Notes:

Linda Mondy gives his birth place as Chester Co., Pennsylvania. Vickie Leimback gives his death place as Surry Co., North Carolina. A complaint was filed against a James Vestal on Dec. 1, 1751 in Cane Creek MM, for marrying out of meeting by a Justice of the peace and for taking strong drink. It likely refers to this James. He was living in Chatham Co., NC in 1753. He was in the tax payer lists in 1755 in Orange Co., North Carolina. He married three times. He married his third wife the same day as his son Thomas married Ann Martin in a double ring ceremony. (C-801)

James married Mary JAY on 11 Aug 1751 in , Chatham, NC, USA. Mary (daughter of John JAY and Ann ORCHARD) was born in 1729 in , Surry, NC; died in 1771 in , Chatham, NC. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her parents are John Jay and Ann Orchard according to Sandy Barber. (C-1344) She was thought to be the sister of William Jay who married James's sister, Mary Elizabeth Vestal according to Margaret Jay's book. (C-2141) DNA evidence now proves that this Mary's father is not a DNA match to William Jay, b. 1711 of Frederick, Virginia. Therefore, it's entirely possible that her parents are John Jay and Ann Orchard. I need to find DNA triangulations to prove her parentage.

Notes:

William Vestall, Jr., was raised in Chester Co., Pennsylvania. His family were originally friends from the Newark Monthly Meeting in Pennsylvania. (C-836) According to Gilbert Cope in writing the will for Joseph Woodward of Goshen, he mentioned that William was married more than once. However, only one marriage has been found for him to date, that of Elizabeth Mercer. They originally settled on Brandywine Creek, four miles from West Chester. William was listed as living in Bradford Twp., Chester Co., PA in tax lists from 1715-1726. (C-2251g) His wife, Elizabeth Mercer, was a Quaker. William had apparently become a Quaker by the 2nd Month 5th day, 1729, when he requested a certificate of removal to North Carolina from the Center Meeting House.

William moved to Baltimore Co., MD instead after conveying his farm of 174 acres on May 10, 1729 in Bradford Twp., Chester Co., Pennsylvania. The deed for this land did not have it's title confirmed until Aug. 10,1735. William is listed as a carpenter in this record. (C-959) William then purchased 150 acres of land from Patrick Ruark in 1729 which was part of the Hazard track on Swam Creek, Baltimore Co., MD. He sold this land to Joseph Hall on Dec. 27, 1736. He was listed as living in Orange Co., Virginia in the deed records of 1736. He had purchased 275 acres in Orange Co., VA on Oct. 3, 1734. This territory later became Frederick County. (C-826)

Elizabeth Vestal requested a certificate of transfer from the Concord Quarterly meeting to the Hopewell monthly meeting in Frederick Co., Virginia (now Jefferson Co., WV) on Sept 7, 1737. Most of the Quaker records for that meeting were destroyed by fire for the first 23 year period in 1759. "J.E. Norris in his HISTORY OF THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY, p.58 states, "William and John Vestal made a settlement at a very early date at Vestal's Gap on the Shenandoah River in Frederick Co., Va. (about 6 miles east of Charles Town). While they were building a stone house they were attacked by Indians and driven across the river to the mountains. When they returned one of them brought a yellowish stone from across the river, which marked the point where they left off building in consequence of the attack. This house still stands but the inscription on one end has been partly obliterated, which has given rise to a dispute as to the name being Vest, Vesta, or Vestal. The author (Norris) has found in the 'List of Surveys made by George Washington for Lord Fairfax' the name three times occurring Vestall."

Minnie Speer Boone in OUR FAMILY HERITAGE, p. 63-64, states "On May 10, 1742 a contract was entered into between Thomas Mayberry, William Vestal, John Traden, Richardson Stevenson, and Daniel Burnett for the construction of an iron bloomery for the making of bar iron on the plantation of William Vestal. This contract was recorded in 1744." Quoting Earl H. Davis, 1940, she adds, "This iron bloomery is said to have been the first one erected east of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia (one mile east of what is now Mechanicsville, West Virginia). It was located 7 miles south of Harper's Ferry. It was in operation until after the Civil War. Upon the death of William Vestal in 1745 this land and the Vestal interest in the Bloomery were apparently taken over by his son John. When the land passed out of the Vestal family is not known. One source says that it was after the French and Indian Wars when the family moved to North Carolina. (C-158) The property is now owned by Mr. Ward Funkhouser of Hagerstown, Md. The remains of the old furnace are still standing. The top of each fire place has bars of iron, plates of rusty iron are still firmly holding the stone structure-above one of the fireplaces a cedar tree of good size is growing. The district around the Bloomery is known as "The Bloomery Neighborhood." (C-176)

William Vestal did not write a will. His death probably occurred early in 1745. An inventory of his estate was filed in 1746. No property was listed, but instead tools, clothing, livestock and household furnishings. (C-811) His wife, Elizabeth, was named administratrix. She had a bond of 1000 pounds Virginia Currency. No children were listed. (C-845a, 869)

William married Elizabeth MERCER on 9 Sep 1716 in Westtown, Chester, PA, USA. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas MERSER and Mary GREENAWAY) was born on 14 Jun 1692 in Banbury, Oxfordshire, England; died after 1751 in Cane Creek, Orange, NC, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Elizabeth's birthdate is different in the American Quaker records than in the English christening records. I'm going with the English version as they occurred at the time of the event. They two dates were 2 months apart when Quaker records wouldn't have the date corrected for the current calendar. Elizabeth who was a Quaker, married Joseph Woodward in 1712. She became of member of at the Chester MM where her husband belonged. He died in 1715 and she returned to her home monthly meeting at Concord with at least one child. She apparently married out of unity a year later to William Vestall, a Baptist. She was to be disowned for that marriage by the following year in the same meeting where satisfaction was accepted by the Quaker records. This occurred in the women's minutes of the 5th mo., 29th day 1717. Prior to 1729, her second husband also became a Quaker. On 9/7/1737 she was given a certificate of recommendation for the Hopewell MM where she had lived for several years. On Aug. 11, 1750, Elizabeth granted Steven Emory Power of Attorney. Elizabeth Vestal and her sons, William and Thomas then moved to Orange Co., NC (now WV) in 1751 after the death of her husband where they helped establish the Cane Creek M.M.. (C-803) They were received the 10th month, 7th day, 1751 from Hopewell, Virginia at Cane Creek, North Carolina. (C-804)

Notes:

In is often published that this John Joy was a Baptist and moved to Alloway Creek, Salem, NJ when Baptists moved to that area from Massachusetts. It is said that he died in Salem in 1624. However, DNA evidence from all Jays tracing back to New Jersey, do not match descendants of this John Joy's ancestry which goes back through Thomas Joy of Higham, MA, so his supposed move to New Jersey is not supported by fact.

John married Ann ORCHARD on 6 Sep 1701 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts. Ann was born on 10 Sep 1676 in Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts; died in 1742 in Branford, New Haven County, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In C-611, William's birth place is listed as Southhampton, ENG. This is the port where many Quaker families embarked from to come to the new world. William came to the American colonies in 1683 with his brother Daniel. Daniel died and was buried at sea. William first appears in Chester Co., Pa records in 1692 when he took Guardianship of the children of his wife's first husband. (C-2251g) He was a taxpayer in Birmingham Twp., Chester Co., PA in 1693 and 1696. William was listed as a Constable of Birmingham on Mar. 12, 1694/5. He was a Baptist by religion and a farmer by trade. (C-2141) He and Thomas Moore were deeded 100 acres of land lying in Concord on that same day. He and Richard Buffington (the first settler in the area) jointly purchased 218 acres in Bradford, Chester Co., PA in 1696 and an adjoining 218 in 1701. They then each took 218 acres to themselves, with William taking the l701 purchase. This land was between Brandywine, below the forks, almost to Srode's Mill. He built a home on this property and died shortly after.

Benjamin Mendenhall of Concord, PA confirmed his agreement to sell William Vestal Sr. the land where his home stood to his widow, Alice on Mar 2, 1709. (C-2251g) A large stone home still stands on it today which is alluded to be his home. (C-869) The exact reference to this deed is found in Bryant's Chester Co. Land Records: "Deed. On 02 Mar 1709 Benjamin MENDENHALL of Concord, yeoman, to Alice VESTALL, widow of William VESTALL, dec'd & William VESTALL the son. Whereas Benjamin MENDENHALL sold but did not convey the tract in Bradford bounded by Brandywine creek, land of John MARTIN & John BORRADY. containing 125 acres. To William VESTALL the father now dec'd for the sum of ? 10 & full performance of articles of agreement made on 12 Oct 1699 who devised by his last will & testament dated 19 Jan 1701 to Alice VESTALL during her life then to son William VESTALL who paying ? 30 to his brother George VESTALL. Now land is conveyed to Alice VESTALL & William VESTALL. Signed Benjamin MENDENHALL. Delivered in the presence of John BETHELL, Job HARVEY & Isaac TAYLOR. Recorded 26 May 1709. (C389)"

William and Alice had four children. The only child who is known to have descendants was William Jr. Their first daughter, Sarah, drowned in a small pond of water in 1696. Soon after, on June 10, 1697, Alice was baptized at the Brandywinde Baptist Church. Their daughter, Hannah, was baptized there on August 30, 1698. There is a distinct possibility that William was a Baptist already. Alice was a Quaker up to this point in time. Her departure could have been influenced by George Keith who was causing "much trouble" at the time and by her daughter, Sarah's death. In his will dated Jan. 19, 1701/2, he gave his wife Allice the 124 acres where they lived. It names sons George and William and daughter, Mary. His executors were his wife and Thos. Powell (although Thos. declined). It was proved 26 Feb. 1701/2. Witnesses were John Wood, Nathaniel Ring, Robert Way and Robert Jefferys. In it, he spells his name Vastall. (C-804, 2251g) I have a DNA match to this couple on segment 13 at segments 72586785-89195944 with cousins whom are sisters at 23&me named Joanna Blackburn Brumit and Kathy R. Blackburn Bowman as well as another cousin also there named Melinda Bach.

William married Alice GLOVER about 1692 in , Chester, PA. Alice (daughter of George GLOVER and Alice LAMBOLL) was born in 1663 in Kings Cleare, Hampton, ENG; was christened on 10 Jun 1697 in Elkton, Cecil, MD, USA; died before 1729. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her name is spelled Allice, Alice and Alica depending on which first had source she is found in. (C-804) Vickie Leimback believes her birth place to be Ichingswall, Kingsclere, Southhampton, England. (C-611) She is mentioned owning land under her first husband's name in a description of the Birmingham/Concord road passing it in Oct. 1687. It suggests that she was a widow at the time, not yet married to William Vestal. Her first husband and her parents were Quakers. She was condemned for marrying her second husband out of unity, but was taken back into the Quaker church when she made a public apology for it. Within several years, she converted to the Baptist faith where she was baptized at Brandywine on the 6th month, 10th day, 1697 or 1698. Researchers suggest that her husband was probably already a member when Alice joined. The other possibility is that she and her daughter, Hannah, also baptized, were led away from friends by George Keith who had caused many problems for the Quaker church. (C-804, 2141) After her second husband's death, on March 26, 1709, Alice Vastall and son William were officially deeded 125 acres of land previously agreed upon by her late husband William Vastall and Benjamin Mendenhall. Her late husband had built a house on the land and willed it to his wife and son William at his death. This son owned this same land in 1729 indicating that she had died by then. (C-2141)

Notes:

Thomas and Mary Mercer lived in Ayno or Aynho, Co. Northampton, England in 1690. They had moved to Chester Co., PA by the 1st month, 12th day 1699/1700 as he was deeded 238 acres in Thornbury Twp., Chester Co., PA on that day and it lists his recent residence as Chester Co., Pennsylvania This is a repeated reference when he conveyed land to John Haines of Evesham, NJ. He also purchased 500 more acres in Marlborough Twp., Chester Co., Pennsylvania The first purchase is where they lived. He willed this to his wife, and after her decease to sons Thomas and Joseph. The Marlborough land he bequeathed to his son Joseph and grandson Daniel Mercer (son of Thomas). He gave 20 pounds to his daughters, Mary Pennell, Elizabeth Woodward and Ann Pierce. (C-804)

Thomas married Mary GREENAWAY about 1687. Mary was born about 1665 in , , , England; died before Jun 1723 in West Town, Chester, PA, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary gave her daughters 5 pounds each in her will with the remainder going to her sons. (C-804)

Notes:

John Jay, sometimes mentioned to have died young, is listed in the will of John Gallop, his grandfather, in 1649. He witnessed a deed in 1661 in Hingham, MA. His name in a photstat copy was spelled Jvey or Juey or Ivey, a variation of Joy. His brother's descendants carried the name Joy. John is mentioned on Sept. 30, 1672 in the Boston Record of Boston Commissioners, Vol. IX, p. 123. John was discharged from Capt. Wm. Turner's Co. of Marlboro in King Philip's War. This war took place between 1675-1676. This was a Baptist Company of followers of Turner. He possibly died in a later engagement in that war. (C-172,813, F-579)

The following quote is from the "Joy Genealogy", pg. 50, by Helen Bourne Lee in 1968 as forwarded in an email from Christie Trapp. As the 2nd child of Thomas Joy and Joan Gallop: "b. Boston, Mass 10 Aug 1641, bp Oct 1641 First Ch Boston, prob killed in King Philip's War. named in grandfather John Gallop's will 1649, not in father's will 1677. A John Joy m. Mercy, had son John b Boston 30 Sept 1672. A John Joy/Jay of Mass served with Mass in King Philip's War 1675-76 (History of King Philip's War, George M. Bodge; estate of John Joy of Marblehead Essex Co Prob Recs 1729-30.) "

John married Mercy BARTLETT on 25 Dec 1668 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA. Mercy (daughter of Robert BARTLETT and Mary WARREN) was born on 10 Mar 1651 in Plymouth, Plymouth, Massachusetts, USA; died after 1672 in Boston?, Suffolk, MA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]