William Biles: An American Quaker Pioneer

Early Life and Education
Born in Dorchester, Dorsetshire, England in 1644, William Biles hailed from a family with a strong tradition of religious dissent. His maternal grandfather, the Rev. William Strong, was a well-respected preacher and supporter of the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. Biles received his education in law at Exeter College, at Cornwall in 1660, obtaining his B.A. in 1664, and M.A. in 1669.

 Emigration to America
In 1679, seeking refuge from religious persecution in England, William Biles brought his wife, Joanna (Hellard), and their five children to America. They settled in what would later become Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, before William Penn received his charter. William worked as a "vile monger" - a seller of glass containers such as drinking glasses, and bottles for perfumes or medicines.
William Biles quickly established himself as a prominent figure in early Pennsylvania. He served as a Justice of the first Provincial (Supreme) Court from as early as 1681, and he was a member of the Pennsylvania Provincial Council from 1683 to 1700. Biles also held a seat in the Legislature from 1686 to 1708, contributing significantly to the early governance of the colony. Biles was a land speculator and owned substantial tracts of land in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, amassing over 50,000 acres in what is now Salem County, New Jersey. He was qualified as a proprietor of West New Jersey and played a pivotal role in its development. 
William was outspoken and made enemies with a number of powerful people including Lieutenant Governor John Evans and William Penn. After a particular outburst at the Assembly or Pennsylvania, William Penn wrote the following about William Biles: 

"Much is said of the lewdness of Pennsylvania. I beg of thee to have regard to my character and give not that advantage against me, either with God or good or bad men, whose ill use of it I most fear on a public account. I have just now received thine of 5th, 5th month and am very sorry that wicked man, D. L. could blow up any of his mermidons to such a pitch as thy account of William Biles relates that is a meer vox et praetara nihil, a cox comb and a pragmatic ingraine. That fellow's plantation is a robbery on Pennsbury and if there be a grant, was not a purchase from me nor toward land write for me was surveyed long before and done in my absence, formerly and Judge Monpresson can tell if I may not be deceived in my grant as well as the Crown, be it King or Queen Since if confirmed it was on. Surprize and rattle an Inquisition about his [William Biles'] ears if not a prosecution. And know when the time is expired of session, as he may be taken to task. Since the service he may pretend he was to attend is over. And do first complain to the Friends and if they won't or can't bow him to make satisfaction, take it by law, thyself. Pray mind what I say be secret, which is discreet and fall on him or any other such unruly people at once and make someone such an example to terrify the rest. Thou hast not only my leave but my liking and encouragement whether called Quakers or not. --[signed] William Penn"

 

 Religious Contributions
William Biles continued his family's tradition of religious dedication and became a prominent Quaker minister in the region. He played a crucial role in establishing the first Quaker meetings west of the Delaware River. The first known Quaker meeting was held at his home below the Falls of Neshaminy in 1683, setting the foundation for the establishment of Falls Meeting House in 1690. In addition to his local contributions, William Biles traveled back to England in 1701 and 1702 to be a voice for Quaker interests. He was a committed supporter of the Society of Friends and engaged in gospel work, making several journeys to New England colonies to promote Quaker beliefs. 

 Later Life and Legacy
Joanna died in 1687. Fifteen months later he remarried Jane (Boyd) Atkinson, widow of Thomas Atkinson. William and Jane traveled in America, Ireland and England in the working for the Society of Friends. Jane passed away in 1709. After she died he continued his public and private endeavors, and his land holdings continued to expand, encompassing around 20,000 acres in New Jersey, 300 acres in Delaware, and 1,000 acres in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, by the time of his death. William Biles passed away on May 19, 1710, at the age of 66. His legacy lives on in the early history of Pennsylvania and the Quaker community. His son, William Biles Jr., also became a notable figure in Pennsylvania politics, serving as Speaker of the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly in 1724. William Biles Sr. left behind a lasting impact as both a religious leader and a key participant in the development and governance of the Pennsylvania colony during its formative years.

William Biles (1644-1710)

Johanna Biles (1675-1775)

Abraham Beeks (1703-1732)

Abraham Beeks (1731-1788)

Samuel Beeks (1752-1814)

Francis Marion Beeks (1786-1861)

Nettie Jane Beeks (1812-1882) Migrated to Cherry Creek with husband Joshua Smith

Francis M Smith (1840-1916)

W F Smith (1882-1916)

Oda Zelle Smith (1908-1975) - My great grandmother

Sources:

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Biles

• Biles, B. W. (1950). The Biles Family: How Green Was Our Valley. Altus, Okla. https://archive.org/details/bilesfamilyhowgr00bile

• Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, U.S., Compiled Marriage Records, 1700-1821 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2011.

• Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Surname Sunday - Beeks

 William and Mary Beakes, with their sons in tow, arrived in Pennsylvania aboard the "Bristol Merchant" sailing up the Delaware River in December 1682. Before arriving, William had deeds of lease (tenancy) and release (relinquishment of landlord's interest in the property) of 1000+ acres of land purchased from William Penn. Part of this land was in the region of Bucks County near the Delaware River. He also had lots in the city of Philadelphia. 

The Beakes were Quakers and are listed in many Quaker meeting notes. 

William's son, Samuel (my 9th great-grandfather), married Johannah Biles, daughter of American judge attorney, legislator, sheriff, land speculator and merchant, William Biles. 

William Beakes
Samuel Beaks 1667-1732
Abraham Beeks 1703-1732
Abraham Beeks 1731-1788
Samual Beeks 1752-1814
Francis Marion Beeks 1786-1861
Nettie Jane Beeks 1812-1882
Francis M Smith 1840-?
W F Smith 1882-?
Oda Zelle Smith, my great grandmother

Sources:

• Genealogies of Pennsylvania Families
• U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900
• U.S. Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935
• U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500-1900

The Newberry Davenports

 

Francis Davenport 1718-1803
 by Thomas Hudson

Francis Davenport was born in 1718. The son of Isaac Davenport Phoebe Eva Sawyer, his grandparents, Francis (b. 1626) and Sarah Davenport migrated from Derbyshire, England with the Society of Friends (Quakers) and settled in Chesterfield, New Jersey. Francis Sr. was the spiritual leader for this congregation at Chesterfield. He was also a kept a local store. His son, Isaac, married Phoebe Eva Sawyer and moved to Newberry, SC.

Francis Davenport was a Patriot in the Revolutionary War (DAR Ancestor #: A029985). He married (1st) Ann Whaley and had Isaac, James, Jonathan, William, David, Francis, Sarah, Abigail, Nancy, Martha, and Fannie. His daughter, Sarah, married Samuel Beeks.  Their granddaughter, Nettie Jane Beeks Smith, was one of the first settlers in Pontotoc, MS. 

Sources: 

• Davenport, John Scott, Newberry Davenport Data, 2000
• U.S. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970, Ancestry.com, 2011, Provo, UT, USA
• Moss, Bobby G., Roster of the South Carolina Patriots in the America Revolution, Genealogical Publishing Co., Baltimore, MD, 1983

Palatine Trails

At the end of the 17th century and beginning of the 18th century the Holy Roman Empire was involved in several wars throughout the European Continent that would eventually lead to its end. The wealthy region of the Middle Rhine was repeatedly invaded by French troops during these wars. This along with famine caused many farmers to flee. The group moved around the British Isles and Colonies for a few years for many political and economical reason. This group of immigrants became known as Palatines even though only a small part of them were from the Palatinate.

Christoph de Graffenried, 1st Baron of Berberg, was a Swiss nobleman who, in 1710, assisted the immigration and helped establish colonies in North Carolina for the large number of Palatine and Swiss who came to North America. About 100 Swiss and 600 Palatines left Europe for this new colony. Many of these immigrants died during the journey and even more died during wars with the Native Americans during 1712-1715. Luckily for me, Joseph Granade and his son, John (b. 1695) survived all of these trials and made it to the New Bern Colony.

Joseph Granade was born about 1676 in what is modern day Switzerland and immigrated in 1710. His grandson, John Adam Granade (b.1715) is recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution for his contribution to the war effort.  Joseph Granade's many descendants are spread across the United States.

For more information on the Palatine immigration I recommend these sources:

• New Bern-Craven County Public Library, Swiss and Palatines to New Bern
• National Park Service - The People of Fort Stanwix

I am a Wash-Tub Woodson

Are you a Wash-tub Woodson or a Potato-hole Woodson? Although it sounds like a nonsensical question, it was a common one at Woodson gatherings in years gone by and for a good reason. There are many writings of this story throughout history, many available online and almost all guaranteed to be written better than what I can do but I am going to give it a try.

John Woodson was born in 1586 to John and Alice Hammon Woodson in Dorset, Dorsetshire, England. He went to school at St. Johns College, Oxford, England and graduated a doctor in 1604. He began working for Sir George Yeardley as a surgeon. Years later, in 1619, John married Sarah Winston. Yeardley had been appointed lord governor of Virginia in the fall of 1618 after the unexpected death of the incumbent governor and so he gathered a group of soldier and recruited John and his new bride and set sail on the ship "George" to Virginia in early 1619 and landed in Jamestown, Virginia in April 1619. (Over a year and a half before the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock!) John and Sarah eventually settled at Flowerdew Hundred near what is now Richmond, VA

Photo by Elaine Hatfield Powell. She her post and photos
 about John Woodson here

and had two sons, John and Robert. 

 

On April 18, 1644 the Powhatan attacked the Virginian settlers in a third attempt to drive them from their land. On the second day of this raid, a group attacked the Woodson's home. Dr. Woodson was returning home from visiting patients when the attack began. Sarah Woodson and her two boys were home alone with the exception of a man named Ligon. (Sources are all over the place about who Ligon was: schoolmaster, indentured servant, shoemaker, friend.) The only weapon they had was a huge fowler that hung over the door. Ligon was a good shot and able to use the gun effectively against the Indians. Sarah frantically searched for a place to hide her boys. She told Robert to hide under the potatoes in the hole where they were stored and John to get under the washtub. Sarah watched out the window as her husband, John, was killed. Sarah and Ligon fought hard and in the end nine of the attackers were dead and the rest ran back into the woods. Her sons crawled out of their hiding places unscathed and from then on were called "washtub" and "potato hole". 

English Long Fowler (“Woodson” musket), mid 17th century, Barrel; about 1750, Lock; about 1800, Stock, VHS accession number: 1929.8 (On loan from Charles Granville Scott and conserved with gifts from Woodson descendants). By Woodson family tradition, the oldest part of the gun was used by Lt. Col. Thomas Ligon, who helped Sara Woodson defend her Prince George County home from an Indian attack on April 18, 1644

Both John "Washtub" and Robert "Potato-hole" went on to have large families. 

John (1632) married Mary Pleasant and had son John (1655)

John (1655) married Mary Tucker and had daughter Christian

Christian married Thomas Hodges and had son Edmund

Edmund married Nephany Walker and had daughter Susannah

Susannah married John Slayden and had daughter Martha

Martha married William Bourland and had daughter Martha

Martha married Buckner Williams and had son Plummer

Plummer married Malinda Mills and had son Sanders

Sanders married Agnes Lewis and had son James 

James married Mollie Savannah Conway and they gave birth to my great-grandfather, Sanders

John and Sarah Winston Woodson are my 12th great-grandparents.

You've heard of at least one other Woodson, outlaw Jesse Woodson James. He was a potato-hole Woodson. 

Notes:

1.  Flowerdew Hundred Plantation was probably named after Sir George Yeardley's wife, Temperance Flowerdew. 
2. There are probably over a hundred sources for this story and hundreds of stories and blogs about it. If you want to read more, and trust me, there is more, do a Google search for Dr. John Woodson Jamestown or the Powhatan Wars. 
3. The Woodson DNA must be of stout stuff because, even though they are fairly distant ancestors of mine, I have found many, many DNA cousins (13th cousins!) with the Woodson as MRCA (most recent common ancestor). This is very surprising considering I have a few 4th and 5th great-grandparents whom I have almost no cousins through. 

Sources: 

• Woodson,  Henry Morton. Historical Genealogy of the Woodsons and Their Connections.1915
• Hood, John. "Hidden in a Potato Hole." Carolina Journal, 19 Oct. 2012
• U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900. Yates Publishing. Ancestry.com Operation Inc. 2004. Provo, UT
• Yawkey, C.C.. "Yawkey, Richardson and allied families; a genealogical study with biographical notes.". 1939. N.Y. American Historical Co. 
• Deetz, James. Flowerdew Hundred: the archaeology of a Virginia plantation, 1619-1864. Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1995
• Stebbins, Sarah J. "Chronology of Powhatan Indian Activity." National Parks Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, May 2009. 
• Dorman, John Frederick. Adventures of Purse and Person, Virginia, 1907-1624/5 4th Ed. Baltimore, Md.: Genealogical Pub. Co., 2007
• Bogan, Dallas. "Progenitor of Family Here Died In Indian Battle" LaFollette Press.