USA > Pennsylvania > Welsh settlement of Pennsylvania > Part 7
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He owned 231 aeres, of the east end of his father's orig- inal land, and by deed of 14 October, 1726, his relict, Ann,. then residing in Nantmell township (Chester county), con- veyed the same to Jonathan Jones, of Merion.
His will, signed 31. 1mo. 1706, witnessed by Griffith John,. Evan Owen, John Roberts, and Robert Jones, was proved at.
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Philadelphia in 1723. He named brother Edward, and ap- pointed trustees, brothers-in-law Evan Bevan and Robert Jones, with uncle John Roberts and Griffith John. He m. 23. 1mo. 1696, Ann, daughter of John Bevan, one of the early settlers of Merion, who died after 1723. Issue, six children. His infant son, Owen Roberts, was buried at Merion Meet- ing, 7mo. 25. 1707, but he had another Owen, b. 23. 8. 1711. Other children were Hugh Roberts, b. 30. 5. 1699. John Roberts, b. 12. 8. 1701, m. Mary Jones, and Awbrey Roberts, b. 24. 4. 1705.
Edward Roberts, third son, b. 4. 2mo. 1680. He received the "Chestnut Hill" place from his father, in 1702, but re- sided in Philadelphia, where he was a member of the City Council, in 1717, and Mayor, in 1739-40, having served as alderman, and a justice. He used for his seal "a rose, un- der a crown, between two human hearts." His will was proved 6 May, 1741.
He m. first, Susanna Painter, buried at the Merion Meet- ing House, 10mo. 3. 1707, daughter of George Painter, and m. secondly, Martha Hoskins, and m. thirdly, Martha Cox. He had four children: Hugh, Jane, wife of William Fish- bourne, Mayor of Philadelphia 1719-21; Mary, and Eliza- beth Bond.
William Roberts, b. 26. 3mo. 1682; d. in 1697.
Elizabeth Roberts, b. in Merion, 24. 12mo. 1683, named in her father's will.
EDWARD OWEN was residing in Dolserey, or Doleyserre, Merioneth, and described as "Gentleman," when he bought, by deed, dated 1 April, 1682, 3121/2 acres through Thomas & Jones. He was a son of Robert Owen (ap Humphrey), of Dolserey, by his wife, Jane, a daughter of Robert Vaughan, of Hengwrt.
Edward Owen came over in Hugh Robert's party in 1683, and found his land laid out on the Schuylkill, 1531/4 acres,
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adjoining that of Dr. Jones, and the balance in Goshen tp. He probably never resided on this estate, as he sold it to his brother, Dr. Griffith Owen, by deed dated 9. 1mo. 1684-5, and according to it, was then living on Duck Creek, in New Castle Co. (Delaware). His Goshen rights he also conveyed to this brother, who had the land laid out, subsequently, on Chester Creek.
Dr. Griffith Owen, with his wife, Sarah, who survived him, son Robert, d. before 1717, and two daugliters, Saralı and Elinor, and seven servants, from Prescoe, in Lanca- shire, came over (with his parents, and brother Louis Owen, who settled in New Castle Co.), in the ship Vine, of Liver- pool, sailing from Doleyserre with a large party bound for the Welsli Tract, and arrived at Philadelphia 17. 7mo. 1684.
Besides the land he had fom his brother, which Dr. Owen, by deed dated 1. 1mo. 1694-5, conveyed to Robert David, whose land adjoined, the Doctor bought some from Richard Davies and John ap John, and the Land Commissioners (of which Board he was a member in 9ber, 1701), in Goshen, and had 775 acres, in one tract, which was confirmed to him, by patent dated 13 Dec. 1703. The Goshen Meeting House was built in the center of this tract, on land donated by the Doctor.
Dr. Owen died in Philadelphia in 1717, aged 70 years, and was one of the earliest physicians here, others being Dr. Edward Jones, Dr. John Goodson, Dr. Thomas Wynne, and Dr. Graeme. His will, signed 3 Jan. 1717, proved 6 Jan. named wife and children, Edward, Griffith (both became "practitioners in physick" in Philadelphia), John (a mar- iner), Sarah, wife of Jacob Jonathan Coppock, and Ann, wife of John Whitpaine. Son-in-law William Sanders, and "daughter-in-law, Mary, wife of Samuel Marriot."
WILLIAM AP JOHN, or William Jones, a yeoman, and wid- ower, was residing in Bettws, in Merioneth, when he be- came a purchaser of 1561/4 acres, in the Thomas & Jones tract, for £3. 2. 6. Witnesses to his deed, dated 1 April,
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1682, being John Lloyd, Griffith Evan, Robert Lloyd and Reece Evan.
He came over in the "Morning Star" with the Hugh Rob- erts party, in 1683, bringing his children, and found 761/2 acres laid out for him on the Schuylkill. He had about the same amount assigned to him in Goshen tp. There seems to be no proof that he ever resided on his Merion land, as he died shortly after coming over, his nuncupative will being sealed and proved at Philadelphia on 1. 1mo. 1684-5. He bequeathed his lands to his son, "John Williams," and appointed Hugh Roberts and John Roberts, (of "Pencoid"), trustees and guardians of his minor children. His wife is mentioned in his will as "Ann Reynald, deceased."
Of his children :---
John Williams, as above said, inherited all his father's lands. By deed, dated 18. 4mo. 1694, he conveyed his Mer- ion land to Cadwalader Morgan, whose land adjoined his, and his Goshen land, 78 acres, he sold, 13. 6mo. 1697, to Ed- ward Rees, of Merion, who conveyed it, 9 Jan. 1707-8, to Ellis David.
The other children, "who took the name Jones," were Alice, Katherine and Gwen, minors in 1685.
CADWALADER MORGAN was residing in Gwernevel, or Gwernfell, Ismynydd tp., Penllyn parish, Merioneth, when he, with his wife and several children, removed to Pensyl- vania, coming over on the "Morning Star," with the Hugh Roberts party, in 1683.
He brought the usual certificate of membership and re- moval, from the Penllyn Men Friends' Meeting, dated 8. 5mo. 1683, and signed by Richard Price, Robert and Evan Owen, Evan Rees, Rees Evan, Roger Roberts, Hugh and Edward Griffith, Griffith John, William Morgan and David John. He was a minister among Friends, "though he held no great share of the ministry," was the estimate recorded of him by Eleanor Evans, of Gwynedd, a daughter of Row-
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land Ellis. But as he had greatly "suffered" in Wales, be- cause of his prominence, and religious faith, he purchased 156 acres through Thomas & Jones, and permanently left Wales.
On arrival, he found part of his purchase laid out on the Schuylkill, and here he erected a dwelling house, near "Pen- coid," and passed the remainder of his days. His will, signed 10 Sep. 1711, was proved at Philadelphia, on 10 Oct. fol- lowing. In it he mentioned his brothers, "Morgan Lewis" and "John Morgan," of Radnor. Cadwalader was therefore & son of James Morgan, who in 1701, had 450 acres in Rad- nor tp., to which his son and heir, John Morgan, succeeded 1702.
By purchase, he greatly increased his holdings in Merion, originally only 761/2 acres, which he had by deed, dated 1 April, 1682, recorded 13. 4. 1684. Witnessed by John Lloyd, Reece Evan, Griffith Evan, Robert Lloyd and William John. He bought by deeds, dated 18. 4mo. 1694, the Merion land, 761/2 acres, of Rees John William, of "Rees Joans," and the 761/2 acres which John Williams had from his father. Wil- liam John, an original purchaser of Thomas & Jones, which lands lay on both sides of his, which was backed by the pur- chase of Gainor Robert, so he now had, by survey of 1701, 2231/2 acres in Merion, fronting on the river. And, by deed of conveyance, dated 19 Jan. 1707-8, he acquired 92 acres of land, from Hugh John Thomas, or "Hugh Jones," adjoining his last purchase, and this gave him 2,178, or more, feet on the river, near Roberts's "Pencoyd." By deed, 30 May 1709, he sold his last purchases, namely, 223 acres and 92 acres, to Robert Evans, and subsequently it became part of the "Rob- erts Estate."
The will of "Cadder Morgan, of Merion," signed 10 Sep. 1711, in the presence of Robert Roberts, Moses Roberts,*
*Moses Roberts was one of the children of Robert Ellis, who, with his wife, Ellin, and seven children, removed here in 1690, bringing their certificate from the Quarterly Meeting held at Tyddyn y Gareg,
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and Thomas Jones, was proved 10 Oct. 1711. Executors, sons-in-law Robert Evan and Abel Thomas. Names brother John Morgan (of Radnor), son-in-law Hugh Evans, Cad- walader, second son of son-in-law Robert Evan (of Gwy- nedd) ; Sarah, wife of Robert Evan; Elizabeth, daughter of son-in-law Abel Thomas; sister-in-law Elizabeth, wife of brother Lewis Morgan, and her child, not named. Ap- pointed as overseers, Edward Jones, John Roberts, David Jones (of Blockley), and Thomas Jones.
Cadwalader Morgan married Jane, who d. before 1711, daughter of Richard Gryffyth (ap Rliys, or Rees, and Prees, or Price), of Llanfawr, Merioneth, who was of Royal De- scent, and a sister of Rees Jones's wife, of Merion, and to Edward Price, of Merion, and had two sons and three daughters by her, who is recorded at the Merion Meeting as buried 7. 19. 1710, "Jane wife of Chadwalader Morgan," namely :
Morgan Cadwalader, b. 23. 6mo. 1679. He was a minister among Friends, and died young, and unmarried.
Edward Cadwalader, b. 22. 6mo. 1682. He died unmar- ried, before his father.
Sarah, m. Robert Evan, or Evans, of Gwynedd. Issue.
Daughter, m. Hugh Evan, or Evans, of Gwynedd.
Daughter, m. Abel Thomas, of Merion. Issue. The fol- lowing entry at the Merion Meeting, 12. 23. 1807: Burial,
in Merionethshire, dated 5mo. 28. 1690. Their children named "Rob- erts" were Abel (m. Mary Price), Moses, Ellis, Aaron (m. Sarah Longworthy), Evan, Rachel, Jane, Mary, and Gainor. The will of Moses Roberts, of Merion, signed 16. 12. 1715-6, witnessed by John Roberts and David George, was proved 28 Feb. same year. He ap- points brother Ellis Roberts, and friend Robert Roberts, executors. Names brothers Aaron, Evan, and Ellis, and sisters Jane, Rachel, Mary, and Gainor Roberts, nieces Katherine and Rachel Roberts, and Margaret Edwards, Elizabeth Roberts, Sarah Dickinson, Jane, daugh- ter of Abel Thomas, John Kelly, and Thomas Bowen.
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"Jacob Thomas, son of Abel, with the waggon Load of Stone run over his head."
HUGH JOHN AP THOMAS, Hugh John or Hugh Jones, was living at Nantlleidiog, in Llanvawr parish, Merioneth, and was a widower and a farmer and miller, when he bought 1561/4 acres of land, deed dated 18 March, 1681, through Thomas & Jones, and decided to remove to it, and came over with Hugh Roberts's party, in 1683.
He lived several years on his Merion land, 7614 acres, (the balance of his purchase being laid out in Goshen tp.), which on resurvey on order from the Commissioners, amounted to 92 acres. He paid for and retained the increased acreage, having patent for it, dated 8 Nov. 1703.
By deed, dated 19 Jan. 1707-8, he conveyed his Merion tract to Cadwalader Morgan, whose property then ad- joined his, and his holdings in Goshen to John Roberts, of "Pencoid," and removed to the Welsh settlement at Ply- mouth, where he died in 1727, having had four wives.
He m. secondly, at the Merion Meeting, 16. 5mo. 1686, Margaret David, and m. thirdly, at the Radnor Meeting, 18. 11mo. 1693, and m. fourthly, at the Merion Meeting, 22. 9mo. 1703, Margaret Edwards. It is said that he had issue, and that one of his daughters married after his last mar- riage, and before 1708, Rowland Richard.
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"JOHN AP. THOMAS, of Llaithgwm, Commott of Penllyn, in the County of Merioneth, gentleman," as contemporary manuscripts designated him, was a forefather of the Merion Meeting, and a partner in this, the first, and most notable, company of Welsh Friends that removed to the Welsh Tract, though not destined himself to come over.
He was a son of Thomas ap Hugh (ap Evan Rhys-Goch), a gentleman farmer, or country gentleman, of Wern Fawr, in Llandderfel parish, Merioneth, whose will was proved at St. Asaph registry, in 1682. His brothers and sisters were, Cadwalader Thomas, (mentioned in the will of John Thom- as), who resided on a farm at Kiltalgarth, in Merioneth, and died before his father, and whose wife was a sister of Robert Owen, who became one of the most prominent res- idents of "Merion in the Welsh Tract," one of their sons, John Cadwalader. mentioned in the will of his uncle, John Thomas, was the founder of the well known family of Cad- walader, of Philadelphia and Trenton], Hugh Thomas, of Penllyn; Catherine, wife of Gawen Vaughn, of Hendre Mawr, and Elizabeth, wife of Maurice ap Edward, of Cae Mor.
John ap Thomas was of notable ancestry, according to his pedigree, complied before 1682, which is extant. The late Dr. Levick, of Philadelphia, owned this MS pedigree,* and reproduced it in full in the Pa. Mag. vol. IV. p. 471, but as it is a very extended one, in fact, showing the lineal de- scent of John ap Thomas from Noah, space for only the last seventeen generations can be given here, which runs: "John
*Now in the possession of Lewis J. Levick, Esqr., and loaned by him to the Historical Society of Pensylvania (July, 1910).
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Thomas, of Llaithgwm, in the County of Merioneth, Gent., 1682|Thomas ap Hugh|Hugh ap Evan (of Wern Fawr) | Evan ap Rees Goch|Rees Goch ap Tyder|Tudor|Evan and county of Denbig|Evan ddu|David ap Eiynion|Eiy- nion ap Kynrig|Kynrig ap Llowarch|Heilin|Tyfid|Tagnol Ysdrwyth|Marchwysst|Marchweithian, one of the 15en tribes of North Wales, and Lord of Issallet," ap Llud, ap Llen, &c, &c. This Marchweileian, "who beareth guwls a Lyon Rampant Argent, Armed Langued Azure," was the . eleventh of the fifteen tribes of North Wales (see "Cam- brian Register," 1795, p. 151), who held their lands by Bar- on's service. He was called Lord of Is-Aled, and owned, or controlled many townships, about A. D. 720.
He was convinced by the Quaker apostle, John ap John, · of the truth of the teachings of Fox, "God's Truths," and became a member of the religious Society of Friends, in 1672, and from then till his untimely death, he was a leader and minister amongst Welsh Friends. Hugh Roberts, his life-long friend and neighbor, in an extant sketch of him, tells of his conversion, "though it was a time of great suf- fering" among the Friends in Wales for being non-conform- ists.
The members of the Society were beset on every side by paid spies of the "established church," and informers work- ing "on commission," so it could be expected that this prom- inent gentleman farmer of the neighborhood would be close- ly watched, and Mr. Roberts records: "The first two meetings he was at, he was fined fifteen pounds [by a mag- istrate, and refusing to pay] the informer took from him two oxen, and a horse that was valued to be worth eleven pounds, and returned nothing back!" "The appearance of Truth was so precious to him," continues Mr. Roberts, "that he did not only make profession of it, but was also made willing to suffer for its sake, which he did valiantly." This, however, could be said of Mr. Roberts, himself, and of al- most every man and woman who fled finally from persecu-
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tion to the Welsh Tracts in Pensylvania. "When this faith- ful man first came among us [in Wales], it was the hottest time of persecution that we ever underwent."
So active were informers working for percentage of the fines imposed, that the resourceful John Thomas, re- cords Mr. Roberts, went to one of the county justices, "that was moderate," with strong indorsements, and got the ap- pointment for himself to be the high constable for his dis- trict, the position being vacant.
It seems that the procedure against Quakers was for the spy, or informer, to find an alleged culprit, one who did not attend the services of the Established Church, after warning; one who declined to contribute towards the sup- port of that church and its minister, upon assessment; for attending meetings of Quakers; having such meetings held in their homes, and a long list of more petty complaints, sware out a warrant against him before a committing mag- istrate, which would follow its usual course, be delivered to the high sheriff, who would issue an order to the county jailor to receive and take charge of the prisoner, arrested and brought in by the high constable.
There has been preserved among the papers of John Thomas one of the sheriff's orders to the jailor, and it is possible that it is one of those that came into John's hands when he was high constable, and which he "pigeon-holed."
"Merioneth, SS.
"To Lewis Morris, Keeper of his Majts goale for ye sd County, & to Richard Price and Joseph Hughes.
"Whereas, I have apprehended Cadwalader ap Thomas ap Hugh, Robert Owen, Hugh ap Robert, John David, John Robert David, & Jonett John, spinster.
"By virtue of his Ma'ties writt, issued out of the last great sessions, & unto me directed & delivered, I therefore do will and require you to receive into your custody the bodyes of the said Caddw'r ap Tho ap Hugh, Robert Owen, Hugh Roberts, Jo Robert David & Jonett John, and them
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safely to convey to the common geole of the sd County and them in a safe manner to be kept in ye sd geole whom I doe hereby commit, there to remain for the next great sessions to be held for ye sd county on Monday of ye sd sessions, then and there to answer such matters as shall be objected against them on his Ma'ties behalfe, this omitt you not at yr perill, given under my hand & seal of office, the fourth day of May, Anno R. Caroli (di) Angliæ & vicessimo sexto, Annoq dom 1674.
"Owen Wynne, Esq. Sheriff."
These apprehended Quakers were relatives and neighbors of John ap Thomas-one was his brother-so it may be im- agined he did not carry out the order. It seems that in John Thomas's neighborhood, the most diligent of the inform- ers, "a cunning, subtle man," was also an applicant for the position John captured,* and it was very evident to him why John sought it, and was glad to get it, so he set out to defeat him and have him impeached, in the following way, as told by Mr. Roberts :
"So the informer went on, and informed against Friends, and when he got a warrant, he brought it to the high con- stable, according to his orders" [from the magistrate], and John Thomas thereupon would tell him "to go about his bus- iness, that he was responsible for them" [the warrants]. So John simply pocketed the warrants, and did nothing. This was just as the informer hoped, for he knew that John was violating the Act of Parliament, and his office, and put- ting himself in the position to be heavily fined for every neglect. John certainly took great chances, for the inform- er had nine good cases against him, when fortunately "the King's Declaration came to put a stop to these wicked in-
*Among the papers of John Thomas is a letter, written about 1681, addressed to Richard Davies (one of the adventurers for Penn's land), by John ap David, a Friend, mentioned in the Sheriff's order, who also got the appointment of high constable to protect his brethren. It tells of the seizure of the chattels of Robert Evan.
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formers," says Mr. Roberts. "Thus this faithful and val- iant man hazarded his own estate to save his friends and brethren."
John Thomas wrote out, his notes still extant, many in- stances of his persecution and teasing, and those of his neighbors, wherein he tells of burdensome fines on the slightest provocations, and of scandalous tithing assess- ments and collections, all similiar to those related of others in Besse's "Sufferings of Friends." Probably the most dis- graceful proceeding in John's experience was when the parish priest of the Established Church came one day to col- lect John's contribution towards his salary and support of the parish church. John's Mem.,
"In the year 1674, about the 20th day of the 4th month, Harry Parry, parson of Llanthervol, he and his men came to the ground of John ap Thomas, and demanded lambes tithes; and when the said John ap Thomas was not free to give him tithes, he sent his men abroad to hunt for the lambs, and at length they found them in one end of the barn, where they used to be every night, and they took out the best five out of 21 for tithes. And for the tithe corn, they took of the corn I cannot tell how much." John, like many Friends of the days of persecution, made memoranda of raids on his property, hoping a time would come when they could submit them, and be reimbursed.
Another interesting paper that has been preserved with the papers * of John ap Thomas, and which probably came into his hands when he was the high constable, is dated 20 May, 1675, and signed by Humphrey Hughes and John Wynne, justices of the peace, and addressed "To the high and pettie Constables" of Merionethshire, and to the church wardens, and the overseers of the poor in every parish in that county. It is the formal announcement, on informa-
*Nearly all of Mr. Thomas's papers are (1910) in possession of Mr. Lewis Jones Levick, of Bala, Pa.
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tion from Owen David and Thomas John, of Penmaen, in Llanfawr parish, that certain persons in the county have met together on 16 May, "under colour of pretence of Re- ligion," against the laws of the realm, "in a house called by the name of Ilwyn y Branar, in Penmaen, and orders distraints to be made against them. John ap Thomas is named in the list.
Volumes have been published telling of the persecutions of the Friends, yet the following letter, found among John Thomas' papers, ** is interesting in that years after the aforesaid times, the Quakers were still being persecuted. And it was written just at the time the Welsh Friends were arranging to buy land from Penn, and remove to it.
"Dolgelley, ye 25th of the 4th mo., 1681. "My dear friend John ap Thomas:
"These in haste may let thee understand that the persons undernamed are outlawed, and the Deputy Sheriffe hath writts against them.
"Many of them are dead, those that are alive (I) wish them to look to themselves, untill such time as friends shall come together to confer in their behalfe, that soe friends in their liberty may order some considerable gratuity to the Deputy Sheriffe for his kindness.
"Beside those undernamed, Elizabeth Williams is partic- ularly to look to herself. There is a writt out of the Ex- chequer against her, as the Deputy Sheriffe informs me.
"Ye names are as followeth, vizt .:
William Prees, de Landervol.
Thomas ap Edward, de Llanvawr.
Litter Thomas, de eadem.
Thomas Williams, de ead.
John Davie, de ead.
Elizabeth Thomas, de ead, widdow.
Lodovicus ap Robt., de ead.
** Inherited by Mr. Lewis J. Levick and now in his possession.
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Thomas ap Edward, de Llanvawr, Thomas Williams, de ·ead.
Robt. John Evan, de ead.
Griffith John, de Gwerevol, and Elizabeth his wife.
Hugh Griffith, of the same, & Mary his wife.
Maurice Humphrey Morgan, of the same.
This is att present from thy dear friend and desires to Excuse my brevity. Lewis Owen."
This letter shows that the persecuted and outlawed Friends had at least one official interested in their welfare. The suggestion that the deputy sheriff be tipped to hold up the writs, has a modern look about it, yet it was a kindly meant suggestion.
Lewis Owen was a member of the Dolgelly Quarterly Meeting, Merionethshire, 2mo. 1684, with Rowland Owen, Humphrey Owen, Rowland Ellis, Ellin Ellis, Owen Lewis, Owen Humphrey, Hugh Rees, Reece Evan, Richard Jones, David Jones, Ellis Davies, Ellis Moris, John William, Kath- rine Price, Jane Robert and Agnes Hugh.
"Elizabeth Williams is particularly to look to herself!" This most active preacher among Friends. What a terrible experience hers had been for a half century, and still she had "to look to herself"; stop getting up meetings and ex- horting, else she would have to undergo further punish- ments, and this when she was nearly eighty years old. Nearly thirty years before this last warning, Elizabeth, when 50 years old, with the almost equally celebrated min- ister, Mary Fisher, nearly escaped execution of some sort in Cambridge, in 1653. Besse, the Quaker annalist, records that "the mayor ordered them to be whipped till the blood ran down their bodies, * * * which was done far more cruelly than with worse malefactors, so that their flesh was miserably torn." They were then driven out of the city.
It has already been told that John ap Thomas was one of the party of Welsh Friends that went to London to inter- view William Penn, about the land in America, he was of-
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fering for sale. There is a letter extant, among his papers, from him to his wife, dated London, 28. 3mo. 1681, telling her that he is well, and that he arrived in London on 21st inst., "without any great difficulty," accompanied by Thomas Ellis, with whom he intended to return home "the next sec- ond day," and concludes :
"I lay it upon thee to mind my dear love to my friends, H. R. & his; Robt O. & his; E. Jo. & his; R. D. & his; H. G. & his; G. J. & his; Elizabeth John & hers; Elizabeth Wyn and hers, with all the rest as if named them one by one.
No more at present, but my dear love to thee, and soe I I am JOHN ap Thomas."
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