From book "Descendants of James Stanclift of Middletown, Connecticut and Allied Families", By Robert C. and Sherry [Smith] Stancliff
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DESCENDANTS OF BENJAMIN STANCLIFFE OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA
GENERATION ONE
(PB11) BENJAMIN STANCLIFFE
Son of Joseph(1) and Ann [____] Stancliffe of Barkisland, West Yorkshire, England was baptized Ripponden, West Yorkshire, England June 20 1781 died Philadelphia, PA September 7, 1834 married Elland, West Yorkshire, England July 23, 1815 SARAH WHITELEY, born between 1790 and 1800(2), died Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA after 1860(3).
Sarah may have been related to the John Whiteley who was a clock maker in Ripponden, West Yorkshire, England 1790 through 1820 or his son, Thomas Whiteley who was a clock maker in Ripponden between 1820 through 1850(4). Benjamin was an Optician and Mathematical Instrument Maker.
On September 2, 1812 Benjamin gave to his sister Tabitha, on behalf of herself and her three sisters his property in Yorkshire. In this document he describes himself as "of the Strand, in the city of Westminster, but now of Lower Woodhead in Barkisland", (West Yorkshire, England).
It is believed that shortly thereafter Benjamin moved to Philadelphia.(5) (6) By 1830 he was at partnership with Edmund Draper (1805-1882) in Philadelphia. The Administration Record on his estate was dated 1834 with Sarah listed as administratrix(7). After Benjamin's death Sarah was a milliner(8).
CHILDREN: Benjamin and Sarah [Whitley] Stancliffe
+ PB12-1. WILLIAM STANCLIFF(9) born PA 1821(10), died between 1866 and 1868(11) married probably about 1843, MARGARET [____](12).
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Footnotes:
1.According to the Rev. John Shepley Stancliffe unpublished genealogy, Benjamin's line of descent is Joseph17, John16, William15, Joseph14, William13 (of
Woodhurst or Woodhead died 1649), Thomas12, William11, Thomas10, William9, John8, John7, John6, William5, John4, Eli3, Adam2, John1 de Stanclyf.
Benjamin, Joseph17 and Joseph's brother John17, and John16 were all noted clockmakers. See also "The Old Clockmakers of Yorkshire" by N. V. Dinsdale for
information on the Stancliff clockmakers.
2.PA 1830 CENSUS, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, PA, Dock Ward, Sheet 120 for Mr. Stanclift. This is believed to be Benjamin. It shows 1 male age
30-40 (Benjamin), 1 female age 30-40 (Sarah), 3 males age 15-20 (probably workmen or apprentices) and 1 male age 10-15 probably William.
3.Philadelphia City Directory of 1860 lists Sarah Stancliff, "widow of Benjamin" living at 1000 Girard Street.
4.Unpublished manuscript of Rev John Shepley Stancliffe.
5.Halifax Antiquarian Society Article "Local Clock and Watch Makers" by G. Dent 13 August 1955.
6.Philadelphia City Directories show Benjamin from 1817 through 1833 living at the corner of Camdac, 14 Walnut St., and 128
South Front Street.
7.INDEX of WILLS & ADMINISTRATION RECORDS, Philadelphia, PA 1832 - 1850 compiled and published by Richard T. & Mildred C. Williams, Year
of Administration 1834, file number 253, Volume 0, page 145.
8.Philadelphia City Directory 1852 through 1857.
9.William Stancliff is believed to be a descendant of Benjamin because of the frequent and uncommon (among the Stancliffs in the U. S.) use of the name
"Benjamin" by William and his descendants and the fact that his birth date is consistent with the 1830 CENSUS PA, Philadelphia Mr. Stanclift youngest son
age of 10-15 years.
10.PA 1860 CENSUS records, City of Philadelphia, East Division, 3rd Ward, page 44, Household 285, Family 332, enumerated June 7, 1860. Did not find
William in the 1850 CENSUS Index for 1850 in either PA or NJ.
11.Philadelphia City Directory lists William in 1866 and Margaret was listed in 1868 as the widow of William.
12.Margaret was
living with step son, George W. Phillips, in 1900, son John Stancliff was with
them and son, Benjamin, living next door.
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