Colvin, John

   General Notes:

John Colvin, the supposed progenitor of the Chester Co., PA Colvins, first appears in records of Chester Co. on tax lists of 1734 (as Colvin) in New London Twp.

In 1739,1740,1747 and 1749 he appears as John Calvin on tax lists of East Nottingham Twp. In 1739, 1740,11747 and 1749 he appears as John Calvin on tax lists of East Nottingham Twp. In 1749 John Calvin had a land warrant for 20 acres in Chester Co., PA.

In 1750 and 1753 the Widow Calvin is listed on the tax lists of East Nottingham Twp. Claude W. Calvin states in "The Calvin Families" that the Widow Calvin appears on some tax lists after 1750 as Elizabeth Calvin/Colvin.

Also appearing on Chester Co., PA tax lists and presumed to be the sons of John Calvin/Colvin:

Robert Colvin - 1756 through 1780 (as "joiner" on one tax list) John Colvin - 1760 through 1764 (as blacksmith on one tax list)
Samuel Colvin - 1766-1768 (as "smith" on one tax list) James Colvin - 1763-1780 ( as "blacksmith" on some tax lists)
William Colvin - 1770 & 1771 (no occupation given)

On 17 June 1766 Elizabeth Colvin and Robert Colvin were appointed administrators of the estate of John Colvin, late of E. Nottingham. Chester Co. PA, yeoman, deceased. John Hathorn and John Fulton sign as securities. It has been presumed that the above John Colvin was the man who apparently died ca 1749-1750 when he disappears from tax lists, and that his estate settlement was delayed until 1766 because he left minor children. It is more likely that this was the younger John Colvin who appears on tax lists only through, and that his widow Elizabeth and his brother Robert were appointed co-administrators of his estate.

Of the persons appearing on the above tax lists:
1. Robert Colvin married Esther (probably nee Ewing) and died in Chester County in 1781 leaving sons John Henry Colvin, William Ewing Colvin, Thomas Colvin and Henderson James Colvin.2. John Colvin - probably the man whose estate was administered in 1766 in Chester Co. PA.3. Samuel Colvin - on tax lists through 1768 then no further notice.4. James Colvin - this man removed after 1780 (ca 1785) to Washington Co., PA where he died in 1796 leaving several children by two wives, the second wife surviving him. This manwas consistently shown in records as James Colvin "blacksmith".5. William Colvin - on tax lists 1770 and 1771, then no further trace although he may be the man by that name who shows up in York Co. PA.

Regarding the ancestry of John Calvin/Colvin recorded in Chester Co, PA between 1734 and 1749, the statement is made in "Van Hook and Allied Families", compiled by Mrs. Bernice Keister Parker of Phoenix, AZ that Robert Colvin was born in 1740 in Scotland and came to PA at the age of 21. That we know is incorrect because Robert was on Chester Co. tax lists in 1756, some five years before the date when she said he arrived in Pennsylvania.

Robert's descendants say he was born in Pennsylvania of Scots heritage. So was Sarah McLaughan, Thomas' wife. It's more likely that it was John Calvin/Colvin (1734-1749), who is presumed to be Robert's father, who was the Scots emigrant, and that Robert was born in this country.

CHESTER CO. PA DEED BOOK H-2, PG. 31 (Chester Co., PA Archives): This indenture made the twenty sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred ninety and two between William Ewing Colvin, Martinsburgh, Bercly (sic)County, State of Virginia, and Thomas Colvin of the township of Colerain township (sic) Lancaster County and State of Pennsylvania, and Sarah, his wife and the said Thomas Colvin by power of attorney duly authenticated bearing date July 18th 1789 has a right to convey his Brother Henderson James Colvin part of the after described plantation these being all of the one part. Whereas it appears that a certain Robert Colvin of East Nottingham before said being possessed in his life time a plantation situated in E. Nottingham supposed to contain one hundred and thirty acres with the usual allowance and the said Robert Colvin dying intestate leaving the above mentioned children his heirs Viz. William Ewing Colvin, ThomasColvin and Henderson James Colvin the present grantors. Now this indenture witnesseth that the said William Ewing Colvin, Thomas Colvin and Sarah his wife and Henderson James Colvin for an in consideration of the sum of one hundred and ninety six pounds ten Shillings Gold or Silver and at the rate it now possesseth in the State of Pennsylvania to them in hand paid at or before the unsealing Delivery of these presents by the said John Watt, the receipt whereof they the said William Ewing Colvin, Thomas Colvin and Sarah his wife andHenderson James Colvin doth hereby acknowledged themselves fully satisfied and paid and from every part and parcel thereof, doth fully acquit release and discharge the said John Watt his heirs and assigns forever by these presents has granted bargained and sold alienated released conveyed and confirmed and by these parents Doth grant bargain and sell alien release Convey and confirm unto the said John Watt his heirs and assigns forever the following described tract of land situate in East Nottingham aforesaid. (There follows a description of the parcel of land)
Recorded 20 Aug 1792

HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, by Charles William Heathcote,
1926: West Chester, PA
pg. 197: East Nottingham Taxables 1753.
Widow Ewing
Widow Calvin

pg. 198: Land Owners 1774 (East Nottingham Twp.)
Robt. Calvin
James Calvin
Henry Ewing
Robert Ewing
Thos. Ewing
Matthew Henderson

In 1990, Laurie A. Rofini, archivist at the Chester County Historical Society, stated that some records of East Nottingham Twp. are in Chester Co., PA and some in Cecil Co., MD as the jurisdiction of East Nottingham switched between the two over the years.She added thatthere are many Ewing families in East Nottingham, landowners, up to the present day..
.




.

   Marriage Information:

John married Elizabeth (Colvin).

   Marriage Information:

John also married Elizabeth Swink.

   Marriage Information:

John also married (Unknown) Swink.