Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 68

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482

USA > Delaware > Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I > Part 68

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John Stuckert attended the public schools of Red Lion hundred and was graduated, in 1871, from the Lawrenceville, N. J., high school. A year was spent in Delaware Col- lege, Newark, Del. Then he returned to his home, and when he attained his majority took charge of the farm. In 1877, he engaged in the grain business and soon became one of the heaviest buyers and shippers of grain in New Castle county. To the grain line he added phosphates, and has been a very busy and suc- cessful man for the past twenty-one years. He is popular and respected throughout the coun- ty because of his honorable dealings with his patrons, his keen business sense and his kind- ly disposition. In 1895 he removed to St. George's and now resides in that town. Mr. Stuckert is a member of St. George's Lodge, No. 20, A. O. U. W. He has been an inspec- tor of elections and is a Republican, but not an active politician.

On October 7, 1885, in St. George's, John C. Stuckert married Florence Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas and Frances E. (Smith) Bird, and niece of Levi C. Bird, Esq., a prom- inent attorney-at-law of Wilmington. She was born in Red Lion hundred, where her parents now live. Mr. and Mrs. Stuckert have children: I. Francis Bird; II. William T .; both attending school. Mr. Stuckert and wife are members of the Presbyterian church, and Mr. Stuckert is a trustee and the treas- urer of the congregation.

THOMAS PILLING, P. O. Stanton, Del., son of Richard and Susan (Bradshaw) Pilling, was born in Lancashire, England, September 3, 1836. He is a brother of IIon. John Pilling, of Newark, Del.

Richard Pilling followed, in his native country, the business of silk-weaving, but his earnings not sufficing to maintain his family as comfortably as he desired, he emigrated to America in 1841, and with his son John, then a lad of eleven, obtained employment in wool- en and cotton weaving in Philadelphia. In 1842, they removed to Delaware, and contin- ned to work in various woolen factories, dili- gent and faithful, and content with the mod- est gains secured by their daily toil. John Pilling applied himself to the business with spirit and determination, sparing no pains to become acquainted with it in all its details. He rose steadily from one position to another,

until, having accumulated considerable capi- tal, and become a large stockholder in the Kiamensi Woolen Company, he was chosen president of the association, and continued in that position until 1888. He has been, since the war of the Rebellion, an enthusiastic Re- publican, and influential in the party, as well as in public affairs in general. He has several times represented his district in the State Leg- islature, and has done useful and highly ap- preciated service to the state at large in that body.

When the Pilling family came to the Uni- ted States, Thomas, the younger son, was a child of five years. After residing for a short time in Philadelphia, and then for some months in Rockdale, Delaware county, Pa., the family, as already stated, became residents of the state of Delaware. Here Thomas Pil- ling was sent to school, at Pike Creek, Mill Creek hundred, until he was eight years old, the limited circumstances of the family deny- ing him more than this slight foundation of an education. A wholesome ambition, how- ever, intelligent observation and the applica- tion of sound good sense to the affairs of life, have made Mr. Pilling a competent man of business, of mature - judgment and reliable views on current topics. ITis earliest business employment was at Lee's cotton mills, Bridge. water, Delaware county, Pa., where he worked for two years at one dollar per week. He then came with his family to Newark, Del., and was employed upon "piece work," at the mills of Joseph Dean & Son, until 1857. During this time, the lad faithfully and duti- fully contributed his small earnings to the support of the family. In 1857, he obtained employment in the woolen mills at Heston- ville, now incorporated with the city of Phil- adelphia; in the following year, he worked for a short time in the mills of James Taylor, at Pike Creek, Del .; then for two years, in the woolen mill of Germantown, Philadelphia. Returning to Newark, Del., Mr. Pilling le- came a partner with Joseph Dean, Jr., and engaged in the woolen business at Appleton, Cecil county, Md., where they manufactured' yarn for the weaving of blankets, supplying the blanket mills at Landisburg, Pa. After two years, Messrs. Dean & Pilling sold their establishment; Mr. Pilling then resided at Newark, Del., until 1864, when the Kiamensi Woolen Company was formed. In this com.

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pany he became a stockholder, and was ap- pointed manager of its plant; he conducted the business with skill and sound judgment until 1888, when, upon the retirement of his brother, Hon. John Pilling, he became presi- dent of the company, of whose stock he was by that time the largest owner. For ten years, Mr. Pilling has filled that responsible position to the satisfaction of all interested persons. The company employs in its thriving business 175 hands, its pay-roll amounting to more than $6,000 per month. Its success has been mainly assured by the excellent management of Mr. Pilling, who, while modest and unas- suming in his manner, is decided and self-re- liant. He is a man of kind disposition and courteous bearing, and enjoys the esteem of those connected with him in business or in so- cial life. A stanch Republican, Mr. Pilling is however no seeker for public office. He is a member of A. F. & A. M. Blue Lodge, of Newport, Del.

Thomas Pilling was married, April 3, 1861, to Mary Rowland, daughter of Enoch T. Vandegrift, of Chester county, Pa. Their children are: I. Richard T .; II. John Deal, who died when two years of age. Mr. Pilling has adopted John Pilling Armstrong, a young man of sterling worth, who acts as his ship- ping clerk. Thomas Pilling is a faithful mem- ber of St. James P. E. church, and has been one of its vestrymen.

Richard T. Pilling, only surviving child of Thomas and Mary R. (Vandegrift) Pilling, was born at Kiamensi, November 29, 1864. He received his education in the public schools of that vicinity, at the academy at Newark, under the tuition of Miss Chamber- lain, and at the Delaware College, from which he was graduated in 1885. After com- pleting this course, he engaged in business with his father, became a stockholder in the Kiamensi Woolen Company in the fall of 1885, and is now a director, and the secretary and treasurer of the company, and an efficient man of business. He is a member of Arm- strong Lodge, No. 26, F. & A. M., of New- port, and of St. John's Chapter and Command- ery, K. T. His political views are Republi- can. Mr. R. T. Pilling is esteemed for his courtesy and affability, not only by the com- pany, but by all the employees of the mill. He was married in Wilmington, in 1888, 10 Emily A., daughter of Samuel K. Miller, of

Cecil county, Md., where Mr. Miller is en- gaged in the lumber business. Their chil- dren are: I. Thomas, Jr .; II. Emily; III. Sennett; IV. Richard T., Jr .; V. Dorothy. Richard T. Pilling is a member and vestry- man of the P. E. church. Mrs. Pilling is a lady of refined taste, and proficient in music.

BENJAMIN A. GROVES, Stanton, Del., son of Jonathan and Elizabeth (Vandegrift) Groves, was born in White Clay Creek hun- dred, New Castle county, Del., November 5, 1858.

Jonathan Groves, his father, was born near Odessa, New Castle county, Del. IIe received a good common school education, and worked for his parents on the farm until he was a young man, when he bought a farin in White Clay Creek hundred, near Christiana. There he was successfully engaged in agricul- tural pursuits for nearly fifty years. He was a good citizen, and helpful to all who were in need of advice or material assistance. IIe was originally a Whig and afterward a Republi- can, was elected to the Legislature for one term, and to a number of local offices. He was very active in politics, but personally is capable of as warm a friendship for his polit- ical opponents as for his allies. Jonathan Groves married, near Odessa, Elizabeth Van- dergrift. Their children are: I. Sarah (Mrs. Nathaniel Daggett), of White Clay Creek hundred; II. George W., of Landisburg, Pa .; III. Jane, married Rev. B. T. String, of the Philadelphia Conference of the M. E. church; IV. John T., killed at Petersburg in the Civil War; V. Martha E., deceased; VI. Andrew Jackson, deceased; VII. Charles, of Wilmington; VIII. Henrietta (Mrs. John Jones), of Wilmington; IX. William F., de- ceased; X. Emma (Mrs. John Dyath); XI. Benjamin A .; XII. Alice. Jonathan Groves died on his farm in June, 1894. Mrs. Groves is also deceased; both were buried in Salem M. E. churchyard, White Clay Creek hun- dred. Mr. and Mrs. Groves were active mem- bers of the M. E. church.

Benjamin A. Groves attended the public schools of White Clay Creek hundred, and was a student in the Conference Academy, Newark, and the Millersville State Normal School, of Pennsylvania, being graduated from the latter institution in 1883. He taught school for one year in Washington borough,

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Lancaster county, Y'a., one year in Christiand, Del., and eighteen months in Red Lion; in 1886 he was chosen principal of the schools of Newark, Del. After eighteen months he resigned this position, and became book- keeper for the Kiamensi Wool Mill Co. For the past ten years he has filled that position very acceptably, as is evidenced by the fact that in 1895 he became a stockholder, and was chosen a director of the company. He is well- educated and companionable, and is happy in possessing a large number of friends. Mr. Groves is a member of Hiram Lodge, No. 25, F. & A. M .; Newark Chapter, R. A. M .; St. John's Commandery, K. T .; Diamond Lodge, No. 16, K. of P., of Marshallton; Oriental Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F., of Newark; Vul- can Lodge No. 22, A. O. U. W., of Marshall- ton. In political matters he is a Republican.

In the year 1888, in White Clay Creek hundred, Benjamin A. Groves was married to Margaret Price, daughter of Robert Arm- strong, born in White Clay Creek hundred. Their children are: I. Harold P .; II. Rob- ert. A .; III. Norman Armstrong; IV. Mar- garet. Mr. Groves is a member of St. James' P. E. church, of Mill Creek hundred.

JAMES CLARK, Marshallton, Del., son of Abishai and Eleanor (Yocum) Clark, was born in Brandywine hundred, New Castle county, Del., July 15, 1850.

The Clark family was among the earliest settlers of Chester county, Pa., and has al- ways held an honored position there. Its an- cestors in this country were Friends and came from England during the proprietorship of William Penn. Their first home was in Nor- ristown, Pa., where for many years they pur- sned their vocations in the thrifty, unobtru- sive manner characteristic of those of their faith. James Clark, grandfather of the pres- ent James Clark, was born in Doe Run, Chester county, Pa., and became an iron worker. Afterwards he was an ironmaster, and owned also a flouring mill at Doe Run. He died in Chester county. He practiced the religious doetrines of his forefathers.

Abishai Clark, father of James Clark, was born in Doe Run, received a good education in the district schools, and afterward complet- ed an apprenticeship in his father's flouring mills. He remained there until 1844, and

then came to New Castle county, Del., and followed his occupation as a miller until 1860, when he removed to Cecil county, Md., and purchased a mill which he operated until 1869. In that year he disposed of his Mary- land interests, returned to New Castle county and resumed milling here! A few years be- fore his death, he removed to Wilmington. In his politics he was first a Whig, and later a Republican, but not an office seeker. Abishai Clark married Eleanor Yocum, born in Waynesburgh, Chester county, Pa., daughter of Peter Yocum, a farmer and real estate owner. Their children were: I. Margaret (Mrs. G. G. Horn), of Philadelphia; II. Hen- rietta M. (Mrs. H. O. Moore), of Wilming- ton; III. Elizabeth, deceased; IV. Sarah, died young; V. James; VI. Ellis H., miller of New Castle county, Del .; VII. Clara G. (Mrs. A. Sentman); VIII. Ida, died young; IX. William, deceased. Mr. Clark died in Wil- mington in 1884, and was buried in the Old Swedes' churchyard. He was a member of the M. E. church. Mrs. Clark is still living in Wilmington at the age of seventy-eight years. She is a member of the M. E. church.

James Clark attended the public schools of Wilmington and of Cecil county, Md., and the Newark Academy under Prof. E. D. Por- ter. He learned milling under his father's in- structions, and when only nineteen years old took charge of the Parkesburg mills in Ches- ter county, Pa. Two years later he entered the iron mills at Wooddale, Del., and was em- ployed nine years in the rolling department. While there he invented and patented a back lash attachment for couplings, and traveled for five years for the sale of his invention, which was extensively purchased by mill op- erators. He then returned to the flour mill- ing business, and, together with his brother Ellis, bought a mill at Greenbank, Del., which they fitted with roller machinery. Two years afterwards James Clark sold his interest in this plant, and until 1891 operated a mill in Brandywine hundred. Then he was made su- perintendent for the Marshallton Iron and Steel Company, and for the past seven years has given to the duties of that responsible po- sition the best efforts of an experienced, capa. ble and resourceful mechanic and manager of men. His services are ap- preciated by the Marshallton company, and

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his worth as a citizen makes him respected by his neighbors. Mr. Clark organized Vulcan Lodge, No. 22, A. O. U. W., of Marshallton, December 31, 1892. He is Past Master of the Lodge and has represented it in the Grand Lodge several terms. He is a Democrat and was a candidate for coroner of New Castle county in 1891, but was defeated.

On May 21, 1877, James Clark was mar- ried to Anna, daughter of Edward Sowden, born in Mill Creek hundred. They have one child, Elizabeth, who was educated in the public schools, the Friends' School of Wil- mington, and in Goldey's Business College, of Wilmington, from which latter institution she was graduated.

JOHN BALL, M. D .; P. O. Marshallton, New Castle county, Del., son of John and Sarah A. (Baldwin) Ball, was born at Mill. town, Del., November 25, 1868.

Hle was educated in the public schools of Mill Creek hundred and in a select school in Newark, taught by Miss Wilson. Subse- quently he attended Delaware College, in Newark, and was graduated in 1890, with the degree of A. B. From boyhood his desire had been to become a member of the medical fraternity, and during his college days he read medicine under the instructions of his brother, Lewis H. Ball, M. D. In the fall of 1890, John Ball entered the medical depart- ment of the University of Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia, and in the spring of 1893 re- ceived his diploma from that institution. For six months he practiced his profession with his brother, and in the latter part of 1893 re- moved to Hockessin, Mill Creek hundred, where he remained four years and acquired a large practice. Then he was appointed a physician at the Norristown Insane Asylumn in Pennsylvania and discharged the exacting duties of his position with mnuch credit to his skill and medical knowledge. In January, 1898, Dr. Ball returned to Milltown and formed a partnership with his brother under the title of Drs. L. H. & John Ball. Dr. Ball is a prominent member of the Delaware State Medical Society. He is a popular young man, a talented physician and surgeon, and has many friends. He is a member of Valley Lodge, A. O. U. W., of Hockessin. In poli- ties he is a Republican.

THE NEWLIN FAMILY. 1: By Miss Harriet I. Newlin:

"Raffle (Ralph) de Newland, also spelled de Loveland, crusader," is the first mention of that name in the "Chart of the de Newlands of England," where they are arranged se- cording to residence and possessions. The line continues from the year 1177 to 1453. (Nove- lum, Bishop of Sonsono, son of Gerara, Sicur de Cheusi and Muret ?) Cambridge .- Peter de Newland. (spelled also Peres d'Vevelum and Nevelum), Sheriff of London in 1199, Mid- dlesex .- Roger de la Neweland, Lord of New- land Hall Manor, 1199 .- The Register gives a line of manor lords down to Thomas New- land, who was sheriff of London in 1480.

From 1455 to 1485 England was devastated by the civil war between the rival houses of York and Lancaster. During this contest a very large number of the nobility and gentry wore slain. Many of the ancient families be- came extinct. Perhaps the disappearance from the records, after this time, of the names of some branches of the family, may be ac- counted for in this way. The line again ap- pears in 1515 in John Newland, Abbot of St. Augustine, Bristol.

Roger Newlands, 1642, of Newlands, and John Newland, 1648, Isle of Wight, as-isted Charles I in his attempt to escape from Caris- brook Castle, and are said to have been be- headed for it, in 1680. Sir Benjamin Now- land, Cambridge, is mentioned in 1680. Sir George Newland, Cambridge, 1680, and 1682.

Nicholas Newlin, Mount Mellick, Ireland, emigrated to America in 1683.

That Nicholas Newlin, the emigrant to America, was connected with others of the same family, is shown by the fact that his coat of arms was the same as that borne by the de Newlands of England. The late (1865) Rob- ert Newlin, of Philadelphia, had a painted copy of these "arms." The description will give an idea of its appearance. "The large lions at the sides are called supporters, and are a great mark of distinction, being very seldom borne by gentry families. The cross piece in the middle of the shield is a chevron; and on it are three crescents. The line down the middle denotes the division of the shield into two colors, the chevron being a third. 1 think the correct blazon of these arms would be as follows: Azure and gules, on a chevron,

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BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

or between three lions of the same, three ere- scents of the first (azure). Crest-a demi- lion rampant, proper (i. e. natural) color, be- zante, charged with a cross,-cross-let argent. Supporters: Two lions rampant proper."

Mrs. Anna Newlin, of Spruce street, Phil- adelphia, was in possession of a ring once owned by Nicholas Newlin, which contained " the coat of arms of the Newlin family. It was the same as that borne by the de New- lands of England.

Tradition says that the family of Nicholas Newlin were living in Ireland at the time of the massacre of the English Protestant settlers by the Irish Catholics in October, 1641. An Irish servant girl was observed to be uneasy and troubled in mind about something; and being questioned as to the cause, she confessed that such a plot existed and that the family were to share the fate intended for the other English settlers. They fled to the woods and finally succeeded in reaching Dublin, thus es- caping the fate that overtook the most of their countrymen. The number of vietims who perished in this massacre is variously esti- mated from 8,000 to 40,000.

The following is the "Certificate" furnished to Nicholas Newlin by the "Men's Meeting" held at Mount Mellick, County Tyrone, Ire- land.

"At the request of Nicholas Newland we do hereby certify, that the said Nicholas New- land acquainted our men's meeting with his intention of removing himself and his family out of this nation into New Jersey or Pennsyl- vania in America, and we have nothing to charge against him or his family, as to their conversation in the world, since they fre- quented our meetings, but hath walked hon- estly among men for aught we know, or can hear by enquiring, which hath been done; but our Friends' meeting is generally dissatisfied with his so removing, he being well settled with his family, and having sufficient sub- stance for food and raiment, which all that profess Godliness in Christ Jesus ought to be content with for we brought nothing into this world and we are sure to take nothing out, and he hath given us no satisfactory reason for his removing, but our Godly jealousy is that his chief ground is fearfulness of suffer- ings here for the testimony of Jesus, or covet- ing worldly liberty.

"All which we certify from our men's

meeting at Mount Mellick the 25th of 12th month, 1682.

"And we further certify that enquiry hath been made concerning the clearness of Nath- aniel and John Newland, sons of said Nicho- las Newland from all entanglements of mar- riage, and that they are released for aught wo find.

"Signed by the advice and in the behalf of the meeting,

Tobias Pladwell, William Edmundson, Christopher Raper, and others."

The original of the above is in the hand- writing of William Edmundson, a noted min- ister of the Society. It was, in 1820, in pos- session of Mary Mifflin of Harford Co., Md .; she was then in her seventy-ninth year and was a descendant (she said great-granddaugh- ter) of Nicholas Newland.

"Among the eminent persons of this (the Quaker) Society who settled in and near this place [Chester] in these early times was Nicholas Newlin."-Proud's Hist. of Penn., Vol. 1., p. 28.

Meetings were held at his house as early as 1685, as is shown by the following extract from the "Minutes of Concord Quarterly meeting held at Chester, 9 mo. 1st, 1685." "Agreed that the meeting shall be held at Nicholas Newlin's on alternate fourth and first days." And 6 mo. 2d, 1686, it was or- dered that the meeting be kept at Nicholas Newlin's only "till further orders." After his death the meetings were continued at his widow's for several years.

He was accompanied to America by his wife, Elizabeth, his two sons, Nathaniel and John, and one daughter, Rachel. A married daughter, Elizabeth Burton, remained in Ire- land. Rachel married Ephraim Jackson. In 1685 Nicholas Newlin was appointed to a seat in the Provincial Council, and for a time was one of the justices of the court of Chester county. He had large estates in Concord and Birmingham, and built a mill at the former place in very early times.

Nicholas Newlin died at Concord in the month of May, 1699, and was there buried.

Nathaniel Newlin, son of Nicholas and Elizabeth, was born about the year 1660; and was therefore about twenty-three years old when he immigrated to Pennsylvania with his

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STATE OF DELAWARE

parents. In 1685, he married Mary Menden- hall, who came from Wiltshire, England, a sister of Benjamin and John Mendenhall, who came to this country from a town in Suffolk, England, called Mildenhall, that be- ing the original family name.

He was a man of good abilities, was a prom- inent person and exercised considerable in- fluence both in the meetings of Friends and in the community at large. In 1698 he was elected to the Provincial Assembly as a repre- sentative from Chester county, and continued in that body at different times for several years, viz: 1698, 1701, 1702, 1703, 1710, 1711, 1713. He was very regular in his at- tendance at the debates of the House, and took a prominent part in its proceedings. In 1710 he was one of a committee to consider and draw up a new form of government, and to revise the laws. He was subsequently ap- pointed one of the Proprietaries' commission- ers of property; and a justice of the county courts, about 1727. In 1722, on its creation, he became one of the trustees of the General Loan Office of the Province, which position he continued to hold till the time of his death. He continued to reside in Concord as long as he lived, and owned a large amount of real estate there, as well as elsewhere.

Although advanced in life, Nathaniel Newlin was married again in February, 1729, to Mary Flincher (or Fincher), and his death occurred in May of the same year. His widow removed to London Grove where she died the next year.

The children of Nathaniel Newlin and Mary Mindenhall, his wife, were: I. Jemima, born December 9, 1685, married October 4, 1712, to Richard Eavinson, of Thornburg ; II. Elizabeth, born January 2, 1687, or '88, married in 1713, to Ellis Lewis, of Radnor, died 1723; III. Nicholas, born March 19, 1689, married in 1715 Edith, daughter of Nicholas and Abigail Pyle; IV. Nathaniel, born January 19, 1690 or '91, and in 1710 or '11, married Jane, daughter of Richard and Jane Woodward, of Middletown, Pa .; V. John, born December 28, 1691, married in 1711 to Mary Woodward, sister of his brother Nathaniel's wife, died in 1753; VI. Keziah, married William Bailey, of Kennett; VII. Mary, born February 2, 1699, and in 1724 married Richard Clayton, of Concord. She

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Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 68

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co Publication date: 1899 Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa. Number of Pages: 1482

Author: Runk, J.M. & Co
Publication date: 1899
Publisher: Chambersburg, Pa.
Number of Pages: 1482