| Notes |
- Valentine's birth date and place are verified in Quaker Records. His birth place is also spelled Belleniskcrannel. He became a Quaker around 1660, a few years after George Fox visited Ireland. He was immediately fined by the governmentt attending regular services of the Church of Ireland. They often times, simply took what they wanted from his supplies, prompting his move to Pennsylvania in 1682.
Valentine purchased land and the mining rights to it including the Townland, Village, Hamlet & Circuit called Ballyvickcrannell on Aug. 22, 1664. This was apparently the same land originally given to his father in 1632, but he did not claim it until 1664. For reasons unknown, he again claimed right to his father's land in Ballyvickcrannell, County Armagh, Ireland in 1675. Valentine's claim was upheld with his submission of his father's deed dated 1632, a few months before Valentine's birth. Starting in 1675, he is in multiple documents claiming rights to his father's land that are reproduced in Farmer's "In America since 1607." His claim was recognized and a fair agreement between the Blackers and Valentine Hollingsworth was established. (C-956)
Valentine Hollingsworth, wife-Ann; children: Mary Conway; Catherine; Thomas; Samuel; and son-in-law, Thomas Conway, immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1682 for "William Penn's land" from Belfast. His certificate is dated July 6, 1682. About Dec. 10, 1682, Valentine arrived on the "Antelope" under the master "Edward Cooke". Missing from the 1682 immigration were sons Henry, age 23, Enoch, age 7, and Valentine, age 5 and daughter Ann, age 2. Perhaps they were on the ship the "Sea Lion" as the GAB states that Valentine immigrated on the Sea Lion instead in 1682. (C-429, 592) (This information came from the book "IMMIGRANTS OF THE IRISH INTO PENNSYLVANIA, 1682-1750".) Valentine and family originally lived with Valentine's indentured servant, John Musgrave at the home of Robert Wade in the town of Chester. (C-956, 1546)
They then settled on 986 acres granted by William Penn on Shelpat Creek, Brandywine Hundred in New Castle Co., PA (now Delaware). He named it "Newworke". Valentine was a prominent figure in early New Castle Co., PA history. Many of the Quaker Monthly Meetings were held at his home or that of his son's. He was appointed to make inquiries about upcoming marriages. He helped found the Newark Monthly Meeting. He is listed as a member of the first Provincial Assembly of Pennsylvania in 1682-1683 and was a signer of William Penn's Great Charter. (Virkus, C-735)
He was a member of the Grand Inquest in 1683 when Charles Pickering was tried for counterfeiting. He was a Justice of the Peace in New Castle County from 1684-1688. He was again a member of the Assembly in 1687, 88, 89, 95 and 1700 serving more than any other representative in New Castle Co., Delaware. He transferred his land before his death and received an annuity from his sons from that time forward. (C-124, 956, 1448)
A Henry Hollingsworth immigrated to Philadelphia, PA in 1684. He was likely the son of Valentine Hollingsworth. He might have brought the younger children in the family with him. More detail will be known when the book by Sheppard entitled "Passenger & Ships Prior to 1684," is located and pages 62 and 164 are consulted specifically. (C-429)
Both Valentine and Ann are buried at the Newark Monthly Meeting in Delaware on land that he had donated for it's establishment in 1687. It was near his home on the east side of Brandywine. Most of the Quaker meetings were held at his home, he being the Superintendent of the meetings from 1686-1710. (C-956, 1448)
A memorial stone placed at Newark Burying Ground by some of his descendants in the 20th century states "To the memory of Valentine Hollingsworth with his family he came to America with William Penn in 1682. Obtained patent for 986 acres of land which he called New Work. A member of the Society of Friends, their meetings were held at his house and adjoining this half acre which he gave for a burying ground all Members of the Assembly from New Castle County, 1683, 1687, 1695, died about 1711 and with his second wife, Anne Calvert, is buried here. Erected by Descendants 19(35)."
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Abt 1632 - 1711 (79 years)
