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Joyce, are you still out there?
I am also researching the family of William and Joanna (Hellard) Biles. I thought I would post some biographical info I have put together; It may not all be 100% accurate, but I've tried and would appreciate it if you or anyone else might add to or correct anything in the account below. I have not included it in the following account, and I have not verified it, but a History of Burlington, NJ claims that a William Biles landed at Burlington, NJ in 1677, two years before he and his family are known to have arrived on the Elizabeth and Sarah in 1679; I do not know if this means that he made an earlier trip to look around before bringing his family, or if the accout was mistaken --I have been surprised about how much traveling some of these folks did!
Anyway, I have more information, with particular atttention to biographical accounts, on my related families (I descend from William Biles, Sr. by two daughters (Elizabeth and Rebecca) on my Hughes/Holmes line, and my Janney/Nicholas line. I would like to hear from anyone who relates to these folks and wants to compare notes or share. Hope you anjoy!
--Nick Sheedy,
John Day, Oregon
Here is what I have for William Biles, Sr.:
[Summary: Born in England and educated in law, William Biles (1644-1711) brought his family to America in 1679 and settled in what would become Falls Twp., Bucks Co., Pennsylvania before the charther of William Penn. The Biles family had been persecuted for their religious dissention in England. William was a Quaker minister, sheriff, lawyer, judge, and merchant. He was a member of the Pennsylvania Legislature from 1686 to 1708, and of the Provincial Council from 1683 to 1700. He owned large tracts of land in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. He traveled back to England for Quaker interests in 1701 and 1702 and returned to Pennsylvania where he died 1710. He had two wives. I descends from William and his first wife, Joanna Hellard by two lines: through his daughter Elizabeth on his Hughes/Holmes line and through his daughter Rebecca on his Janney/Nichols line. William is a common great-great-great-grandfather to Lot Holmes and Sara Nichols, fourth cousins who married in Loudoun Co., VA in 1829; they are my great-grandmother's great-grandparents. --NMS]
William Biles was born in 1644 at Shillingston, Dorchester, England, the son of Alexander and Dorothy (Strong) Biles. Dorothy's father, the Rev. William Strong, was a respected preacher of Westminister Abbey. The Biles (Byles) family had lived at All Saints Parish, Dorchester for generations. When William was seven, in 1651, his paternal grandfather, Alexander Biles, was summoned for criticizing Parson Benn and subsequently stripped of property and title and imprisoned; this undoubtedly influenced William's religious conviction and political attitude. William was educated in law: he matriculated at Cornwall, Exeter College 26 Oct. 1660 when he was 16, received his B.A. in 1664 and his M.A. in 1669.
William married Joanna Hellard 6 May 1669. They were Anglican until about 1672, after which time they joined the Society of Friends; they are not found the Dorchester MM minutes before that, but their first five children are recorded there. William and Joanna had three sons and two daughters born in Dorset Co. William was a "fellmonger" in Dorset Co.
They left England for America in 1679. From Pemberton's List of Arrivals: "William Biles, vile monger, and Johannah, his wife, arrived in Delaware River in the Elizabeth and Sarah of Weymouth, the 4th month [June], 4th day, 1679. Besides his wife and five children, he brought with him two young servants: Edward Hancock to serve eight years and Elizabeth Petty to serve seven years, afterward to each receive 40 acres. They came to America from All Saints Parish, Dorchester, Dorset Co., England." Charles Biles, brother of William, also accompanied the family. Charles was a partner in some real estate purchased in Pennsylvania.
William and his family resided at Burlington Twp., West New Jersey for less than a year before they removed across the Delaware River to what would become Bucks Co. and the colony of Pennsylvania, two years before William Penn was granted a charter for his colony. William Biles would played a large part in the political, legal, and religious affairs of early Pennsylvania. He held office before Penn's arrival and was a member of the "Creekhorne Court" by 1680.
In 1679, William Biles purchased land in present day Falls Twp. (at that time called "Crewcorne", "Crookhorn", or "Creekhorne") from Sir Edmund Andros, representing the Duke of York. A 1679 map by Jasper Dankers of the Delaware River Valley, from Burlington Twp. to Trenton, New Jersey, shows William Biles with 309 acres on the west side of the river. William purchased, in late 1679 or early 1680, a 300-acre island in the Delaware River (thereafter knows as "Biles Island") from Indians named Orecton, Mannacus, Menemblahoking and Patelana. The island appears early on the Lindstrom map as "Menahanonck", a Lenape Indian name meaning "the island formed by a creek" -now known as "Biles Creek". The Island was named "Orecton" on the William Penn Deed a couple years later. Chief Orecton, Chief Lapowinso and other Indian chiefs confirmed the early purchase of Biles Island in a 1727 deed to William Biles, Jr. A 1690 map by Thomas Holmes, representing property ownership as of 1681, shows William Biles with two tracts of land that fronted the river and another that he and his brother, Charles, owned jointly.
His daughter, Rebecca, was born 27 Dec. 1680 in present-day Falls Twp., Bucks Co., Pennsylvania, the first of the Biles family born in America. William Biles began his correspondence with the Society of Friends in England in 1680. Shortly after William Penn opened his grant for settlement in 1681, other Friends began joined the Biles family and settled west of the Delaware River. His house stood for several centuries. On William Biles' plantation, near Penn's Manor, a large brick dwelling has been represented by tradition and from the initials inscribed upon it as the homestead of William Biles, who is said to have built it of bricks he brought from England.
The first known meeting of the Society of Friends west of the Delaware River was held at the home of William Biles below the Falls of Neshaminy. The first entry in Falls MM minutes reads: "At a meeting at William Biles's house, the second day of the third month, 1683, then held to wait upon the Lord for his wisdom, to hear what should be offered, in order to inspect into the affairs of the Church, helpful in the work of God; and we, whose names are as follows, being then present, thought it fit and necessary that a Monthly Meeting should be set up, both men and women, for that purpose; and that this meeting to be the first of the men's meetings after our arrival into these parts. The Friends present, --William Yardley, James Harrison, Phineas Pemberton, William Biles, William Dark, Lyonell Brittanie, William Beakes." The home of William Biles was the meeting place for Falls MM until 1690 when Falls Meeting House was built at Fallsington on land donated by Thomas Janney.
On 20 Feb. 1682, an election was ordered for members of the colonial Council and Assembly. William Biles, Christopher Taylor and James Harrison were elected 10 March 1682 to the Council from Bucks Co. William Biles was present at the first session of the first Council held in Philadelphia 10 Jan. 1683 and presided over by William Penn. William Biles took part in the framing of Pennsylvania's initial laws and signed Penn's Great Charter which was initially read to the Council 2 Feb. 1683.
William Biles, his son William (Jr.), and brother Charles owned cattle in 1684, having recorded earmarks and brands with Bucks Co.
William Biles was appointed Interior Receiver for Bucks Co. 22 May 1684, under the Deputy Treasurer, by the Provincial Council, for which he received £20 annual salary. On 6 Feb. 1685, he and others were commissioned as constables for Bucks Co. On 11 Feb. he and others were appointed to lay out a road for the county. He was appointed 1 Oct 1685 as Special Commissioner to determine all heinous and enormous crimes in Bucks Co.
William Biles was elected to the Provincial Assembly in 1686 and was fined twelve pence for being absent the first day, 10 March 1686. He was a member of the Assembly and Council for most of his life in Pennsylvania.
In 1687, all taxes levied in Bucks Co. were collected by William Biles. Also in 1687, he was called to account by the Society of Friends for selling rum to the Indians. The Men's minutes of Falls MM read: 6th day, 2nd month, 1686 -- "Great disorders from the sale of rum to the Indians. Friends to keep clear of selling rum to Indians or to any that are Indian Traders. Wm. Biles to be cautioned thereof." Thomas Janney spoke to William Biles regarding the matter. The act was not against any law, but was not favored by his associates and William Biles bowed to the wishes of other Quakers.
Joanna (Hellard) Biles died in 1687, quite possibly as a result of prevalent sickness that spread after severe floods in the Delaware Valley. Joanna was buried 4 Sept. 1687, according to Falls MM records. William lived as a widower with his children for 15 months. He made his intention to marry Jane Atkinson known to the Men's Meeting of Falls MM on the 3rd day, 8th month, 1688 and he was liberated to marry by Falls MM on the 7th day, 9th month, 1688. Falls MM marriage records read: "William Biles of Bucks Co., merchant, and Jane Atkinson, of same co., (married) 11th of 10th month 1688." And Middletown MM marriage records read: "William Biles, of Bucks Co., married 11th day of 10th month, 1688, Jane Atkinson, of said co., at the house of William Biles."
Jane (Boyd) Atkinson was the widow of Thomas Atkinson. Thomas Atkinson was a Quaker minister and farmer whom Biles had aided some years earlier. Jane and Thomas had little material means, and it has been written that the marriage between William and Jane was unusual for the fact that William was a wealthy man and Jane had no dowry to offer. Jane was a very active Quaker minister and often traveled in Gospel work. She moved with her children to the Biles plantation within the compass of Falls MM where she continued her ministry. The Men's Minutes of Falls MM record: 8th day, 9th month, 1693 -- "Jane, wife of Willm. Biles, proposes the sale of the plantation she formerly lived upon and her said husband also declared his willingness, and desire the advice of this meeting. It was thought by this meeting most profitable for the children of Thomas Atkinson if it be sold and the money and interest on it be paid to the children of Thomas Atkinson when they came of age." William and Jane made many trips to New England colonies in the interest of Friends.
William served his second term in the Assembly in 1689 and was appointed to the Commission of Peace in Bucks Co. William Biles and 12 others met in 1692 at the Friends meeting house at Neshaminy and divided the county into Townships. William continued to purchase real estate in the area. He bought 300 acres in Burlington Co., West New Jersey for £55 on 10 April 1696 from Thomas Green, Yeoman of Maidenhead, Burlington Co. Between 1699 and 1701, William was a Puinse Judge and a Justice of the Supreme Court of the Province of Pennsylvania. He sat on the Supreme Court held 18 April 1699 at Chester and was appointed to the Court of Inquiry for Bucks Co. in 1700.
William and Jane traveled to England and Ireland in 1701 in the interest of the Society of Friends. From the Men's Minutes of Falls MM: 5th day, 11th month (January), 1700 (O.S.) -- "Jane Biles gives her intentions of visiting Friends in Europe. Wm Biles, her husband, proposes to go with her." A record of their certificate has not been located, but it is believed they were gone for perhaps as long as two years. Upon their return, they reported to the Meeting of the trip. They returned to Pennsylvania sometime before December 1702 when the Court of Inquiry was adjourned to William's house.
William Biles was an influential man in early America and had many political allies and powerful enemies. As a member of the Assembly of Pennsylvania, on an occasion in 1705, he was recognized to address the body and spoke out against Governor Evans saying: "He is not a man. He is but a boy. He is not fit to be our Governor. We'll kick him out! We'll kick him out!" Needless to say, Governor Evans was greatly offended by the speech; he asked the Assembly to purge itself of "the contagion of the said pernicious member by expelling him [William Biles]." But, after receiving the request, the Assembly rose up and supported William Biles with great vigor. Governor Evans was outraged and wrote to William Penn 5 July 1705 regarding the matter. The following reply by William Penn, dated "7th mo. 30th -1705", was sent to Gov. Evans:
Much is said of the lewdness of Pennsylvania. I beg of thee to have regard to my character and give not that advantage against me, either with God or good or bad men, whose ill use of it I most fear on a public account. I have just now received thine of 5th, 5th month and am very sorry that wicked man, D. L. could blow up any of his mermidons to such a pitch as thy account of William Biles relates that is a meer vox et praetara nihil, a cox comb and a pragmatic ingraine. That fellow's plantation is a robbery on Pennsbury and if there be a grant, was not a purchase from me nor toward land write for me was surveyed long before and done in my absence, formerly and Judge Monpresson can tell if I may not be deceived in my grant as well as the Crown, be it King or Queen Since if confirmed it was on. Surprize and rattle an Inquisition about his ears if not a prosecution. And know when the time is expired of session, as he may be taken to task. Since the service he may pretend he was to attend is over. And do first complain to the Friends and if they won't or can't bow him to make satisfaction, take it by law, thyself. Pray mind what I say be secret, wich is discreet and fall on him or any other such unruly people at once and make someone such an example to terrify the rest. Thou hast not only my leave but my liking and encouragement whether called Quakers or not.
-[signed] William Penn
This unflattering description of William Biles and malicious instruction demonstrates the political schemes of the colonial authority to control citizens and squelch the influence of independent men. William Biles was sued 23 March 1706 for £2000 by Gov. Evans for "defamy" (defamation of character). William Biles, a lawyer and judge, refused even to acknowledge the suit and did not appear to answer the civil charges. Gov. Evans ordered his goons to capture William Biles as he returned home from his duty in the Assembly; he was thrown in jail and imprisoned for four weeks! Feelings in the province ran so high that Wm. Biles was released and the suit was dropped. Gov. Evans soon afterward was recalled by the Colonial Assembly and removed from office --one of the first exertions of the authority of an elected body in America over the Colonial Proprietorship granted by the Crown.
During the course of this controversy, Penn's personal secretary, James Logan, made a public assertion that Biles' "numerous family" had filled Bucks County "with whores and rogues; of his 5 daughters four that are married having acquitted themselves before marriage & the last 'tis expected will not be so unmannerly as deviate from the Example all her elder Sisters have Sett before her." Logan also claimed that the youngest daughter, Ann, had given birth to an illegitimate child, and that William, Jr., had fathered a child whose arrival shortly after his marriage had "aroused suspicions." While I cannot say with any certainty if all these allegations are true of false, some of them likely have some kernel of fact at their core. The context of the accusations is very important, however, because Logan, Evans, and other political adversaries of William Biles spread all manner of slanderous rumors in an attempt to pressure the solemn Quakers to disown Biles and to persuade the Colonial Assembly to expel him from their body. That being so, there are accounts recorded by Falls MM and Middleton MM, Bucks Co., PA that show that the children of William Biles were less that "pure as the wind driven snow."
The situation between Wm. Penn and Wm. Biles also was agitated due to the fact that William Biles' home plantation was on land adjacent to "Pennsbury", the personal estate of William Penn. Apparently this land was purchased through an agent without Penn's knowledge (the same tract purchased two or three years prior to Penn's Charter), and was the cause of Penn's characterization of Wm. Biles' plantation as a "robbery upon Pennsbury." There were many differences among the "neighbors". Quaker records show, as early as 1686, disagreements existed: "A difference exists between James Harrison and Wm. Biles concerning a letter that was written by Harrison to Biles about a servant of the governour's." (1st day, 10th month, 1686, Men's Minutes, Falls MM).
William Biles continued his business ventures and land speculation, and continued to serve in public office and as a judge. He also maintained a private law practice. He was appointed attorney to Joseph Wass of London in Sept. 1707. Shortly thereafter, Wass sold all of his real estate in America to Wm. Biles: this including 45,000 acres in Quohakin Co., and 10,000 acres in Salem Co. bordering the Morris River and Delaware Bay in West New Jersey. His substantial land holdings entitled him to membership on the Council of Proprietors of West New Jersey. He very likely had contact with Gov. Samuel Jenings of W. NJ, perhaps Thomas Warne, proprietor of E. NJ, (both of whom are my ancestors). By his death in 1710, William Biles' estate contained about 20,000 acres in New Jersey, 300 acres in Delaware, and 1000 acres in Bucks Co., PA.
William Biles was elected to his final service in the Assembly in 1709. His wife, Jane, died and was buried 21st day, 10th month (December), 1709 at Falls Meeting House. On 4 Jan. 1709/10 (O.S.), the Pennsylvania Assembly received word he was unable to care for the meeting's accounts due to illness. From Falls MM, Men's Minutes: 5th day, 11th month (January), 1703 (O.S.) -- "Reported that William Biles is in necessity of assistance." 3rd day, 3rd month, 1710 -- "William Biles being very weak and not likely to continue long it's agreed that George Clough take care of the meeting's collections in his stead." 2nd day, 5th month, 1710 -- William Biles being deceased ..." Falls MM Births and Deaths records read: "William Biles died the 19th day of 3rd month (May), 1710." He was aged 66 years.
The will of William Biles was signed 5th day, 11th month (January) 1709 (O.S.) and included the following bequeaths: "... To my daughter Elizabeth Hewes, wife of Mathew Hewes, the sum of 20 shillings. to my grandchildren, John, Mary, and Grace Beakes, the sum of fifty pounds, to be equally divided between them. ... To my daughter Rebecca Janney, the wife of Joseph Janney, the sum of one hundred and forty pounds. To their two daughters, Martha and Ann Janney, the sum of ten pounds to be equally divided between them." William Biles, Jr. received the bulk of his father's estate, including the large land tracts in West New Jersey.
NOTE: Some of this information is from Bryan W. Biles' book, "How Green Was Our Valley", a genealogy of the Biles family. (Besides confusing chronology, in verifying some dates, I note that some confusion existed in that book concerning the numbering of months because B.W. Biles did not observe the "Old Style" when converting the number to the name of the month, so some places that offer the name of the month and year only may be off by two months: if B.W. Biles transcribed the "11th month" as November, it should actually be "January". I have made an effort to correct all errors I could find; all places here that state the number of the month are correct. Brief accounts of Wm. Biles were located in LAWMAKING AND LEGISLATORS IN PENNSYLVANIA - Vol. One, 1682-1709. Other information offered here was located by primary research by Nick Sheedy from public records and records of the Society of Friends located at various repositories, including Swarthmore College, the Bucks Co. Historical Society, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and the New Jersey State Library. --NMS (Nick Sheedy, John Day, Oregon)
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