We think of people today as living longer than people of days gone by. People today do have the advantage of modern medicine and easier lives. However, even someone born in 1683 could live to a ripe old age.
The Early Years
My 6th-great grandfather Griffith John was born in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales in 1683. It is said that he was the second child of six children. His father was John Phillips (John ap Phillips) and his mother was Elinor “Ellen” Haward. The naming delta is due to naming conventions in Wales at the time. Per earlier naming conventions Griffith would have been known as Griffith ap John (Griffith of John). However, it was a time of change in naming conventions and he simply became Griffith John.
Arrival In America
Griffith, his brother Samuel, and Samuel’s wife Margaret arrived in America on the eleventh day of the second month of 1709. Many people have recorded this date as February 11, 1709. However, if the notes in the Bible use Quaker dating of that era, the date would be April 11, 1709, which seems more likely since they are said to have sailed in December.
Griffith and Samuel each had a Bible from Wales. The Bibles that they brought with them supposedly contained a story about a member of the family being knighted for his role fighting in the Crusades. The validity of this story is unknown. However, it is known that they could read and write. And, it was said that besides Welsh, they spoke English with a strong Welsh accent.
Marriage
It is believed that upon arrival in Philadelphia, Samuel, Griffith, and Margaret went to the Goshen area in Pennsylvania that was then known as the Welsh Barony. However, it isn’t until 1714 when Griffith and Ann Williams requested permission to marry at the Chester Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends that we find a record that is verified to be the Griffith of our family line. The Griffith John that is documented in that area in the interval prior to 1714 appears to be a much older widower who came to America before the brothers.
At the time of his marriage, Griffith was 31 years of age; however, Ann, daughter of Robert and Gwen (Cadwalader) Williams, was only 14. Apparently, her parents, who are believed to have been the first settlers in Goshen township, approved of the marriage. If not, it seems highly unlikely the Society of Friends would have approved since her father was referred to as “King of Goshen.” The couple wed on the twenty third day of the seventh month of 1714. .
Uwchlan Township
Griffith John was one of the first men to purchase a plantation in Uwchlan Township. A plantation in those days was really another word for farm. Plantations could be of any size and were not limited to the large plantations of South. His initially was stated to be 100 acres and lie about 1.5 miles west of Lionville, which was about 25 miles west of Philadelphia.
Records appear to show fluctuation in the size of his property over the years. By 1765, Griffith’s property included 120 acres with buildings, 10 acres of woodland, 2 horses and two cows. Five years later, records only listed 115 acres and stated that he had gained 3 sheep. He had no servants, which was keeping with the Quaker life style, which focused more on getting by instead of getting rich.
His Ministry
Griffith had become interested in various religions including the Society of Friends (Quaker faith) while still living in Wales. Once in America, he associated with people of the Quaker faith and not only joined them, but, along with his brother, became a Quaker minister.
Griffith was one of the founders of the Uwchlan Monthly Meeting, which was located near Lionville. Griffith and Samuel, were the first ministers at the church, providing services in their native tongue.
The early meetings were held in homes, with the very first being in the home of John Cadwalader, who is likely Ann’s grandfather. Later, a log cabin was built for meetings. It wasn’t until 1756 that a 2+-story stone structure was built. The new building also served as a library and school.
The War
Seizure of The Meeting House
When the Revolutionary War came knocking on their door, the Quakers, being pacifists, denied the use of their building to support the war. However, the Continental Army seized the meeting house. Ironically, Revolutionary War soldiers that died at the meeting house were also buried in the Quaker graveyard, leaving the stain of war on the grounds forever.
Seizure of The Home
Members of the Uwchlan Meeting met in private home while the meeting house was used as a hospital. It was unlikely, however, that the Quakers met in Griffith’s house since George Washington, who is said to have visited soldiers at the meeting house, issued the following order on March 25, 1778.
“The Honorable the Congress having appointed Matthew Clarkson and Major John Clarke Esquires Auditors to settle and adjust the accounts of the Main Army they are to be respected accordingly; Any persons who have any accounts to be audited by them may find them at the house of Griffith Johns about three miles beyond the Pay-Master Generals quarters.”
Although there were at least two other men named Griffith John, the location described likely aligns with this particular Griffith John. If true that the Army used his home, it would have placed him in the middle of a war that he did not believe in.
Longevity
Griffith died on the 29th day of the sixth month of 1778. By this time the calendar had changed; thus, this date would be June 29, 1778. He was 95 years of age. He had been married 64 years, fathered six sons and six daughters, and had been a minister for approximately 70 years. He had continued attendance at meetings until physically no longer able.
Although he lived the plain and simple life of Quakers, Griffith managed to leave a small inheritance to each of his living children and to his grandchildren in the cases where his child was no longer living. Most of the children received 15 pounds of Pennsylvania currency with the grandchildren receiving 10 shillings. Griffith Jr. received the plantation as he had stayed in the area and help care for his parents. Additionally, Griffith Jr. had to provide specific amounts of numerous items, such as, wool, wheat, and apples for Ann as long as she chose to live at the plantation. The provisions changed if she were to move away.
The year following Griffith’s death, the meeting published a testimony to him. You can read a copy of the original document in its entirety below.
Afterward
Many years later when the Civil War broke out, the members of the Uwchlan Meeting willingly gave up their meeting house to be used as a hospital. What was different this time was that their dislike of slavery was stronger than their dislike of war. Thus, they supported abolition by passively helping the north in their fight.
Credit to Marijane “Johnnie” Zerphey, who traveled across the United States and to Wales researching the John family. Many facts herein are based on my research. However, I have supplemented them with information from her extensive research.