Ashbridge

Common VetchAshbridge Common Vetch

George Ashbridge1 and his daughter Lydia Ashbridge who married Ellis Davies in 1741.

compiled and copyright by MJP Grundy, 2010
Common Vetch, by Anne E. G. Nydam, copyright 1996, used with permission

This web page does not intend to be the definitive Ashbridge family site. It is mainly interested in George Ashbridge1 (d. 1748) and his daughter Lydia Ashbridge (1719/20-1786). If you have additional information or corrections about any of the people mentioned here I would be glad to hear from you at .


Immigrant Generation


         George Ashbridge1 died in March 1747/8. He married twice, first Mary MALIN in 1701 and second Margaret (JONES) Paschall in 1729/30. For an explanation of the superscript 1 following his name, see the Numbering System used on this web page.

         George probably arrived in Philadelphia Fifth Month [July] 5, 1698. That year he purchased a grant of land from William Penn. There were two additional real estate transactions recorded at the Chester County Court. One on First Month [March] 12, 1699/1700, and the second on Seventh Month [September] 10, 1700. (See note on Old Style dating.) In 1701 George was living in Edgemont Township.[1]

         George "of the borough of Chester, formerly of Edgmont and Goshen Twps, yeoman" and Mary Malin, daughter of Randal MALIN, of Upper Providence, married Eighth Month [October] 23, 1701, at Providence Meeting.[2]

         George and Mary moved to Goshen Township. In one of those delightfully serendipitous circumstances family historians occasinally experience, I learned of the original deed. In early September 2012 Alyce Hand Benham sent me an e mail that said, in part:

       During the very late 1950s, my young husband purchased his first of many parcels of land for development, a large farm located almost at the juncture of Rte. 352 and Rte 3 - then known as the West Chester Pike. At the time, of our purchase it was designated as being in East Goshen Twp. Pa.
       At the settlement of the real estate transaction the sellers, an elderly couple who I do not believe were related to the Ashbridge family and who I believe had purchased the farm during the 1940s, presented us with the original deed or land grant to the farm. The document, which I immediately had framed, was in perfect condition with its original seals and ribbons. . . . I believe it was a deed or grant to the land owned by either the original George Ashbridge or his son, George. There was also a lovely old stone home and barn on the land that was sold before the development of the land began. Inside the barn we discovered a large, monument-style tablet with initials and dates on it. We surmised that it may have been part of an original barn that had burned.
       The framed document was kept in the family room of our Colonial-style home with our early American antiques until the mid-1980s when I sold the home and moved after my husband's sudden death. At that time, I presented the document to James P. Gannon, Esq. who had done a great deal of work for me re helping me to sort out my late husband's estate. He, in turn, had it hung in the law offices of Barnard and Gannon, in Media, Pa.[3]

         George built a stone house and barn in the "early 1700s". Disappointingly it is not one of the historic buildings that still stand, with Ashbridge in their name.[4] However, the name Ashbridge has been retained in the development built there in the 1950s. "Over the years, it became known as one of the finest early home development sites that initiated the growth of Chester County, Pa. I find it especially interesting to note that our 4-bedroom, 2½ bath, Colonial split-level homes with 'Hearthside Room' family room, raised hearth fireplace and two-car garage--which originally sold for $19,990 in a development that sold out within two weeks, have sheltered many families in style and have proved worthwhile investments for their owners."[5]

         George served on petit juries at the Chester County Court of Quarter Sessions in September 1700 and November 1704. In February 1709/10 he was named Constable for Goshen. When James THOMAS of Whiteland died intestate in 1727/8, the court gave the administration of his estate to George Ashbridge. George was on the jury at the Quarter Session court in Chester June 19, 1728 when John WINTER and Walter WINTER were tried and found guilty for the murder of three Indians.[6]

         George and Mary were both active in Goshen Preparative Meeting and Chester Monthly Meeting. George was named an overseer in 1710. When Goshen was set off as its own monthly meeting in 1721 Mary (Malin) Ashbridge served as clerk of the Goshen Monthly Meeting of Women from 1722 to 1728. She died Second Month [February] 15, 1728/9.[7]

         George married a second time on First Month [January] 6, 1729/30 Margaret (JONES) Paschall, the widow of Thomas PASCHALL. The marriage took place at the Goshen Meeting house.[8] Shortly after their marriage George and Margaret moved to Chester. Their certificate of removal from Goshen Monthly Meeting, was dated Third Month 18, 1729/30.[9]

         George signed his will March 1, 1747/8, living in Chester Township. It was witnessed by John TAYLOR, Jo. PARKER, and H. H. GRAHAM, and probated March 29, 1748.[10]

         Children of George and Mary (Malin) Ashbridge:

  1. John Ashbridge2, b. 6m or June 1, 1702, in Edgmont Twp. [confusion among secondary sources on old style dating]; d. May 21, 1747, in Goshen Twp., age 44; married Hannah DAVIES on 8m or Aug. or Nov. 12, 1732 in Goshen MM. Hannah Ashbridge was clerk of Goshen Women's Meeting, 1753-1758; Hannah was b. 1704, daughter of David, she d. in 1771. They had 8 children born in Goshen.[11]
    a)   Jane Ashbridge, b. 30 May 1733; m. 3 Oct. 1754 in Goshen Thomas STARR;
    b)   Jonathan Ashbridge, b. 21 Sept. 1734; d. 1782 in Lycoming Twp., Northumberland Co., Pa.; m. 12 May 1757 Sarah JAMES; 10 children.
    c)   Elizabeth Ashbridge, b. 22 Aug. 1736; m. 13 May 1762 in Goshen Isaac STARR; at least one son.
    d)   John Ashbridge, Jr., b. 8 Nov. 1739; m. 29 Oct. 1762 Rebecca DAVIES; at least 2 children.
    e)   Amos Ashbridge, b. 25 June 1742; d. ca. 1763 in Darby Twp.
    f)   Hannah Ashbridge, b. 9 Apr. 1743; d. July 1743 in Goshen Twp.
    g)   David Ashbridge, b. 2 June 1744; d. 1788; m(1) 6 Apr. 1769 Mary POWELL (1744-1773); 2 children; m(2) ca. 1783 Sarah VERNON.
    h)   Aaron Ashbridge, b. 29 May 1747;

  2. George Ashbridge, Jr., b. 12m [Feb.] 9, 1703/4; d. 3m [Mar.] 6, 1773, age 69; married on 8m [Oct.] 21, 1730 in Goshen Twp., Jane HOOPES, daughter of Daniel Hoopes and Jane (WORRILAW) of Westtown, b. July 14, 1706, d. Jan. 31, 1789. George was on the tax rate for Willistown in 1726, 1730, 1732, 1734, 1735, 1737, 1739, and 1740 (and perhaps other years, these were the only ones I checked). George was elected to the Penna. Assembly in 1743, and continued to be re-elected each year until his death (nearly 30 years); George was named co-executor with his youngest brother Joseph for their father's will, but George refused, so letters of admin. were given only to Joseph. George and Jane had 9 children, all born in Goshen Twp.[12]
    a)   Mary Ashbridge, b. 4 Aug. 1731; d. 3 Aug. 1765; m. 7 Apr. 1750 Jesse JONES; 7 children.
    b)   George Ashbridge, b. 1 Jan. 1732/3; d. 25 Oct. 1785; m. 5 Dec. 1754 at Goshen Rebecca GARRETT; had 7 children including George Garrett Ashbridge (17 Aug. 1770-13 Aug. 1843) m. 25 Sept. 1811 Rachel Valentine SHARPLES; George G. inscribed his copy of the Journal of Job Scott (1797) and it matches his signature on a Quaker anti-slavery petition of 1783. As of 2014 the book is in the Orange Grove Meeting library (Pasadena).[13]
    c)   William Ashbridge, b. 2 Jan. 1734/5; d. 14 Mar. 1775; m. Elizabeth FLETCHER; at least one daughter.
    d)   Susanna Ashbridge, b. 19 July 1737; d. 15 Jan. 1820; m. 30 July 1761 William GIBBONS; 9 children.
    e)   Phebe Ashbridge, b. 16 Oct. 1739; d. 27 Nov. 1774; m. 9 June 1763 Isaac MASSEY; 6 children.
    f)   Jane Ashbridge, b. 10 Aug. 1742; m. 4 Sept. 1771 Jesse MARIS; at least one daughter.
    g)   Daniel Ashbridge, b. 26 July 1744; d. 25 Aug. 1771; m. Hannah PAUL; at least 1 daughter.
    h)   Joshua Ashbridge, b. 17 Sept. 1746; d. 4 Sept. 1820; m. 4 Nov. 1773 Mary DAVIS; 7 children.
    i)   Lydia Ashbridge, b. 12 Dec. 1749; d. 17 July 1752.

  3. Jonathan Ashbridge, b. 9m or Sept. 25, 1705, d.y.

  4. Elizabeth Ashbridge, b. 12m [Feb.] 6, 1708/9; d. Mar. or Dec. 18, 1767 in Nether Providence, age 59; married on Feb. or Apr. 4, 1729 in Goshen Monthly Meeting, John SHARPLESS, son of John Sharpless and Hannah (PENNELL), b. Aug. 16, 1699, d. Aug. 17, 1769. He had married first Mary Key and had 1 daughter. Elizabeth inherited £40 from her father; she had 5 children, including a daughter, Mary Sharpless who inherited a chest of drawers from her grandfather, George1 Ashbridge.[14]

  5. Mary Ashbridge, b. 11m [Jan.] 10, 1710/1; d. 11m [Jan.] 20, 1745/6, age 35; married (1) Amos YARNALL, son of Francis Yarnall and Hannah (BAKER), on Apr. or May 18, 1727 in Goshen Twp. He was b. Jan. 28, 1700, d. Dec. 4, 1789; Amos married (2) Dec. 28, 1750 Sarah (__) GARRETT, the widow of Samuel. Mary had 5 children including a daughter Mary Yarnall who inherited £40 from her grandfather, to be given to her when she turned 18.

  6. Aaron Ashbridge, b. 12m [Feb.] 25, 1712/3; d. May 1776, age 63; married (1) Sarah DAVIES on 2m [April] 21, 1737 at Goshen Monthly Meeting. Aaron married (2) Elizabeth (SAMPSON) Sullivan, the widow of John SULLIVAN, on 9m or Sept. 4, 1746 in Burlington Mtg hse.; she was b. in England 1713, and after the death of her first husband was sent to live with Irish relatives; she immigrated to N.Y.C., then to Penna., becoming a convinced Friend who travelled in the ministry and d. in Ireland 1755.[15] Aaron married (3) Mary TOMLINSON on June 4, 1760. Had one child with his first wife: Aaron, Jr.

  7. Hannah Ashbridge, b. 2m [Apr.] 26, 1716 or 1715; d. Aug. 28, or 9 mo. 13, 1793, age 77; married Joshua HOOPES, son of Daniel Hoopes and Jane (WORRILAW), on Apr. 8, 1731 at Goshen Twp.; inherited £40 from her father. They had 9 children listed. Hannah's will, dated 6m 13, 1787, was pr. Dec. 17, 1793; she had a sizeable estate, leaving cash, a silver watch and spoons, pewter ware, and a corner cupboard, among other items.

  8. Phebe Ashbridge, b. 8m or Aug. 26, 1717; d. June 14, 1784, age 66; married (1) 2m 10, 1739 Richard THOMAS, son of Richard and Grace (ATHERTON), at Goshen Monthly Meeting. Richard d. 9m 22, 1754. Phebe married (2) William TRIMBLE Sept. 15, 1757 at Uwchlan Meeting. Phebe and Richard had 5 children.[16]

  9. Lydia Ashbridge, b. 11m [Jan.] 22, 1719/20; d. in Goshen; married Ellis DAVIES on 9m [Nov.] 7, 1741. He was b. Oct. 24, 1713 and d. in 1773/4.

  10. Joseph Ashbridge, b. 5m [July] 9, 1723; d. 1796; m. 4m [June] 8, 1749 Priscilla DAVIES, sister of Ellis. Joseph inherited the "messuage" where his father was living in Chester along with the residue after other legacies had been given. Joseph executed his father's will. Joseph and Priscilla had 6 children, from Rash's Surname Index, accessed 12/12/2014.
    a)   Aaron Ashbridge, b. 1750; m. 30 Nov. 1778 Ann HOWELL; at least one son, Aaron Ashbridge.
    b)   George Ashbridge
    c)   Sarah Ashbridge
    d)   Priscilla Ashbridge
    e)   Jane Ashbridge
    f)   Joseph Ashbridge, b. 1753; d. 1820 in Philadelphia; m. Rebecca HOWELL; 7 children.

Second Generation


         Lydia Ashbridge2 was born 22 Eleventh Month [January] 1719/20, the ninth child and fifth daughter of George and his first wife Mary (MALIN) Ashbridge. She died in 1792. Lydia and Ellis DAVIES married under the care of Goshen Monthly Meeting at the meeting house on 7 November 1741. Ellis was the son of David Davies and Jane (JONES), born 24 December 1713. Jane was the sister of Lydia's step-mother Margaret (JONES) Paschall Ashbridge. Ellis was the brother of the three sisters who married Lydia's brothers.[17]

         Children of Lydia (Ashbridge) and her husband Ellis Davies:[18]

  1. Ellis Davies4, mar. 1778 Jane GRIFFITH, (b. 10 mo. 27, 1757, the daughter of Nathan and Rachel (WILLIAMSON) Griffith and granddaughter of Randal and Mary (Ashbridge) MALIN.

  2. Elizabeth Davies, m(1) George DUNN; m(2) Nathan GARRETT, Jr.

  3. Sarah Davies, m(1) Jonathan ELDRIDGE; m(2) William ALLEN.

  4. Priscilla Davies, b. June 23, 1747; d. Apr. 15, 1752.

  5. Lydia Davies, b. Nov. 16, 1749; d. before her husband; mar. Apr. 23, 1772 in Philadelphia Isaac HAINES; 7 children.

  6. Jane Davies, mar. William SMITH.

  7. George Davies, b. Mar. 19, 1758.

  8. Israel Davies, b. Oct. 14, 1760.

  9. David Davies, living in 1791.


        

Common Vetch

To continue the story of this family, go to the Ellis Davies family and the Haines family. This Ashbridge line is part of a larger Price family that, with most of its collateral lines, has been expanded as a hard copy book with a great deal of historical context. It is available through lulu.com. Click on the title, then on "preview" to see the table of contents and a few sample pages.

This Price line contains the collateral lines of Ashbridge, Bonsall, Borton, Cadwallader, Cox, Davies/Davis, and a second (Ellis) Davies, England, Fisher, Haines, Harry/Harris, Hayes, Holliday, John, Jones, Kirk, one Lewis (Henry), another Lewis (Thomas), Malin, Massey, Morgan, Orbell, Paxton, the main Price, another Price (Richard), a third Price (David) branch, Roessen, Sharpley, Schumacher/Shoemaker, Taylor, Thomas, Townsend, Warner, White, Williams, Wood, and Wooderson families. Some of them are very short, as I do not follow them after "my" ancestor married into another surname family. In time I hope that more of them will be posted, although research into those not yet posted has been stymied by a variety of frustrating brick walls.


If you have additions or corrections to this web page, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact me at .

Go to the index of other lines that are included in this website (not all of them have been posted yet).

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This page was posted 1m/26/2011, and updated most recently on 11m/16/2019.


Common Vetch

Notes and Sources

The full bibliographical citation is given the first time a source is mentioned, but is not always repeated each time that source is cited. Scroll up till you find the first mention and there you will find the complete citation.

  1. Dorothy B. Lapp, Records of the Courts of Chester County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: printed by Patterson & White Co.), 2:64, 68, citing pp. 61 & 65.


  2. Providence Meeting records.


  3. E mails from Alyce Hand Benham, 9m/6/2012.


  4. "History of the Ashbridge House", www.downingtownareahistoricalsociety.org/Ashbridge%20History.html. See also John Charles Nagy and Penny Teaf Goulding, compilers, Acres of Quakers: An Archaeological and Cultural History of Willistown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, from First Settlement Through 1900 (Malvern, Pa.: Willistown Historical Commission, 2006).


  5. E mail 9m/6/2012 from the widow of the developer.


  6. Lapp, trans., Records of the Courts of Chester County, Pennsylvania, 2:66, 128, 198, citing p. 63, 124, & 193. Chester County Will Abstracts on the web at http://files.usgwarchives.org/pa/chester/wills/ willbooka2.txt, citing Will Book A, pp 200-299. Futhey and Cope, History of Chester Co., 407; see also PA_ 1:218.


  7. Chester Monthly Meeting Men's minutes, 12m/22/1713, 5m/26/1714, 6m/30/1714, 7m/27/1714, 8m/25/1714, 9m/1714, 11m/31/1714, 12m/28/1714, and 2m/24/1721 OS. FHL, MR-Ph92. "Clerks of Goshen MM Prior to 1828: Chester County, PA" on http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/ chester/church/goshenclerks.txt.


  8. Goshen MM Records, p. 26. FHL, MR-Ph197.


  9. Chester MM Removals, 65, FHL, MR-Ph99.


  10. Chester County Will Abstracts on the web at http://files.usgwarchives.org/pa/chester/wills/ willbooka2.txt, citing Will Book A, pp 200-299.


  11. http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/pa/chester/church/goshenclerks.txt Their children are from Rash's Surname Index, accessed 12/12/2014.


  12. Craig W. Horle, et al, eds., Lawmaking and Legislators in Pennsylvania: A Biographical Dictionary (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1991). Their children are from Rash's Surname Index, accessed 12/12/2014.


  13. My thanks to Robert Cooper for this information, e mails 12/13/2014 and 11/14/2019.


  14. Chester County Will Abstracts on the web at http://files.usgwarchives.org/pa/chester/wills/ willbooka2.txt, citing Will Book A, pp 200-299.


  15. See her autobiography, Some Account of the Early Part of the Life of Elizabeth Ashbridge. For an account of her life as a struggle for individuation, see Mechal Sobel, Teach Me Dreams: The Search for Self in the Revolutionary Era (Princeton: Princeton University Press, 2000), 171-175.


  16. J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope, History of Chester County, Pennsylvania: with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches (Philadelphia: Louis H. Everts, 1881), 741, on the web as image 1049 of http://www.archive. org/stream/cu31924005813518#page/n1049/


  17. Goshen MM Records, p. 69. FHL, MR-Ph197.


  18. Goshen MM Records


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If you have additions or corrections to this web page, I would be delighted to hear from you. Please contact me at





Common Vetch