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Note: Hinshaw, Pg 46. "Christopher White arrived at Salem 6/23/1677 coming in the ship Kent, Gregory Marley, master." Date is probably sixth month, i.e., August.
Pg 213 Copy of the Will of Dr. Daniel Wills I, Daniel Wills, of Northampton, in the county of Burlington, being in my sixty-five years of age, and truly sensible of the goodness of the Lord, and of His merciful dealings with me unto this day, which causeth me at this time, in true humility, to make mention of His name in this my last will. Imprimis -- I give my soul to God, and my body to be buried at the discretion of my executor hereof; and that earthly estate which God in His kindness intrusted me with, and made me steward of, I dispose of it as followeth: Item- My will is that all my debts that I truly owe, be paid by my executor without fraud. Item-I do give unto my son, James Wills, all that lot of land on which he now liveth; and has built his house upon the same; and also fifty acres of land in the town bounds, long since surveyed unto him, which I had no occasion to make mention of here, only he never had any conveyance from me of these lands, which I now give to him and his heirs forever. Item-I do give unto my son, Daniel Wills, the negro boy Will, which he hath and standeth in my books indebted to me for, either to keep or dispose of as he thinks convenient; I also give Daniel, my son, all that he standeth in debt to me for in my books, be it more or less; I also give my son, Daniel Wills, the reversion of half of my quarter part of a property, which will fall in the third taking up of lands, if any be; and of the rest of it. I do give unto my son, John Wills, all that tract of land belonging and appertaining to me on which he now dwells; with all the buildings which were built upon it before he came to live upon it. That which he has built since, he has been at the charge of for the most therefor; I write in this manner therefore as above. All that tract of land which really belonged to me before my son John came to dwell (there), and all the buildings then built thereupon, I do give unto him to keep and dispose of as he pleaseth. Item-I give unto my grandson, John Wills, son to James Wills, of Burlington, my fifty acres of land in the town bounds, surveyed to me, lying near the brick kilns; I say I give him that fifty acres of land, to him and his heirs forever. Item-I give to Mary Ewer, my daughter, a book of chyrurgery, called Cimbros Parry. Item-I give my youngest daughter, Ann Wills, one hundred and eight pounds, to be paid by my executor at or upon the first day of the tenth month, called December, which will be in the year one thousand six hundred and ninety-eight; the reason of the eight pounds being mentioned is for the interest for one year, and for every year till paid. I also give to my daughter Ann, our great brass skillet, and my watch, with all that I formerly gave her, which she has in her possession, or any that is out of her possession that I have formerly given her. Item-My books, any of them Mary shall desire, or Ann, or any of my sons, to keep for a time to read, my will is that my son, John, shall lend them, or any of them; but to be returned to him again, excepting son John shall be willing to dispose of any of them, then let any of my children have the refusal. Item-I give unto my son, John Wills, all my real and personal estate, whom I make my sole executor; and do appoint him to pay all my just debts, and to receive all that is justly due to me; I say, I do give him all my lands, except what is before given by me in this, my last will, either in surveys or in revision to be taken up belonging to me; I say to him, his heirs forever. For the full performance of this, my last will and testament, which I do hereby publish and declare this to be my last will, and is the true meaning of my heart and mind and is unalterable; and for the confirmation of the same I hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal, the five and twentieth day of the first month, commonly called March, in the year one thousand six hundred and ninety-eight (1698). DANIEL WILLS [D. W.] Signed and sealed in the presence of Christopher Wetherill, Joseph Smith. Proved the 20th of March, 1700, before Thomas Lambert, Francis Davenport, and proved anew before J. Basse, the 25th of July, 1715. Copied from the Record, compared and examined by me, Samuel Bustill.
From: "Burlington: A Provincial Capital by George DeCou, Pgs 29-31 Daniel Wills, son of Dr. Daniel Wills, a lad of nineteen when the Kent arrived in 1677, wrote a most interesting account of the landing which I will quote in full as it vividly portrays the hardships and trials of the first settlers in the wilderness of Burlington County. The account was written in 1715, thirty eight years later, in collaboration with William Matlack. (James S. Lippincott Papers, Vol 5, 21-23 H.S.P.) "The Commissioners for William Penn, Gawen Lawrie, Nicholas Lucas and the rest of the Proprietors, unanimously employed Richard Noble to divide the spot where the town was (to be) which he did to a general satisfaction. Then his work was to divide it into Lots. After the street called High Street was laid out from both, the easternmost side of the street was to be divided amongst the Yorkshire Proprietors, as they were then called; and all the land lying on the westernmost side, bounded by the River and Creek, was to be laid out by the unanimous consent of the Commissioners to those that was called the London ten Proprietyss. So in order to begin a Settlement the Surveyor was ordered to survey 10 Lots of 9 acres each, all bounding on the western side of the High Street. When that was done Daniel Wills, my father, in the month of October, I think towards the latter end, made what speed he could, winter coming on, to make a settlement there, So brought up servants, also the two, John Woolstons, Samuel Clift, and his wife and son, came up with us. I remember we had a northeast storm of wind and rain for 48 hours, about the middle of which we came to the Landing. And when ashore the first thing to be done was to draw lots to find which of the ten was my fathers. So my father wrote down nine of the Proprietors in bits of paper and rowled them up, for the tenth he did not Know; but he rowled up a blank paper for it, and put them all into a hat covered, and caused an unconcerned person to draw them out. So the blank lot came out first, which was to be next to the River, and in two after the Person arrived and produced his right to it, which was Thomas Budd 1st, the second Thomas Hooten, 3rd Daniel Wills, 4th John Penford, 5th Ridges and Rudyard, 6th Thomas Olive, 7th Benjamin Scott, 8th William Peachy, 9th John Smith, 10th Richard Mew. This being done we took up our packages and through the Woods we went to find the third Lot. When there arrived, all in the rain, we set up some forks, and poles upon them, and covered our tents with blankets; but all that did but little good, for it rained through upon us all night. So that betwix the rain, and smoke of our fire, and wet cloaths, which never dried untill they dried on our backs, we was very much benumbed. Had not my father (had) more courage than either his Son or his servants to go out in the dismal dark night to get wood to recruit the fire, we might have perished. But to proceed, the Commissioners after all this betook themselves to dividing the Yorkshire part of the island. And after Thomas Olive came up with his family the London Commissioners employed the said Richard Noble to divide the remaining part of the Island that was yet unsurveyed between the ten proprietors aforesaid... All of which lots aforesaid by other of the Commissioners was surveyed and appropriated to the Proprietors in the year 1677. Thomas Olive and Daniel Wills, my father, was with the Surveyor always one of the other of them. John Penford and Benjamin Scott being gone for England before the whole was finished. Sometimes I think about two years after, the Commissioners appointed William Emly to be the Proprietor's Surveyor, and considering it would be necessary for firewood &c to accommodate the Town they imployed him to survey off so much Land adjoining to the said Town as might answer to each of the said twenty Proprietors, 400 acres which was called Town-bound Lands for each Proprietor to take it up within the said bounds, and it was not divided, no otherwise then each proprietor took it up; but in general surveyed out for the Service of those twenty proprietors, and no others. We whose names are hereunto subscribed being passengers in the ship aforesaid, and some of first inhabitants of the said Town, do testify and declare that of our own knowledge the above Relation is true. William Matlack, aged 68 years Daniel Wills, aged 57 years ---------------------------------------------------------------------- -----------------------------Camden Library - main branch History of the Colony by Samuel Smith Abstracts of a letter from Dr. Daniel Wills to William Biddle in Bishop's Gate street, London. ( Wm. removed from West Jersey, in the summer, 1681) 1680 Page 115 Let every man write according to his judgement, and this is mine concerning this country. I do really believe it to be as good a country as any man need to dwell in; and it is much better than I expected every way for land, I will assure thee; here is as good by the judgement of men, as any in England; and for my part I like the country so well, and it is so pleasant to me, that if I had as good estate in land in England, I should come to live upon it; for through industry here will be all things produced that are necessary for a family as in England, and for more easy, I am satisfied. When I am walking alone, the sense of the Lord's good dealings is brought before me; I cannot but admire Him for His mercies, and often in secret bless His name, that ever He turned my face hitherward and gave me confidence in himself, and boldness by faith, to oppose all gainsayers; though never so strong. Although then I could not say it seemed so clear to leave the land of my nativity, yet now it is to me a certainty, that my removal was right, and what I did , I had peace; and in all my exercise by sea and land, I never felt the least matter in me, as to desire I had not come forward in the midst of it all. Though my removal was not ordinary, because of the largeness of my family, yet blessed be God, all is well to our content; if thou heed objection, it will be work enough. My resolutions were, and my sayings to several opposers that I would come. If God hindered me not, No man should. I write to John Mulliner and Eduard Cooper largely, concerning the country, and refer to that letter. Now my dear and ancient acquaintance, William and Sarah Biddle, My love you may feel beyond expression; and if you had clearness to come to New Jersey, Let nothing hinder; but if you have a stop within yourselves, let not anything farther you until the way clears to your full satisfaction. In this advice I deny myself; If I might, but I dare not; If a man cannot live here, I believe he can hardly live in any place in the world; the place being as I thought, set before me by him who gives length of days; I will wait his good pleasure, and see what he will afford me in it. The last ship that came to New York bought several passengers, some of which came to see this country and liked it well; so dear friends you may stand against all opposers concerning the land, for it is good. Dr. Daniel Wills Burlington 6th of 11th month 1679-1680
The family of Daniel Wills by both wives are shown in the Quarterly Meeting of Northamptonshire of the Society of Friends (Quakers). The only other Wills in the Northamptonshire meeting records for this period is: "Nichollas Wills of Duston departed this life the 24th day of the ninth month in the year 1658". (November 24, 1658)
Daniel M.D. WILLS (5542), born 1633, Northamptonshire, ENG, died 20 May 1698, Barbados. NOTE: Arrived 1677, ship Kent, settled 600 acres on the Rancocas Will dated 25 Mar 1698, proved 20 Mar 1700. Married first, 1655, Northampton, Northamptonshire, ENG, Elizabeth OLIVE (5543), born about 1635, Northamptonshire, ENG, died 6 Mar 1661, Northampton- shire, ENG. Married second, 1655, ENG, Mary WAGSTAFF (5576). Children of Daniel M.D. WILLS and Elizabeth OLIVE: 1 James WILLS (5552), born 20 Dec 1655, Northampton, Northamp- tonshire, ENG, died 1704. Married Hester GARDINER (5553), daughter of Thomas GARDINER (7365). 2 Daniel WILLS (5534), born 17 Dec 1658, Northampton, Northamptonshire, ENG, died 1 Feb 1727, Northampton, Burlington Co., NJ. Married first, 30 Dec 1686, Margaret NEWBOLD (5535), daughter of Michael NEWBOLD (7363) and Ann __?__ (7364). Married second, 12 Mar 1694, Mary Thompson SHINN (7362). 3 John WILLS (5559), born 9 Jul 1660, Northampton, Northamp- tonshire, ENG, died 17 Feb 1746, Near Rancocas, Burlington Co., NJ. Married first, 26 Oct 1682, Hope DELEFASTE (5560), died 1719. Married second, 2 Jun 1721, Hannah CIRCUIT (7360). Married third, Apr 1726, Elizabeth KAIGHN (7361). Children of Daniel M.D. WILLS and Mary WAGSTAFF: 1 Samuel WILLS (5577), born 1667, Northamptonshire, ENG. 2 Mary WILLS (5578), born 1670, Northamptonshire, ENG. Mar- ried first, 8 Jul 1691, Thomas OLIVE (5579). Married sec- ond, 1696, Robert EVER (5580). Married third, 1703, Nathan STANBURY (5581). 3 Joseph WILLS (5582), born 1673, Northamptonshire, ENG. 4 Elizabeth WILLS (5583), born 1675, Northamptonshire, ENG. Married 17 Apr 1712, George BLISS (5584). 5 Ann WILLS (5585), born 1 Dec 1677, Northampton, Burlington Co., NJ. Married 1699, James, Jr. FOX (5586).
========================================================================= Information is from the HAIE8AE database belonging to:
submitter: >Haines, Wilbur H.< email: >whaines@@mcn.org< street_1: >P.O. Box 349< street_2: >< city: >Gualala< state: >CA< zip: >95445-0349< country: >USA< telephone: >707-785-3268< The Kent by Donna Speer Ristenbatt
THE KENT
The Kent carried colonists to West New Jersey with Gregory Marlow as master and loaded in London for New Jersey 19 March to 31 March 1677. There followed loadings for other ports, but she sailed before May. The Kent sailed first to New York, arriving either the 4th, 12th or 16th August. Then after a short stay, the Kent sailed across the bay to Perth Amboy, after which she headed south to the Delaware, landing first at the mouth of Raccoon Creek where she is said to have disembarked some 230 passengers of a total of 270. She then moved on to Chygoes Island, now Burlington. Other histories state that she landed at Raccoon Creek after an early June halt at New Castle, then to Burlington on 23 June. However, the arrival time in New York is known from the minutes of the New York government, with which the Commissioners (aboard the Kent) met during their stay there. The Yorkshire purchasers settled the 1st tenth, from Assinpink to Rancocas. The London purchasers settled the 2nd tenth, from Rancocas to Timber Creek. Those known to have been aboard or thought to have been aboard the Kent were:
NOTE: Persons in parentheses are doubtful, and may be listed later with a different ship. Persons listed in brackets were servants.
(Benjamin Acton) Benjamin Acton is thought to have rather been a passenger on the Lyon of Liverpool, arriving Philadelphia, October 1683. [John Allin] ([Jane Allin]) (Edward Bradway, wife Mary, children; William, Mary, Susannah; servants; John Allin, Thomas Buckel, William Groom) This Edward Bradway was possibly on the Greyhound, on which he loaded goods after the Kent had departed. ([Thomas Brinton]) ([Thomas Buckel]) William Clayton John Cripps Richard Davis or Davies, loaded 22 March Morgan Drewett, loaded 24 March William Emley or Emlen (probably Emley, as this is a noted Burlington County, NJ name) Thomas Eves Thomas Foulke Thomas Farnsworth ([William Groom]) Jonathan Habbuck, loaded 31 March Thomas Harding Joseph Helmsley (William Hibbs or Hebes) Henry Jennings (John Kinsey, actually came on the Greyhound, loading after the Kent left) Samuel Lovett _____ Marshall, a carpenter Thomas Nosster Thomas Olive, loaded 22 March William Peachey John Penton or Penford William Perkins, died aboard, and family Robert Powell Christopher Saunders Benjamin Scott Robert Stacey Robert Wade, loaded 19 March. Perhaps he had first come on the Griffin and returned as agent for the Colony. (Christopher White, servants: Jane Allin and Thomas Brinton. Perhaps he was on the Griffin instead, which is supposed to have arrived in 1677.) Daniel Wills John Wilkinson, died aboard Jonathan Woodhouse, loaded 22 March William Woodhouse or Woodmancy and family John Woolston
NOTE: It should be noted that many passengers alleged to have been aboard were from Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, and other northern counties. They probably loaded at a northern port, perhaps Hull or Liverpool, before the Kent arrived at London, which is why they do not appear in the London loadings.
Reference: Passengers and Ships Prior to 1684, Penn's Colony: Volume I by Walter Lee Sheppard, Jr., 1970.
Daniel Wills was entrusted with Elizabeth, the daughter of Thomas Green, of Bugbrooke Parish, to bring to America. http://awt.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=stewartr&id=I17542
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