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Home : Quarterly Archives : Volume 15 |
Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society |
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Source: April 1969 Volume 15 Number 3, Pages 38–48 The Early Bartholomews There are several thoughts concerning the origin of the name, Futhey and Cope in their "History of Chester County", suggest that it derives from the Barthelemi family of France, which fled to Great Britain to escape religious persecution, as they had seceded from the Roman Catholic Church. In the Record of the Bartholomew family History [Note 2], we read that the family came from Holland from which they fled persecution as they were Protestants. Some went to Switzerland; some to France and England. Still another origin is thought to be Swedish and ties into the Gloria Dei Church (Old Swedes) where the name enters the early records and scholars of genelogy are working along that line [Note 3]. The records at Warborough, Oxfordshire, England, reveal a John, Robert and Richard Bartholomew living there about 1550 [Note 4]. September 8, 1634 there arrived in Boston on the ship "Griffin" a William Bartholomew (l602 or 1692) son of William and Friswede Bartholomew of Burford, England [Note 5]. And so the family is established on this side of the Atlantic. In April 25, 1635, the aforesaid William Bartholomew was granted several tracts of land at Ipswich. In 1680,a George Bartholomew (assumed to be the son of the emigrant, William) is enrolled on the list of Freeholders, Burlington County, N. J. [Note 6] Three years later, October 25, 1683 the aforesaid George Bartholomew, "carpenter" and wife Jane are in Philadelphia, proprietor-owners of the first tavern in the city of Philadelphia and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Here William Penn was first entertained at the Blue Anchor, on Dock Street. George Bartholomew died prior to September 9, 1689, as letters of administration were granted his wife at this time. December 20, 1689, Jane sold the premises back to a Mr. Jones to satisfy debts. Among items listed in the inventory we find; parlor -1 old bed, 1 feather bolster; 1 flock bolster, 1 old pillow, 1 pillow flocks, 1 old rug, old match coat, an old sheet and old 8 alarm; 6 old chairs, 2 old tables, old chest, 6 plates, 5 pewter dishes, iron pott, small brass vessel, etc. Another account cites a George Bartholomew and wife "Mary" bought in 1686 the Blue Anchor for L 150, the payment to be made in pork, cattle and beef. This consideration was not paid in full and at the death of George, the widow conveyed the property back to a Mr. Jones for liquidation of said debt [Note 8]. A Joseph Bartholomew (b.8/l0/l715) son of John and Mary Bartholomew (one source tells us John is the son of George) of Montgomery Township (now Montgomery County) and settled in East Whiteland Township (Properly, Whiteland, the division not taking place until 1765), shortly after 1740. (See deed Book C-2, p.73&. which shows Joseph Bartholomew purchasing land in 1730 and that he had lived on said ground a year before the date of the Indenture). Joseph married Sarah Carver (?) and died in East Whiteland, November, 1754. He was a farmer and built his home, which in 1885 was still in good preservation [Note 9]. He appears on the Whiteland tax records of 1740, 1748, 1748/50. A widow Bartholomew in 1754 [Note 10]. He left a widow, Sarah, and children: John, Benjamin, Hannah, Rachel. Sarah married a second time to John Cloyd [Note 11]. (The Cloyd home is now owned by Charles E. Pugh, and is situated on the north side of Swedesford Road, about 3/4 mile west of Conestoga Road, East Whiteland Township. The old Cloyd Cemetery is at the aforementioned intersection [Note 12]. In 1752 a James Cloyd purchased 370 acres in Whiteland and later another 800 acres [Note 13]). The land was divided between the sons: John receiving the homestead and 180 acres; Benjamin receiving the remaining 160 acres. Hannah married 6/4/1766 Archibald Thompson, and resided in Norristown (He died Nov. 1779); John was b. 1747 and d. 1/24/1814; Rachel married Israel Davis. (Davis converted his extensive real estate holdings into money which he hid and entered the Continental Army.(A trusted servant stole the entire amount). Benjamin was born 11/16/1752 and died 3/31/1812 [Note 14]. Joseph Bartholomew's sister, Elizabeth married 5/30/1738, Isaac Davies or Davis, son of Llwellyn and Brigot Jones David, originally of Haverford, later buying 10/16/1708, 300 acres in Valleyton (Tredyffrin) from Lewis Walker. They bought out the interest of other heirs and settled on the homestead in Tredyffrin. BENJAMIN BARTHOLOMEW, brother of Joseph, was born about 1725 in Montgomery Square. He first married Anne ----, who died 4/20/1765. He then married Sarah ----, who survived him. His children all died in infancy. His will dated 9/29/1784 mentions wife Sarah, brother Edward; John and Benjamin, sons of brother Joseph; Joseph son of brother Thomas and sister, Rachel Davis, etc. The executors were brother Edward and nephew John, son of brother Joseph. [Note 15] It has been found noted that a Benjamin Bartholomew built a fine house adjacent to St. Peters and still standing in 1948. [Note 16] (However we are not told exactly which generation of Benjamins.). JOHN BARTHOLOMEW, first son of Joseph, was born in the Great Valley in 1747 and married Hannah Davis, who died 1/17/1814. He succumbed seven days later. General Bartholomew was educated as a merchant, but preferred agrarian pursuits, and early settled on the parental estate in East Whiteland. He was a Major of the Chester County Regiment in 1775 and in later years became a Colonel and Brigadier-General of Militia. He was a Justice of the Peace of the Chester County Court and as such attended the first Court held at Turks Head, now West Chester, November 27, 1786. Said Court in those days was held by County Justices of the Peace. Those in the first Court included: William Scott, Isaac Taylor, John Ralston, Joseph Luckey, Thomas Cheyney, Thomas Levis and Richard Hill Morris. [Note 17] The children Sarah, who married John Roberts and resided in the Chester Valley (their children were Hannah Roberts who d., unmarried 1876, Mary Roberts who died in infancy, Jonathan Roberts who resided, unmarried, on the homestead of his grandfather; Mary Roberts who Married Cromwell Pearce and died Childless in 1842); Joseph b. Dec. 9, 1780 died 2/11 1848. [Note 18] BENJAMIN BARTHOLOMEW, second son of Joseph, was born in the Great Valley 2/16/1752, d.3/31/1812. He married Rachel Dewees, daughter of William and Sarah (Potts) Dewees of Schuylkill County (b.3/7/1765, d. 12/4/ 1848). Captain Bartholomew, at 20 (1775) was on the Committee of Safety for two years; 7/15/1776 appears as a member of the Convention; later in 1776 he raised a Company and entered the service as a Lieutenant under Capt. Persefor Frazer in Col. Wayne's Regiment. 10/2/1776 he was commissioned a Captain and attached to the 58th Penna. Regiment. He was wounded in the leg at Brandywine, Aug. 1777 and went on to fight the battles of Monmouth, N. J., June 1778. When the Army was reorganized in 1780, Capt. Bartholomew was retained.19 He was of energetic personality which was reflected in his agricultural pursuits, the appearance of his farm and home. All showed his care. As a member of the Committee Of Safety (6/30/1775), he was one of the twenty-five members, four being from Chester County (Anthony Wayne, Benjamin Bartholomew, Francis Johnson, and Richard Riley). On January 17, 1776..."Col. Wayne, Col. Johnson, Mr. Bartholomew and Mr. Riley were appointed to be a Committee to examine Firelocks, Cartridge boxes, knapsacks, etc. as ordered by the Assembly to be provided by Chester County. [Note 20] On August 1, 1777, five Justices of the Peace in and for Chester County met, appointing among others, Benjamin Bartholomew of East Whiteland for the purpose of billiting and providing for the Poor "that they may be removed from the City of Philadelphia. [Note 21] Frequently in later years he was solicited to hold public offices, but declined. In personality, Capt. Bartholomew was plain and blunt, customed to speaking his mind. His children were: Hannah b. 4/7/1783 and married after 4/1800, John Hughes and resided in Pottsville (they had 10 children); Joseph b. 10/12/1784 d.1811; Sarah b. 11/2011787 died unmarried; John b. 12/12/1789, married Lydia Cleaver, d. 5/11/1871; Rachel b. 5/28/1792, married ThomasDavis and died 11/30/1833 (they had 6 children); a son, born 3/27/1794, died 4/6/1794; Maryann (Mary Anne, Marian) b. 6/11/1797 died 5/4/1808; Edward b. 1/8/1799, married Emily Cleaver 4/10/1875; Augustine, b. 4/5/1801, married Maryanne Philips, d. 8/1873; Ann, b. 4/16/1803, d. 6/1/1805; Benjamin, born 8/25/1804 married Elizabeth Pretner, died in Pottsville, Penn. Ellen, b. 1/7/1806 married 12/11/1828, Thomas Maxwell of Chester Valley, both died in Peoria, Ill., she d. 3/17/1883. (They had 6 children.) [Note 22] Benjamin died aged 60 on his well cultivated farm, March 31, 1812 and was interred in the Baptist Churchyard, Tredyffrin Township. In the "Chester and Delaware Federalist", 4/8/1812, we read "Died, Tuesday,3/31, Capt. Benjamin Bartholomew, Tredyffrin Township, Chester County. Capt. Bartholomew entered the Army when hardly 20 and served during the whole contest for our liberties... very strong, correct mind...zealous supporter of the Washington school..." [Note 23] Found in the "Village Record", 11/15/1826; "Public Sale, 16th, Dec, next, 2 o'clock in the afternoon, a Valley farm, 40 acres of Valley land.. cultivated...fences.. meadow and woodland, Tredyffrin Township, Chester Co., near Howell's Tavern, bounded by lands of Wm. Hall, John Howell, late deceased ... about 18 miles from Philadelphia and 1 from the Lancaster Turnpike, excellent neighborhood, convenient.. improvements include dwelling and a fine mill, 2 pair stones, overshot wheel, situate on the public road leading from Lancaster Turnpike to Swedesford...stone barn, strong spring... orchard..garden, storehouse and dwellinghouse. Store kept at present, Edward Bartholomew, Augustine Bartholomew, Tredyffrin, 11/8/1826." [Note 24] JOSEPH, son of Benjamin Bartholomew, was born in the Great Valley 10/12/1784, married Hannah Davis and died 2/1811. She died after 1816. They lived in Tredyffrin Township. His will of 2/12/1811 mentions wife Hannah and son David Davis Bartholomew. [Note 25] JOHN son of Benjamin Bartholomew, was born in the Great Valley 12/12/1789 and married in Swedes Church, Swedeland, 11/13/1811, Lydia daughter of Jonathan and Rebecca (Ivens) Cleaver, died in the Great Valley, 5/1l/l871. She was born 9/24/1789 and died 8/1882. He took the place of his father who died leaving a large family of small children. He purchased the homestead where five generations of his family were born and retained it for his lifetime. He was a member of the Society of Cincinnati. He had seven children. [Note 26] From a clipping from the "American Republic", 5/19/1857, we learn of the following unfortunate event; 27... a tragedy brought intense excitement and indignation of the neighborhood in Treduffrin Township. About 10 0'clock last night (May 18,1857) a "fearful and bloody tragedy " was committed. The "person perpetrating this deed of blood is Charles D. Philips, and the victim is Cleaver Bartholomew". Philips, son of John B. Philips, living about a mile northwest of Paoli, formerly the home of John G. Bull, deceased. Philips and Bartholomew were first cousins. They were separate owners of horses and carts being used on the Cedar Hollow Railroad, now under construction. The horses were stabled at Philips', as he lived nearer the railroad. Cleaver Bartholomew practically made the Philips home his own. Mr Bartholomew had a note to meet at the Bank the next day, and went to Philips and asked for the money due him. Philips refused. Mr Bartholomew had started off when Philips called him back and said he should stay the night, to which Mr. Bartholomew agreed. A Jacob Leonard was with them on the first floor, and later went up to bed. He overheard Philips and Bartholomew coming upstairs, talking loudly. He overheard Philips say he'd lick Bartholomew, and the latter reply he couldn't. Soon threats were heard from Philips, including that he would shoot Bartholomew. The two went into Philips chamber. Here, Philips took a horse pistol with rifle barrel from a drawer, and Bartholomew took two swords also found in the room. Leonerd in the adjoining room said the two men came into the room where he saw Philips entering backwards and Bartholomew following, a sword in each hand, but making no threats. Philips said not to enter or he'd shoot him or anyone else. Leonard jumped up telling them to stop. Philips took hold of one of Bartholomew's swords, and while doing so, fired, killing Bartholomew instantly. The ball entered the right breast and emerged from the top of the left shoulder and struck in the door frame, imbedding itself an inch deep. Bartholomew called to Leonard and immediately fell to a crouching position. Philips and Leonard went downstairs, and the latter went for a doctor. Philips went to the kitchen, where neighbors found him apparently asleep. Dr. Richabaugh arrived on the scene. Philips' attitude to date has been one of complete indifference. Mr. Bartholomew will be interred at the Valley Baptist Church.... From a paper found in the Homestead, now (1969) owned by the National Rolling Mills, south of Swedesford Road and immediately South of the new Route #202: "the east end of the house was built sometime about 1700 by Joseph Bartholomew. The Bartholomew family came to America about 1640 and first settled in Boston. The branch which came to Philadelphia ran the Blue Anchor Inn on Dock Street at the tine William Penn was in Philadelphia. In 1754 this property was willed to Captain Benjamin Bartholomew and brother John. The original tract consisted of all the land in the Great Valley between Cedar Hollow Railroad and Valley Store. During Washington's occupation at Valley Forge, the Bartholomew's contributed all their farm pruducts to help feed the Continental Army. Captain Bartholomew served under General Wayne and equipped his own company of men with muskets and uniforms. About 1790, after the Revolutionary War, the west end of the house was built, with the barn and it stayed in the Bartholomew family until about 1873. Dr. Bartholomew of Berwyn was born in the house, and he remembers that the garret was stocked with old Revolutionary muskets, andasaboy used to dress up in his Greatgrandfather's uniform. Since 1873 it has been owned by the Minkers, Hughes and Devaney families.
Some interesting newspaper items follow, which came from the files of the Chester County Historical
Society;
Death Notice won 29th April, 1854, John Bartholomew, aged 40 years". In the History of Malvern, compiled by G. N. Highley, 1964, p. 16, we note the Roberts-Bartholomew-Hibberd House on the Old Lancaster Pike, in what is now the Borough of Malvern, but formerly in Wissistown Township.
The following Deeds are cited from the Records of the County of Chester, at West Chester, Penna. ...AND WHEREAS the said Isaac Norris and Mary his wife by indenture duly executed under their hands and seals bearing date the eleventh day of June 1724 ...did grant and confirm unto James Rowland of the said County of Chester, yeoman, all the above ... Whereas the said James Rowland died intestate and with out issue ... descended unto George Rowland of the Parish of Bayvil in the County of Pembroke, yeoman eldest, son and heir at law of Thomas Rowland, late of the same Parish and County, yeoman, deceased, which Thomas Rowland was the eldest brother and heir at law of the said deceased James Rowland, AND WHEREAS the said George Rowland and Mary his wife by indenture duly executed under their hands and seals bearing date the twenty-third of January 1749 did grant and confirm unto Morris Bowen of the town of Pembroke in the County of Pembroke aforesaid, Esq.., all those messuages, lands tenements, Plantation and other Hereditaments and premises, whatsoever with all and singular and rights, members and appurtenances thereunto Belonging, Situate lying and being in the said township of Whiteland (including the above described 300 acres of land) in the County of Chester in the Province of Pennsylvania in America and there commonly called and known by the name of Duffryn Mawr or whatsoever other name or names the said premises or any part or parts thereof is are or have been called distinguished and known and that in as large and ample a manner to all intents and purposes the same descended to George Rowland from his said deceased uncle James Rowland late of the Township of Whiteland and Province of Pennsylvania aforesaid to whom the said George Rowland is nephew and heir at law and also all other messuages lands tenements Plantations and ereditaments whatsoever or of what nature kind or quality soever that descending or ought to descend to the said George Rowland as heir to his late deceased uncle James Rowland situate in the Province of Pennsylvania aforesaid,... TO HOLD to him Morris Bowen his heirs and assigns forever, and WHEREAS the said Morris Bowen and Alice his wife by Indenture duly executed under their hands and seals bearing date the twenty-first of December 1750 did grant and confirm unto the said Lewis James... granted and confirmed unto him by the said George Rowland and Mary his wife... for nine hundred pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania paid by Joseph Bartholomew.... Witnesses: George Aston, Elizabeth Owen, Anne Owen, Benjamin Bartholomew.
DEED BOOK C-2; page 73, LLEWELLEN PARRY to JOSEPH BARTHOLOMEW, November 7, 1730, the 13th year of the Reign of King George II, Llewelin Parry of Whiteland, County of Chester, province of Pensilvania and Elizabeth, his wife, and Joseph Bartholomew of Montgomery in the County of Philadelphia in said Province, Yeoman, WHEREAS Fancis Howell, late of Welsh tract in the said province, yeoman; by his Indenture bearing date the second day of October, 1686 made between him by the name of Francis Hiwel of Lansilio in the County of Pembrook of the one part and David Rees of Llanddeivi in the County of Pembrook, Husbandman, of the other part ... did I sell, grant and convey unto the said David Rees the full quantity of two hundred acres part of the thousand acres which William Perm by Indentures of Lease and Release bearing dates fourth and twentieth and fifth and twentieth day, October 1631...did bargain sell and convey in fee to William Jenkins who by his Indenture dated September 3, 1686 did grant and convey unto Francis Howell five hundred acres of said land where of the said two hundred acres is a part to.. said David Rees became lawfully seized... made his last Will and Testament in Writing, dated the fourteenth of January, 1705 and... among other things devised in these words viz: Item I give and devise unto my son Thomas and his heirs and assigns forever one Moiety or one half part of that piece of land by me purchased of Francis Howell late of Sandisilio in Carmarthenshire in South Wales Containing two hundred acres and also the said Testator did among other things Devise and Grant to his son Lewis and to his heirs forever all the other Moiety or half part of that two hundred acres by him purchased of Francis Howell as aforesaid ... WHEREAS the said Thomas Rees and Lewis Rees sold but not conveyed the same land to one Richard ap Richard and afterwards by Indenture dated fourth month, twenty-nineth, 1710 they,the said Thomas Rees and Lewis Rees by Special Direction and appointment of ...Richard ap Richard signified by his being made a party to same and signing and sealing thereof for the consideration in said Indenture mentioned, granted and conveyed the said two hundred acres of land unto Thomas Owen, late of Whiteland and said County and province, yeoman, Deceased...made his last Will and Testament in writing dated 10/9/1720, and among other things devised in these words, viz Item I give and bequeth unto my well beloved wife Elizabeth, the lower chamber in the east end of my house also the Testator further Devised as followeth, viz, I give and bequeth unto my eldest sone Richard Owen my dwelling house excepting the said chamber during his mother's time as aforesaid, and the Southernmost end of my land from the land at Thomas and Company three perches further north than the field that lies joining to the land of Owen Thomas to a stake by a straight line to he made accross my land to John Martins line which tract or parcel of land with all the Houses, out Houses, Barns,stables, orchards, meadows waters, watercourses, inclosures, improvements of all the appurtenances belonging to the same...which Tenement or tract of land as aforesaid I give and bequeth to my son Richard Owen, to the only use of him his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Thomas Owen soon after died, Seized of the said premises in his Estate ... and said Richard Owen being so thereof Seized made his last Will and Testament in writing dated the twenty-first day of November, 1725 and ... among other things Devised in these words Item I do...order and authorize my said Executors to sell all my Real Estate viz. my lands, messuages, tenements and Plantation with appurtenances there unto belonging excepting and always reserving unto my loving mother her full privelege of a chamber in my Mansion House upon the said premises as Bequeathed unto her by my Deceased father in his last Will and Testament and I do hereby give my said Executors hereafter named and to the survivors and survivor of them full Power and Authority to Sell and Convey and good and lawful assurance and assurances to make and execute for upon or concerning the said premises under the limitations above expressed and that what convenient speed they may be agreeable with their Discretions. Item Inominate constitute and ordain my honour'd father-in-law John Evans and my loving friends Thomas John of Glandy (?) and Alexander Owen to be executors of this my last Will and Testament...And Whereas the said executors in persuance to the Trust reposed in them aforesaid by their Indenture of Lease and Release dated the 19th and 20th days of December 1725 did Grant Sell and Convey the said land and premises with appurtenances for the consideration in said Release mentioned unto Samuel Owen of Whiteland, aforesaid, yeoman...Beginning at a corner black oak sapling in the line of Rees Thomas and Company's land thence North North West by Owen Thomas's land 282 perches to the stake mentioned in the said Thomas Owen Will above recited, thence by land Devised in and by the said Will to Owen Owen East North last 79 perches to a stake in the line of the land late of John Martin thence by same South South East 282 perches to a corner in the line of Rees Thomas and Company's land thence West South West by the same 79 perches to the place of Beginning. Containing 139 acres...and Whereas also the said Elizabeth Owen, the widdow and Relict of the said Thomas Owen Deceased by her Indenture of Release dated the fourteenth of the month called April last past for the consideration therein mentioned hath granted and released unto the said Samuel Owen his heirs and assigns the use of the above mentioned Chamber and all her Right of Dower and Interest whatsoever of in and to the above mentioned and described...139 acred of land...AND WHEREAS the said Samuel Owen and Margaret.. his wife by their Indenture of Lease and Release dated the last day second month and first day of the third months last past, for the consideration therein mentioned did grant sell and convey the said 139 acres ..unto the said Llewelin Parry... the said Llewelin Parry and Elizabeth his wife for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds of good and lawful money of America... paid by the said Joseph Bartholomew...(in his actual possession now being by Virtue of a Bargain of sale to him thereof made for one whole year by an Indenture bearing date the day next before the day of the date hereof and by force of Statute for Transferring of uses unto possession)... 139 acres... Signed by Llewelin Parry and Elizabeth Parry (her mark), witnessed by David Parry and Isaac Davis, on the second day of June 1745 personally appeared before me John Parry one of his Majesties Justices of the peace for the County of Chester...recorded 2nd of August 1737. TopReferences 1. Futhey & Cope, History of Chester County, 1887, Phila.,Pa., p 478 2. Record of Bartholomew Family History; Geneologioal & Biographical, by George Wells Bartholomew, Jr., pub. by Compiler, Austin, Texas, 1385. 3. Conrad Wilson: Suspects that the family that settled first in Montgomery Co., (John & Mary) were of Swedish descent and not descended from George. There is a Swedish name, Bartleson, or Bartle, which is a short form of Bartholomew. On the records there is one of that name, residing with Morton Hortonson, father of John Morton, signed of the Declaration of Independence; and when received into the Valley Church, he was Baptised, and therefore not a member prior to this time. Also, thename"George" does not appear in descendents, which is unusual as names usually carry along, 4. Record of the Bartholomew Family, etc., p 1 8. Isaac C. Sutton, Esq., Anderson & etc. Families, printed in Philadelphia 1948, p.51 9. Ibid. p.437 We note the word "flock" means old wool, rags, etc. out up for filling upholstery. 10. Chester County Historical Society tax records. 11. Bartholomew History, P.437 12. Mrs. Wm. L. Nassau, Jr., Swedesford Rd., Paoli, Pa. In conversation 1969, with author. 14. Bartholomew Family History, P. 437 16. Sutton Family History, P.51-2 18. Bartholomew Family, P.445-6 22. Bartholomew Family History, P.447-8 23. Chester County Historical Society, clipping files. |
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