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Edward Nicholas |
Edward Nicholas and his descendants
Introduction by J. W. Diederich:
I have been working on and off for more than 35 years on this history of Edward Nicholas, his ancestors and his descendants.
We've researched the probate, vital records and land deeds at courthouses in Gwent, Wales and the Counties of Philadelphia and Montgomery in Pennsylvania. We've examined the old parish registers of many Anglican, Lutheran and Reformed churches. We've transcribed gravestone inscriptions in scores of cemeteries. We've searched census records, newspaper files, microfilm and other sources at historical societies. We've spent many days at the National Archives in Washington, D.C.
This family history is the result of all that effort. And there's more to come. This is a preliminary edition. It is by no means complete.
Our Welsh ancestors, the Powell and Nicholas families of the Hundred of Trelleck in Old Monmouthshire, were possessors of proud pedigrees, tracing their descent from an early Welsh tribal chieftan named “Brychan Breckeiniog” who lived about 400 A.D. In addition, they were descendants of Gwilym ap Jenkin (Herbert), and through him, of William the Conqueror and his ancestor Rögnvald the Viking, who was Earl of Möre in the latter part of the Ninth century.
During the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, Powell and Nicholas families were wealthy members of the landed gentry class and well-connected, both socially and politically.
Their prominence and wealth attests to the enormous benefits that good marriages and university educations in the professions can bring people of intelligence and ambition. The eventual decline into obscurity and poverty that almost always occurs among the descendants of wealthy men is amply illustrated too. "Shirt sleeves to shirt sleeves in three generations" goes the old adage and not even nepotism can seem to prevent it because talent and drive are rarely inherited along with the money.
The land which subsequently came to be known as "Pennsylvania" was granted by King Charles II of England to William Penn in 1681, in liquidation of a debt of £16,000 which the British crown owed Admiral Sir William Penn, Penn's deceased father. He had fee-simple title to more than 40,000 square miles of territory. It was the largest tract ever granted in America to a single individual. Penn was made the proprietary of the province, invested with the privilege of creating a political government.
In 1682, Penn, who was a Quaker preacher, sailed to America where he founded the City of Philadelphia and helped establish Pennsylvania in accordance with Quaker principles.
Under his charter, Penn was also governor of the province, which he and his sons held as proprietors, with the exception of about two years under William III, until the revolution of 1776. Thus, in a strict sense, Pennsylvania was not the colony of any foreign power. But as a British subject, Penn owed allegiance to the Crown, and while the government of Pennsylvania was proprietary in form, it was English in substance, and non-British subjects were considered foreigners.
In order to develop his colony and generate income from it, Penn and his agents actively encouraged settlement by British subjects, particularly the Welsh.
At the time Pennsylvania was founded, Germany was in a state of religious turmoil, disunion, and depression from the results of the Reformation and the Thirty Year's War. Her once-peaceful valleys, thriving fields, and vine-clad hills had become the hunting grounds of political and religious fanatics.
Penn and other Quaker missionaries toured the German states promising religious and political liberty in Pennsylvania. The response was immediate since a considerable number of small sects had sprung up and were being actively persecuted as heretics by the larger Protestant groups.
The first German immigration of which a specific record survives is that of a colony of Mennonites, often called "German Quakers," led by Francis Daniel Pastorius. They came in two sections. The America, Captain Joseph Wasey, master, landed at Philadelphia on 20 August 1683 with Pastorius, eight Germans, and an English maid. The main body followed shortly afterwards. They came with Captain Jeffries on the ship, "Concord", landing 6 October 1683. Shortly afterwards, on 24 October of the same year, Pastorius founded "Germantown" for them, where 42 people settled in 12 homes. Most of them were weavers, the rest were farmers and tradesman. These were the German "Pilgrim Fathers," who sought and found freedom of worship in Pennsylvania.
From then until 1702, such groups as the Tunkers, Labadists, New Born, New Mooners, Separatists, Zion's Brueder, Ronsdorfer, Inspired Quietists, Gichtellians, Depellians, Mountain Men, River Brethren, Brinser Brethren, The Society of Women in the Wilderness, and the Amish migrated to the tolerant province.
The later German migrations (after 1702) consisted of more orthodox church people, mostly Lutherans and the German Reformed, or Calvinists.
By 1727 there were perhaps as many as 15,000 Germans and their descendants in the province of Pennsylvania, settled mainly in the area comprising the present-day counties of Northampton, Bucks, Lancaster, Lehigh, Dauphin, Lebanon, and York. However, the names and dates of arrival of only a few hundred of the thousands of German immigrants coming through the Port of Philadelphia prior to 18 September 1727 are known.
From that date on, the colonial government required ships' captains to submit lists of their German and other Continental passengers due to a growing concern about the potential dangers of the sizable influx of non-English speaking immigrants whose political antecedents were uncertain. In addition, adult males over 16 were required to sign two oaths: an oath of allegiance and an oath of abjuration. These requirements were suspended in 1775.
In 1785, the Commonwealth reinstated the ship list requirement, but, of course, no more oaths of allegiance to the King of England or abjuration of foreign rulers and prelates were demanded. In 1808, even the ship listings were discontinued.
See also, "The Line of Descent From King William, the Conqueror"
Edward Nicholas (c1670 - 1746)
____?_____ ____?_____ (16?? - c1703)
Elizabeth _____?_____ Addis (16?? - 1747)
Edward Nicholas9 (Andrew8, Edward7, Philip6, William5, Nicholas ap Williams ap Gruffydd4, William ap Gruffydd ap Howell3, Gruffydd ap Howell2, Howell1) was born about 1670 in Wales, probably in the Parish of Trelech Grange or Llangunnock, in the County then called “Monmouthshire” but now called “Gwent”. He was the son of Andrew and Barbara (Ricketts) Nicholas.
He died shortly before 24 March 1746/7 (when his will was probated) at Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (Until 10 September 1784, when the county was created, the area now included in Montgomery County was actually part of Philadelphia County). Although his burial place is unknown, it is likely that he was buried in the churchyard of St. James Episcopal Church which had been established in 1730 at what is now Evansburg, Lower Providence Township, Montgomery County. At the time of Edward Nicholas' death, the Reverend William Currie, a friend and an executor of his will, was rector of this church, which was the nearest Church of England to the Nicholas plantation in Limerick Township. Among the disbursements from the estate of Edward Nicholas is L-3 paid "to Wm. Currie for Subscription due & Service at the Funrl."
He married ______?________ about 1690, probably in Monmouthshire, and perhaps at Llangunnock. Unfortunately, the Llangunnock parish registers no longer exist, and we have searched the registers of all of the parishes surrounding Llangunnock but have not found any record of Edward Nicholas' marriage. They had at least four children, who were named in Edward Nicholas’ will. She died sometime prior to Edward Nicholas’ migration to Pennsylvania, perhaps about 1703.
According to the records of the Parish of Llansoy, which are preserved in the Department of Manuscripts of the National Library of Wales, George supposed son of Edward Nicholas of Langunock was baptized 27 July 1705. This baby’s life was very short. According to the Llansoy parish records, George Supposed Son of Edward Nicholas of Langunock was buried 26 December 1705. Llansoy is within easy walking distance of Llangunnock. The mother is not named in the records but one assumes that this was an illegitimate birth and that she identified Edward Nicholas as the father. One also assumes that Edward Nicholas’ first wife was deceased at the time.
Did this event cause Edward Nicholas to migrate to Pennsylvania? We have no way of knowing, nor do we know when he left Monmouthshire for Pennsylvania.
In any event, he migrated to Pennsylvania sometime after 1704, but his children did not accompany him. He married, second, Elizabeth _____?_____ Addis, the widow of Richard Addis, who had died before 1 October 1711, when his will was probated. Edward Nicholas had at least two children by Elizabeth Addis: Susannah and Anna Maria.
We do not know when Elizabeth was born, or the names of her parents. She died about a year after her Edward Nicholas, probably at Limerick Township, for on 21 March 1747/8 letters of administration were granted on her estate. Her burial place is not known either, but she, too, was probably buried in the churchyard of St. James Episcopal Church at Evansburg.
The first record of we have found of Edward Nicholas in Pennsylvania is the sale, on 17 October 1719, of a 34-acre tract on the Delaware River in the Northern Liberties of Philadelphia County to Jonathan Dickinson for 80 pounds by Edward Nicholas, his wife, Elizabeth, and her son, Thomas Addis. This land had probably belonged to Richard Addis before his death.
There is no record that Edward Nicholas himself acquired any land in Pennsylvania until 13 March 1722, when he leased 1,120 acres (plus an allowance of six percent for roads and survey errors) along the Schuylkill River from Tobias Collet, Daniel Quare, and Henry Goldney of London. On the following day, he paid them L-252 for the tract of almost two square miles, located about five miles down river from the present city of Pottstown. The approximate boundaries of this tract are outlined on the topographical map reproduced on the next page. This parcel was part of their tract of 3,600 acres, which they had acquired 2 April 1706 from William Penn's Commissioners of Property. See Philadelphia County Deeds, Book F, v 7, pp. 230-232. Here is an extract:
This Indenture made the fourteenth Day of March in the Ninth Year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George King of Great Britain &c. And in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty-two Between Tobias Collet of London in ye Kingdom of Great Britain Haber Dasher, Daniel Quare of London aforesaid Watch Maker and Henry Goldney of London aforsd. Linnen Draper of the one Part and Edward Nichols of Upper Limrick in the county of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsilvania in America Yeoman of the other Part.
Whereas in and by a certain Patent or Instrument under the Hands of Edward Shippen, Griffith Owen, Thomas Story and James Logan late Commissioners of Property of William Penn, Proprietary and Governour in Chief of the said Province and Proprietarys Seal He the said Proprietary for the Consideration therein mentioned did grant and confirm unto the said Tobias Collet (one Michael Russel of London aforesaid Mercer) Daniel Quare and Henry Goldney (amongst other Lands) a Certain Tract of Land situate in the County of Philadelphia Beginning at a White Oak by the River Schuylkill at a Corner of Benjamin Furleys Land and extending from thence North East by the Line of the said Furleys Land nine hundred and forty Perches (perch is synonymous with rod = 5-1/2 yards) to a black oak thence by the Line of Upper Limerick Township South East eight hundred and eighty two Perches to a Spanish Oak thence by the Line of John Tyzacks Land South West four hundred and twenty five Perches to the said Skuilkill River then up the same on several Courses the several Distances on the said Courses added together being one thousand four hundred and twelve Perches to the Place of Beginning containing three thousand six hundred Acres To Hold to him the said Tobias Collet, Michael Ressel, Daniel Quare and Henry Goldney their Heirs and Assigns forever Yielding and Paying therefore yearly to the said William Penn his Heirs and Successors at Pensbury one Beaver Skin at or upon the first day of the first Month (March) in every year forever thereafter to such Person or Persons as from Time to Time should be appointed to receive the same as in and by the said recited Patent Dated the Second day of Aprile Anno Dni. one thousand seven hundred & six and recorded the Rolls Office at Philadelphia aforesaid in Patent Book A Vol 3 Page 286 &c. May at Large Appear And Whereas the said Michael Russel is since deceased the said Tobias Collet, Daniel Quare & Henry Goldney Surviving him.
Now This Indenture Witnesseth that the said Tobias Collet Daniel Quare and Henry Goldney for and Consideration of the Sum of two hundred and fifty two Pound Lawful money of America to them in hand paid by the said Edward Nichols ... Have granted bargained sold ... Unto the said Edward Nichols (in his full and peaceable Possession and Seizin now being by Force and Virtue of a Bargain and Sale unto him made by the said Tobias Collet Daniel Quare and Henry Goldney for the Term of One Year from the Day next before the Day of the Date of these Presents by Indenture bearing Date the Day next before the Day of the Date hereof made between the same Parties as these Presents and by Force and Virtue of ye Statute made for transferring Uses into Possession) and to his Heirs and assignes a Certain Piece or Parcel of Land Part of the above mentioned and described Tract of Three Thousand six hundred Acres.
Beginning at a Black Oak on the Bank of the said River Schuylkill being a Corner of William Evans Land Thence by that and the Lands of John Davis and Owen Evans North East Six hundred and fifty perches to a Post dividing this from said Owen Evans Land thence North West by Land of Jonathan Dickinson three hundred and twenty Perches to a Post thence South West by other Part of the great Tract of the said Tobias Collet & others five hundred and Ten Perches to a Hickery Tree standing on the Bank of the said River then down the same by several courses thereof to the Place of Beginning Containing one thousand one hundred and twenty Acres over and besides the Allowance of Six pr. Cent for Roads and Difference of Surveys Together also with all and singular the Meadows Marshes ... To Have And To Hold ... Unto the said Edward Nichols his Heirs & Assignes ... forever Under the proportionable Part of the said Quitrent hereafter accruing for the same ....
In Witness whereof the said Parties to these Presents have interchangeably set their hands and Seals hereunto Dated the Day and Year first above written. Tobias Collet (Seal) D. Quare Seal Henry Gouldney (Seal) Sealed and delivered Sarah Dimsdale, Jno Estaugh, Eliza Estaugh. Be it remembered that on the eighteenth Day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and twenty three, John Estaugh and Sarah Dimsdale personally appeared before me Charles Read one of his Majestys Justices of the Peace for the City and County of Philadelphia and on their Solemn affirmation did declare they saw Henry Goldney, Daniel Quare and Tobias Collet sign seal and as their Act and Deed deliver the within Writing and that their Names as Evidences thereto are of their respective Hands Writing. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the Day and year above written. Cha Read (Seal)
Recorded ye. 8th Day of May 1736.
On 13 November 1724, Edward Nicholas leased half his land (560 acres) to Thomas Addis for one year for ten shillings, and on the following day he sold it to him for L-126-exactly half what he had paid for the whole two years earlier. However, the parcel sold was the upper half of his tract, furthest from the river. While this theoretically left him with 560 acres, as will be seen later, the remainder actually exceeded 600 acres because of the six-percent allowance for roads and survey errors. See Montgomery County Deeds, Book 3, pp. 169-171. Here are extracts of the lease and deed:
THIS INDENTURE made the Thirteenth Day of November in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred and twenty four BETWEEN Edward Nicholas (late Nichols) of Upper Limerick in the County of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman of the one Part and Thomas Addis of Limerick aforesaid Yeoman of the other Part.
WITNESSETH that the said Edward Nicholas for and in Consideration of the Sum of Ten Shillings Lawful Money to him in Hand paid by the said Thomas Addis...Hath bargained and sold...unto the said Thomas Addis A Certain Piece of Land Situate in the said County of Philadelphia
BEGINNING at a Post dividing this from other Part of the said Edward Nicholas Land thence North East two hundred and eighty Perches to a Post dividing this from Land of Owen Evan then by Land of Jonathan Dickinson North West Three hundred and twenty Perches to a Post, Thence by Land of Tobias Collet & at South West Two hundred and eighty Perches to a Post, Thence by the said Edward Nicholas other Land South East Three hundred and twenty Perches to the Place of Beginning Containing Five hundred and Sixty Acres
Together also with all and singular the Buildings Improvements...To Have and to Hold the said Piece of Land and Premises with the Appurtenances unto the said Thomas Addis...from the Date hereof for and during and unto the full End and Term of one year from thence next ensuing....
In Witness whereof the said Parties to these Presents have hereunto interchangeably set their Hands and Seals Dated the Day and Year first above written."
Sealed and Delivered )
in the presence of us )Wm. Evance )
Georg Evance ) Edward Nicholas (Seal)Jo. Wattson )
)Record: March the 21st 1787 )
THIS INDENTURE Made the fourteenth Day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and twenty four BETWEEN Edward Nicholas (late Nichols) of Upper Limerick in the County of Philadelphia in the Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman of the one Part, And Thomas Addis of Limerick aforesaid Yeoman of the other Part.
Whereas in and by certain indentures of Lease and Release dated the thirteenth and fourteenth Days of March Anno Domini One Thousand Seven hundred and Twenty two made between Thobias (sic) Collet of London in the Kingdom of Great Britain Haberdasher, Daniel Quare of London aforesaid Watchmaker and Henry Coldney of London aforesaid Linnen Draper of the one Part, And the said Edward Nicholas (by the Name of Edward Nichols) of the other Part, They the said Tobias Collet, Daniel Quare and Henry Coldney of London aforesaid for the Consideration therein mentioned did grant release and confirm under the said Edward Nicholas a certain Piece or Parcel of Land (Part of Three Thousand Six hundred Acres of Land in the same Indenture mentioned Situate in the County of Philadelphia),
BEGINNING at a black Oak on the Bank of the River Schoolkyl (sic) being a Corner of William Evan's Land, thence by that and the Lands of John Davis and Owen Evans North East Six hundred and fifty Perches to a Post dividing this from said Owen Evans Land, thence North West by Land of Jonathan Dickinson Three Hundred and twenty Perches to a Post, thence South West by other Part of the Great Tract of the said Tobias Collet five hundred and Ten Perches to a Hickory Tree standing on the Bank of the said River, Then down the same by several Courses thereof to the Place of Beginning Containing one thousand one hundred and Twenty Acres over and besides the Allowance of Six per Cent for Roads and Difference of Surveys Together with the Appurtenances, To Hold to him the said Edward Nicholas, his Heirs and Assigns forever, as in and by the said recited Indentures of Lease and Release ....NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said Edward Nicholas for and in Consideration of the Sum of one hundred and twenty Six Pounds Lawful Money of Pennsylvania to him in Hand paid by the said Thomas Addis ... HATH granted bargained Sold ... unto the said Thomas Addis ... Part of the said described one thousand and one hundred and Twenty Acres.
BEGINNING at a Post dividing this from other Part of the said described Tract now in the Tenure of the said Edward Nicholas, Thence North East Two hundred and eighty Perches to a Post dividing this from Land of Owen Evans, thence by Land of Jonathan Dickinson North West Three hundred and Twenty Perches to a Post, Thence South West by Other part of the Said Three Thousand Six hundred Acres Two hundred and Eighty Perches to a Post, Thence by the said Land in the Tenure of the said Edward Nicholas South East Three hundred and twenty Perches to the Place of Beginning Containing five hundred and Sixty Acres, Together also with all and singular the Buildings, Improvements ... To Have and to Hold the said last described Piece of Land ... unto the said Thomas Addis ...
IN WITNESS whereof the said Parties to the Presents have hereunto interchangeably set their Hands and Seals the Day and Year first above written.
Sealed and Delivered
in the Presence of usWm. Evans )
George Evans ) Edward Nicholas (Seal)
Jo. Mattson )
Be it remembered that Edward Nicholas personally appeared before me Edward Roberts one of the Justices of the Peace for the County and City of Philadelphia and brought this Writing Indented, which he acknowledged to be his Deed and desired the same might be recorded according to the Law. Witness my Hand and Seal the 1st Day of October 1733.
Edward Roberts (Seal)
Recorded March 21st, 1787.
Although his plantation was but 30 miles, as the crow flies, from the present site of Philadelphia's City hall, Limerick Township was then on the frontier and subject to periodic vicious Indian attacks. On 29 April 1728, 74 inhabitants of the region, including Edward Nicholas, signed the following petition, the hand written copy of which is reproduced on the next page:
To the Honorable Patrik Gordon Esq. Governor of the Province of Pensilvania &c:
This Petition of the Frontier Inhabitants of ye County of Philadelphia humbly Sheweth
Whereas Your Petitioners are at Present So Alarmed by a Nois of ye Indian That Several Families have Lost their Plantations with what Effects they Could Possibly Carry away Women In Child bed being forced to Expose themselves To Coldness of ye Air and hereby Their Lives are In Danger
We Your Petitioners therefore humbly Pray That Your Hon. would Be Pleased To Take or Use Such Measures with ye Indians That Your Petitioners may be Freed From Those Alarms. for Yet we are Informed That That The Indians are Consulting Measures Against us. We hope Your Hon. will Comply With our Humble Request To prevent as well our Fears as Danger. And Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall Ever pray &ca. Ap. ye 29-1728."
The signatories whose names can be deciphered are:
Jacob Peterson Adam Schlonecker
William Woodle Daniel Schöner
Joseph Bewlls Fridrich Reichardt
Jonathan Woodle Michal Schenck
John Kendall Valentin Geiger
Jonathan Brooke Christian Aigs
Elliot Evans Conrad Schreiber
Anthony Henkel Jacob __________
John Renberg Jacob __________
Christoph Wittman John Mak
John Böhner John Reichelsdörfer
Martin Zentler Michael Schmidt
Matthias Otto Johannes Schneider
Gerhardt Henckell Wendel Fry
Peter Peterson Georg Hollenbach
Adam Ox Miles Ringer
Christian Manschmid Jacob Colter
Martin Bitting Jacob __________
Georg Geiger John Aister
Bastean Reiffschneider Richard Jacob
Johannes Eschbach Isaac Dubois
Fredrich Antes Thomas hauer
Henrich Antes Nichlos hicks
Hendrich Pielers Jno Pawling
Elias Jost Samuel Adams
Cassimer Schreiber David Evance
Henrich H. Bitting John David
John Phillips
Ed. Nicholas
The Limerick Township tax returns for 1734 listed 21 residents and landowners, accounting for 4,827 acres of the approximately 14,000 acres within the township's boundaries:
John Davy 300 acres
Enoch Davis 300
Edward Nicholas 600
John Kendall 300
Owen Evans 400
William Evans 300
Joseph Barlow 400
Peter Umstead 250
Oliff Pennypacker 250
Henry Reyner 100
William Woodly 150
Johathan Woodly 300
William Malsby 200
Henry Peterson 200
Peter Peterson 100
Nicholas Custer 7
Hironemus Haas 250
Lawrence Rinker 50
Stephen Miller 170
Barnaby Coulson 50
Martin Kolb 150
See Clifton S. Hunsicker, "Montgomery County, Pennsylvania - a History" New York, N. Y.: Lewis Historical Publishing Company, Inc. 1923. v. 1, p. 307.
Edward Nicholas was a member of the Church of England, and his name is found in some of the records of the early churches of that denomination in Montgomery, Chester, and Lancaster counties. Moreover, he appointed as one of his executors, his friend, the Reverend William Currie. The Reverend Currie was rector of the St. James, Perkiomen, St. David's, Radnor and St. Peter's, Great Valley, Churches.
For example, he may be the same Edward Nicholass (sic) who helped build Bangor Episcopal Church in Caernarvon Township of Lancaster County in 1730. The old records of Bangor Church recite this charter from William Penn and the early history of the church:
By the Honorable William Pen Esquire Original Proprietor of the province of Pennsylvania, his charter. To all persons who should be inclined to transplant themselves from any part of Christendom into said Provence. It is Granted they shall enjoy the free exercise of the Christian Religion under whatever Denomination. Upon this so engaging a place of Privileges.
Among others several families of Welch, known by the Name of the antient Brittons, Did Transplant Themselves from Wales in Old England into the Province aforesaid and settled Themselves first in the township of Radnor, in the County of Chester in the Province aforesaid, Where they erected a place of worship where they had Divine Service According to the Doctrine and Discipline of the Episcopal Church of England of which church they were all zealous Members and had for their Minister the Rev. Mr. Robert Wayman, the Society's Missionary for Propagating the gospel in Foreign parts. After some years Many of them Finding Their Settlement too confined, From the vast number of Incomers, They, Anno Domini 1730, Removed some miles to the Westward into a New County called Lancaster, and settled in a Township called Caernarvon from a shire of the same name in Wales in Old England and fixing here They (in imitations of all good Christians) Found that no Place would be agreeable to them without the Public Worship of God, Therefore unanimously and cordially consented and agreed according to their Worldly Circumstances to Build a Church of square Logs which they finished and Gave it the Name of Bangor from a Diocese of that Name in Wales in Old England.
The principal members who Built the said Church were as follows:
| Thomas Williams | Philip Davies |
| George Huttson | Reese Davies |
| Nathan Evans | Thomas Morgan |
| Edward Davies | Gabriel Davies |
| Morgan John | Edward Davies |
| John Bowers | Hugh Davies |
| John Edwards | David Davies |
| Nicholas Huttson | Morgan Evans |
| Evan Hughs | John Davies |
| Zaccheus Davies | Charles Huttson |
| George Huttson | Thomas Nicholass |
| Edward Nicholass | John Davies |
By will, Thomas Morgan, Esq., a Welchman, of Morgantown, Dec. 6th, 1740, donated 93 acres lying around this log church, which they had named “Bangor”, to its use and service. This property was let out on ground-rents for the purpose, according to the terms of the will, of "supporting the preaching of the Gospel," the leases running to the period of 99 years. On this property houses were erected, the church thus becoming the nucleus of the village. It was intended to have named the “Village Bangor”, after “Bangor, in Wales”, but in this way it came to be called "the Churchtown," and so “Churchtown”. See Franklin Ellis and Samuel Evans, "History of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania." Philadelphia, Pa.: Everts & Peck. 1883, p 688.
By coincidence, about 100 years after the original church was built, Joseph Yost, a great-grandson of Edward Nicholas migrated from Limerick Township to the Churchtown area with his family and, according to family legend, is buried in Bangor churchyard. If so, his grave is unmarked, but a number of Joseph's children and grandchildren are buried in the Bangor Episcopal, Caernarvon Presbyterian and Churchtown Methodist graveyards at Churchtown.
Edward Nicholas signed his will 9 May 1744 in the presence of Wm. Biddle, Jr., Clayton Biddle and John Ross, Jr. It was probated 24 March 1746/7 at Philadelphia and is registered in Book H, pp. 239-242, but the original (no. 135, 1746) is also filed in the office of the Register of Wills for Philadelphia County. Here is an extract:
In the Name of God Amen, I Edward Nicholas of the Township of Limerick in the County of Philadelphia Farmer, being at present weak in body but of sound & disposing mind memory & understanding calling to mind the Uncertainty of this Transitory life, & that it is appointed for all men once to dye, do think it proper to Settle my Temporal affairs; And Therefore Do make this my last Will & Testament, in manner & form following, hereby Resolving & making Void, all former & other Wills by me at any time heretofore made & Declare this only to be my last Will & Testament.
First & principally I recommend my Soul to Almighty God who gave it; hoping thr'g the Merits of my Dear Redeemer Jesus Christ, to receive the same again with pardon of my Sins, And my body to be decently buried at the Discretion of my Execr's herein after named. As Touching the Disposition of my Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God in Mercy to bless me, I Give & Dispose thereof in the manner following.
First, I will & order that all my Just Debts & Funeral Expenses be paid by my Execr's as soon as Conveniently may be after my decease.
Item I Give...my dear & well beloved Wife Elizabeth, all that...Tract of Land whereon I now dwell Containing Three Hundred Acres; being part of my Tract of Six Hundred Acres; Together with the free use & enjoyment of all the buildings & Improvements...to Hold...during the Term of her Natural life & no longer.
Item after payment of my Just Debts & Funeral Expenses, I Give & Devise to my said Wife Elizabeth one full third part of all my personal Estate, to Dispose thereof at her will & pleasure.
Item I Give...my Daughter Mary & her Husband, Conrade Yost, the full Quantity of One Hundred Acres of Land, part of my Six Hundred Acre Tract af'd to be located & laid out for them to the full Extent of the Line on the North West side of the s'd Tract; To Hold the s'd One Hundred Acres...during their Natural lives, And from & immediately after the Determination of that Estate, Then I Give...the s'd One Hundred Acres of Land with the Appurtenances, to the Children of the s'd Conrade & Mary w'h shall be then living Equally to be divided between them their Heirs & Assigns for Ever.
Item I Give...my two friends the Reverend Mr. Wm. Currie & Mr. Thomas Bull of the County of Philad'a Gent, after the Decease of my said wife Elizabeth, all that my ... Tract of Land Containing Three Hundred Acres with the Appurtenances, Devised as afd. to my sd. Wife Elizabeth & whereon I now dwell...In Trust...That they...shall...pay or Cause to be paid the Rents & profits of the sd. Message...to my Daughter Susannah Yearly & Every Year during her Natural life, for her only Sole & Separate Use & Maintenance; And from & immediately after the Decease of my said Daughter Susannah; Then I do will & order, & hereby Authorize and empower the sd. Wm. Currie & Thomas Bull...to...sell the...Three Hundred Acres of Land...for the best price that Can be got for the same, & to...Execute all Necessary Deed or Deeds for the absolute Conveying the same to such purchaser in Fee Simple. And the money Arising from such Sale I will & order shall be Equally divided among my Children Henry Nicholas of London, Edward Nicholas & Elizabeth Nicholas of Monmouthshire in Great Britain, & Mary the Wife of Conrade Yost And if Either of my said Children...should happen to dye without issue, before payment of their respective Legacy,...the part or Share of such Decedent, I will Shall be Equally Divided among the survivors of them; but if they or either of them dye leaving issue, the part or share of such Dece'd...shall be Equally divided among the Children of such Decedent.
My Will further is, And I do hereby order, Authorize & empower the s'd Wm. Currie & Tho's Bull...to...Sell Two Hundred Acres of my Land (being the residue of my Six Hundred Acre Tract afd.) to be Located & laid out on the South East side of the sd. Six Hundred Acre Tract, to the full Extent of the line,...for the best price that Can be got for the same, & to...Execute, all necessary Deed & Deeds for the absolute conveying the same to such purchaser in Fee Simple. And the money Arising from the Sale of the sd. Two Hundred acres of Land, (w'ch I Will & order to be Sold as soon as Conveniently may be after my decease,) I Give & Dispose in manner following.
I Give & Bequeath to my afd. Son Henry Nicholas Clothier in London the Sum of One Hundred pounds Current money of this Province, to be Remitted & paid to him by my Exec'rs as soon as Conveniently they can after Sale of the sd. Two Hundred Acres of Land. But if my sd. Son Henry should be dead; then I will that the sd. sum be paid Equally among his Children as they respectively Attain the age of twenty one Years & if my sd. Son Henry at that time should be dead without issue, Then I will the sd. One Hundred pounds shall be paid to my sd. Son Edward & Daughter Elizabeth Equally between them; & if Either of them be dead then to the Survivor.
Item I Give & Bequeath to my sd. Son Edward Nicholas in England the Sum of One Hundred pounds Current money af'd to be Remitted & paid as before directed to my Son Henry, but if he happen to be dead leaving issue then to be pd. to his Children Equally as they attain the age af'd. & if without issue then to my Children Henry & Elizabeth Equally or to the Survivor of them.
Item I Give & Bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth the Sum of One Hundred pounds Curr. money afd. to be Remitted & paid as before directed to my son Henry, but if she happen to be dead leaving issue then to such issue Equally as they attain the age afd. & if without issue then to my two Sons Henry & Edward Equally or to the Survivor of them. But in Case the sd. Two Hundred Acres of Land should not Sell for the sd. Three Hundred pounds; then I will my Exec'rs to Appropriate so much of my personal Estate, to the payment of said Legacies as will make up the Deficiency in such Case.
Item my Will further is, That in Case the sd. Two Hundred Acres should happen to Sell for more than the sd. Three Hundred pounds Such Overplus money shall be paid & Equally divided between my beloved Daughters Mary & Susannah.
Item I Give & Bequeath to my Daughter Jane in England Five Shillings Sterling & no more.
Item I Give & Bequeath unto Katharine Killpach Fifty pounds Curr. money of Pennsylv'a to be pd. her by my Exec'rs out of my personal Estate.
Item I Give & Bequeath to my two friends the afd. Wm. Currie & Tho's Bull the Sum of Ten pounds Currency to Each of them.
Lastly, I nominate, Constitute & appoint my said...wife, Elizabeth, & my sd. two friends, the afd. Wm. Currie & Tho's Bull, Executors of my Last Will & Testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto let my hand & Seal the Ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred & Forty four.
When Edward Nicholas died, he possessed a substantial personal estate valued at L-279.7.2. The most valuable item was a "Black Sam," a slave, appraised at L-50. Edward Nicholas owned 4 horses, 3 colts, 4 oxen, 20 cattle, 21 sheep, and 4 hogs plus farming equipment, furniture, household effects and foodstuffs. On 23 December 1746, his neighbors John David, George Evans and Enoch Davis inventoried and appraised his personal estate. The appraisal, presented below, is now in the files of the Register of Wills for Philadelphia County.
An Inventory of the Estate of Edward Nicholas Late of the township of Limerick in the County of Philadelphia Yeoman Deceased taken and Appraised by John Davis, George Evans & Enoch Davis all of the Sd township Yeoman this twenty third Day of December In the Year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and forty Six &c.
L- S D
To Purse and Apparel 18.19.6
To a Bay horse 5.10.0
To a Rone horse Horse Colt 6.10.0
To a Mare and Colt 10.00.0
To a Bay horse 4 year old 5.00.0
To a Natural Pacing Colt 9.00.0
To a 2 year old Bull 1.15.0
L_- S D
To a Brown heifer 1.15.0
To a Pide Steer 1. 5.0
To another Pide Steer 2. 0.0
To a Pare of Oxen 8.10.0
To a Pare of young Oxen 4.10.0
to 3 Steers 7.10.0
To a Cow 4.10.0
To a Cow 3.10.0
To Ditto 3.10.0
To Ditto 3.00.0
To 2 Cows 5.00.0
To Ditto 5.00.0
To a Steer 1.10.0
To 4 Calfs 3.5.0
To 21 Sheep 8.0.0
To 4 Hogs 2.0.0
To a Wind Mill to Clean Corn 3.0.0
To 2 Ox Yoaks 0.8.0
To 2 pare of Iron Hopples & Chain 0.8.0
To 2 Ox Chains 0.12.0
To Haimes Cleavises and Chains 0.10.6
To 2 traces 0.16.0
To 4 forks & a Shovel 0.7.9
To a Cart and Yeok 3.0.0
To a Harrow and Plugh 2.5.0
To a Chain fork and Haims 0.7.6
To an Iron Barr 0. 2.0
To a Stack of Wheat 60 Bushels 7.10.0
To a Quantity of Rye 40 Bushels 5.0.0
To an ox yeok & Pick fork 0.7.0
To a grinding Stone 0.3.0
To a Hide 0. 3.0
To a Plugh and Irons 0.13.0
To 3 Hodgh & 2 Barrels 0.15.0
To a Dough trough 0. 3.0
To 4 old Spades 0. 4.0
To 4 Hoes 0. 7.0
To 3 Axes 0.11.0
To 25 Bords of Walnut 1. 0.0
To a Pare of haimes and Hay Hook 0. 2.0
To an Anvil Vise Beakiron &
Bellows hamers & 3 tongs 4.17.0
To all the old Iron Lumber in the shop 0.18.0
To one Harrow tooth a Piece of
Iron and Steel 0. 3.6
To an Old Hoe and Scyth 0. 2.0
To a hand Saw 0. 1.6
To a Pitching Ax 0. 3.6
To a Brake 0. 1.6
To Swingel trees and a Barrel 0. 5.6
L_- S D
To a Brass Kettle 3.10.0
To 4 Weges Mall & two Rings 0.8.0
To 4 Sickles 0.6.0
To one Sickles 0.2.0
To 5 Augres 2 Chisels Gouge & Adzs 0.12.0
To an Ax and Stilyards 0.15.0
To 2 Men’s Saddles 2.10.0
To 2 Women’s Saddles 2.10.0
To a Bed and Bedstead 9.0.0
To a Chest 0.18.0
To a Warming Pann 0.10.0
To 2 Spinning Wheels 1.0.0
To a howel 0.1.6
To 2 Beds 2 Pillows Bolster & 2 Sheets
6.0.0
To 2 Chests 0.10.0
To a Sive and Loome 0. 3.0
To a Barrel of hoops & 2 Bells 0.18.0
To a Bed Stead 0.8.0
To 3 Bells a Gun barrel & Pinchers 0.14.0
To 11 Bushels of Wheat 1.7.6
To a half Bushels 0.3.0
To 3 Guns 3.15.0
To 3 Potts and Brey Pan 1. 7.0
To 7 Puter Dishes 2.15.0
To 18 Plaits 1.15.0
To a Salt and Server 0.4.0
To a Backsord 0.1.0
To 2 tubs & 2 Pails 0.5.10
To a ladle Scimer and flesh fork 0.4.0
To 2 Grid Irons 0.3.0
To 8 Spoons 0.1.4
To a Lanturn 0.2.6
To 6 Peggs 1.2.0
To an old tub 0.1.0
To a Wine Pipe and Hodgh 0.9.0
To a Chest of Draws 3.0.0
To 5 Chairs 0.10.0
To a Pare of Dog Irons 2 pair of
tongs & fire Sho 1.10.0
To a Pare of Bellows 0.1.6
To 2 Sheets 0.4.6
To a table Cloath 0.2.0
To 4 Knifes and forks 0.4.0
To a hammer 3 Gimlets lock Rasp Bell and other Lumber 0.3.9
To a Box and Lumber 0.2.6
To a half Barre frying Pan & hama 0.5.6
To 3 Hodgh 0.12.0
To 3 Seader tubs 1.1.0
L- S D
To a Churn and Barrel 0.7.0
To a tub of Grees 0.5.0
To Beef and Pork 5.10.0
To a Parcel of leather 0.3.0
To a tub of Butter 0.6.0
To 5 Bags and 2 Bushels of Malt 0.15.0
To 13-1/2 Bushels of Barley 1.16.0
To 11 Acres of Corn in the Ground 11.00.0
To Black Sam 50.00.0
This Being a true and Perfect Inventory of the afore Sd Estate Being all that Came Befor us or to our knowledge taken and appraised the Day and year afore Sd In testimoney whereof we have hereunto Set our hands#
his
John J David
mark
George Evans
Enoch Davis
An Appraisemt
of Edward Nicholas
Estate
According to an undated list of disbursements filed with the Register of Wills, the sale of personal property, which took place in the Spring of 1747/8, brought L-31.3.1 less than the appraised value. Including this adjustment, the list of disbursements accounts for only L-253.3.6 although the appraisal totaled L-279.7.2. This discrepancy may be due in part to errors we made in deciphering the figures shown on the appraisal, and it may also indicate that the list of disbursements is incomplete. The accounting, presented below, shows debts and expenses paid, legacies disbursed, and adjustment cited above, and a list of debtors who could not pay the estate the sums they owed:
by Cash pd Wm Evans 1.15. 6.0
by Cash pd Enoch Davis -.11. 0.0
by Cash pd Jno Johnston 2.10. 6.0
by Cash pd Henry Shetler (or Stetler) 1.0. 0.0
by Cash pd the Widow for her Dower 81.13. 4.0
Cathrine Kilpatch Legacy 50.0. 0.0
by Cash pd Jno Ross for Advice 1.0. 0.0
by Legacys to the Exors 20. 0. 0.0
by Cash to Wm Currie for Subscription
due & Service at the funrl 3.
by Cash pd Hugh Pugh -.10. 0.0
by Cash pd Susannah Nicholas alias Baker 2.15.0.0
by Cash pd Jno Coplen 0.10.0.0
by Cash pd Hugh Hall 0.11.4.0
by Cash pd for proving the Will &
printing Advertisement for the
Vendue 1.16.0.0
by Cash pd Wm Brooke -.18.0.0
by Cash pd Jno Davis -. 5.8.0
by Cash pd Geo Evans 19.11.0
by Cash pd for advertising the Land
in Dutch & English -.12.0.0
by Cash pd Jno Shrack -. 2.0.0
by Cash pd Geo Grub -.10.0.0
by Cash pd for advertising Land
a 2d time -.12.0.0
by Cash pd Owen Evans -.3.0.0
by Cash pd Conrad Yoste -.11.0.0
by Cash pd Conrad Yoste for 5 rouph 3.1.10.0
175.13. 1.0
Item by the deficioncie of the Sale
of the Sevl goods & Chattels mention'd
in the Inventory wch being appraised in
the Fall & not sold till the Spring
upon the whole Sold for less than they
were appraised by the Sum of 31. 3. 1.0
Item by my Expence & Trouble for ad-
ministring the Will Selling Land &
Overseeing Susannah's Estate during
her Lifetime 40. 0. 0.0
Item by insolvont Drs Barbara Campbel 2.10.0.0
Andrew Lymas 0.11.6.0
Geo Brye 0.3.0.0
Hans Bowman 0.0.7.0
Moses Bund 0.14.0.0
Saml Tomplen 0.15.0.0
Jno Pawl 0.18.3.0 5. 2. 4.0
251.18. 6.0
paid at the Regts office for the
acct: 17/6 fair Copy Clk &c 7/6 1. 5
L-253. 3. 6.
Incidentally, there is an error in addition on the original document since the first subtotal is overstated by five shillings, and the total of unpaid debts is understated by ten shillings.
On 21 March 1747/8, "Conrad Yost Mary, his wife, & Susa Nicholas Spinster" were granted letters to administer the Estate of Elizabeth Nicholas, who had died intestate. "Conrad Yost of Limerick Town'p In behalf of Mary his Wife a dau'r of Elizth Nicholas widow & Late of the same place deced, Susannah Nicholas another daur of the sd Deced, Charles Railes of Coventry Town'p Yeom & Geo. Rutter of Philada Butcher" signed a £500 bond to guarantee performance of their duties. They were required to submit an inventory "before the 21st Day of April next" and to render an accounting by the "22nd Day of March anno 1748", but only the inventory is still preserved in the Register of Wills office at Philadelphia. See Philadelphia County Wills, no. 81, 1747. The inventory, presented below, was made 24 March 1747/8 by George Evans and Charles Reilles. They appraised her estate at £-95.13.6.
A true and perfect Inventory of the Goods Chattles and Credits of Elizabeth Nicholas Widdow of Edward Nicholas of Limerick Township in the County of Philadelphia Late Disceasd Appraised by us the Subscribers this Twenty fourth Day of march Anno: Do: 1747/8 as followeth viz.
L_-. S. D
To a fether Bedd 1 boulster 4 pillows
two Sheets one blanked and a Rug 5.10. 0
to a pair of Curtians and Walnot
bedd Steed 1. 6. 0
To an old Coat 0.10. 0
To two pair of Treases and old Iron 0.18. 6
To a Small walnot Desk a box Iron
frame 1 heater 0.17. 0
To a watering pott and 13 pound of
flaxen yearn 1.13. 0
To 5 Knifes 3 forks 2 tonges Choping
Knife bill hook 0. 9. 0
To old Sickels Shears Leather Whiel
Reel and Riddle 0.12. 0
to Indian Corn Hops and Wooll 0.10. 0
To old Hogsheads old Barrels
Churn pail Ceeler 1. 2. 0
To a Hogshead and wine pipe 0. 8. 0
To faling ax pott and Cettle 0.18. 0
To Erthenware pails Scimmer and
6 Spugns 0. 8. 0
To maul Rings and Bellis 0. 4. 0
To plow Irons and two Clevises 0.19. 0
To 24 harrow teeth and breaker 1. 1. 0
To a blaze Paicing mare 9. 0. 0
To a pide Cow and Calf 3.15. 0
To a pide hifer and white face Stear 2.10. 0
To a bay mare 6.00. 0
To a Sow 0.07. 0
To a Grind Stone 0.02. 0
To a bag and 2 busel flax Seed 0.07. 0
To Cash in the hands of Susannah Baker 2. 5. 0
To Cash in the hands of Connerd Yoast 0.15. 0
To Cash in the hands of Samuel Meredith 3.07. 0
To Cash in hands of Henry fryer
To Cash in the hands of William Brooke belonging to the Exors 0.00. 0
To Cash in the hands of Enoch Davis 50.00. 0Witness our hands the Day and year
above writtenGeorge Evans
Charles Reilles
As provided in his will, Edward Nicholas' executors sold the 200-acre tract along the southeast side to provide a legacy of £-100 to each of his children in England: Henry, Edward and Elizabeth Nicholas. This land was sold to ________ for £ _____ . See Philadelphia County Deeds, Book ____.
In his will, Edward Nicholas bequeathed 100 acres, along the northwest side of his tract, to his daughter, Mary, and her husband, Conrad Yost, for their use while living. He provided that when both Conrad and Mary had died, the land was to be divided equally among their children. On 9 June 1780, Henry Yost, one of the children of Conrad and Mary, paid Frederich and Ann (Lute) Yost, John Yost, and Daniel and Susannah (Yost) March a total of £-300 for their shares of the bequest and acquired the 100 acres of his grandfather's land. We have found no record that he paid anything to his half-sisters, Mary (Bingaman) Lord and Margaret (Bingaman) Koon, who were the children of Mary (Nicholas) Yost by her second husband, Frederick Bingaman. However, by the terms of Edward Nicholas' will, they were not entitled to share in this portion of his estate. See Montgomery County Deeds, Book 2, pp. 442-443.
Edward Nicholas bequeathed 300 acres to his wife Elizabeth for her use while living. He provided that after her death, the rents and profits from this land were to be paid to his daughter, Susannah Nicholas, during her life and when she had died, the tract was to be sold and the proceeds divided equally among "my Children, Henry Nicholas of London, Edward Nicholas & Elizabeth Nicholas of Monmouthshire in Great Britain, & Mary the Wife of Conrade Yost" or their heirs.
On 14 December 1785, Henry Yost paid his half-sister Mary and her husband Edward Lord £-22.10.0 for Mary's interest in the property. On 30 October 1786, Henry Yost paid his half-sister, Margaret, and her husband, Henry Koon, £-25 for Margaret's interest in the property. Since he paid one sister less than he paid the other and each one less than he or his brothers ultimately received for their equal shares, Henry evidently drove a hard bargain. On 1 April 1787, Daniel March, husband of Susannah Yost, who was one of the daughters of Mary and Conrad Yost, paid Frederich Yost and his wife, Ann, £-83.6.8 for Frederich's interest in the property. On 14 October 1789, Daniel March paid Henry Yost and his wife, Susannah, and John Yost, £-166.13.4 for their interests. On this same date, Henry Yost and his wife, Susannah, assigned the deeds from Edward and Mary Lord and Henry and Margaret Koon to Daniel March for the same price as he had paid for them in 1786. Thus, Daniel March acquired a one-fourth interest in the 300 acres.
Meanwhile, Peter Aston, a Philadelphia merchant had acquired the other three-fourths’ interest of Henry, Edward, and Elizabeth Nicholas in this manner: On 28 December 1784, the English heirs of Edward Nicholas gave Henry Nicholas a letter of attorney authorizing him to settle their claims upon the estate. See Montgomery County Deeds, Book 2, pp. 218-222. Here is an extract:
To all to Whom these presents Shall Come
we Mary Nicholas, widow and Sole administratrix of Edward Nicholas, late of the Parish of Llansoy in the County of Monmouth in the Kingdom of Great Britain Yeoman Deceased, which said Edward Nicholas was one of the Sons and Only surviving Son mentioned in the last will and Testament of Edward Nicholas late of the Township of Limerick in the Province of Pennsylvania...,
Edward Nicholas of the parish of Wolvesnewton in the said County of Monmouth Yeoman, which said Edward is one of the two sons of the above named Edward Nicholas heretofore of the parish of Llansoy...who was the only Surviving son of Edward Nicholas who died in Pennsylvania...,
William James formerly of Llangwin Ycha but now of the parish of Llangwew in the said County of Monmouth Yeoman, and Ann his wife, which Said Ann was one of the daughters of the said Edward Nicholas heretofore of Llansoy...,
Georg Jones late of the parish of Shirenewton in the County of Monmouth, but now of the Parish of Westbury upon Trim in the County of Gloucester Labourer, which Said Georg Jones is one of the sons of William Jones and Elizabeth his wife, which Said Elizabeth was one of the Daughters of and named in the last Will and Testament of Edward Nicholas who dyed in Pennsylvania ...,
Edward Jones of the parish of Shirenewton in the County of Monmouth Yeoman the Other Only surviving Son of the said William Jones by the said Elizabeth his wife Daughter of the said Edward Nicholas of Pennsylvania ... Send Greeting
Whereas the said Edward Nicholas heretofore of the parish of Llangunnook in the said County of Monmouth but late of Pennsylvania in North America was in his lifetime and at the time of his decease seized in fee of Divers ... Lands and premises, Situate and being in the Province of Pennsylvania aforesaid or elsewhere in North America and was also possessed of a considerable personal Estate there or Elsewhere in America afd., And Whereas such Real and personal estates now become the Real and personal Estate (among Others) of them the said Mary Nicholas widow, Edward Nicholas, Henry Nicholas hereinafter ... Named and Described, and the said William James and Ann his wife, George Jones and Edward Jones and Others.
Now this Indenture Witnesseth that We the said Mary Nicholas, Edward Nicholas, William James and Ann James, his wife, George Jones and Edward Jones in Consideration of five Shillings a piece to us in the hand paid by Henry Nicholas now of Llangunnock and County of Monmouth aforesaid Yeoman, One other of the sons of the said Edward Nicholas late of Llansoy and County of Monmouth aforesaid Deceased and out of the Special Trust and Confidence we Respectively have in him...and for Divers Other Good and Valuable Considerations...Have...appointed the said Henry Nicholas...Our True and lawful Attorney...to enter into take Possession of all and singular the property and properties...in the Province of Pennsylvania aforesaid or elsewhere in America...and to ask demand sue for Recover and receive of and from all...and to Grant Bargain Sell Release and dispose thereof, or of any part or parcel thereof, and to make...any such Deed and Deeds...unto,...such person and persons who shall purchase the same....
In Witness whereof the said Mary Nicholas, Edward Nicholas, William James and Ann James his wife, George Jones and Edward Jones have hereunto set our hands and seals the twenty eight Day of December, in the twenty fifth year of the Reign of George the third King of Great Britain etc. and in the Year of our lord one thousand seven hundred & eighty four.
Sealed and Delivered ) her
by the above Named ) Mary X Nicholas
) markMary Nicholas )
Edward Nicholas ) his
Edward X Nicholas) markWilliam James and ) her
Ann James his wife and ) Ann X James
) mark
George Jones and )
Edward Jones in the ) his
presence of us ) William X James
Howel Price of Usk )
Castle )
John Stockham Clerk of ) mark
the parish Church of usk )
) his
Usk Burrough ) George X Jones
Monmouthshire" ) mark
)
his
Edward X Jones
mark
Henry Nicholas sailed to Philadelphia where on 1 June 1785 he sold their share of Edward Nicholas' estate for £-200 to John Stevens. See Montgomery County Deeds, Book 2, pp. 222-225. Here is an extract:
THIS INDENTURE made the first Day of June in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty five BETWEEN
Mary Nicholas, widow & sole administratix of Edward Nicholas, late of the parish of Llansoy in the County of Monmouth in the Kingdom of Great Britain yeoman Deceased, Who was one of the sons, and Only Surviving Son mentioned in the last will & Testament of Edward Nicholas, late of Limerick Township in the County of Montgomery in the State of Pennsylvania Deceased,
Edward Nicholas of the parish of Wolvesnewton in the said County of Monmouth Yeoman One of the Sons of the said first mentioned Edward Nicholas Deceased,
William James of the Parish of Llangwin in the said County of Monmouth Yeoman and Ann his Wife, One of the Daughters of the first named Edward Nicholas deceased,
George Jones of the parish of Westbury upon Trim in the County of Gloucester in the said Kingdom of Great Britain Labourer, One of the Sons of William Jones and Elizabeth his wife Who was one of the daughters of and Named in the last will and Testament of the said Edward Nicholas late of the said Township of Limerick Deceased and
Edward Jones of the parish of Shirenewton in the said County of Monmouth Yeoman the Other Only surviving Son of the said William Jones by the Said Elizabeth his wife by their Attorney Henry Nicholas formerly of Llangunnook in the said County of Monmouth, at present Residing in the City of Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania Yeoman, Duly Constituted And the said Henry Nicholas (he being another of the sons of the said first named Edward Nicholas Deceased) of the one part and John Stevens of the said City of Philadelphia Gentlemen of the other part.
WHEREAS the said Edward Nicholas late of the said Township of Limerick Deceased was in his lifetime and at the time of his Decease seized in his Demense as of fee of and in Divers ... Real Estate Situate in the said State of Pennsylvania Or elsewhere in North America And was also possessed of a considerable personal estate,
AND WHEREAS such Real & personal Estate is now become the Right and property of them the said Mary Nicholas "widow", Edward Nicholas, party hereto, Henry Nicholas, William James and Ann his wife, George Jones and Edward Jones and Others.
AND WHEREAS the said Mary Nicholas, Edward Nicholas, party hereto, William James and Ann his wife, George Jones and Edward Jones, by Deed Poll or letter of Attorney under their hands and seals duly Executed bearing date the twenty eighth Day of December in the Year of our Lord 1784 Did Constitute and appoint the said Henry Nicholas to be their true and lawful Attorney and did thereby authorize and empower him the said Henry Nicholas for them and in their Names to enter into and take Possession of all and singular the property and properties Real and personal ... whatsoever in the Province (now State) of Pennsylvania aforesaid or elsewhere in America Whereunto the said constituents were entitled or wherein they were interested in any manner howsoever And all and all manner of property and properties...Situate lying and being in Province (now State) of Pennsylvania aforesaid or elsewhere in North America which were the property and properties...of the aforesaid Edward Nicholas late of the said Township of Limerick Deceased.
And whereunto they the said constituents together with the said Henry Nicholas and others Entitled or interested in under the will of the same Edward Nicholas And to grant bargain sell...and Deliver any such deed and deeds and Other Conveyances and assurances in the law whatsoever needful and necessary for conveying and assuring such sale or Sales unto or to the use of such person and persons who should purchase the same or any part thereof...as in and by the said deed poll or letter of attorney...
NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said Mary Nicholas, Edward Nicholas, party hereto, William James and Ann his wife, George Jones and Edward Jones, by their attorney aforesaid, and the said Henry Nicholas, for and in Consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds Current lawful money of Pennsylvania unto the said Henry Nicholas in hand well and truly paid by the said John Stevens...Have Granted Bargained Sold unto the said John Stevens...All and every the...Real Estate Also all and every the Goods Chattels Effects and personal Estate whatsoever Belonging unto them the said Mary Nicholas, Edward Nicholas, party hereto, William James and Ann his wife, George Jones and Edward Jones, and Henry Nicholas, of what nature or Kind soever Or wheresoever Situate lying Or being in the said State of Pennsylvania or elsewhere in America, by whatsoever name Or names Known or Called or by whatsoever metes and Bounds Described and wherein Or whereto...to have and to hold...Unto the said John Stevens....
IN WITNESS whereof the said parties to these presents Have interchangeably set their hands and seals hereunto the Day and Year first above Written
her
Mary X Nicholas )
mark )
his
Edward X Nicholas ) by their Attorney
Sealed & Delivered ) mark ) his
In the presence ) his Henry X Nicholas
of us ) Willm X James ) mark
Asheton Humphreys ) mark )
Andrew Harvey ) her (Seal)Ann X James )
mark )
his
George X Jones )
mark )
his
Edward X Jones )
mark )
Recorded: 24 February 1786 George Bryan
John Stevens in turn sold his right in Edward Nicholas' estate to...for £- _____.
Peter Aston and Daniel March then agreed on a division of the 300 acres on a basis which reflected the relative values, and on 17 November 1789, Daniel March paid the Reverend William Currie, surviving executor of Edward Nicholas' will, £-16.13.4 for a deed to 106 acres and 133 perches. Peter Aston paid the Reverend Currie £-33 for a deed to 213 acres and 106 perches. Evidently the 300 acres actually consisted of 320 acres and 79 perches, and Daniel March got one-third of it and Peter Aston two-thirds. See Montgomery County Deeds, Book 4, pp. 506-513.
Edward and Elizabeth ________ Nicholas had at least six children. There may have been others who died before Edward Nicholas signed his will in May 1744.
Henry Nicholas
Edward Nicholas = Mary
Elizabeth Nicholas = Edward Jones
Jane Nicholas
Susannah Nicholas
Anna Maria Nicholas = 1) Johann Conrad Jost
= 2) Frederick Bingaman
i. Henry Nicholas
B. __ ___ 16__ probably at Parish of Llangunnock, County of Monmouth, Wales. He was baptized __ ___ ____ at _____ church at ______________. His sponsors were __________ and __________. See the baptism records of the church, p __.M. Probably not.
He evidently died before 28 December 1784, without issue, perhaps at London, England, and is buried in _______________ cemetery at __________________.
According to his father's will, he was a clothier in London.
ii. Edward Nicholas
B. 2 February 1695 probably at Parish of Llangunnock, County of Monmouth, Wales. His baptism on 2 February 1695 is recorded in the parish register of the church of Llanfihangel tor-y-mynydd, which is near Llangunnock. See the baptism records of the church.M. ___ _______ ____ - Mary _______ at _____ church at ___________, ______________ County, ______________. Rev. ______________________ presided. The witnesses were ____________________ and _________________. See the marriage records of ____________ church, p ____.
She was born ______________ at _____________, _____________ County, _________, the daughter of ________ and _______ (_______) __________________. She died _______________ at ____________, _____________ County, ______________ and is buried in ___________________ cemetery at _________________.
D. Before 28 December 1784 at Parish of Llansoy, County of Monmouth, Wales ___________ and is buried in ____________________ cemetery at ________________________.
i. Edward Nicholas, yeoman, resided at Parish of Wolvesnewton, County of Monmouth, Wales in 1784.
ii. Ann Nicholas married William James, formerly of Llangwin Ycha but residing at Parish of Llangwew, County of Monmouth, Wales in 1784.
iii. Henry Nicholas, yeoman, resided at Parish of Llangunnock, County of Monmouth, Wales in 1784. He traveled to Philadelphia in 1785 as representative of his grandfather's heirs who were living in Great Britain and sold their three-fourth's interest in a 300-acre tract for £200 on 1 June 1785 to John Stevens of Philadelphia.
iii. Elizabeth Nicholas
B. __ ___ 16__ probably at Parish of Llangunnock, County of Monmouth, Wales. She was baptized __ ___ ____ at _____ church at ______________. Her sponsors were __________ and __________. See the baptism records of the church, p __.M. ___ _______ ____ - William Jones at _____ church at ___________, ______________ County, ______________. Rev. ______________________ presided. The witnesses were _____________________ and _________________. See the marriage records of ____________ church, p. ____.
He was born _______________ at _____________, _____________ County, _____________, the son of _____________ and _________ (_______) Jones. He died _______________ at _____________, ____________ County, _______________ and is buried in _______________ cemetery at __________________.
D. Before 28 December 1784 at _______________, _____________ County, ___________ and is buried in ____________________ cemetery at ________________________.
i. George Jones, laborer, formerly of the Parish of Shirenewton, County of Monmouth, Wales but residing at Parish of Westbury Upon Trim, County of Gloucester, England in 1784.
ii. Edward Jones, yeoman, resided at Parish of Shirenewton, County of Monmouth, Wales in 1784.
iv. Jane Nicholas
B. __ ___ 16_ probably at Parish of Llangunnock, County of Monmouth, England. She was baptized __ ___ ____ at _____ church at ______________. Her sponsors were __________ and __________. See the baptism records of the church, p __.
M. ___ _______ ____ - _________ _______ at _____ church at ___________, ______________ County, ______________. Rev. ______________________ presided. The witnesses were ____________________ and _________________. See the marriage records of ____________ church, p. ____.
He was born _______________ at _____________, _____________ County, ____________, the son of ___________ and _______ (______) ________________. He died ________________ at _____________, _____________ County, ________________ and is buried in ___________________ cemetery at _________________.
D. ______________ at _____________, _________ County, __________ and is buried in ________________ cemetery at ____________________.
She evidently displeased her father greatly for he willed her "Five Shillings Sterling & no more."
v. Susannah Nicholas
B. __ ___ 17__ probably at Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was baptized __ ___ ____ at _____ Church at ______________. Her sponsors were __________ and __________. See the baptism records of the church, p. __.
M. Unknown.
D. Before 28 December 1784, probably at Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and is buried in ____________________ Cemetery at ________________________.
When her mother died in 1747/8, the grant of letters of administration referred to her as a “spinster”. Yet she is referred to as "Susannah Nicholas, alias Baker" in the account of distribution of her father's estate and as “Susannah Baker” in the appraisal of her mother's personal property. Why, we do not know; perhaps she was the common-law wife of a man named “Baker” or had been married to him and then was divorced.
vi. Anna Maria Nicholas
B. __ ___ 17__ probably at Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. She was baptized __ ___ ____ at ________ Church at ______________. Her sponsors were __________ and __________. See the baptism records of the church, p __.
M. (1) ___ _______ before 1741 - Johann Conrad Jost at _____ Church at ___________, ______________ County, Pennsylvania. Rev. ________________ presided. The witnesses were __________________ and ______________. See the marriage records of ____________ Church, p. ____.
He was born _______________ at _____________, _____________ County, Germany, the son of _____________ and _________ (_______) Jost. He died about 20 March 1760 at Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and is probably buried in the churchyard at the Augustus Evangelical Lutheran Church at Trappe, Upper Providence Township, Montgomery County Pennsylvania.
M. (2) ___ _______ c1762 - Frederick Bingaman at _____ Church at ___________, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Rev. ______________________ presided. The witnesses were ____________________ and _________________. See the marriage records of ____________ Church, p ____.
He was born _______________ at _____________, _____________ County, _____________, the son of _____________ and _________ (_______) Bingaman. He died _________________ at _____________, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and is buried in __________________ Cemetery at __________________.
D. Before 9 June 1780, probably at Limerick Township, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, and is buried in ___________________ Cemetery at _________________.