Genealogy of Patty Rose
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| Notes for William DEWEES | ||||||||||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - William Dewees, or de Wees, the eldest son of Gerret Hendricks and Zytian de Wees, was born in 1677* at Lieuwarden, Province of Friesland, Holland. He, with his parents and brothers, Cornelius and Lewis, and sister Wilhelmina, emigrated to New York in the year 1688, and soon after removed to Germantown, near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he was employed as an apprentice in the first paper mill erected in America. It was built and operated by William Rittenhouse, father of Nicholas Rittenhouse, who married William's sister, Wilhelmina de Wees. This paper mill was situated on a small rivulet flowing into Wissahickon Creek, which flows through what is now Fairmount Park, in the city of Philadelphia. In 1710 William Dewees built the second paper mill, which was on or near the present site of the Monastery of St. Joseph, farther up the stream. It has long since fallen into decay, and not a vestige of it remains. On June 20th, 1708, he in partnership with his brother Cornelius, bought 390 acres of land in Bebber's (afterwards Skipjack) Township, which they sold during the succeeding five years. William did not live on this property, but Cornelius did. William Dewees, paper maker, owned and sold lands, mills and houses, in Crefeld, Germantown, prior to 1725. Where he lived from 1725 to 1730 is not definitely known. He also held many offices under the Proprietary Government such as Constable and Sheriff, as well as some minor positions. He was a zealous and exemplary Church worker, giving his time and his home for the benefit of the Reformed Church, of which he was a member. After the death of William Rittenhouse, the business was carried on by Nicholas Rittenhouse, his son, who married Wilhelmina Dewees. The business of paper making was no doubt remunerative, and in the course of a few years the second paper mill in the Amen can Colonies was erected by another early settler named William Dewees, a brother-in-law of Nicholas Rittenhouse. This second mill was built in 1710, on the west side of the Wissahickon Creek, in that part of Germantown known in early times as Crefeld, near the line of the present Montgomery County, then called the Manor of Springfield. Two poems were published in 1692 and 1696 which establish the fact of the existence of the Rittenhouse paper mill on the Wissahickon, in Roxborough Township, as early, at least, as 1690, forty years in advance of the first mill of the kind in New England, at Milton, Massachusetts (Scharf and Westcott's History of Philadelphia I:223). In the year 1713 William Dewees sold this mill and a tract of 100 acres of land to Nicholas Rittenhouse and three others, as the following shows: THIS INDENTURE. Between William de Wees and Anna Christina his wife of the one part, and Abraham Tunis of Germantown Township Yeoman, William Streeper, Claus Ruttinghuysen and John Gorgas of Roxberry Township in the County of Philadelphia, for and in consideration of the sum of 145 Pounds lawful money of the Province of Pennsylvania all that Tract of Land situate, lying and being in that part of Germantown called Crefeld betwixts the respective lands of said William Streeper and of Thomas Tress, formerly of Thomas Williams bounded with one end thereof by the Springfield Manor, and with the other end with the residue of the land or plantation of Gerpert Papen deceased and containing, 100 acres of land, and also the Paper Mill with all and singular the Improvements, Tools, Iron Potts and every other thing or things whatsoever belonging to the Paper Making Trade, together with the Dwelling house, Buildings, Edifices, Orchards, Gardens, Fields, Fences, Meadows, Swamps, Cripples, Woods, Underwoods, Timber and Trees, Waters, Watercourses, Commodities, Privileges, Improvements and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said 100 acres, etc. Dated fifteenth day of December, Anno Dom One thousand Seven hundred and thirteen. Signed. William de Wees (Seal) her Ann Christine X de Wees (Seal) mark (Deed Book E, 7, 9:168-170). On the 26th of March, 1729, William Dewees purchased a place in Crefeld and entered into making paper, while Henry Antes attended to a part of the mill which was used for making flour, as the following record shows: This Indenture made the Second day of February in the year of our Lord 1730 between William Dewees of Crefeldt, in the Township of Germantown and County of Philadelphia, paper maker: and Christina his wife of the one part, and Henry Antes of Hanover Township said County, Carpenter, of the second part, WHEREAS, by a certain Indenture made the twenty sixth of March last between Gerhard Brownpack of Winesense [Vincent] Township County of Chester, Yeoman, and Mary his wife, Jacob Sheymer of Bebber Township, County of Philadelphia and Margaret his wife, John Jansen of Sulphur [Salford] Township County of Philadelphia and Elizabeth his wife, Benjamin Howell of Germantown Township County of Philadelphia and Katharine his wife and Christina (als Styntie) Paupen of Winesense Township County of Chester, (Spinster,) (Children of the late Havent Paupen of Germantown) of the one part, and William Dewees of the other part, etc. They did grant, sell, etc, 93 acres 3 roods and 20 perches, Grist Mill, two pair of stones, and two bolting mills and mill house built and erected, found and provided at the joint and equal cost and charge of William Dewees and Henry Antes. Digging and making dams and Millrace and providing and putting gears of the Paper Mill, were at charge of William Dewees. For the money and labor expended by Henry Antes and 25 Pounds, the one half interest in the Grist Mill and ground is conveyed to Henry Antes, the Paper Mill to be only served by the overplus of water, when the Grist Mills are supplied. Those who signed for Christina Dewees were Jacob Engle and Thomas Yorke, before Edward Roberts, Justice. Feb.22, 1730 (Philadelphia Recorder's office, Deed Book F, 5:97). William Dewees lived on this tract from the time he took possession until his death in 1745. Here also Henry Antes lived for three or five years, until he removed to the mill he purchased of Hagerman near the branches of the Perkiomen in Hanover township. This is the tract on which the Convent and Academy of St. Joseph stand today. It is an institution of educational value. As the home of William Dewees it possesses a peculiar interest, for he was a man of strong religious principles. All that time there was no house of worship for the members of the Reformed Faith and William Dewees opened his own home to their need. Children: Garrett, Christina, Margaret, William, Henry, Cornelius, Mary, Phillip. [ref 95:20] *if William is the eldest son, he was probably born earlier than 1777 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Anno 1710 den 18 December aen Willem DeWees geleent 5 pondt light gelt oni in't eerst van Mey anno 1711 weeder te geven : 5 :--:--: . Ontfangen 2 pondt 7 shel. en 10� swaer gelt Anno 1710 Den 18 December aen Pieter Van Hooren geleent 2 pondt 8 schel. 6� pens swaer 2: 8: 6 � geldt om in't laest van April weder te geven Ontfangen van Willem de Wees 2 schel :2 :-- 4 boek papier a 7� pens per boek :2 :6 4 schel 6 pens an pastorius :4:6 fijn papier 10 a 9 pens per boek :7:6 5 boek papier a 6 pens per boek :2:6 5 boek papier a 7� pens per boek :3:1� Dilbeck debet voor een psalm boek 2 schel an Willem de Wees over betaelt 2 schel : 10 pens nogh 12 tinne lepels p..:--:6:-- Rest van't oude nogh 6 schel : 9 1/2 pens TRANSLATION. 18th December, 1710, loaned William Dewees �5 light (paper?) money , to be returned on 1st of May, 1711 �5 Received 127 10,1/2 in heavy money (coin?) 18th December, 1710, loaned Peter Van Horn �2 8 6 � heavy �2 8 6� to be returned on the last of April. Received from William Dewees, 2 shillings ..2 0 4 quires of paper at 7 � d. per quire ..2 6 4 shilling 6 pence (paid) to Pastorius ..4 6 fine paper 10 at 9d. per quire ..2 6 5 quires of paper at 6d. per quire ..2 6 5 quires of paper at 7 � d. per quire ..3 1� Dilbeck Debtor for one Psalm Book, 2 shillings Paid over to William Dewees 2 shillings 10 pence also 12 tin (or pewter) spoons �..6 0 Balance of the old 6 shillings 6 pence - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - held many town offices including Constable and Sheriff religion: PA Reformed Church; senior deacon of Whitemarsh Reformed Church (held in his home); 1739 church elder buried Upper Germantown Burying Ground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - WILL of WILLIAM DEWEES, 22 Nov 1744: In the name of God Amen I William Dewees of the Township of Germantown, in the County of Philadelphia and Province of Pennsylvania, Miller, being weak of body but of perfect and sound Mind and memory thanks be given to God therefor calling unto Mind tile Mortality of my Body and the uncertain State of this Transitory Life do make this my last Will and Testament concerning my Real and personal Estate whereof I am any ways seized or possessed, Imprimis. its my Will that all my debts and funeral charges be first duly paid by my Executors hereafter named. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Dear Wife Anna Christina in lieu of her Dower the Sum of Twelve pounds to be paid her yearly, for Ever after my Decease and a feather Bed any she thinks fitt to Chose and the privilege of any Room of my new dwelling house to Live in so long as the said dwelling house shall remain unsold after my decease. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Christina the Sum of Seventy pounds to be paid in ffour years after my decease. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret the sum of Thirty pounds to be paid to her in ffour years after lily decease having heretofore given her Land to the value of fforty pounds. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son William the sum of ffive shillings. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Henry the sum of ffive shillings. Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Cornelius the sum of One hundred pounds ffifty whereof to be paid in six months and the other ffifty in ffour years after my decease. Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary the sum of 5eventy pounds to be paid her in ffour years after my decease. Item. I give and bequeath unto my Son Philip the sum of One hundred pounds to be paid him when he shall arrive at the age of Twenty one years. Item. I give, devise and bequeath unto my Son Garrett Dewees All that my dwelling House, Grist Mill Land and plantation situate in Germantown aforesaid with the Buildings and appurtenances thereunto belonging To Hold unto him his Heirs and Assigns for ever he paying unto the Legatees above named their respective Legacys at the time appointed for payment thereof and permitting my Wife Anna Christina peaceably to dwell in any Room of the said dwelling House whilst he occupies the same and in case of his or his Heirs Selling or demiseing the same to provide her a comfortable Room elsewhere to dwell in during her life. Item. I give and bequeath unto my said Son Garrett all my personal Estate of what kind soever (the Bed above bequeathed to my Wife Excepted) and Lastly I do make, ordain and appoint my dear Wife Anna Christina my said Son Garrett and my Son in Law Henry Antes Executors of this my Last Will and I do hereby revoke, disannul and make void all and every other will and Wills Bequest and Legacy's, by me heretofore made bequeathed or given and (do make and declare this only to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I the said William DeWees have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty four. William Dewees (Seal) Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said William Dewees for and as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of Richard Bull, John Johnson, Thomas Yorke. Philadelphia July 13th, 1745, Then personally appeared John Johnson and Thomas Yorke two of the Witnesses to the foregoing Will and the said John Johnson on his solemn affirmation according to Law, and the said Thomas Yorke on his oath respectively did declare they saw and heard William Dewees the Testator therein named sign, seal, publish and declare the same Will to be his Last Will and Testament, and that at the doing thereof he was of Sound Mind, Memory and Understanding to the best of their knowledge. Coram. William Plumsted. Reg'r General. Be it Remembered that on the thirteenth day of July '745 the Last Will and Testament of William Dewees deceased was proved in due form of Law and Probate and Letters Testamentary were granted to Anna Christina and Garret Dewees two of the Executors therein named (Henry Antes the other Executor therein named being absent) having first sworn well and truly to administer the said Decedent's Estate and bring an Inventory thereof into the Reg'r General's Office at Philadelphia at or before the thirteenth day of August next and rendering a true and just account, calculation or reckoning of the said administration when thereunto Lawfully required. Given under the Seal of the said office. William Plumsted. Reg'r General. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | ||||||||||
| Notes for Anna Christina MEELS | ||||||||||
| - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - MEHLS buried Upper Germantown Burying Ground - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - | ||||||||||
| Last Modified 11 Dec 2004 | Created 4 Jan 2005 |