Biographical and genealogical history of the state of Delaware, Vol. I, Part 75

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 75


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125


Henry Clay Evenson attended public school in Kennett township, Chester county, Pa., and farmed in the same township until 1871, when he came to Mill Creek hundred and set- tled on the Dixon farm near Hockessin. In 1880 he removed to the Jackson farm of 92 aeres, on which he now resides. There are


on these premises a grist-mill and a saw-mill, both of which Mr. Evenson operates, in ad- dition to farming and attending the city mar- kets. He is of reserved disposition, yet com- panionable, and has many friends. In his po- litical views he is liberal. In 1871, in Mill Creek hundred, Henry Clay Evenson was mar- ried to Margaretta, daughter of Jesher H. and Mary (Taylor) Dixon. He is a member of the Society of Friends.


The Dixon family is one of the oldest in Mill Creek hundred, of English descent, and connected with the Society of Friends. The first to settle in Mill Creek hundred were Mrs. Dixon, a widow, and her four sons, all na- tives of England, and wealthy. Coming to America in the latter part of the seventeenth century, or early in the eighteenth, Mrs. Dixon purchased a tract of one thousand acres in Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, from Mrs. William Aubrey, daughter of Wil- liam Penn. This large section of land was near Hoekessin, and on it Mrs. Dixon and her sons made their home. John Dixon, one of the sons, was the ancestor of the present Dixon family of Mill Creek hundred. He made farming his life occupation, and owned a plantation of 265 acres. He died on his farm and was buried in Hockessin. He was a Friend. Ilis son, Isaac, succeeded him on the Mill Creek farm. He made many improve- ments on it, and died there. He was buried in Hockessin. He also was a Friend. John Dixon, son of Isaac Dixon, and great-grand- father of Mrs. Henry Clay Evenson, was born and educated in Mill Creek hundred, and re- sided there throughout his life. He married Mary Cooper, of Coopersville, Chester county, Pa. They had children: I. Isaac; II. Ann (Mrs. Michael Gregg), of Chester county. John Dixon died young; his widow married James Phillips, and lived to rear a large family. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon were Friends of high standing in their community.


Isaac Dixon received his education in Mill Creek hundred, and cultivated the homestead. He was a successful farmer and stock raiser, giving much attention to breeding fine horses. Isaac Dixon married, January 16, 1800, Julia Ann, daughter of Abraham Holmes, a de- seendant of an old English family and a high- ly respected resident of Mill Creek hundred. They had children: I. Jesher HI .; II. John A .; III. Ross; IV. Sarah (Mrs. Sammel


3: 001-1381 23.1


ופד וחול 1:5


£


£


469


STATE OF DELAWARE


Walker); V. Maria J., died young; VI. Mary Ann (Mrs. John Springer); VII. Wister T .; VIII. Julia Ann; all are deceased. They were members of the Society of Friends. Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Dixon were buried in the Friends' graveyard in Hockessin. Mr. Dixon was a leading member of the Society.


Jesher II. Dixon, father of Mrs. Henry Clay Evenson, was born on the Dixon home- stead farm November 6, 1800. IIe was edu- cated in Hoekessin and Wilmington, and af- terward cultivated the one hundred acre tract, a part of the homestead, on which Mrs. Isaac T. Chamberlin now resides. In 1832 he erected a large stone house, a barn, etc., on the property. Mr. Dixon was eminent in his com- munity. Ile served a term in the Legislature and was also a member of the Levy Court of New Castle county. He was a Democrat. Jesher II. Dixon married Mary, daughter of Jacob and Elizabeth Taylor, of Chester coun- ty, Pa. Their children were: I. Isaac, de- ceased; II. Elizabeth T. (Mrs. Isaac T. Cham- berlin); III. Anna, wife of Dr. William Wil- son, of Philadelphia, deceased; IV. Sarah, died young; V. Mary J. (Mrs. Thomas Irvin), of Philadelphia, widow; VI. Margaretta (Mrs. Henry Clay Evenson); VII. Laura, died young. Mr. Dixon gave all his children the advantages of a good education, by which all profited; four of them adopted the pro- fession of school teaching. Mr. Dixon died on his farm in 1871; Mrs. Dixon died in 1861; both were Friends and interred in the Friends' burial ground in Hockessin.


The Chamberlin familiy settled in Chester county, Pa., and New Castle county, Del., many generations ago. Robert Chamberlin, who was of English descent, and who accom- panied Penn on one of his voyages to this country, was the first of his family to reside in Chester county. He established himself in Westtown township, near the Delaware coun- ty line, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, and was engaged in farming until his death. Robert Chamberlin married Letitia Key, born November 26, 1703. Both were Friends, and died in Chester county, Pa.


John Chamberlin, son of Robert Chamber- lin, was born near West Chester, Pa., and was a farmer and a Federalist. He and his wife died on their farm in Chester county and were buried in the Friends' cemetery in Bir- mingham township.


Jacob Chamberlin, son of Jolin Chamber- lin, was born in Chester county. He was well educated, and worked for many years as a mill wright and machinist, principally in West Chester. For five years he was a resi- dent of Richland county, O., and had employ- ment there as a millwright. In his latter years he was a Whig. Jacob Chamberlin married Rebecca, daughter of William Tay- lor, of Chester county. Mr. Taylor was the central figure in a peculiar incident, which involved much peril for him. He was a na- tive of England, and had been sent during the Revolution to Chester county, Pa., with a commission from King George III, as a jus- tice of the peace. When the colonies began their struggle for freedom he espoused their cause. The British officers were greatly in- censed that an appointee of the Crown should show sympathy for the "rebels," and they made a determined effort to effect his capture. They failed in their undertaking, however, because of the vigilance of his family, who, on the approach of the British, stowed him away securely in a cask that stood in the cel- lar. He was not discovered by the officers who searched the premises and they in their anger burned his property. Joseph Cham- berlin had children: I. Joseph; II. Mary Ann (Mrs. Amasa Finney); III. Taylor; IV. Titus; V. Benjamin; VI. Bertha (Mrs. Thomas Leonard), of Philadelphia; VII. Eliza (Mrs. Edwin Seal), deceased; VIII. Thomas; IX. Martha (Mrs. Jonathan Gheen), of West Chester, Pa., widow; X. Isaac T .; XI. Palmer; XII. Charlotte (Mrs. William Worthington) of West Chester, widow. Mr. Chamberlin died in Chester county in 1857; his remains and those of his wife were buried in the family lot in the Friends' graveyard in Birmingham township.


Isaac T. Chamberlin, the present occupant of the Dixon homestead, was born in Rich- land county, O., May 9, 1822. He was edu- cated in the subscription schools in Chester, taught by Jonathan Goss, and afterward learned leather manufacturing with James R. Pugh, in Pennsburg township, Chester county. He remained with Mr. Pugh for four years, and then secured employment as a jour- heyman in Unionville, Chester county, and in Lancaster and Philadelphia, Pa. In 1844 he removed to Wilmington, and worked at his trade there with William Chandler until


umi .Ilt Ourhou


polit has conoitl ouis a sltod Lukesoll of Immerg friend


.470


BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA


1850, when he established himself in business at Fourth and Orange streets. For a time his venture was prosperous, but reverses followed his success, and in 1876 he disposed of his stock and came to the Dixon farm in Mill Creek hundred. For the past twenty-two years he has given his attention to its cultiva- tion. Mr. Chamberlin is a Republican, and - cast his first vote for John C. Fremont for President.


On July 22, 1856, in Philadelphia, Isaac T. Chamberlin was married to Elizabeth Tay- lor, daughter of Jesher H. and Mary (Tay- lor) Dixon. Their children were: I. Dixon, died young; II. May D .; III. Henry, at home. Mr. Chamberlin is a member of the Society of Friends.


ROBERT S. TAYLOR, P. O. Choate, Del., son of Joseph and Lucy (Hollins) Tay- lor, was born in Hyde, Cheshire county, Eng- land, September 18, 1834.


His parents were natives of Ilyde. His father was a shoemaker and worked at his trade in Hyde until 1848, when, with his wife and son Robert S., he sailed from Liverpool on the ship Rappahannock, Captain Cushing, and came to America. After the voyage of thirty-seven days, he landed in New York City, November 6, 1848. Remaining there but a short time, he went westward and made his first American home in Pittsburg, Pa., where he secured a position as clerk in a man- ufacturing establishment. In 1850 he re- moved to Louisville, Ky., and obtained work in a similar capacity there for three years. Then he set his face eastward, and resided for three years in Bridgewater, Beaver county, Pa., where he held a clerkship in the glass works. From Beaver county he came to Dela- ware, and secured work in the wool mill of his brother, James Taylor, on Pine Creek, Mill Creek hundred. When the operation of the mill was discontinued, he removed to Stanton, where he carried on his trade of shoemaking until his death. He was an industrious and honorable man. His political opinions were Republican. Joseph Taylor was married in Hyde, England, to Lucy, daughter of George and Sarah Clark Hollins. They had children: I. Robert S .; II. Eli; III. Hannah; the last two died and were buried in IIyde. Joseph Taylor died in Stanton, July 1, 1884; his widow died July 6, 1892; both were members


of the P. E. church and were buried in St. James P. E. churchyard in Mill Creek hun- dred.


Robert S. Taylor attended the schools of Ilyde, England, and learned mechanical en- gineering in the same town. He was fourteen years old when he and his parents came to America. In Pittsburg he worked as an en- gineer, and in Louisville he acquired the trade of glass and bottle blowing. Accompanying his parents to Beaver county, Pa., he was em- ploved in the Bridgewater glass works as a skilled worker for three years, and then se- cured the position of engineer in the wool mill of his uncle, James Taylor, in Delaware. When the mill was closed, he was made en- gineer in the iron mills of John R. Bring- hurst, of Marshallton. Five years later he entered the service of the B. & O. R. R. Co. and for four years operated a crusher for it at Harmony. For the succeeding four years, he was in charge of threshing machines owned by W. L. Little and by W. M. Eastburn, Mill Creek hundred. In 1896 he was made engineer of Walker Bros. Kaolin Co., at Hockessin, and in 1897 was appointed to a like position by the Peach Kaolin Co., where he is still employed. In 1858 Mr. Taylor purchased a farm of sixty acres in Mill Creek hundred, and has cultivated it for the past forty years. He has made many improvements upon it, and it is a profitable stock and grain tract. Mr. Taylor has high standing in his community by reason of his industry and integrity. He is a Republican, and was elected school commissioner in Dis- triet No. 90.


On December 31, 1857, Robert S. Taylor was married in Newark, Del., to Anna, daugh- ter of William and Catharine (Morrison) Kelly and aunt of George D. Kelly, banker, of Middletown. She was born April 7, 1837, in Mill Creek hundred. Their children are: I. Lucy (Mrs. Jacob A. Welsh), deceased, had children, i. William, ii. Anna Emma, iii. Roberta; II. George, farmer, on the home- stead; III. Elizabeth (Mrs. Charles W. Day), of Brandywine hundred, has one child, Ethel; IV. Catharine Ann (Mrs. John Boulden), of Wilmington, Del., has children, i. Etta, ii. Grace, iii. Hellen; V. Josephine (Mrs. Cal- vin M. Eastburn), of Mill Creek hundred, has one child, D. Taylor; VI. Ethel (Mrs. Wil- liam B. Armstrong), of Mill Creek hundred,


will


n19


refis


!


282,000บาทอนาคตโดย


1 Tit Ann't on T zo aolvaT onal, sodiod


1


471


STATE OF DELAWARE


1


whose children are, i. Ruth A., deceased, ii. Elizabeth; VII. Mary, at home. Mr. Taylor and the children are members of the M. E. church; Mrs. Taylor is a communicant of the Presbyterian church of White Clay Creek.


THOMAS HIGGINS, P. O. Pleasant Hill, New Castle county, Del., son of Joseph and Margaret (Wright) Higgins, was born in New Castle hundred, New Castle county, Del., May 20, 1818.


The Iliggins family is of Irish descent. James Higgins, grandfather of Thomas Hlig- gins, was born in Burlington county, N. J., and engaged in farming there. During the Revolutionary War he was a teamster in the Continental army. In his political views he was a follower of Hamilton and Adams. James Higgins married Miss Jones, a native of Smyrna, Del., and a relative of Com- mander Jacob Jones, of the United States Navy, the hero of the "Wasp-Frolic" naval engagement in the war of 1812. James Hig- gins had children: I. James, 2, a soldier in the Revolutionary army; II. Jedediah; III. Jonathan; IV. Hannah; V. Thomas; VI. Jo- seph. James Higgins and his wife died in Burlington county, N. J., and were buried there.


Joseph Higgins, father of Thomas Hig- gins, was born on the homestead in New Jer- sey, in 1768. He was employed on the home farm until his marriage; he then removed to New Castle hundred, New Castle county, Del., where he resided on leased farms and la- bored very industriously until his death. He was an active citizen and a popular, respected member of the hundred. He was a Federal- ist and afterward a Whig. In Salem county, N. J., Joseph Higgins was married to Mar- garet, daughter of Moses Wright, a farmer of Salem county, and of English descent. They had children: I. Sarah, married Thomas Titus, both deceased; II. Grace, deceased; III. Margaret, married James Robinson, of Wilmington, both deceased; IV. James, died in Michigan; V. Joseph, of New Castle; VI. Thomas. Mr. Higgins died in 1845 at the home of his son Thomas, and was buried in the Asbury churchyard in Wilmington; Mrs. Higgins died in 1836, and was buried by the side of her husband; they were members of the M. E. church.


Thomas Higgins attended a subscription school in New Castle hundred when a boy, but at an early period was hired as a farm laborer. He leased several farms at different times, and by industry and economy accumu- lated sufficient money to purchase a tract of land. In 1840 he removed to Mill Creek hundred and bought 130 acres known as the Robert MeFarland tract; for the past fifty- eight years he has given nearly all of his time to the cultivation of that plantation. Later he purchased what was known as the Kelly farm, of 130 acres, on Pike Creek. To both of these tracts he has added many improve- ments, and both are highly productive. For a number of years Mr. Higgins has lived re- tired. He is respected for his sterling char- acter, and his unostentations bearing. Despite his many years, he still takes an active inter- est in the affairs of his farms and of the coun- ty. Mr. Higgins is now a Republican. He cast his first vote for William Henry Harri- son for President, as a Whig, in 1840, his first Republican vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860, and his last Republican vote for president for William MeKinley in 1896. Ile has never been an office secker.


In 1852, in Mill Creek hundred, Thomas Higgins was married to Elizabeth, daughter of William and Catharine (Morrison) Kelly, and aunt of George D. Kelly, banker, of Mid- dletown. She was born in Christiana hun- dred. Their children are: I. Margaret ( Mrs. Jacob Moore); II. Katharine (Mrs. Edward VanZandt), of Wilmington, Del., has chil- dren, i. Thomas II., ii. Nellie M., iii. Edward; III. Thomas, 2, at home; IV. Joseph, on the home farm; V. William, miller, of Mill Creek- hundred, married May Elizabeth Hanna, had two children, i. Heisler, ii. Elizabeth; after the death of Mrs. May E. Higgins, married Louisa Hanna, sister of his first wife, has one child, James; VI. Noah, farmer; VII. John, cultivates the Kelly farm, married Anna Brown. Mrs. Thomas Higgins died in 1870, and was buried in St. James P. E. church- yard, Mill Creek hundred. Mr. Higgins and family are members of the P. E. church.


CRAWFORD RANKIN, P. O. Newark, Del., son of Thomas and Sarah (Crawford) Rankin, was born at Yellow Hall, Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del., April 9, 1849.


at oled tomin imal


1


472


BIOGRAPHICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA


The Rankin family is one of the oldest and most favorably known in the northwestern part of New Castle county. Its members are of Scotch descent and their ancestors were the pioneers in White Clay Creek hundred and Mill Creek hundred. The first of the family to settle in America was Joseph Rankin, who was born on the banks of the Clyde, in Seot- land, and who brought his family to Dela- ware long before the Revolution. He ob- tained a large grant of land near the Head of Christiana, White Clay Creek hundred, and there engaged in farming. A follower of John Knox in Scotland, he brought with him the doctrines of that great reformer and helped to establish the Head of Christiana Presbyterian church. (For further history of carly members of the Rankin family see sketch of Joseph C. Rankin, Mill Creek hun- dred.)


Captain Thomas Rankin, grandfather of Crawford Rankin, was commander of a com- pany of Delaware soldiers which he raised to serve under General Washington. His name was a household word in Delaware. Having been eminent as a soldier, no less than as a citizen, he was buried with military honors in the Head of the Christiana Presbyterian churchyard, Captain Thomas Rankin mar- ried Elizabeth Montgomery, of New Castle county. They had children: I. Joseph, father of Joseph C. Rankin; II. Hannah; III. Montgomery; IV. Margaret; V. Thomas, 2.


Thomas Rankin, 2, father of Crawford Rankin, was born at Rankin's Mills, White Clay Creek hundred, in 1796. IIe attended subscription schools in that hundred, and the Milford X Roads school. While he was still a youth, he and his brother Joseph became inmates of the home of their uncle, Joseph, in Mill Creek hundred. Joseph Rankin owned a tract of 300 acres, which on his death passed into the possession of the nephews. Thomas Rankin received 150 acres of this tract. The land was unimproved, and he set to work diligently to clear it and plant erops. Hle erected a large stone residence, a barn, etc., and became one of the most prosperous and popular farmers of the county. His farm was known as Yellow HIall. Mr. Rankin was a life long Democrat, but never sought office. Thomas Rankin, 2, married Sarah, daughter of James and Sarah A. Crawford, born in White Clay Creek hundred in 1804. Her


father was a farmer and miller, and owned the Rankin mills. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Rankin are: I. Montgomery, deceased; HI. Davis A., physician of Cecil county, Md .; III. Anna (Mrs. William Crow), of Kent county, Md .; IV. James, of Baltimore; V. Mary, died young; VI. Louisa (Mrs. Thomas Nivin), of Strickersville, Chester county, Pa .; VII. William, farmer, of White Clay Creek hundred; VIII. Hannah J., at home; IX. Crawford. Thomas Rankin died at Yellow HIall in 1860; his widow died January 4, 1887; both are buried in the White Clay Creek Presbyterian churchyard. Mr. Rankin was an elder and a trustee of the Presbyterian church for many years.


Crawford Rankin attended the public schools of Mill Creek hundred and the New- ark Academy, under Prof. E. D. Porter, after which he spent a year in a store in Chester- town, Kent county, Md., and then returned to the homestead, where he remained with his mother until her death in 1887. After her death, he purchased the home farm of 150 acres, and has resided there for the past eleven years. He is a worthy and esteemed citizen. Mr. Rankin is a trustee of the White Clay . Creek Presbyterian church, and for eighteen years has served the hundred very acceptably as a school commissioner. He is a member of the Grange and a charter member of New- ark Lodge, No. 5. Mr. Rankin is a consistent member of the Democratic party.


ENOS C. HOOPES, P. O. Hockessin, Del., son of Thomas and Mary A. (Hollen) Hoopes, was born near Hockessin, Mill Creek hundred, New Castle county, Del., Novem- ber 21, 1840.


The Hoopes family has been very promi- nent in Chester county, Pa., for many years, and traces its ancestry to England. Moses Hoopes, grandfather of Enos C. Hoopes, was the first of the family to settle in Delaware. ITe was born in Kennett township, Chester county, Pa., and engaged in farming there until after his marriage, when he removed to Brandywine hundred, New Castle county, Del. Later, he came to Mill Creek hundred and purchased the Reeder farm near Hockes- sin. Moses Hoopes was married to Sarah Craig, of Chester county. Their children were: I. William; II. Daniel; III. Jacob; IV. Alban; V. Enos; VI. Thomas; VII. Ann;


-


/ ٥- ٥٤٠٠


١٢٢٠٠٦ ٩٠٠ ١


1 1


473


STATE OF DELAWARE


VIII. Sarah; IX. Mary; all of whom are dead. The parents died on the farm, Moses Hoopes in 1838, and Mrs. Hoopes in 1839; both were buried in the old Kennett Meeting grave- yard, Kennett township, Chester county. Mr. Hoopes was a member of the Society of Friends.


Thomas Hoopes, father of Enos C. Hoopes, was born in Brandywine hundred, New Cas- tle county, Del., March 17, 1811. Hle at- tended the district schools of Mill Creek hun- dred and afterward learned stone masonry. That occupation he followed for a number of years, and then devoted himself to farming. Hle occupied the homestead, added to it a number of acres and made many improve- ments. He was a Whig, and later a Republi- can, but never aspired to office. Thomas Hoopes married Mary A. Hollen, born in Mill Creek hundred, daughter of the late James Hollen, a farmer of Mill Creek hundred. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hoopes had children: I. Enos C .; II. Moses, deceased; III. William, deceased. Mr. Hoopes died on his farm in 1882, and his widow in 1889; both were mem- bers of the Red Clay Creek Presbyterian church and were interred in its burial ground.


Enos C. Hoopes was educated in the Mount Pleasant public school, Mill Creek hundred, and has devoted his life to farming. In 1867 he purchased a tract of 93 acres on the bor- ders of New Castle county, Del., and Chester county, Pa., and resided there fifteen years. Then he sold his property and returned to the homestead, where he devoted himself to the care of his parents and the cultivation of the land until 1890. In that year he disposed of the homestead, bought the Samuel Graves farm of 108 acres, and has since resided there, raising grains, market produce and live stock. Mr. Hoopes is retiring and unassum- ing, but of sterling character. He is a Re- publican, and was elected a school commis- sioner.


In 1867 Enos C. Hoopes was married to Margaretta, daughter of Samuel and Jane (Graves) Graves, born in Mill Creek hun- dred. Their children are: I. Mary J .; II. Emma, died young; III. Thomas E .; IV. ('lara G. Mrs. Hoopes is a woman of admira- ble qualities, a good wife and mother. Mr. Hoopes and family are members of the Red Clay Creek Presbyterian church.


Among the first settlers in New Castle


county were the ancestors of the Graves fam- ily. They were of English descent. Thomas Grave-for so the name was spelled two cen- turies ago-was the first of the family to come to America. He was a typical English gentle- man, possessed of means, a sturdy constitution and a hearty love for the chase. He founded his home in Christiana hundred in 1691, pur- chasing for that purpose 500 acres of land, part of which he used as a game preserve. He was very fond of hunting the deer and foxes, which made their habitations in the uncleaned land on his property, and the hunting parties he gave were famous for good sport. He died on his farm.


Samuel Graves, son of Thomas Grave, owned and cultivated a farm near Ashland, Christiana hundred, spending his entire life there. He had children: I. John; II. Jona- than; III. Ann. He was a Friend.


John Graves was born in Christiana hun- dred in August, 1706, and spent his life on the home farm. IIe married Jane, daughter of Swithin Chandler. She was born March 11, 1711; her father was of English descent and a Quaker. John Graves had children: I. Thomas, born July 16, 1734, died in North Carolina; II. Ann, born October 13, 1735, died in North Carolina, November 16, 1807; III. William, born July 11, 1737, died in North Carolina; IV. Sarah (Mrs.


Hayes), born November 26, 1738, died Octo- ber 25, 1775; V. Mary, born October 3, 1740, died in Chester county, Pa .; VI. Jane (Mrs. -Allen), born May 25, 1742, died in Chester county, Pa., May 16, 1783; VIII. Samuel, born January 27, 1747, died June 7, 1811; VIII. Hannah (Mrs. Hick- lin), born October 3, 1748, died in Chester county, Pa., November 18, 1780. John Graves died on his farm, January 1, 1773; his widow died September 19, 1774; both were members of the Society of Friends, and were buried in the Centreville cemetery, Christiana hundred.


Samuel Graves, great-grandfather of Mrs. Enos C. Hoopes, was born in Christiana hun- dred and with the exception of a period dur- ing which he was a teamster in the Revolu- tionary army, devoted himself entirely to farming. He passed all his life in Christiana hundred. Mr. Graves was a leading citizen, and in his political views was a Democrat. Samuel Graves married Elizabeth Bishop,




Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.