CAPTAIN WILLIAM WARNER TO JOHN LEWIS WARNER
In the fall of 1675 Captain William Warner and family
crossed the Atlantic Ocean on the ‘
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king for a location in
Other settlers from |
Captain William and his sons dug, chopped and cut a home out
of the wilderness. There were no rules, no authority, and no king to say what
they could or could not do. Their survival depended on the use of their own
energy and decisions. They knew they were the subjects of the king back in
Then in 1681 Charles II issued a Charter to William Penn for
the area of
Captain William and his son John received a letter, as did the other residents, from William Penn which said in part:
For you are
now fixed at the mercy of no governor that comes to make his
fortune
great; you shall be governed by laws of your own making and live
a free, and
if you will, a sober and industrious life. I shall not usurp the right
of any, or
oppress his person. God has furnished me with a better resolution
and has
given me his grace to keep it.
In his negotiations with William Penn, William Warner secured a survey for his
plantation, which he named ‘Blockley’ for his home parish back in
Captain William served twice on the governing body known as
the First Provincial Congress. The
minutes of a session in 1677 approved some of the first laws and the location
of new roads. William was one of four assigned to establish a road from the
Schuylkill ferry crossing to
Captain William was appointed to the Council of Nine 1681,
and served on the Second Provincial Congress 1684. He was also commissioned as
a justice in
The pioneer life required many activities for survival. Besides the activities related to hunting and fishing, there was the care of domestic animals, garden, orchard, and field crops. Inside activities included churning, candle making, spinning, sewing, and quilt making. Laundry was done outside in an iron kettle over an open fire. For recreation they had board games, checkers and card games. Winter activities included skating, sledding, tobogganing, and occasionally the making of homemade crutches.
The first farmers’ market in
There are several indicators that the Warners continued with
the manufacturing and mill work they had done in
The story has been passed down telling about the boat
landing that was located near the present
CHILDREN OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM (7) AND ANNE (DIDE) WARNER
*1. John, b 1649, m Anne Campden, d 1717
2. William, m Christian, dau of Swen Schute, a Swede who helped in the settlement of
New Sweden in America. William and Christian Warner had four children, namely,
Swen, Isaac, Hannah and Jacob. William lived in Glouster Co., N. J., he died in 1714.
3. Mary, m James Kite about 1680, d 1686. She had four chi1dren, namely James,
Abraham, Grizze1 and John.
4.
Robert (if he ever came to
5.
Isaac, m Anne Cravens in 1692, d
William, ("The Baron"), John, Isaac, Mary, Esther, Hannah and Anne.
In his Will, Captain William (7) attempted to equally
distribute his land, meadows, woods, cows, sheep, mares and colts and included
various amounts of corn, rye, and wheat for his three sons (8) John, William,
Isaac, and James Kite husband of deceased daughter, Mary (Warner) Kite. Son
Robert received the two properties in
The oldest son of Captain William and Anne, John (8), was a member of the Pennsylvania
Assembly in 1713-1715. He and his wife Anne Campden had four boys and four
daughters (9) while living on Blockley land. By his Will dated
“his plantation to be divided equally between his sons William (9) and Isaac
Warner (9); to his oldest son John Warner (9) he left the 100 acres of "Backland”
where he now lives, with all the meadow and Wood belonging to it (the land
which John Warner, (8), inherited from his father Captain William Warner (7)
John paying 10 pounds to the testator's daughter, Margaret Roades; to his
daughters (9), Mary Warner, Esther Warner, Sarah Warner and Jane Warner,
and his son Joseph Warner, all stocks on the plantation, household goods, etc.;
the executors were his "son Swen Warner, John Warner and Mary Warner.”
The "son Swen Warner" was not John Warner's eldest
son. He was not a son but a son-in-law, and also a nephew, having been the
husband of John Warner's daughter Esther, and the son of John Warner's brother,
William Warner, of
It is Captain Warner’s son, John (8) and wife Anne (Campden)
Warner that are next in our direct line. They had ten children. When John died
in 1717, his sons John (9), William (9),
and Isaac (9), continued to build houses and to live on the Blockley
Plantation as the city continued expand. Fifty years after Captain William
stepped on American soil there were 10,000 people in
CHILDREN OF JOHN (8) AND ANNE (CAMPDEN) WARNER
1. Edward, b
2. Margaret, b
3. Mary, b
4. Esther, b
and had three children.
5. Sarah, b 1688 and unmarried in 1716.
6. John, b
7. William, b 1694 (No further record).
8. Isaac, b 1696,
m
with whom he had ten children. He died in 1748.
9. Jane, b 1698, unmarried in 1716.
*10. Joseph, b
(Chapman) Croasdale.
John’s son, Joseph Warner (9), was born at Blockley,
CHILDREN OF JOSEPH (9) AND AGNES (CROASDALE) WARNER
1. John, b
2. Mary, b
*3. Joseph, b
Cuthbert and Mary (Harker) Hayhurst
4. Croasda1e, b
5. Ruth, b
6. Abraham, b
7. Sarah, b
8. Isaac, b
9. Thomas, b
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The Warner wives, Anne, Agnes, and Ruth, did most all of their cooking in an open fireplace. These large fireplaces contained hot fires, most of the heat passed up the chimney, and the parts of the room most removed from the fire would be far from comfortable on a cold winter’s day. The cast-iron kettle was used to boil meats and vegetables and to heat water for the needs of the household. Food was also cooked on the hearth in front of the fire or by skewering it to spits resting on brackets attached to the backs of the andirons. |
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Fireplace cast iron kettle
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Baking was done in a cast-iron “Dutch Oven” that could
also be hung on the crane or set directly in the hot coals. Hot coals were
also placed on top of the cast-iron lid. The first departure in |
Dutch oven
There was an event just northwest of
It was during this time that Benjamin Franklin moved from
a natural pacing sorrel Horse Colt, about a Year old, with a flaxen Mane
and Tail, a Blaze down his Face, has neither Brand nor Ear Mark, and is
cut. Whoever brings the said Colt to the Subscriber, shall have Ten
Shillings Reward, paid by Isaac Warner
ALMANACK, for the Year 1743: Printed and sold by Isaiah Warner,
almost opposite
to Charles Brockden's in
SPIRITUAL SONGS: Or, Songs of Praise, with Penitential Cries to
Almighty God, upon several Occasions. Together with the Song of Songs,
which is Solomon's, first turn'd, then paraphras'd in English Verse; With
an Addition of a sacred Poem on Dives and Lazarus. The Fourteenth
Edition.
price 2 s. Where may be had, lately publish'd, the Moravian Catechism;
also all Sorts of Blanks.
John Marshall, near
Darby, intends to take in Cloth at the House of John
Warner, at the Sign of the Horse and Groom, in Strawberry Alley, near
Market Street,
every Week: I have followed that Employment above Twenty Years; and
any Person may depend on my good Performance, having nothing but that
to recommend me. JOHN ATKINS. N. B. I scower and dye Silks, and wet
and dry-scower Cloaths, and take out Limejuice or other Stains to the
greatest Perfection.
the sheriff of
July inst. at 4 a clock in the afternoon, at the house of Joseph Scull, will
be exposed to sale, by publick vendue, a messuage, plantation, and tract
of land, situate
in Blockley township, on the river
from
Warner seized and taken in execution at the suit of Rebecca Edgell.
RICHARD SEWELL, sheriff.
instant December, at the late Dwelling house of Isaac Warner, deceased,
in Blockley, good working and riding Horses, Milch Cows, Cows with
Calf, and young Cattle, Sheep, fat and other Swines, Cart, Implements of
Husbandry, a large Quantity of choice Hay, corn in the Ground, Indian
Corn and Buckwheat by the Bushel, Flax unbroke, several Casks of Cyder,
and empty Casks, good Feather Beds and Bedding, two good Fowling
pieces, and sundry other Things; being the personal Estate of the said
Decedent. The Vendue to begin at Ten a Clock on said Day, and to
continue from Day to Day until the whole be sold, where due Attendance,
and six Months Credit will be given, by ISAAC Warner, and JAMES
JONES, Executors.
House, on Monday
the 8th of September next, at
Afternoon, Three Lots of Land, situate on the West Side of Schuylkill,
in
situated on the South Side of Conestogoe Road, containing 24 Acres and
153 Perches,
seven whereof are
Brick House, with a Kitchen adjoining the same, with good Chambers,
and a Well of choice Water near the Door, a handsome Garden, well
fenced with Cedar Boards, a good Barn, and young orchard, with the best
Kind of Fruits, such as Apples, Peaches, Pears, Cherries and Plumbs. No. 2.
fronting the same, on the North Side of said Road, contains 30 Acres and
a Quarter of cleared Land. No. 3 is pleasantly situated on the River
deceased, containing 49 Acres and a Quarter, with a Dwelling house, Barn,
Spring house, and
good bearing Orchard; a Road leads thro'this
Falls, the whole under good Cedar and Chestnut Post and Rail Fence, and
very suitable for Gentlemans Country Seats.
The Warners and their families were very much caught up in
the many Quaker discussions concerning their faith and the faith of others.
Their great-great-grandfather, Captain William Warner,
was said to be
.
The Quakers placed their emphasis on human responsibility, or “every man following the inner light” for salvation. They were true lovers of God, men of integrity in the community and showed a practical concern for the poor and needy.
Many of the Captain’s children and grandchildren married into the Quaker Faith. They were the Warners that lived during the religious movement later called “The Great Awakening,” as it was spreading through the colonies. This movement contributed to changing attitudes about people of other faiths, liberty, slavery, and loyalty to the king. Many people were becoming more aware of being in control of their own thoughts and actions and the need for mutual community responsibility.
Attitudes were also changed by the writings of Thomas Paine.
In 1776, he published Common Sense, a strong defense of American
Independence from
William (The Baron, 9), son of Isaac and Anne Cravens,
grandson of Captain William, made the decision in his Will that he had not made
while he was living. He died in 1776. He
had long believed the Bible sanctioned slavery but became convinced that it was
wrong. In his Will he gave his nine slaves their freedom. His land he left to
his wife and then it was to pass to his son William (10). His daughters
Barbara, Catherine, Ann, and Lucy received parcels of land in
Joseph (10), son of Joseph (9) was born 1727 or 1728,
continued to be active with the Middletown Friends where a very sweet Ruth
Hayhurst caught his eye. They were married in 1752, and after several moves
settled in Deer Creek near
CHILDREN OF JOSEPH (10) AND RUTH (HAYHURST) WARNER
1. Cuthbert, b
Smith. Children: Rachel, Thomas, Ralph, (died young), Joseph,
Elizabeth, Andrew Ellicott, William, John, and Julia (died young of TB)
2. Joseph, b
*3. Aseph, b Aug 14, 1757, m 1781 Ruth Ellicott, d 1849.
4. Ezekial, b
5. Mordecai, b
6. Silas, b
Isaac (10), son of Joseph and Agnes, made the decision for
independence. He was promptly disowned by the Friends MM
When the British Army was approaching Philadelphia Colonel
Isaac Warner was included in the following action as recorded in the minutes of
the Supreme Executive Council for
…The two Armies now engaged, & the event doubtful,
Ordered. That all Shops & Stores be immediately Shut up, except those
only where workman are employed in making or repairing the Public arms,
& that every Man capable of bearing arms, or repairing Arms repair to his
Captains’ Quarters at Two O’Clock this Afternoon.
The Commissioned Officers are hereby Commanded to exert themselves
in the execution of this Order. & order that the Drums beat the Arms
immediately.
Ordered, Colo. Heister, Colo. Corsey, Colo. Antis, & Colo. Dean’s
respective Battalions, do immediately rendevous at the Sweed’s Ford,
& the Colo. McVeaugh, rendezvous at the Falls of Schuylkill Falls, &
As the enemy is near at hand & this minute engaging our Army
under the Command of his Excell’y Gen’s George Washington,
Ordered that the issueing Commissary supply Provisions to the Militia
at the Sweed’s
Ford,
Ordered,
That every able bodied man in the
out with his Arms, accoutrements & blankets, & that those who cannot
furnish themselves with Arms to take axes, spades, & every other kind
of entrenching Tool…
The British occupied
Before we leave Blockley there is more to the story. The Warners were leaving the area as it was going down. The name Blockley would become a synonym for misery, sordidness and suffering. The streams and meadows that had attracted Captain Warner and been home for several generations of Warners were now considered to be of little value and became a slum area.
In 1772 the Blockley Almshouse was built to help the poor in the area and in 1829, 187 acres of Blockley Township was purchased for $51,000 to build the Philadelphia General Hospital In 1864 the city consolidated the area, and Blockley Township became defunct, but the name lived on and became associated with the care of the unfortunate.
The first building of the
The third child of Joseph (10) and Ruth continues our direct
line. He was named Aseph (11), born 1757. He moved with his father’s family
about 1770 to Deer Creek,
Aseph and Ruth had ten children. Mordecai (12) was born
1788, the year before George Washington was inaugurated as the first president
and the year after the Constitution was signed in
CHILDREN OF ASEPH (11) AND RUTH (ELLICOTT) WARNER
1 Aseph, died in infancy
2 Letitia, b
*3 Mordecai, b
James and Rachel (Fox) Lewis
4 Pamelia, b Sep
39, 1790 d
5 Ruth Ann, b
6 Thomas,
7 Joseph,
8
9 Silas, b
10 Matilda, d
infant
Mordecai learned the trades of millwright, silversmith and
coppersmith. He and Jane Lewis developed a mutual affinity and were married in
1815. Jane was the daughter of John and Rachel (Fox) Lewis. For a wedding gift
John Lewis gave his daughter and new son-in-law a tract of land with a small
house located in
Here Jane Lewis Warner is seated in her garden with her daughters Letitia, Elizabeth and
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grandson, AT Warner. The house in the background was built
by Mordecai. It was known as the Warner Homestead of
Harold Warner Osler wrote about Mordecai’s wife, “Jane was a very |
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estimable and loving woman and under Jane Lewis Warner 1793-1884
her care her nine children grew up to be good and honest citizens. She has been spoken of as the grand old lady of the family. She was a God-fearing woman of Quaker faith. She lived to be quite old.”
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Mordecai was described as a moderately large man with red
hair, red complexion and blue eyes. He was especially noted for his extreme
intelligence. He made his own tools and many utensils for the house. He
helped in the construction of water wheels at various places along the |
CHILDREN OF MORDECAI (12) AND JANE (LEWIS) WARNER
*1. John Lewis,
2. Aseph b
3. Ruth
4. Letitia b
5.
always lived
at the
6. Joseph Cuthbert
7. Thomas Silas
8. Sarah Jane b
9. Pamelia Charity b
Mordecai’s son, John Lewis Warner (13), born 1815, learned the trade of millwright from his father and also taught school in the East. He taught from The New England Primer, which began with the Calvinistic theology –“In Adam’s Fall, we sinned all.” The New England Primer was the book from which most of the children of Colonial America learned to read. It has been estimated that as many as two million were sold in the 1700s.
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The lessons frequently contained moral texts based on the Old Testament. The letters of the alphabet were illustrated by rhymed couplets: F "The idle Fool/Is whipt at School" J “JOB feels the Rod, Yet blesses GOD.” P “PETER deny'd His Lord and cry'd.” Perhaps the worst couplet was for Q. This one extended unchristian like hatred for many generations to come. Q “Queen ESTHER sues And saves the Jews.”
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In 1836 at the age of 21, John Lewis Warner (13) decided to
“go west”. He got as far as the
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Six children were born to them here in
In April of 1851 they arrived in the vicinity of |
John and Charity Warner They first settled
in
ship about five miles west of Batesville just below the
John Lewis Warner was considered a kind and honest neighbor.
He was a staunch Republican and voted for Abraham Lincoln. He adhered to the
Quaker Faith though he did not join a meeting after leaving
The children of John and Charity were never all at home at
one time, the two older ones being married and away before the younger two were
born. On
The children of John Lewis and Charity (Wells) Warner 1904.
Front: Margaret Matilda Dickey 1848-1930; Mary Jane Reed 1845-1919; Thomas Burton 1843-1924; Mordecai John 1841-1907; James Wells 1838-1918; Back row: Ulysses S. Grant 1864-1943; Aseph Ellsworth 1861-1922; Samuel Silas 1859-1943; George Washington 1856-1936; William Stotler 1853-1931; Joseph Cuthbert 1850-1908
The famous prayer of the New England Primer:
Now I lay me down to sleep,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to keep;
If I should die before I wake,
I pray thee, Lord, my soul to take.
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