Thomas Edwards, son of Alexander, arrived PA 1684 fr Wales
I'm not related to this family, but while searching in Pennsylvania records for my Scots-Irish ancestors, I came across this entry in Egle's Notes and Queries, Relating Chiefly to Interior Pennsylvania, annual volume 1897, page 224:
Welsh Settlers in Earl and Caernarvon Townships, Lancaster County.THOMAS EDWARDS.Thomas Edwards, Esq., as his tombstone records it in the Old Welsh Graveyard near Fairville, Lancaster County, PA, one of the first justices of the county on its formation in 1729, was the son of Alexander and Margaret Edwards, from Montgomeryshire, Wales.The ship, Vine, of Liverpool, William Preeson, master, arrived September 17, 1684, at Philadelphia from Dalyserne, near Dolgrules, in Merionethshire.Among the passengers were:
Margaret Edwards (wife of Alexander Edwards) and her daughters Margaret and Martha, and two sons, Alexander and Thomas.Edward Edwards, the eldest son, a servant for 8 years to Robert Owen, and Alexander Edwards (the father), and his two eldest daughters, Jeane and Bridget, servants to Griffith Owen and Sarah, his wife.See Historical Magazine pages 382-3, Vol viii.There was a large passenger list on the vessel and the usual number of those classed as servants.In explanation of this, the same volume gives on page 389 the following:"It may surprise some of our readers to learn of the number of servants brought out by the early settlers.This was no doubt greatly increased by the liberal terms which Penn offered to emigrants.The advantages offered to those who would bring servants, and those who would come as such, were equal.Each was to have fifty acres when the servant's time should expire.Nor did the word servant, as used here, necessarily imply a person who was to perform menial duties.On the contrary, they were often farm hands or skilled mechanics, in some cases of the same social position as their masters, in others they were no doubt overseers, to act for purchasers who remained in England, a measure suggested by Penn in his first proposals to purchasers, and which he subsequently found reason to regret."
What may have been the reasons for his coming over himself with his three eldest children as servants is unknown, but anyone can see the consideration and delicacy of the man who would secure to his wife and the younger children all the comforts that should be accorded to those paying their own passage.There is no term of service stated for either Thomas Edwards or the elder daughters, unless the three years at the end of the paragraph on page 333 applies to all.That he faithfully discharged the debt is evidenced by page 322, Second Series Archives, Vol. xix, showing he had sold his warrant to John Roberts, with 14 others, and a patent issued.
Alexander Edwards settled in Radnor.He and his family were Quakers.There at the home of David Price, Oct 20, 1692, his daughter Bridget was married by Friends ceremony to Griffith Miles (brother to Richard Miles), born in Wales in 1670, emigrated to America about 1683.Another daughter, Jane, was married to James James at the same house, one month later, November 17, 1692.His daughter Martha was married about the same time to Joseph Todd.These three daughters, with their husbands, became Baptists after the Reithian Schism, Joseph Todd being one of the deputies that met at the house of Richard Miles, June 22, 1706, to compromise matters of dispute among the Baptists.
Alexander Edwards Jr. was married to Gwen Edwards, Dec 6, 1703, at Gwynedd.At this last marriage, the father, together with most of the brothers and sisters, are subscribing witnesses, as was also Catherine, the wife of Alexander Edwards. Margaret Edwards having died, Alexander married the second time.
I hope this is helpful to an Edwards researchers.
More Replies:
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Re: Thomas Edwards, son of Alexander, arrived PA 1684 fr Wales
Connie Soulies 5/30/07
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Re: Thomas Edwards, son of Alexander, arrived PA 1684 fr Wales
Connie Soulies 5/30/07
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Re: John Edd-John ap Edwards of Nant Lleidiog, yeoman to Meriion Twp, PA 1679
Deborah Moorefield 3/04/07
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Re: John Edd-John ap Edwards of Nant Lleidiog, yeoman to Meriion Twp, PA 1679
Deborah Moorefield 3/04/07