"Ancestrees"

Thomas MINSHALL ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8}

  General Notes:

Thomas and family emigrated to Pennsylvania on the "Friendship" via Liverpool, England on Aug. 14, 1682. This was the first ship that William Penn brought passengers into the new world on. Although Thomas is not listed as a passenger and did not pay for any goods to be transported in the cargo hold, it can be proven that he was on the "Friendship" from a court case years later. On May 29, 1699, Thomas Minshall made a complaint against Elizabeth Vernon, wife of Thomas Vernon for accusing his own wife of smothering Elizabeth Vernon's child while at sea on the "Friendship" in 1682. Apparently, Elizabeth Vernon had lost her mental faculties at that point in time and her accusations were not taken seriously. Those who were shipmates with Thomas and his wife did swear in writing that Elizabeth Vernon was not telling the truth. Thomas was from Lathford, Cheshire, England before moving to Pennsylvania. (C-1073)

He purchased 625 acres in Midletown Twp., PA from William Penn on March 22, 1681 for a penny an acre prior to his arrival. This land was warranted to be surveyed on Sep. 9, 1682, shortly after the "Friendship" arrived. (C-2136, 2228e) He also bought property on the north side of Walnut St. in Philadelphia between 3rd and 4th Streets. When he presented his contract to William Penn, he was given 300 acres in Nether Providence, 315 acres in Middletown (Tyler Arboretum) and 10 acres of "Liberty Land." (C-1073) Thomas and wife settled first in Nether Providence but decided that that region was too low and had too many Swedish settlers. They packed up and moved further into the woods.

The Quaker Meeting in that region first met at his home. He, Bartholmew Coppock and John Bowater were early residents of this meeting. He later donated an acre in Media, Delaware Co., PA on which to build a meeting house. It was built in 1699 on what is currently Providence St. Though rebuilt due to fire, it is still in use to this day. (C-1073) His home still stands and is currently listed as a historical site of interest in a Delaware County, PA vistors brochure. It is listed as the oldest house in Media, PA, deeded to Thomas in 1681 and is located in "Tyler Arboretum". (C-2228a, E) ⁹

Thomas married Margaret HICKOCK in 1679 in Under Hartshaw M.M., , ENG. (Margaret HICKOCK was born on 7/16/1652 in Upper Providence?, died on 5/27/1727 in Middletown, Delaware, PA ¹⁰ and was buried about 5/28/1727 in , , PA, USA.)