Biographical Sketches of John DUTTON; Delaware County, PA Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Cyndie Enfinger Copyright 2004. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/pafiles.htm ********************************************************* History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, by George Smith M.D. (1862) Page 457 DUTTON, JOHN, with his wife Mary, arrived here from England with the Proprietary, when he made his first visit, or shortly afterwards. They settled in Aston. John did not live many years in the enjoyment of his new home. Besides a daughter, Elizabeth, who died about the time of their arrival, they had two sons; John, who intermarried with Elizabeth Kinsman, and Thomas, who intermarried with Lucy Barnard. John and his wife were both Friends, but after his death his widow married john Nield, “who was not in profession of the truth.” John Dutton probably came from Worcestershire. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- History of Chester County, PA, by J. Smith Futhey & Gilbert Cope (1881) Page 526 DUTTON, John, of Overton, in Cheshire, England, whose wife, Mary, appears to have been a sister of Job Darlington, of Darnhall, purchased 500 acres of land in Pennsylvania by deed of May 22, 1682, and arrived in the province in the same year. He located his land in Aston, extending across the township, and the upper line touching on the western branch of the creek. He was buried 5, 4, 1693, and his widow soon after married John Neild, of Aston. The children of John and Mary Dutton were, -1. John, b. 10, 29, 1675, at Marbray (?), in Cheshire; M. in 1704, Elizabeth Kingsman, daughter of John and Hannah, b. 9, 6, 1685. 2. Edward, b. 1, 18, 1676-7, at Overton; m. in 1701, Gwin Williams, and settled in Bethel. 3. Thomas, b. 3, 3, 1679, at Overton; d. with smallpox, 10th mo., 1731; of Aston, and settled on a part of his father’s land. 4. Elizabeth, b. 11, 27, 1681; d. in Pennsylvania, 10, 23, 1682. 5. Robert, b. in Pennsylvania; m. 9, 13, 1707, at the house of her father, to Ann, daughter of William and Ann Brown, of Nottingham, where he settled. He afterwards engaged in trading to the West Indies, and there are reasons to think that as the master of a vessel he went to sea about 1725, and was never heard of again. Thomas and Lucy Dutton had children, - Thomas, Rebecca, Richard, David, Lydia, Jonathan, John, Mary, and Sarah. Of these, Richard married Mary Martin, daughter of Thomas and Mary, of Middletown, and had children, - Thomas, Hannah, Joseph, Rebecca, Mary, Jonathan, and Richard. Thomas, son of Richard, married Hannah, daughter of Francis and Sarah Routh, and was the father of the late Thomas Dutton, of Aston, who died 9, 12, 1869, aged 100 years, 7 months, and 10 days. A genealogy of this family was published in 1871. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dutton Family of Pennsylvania, by Gilbert Cope (1871) Pages 29-35 While nothing is at present known respecting the ancestry of John Dutton, the settler in Pennsylvania, it would be idle to assert that he belonged to this or that branch of the family; yet it is safe to assume that he was descended from the great Odard of more than 600 years before. At a moderate computation of the descendants of one person, at the end of such a period, would exceed the total population of England; but as John came from Cheshire, the ancient home of the Duttons, we do not need the full benefit of this calculation. He was probably descended from one of the younger branches which possessed neither titles nor great estates, and it is possible that even he was ignorant of his relationship to those who were so possessed. It appears that he had identified himself with the Quakers in his native land, and thus became exposed to the persecutions which an intolerant populace, with more zeal than humanity, heaped upon this quiet and peaceable sect. Several of his neighbors who had suffered persecution came also to Pennsylvania, and as some of them became the ancestors, maternally, of some of the Duttons, the following recital of their sufferings may be of interest to their descendants. From Besse’s “Sufferings of the Quakers,” we learn that Robert Taylor of Clutterwick in Cheshire, and twenty eight others, were indicted “for unlawfully assembling together at the house of John Dove in Coddington, within the County aforesaid, the 19th Day of November last past, [1662,] upon Pretence of joining together in religious Worship of God;” and for this offence were imprisoned. In 1674 or 1675 Thomas Brassey, for preaching at Willison, had goods taken from him worth £26. “About the same time, by warrants from Justice Manwaring, Cattle and Goods worth about £100 were taken from sundry persons in and about Namptwich. The chief Informer was one John Widowbury of Hanklow Esq., who being indebted £40 upon Bond to Thomas Brassey, a Member of that Meeting; upon his Demand of Payment was incensed against him, and thus vented his Wrath upon his Friends. He also got an old Excommunication revived against the said Thomas Brassey and sent him to prison, and swore that he would send his wife thither also.” 1678. “John Simcock, fined for Preaching, had taken from him eight Cows and eleven Heifers, worth £90.” 1679. “The same John Simcock, for speaking some Words of Exhortation at a Funeral, had his goods taken away to the value of £100.” Anno 1681. “John Simcock of Stoak, by the Statue of 23 Eliz., made against Popish Recusants, had Goods taken from him worth £40.” “In the same year Distresses were made on the Goods and Chattels of many Persons in this County, for Fines laid on them for their Absence from the National Worship, to the Amount of £17 and upwards. And such as had no Goods, which through frequent seizures was the case of some, were sent to Prison; of whom were Thomas Frier of Kingsley, Thomas Stretch of Overton, and John Cotton of Frodsham. From one JOHN DUTTON of Overton the Prosecutors extorted a Demand of 7s. by forcibly haling him out of his House when his family were in Bed, carrying him to an Alehouse, and threatning instantly to send him to Goal: by which they so affrighted a Kinswoman of his that she paid them.” Vol. I. P. 108. 1683. On the 31st of the Month called January, Thomas Needham and Philip Egerton, Justices, came to a Meeting at Newton, and finding a Person at Prayer, Justice Needham fell upon him, beat him on the head and punched him on the breast with his cane, pulled his Neckcloth in pieces and threw him down and kicked him. He also struck several others so that their Heads were swelled with the Blows. The other Justices desired him to forbear, saying, let us prosecute the Law upon them but not abuse them. Thus checked to forbore striking but continued railing; telling them they were Dogs, and no Men; no more Christians than their Horses, &c. Then they took their names, fined them, and granted Warrents for Disress, by which was taken £. S. d. From John Williamson of Creewood-hall a mare worth 8 : 0 : 0. John Clark of Frodsham, Cloth worth 5 : 0 : 0. Elizabeth Sarret of Woodhouse, Goods worth 2 : 0 : 0. Peter Hatton, James Hatton and Richard Sarrat, 0 : 15 : 0. “Thomas Roland of Acton was also fined 5 s, which a neighbour paid to keep him from Prison, he having no goods left; for all his personal Estate had been lately seized by an Exchequer Process for 20 l per month, for absence from his Parish Church.” “In 1670, several Inhabitants of Edlestone, Stoake, and adjacent places, suffered for their religious meetings, Distress of Goods to the value of 86 l, 17 s. It was observed that when Thomas Badcock a man active n making Distress on the Goods of John Simcock, one of the sufferers, was soon after visited with sickness, he complained that his having an hand in the persecution did grievously burden his conscience; wherefore he sent to the said John Simcock who visited him in a tender Christian spirit, freely forgiving the Injury done to himself, and also prayed to the Lord to forgive him.” Such was the spirit with which the early Friends were persecuted, and such the spirit in which that persecution was received. These are comparatively mild examples of persecution, but we may readily suppose that the sufferers felt it desirable to exchange their situation, for one in which they might enjoy their religious opinions without restraint; even though this freedom were obtained at the expense of the hardships and privations incident to a new settlement. Such an asylum was no to be established. In 1681 William Penn, a wealthy Quaker, obtained from King Charles II, a Charter for a large province in America, to which he wished to give the name of Sylvania, but the King ordered the prefix Penn to be added in honor of Admiral Penn the father of the grantee. William Penn immediately offered his lands for sale at forty shillings per hundred acres, and within the same year found purchasers for a large amount, which was to be surveyed and laid out thereafter in Pennsylvania. Among these purchasers were John Simcock, Robert Taylor, Thomas Brassey and Thomas Rowland, whose names have already been mentioned. The last obtained one thousand acres by deeds of lease and release, dated 2nd and 3rd of March 1681-2; and by an Indenture dated 22nd of May 1682, in which he is styled “of the County Palatine of Chester, yeoman,” conveyed one half thereof to “John Dutton of Overton [The township of Over lies about five miles nearly south of the ancient family seat of Dutton.] in the said County, yeoman, and Mary his wife”; “for divers good causes but especially in consideration of the sum of ten pounds.” There is a tradition that Thomas Rowland was an uncle to Mary Dutton and it is probable there was some connection between the families. Whether the ties of relationship were among those “divers good causes,” or not, it appears the money paid was not less in amount than the price at which William Penn was then selling land. As witnesses to the last mentioned conveyance were Robert Taylor and Thomas Brassie who came over to Pennsylvania soon after, and it was doubtless on account of their prospective emigration that it was considered desirable to have their signatures to the writing. Thomas Brassie arrived here the same year and it is likely that Robert Taylor came about the same time, though his wife and most of his children did not arrive until the 29th of 7th month 1683. It is even not improbable that Thomas Brassie, Robert Taylor and John Dutton all came together. The first settled in Chester Township, the second* in Springfield, and the last in Aston township, (now) Delaware County. The Surveyor General directed the following order to his deputy in Chester County: “By order and Directions from the Governor fro setting out Lands to the Purchasers in Pensilvania, &c: I hereby Authorize thee to survey or lay out to Tho: Rowland’s assign four hundred and eighty acres on the western side of Upland Creek, next to Nathaniel Evans; and next lay out to John Warel two hundred and forty acres; and next lay out to John Neild two hundred and forty acres; and next John Edge, one hundred and twenty; and return to me a true Duplicate of the ffield work and Protracted ffigures which are to remain in my office. Dated the 10th of yet 7 mo., 1682. THO: HOLME, Surv’r. To Charles Ashcome, Surveyor.” To which the following return was made: “October the 8th 1682. Laid out for John Dutton 500 of Land on the west side of Upland creek, beginning at Nathaniel Evans’ corner tree,” &c. The courses run where W. S. W. “into the woods,” 565 perches to a red oak: N. W. 150 perches to a white oak: E. N. E. 598 perches to a red oak by the creek, and down the same to the beginning. The return was signed by CHARLES ASHCOM. 250 acres were laid out to John Neild Dec 10th 1682, next to John Duttons land, on the north. The Dutton tract was about half a mile in width, and a little more than a mile and three-quarters in length; extending from Upland (now Chester) Creek W. S. W. across the present township of Aston; the northern line just touching the western branch of the creek. By a re-survey twenty years later it was found to contain five hundred and ninety acres. Tradition says that John Dutton settled on this land and built a house in the meadow near the creek, but being disturbed by floods, he removed a few rods further back and erected his dwelling on a large rock near a small rivulet. A portion of this rock may still be seen near the road from Rockdale to Village Green; the remainder having been removed for building purposes some years ago. There are the usual traditions of bears and other wild animals being plentiful in the woods; of shad and other fish in the creek; of hardships and privations in which they were assisted by the Indians who presented them with venison, &c. The time of John Dutton’s death is unknown, but his widow was married again, as early as 1694, to John Neild, who was also one of the first settlers in Aston. He was not a Quaker and the marriage gave occasion for the following minute of Chester Monthly Meeting of women Friends, held the 1st of the 5th month, 1695. “The meeting orders Lydia Carter and Ann Brown to speak to Mary Neeld, to see if she be willing to condemn her taking of John Neeld to be her husband, he not being in the profession of the truth.” The following somewhat quaint entries from the Court Records are here presented. The full meaning of the second is not obvious. 12th Dec. 1693, “John Neales exhibited a petition to this Court for the custom of the country, -This being the second Court; he having served his time faithfully, and his Indentures being brought in Court and expresses the custom of the country to be paid him. The court’s order is that his master Robert Taylor shall pay him the said custom; (his master Robert Taylor being called and asked where he had paid anything to him, said no, nor would not.) Only Justice Hayes does not give his consent to it, but all the rest does order it.” At a Court held at Chester the 12th of September, 1694. “George Stroud in behalf of himself and Thomas Green, and John Green and Richard Moore Past off unto John Neale articles of agreement for the consideration of the sum of thirteen pounds thirteen shillings and eight pence; and six pounds three shilling and four pence unto the said John Neale’s wife, during both the natural lives of the said John Neales and his now wife; to be paid at four equal payments yearly; that’s to say, at the four festival days; that’s to say, the first payment to begin on the 22nd day of December next, and to be paid in silver money at some house within three miles of the town of Chester, in the province of Pennsylvania; and so the next at the 25th of March, and the next at the 24th of June; the next the 29th of September; and so to continue during the natural lives of the said John Neales and his wife. And the forenamed George Stroud delivered a Bond in behalf of the forenamed Thomas Green and himself, and John Green and Richard Moore, for the performance of the aforesaid payments. The Bond was for two hundred and fifty pounds, bearing date the twentieth day of August, 1694.” At Orphans’ Court, 5th of March, 1694-5. “William Brown and John Baldwin was called and appeared to answer the complaint of John Dutton, Edward Dutton and Thomas Dutton. The Court allowed that John Neeld & Mary his wife, at the request of the orphans, be guardians for the above named complainants, and do also allow Thomas Cartwright and Joel Baily as security for John Neald and Mary his wife, to the value of two hundred and fifty Pounds. And it is also ordered that the old Guardians’ accounts be paid and cleared before us at the Court by the new ones.” No Will or Letters of Administration on the estate of John Dutton senior have been found, and it is not very clear what property rightfully belonged to his sons. The land purchased before leaving England was conveyed to both John and Mary Dutton, and as the survivor she became sole owner. Samuel Hall of Aston, who holds a part of the original tract, as well as the old deeds, thins he formerly had among his papers a document of the nature of a marriage settlement between John Neild and Marry Dutton, but cannot find it now. It is probable there was some arrangement for securing to her children the joint estate of their parents, but whether this was the case or not, it would appear from the Grand Jury’s return of a road laid out 17th of 2 mo., 1699, that three of her sons were in possession of or occupied the 500 acres of land, under some recognized division thereof. The road was laid out for the inhabitants of Concord, Bethell, Burmingham and Thornbury, on lands of Margaret Green, Thomas Green, Edward Penick, Edward Dutton, Robert Dutton, John Dutton, John Baldwin, John Bayles, and William Browne, to Joseph Coebourn’s mill. The land of Edward Dutton was of his own purchasing, while the road did not touch on the share of his brother Thomas. About the year 1702 or 1703, the township of Aston was resurveyed and a draft made showing some of the subdivisions, and from this it appears that Thomas, John and Robert Dutton then held their father’s land. It was subsequently confirmed to them by deeds, as will be mentioned hereafter. John Neeld (Neild or Neal,) doubtless came from Cheshire, and perhaps with Robert Taylor, under contract to work for him, as suggested by his petition to Court “for the custom of the country;” which was probably a new suit of clothes at end of service. He bought land of Penn in England, 250 acres, which was laid out in Aston on the north side of and adjoining the Dutton tract. He also owned various other tracts in that neighborhood at a later date. His name is quite frequently mentioned in the Court records in connection with property, and there may have been more than one of the name but I have seen not proof of it. From the expression, “his now wife,” it seems likely he was a widower when he married Marry Dutton, but this is only supposition. Job and Mary Darlington of Darnhall in Cheshire, Eng., had sons, of whom John and Abraham came to Pennsylvania as early as 1711, and several of the letters written to them by their parents are still preserved. In one bearing the date March 28th, 1713, they say, “Good Abraham and John pray present both our dear loves to our brother John Neild, and his wife our dear sister, -their sons unknown to us, -and all his family; hoping that he will take a fatherly care of you in our stead now you are so far off us.” From this the inference is strong that Mary Neild was a sister of Job Darlington. Another letter dated May 2nd, 1717, mentions an expectation of Robert Dutton coming to Cheshire to look after brother Neild’s concerns, he having left property there which was rented. Jan. 30th, 1718-9, Job Darlington writes, “Good children remember my kind love and my wife’s to brother Neild and his wife, unknown;” from which it appears that John Neild had married again. I do not find that he had any children by the widow of John Dutton. John Neild of Aston died intestate, and letters of administration on his estate, were granted to his widow, Elizabeth, May 18th, 1724. She was married again in that year to William Jefferis, and it appears that she was the daughter of Nathaniel Ring. Abraham Darlington petitioned the Court representing that John Neild, “a near Relation of this petitioner,” died intestate, leaving a wife and four children, and a considerable estate. The children were Elizabeth, John, Jane and Elias, - all minors and the two younger ones born after 1720. It is likely the last wife was much younger than her husband and she survived him many years. Some of her grandchildren by the second marriage are yet living. Jane Neild married John Hannum of Concord, and was the mother of Col. John Hannum of Revolutionary fame. Those Friends who settled in Aston township, belonged at first to Chester Monthly Meeting; but Chichester meeting being more convenient to many of them, they at length made application to be joined to the Monthly Meeting of Chichester and Concord, then embracing these two particular meetings, and now known as Concord Monthly Meeting. The meetings of business were then held at private houses in rotation, and at one of these held 6 mo. 10th, 1696, at the house of John Kingsman in Chichester, “Robert Pyle reports to this meeting concerning Aston friends to be joined to Chechester & Concord, that Chester meeting friends have bin Confered with by sum friends of Chechester, and they desired to consider of it till their next monthly meeting. This meeting continues Robert Pyle, with some women friends, to attend ye next monthly meeting of Chester friends to consummate ye Bussiness.” At the next monthly meeting held 7 mo. 14th, 1696, at Jacob Chandler’s residence, called Jacob’s well, “Robert Pyle Reports to this meeting that the Bussiness of Joyning Aston friends to the monthly meeting of Chechester & Concord is Efected by Joynt Consent of Chester friends.” Among those whose rights of membership were thus transferred to Chichester meeting were the Duttons, whose descendants in some of the branches have continued to be members of the same meeting to the present day. From the records of Concord Monthly Meeting, of which Chichester meeting is a branch, considerable information has been obtained respecting the movements of the early members of the family, which will be noted in the following pages. * Robert Taylor was styled of “Little Leigh” in the old Deeds, while his wife and children were said to have some from Clatterwitch, which latter place was a hamlet in Little Leigh and formerly owned by the Duttons, as many be seen on page 16. J. Bayard Taylor of Chester County, the widely known traveler and author, is descended from Robert Taylor by the following line: Robert,-Isaac,- Josiah,-Abraham,-John,-Joseph,-J. Bayard Taylor.