. 8/15/1849 in W. Nantmeal, Chester). The will of her father, Thomas MILLARD(b. 11/18/1738-d. 5/10/1817 in W. Nantmeal, Chester) names her husband as Thomas WOODWARD. The will was written 12/2/1805, but by the time it was probated on 2/21/1818, Thomas WOODWARD had died(in 1808). Rebecca was buried at St. Mary's Episcopal in Warwick, W. Nantmeal, Chester, (in 1849).. At the left of the row was her father, Thomas MILLARD. To her right were her uncle and aunt, Joseph MILLARD and Hannah Wynne MILLARD, and her cousin Jonathan MILLARD, who also was executor of her will. What I am missing is the burial place of Thomas WOODWARD, and the record of his marriage to Rebecca MILLARD, which would hopefully name his parents. There were several Thomas WOODWARDS in Chester in this time period. I have eliminated all that I know about except for the Thomas b.Abt. 1774 to Richard WOODWARD and wife Martha(?) Clayton. But I have no PROOF. I would appreciate it if you all would examine the Thomas WOODWARDs you know about, and see if you have any clues about which one could, or could NOT, have married Rebecca MILLARD between 1791 and about 1800? Joseph and Hannah Wynne MILLARD moved, about 1787, from Union, Berks, where he was born, to a farm near Elverson, where they were originally buried. There are stones in a burial ground on the farm, as well as the ones at St. Mary's in Warwick, Chester. I feel that there was a close association between Rebecca MILLARD WOODWARD, her father Thomas MILLARD and the family of her uncle and aunt, Joseph and Hannah MILLARD. If Rebecca and her father came about the same time, she would have been married in this area. I am told the names of Thomas and Joseph MILLARD appear in the records of Hopewell Furnace, among many others. There is a reference on the Hopewell Furnace web site to a Bethesda Church on the grounds there. But there is no evidence of where the records of this church might be found. This might have been the church I am seeking, where Rebecca would have attended before St. Mary's Episcopal in Warwick was formed about 1806. Can anyone on these lists tell me more about this Bethesda church and its records? Or any other church in this corner of Berks and Chester that might hold information on these families? On my official PA map, a dime will cover the area of Morgantown, Elverson, Warwick, Hopewell Furnace and Geigertown. What am I missing here? Oh, BTW, there is a Rebecca MILLARD stone at Caernarvon Cemetery in Morgantown, Berks, that says d. 4/19/1827, Age 87y, 7mo. This would have her born in 9/1739, and of the proper age to be the mother of my Rebecca MILLARD WOODWARD, but she is not mentioned in the father's will, though she was still alive. I wonder if they could have been estranged in 1805, and lived in or near Morgantown? I know of no other MILLARDS in Morgantown. Any thoughts on this matter? This got to be rather long, but I thought if I tell you all that I know, I would have a better chance of striking a chord with someone who can help me. I will be grateful for any guidance anyone can provide, especially about the records of Hopewell Furnace and Bethesda Church. Bruce Fosnocht

I assume you have this already: Will of Rebecca (MILLARD) WOODWARD: W Nantmeal, written May 31 1849, proved 8/28/1849: In the name of God amen, I, Rebecca Woodward, of West Nantmeal township, Chester Co and state of Pennsylvania, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory and understanding (blessed be God for the same) but knowing the duration of life is uncertain, and death inevitable to, prevent future difficulties, I hereby make and publish my last will and testament in the following manner: To wit, Principaly and first of all, I commend my immortal soul into the hands of God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner, at the discretion of my executor herein after named; and as to all worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with, I give and bequeath the same as follows to wit: Imprimis: I hereby authorise my executor to sell all my estate, real and personal (except a few articles herein after bequeathed to certain individuals) either at public or private sale to the best advantage and the whole clear estate to be divided as follows, to wit: Item: I give and bequeath to Thomas Woodward, Mary Emery, and Lewis Woodward the sum of sixty six dollars and sixty six cents each, and the remainder of my estate to be equally divided between my four children names, Thomas, Mary Emery, Rachel C Andrews and Lewis Woodward subject to the deduction of such sums of money as their names will stand charged with, respectively, in my account left against them. Item: To my son Lewis, I give my family Bible. Item: To my daughter Mary Emery I give my silver framed spectacles. Item: To my daughter Rachel I give a half dozen silver tea spoons marked with the letters R W. Item: It is my wish and desire that my daughters Mary and Rachel shall divide my wearing apparel between them. And Lastly: I nominate, constitute and appoint my beloved cousin and friend Jonathan Millard to be the executor of this my will hereby revoking all former wills and declaring this to be my last Will and Testament; In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this thirty first day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty nine. signed Rebekah Woodward (seal) Signed sealed published pronounced and declared by the said testator to be her last will and testament in the presence of us who in her presents and at her request have subscribed as witnesses: Thomas Millard, David Dampman Probation: West Chester Aug 28,1849 - There personally appeared Thomas Millard and David Dampman who on their solomn affirmation doth declare and say that they were personally present and did see and hear Rebecca Woodward, the testator in the within instrument of writing named, sign, seal publish pronounce and declare the same as and for her last will and testament and at the time of so doing was of a sound and well disposing mind and memory to the best of their knowledge and belief. Affirmed before me Wm Baker, Reg. Be it unincumbered that on the 28th day of August AD1849, the last will and testament of Rebecca Woodward, deceased, was proved and approved in due form of law and letters testimentary thereon were duly granted to Jonathan Millard who was qualified well and truly to administer the goods and chattels right and credits of said deceased according to law, also diligently and faithfully to regard and well and truly comply with the provisions of the law relating to collateral inheritances. William Baker, Register note: Rebecca was daughter of Thomas MILLARD who died 2/1818 in West Nantmeal. She was the widow of Thomas WOODWARD who died abt 3/1808 also in West Nantmeal. Her daughter Mary WOODWARD married John EMERY, and daughter Rachel WOODWARD married Jacob ANDREWS. Youngest son Lewis WOODARD married 1)Hannah KERST of Union Twp., Berks Co. and 2)Sariah KENNEY. -----Original Message----- From: pacheste-bounces@rootsweb.com [mailto:pacheste-bounces@rootsweb.com] On Behalf Of Bruce Fosnocht Sent: Saturday, September 22, 2007 8:58 PM To: PA-OLD-CHESTER-L@rootsweb.com; PACHESTE@rootsweb.com; paberks@rootsweb.com Subject: [PACHESTE] WOODWARD & MILLARD Brick Wall Hello, I have been working hard to get over my brick wall. Specifically, "Which Thomas WOODWARD married Rebecca MILLARD?" Here's what I know. My great great grandfather was Lewis Woodward(b. 1/9/1808 in Berks-d. 4/29/1881 in Berks). He married Hannah KERST on 2/4/1836 at St. Thomas Church in Morgantown, Berks. They are both buried at St. James Lutheran in Geigertown, Berks. His mother was Rebecca MILLARD(b. 10/23/1770-d. 8/15/1849 in W. Nantmeal, Chester). The will of her father, Thomas MILLARD(b. 11/18/1738-d. 5/10/1817 in W. Nantmeal, Chester) names her husband as Thomas WOODWARD. The will was written 12/2/1805, but by the time it was probated on 2/21/1818, Thomas WOODWARD had died(in 1808). Rebecca was buried at St. Mary's Episcopal in Warwick, W. Nantmeal, Chester, (in 1849).. At the left of the row was her father, Thomas MILLARD. To her right were her uncle and aunt, Joseph MILLARD and Hannah Wynne MILLARD, and her cousin Jonathan MILLARD, who also was executor of her will. What I am missing is the burial place of Thomas WOODWARD, and the record of his marriage to Rebecca MILLARD, which would hopefully name his parents. There were several Thomas WOODWARDS in Chester in this time period. I have eliminated all that I know about except for the Thomas b.Abt. 1774 to Richard WOODWARD and wife Martha(?) Clayton. But I have no PROOF. I would appreciate it if you all would examine the Thomas WOODWARDs you know about, and see if you have any clues about which one could, or could NOT, have married Rebecca MILLARD between 1791 and about 1800? Joseph and Hannah Wynne MILLARD moved, about 1787, from Union, Berks, where he was born, to a farm near Elverson, where they were originally buried. There are stones in a burial ground on the farm, as well as the ones at St. Mary's in Warwick, Chester. I feel that there was a close association between Rebecca MILLARD WOODWARD, her father Thomas MILLARD and the family of her uncle and aunt, Joseph and Hannah MILLARD. If Rebecca and her father came about the same time, she would have been married in this area. I am told the names of Thomas and Joseph MILLARD appear in the records of Hopewell Furnace, among many others. There is a reference on the Hopewell Furnace web site to a Bethesda Church on the grounds there. But there is no evidence of where the records of this church might be found. This might have been the church I am seeking, where Rebecca would have attended before St. Mary's Episcopal in Warwick was formed about 1806. Can anyone on these lists tell me more about this Bethesda church and its records? Or any other church in this corner of Berks and Chester that might hold information on these families? On my official PA map, a dime will cover the area of Morgantown, Elverson, Warwick, Hopewell Furnace and Geigertown. What am I missing here? Oh, BTW, there is a Rebecca MILLARD stone at Caernarvon Cemetery in Morgantown, Berks, that says d. 4/19/1827, Age 87y, 7mo. This would have her born in 9/1739, and of the proper age to be the mother of my Rebecca MILLARD WOODWARD, but she is not mentioned in the father's will, though she was still alive. I wonder if they could have been estranged in 1805, and lived in or near Morgantown? I know of no other MILLARDS in Morgantown. Any thoughts on this matter? This got to be rather long, but I thought if I tell you all that I know, I would have a better chance of striking a chord with someone who can help me. I will be grateful for any guidance anyone can provide, especially about the records of Hopewell Furnace and Bethesda Church. Bruce Fosnocht ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to PACHESTE-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message