Biographical Sketches of John DUTTON; Delaware County, PA
Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Cyndie Enfinger
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History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania, by George Smith M.D. (1862)
Page 457
DUTTON, JOHN, with his wife Mary, arrived here from England with the
Proprietary, when he made his first visit, or shortly afterwards. They settled
in Aston. John did not live many years in the enjoyment of his new home.
Besides a daughter, Elizabeth, who died about the time of their arrival, they
had two sons; John, who intermarried with Elizabeth Kinsman, and Thomas, who
intermarried with Lucy Barnard. John and his wife were both Friends, but after
his death his widow married john Nield, who was not in profession of the
truth. John Dutton probably came from Worcestershire.
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History of Chester County, PA, by J. Smith Futhey & Gilbert Cope (1881)
Page 526
DUTTON, John, of Overton, in Cheshire, England, whose wife, Mary, appears to
have been a sister of Job Darlington, of Darnhall, purchased 500 acres of land
in Pennsylvania by deed of May 22, 1682, and arrived in the province in the same
year. He located his land in Aston, extending across the township, and the
upper line touching on the western branch of the creek. He was buried 5, 4,
1693, and his widow soon after married John Neild, of Aston.
The children of John and Mary Dutton were, -1. John, b. 10, 29, 1675, at
Marbray (?), in Cheshire; M. in 1704, Elizabeth Kingsman, daughter of John and
Hannah, b. 9, 6, 1685. 2. Edward, b. 1, 18, 1676-7, at Overton; m. in 1701,
Gwin Williams, and settled in Bethel. 3. Thomas, b. 3, 3, 1679, at Overton; d.
with smallpox, 10th mo., 1731; of Aston, and settled on a part of his father's
land. 4. Elizabeth, b. 11, 27, 1681; d. in Pennsylvania, 10, 23, 1682. 5.
Robert, b. in Pennsylvania; m. 9, 13, 1707, at the house of her father, to Ann,
daughter of William and Ann Brown, of Nottingham, where he settled. He
afterwards engaged in trading to the West Indies, and there are reasons to think
that as the master of a vessel he went to sea about 1725, and was never heard of
again.
Thomas and Lucy Dutton had children, - Thomas, Rebecca, Richard, David, Lydia,
Jonathan, John, Mary, and Sarah. Of these, Richard married Mary Martin,
daughter of Thomas and Mary, of Middletown, and had children, - Thomas, Hannah,
Joseph, Rebecca, Mary, Jonathan, and Richard. Thomas, son of Richard, married
Hannah, daughter of Francis and Sarah Routh, and was the father of the late
Thomas Dutton, of Aston, who died 9, 12, 1869, aged 100 years, 7 months, and 10
days.
A genealogy of this family was published in 1871.
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Dutton Family of Pennsylvania, by Gilbert Cope (1871)
Pages 29-35
While nothing is at present known respecting the ancestry of John Dutton, the
settler in Pennsylvania, it would be idle to assert that he belonged to this or
that branch of the family; yet it is safe to assume that he was descended from
the great Odard of more than 600 years before. At a moderate computation of the
descendants of one person, at the end of such a period, would exceed the total
population of England; but as John came from Cheshire, the ancient home of the
Duttons, we do not need the full benefit of this calculation. He was probably
descended from one of the younger branches which possessed neither titles nor
great estates, and it is possible that even he was ignorant of his relationship
to those who were so possessed.
It appears that he had identified himself with the Quakers in his native land,
and thus became exposed to the persecutions which an intolerant populace, with
more zeal than humanity, heaped upon this quiet and peaceable sect. Several of
his neighbors who had suffered persecution came also to Pennsylvania, and as
some of them became the ancestors, maternally, of some of the Duttons, the
following recital of their sufferings may be of interest to their descendants.
From Besse's Sufferings of the Quakers, we learn that Robert Taylor of
Clutterwick in Cheshire, and twenty eight others, were indicted for unlawfully
assembling together at the house of John Dove in Coddington, within the County
aforesaid, the 19th Day of November last past, [1662,] upon Pretence of joining
together in religious Worship of God; and for this offence were imprisoned.
In 1674 or 1675 Thomas Brassey, for preaching at Willison, had goods taken
from him worth 26. About the same time, by warrants from Justice Manwaring,
Cattle and Goods worth about 100 were taken from sundry persons in and about
Namptwich. The chief Informer was one John Widowbury of Hanklow Esq., who being
indebted 40 upon Bond to Thomas Brassey, a Member of that Meeting; upon his
Demand of Payment was incensed against him, and thus vented his Wrath upon his
Friends. He also got an old Excommunication revived against the said Thomas
Brassey and sent him to prison, and swore that he would send his wife thither
also.
1678. John Simcock, fined for Preaching, had taken from him eight Cows and
eleven Heifers, worth 90.
1679. The same John Simcock, for speaking some Words of Exhortation at a
Funeral, had his goods taken away to the value of 100.
Anno 1681. John Simcock of Stoak, by the Statue of 23 Eliz., made against
Popish Recusants, had Goods taken from him worth 40.
In the same year Distresses were made on the Goods and Chattels of many
Persons in this County, for Fines laid on them for their Absence from the
National Worship, to the Amount of 17 and upwards. And such as had no Goods,
which through frequent seizures was the case of some, were sent to Prison; of
whom were Thomas Frier of Kingsley, Thomas Stretch of Overton, and John Cotton
of Frodsham. From one JOHN DUTTON of Overton the Prosecutors extorted a Demand
of 7s. by forcibly haling him out of his House when his family were in Bed,
carrying him to an Alehouse, and threatning instantly to send him to Goal: by
which they so affrighted a Kinswoman of his that she paid them. Vol. I. P.
108.
1683. On the 31st of the Month called January, Thomas Needham and Philip
Egerton, Justices, came to a Meeting at Newton, and finding a Person at Prayer,
Justice Needham fell upon him, beat him on the head and punched him on the
breast with his cane, pulled his Neckcloth in pieces and threw him down and
kicked him. He also struck several others so that their Heads were swelled with
the Blows. The other Justices desired him to forbear, saying, let us prosecute
the Law upon them but not abuse them. Thus checked to forbore striking but
continued railing; telling them they were Dogs, and no Men; no more Christians
than their Horses, &c. Then they took their names, fined them, and granted
Warrents for Disress, by which was taken
. S. d.
From John Williamson of Creewood-hall a mare worth 8 : 0 : 0.
John Clark of Frodsham, Cloth worth 5 : 0 : 0.
Elizabeth Sarret of Woodhouse, Goods worth 2 : 0 : 0.
Peter Hatton, James Hatton and Richard Sarrat, 0 : 15 : 0.
Thomas Roland of Acton was also fined 5 s, which a neighbour paid to keep him
from Prison, he having no goods left; for all his personal Estate had been
lately seized by an Exchequer Process for 20 l per month, for absence from his
Parish Church.
In 1670, several Inhabitants of Edlestone, Stoake, and adjacent places,
suffered for their religious meetings, Distress of Goods to the value of 86 l,
17 s. It was observed that when Thomas Badcock a man active n making Distress
on the Goods of John Simcock, one of the sufferers, was soon after visited with
sickness, he complained that his having an hand in the persecution did
grievously burden his conscience; wherefore he sent to the said John Simcock who
visited him in a tender Christian spirit, freely forgiving the Injury done to
himself, and also prayed to the Lord to forgive him.
Such was the spirit with which the early Friends were persecuted, and such the
spirit in which that persecution was received. These are comparatively mild
examples of persecution, but we may readily suppose that the sufferers felt it
desirable to exchange their situation, for one in which they might enjoy their
religious opinions without restraint; even though this freedom were obtained at
the expense of the hardships and privations incident to a new settlement. Such
an asylum was no to be established. In 1681 William Penn, a wealthy Quaker,
obtained from King Charles II, a Charter for a large province in America, to
which he wished to give the name of Sylvania, but the King ordered the prefix
Penn to be added in honor of Admiral Penn the father of the grantee. William
Penn immediately offered his lands for sale at forty shillings per hundred
acres, and within the same year found purchasers for a large amount, which was
to be surveyed and laid out thereafter in Pennsylvania. Among these purchasers
were John Simcock, Robert Taylor, Thomas Brassey and Thomas Rowland, whose names
have already been mentioned. The last obtained one thousand acres by deeds of
lease and release, dated 2nd and 3rd of March 1681-2; and by an Indenture dated
22nd of May 1682, in which he is styled of the County Palatine of Chester,
yeoman, conveyed one half thereof to John Dutton of Overton [The township of
Over lies about five miles nearly south of the ancient family seat of Dutton.]
in the said County, yeoman, and Mary his wife; for divers good causes but
especially in consideration of the sum of ten pounds. There is a tradition
that Thomas Rowland was an uncle to Mary Dutton and it is probable there was
some connection between the families. Whether the ties of relationship were
among those divers good causes, or not, it appears the money paid was not less
in amount than the price at which William Penn was then selling land.
As witnesses to the last mentioned conveyance were Robert Taylor and Thomas
Brassie who came over to Pennsylvania soon after, and it was doubtless on
account of their prospective emigration that it was considered desirable to have
their signatures to the writing. Thomas Brassie arrived here the same year and
it is likely that Robert Taylor came about the same time, though his wife and
most of his children did not arrive until the 29th of 7th month 1683. It is even
not improbable that Thomas Brassie, Robert Taylor and John Dutton all came
together. The first settled in Chester Township, the second* in Springfield,
and the last in Aston township, (now) Delaware County.
The Surveyor General directed the following order to his deputy in Chester
County:
By order and Directions from the Governor fro setting out Lands to the
Purchasers in Pensilvania, &c: I hereby Authorize thee to survey or lay out to
Tho: Rowland's assign four hundred and eighty acres on the western side of
Upland Creek, next to Nathaniel Evans; and next lay out to John Warel two
hundred and forty acres; and next lay out to John Neild two hundred and forty
acres; and next John Edge, one hundred and twenty; and return to me a true
Duplicate of the ffield work and Protracted ffigures which are to remain in my
office.
Dated the 10th of yet 7 mo., 1682. THO: HOLME, Surv'r.
To Charles Ashcome, Surveyor.
To which the following return was made:
October the 8th 1682. Laid out for John Dutton 500 of Land on the west side
of Upland creek, beginning at Nathaniel Evans' corner tree, &c. The courses
run where W. S. W. into the woods, 565 perches to a red oak: N. W. 150 perches
to a white oak: E. N. E. 598 perches to a red oak by the creek, and down the
same to the beginning.
The return was signed by CHARLES ASHCOM.
250 acres were laid out to John Neild Dec 10th 1682, next to John Duttons
land, on the north.
The Dutton tract was about half a mile in width, and a little more than a mile
and three-quarters in length; extending from Upland (now Chester) Creek W. S. W.
across the present township of Aston; the northern line just touching the
western branch of the creek. By a re-survey twenty years later it was found to
contain five hundred and ninety acres. Tradition says that John Dutton settled
on this land and built a house in the meadow near the creek, but being disturbed
by floods, he removed a few rods further back and erected his dwelling on a
large rock near a small rivulet. A portion of this rock may still be seen near
the road from Rockdale to Village Green; the remainder having been removed for
building purposes some years ago. There are the usual traditions of bears and
other wild animals being plentiful in the woods; of shad and other fish in the
creek; of hardships and privations in which they were assisted by the Indians
who presented them with venison, &c.
The time of John Dutton's death is unknown, but his widow was married again,
as early as 1694, to John Neild, who was also one of the first settlers in
Aston. He was not a Quaker and the marriage gave occasion for the following
minute of Chester Monthly Meeting of women Friends, held the 1st of the 5th
month, 1695.
The meeting orders Lydia Carter and Ann Brown to speak to Mary Neeld, to see
if she be willing to condemn her taking of John Neeld to be her husband, he not
being in the profession of the truth.
The following somewhat quaint entries from the Court Records are here
presented. The full meaning of the second is not obvious.
12th Dec. 1693, John Neales exhibited a petition to this Court for the custom
of the country, -This being the second Court; he having served his time
faithfully, and his Indentures being brought in Court and expresses the custom
of the country to be paid him. The court's order is that his master Robert
Taylor shall pay him the said custom; (his master Robert Taylor being called and
asked where he had paid anything to him, said no, nor would not.) Only Justice
Hayes does not give his consent to it, but all the rest does order it.
At a Court held at Chester the 12th of September, 1694.
George Stroud in behalf of himself and Thomas Green, and John Green and
Richard Moore Past off unto John Neale articles of agreement for the
consideration of the sum of thirteen pounds thirteen shillings and eight pence;
and six pounds three shilling and four pence unto the said John Neale's wife,
during both the natural lives of the said John Neales and his now wife; to be
paid at four equal payments yearly; that's to say, at the four festival days;
that's to say, the first payment to begin on the 22nd day of December next, and
to be paid in silver money at some house within three miles of the town of
Chester, in the province of Pennsylvania; and so the next at the 25th of March,
and the next at the 24th of June; the next the 29th of September; and so to
continue during the natural lives of the said John Neales and his wife. And the
forenamed George Stroud delivered a Bond in behalf of the forenamed Thomas Green
and himself, and John Green and Richard Moore, for the performance of the
aforesaid payments. The Bond was for two hundred and fifty pounds, bearing date
the twentieth day of August, 1694.
At Orphans' Court, 5th of March, 1694-5. William Brown and John Baldwin was
called and appeared to answer the complaint of John Dutton, Edward Dutton and
Thomas Dutton. The Court allowed that John Neeld & Mary his wife, at the
request of the orphans, be guardians for the above named complainants, and do
also allow Thomas Cartwright and Joel Baily as security for John Neald and Mary
his wife, to the value of two hundred and fifty Pounds. And it is also ordered
that the old Guardians' accounts be paid and cleared before us at the Court by
the new ones.
No Will or Letters of Administration on the estate of John Dutton senior have
been found, and it is not very clear what property rightfully belonged to his
sons. The land purchased before leaving England was conveyed to both John and
Mary Dutton, and as the survivor she became sole owner. Samuel Hall of Aston,
who holds a part of the original tract, as well as the old deeds, thins he
formerly had among his papers a document of the nature of a marriage settlement
between John Neild and Marry Dutton, but cannot find it now. It is probable
there was some arrangement for securing to her children the joint estate of
their parents, but whether this was the case or not, it would appear from the
Grand Jury's return of a road laid out 17th of 2 mo., 1699, that three of her
sons were in possession of or occupied the 500 acres of land, under some
recognized division thereof. The road was laid out for the inhabitants of
Concord, Bethell, Burmingham and Thornbury, on lands of Margaret Green, Thomas
Green, Edward Penick, Edward Dutton, Robert Dutton, John Dutton, John Baldwin,
John Bayles, and William Browne, to Joseph Coebourn's mill. The land of Edward
Dutton was of his own purchasing, while the road did not touch on the share of
his brother Thomas. About the year 1702 or 1703, the township of Aston was
resurveyed and a draft made showing some of the subdivisions, and from this it
appears that Thomas, John and Robert Dutton then held their father's land. It
was subsequently confirmed to them by deeds, as will be mentioned hereafter.
John Neeld (Neild or Neal,) doubtless came from Cheshire, and perhaps with
Robert Taylor, under contract to work for him, as suggested by his petition to
Court for the custom of the country; which was probably a new suit of clothes
at end of service. He bought land of Penn in England, 250 acres, which was laid
out in Aston on the north side of and adjoining the Dutton tract. He also owned
various other tracts in that neighborhood at a later date. His name is quite
frequently mentioned in the Court records in connection with property, and there
may have been more than one of the name but I have seen not proof of it. From
the expression, his now wife, it seems likely he was a widower when he married
Marry Dutton, but this is only supposition.
Job and Mary Darlington of Darnhall in Cheshire, Eng., had sons, of whom John
and Abraham came to Pennsylvania as early as 1711, and several of the letters
written to them by their parents are still preserved. In one bearing the date
March 28th, 1713, they say, Good Abraham and John pray present both our dear
loves to our brother John Neild, and his wife our dear sister, -their sons
unknown to us, -and all his family; hoping that he will take a fatherly care of
you in our stead now you are so far off us. From this the inference is strong
that Mary Neild was a sister of Job Darlington. Another letter dated May 2nd,
1717, mentions an expectation of Robert Dutton coming to Cheshire to look after
brother Neild's concerns, he having left property there which was rented. Jan.
30th, 1718-9, Job Darlington writes, Good children remember my kind love and my
wife's to brother Neild and his wife, unknown; from which it appears that John
Neild had married again. I do not find that he had any children by the widow of
John Dutton.
John Neild of Aston died intestate, and letters of administration on his
estate, were granted to his widow, Elizabeth, May 18th, 1724. She was married
again in that year to William Jefferis, and it appears that she was the daughter
of Nathaniel Ring.
Abraham Darlington petitioned the Court representing that John Neild, a near
Relation of this petitioner, died intestate, leaving a wife and four children,
and a considerable estate. The children were Elizabeth, John, Jane and Elias, -
all minors and the two younger ones born after 1720. It is likely the last wife
was much younger than her husband and she survived him many years. Some of her
grandchildren by the second marriage are yet living. Jane Neild married John
Hannum of Concord, and was the mother of Col. John Hannum of Revolutionary fame.
Those Friends who settled in Aston township, belonged at first to Chester
Monthly Meeting; but Chichester meeting being more convenient to many of them,
they at length made application to be joined to the Monthly Meeting of
Chichester and Concord, then embracing these two particular meetings, and now
known as Concord Monthly Meeting. The meetings of business were then held at
private houses in rotation, and at one of these held 6 mo. 10th, 1696, at the
house of John Kingsman in Chichester, Robert Pyle reports to this meeting
concerning Aston friends to be joined to Chechester & Concord, that Chester
meeting friends have bin Confered with by sum friends of Chechester, and they
desired to consider of it till their next monthly meeting. This meeting
continues Robert Pyle, with some women friends, to attend ye next monthly
meeting of Chester friends to consummate ye Bussiness.
At the next monthly meeting held 7 mo. 14th, 1696, at Jacob Chandler's
residence, called Jacob's well, Robert Pyle Reports to this meeting that the
Bussiness of Joyning Aston friends to the monthly meeting of Chechester &
Concord is Efected by Joynt Consent of Chester friends.
Among those whose rights of membership were thus transferred to Chichester
meeting were the Duttons, whose descendants in some of the branches have
continued to be members of the same meeting to the present day. From the
records of Concord Monthly Meeting, of which Chichester meeting is a branch,
considerable information has been obtained respecting the movements of the early
members of the family, which will be noted in the following pages.
* Robert Taylor was styled of Little Leigh in the old Deeds, while his wife
and children were said to have some from Clatterwitch, which latter place was a
hamlet in Little Leigh and formerly owned by the Duttons, as many be seen on
page 16. J. Bayard Taylor of Chester County, the widely known traveler and
author, is descended from Robert Taylor by the following line: Robert,-Isaac,-
Josiah,-Abraham,-John,-Joseph,-J. Bayard Taylor.