Origins

Disputed Origins

Previously, this profile was connected to parents William Clayton and Margaret (Cholmondeley) Clayton. These links were in error.

In 1904 Henry F. Hepburn published an incorrect Clayton family lineage. Later, James Bellarts published an extensive account of William Clayton tying him to the Yorkshire family of the same name. Research by Col. Charles M. Hansen, Louis E. Jones and Marilyn L. Winton-Misch has shown that William Clayton, the immigrant to Pennsylvania, was not related to the Yorkshire family of that name.

The research of these historians[1] show that William (Claiton) Clayton was descended from:

• William Claiton "the younger," b. 1610 in Boxgrove, Sussex, England
• William Cleton "the elder," b. 1589 in Walberton, Sussex, England
• Rychard Cleton, b. before 1563 in Walberton, Sussex, England

  ---

Christening: 9 DEC 1632 Chichester, Sussex, England

From notes taken by Duncan Rea Williams III in his "Cyber Niche": http://www.drwilliams.org/genealogy/3919.htm

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Clayton_(colonist)#

William Clayton came to America in 1677 on the ship "Kent" , landing in the Delaware River north of Salem West Jersey. He lived in Burlington NJ, then moved to Chichester Twp Chester Co., PA in 1681. He was a judge in PA, then Acting Governor in PA in 1684 and 1685.

From the History of Chester County, Pennsylvania:

1. 1722 tax list Upper and Lower Chichester
2. was Justice in first session of the court held at Upland 1682
3. member of Governors Council 1683-84
4. Justice of the Peace 1684
5. Justice of Upland court Sept 13 1681
6. Provincial council of Chester Co. PA 1 yr Nov 1682
7. Member of the Supreme Executive Council from Chester Co., PA 1683.

WILLIAM CLAYTON, with his family, arrived in the ship "Kent" from London, in the company with certain Commissioners sent out by the Proprietors of New Jersey to purchase lands from the Indians, etc. In March 1678/9, he purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook, and settled at that place.

In religious persuasion he was a Friend (member of the Society of Friends, or a Quaker), and was an active and consistent member.

He was also active in political matters. He was a member of Governor Markham's Council, and also of that of the Proprietary after his arrival, and at the same time served as one of the Justices of the Court of Upland County, and subsequently for that of Chester County, presiding at the first court held in Pennsylvania, under the Proprietary government.(*)

On 8 mo. (November) 24, 1684, he was elected President of the Provincial Council, which, for the time being, was practically the position of Governor of the Colony.

Research Notes:

William Clayton received a patent for 500 acres in Chester Co.,PA. Moved from Chygoes Island, which was renamed Burlington by the Quakers, and is no longer an island.

It has been determined that Willliam Clayton is NOT the son of a London lawyer, or Oxford University dignitary that was previously claimed.

A Will Bond in lieu of a Will was signed by his son, William Clayton, Jr. and is number 119 for the year 1689 in the Register of Wills office of the City and County of Philadelphia, PA.

Exactly when William Clayton became a Quaker is not known, but he was active as a Friend before he emigrated on the ship Kent to New Jersey. Samuel Janney in his "History of the Religious Society of Friends" speaks of a William Clayton going on a missionary trip to Ireland in 1656.

Joseph Besse in his "Collections of Sufferings for Sussex" has this entry: "On the 7th day of the 12th month of this present year 1663 (7 March 1663/1664 Julian, or 17 March 1664 Gregorian), Edward Hamper, Nicholas Rickman, Tristram Martin, William Turner, John Baker, John Snafold, Richard Newman, William Clayton and Henry Wolger for the sake of truth they did profess in meeting together to wait upon the Lord with the rest of the Meeting (Chichester) then assembled, were by one Major Mills with his band of armed men and with guns and swords drawn and in a violent manner took out of the said meeting 20 persons and had them to an inn, where they were kept till midnight and in the meantime the said Major Mills sent for William Gratwick, called a Justice of the Peace in this County of Sussex, and for no other cause were the several persons afore named by him the said Gratwick, committed to goal and the rest he bound over to answer for that offence,, so called, who accordingly appeared at the Assize, but were not called for anything said to them in relation to that matter, but at the following Sessions the aforementioned persons who were committed to goal were fined every many 6 pounds for the said meeting, and because for conscience sake they could not pay their fines aforesaid, they were committed to the House of Correction for 6 months in the town of Arundel (about 10 miles to the east) where they lay until it was expired, but here it is to be noted that John Snasfold aforesaid was fined but 3 pounds, and for not paying it lay there 3 months. "

And the same "Collection for Lancashire" has this entry for 1665: "As William Clayton was preaching in a Meeting at Padisham, the Priest of that Parish, attended by a Constable with a Warrant, came into the Meeting, pulled William out on the street,, tore his coat. The Constable then carried him before the Justices, who tendered him the Oath of Allegiance, and upon his refusal to take it, committed him to prison till the next sessions, when the Justices fined him 5 pounds for being at an unlawful Assembly, and committed him to the House of Corrections for 3 months. The Officers, for pretended fees and charges of carrying him thither, took his coat off his back. The keeper put him into a dungeon for 5 days and nights, till some moderate people of the town procured him the common liberty of the house for the rest of the time."

Two Quakers, Edward Byllinge and John Fenwick were partners in a proprietorship for West Jersey purchased for Lord Berkeley. Because of financial difficulties, Byllinge signed over his share to William Penn and two other creditors who in turn sold proprietary lots to two companies of Friends, one from Yorkshire and one from London.

Commissioners were appointed to "purchase from the Indians" or "to extinguish the Indian title" to the land and they shipped on the Kent. William Clayton was among those who came with these Commissioners. There were 17 family heads listed on the Kent which started loading in March 4, 1677, and finally sailed in the early summer. They passed the royal barge in the Thames and were given a blessing by King Charles II who was undoubtedly glad to see them go.

After a stop in New York, the Kent sailed up the Delaware late in August and finally settled in "Chygoe's Island." This became Burlington, NJ. There were some scattered buildings from the Swedish settlement there, but during the first winter many of the settlers had to be sheltered in sheds, tents and stables.

"The Concessions and Agreements of the Proprietors, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Providence of West Jersey in America" had been drawn and signed before the trip was undertaken. This document of civil and religious liberty was the Friends first experiment in legislation. It created an executive and a legislative power, provided that a Governor be chosen by an Assembly which in turn was elected by the people, and became the basis for the common law of the province. This colony predated Pennsylvania by five years.

The fact that William Penn referred to William Clayton as "cousin" as well as "friend" has not been explained.

Time Line: William Clayton was born 1 year prior to the first town government in the colonies being organized in Dorchester, Massachusetts

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.

From Jonna Turnbull's Ancestors:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:614076&i...

ID: I525 Name: William CLAYTON [1] Sex: M [2] [3] Birth: 8 DEC 1632 in Boxgrove Parish, Sussex, England [3] Death: 1 AUG 1689 in Chester Co,Pennsylvania [4] Ancestral File #: 594P-QV

Note: (1) William CLAYTON was baptized 9 Dec 1632 Boxgrove, Sussex, England.

He married 7 Nov 1653 St. Pancras Parish, Chichester, Sussex, England, to Prudence LANCKFORD, the daughter of William LANCKFORD of Broughton Parish, Hampshire, England.

Early adherents to the teachings of George Fox, William and Prudence became members of the Society of Friends.

On 7th day 12th month 1663 William was committed to jail in Sussex and fined 6 pounds for meeting with other Quakers. Having refused to pay his fines, William was jailed for six months in the House of Correction in the town of Arundel.

William Clayton and his family came to America in 1677 but the exact date of their arrival is uncertain. There was a William Clayton who arrived in 1677 in New Jersey on the ship "Kent" reportedly from London in the company of certain commissioners sent by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians. This may have been another William Clayton who has been mistaken for our William Clayton by Hepburn and others over the years.

On 6th day 8th month 1678, William Clayton Sr., William Clayton Jr. and Prudence Clayton were witnesses to the first marriage recorded at Burlington Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends, West Jersey.

In March 1679 William Clayton purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook and settled at that place.

Their daughter Honour Clayton married 6th month 1679 at "Markers Hook" under the care of Burlington Monthly Meeting. The family moved within the next decade to Chester Co., PA where William's estate was administered 1st day 8th month 1689.

Change Date: 23 JAN 2000

Father: William CLAYTON Sr b: 1590 in Chichester, Sussex, England

Mother: Joan SMITH b: 1610 in England

Marriage 1 Prudence LANCKFORD b: 1638 in London, England Married: 7 NOV 1653 in Pancras Parish, Chicester, Sussex, England

Children 1. William CLAYTON b: 11 MAR 1656 in Lewes, Chichester, Sussex, England

2. Prudence CLAYTON b: 20 AUG 1657 in Lewes, Chichester, Sussex, England

3. Joseph CLAYTON b: 11 DEC 1659 in Lewes, Chichester, Sussex, England

4. Elizabeth CLAYTON b: 1660 in England

5. Honour CLAYTON b: 16 JAN 1661/62 in Rumboldswke, Sussex, England

6. Mary CLAYTON b: 29 JUN 1665 in Rumboldswke, Sussex, England

7. Elizabeth CLAYTON b: 29 JUN 1665 in Rumboldswke, Sussex, England

8. Hannah CLAYTON b: 12 OCT 1667 in Rumboldswke, Sussex, England

Sources:

1. Author: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Title: Ancestral File (TM) Publication: July 1996 (c), data as of 2 January 1996

2. Title: Pennsylvania Quaker Meeting Records Author: William W Hinshaw Publication: Shelby Publishing and Printing 1990

3. Title: Chichester,Sussex, England records Text: From Cheska Wheatley's web page [Q:3]

4. Type: Web Site Title: Ancestry.com Author: Mailing lists and searches

And from Bill Putman's Clayton Family History: www.billputman.com/Clayton.pdf

WILLIAM CLAYTON

This is the William Clayton that was the progenitor of the American line of Claytons. He is referred to in most places as William of Chichester.

In most genealogies he is shown as being born in 1625. My feeling is that since his father was not married until 1631, that William was probably born in 1632.

The only good record is that he was baptized on December 9, 1632 and that record is in the Parish of Boxgrove. He was born nearby at his parent's home in Rumbaldswick, Sussex.

On November 7, 1653, he married Prudence Lanckford in St. Pancras Parish, Chichester, Sussex, England. This event is recorded in the Parish Register as, "William son of William Clayton of this parish and Prudence Lanckford of Peter the Less (Parish), daughter of William Lanckford of Groughton, Hampshire..."

Prudence was born in Surry in the early 1630s. She was a daughter of William Lanckford originally from Broughton Parish, Hampshire. There were a number of early genealogies that all stated Prudence's last name was Mickles. Louis Jones, on one of his many trips to England, determined she was a Lanckford. However, she may have been married first to a man named Mickles who died shortly thereafter.

William was a carpenter by trade and had joined the recently established Quaker religion. He was selected with others to act a Commissioner for William Penn to go to America, to West Jersey near Pennsylvania to clear any Indian titles to land that Penn had acquired near what is today Burlington, New Jersey just north of the colony of John Fenwick in Salem County, New Jersey.

William Clayton sailed for America on the ship Kent which left London in March of 1677 and arrived in New York in August of that year. His family was not listed on the register of the Kent, so they probably joined him later once he had established both the area and a home. During the next four years some 1,400 new arrivals came to Burlington and most of these were Quakers.

The Clayton family probably arrived in the period around 1689 to 1680.

In 1681, William Clayton moved his family to Chester County, just across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania onto 500 acres of land he had patented.

On September 13, 1681 he presided over the first court held in Chester County. He was one of the first two judges for the City of Philadelphia. He was a member of William Penn's council in 1683 and 1684. He was acting Governor of Pennsylvania from 1684 to 1685.

William Clayton died in 1689. His Will Bond was number 119 and is filed in the office for wills in Philadelphia. There was no actual will, and the bond was written by his widow Prudence. She gives power of executor to her son William, the eldest.

I do not know when Prudence Clayton died, but it was after 1690 and in Chester County.

The following is what I know about the eight children of William and Prudence Clayton. All were born in Sussex, England. The five that survived and came to America were all members of the Quaker faith.

1. WILLIAM CLAYTON the eldest child was born on May 11, 1655. On April 5, 1683 in Chester County, he married Elizabeth Bezer daughter of John and Susannah Bezer. He died in Chester County on April 22, 1727. Their children were William, Elizabeth, Rachel, Edward, Richard, Abel, Thomas and Ambrose.

2. PRUDENCE CLAYTON was born October 20, 1657. She married Henry Reynolds in Sussex England. Henry was a son of William and Margaret Reynolds. She came to America with her family and died in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1728.

3. JOSEPH CLAYTON was born February 12, 1659.

4. ELIZABETH CLAYTON was born in 1660 and died in infancy.

5. HONOR CLAYTON was born January 18, 1662 in Sussex. She came to America and married James Brown on June 9, 1679 in East Nolling Township of Chester County, Pennsylvania. She remained in Chester County and died there sometime around 1715. The Browns were members of the Nottingham Monthly Meeting. It was this marriage between Honor Clayton and James Brown that descended to my family's PIGGOTT line.

6. MARY CLAYTON was one twin born June 20, 1665 in Chichester, Sussex. She married John Beals in Chester County in 1682.

7. ELIZABETH CLAYTON was the other twin and she died in infancy.

8. HANNAH CLAYTON was born January 2, 1667/8 in Sussex. No records remain so she also may have died in infancy.

Ben notes: The following will referred to his son William and the eldest grandchildren William Clayton and Prudence Clayton. From Duncan Rea Williams III's "Cyber Niche": http://www.drwilliams.org/genealogy/3919.htm

1. WILL OF WILLIAM CLAYTON, of the parish of St. Pancras, Chichester, Sussex, England, 1 Feb 1658/9.

Consistory Court Will Register 1653-1668 in Chichester Miscellaneous Wills 1653-1668, vol. 218, Ref. ST61/218 at the West Sussex Record Office, Chichester, Sussex. Copied and transcribed by Marilyn London Winton, 1984.

"WILLIAM CLAYTON. In the name of God I Will Clayton of the Parish of Pancras without the East Gate, of Chichester in the County of Sussex, Timberman, being sick & weak in body yet of perfect memory Lord to be thanked, do make & ordain this my last will & Testament in form following.

First I give and bequeath my soul into the hand of Almighty God and my body to the earth.

....Item: I give unto my son Will Clayton the sum of 12 pence to be paid within on whole year after my decease.

....Item: I give unto my grandchildren William Clayton [and] Prudence Clayton the children of my son Will Clayton the sum of 20 shillings apiece to be paid unto them after they shall accomplish the age of 21 years.

....Item: I give unto my son Richard Clayton the sum of 20 shillings to be paid him when he shall accomplish the age of 21 years.

....Item: I give unto my son Thomas Clayton the sum of 20 shillings to be paid him when he shall accomplish the age of 21 years.

....Also I give and appoint 5 pounds for the placing of my son Thomas above said between this and the first day of May next ensuing the date hereof unto Thomas Coby.

....Item: I give also unto my daughter Elizabeth Clayton the sum of 40 shillings to be paid her within one whole year of my decease.

....Item: I give unto my daughter Mary Clayton the sum of 5 pounds to be paid her when she shall attain to the age of 20 and 1 years.

....All the rest of my goods I give unto my loving wife Elizabeth Clayton after my debts and funeral expenses be discharged for her well being and for the bringing up of my youngest daughter Mary Clayton, and do ordain and make her my Executor of this my last will and testament. But my will & meaning is that for as much as my wife may be uncapable to manage my estate to the best use and for the payment of debts in the due order, and for as much as my loving friend John Peche [Peachey] of Pagham doth stand bound with me for much of my only debts, I do ordain and appoint my friend John Peche [Peachey] and do give him full power and authority (not withstanding my Executor above said) to prove this my last will & meaning and to take an inventory of all my goods and to sell the same until such time my debts & funeral expenses be discharged, and then to resign up the Executorship into the hands of my loving wife, and to my meaning above said he being paid all such charges as he shall be at in this business.

....And I do ordain & appoint & my will & meaning is & I do desire my 2 friends & do give them powers to call the above named John Peche [Peachey] unto an account & unto such accounts as are needful & as often as they shall think fit, namely William Steele, miller, & living without the east gate of Chichester, & John Avery, shoemaker in Chichester, & I do desire them that they do see this my last will be performed to the true intent & meaning hereof, & I do give my 2 friends Will Steele & John Avery 2 shillings apiece for their care & pains & to have their expenses borne from time to time when they shall be employed about my business.

....In witness hereunto I have set to my hand & seal this first day of February, [the year] of the lord 165 & 8. William Clayton

In witness, us, ....Thomas Hopkins ....John Rogers

---

One of the 1st Commissioners sent by Penn to buy Indian rights

The second ship KENT, with Gregory Marlow, Master arrived 16 August 1677 and landed at Raccoon Creek with two hundred thirty passengers. Most of the passengers were called Quakers and among those named was William Clayton. Some of the passengers selected a site for a town, now called Burlington, laid out by Richard Nobe, surveyor. They first called the town New-Beverly, then Bridlington, but soon changed to Burlington. William's name is signed to the first recorded marriage certificate in Burlington for the marriage of Thomas Leeds and Margaret Collier 8-6-1678.

---

" William CLAYTON was baptized 9 Dec 1632 Boxgrove, Sussex, England. He married 7 Nov 1653 St. Pancras Parish, Chichester, Sussex, England to Prudence LANCKFORD, the daughter of William LANCKFORD of Broughton Parish, Hampshire, England. An early adherent to the teachings of George Fox, William and Prudence became members of the Society of Friends. On 7th day 12th month 1663 William was committed to jail in Sussex and fined 6 pounds for meeting with other Quakers. Having refused to pay his fines, William was jailed for six months in the House of Correction in the town of Arundel.

William Clayton and his family came to America in 1677 but the exact date of their arrival is uncertain. There was a William Clayton who arrived in 1677 in New Jersey on the ship "Kent" reportedly from London in the company of certain commissioners sent by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians. This may have been another William Clayton who has been mistaken for our William Clayton by Hepburn and others over the years.

On 6th day 8th month 1678, William Clayton Sr., William Clayton Jr. and Prudence Clayton were witnesses to the first marriage recorded at Burlington Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends, West Jersey. In March 1679 William Clayton purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook and settled at that place. Their daughter Honour Clayton married 6th month 1679 at "Markers Hook" under the care of Burlington Monthly Meeting. The family moved within the next decade to Chester Co., PA where William's estate was administered 1st day 8th month 1689. "

---

Was acting Governor of PA, under William Penn, 1684-1685

---

From notes taken by Duncan Rea Williams III in his "Cyber Niche": http://www.drwilliams.org/genealogy/3919.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Clayton_(Governor)

William Clayton came to America in 1677 on the ship "Kent", landing in the Delaware River north of Salem West Jersey. He lived in Burlington NJ, then moved to Chichester Twp Chester Co., PA in 1681. He was a judge in PA, then Acting Govenor in PA in 1684 and 1685.

From the History of Chester County, Pennsylvania:

1) 1722 tax list Upper and Lower Chichester 2) was Justice in first session of the court held at Upland 1682 3) member of Governors Council 1683-84 4) Justice of the Peace 1684 5) Justice of Upland court Sept 13 1681 6) Provincial council of Chester Co. PA 1 yr Nov 1682 7) Member of the Supreme Executive Council from Chester Co., PA 1683.

WILLIAM CLAYTON, with his family, arrived in the ship "Kent" from London, in the company with certain Commissioners sent out by the Proprietors of New Jersey to purchase lands from the Indians, etc. In March 1678/9, he purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook, and settled at that place.

In religious persuasion he was a Friend (member of the Society of Friends, or a Quaker), and was an active and consistent member.

He was also active in political matters. He was a member of Governor Markham's Council, and also of that of the Proprietary after his arrival, and at the same time served as one of the Justices of the Court of Upland County, and subsequently for that of Chester County, presiding at the first court held in Pennsylvania, under the Proprietary government.(*)

On 8 mo. (November) 24, 1684, he was elected President of the Provincial Council, which, for the time being, was practically the position of Governor of the Colony.

Research Notes:

William Clayton received a patent for 500 acres in Chester Co.,PA. Moved from Chygoes Island, which was renamed Burlington by the Quakers, and is no longer an island.

It has been determined that Willliam Clayton is NOT the son of a London lawyer, or Oxford University dignitary that was previously claimed.

A Will Bond in lieu of a Will was signed by his son, William Clayton, Jr. and is number 119 for the year 1689 in the Register of Wills office of the City and County of Philadelphia, PA.

Exactly when William Clayton became a Quaker is not known, but he was active as a Friend before he emigrated on the ship Kent to New Jersey. Samuel Janney in his "History of the Religious Society of Friends" speaks of a William Clayton going on a missionary trip to Ireland in 1656.

Joseph Besse in his "Collections of Sufferings for Sussex" has this entry: "On the 7th day of the 12th month of this present year 1663 (7 March 1663/1664 Julian, or 17 March 1664 Gregorian), Edward Hamper, Nicholas Rickman, Tristram Martin, William Turner, John Baker, John Snafold, Richard Newman, William Clayton and Henry Wolger for the sake of truth they did profess in meeting together to wait upon the Lord with the rest of the Meeting (Chichester) then assembled, were by one Major Mills with his band of armed men and with guns and swords drawn and in a violent manner took out of the said meeting 20 persons and had them to an inn, where they were kept till midnight and in the meantime the said Major Mills sent for William Gratwick, called a Justice of the Peace in this County of Sussex, and for no other cause were the several persons afore named by him the said Gratwick, committed to goal and the rest he bound over to answer for that offence,, so called, who accordingly appeared at the Assize, but were not called for anything said to them in relation to that matter, but at the following Sessions the aforementioned persons who were committed to goal were fined every many 6 pounds for the said meeting, and because for conscience sake they could not pay their fines aforesaid, they were committed to the House of Correction for 6 months in the town of Arundel (about 10 miles to the east) where they lay until it was expired, but here it is to be noted that John Snasfold aforesaid was fined but 3 pounds, and for not paying it lay there 3 months. "

And the same "Collection for Lancashire" has this entry for 1665: "As William Clayton was preaching in a Meeting at Padisham, the Priest of that Parish, attended by a Constable with a Warrant, came into the Meeting, pulled William out on the street,, tore his coat. The Constable then carried him before the Justices, who tendered him the Oath of Allegiance, and upon his refusal to take it, committed him to prison till the next sessions, when the Justices fined him 5 pounds for being at an unlawful Assembly, and committed him to the House of Corrections for 3 months. The Officers, for pretended fees and charges of carrying him thither, took his coat off his back. The keeper put him into a dungeon for 5 days and nights, till some moderate people of the town procured him the common liberty of the house for the rest of the time."

Two Quakers, Edward Byllinge and John Fenwick were partners in a proprietorship for West Jersey purchased for Lord Berkeley. Because of financial difficulties, Byllinge signed over his share to William Penn and two other creditors who in turn sold proprietary lots to two companies of Friends, one from Yorkshire and one from London.

Commissioners were appointed to "purchase from the Indians" or "to extinguish the Indian title" to the land and they shipped on the Kent. William Clayton was among those who came with these Commissioners. There were 17 family heads listed on the Kent which started loading in March 4, 1677, and finally sailed in the early summer. They passed the royal barge in the Thames and were given a blessing by King Charles II who was undoubtedly glad to see them go.

After a stop in New York, the Kent sailed up the Delaware late in August and finally settled in "Chygoe's Island." This became Burlington, NJ. There were some scattered buildings from the Swedish settlement there, but during the first winter many of the settlers had to be sheltered in sheds, tents and stables.

"The Concessions and Agreements of the Proprietors, Freeholders and Inhabitants of the Providence of West Jersey in America" had been drawn and signed before the trip was undertaken. This document of civil and religious liberty was the Friends first experiment in legislation. It created an executive and a legislative power, provided that a Governor be chosen by an Assembly which in turn was elected by the people, and became the basis for the common law of the province. This colony predated Pennsylvania by five years.

The fact that William Penn referred to William Clayton as "cousin" as well as "friend" has not been explained.

Time Line: William Clayton was born 1 year prior to the first town government in the colonies being organized in Dorchester, Massachusetts

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.

From Jonna Turnbull's Ancestors: http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:614076&i...

ID: I525 Name: William CLAYTON [1] Sex: M [2] [3] Birth: 8 DEC 1632 in Boxgrove Parish, Sussex, England [3] Death: 1 AUG 1689 in Chester Co,Pennsylvania [4] Ancestral File #: 594P-QV

Note: (1) William CLAYTON was baptized 9 Dec 1632 Boxgrove, Sussex, England.

He married 7 Nov 1653 St. Pancras Parish, Chichester, Sussex, England, to Prudence LANCKFORD, the daughter of William LANCKFORD of Broughton Parish, Hampshire, England.

Early adherents to the teachings of George Fox, William and Prudence became members of the Society of Friends.

On 7th day 12th month 1663 William was committed to jail in Sussex and fined 6 pounds for meeting with other Quakers. Having refused to pay his fines, William was jailed for six months in the House of Correction in the town of Arundel.

William Clayton and his family came to America in 1677 but the exact date of their arrival is uncertain. There was a William Clayton who arrived in 1677 in New Jersey on the ship "Kent" reportedly from London in the company of certain commissioners sent by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians. This may have been another William Clayton who has been mistaken for our William Clayton by Hepburn and others over the years.

On 6th day 8th month 1678, William Clayton Sr., William Clayton Jr. and Prudence Clayton were witnesses to the first marriage recorded at Burlington Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends, West Jersey.

In March 1679 William Clayton purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook and settled at that place.

Their daughter Honour Clayton married 6th month 1679 at "Markers Hook" under the care of Burlington Monthly Meeting. The family moved within the next decade to Chester Co., PA where William's estate was administered 1st day 8th month 1689.

Change Date: 23 JAN 2000

Father: William CLAYTON Sr b: 1590 in Chichester, Sussex, England

Mother: Joan SMITH b: 1610 in England

Marriage 1 Prudence LANCKFORD b: 1638 in London, England Married: 7 NOV 1653 in Pancras Parish, Chicester, Sussex, England

Children 1. William CLAYTON b: 11 MAR 1656 in Lewes, Chichester, Sussex, England

2. Prudence CLAYTON b: 20 AUG 1657 in Lewes, Chichester, Sussex, England

3. Joseph CLAYTON b: 11 DEC 1659 in Lewes, Chichester, Sussex, England

4. Elizabeth CLAYTON b: 1660 in England

5. Honour CLAYTON b: 16 JAN 1661/62 in Rumboldswke, Sussex, England

6. Mary CLAYTON b: 29 JUN 1665 in Rumboldswke, Sussex, England

7. Elizabeth CLAYTON b: 29 JUN 1665 in Rumboldswke, Sussex, England

8. Hannah CLAYTON b: 12 OCT 1667 in Rumboldswke, Sussex, England

Sources:

1. Author: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Title: Ancestral File (TM) Publication: July 1996 (c), data as of 2 January 1996

2. Title: Pennsylvania Quaker Meeting Records Author: William W Hinshaw Publication: Shelby Publishing and Printing 1990

3. Title: Chichester,Sussex, England records Text: From Cheska Wheatley's web page [Q:3]

4. Type: Web Site Title: Ancestry.com Author: Mailing lists and searches

And from Bill Putman's Clayton Family History: www.billputman.com/Clayton.pdf

WILLIAM CLAYTON

This is the William Clayton that was the progenitor of the American line of Claytons. He is referred to in most places as William of Chichester.

In most genealogies he is shown as being born in 1625. My feeling is that since his father was not married until 1631, that William was probably born in 1632.

The only good record is that he was baptized on December 9, 1632 and that record is in the Parish of Boxgrove. He was born nearby at his parent's home in Rumbaldswick, Sussex.

On November 7, 1653, he married Prudence Lanckford in St. Pancras Parish, Chichester, Sussex, England. This event is recorded in the Parish Register as, "William son of William Clayton of this parish and Prudence Lanckford of Peter the Less (Parish), daughter of William Lanckford of Groughton, Hampshire..."

Prudence was born in Surry in the early 1630s. She was a daughter of William Lanckford originally from Broughton Parish, Hampshire. There were a number of early genealogies that all stated Prudence's last name was Mickles. Louis Jones, on one of his many trips to England, determined she was a Lanckford. However, she may have been married first to a man named Mickles who died shortly thereafter.

William was a carpenter by trade and had joined the recently established Quaker religion. He was selected with others to act a Commissioner for William Penn to go to America, to West Jersey near Pennsylvania to clear any Indian titles to land that Penn had acquired near what is today Burlington, New Jersey just north of the colony of John Fenwick in Salem County, New Jersey.

William Clayton sailed for America on the ship Kent which left London in March of 1677 and arrived in New York in August of that year. His family was not listed on the register of the Kent, so they probably joined him later once he had established both the area and a home. During the next four years some 1,400 new arrivals came to Burlington and most of these were Quakers.

The Clayton family probably arrived in the period around 1689 to 1680.

In 1681, William Clayton moved his family to Chester County, just across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania onto 500 acres of land he had patented.

On September 13, 1681 he presided over the first court held in Chester County. He was one of the first two judges for the City of Philadelphia. He was a member of William Penn's council in 1683 and 1684. He was acting Governor of Pennsylvania from 1684 to 1685.

William Clayton died in 1689. His Will Bond was number 119 and is filed in the office for wills in Philadelphia. There was no actual will, and the bond was written by his widow Prudence. She gives power of executor to her son William, the eldest.

I do not know when Prudence Clayton died, but it was after 1690 and in Chester County.

The following is what I know about the eight children of William and Prudence Clayton. All were born in Sussex, England. The five that survived and came to America were all members of the Quaker faith.

1. WILLIAM CLAYTON the eldest child was born on May 11, 1655. On April 5, 1683 in Chester County, he married Elizabeth Bezer daughter of John and Susannah Bezer. He died in Chester County on April 22, 1727. Their children were William, Elizabeth, Rachel, Edward, Richard, Abel, Thomas and Ambrose.

2. PRUDENCE CLAYTON was born October 20, 1657. She married Henry Reynolds in Sussex England. Henry was a son of William and Margaret Reynolds. She came to America with her family and died in Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1728.

3. JOSEPH CLAYTON was born February 12, 1659.

4. ELIZABETH CLAYTON was born in 1660 and died in infancy.

5. HONOR CLAYTON was born January 18, 1662 in Sussex. She came to America and married James Brown on June 9, 1679 in East Nolling Township of Chester County, Pennsylvania. She remained in Chester County and died there sometime around 1715. The Browns were members of the Nottingham Monthly Meeting. It was this marriage between Honor Clayton and James Brown that descended to my family's PIGGOTT line.

6. MARY CLAYTON was one twin born June 20, 1665 in Chichester, Sussex. She married John Beals in Chester County in 1682.

7. ELIZABETH CLAYTON was the other twin and she died in infancy.

8. HANNAH CLAYTON was born January 2, 1667/8 in Sussex. No records remain so she also may have died in infancy.

Ben notes: The following will referred to his son William and the eldest grandchildren William Clayton and Prudence Clayton. From Duncan Rea Williams III's "Cyber Niche": http://www.drwilliams.org/genealogy/3919.htm

1. WILL OF WILLIAM CLAYTON, of the parish of St. Pancras, Chichester, Sussex, England, 1 Feb 1658/9.

Consistory Court Will Register 1653-1668 in Chichester Miscellaneous Wills 1653-1668, vol. 218, Ref. ST61/218 at the West Sussex Record Office, Chichester, Sussex. Copied and transcribed by Marilyn London Winton, 1984.

"WILLIAM CLAYTON. In the name of God I Will Clayton of the Parish of Pancras without the East Gate, of Chichester in the County of Sussex, Timberman, being sick & weak in body yet of perfect memory Lord to be thanked, do make & ordain this my last will & Testament in form following.

First I give and bequeath my soul into the hand of Almighty God and my body to the earth.

....Item: I give unto my son Will Clayton the sum of 12 pence to be paid within on whole year after my decease.

....Item: I give unto my grandchildren William Clayton [and] Prudence Clayton the children of my son Will Clayton the sum of 20 shillings apiece to be paid unto them after they shall accomplish the age of 21 years.

....Item: I give unto my son Richard Clayton the sum of 20 shillings to be paid him when he shall accomplish the age of 21 years.

....Item: I give unto my son Thomas Clayton the sum of 20 shillings to be paid him when he shall accomplish the age of 21 years.

....Also I give and appoint 5 pounds for the placing of my son Thomas above said between this and the first day of May next ensuing the date hereof unto Thomas Coby.

....Item: I give also unto my daughter Elizabeth Clayton the sum of 40 shillings to be paid her within one whole year of my decease.

....Item: I give unto my daughter Mary Clayton the sum of 5 pounds to be paid her when she shall attain to the age of 20 and 1 years.

....All the rest of my goods I give unto my loving wife Elizabeth Clayton after my debts and funeral expenses be discharged for her well being and for the bringing up of my youngest daughter Mary Clayton, and do ordain and make her my Executor of this my last will and testament. But my will & meaning is that for as much as my wife may be uncapable to manage my estate to the best use and for the payment of debts in the due order, and for as much as my loving friend John Peche [Peachey] of Pagham doth stand bound with me for much of my only debts, I do ordain and appoint my friend John Peche [Peachey] and do give him full power and authority (not withstanding my Executor above said) to prove this my last will & meaning and to take an inventory of all my goods and to sell the same until such time my debts & funeral expenses be discharged, and then to resign up the Executorship into the hands of my loving wife, and to my meaning above said he being paid all such charges as he shall be at in this business.

....And I do ordain & appoint & my will & meaning is & I do desire my 2 friends & do give them powers to call the above named John Peche [Peachey] unto an account & unto such accounts as are needful & as often as they shall think fit, namely William Steele, miller, & living without the east gate of Chichester, & John Avery, shoemaker in Chichester, & I do desire them that they do see this my last will be performed to the true intent & meaning hereof, & I do give my 2 friends Will Steele & John Avery 2 shillings apiece for their care & pains & to have their expenses borne from time to time when they shall be employed about my business.

....In witness hereunto I have set to my hand & seal this first day of February, [the year] of the lord 165 & 8. William Clayton

In witness, us, ....Thomas Hopkins ....John Rogers -------------------- One of the 1st Commissioners sent by Penn to buy Indian rights

The second ship KENT, with Gregory Marlow, Master arrived 16 August 1677 and landed at Raccoon Creek with two hundred thirty passengers. Most of the passengers were called Quakers and among those named was William Clayton. Some of the passengers selected a site for a town, now called Burlington, laid out by Richard Nobe, surveyor. They first called the town New-Beverly, then Bridlington, but soon changed to Burlington. William's name is signed to the first recorded marriage certificate in Burlington for the marriage of Thomas Leeds and Margaret Collier 8-6-1678. -------------------- " William CLAYTON was baptized 9 Dec 1632 Boxgrove, Sussex, England. He married 7 Nov 1653 St. Pancras Parish, Chichester, Sussex, England to Prudence LANCKFORD, the daughter of William LANCKFORD of Broughton Parish, Hampshire, England. An early adherent to the teachings of George Fox, William and Prudence became members of the Society of Friends. On 7th day 12th month 1663 William was committed to jail in Sussex and fined 6 pounds for meeting with other Quakers. Having refused to pay his fines, William was jailed for six months in the House of Correction in the town of Arundel.

William Clayton and his family came to America in 1677 but the exact date of their arrival is uncertain. There was a William Clayton who arrived in 1677 in New Jersey on the ship "Kent" reportedly from London in the company of certain commissioners sent by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians. This may have been another William Clayton who has been mistaken for our William Clayton by Hepburn and others over the years.

On 6th day 8th month 1678, William Clayton Sr., William Clayton Jr. and Prudence Clayton were witnesses to the first marriage recorded at Burlington Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends, West Jersey. In March 1679 William Clayton purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook and settled at that place. Their daughter Honour Clayton married 6th month 1679 at "Markers Hook" under the care of Burlington Monthly Meeting. The family moved within the next decade to Chester Co., PA where William's estate was administered 1st day 8th month 1689. "

---

Was acting Governor of PA, under William Penn, 1684-1685

---

GEDCOM Note

Immigration Note

25 March 1651--Virginia---William Clayton transported to Northumberland County, Virginia with 13 others by Thomas Thornbrough, who got 700 acres near the Nomeny River." 6 March 1666: William Clayton purchases 100 acres of land from William Landman in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Old Rappahannock County Deed Book, pp. 207--208. 6 March 1666: William Clayton purchases 100 acres of land from William Landman in Rappahannock County, Virginia. Old Rappahannock County Deed Book, pp. 207--208. William Cleaton (Clayton) "of New Kent County" bought two parcels of land in 1667 and 1670 in the part of Old Rappahannock County that became Richmond County. He was apparently deceased by 1680 when William Clayton (Jr.) was mentioned as an "orphan". William Clayton Jr. later sold the parcel purchased by his father in 1667. This deed, dated 1689, says "Wm. Cleaton and wife Mary Cleaton of Parish of North Farnham and County of Rappa.", for 2,000 pounds tobacco, sell to Abraham Cooke of same county and parish, fifty acres of land the which land belongeth to my mother's plantation and (blot) hundred acres of land that she doth now live on and that my father bought of William Landman." William Clayton Sr. had bought this 100 acres from William Landman in 1667. In 1686 there is a court record that bears on the birth year of William Clayton Jr.: "Henry Awbrey & Arthur Forbes as marrying the administrix of Capt. Tho. Goldman decd have in their custody 23 head of cattle belonging to the orphans of William Clayton, decd and whereas William Clayton, son of the said William Clayton decd, being arrived to the age of 21, has petitioned this court to be possessed of the said cattle..."

Life Sketch

Will - William Clayton - Parish of Pancras, wuitout yr gate of Chichester, Sussex- rpoved 1 Feb 1658
son - WILLIAM Clayton gr children - William Clayton - Prudence Clayton , yr children of my son WILLIAm Clayton - 20s after they reach age 21

William Clayton (December 9, 1632 – 1689) He was one of the first judges of the city of Philadelphia as well as a President of the Pennsylvania Provincial Council in 1682 and 1684.

Clayton was baptized on December 9, 1632, in Boxgrove, England, the son of William Clayton and Joan Smith. He was a descendant of Robert de Clayton, who crossed over to England with William the Conqueror, as well as Thomas de Clayton of Clayton Hall. Clayton Park reflects the family's heritage.[1]

His mother died before he was a teenager, and in 1653 he married Prudence Lanckford, a daughter of William Lanckford, in St Pancras, London. Clayton became a carpenter by trade and a follower of the Quaker religion.[2]

Pennsylvania Clayton was a founder of the Pennsylvania colony, serving as an original commissioner for William Penn, as well as one of Philadelphia's first judges,

Penn Company Commissioner In 1677, Clayton set sail for America, arriving in New York after being selected by Penn to serve as a commissioner. He oversaw the clearance of Indian land titles acquired by Penn in present-day western New Jersey near Burlington. In 1681, his family removed to present-day Chester County, where Clayton had secured a 500-acre land patent.[2]

Chester and Philadelphia judge In 1681, he presided over the first Upland Court in Chester,[3] and eventually was one of the first judges of nearby Philadelphia.[4]

Governor Council President In 1682, he served as President of Governor Markham's council, and in 1684 for Penn.[3]

The names, dates, places, have come from

The names, dates, places, have come from The Church of Latter Day Saints, IGI and Ancestral files.

Lindsey, who researched from Vol. 1 & 2

Lindsey, who researched from Vol. 1 & 2, Amer. Comp. of Gen egl. and Mrs. Oscar Markus, 835 Ellair Pl., Gross Pt., Mi ch. (Mrs. Furby's Family Rep. is David Pugh Lindsey -- 6 g.son)

From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 J

From Ancestral File (TM), data as of 2 January 1996.

Ancestral File Number:<AFN> 594P-QV !AFN

Ancestral File Number:<AFN> 594P-QV !AFN:594P-QV

Land Grant

[v4t2570.FTW] William of Chichester, third son of Thomas of London was granted a patent by the British government for 500 acres of land at Chichester, PA, where he settled in 1671. On 9/1/1681 he presided over the first court held under the proprietary government at Upland in Chester Co, PA. member of Penn's Council 1683-84, assisted in drafting most of the laws for Pennsylvania at the time. Cousin of Joshua clayton of Delaware,prominenet Quaker.

An early adherent to the teachings of Ge

An early adherent to the teachings of George Fox, William and Prudence became members of the Society of Friends. On 7th day 12th month 1663 William was committed to jail in Sussex and fined 6 pounds for meeting with other Quakers. Having refused to pay his fines, William was jailed for six months in the House of Correction in the town of Arundel.

William Clayton and his family came to America in 1677 but the exact date of their arrival is uncertain. There was a William Clayton who arrived in 1677 in New Jersey on the ship "Kent" reportedly from London in the company of certain commissioners sent by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians. This may have been another William Clayton who has been mistaken for our William Clayton by Hepburn and others over the years. On 6th day 8th month 1678, William Clayton Sr., William Clayton Jr. and Prudence Clayton were witnesses to the first marriage recorded at Burlington Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends, West Jersey. In March 1679 William Clayton purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook and settled at that place. Their daughter Honour Clayton married 6th month1679 at "Markers Hook" under the care of Burlington Monthly Meeting.

The family moved within the next decade to Chester Co., PA where William's estate was administered 1st day 8th month 1689. William Clayton in America The Clayton Family: The Branch from England to America From: The Clayton Family: The Branch from England to America by Bill Putman http://www.billputman.com/Clayton.pdf

Information from the resear

Came on the ship:KENT on 16 Aug 1677. So

Came on the ship:KENT on 16 Aug 1677. Source: The People's History of Claiborne Co. TN, 1801-1988, p.161

William Clayton was acting governor of Pennsylavania,1684-85 under William Penn.

Sources: Some Quaker Families compiled by Roger S. Boone

"The Parentage of William Clayton , Quaker Immigrant to Pennsylvania: A Correction" by Charles Hansen,p.169-171 THE GENEALOGIST

The Quaker Yeomen, vol 11, no. 4, 1985

"A Calendar of the Parish Register of Boxgrove, sussex, 1560-1812" compiled by W.D. Peckham, pp. 40-43 (baptisms), 109, 112 (marriages), 152 (burials)

William Clayton, a Quaker, immigrated with his family in 1677 on the ship KENT and sttled in Pennsylvania. He participated actively in the colony's affairs, serving as a judge and a member of teh Governor's Council. The decree grantling letters
of administration on his estate, filed in 1689, describes him as a carpenter of Chichester, Chester County Pennsylvania.

Calendar of Wills in the Consistory Court of the Bishop of Chichester, 1484-1800 (Index Liabrary, 49, London, 1915)

Consistory Court of Chichester, Recorded Wills 18:76

History of Chester County Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches by J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope, p. 498

Passengers and Ships Prior to 1684 by Walter Lee Sheppard, Jr., pp. 139-140

A genealogy of Clayton, Reynolds, Beals Brown, and Descended and Related Lines by James E. Bellarts, pp. 26-31

The Clayton Family by Henry F. Hepburn (papers of the Historical Soc. of DE), pp. 12-20

The Welcome Claimants, Proved, Disproved and Doubtful, with an Account of Some of Their Descendants by George McCracken ()Publications of the Welcome Soc. of Pa., 1970, pp.120-122

The Compendium of American Genealogy, vol. 7: pp. 214-215 by Frederick a. Virkus

Society of Friends, from the Monthly Meeting of Lewes and Chichester in County Sussex, 1126:41

A Calendar of the Parish Register of St. Pancras, Chichester, 1558-1812 (a copy at the Liabrary of the Gen. Soc. of Utah, Salt Lake City) p. 49

Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies, supra, note 9, pp. 14, 34

Quaker records of Lewes and Chichester, England supra note 10, 1126:121

Tax Lists for Chester County Townships (PA): The 1715 tax list of lower Chichester: William Clayton

[Br%C3%B8derbund WFT Vol. 4, Ed. 1, Tree #069

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 4, Ed. 1, Tree #0698, Date of Import: Feb 13, 1998]

Arrived with his family from London on the "Kent." A company oflandowners sent him over to this country to look after their interests inNew Jersey. After attending to these duties, he settled in Chichester,PA in 1671 where the British Government had given him a patent for 500acres of land.

On September 13, 1681, he presided over the first court held under theproprietory government at Upland in Chester County, PA. His son, WilliamClayton II was one of the jurors of that court. William Clayton was amember of Penn's Council during 1683-1684, and assisted in drafting mostof the laws for Pennsylvania at that time. He was a personal friend ofWilliam Penn. He was a cousin of Joshua Clayton who settled in Delaware.

--From Papers of the Historical of Delaware XV1 by Hepburn: read beforethe Historical Society of Delaware February 15, 1904 (copy in file).Record of his first court in these papers, quoted from Cope's "History ofChester Co., Pennsylvania," pp 18-19.

Information gathered by Della M. Martin of Buckhannon, WVa, December 9,1955.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The ship "Kent" landed in Burlington, N.J. William Clayton was a Quaker,a member of Penn's Council, a judge, and a carpenter.

--Information from James Wilbur Clayton, 29 Johnson Road, West Orange, NJ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

William Clayton of London, Eng., 3rd son of Thomas; married PurdenceMiller, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Broithwaite) Miller and widow of?? Michaels (Mickel, Mickels), who died ca 1660. A Quaker, he immigratedfrom Chichester, Eng. on the "Kent" arriving Aug. 1677. Settled brieflyin Burlington, NJ> In March 1678/79 purchased and setled at Marcus Hook,Delaware Co., PA. Granted land by Upland Court (Now Chester, PA). In1679/80/81 was commissioned a justice of Upland Court. He and SamuelPastorious were the first two judges for the city of Philadelphia. In1683/84, he was the 7th name to Penn's nine-member Provincial Council.In August 1684, he was elected President of the council and as such wasacting Governor of Pennsylvania.

--"The Compendium of American Geanology (1933). Vol V, p. 754, Vol. I, p708, and Vol III, pp 20 & 219. --"Quaker History," April 1913, p. 16. --Posted 12/4/90 by John Cass on Prodigy's Genealogy BBS

• ************************************************************************************************

"William Clayton, born Chichester, York Co., England was a son of Thomasand Mary, died 1689, Marcus Hook, Pa. Immegrated on the "Kent" to NewJersey 1671. Bought land at Marcus Hook Pa. He was the first of thePENNSYLVANIA line of the Clayton family (our ancestor). Joshua Clayton,cousin of William was on the "Kent" and settled in DELAWARE (Furtherinformation from 2 sources indicates that William Calyton came over fromEngland in 1671 and his cousin Joshua arrived in 1699 with William Pennon his 2nd trip from England).

--Excerpt from THE FAMILY OF MARY CLAYTON AMICK (1884-1974) (mss. nd)

• ************************************************************************************************

"William Clayton I arrived in Jew Jersey on the ship "Kent" from Londonin 1671. He was sent out by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchaselands from the indians. In March 1678-79, he purchased the share of HansOleson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook and settled in thatplace (now Delaware Co., Pennsylvania). As a Quaker, he was an activemember, was a member of Governor Markam's Council, served as UplandCounty Court Justice, later prisiding in the first court inPennsylvania. He was acting Governor of Pennsylvania, 1683-84."

--HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BY F.S. Futney and G Cope, p.498. Excerpted in THE FAMILY OF MARY CLAYTON AMICK (1884-1974) (mss. nd)

• ************************************************************************************************

"William Clayton I married Prudence Michels (Michaels) in England. Shedied in Chester Co., Pennsylvania sometime after 1689. Their childrenwere: William Clayton II born 1655 in England, died 1727; Joseph, bornDec. 12, 1659; Prudence, married Henry Reynolds in 1678, died 1728, 10children; Honor, married James Browne, 6-8-1679; Mary, born 1665 sussexx,england, md. John Bealls in 1682; Elizabeth, born and died in 1665;Hannah, born October, 1667.

"The names of William and Prudence Clayton's children were supplied byMrs. Ted Ormesher of Valentine, Nebraska, a Quaker researcher who statesthat she is a descendant of Honor Clayton Browne and her husband, adescendant of Mary Clayton Bealls. It is beleaved that John Beallsaccompanied William Penn to America at the end of the 17th Century andassisted in laying out Philadelphia. Hannah Bealls, daughter of WilliamBealls, who was a son of JOhn and Mary Clayton Bealls married AzariahPugh, grandson of Ellis Pugh (Quaker

William Clayton and his wife, Prudence a

William Clayton and his wife, Prudence and family went to New Jersey on the ship KENT in 1677. He went with several commisioners from London who were sent out by the proprietors to New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians. William Clayton has a patent from the British government for land, and he settled first at Burlington, New Jersey. Later he moved to Pennsylvania near Chester, and was the most prominent member of the Chester Meeting - the meeting house which was built on land given for the purpose by James Brown. William Clayton was a member of the Provincial Council, and he presided at the first meeting of the council under the government of William Penn. He and the famous Daniel Francis Pastorius were the first 2 judges of Philadelphia. [quaker Yeoman, Dec 1994]

_____________________________

William Clayton Sr, b. 1623, Parish of High Hayland, Yorkshire County, England, d. Aug 1689, Chester County, Pennsylvania. He brough his family to America on the ship KENT in 1677. Landing in the Delaware River north of Salem, West Jersey. Lived in Burlington, New Jersey, moved to Chicester Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania in 1681, was a judge in Philadelphia. He was acting govenor of Pennsylvania in 1684-85. William and Prudence witnessed the first recorded marriage in Burlington County, West (New) Jersey quaker Meetings on 6 Aug 1678 to Thomas Leeds and Margaret Collier. [William Hunt and Sarah Mills, Their Ancestors and Ours, Essays and Genealogies]

____________________________

William Clayton was baptized 9 Dec 1632 Boxgrove, Sussex, England. He married 7 Nov 1653 St Pancras Parish, Chichester, Sussex, England to Prudence Lanckford, the daughter of William Lanckford of Broughton Parish, Hampshire, England. an early adherent to the teachings of George Fox, William and Prudence became members of the Society of Friends. On 7 Dec 1663 William was committed ot jail in Sussex and fined 6 pounds for meeting with other quakers. Having refused to pay his fines, William was jailed for 6 months in the House of Corrections in the town of Arundel.

William and his family came to America in 1677 but the exact date of their arrival is uncertain. There was a William Clayton who arrived in 1677 in New Jersey on the ship KENT reportely from London in the company of certain commissioners sent by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians. This may have been another William Clayton. On 6 Aug 1678, William Clayton Sr., William Clayton Jr., and Prudence Clayton were witnesses to the first marriage recorded at Burlington Monthly Meeting, Society of Friends, West Jersey. In March 1679 William Clayton purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook and settled at that place. Their daughter Honour Clayton married June 1679 at "Markers Hook" under the care of Burlington Monthly Meeting. The family moved within the next decade to Chester Co., Pennsylvania, where William's estate was administered 1 Aug 1689. [Pennsylvania quaker Meeting Records]

[Br%C3%B8derbund WFT Vol. 4, Ed. 1, Tree #069

[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 4, Ed. 1, Tree #0698, Date of Import: Feb 13, 1998]

Arrived with his family from London on the "Kent." A company oflandowners sent him over to this country to look after their interests inNew Jersey. After attending to these duties, he settled in Chichester,PA in 1671 where the British Government had given him a patent for 500acres of land.

On September 13, 1681, he presided over the first court held under theproprietory government at Upland in Chester County, PA. His son, WilliamClayton II was one of the jurors of that court. William Clayton was amember of Penn's Council during 1683-1684, and assisted in drafting mostof the laws for Pennsylvania at that time. He was a personal friend ofWilliam Penn. He was a cousin of Joshua Clayton who settled in Delaware.

--From Papers of the Historical of Delaware XV1 by Hepburn: read beforethe Historical Society of Delaware February 15, 1904 (copy in file).Record of his first court in these papers, quoted from Cope's "History ofChester Co., Pennsylvania," pp 18-19.

Information gathered by Della M. Martin of Buckhannon, WVa, December 9,1955. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The ship "Kent" landed in Burlington, N.J. William Clayton was a Quaker,a member of Penn's Council, a judge, and a carpenter.

--Information from James Wilbur Clayton, 29 Johnson Road, West Orange, NJ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

William Clayton of London, Eng., 3rd son of Thomas; married PurdenceMiller, daughter of Robert and Margaret (Broithwaite) Miller and widow of?? Michaels (Mickel, Mickels), who died ca 1660. A Quaker, he immigratedfrom Chichester, Eng. on the "Kent" arriving Aug. 1677. Settled brieflyin Burlington, NJ> In March 1678/79 purchased and setled at Marcus Hook,Delaware Co., PA. Granted land by Upland Court (Now Chester, PA). In1679/80/81 was commissioned a justice of Upland Court. He and SamuelPastorious were the first two judges for the city of Philadelphia. In1683/84, he was the 7th name to Penn's nine-member Provincial Council.In August 1684, he was elected President of the council and as such wasacting Governor of Pennsylvania.

--"The Compendium of American Geanology (1933). Vol V, p. 754, Vol. I, p708, and Vol III, pp 20 & 219. --"Quaker History," April 1913, p. 16. --Posted 12/4/90 by John Cass on Prodigy's Genealogy BBS

• ************************************************************************************************

"William Clayton, born Chichester, York Co., England was a son of Thomasand Mary, died 1689, Marcus Hook, Pa. Immegrated on the "Kent" to NewJersey 1671. Bought land at Marcus Hook Pa. He was the first of thePENNSYLVANIA line of the Clayton family (our ancestor). Joshua Clayton,cousin of William was on the "Kent" and settled in DELAWARE (Furtherinformation from 2 sources indicates that William Calyton came over fromEngland in 1671 and his cousin Joshua arrived in 1699 with William Pennon his 2nd trip from England).

--Excerpt from THE FAMILY OF MARY CLAYTON AMICK (1884-1974) (mss. nd)

• ************************************************************************************************

"William Clayton I arrived in Jew Jersey on the ship "Kent" from Londonin 1671. He was sent out by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchaselands from the indians. In March 1678-79, he purchased the share of HansOleson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook and settled in thatplace (now Delaware Co., Pennsylvania). As a Quaker, he was an activemember, was a member of Governor Markam's Council, served as UplandCounty Court Justice, later prisiding in the first court inPennsylvania. He was acting Governor of Pennsylvania, 1683-84."

--HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA BY F.S. Futney and G Cope, p.498. Excerpted in THE FAMILY OF MARY CLAYTON AMICK (1884-1974) (mss. nd)

• ************************************************************************************************

"William Clayton I married Prudence Michels (Michaels) in England. Shedied in Chester Co., Pennsylvania sometime after 1689. Their childrenwere: William Clayton II born 1655 in England, died 1727; Joseph, bornDec. 12, 1659; Prudence, married Henry Reynolds in 1678, died 1728, 10children; Honor, married James Browne, 6-8-1679; Mary, born 1665 sussexx,england, md. John Bealls in 1682; Elizabeth, born and died in 1665;Hannah, born October, 1667.

"The names of William and Prudence Clayton's children were supplied byMrs. Ted Ormesher of Valentine, Nebraska, a Quaker researcher who statesthat she is a descendant of Honor Clayton Browne and her husband, adescendant of Mary Clayton Bealls. It is beleaved that John Beallsaccompanied William Penn to America at the end of the 17th Century andassisted in laying out Philadelphia. Hannah Bealls, daughter of WilliamBealls, who was a son of JOhn and Mary Clayton Bealls married AzariahPugh, grandson of Ellis Pugh (Quaker preacher). Daisy Amick osWinchester, Virginia is a descendant of this Pugh family. She suppliedme with the names of the children of William Clayton I, II, and III andthe children of Edward, son of William Clayton II. Edward md.12/25/1713, Ann Whitaker. Settled in Bradford, south of present city ofMarsholton. The Friends meeting property is part of the land. Edward'sson Joshua, md., 5-16-1753, Martha Baker, daughter of Aaron and Mary ofWest Malborough, continued to reside on his fathers land. This Joshuahad a son Joshua, and son Samuel, who married Ann Speakman; Mary md.Enoch Speakman; Hannah md. Amos Speakman. The 2nd Joshua also hadbrothers Aaron b. 4/2/1754; Jacob; Isaac and sisters, Rachel and Susanna.

--Excerpt from THE FAMILY OF MARY CLAYTON AMICK (1884-1974) (mss. nd)

Governor

In England he was jailed for 6 months for his involvement with the newly formed Quaker religion after which he came to America with the quakers where he became governor of Pennsylvania.

William Clayton & Prudence Mikels who sa

William Clayton & Prudence Mikels who sailed on the ship "Kent" in 1677, was acting govenor of Provincial, PA under Gov. Markham. He was one of the 9 Justices who set at Upland, PA 1681 and was a member of Pennsylvania Council.

Sources: History of Chester County, Pen ===

Sources: History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, pg. 498: Origin of Some Clayton Lines in Pennsylvania and Delaware by Mary J. and Matthew Hilt Murphy, pg. 9. He went to America in 1677 in the ship "Kent" to New Jersey from London, England, and settled in Burlington. He surveyed Burlington Island in 1677. In 1678/79, he purchased the share of Hans Oelson, one of the original grantees of Marcus Hook, and settled in that place. As a Quaker, he was an active and consistent member, and likewise took a part in political affairs. He was one of several Commissioners sent from London by the proprietors of New Jersey to purchase land from the Indians. He moved to Chester, PA., where he was a member of the Provincial Council, and presided at the first meeting under the government of William Penn. He was acting Governor of Pennsylvania in 1684-1685, and a member of the Governor's Council during the drafting of the great charter. He and Samuel Pastorious were the first 2 Judges of the city of Philadelphia. He was a justice in Upland County, and then for Chester County.

William Clayton, a carpenter trade, was

William Clayton, a carpenter trade, was "of the Parish of Rumbaldweeke without Chichester in County Sussex, England. Later he became an active member of the Society of Friends at the Lewes-Chichester Monthly Meeting in Sussex.

• ************************************************************************************************************** DOCUMENTATION FOR MARRIAGE TO PRUDENCE LANCKFORD: Parish records -7 November 1653 St. Pancras Parish, Chichester, Sussex Parish Register by V. London, 1945. Copied by Louis E. Jones in 1982.

"William son of William Clayton of this parish and Prudence Lanckford of Peter the Less (Parish), daughter of William Lanckford of Groughton (Broughton Parish), Hampshire..."

• **************************************************************************************************************

7 12th mo 1663 William and Prudence Lanckford Clayton became members of the Society of Friends. William was then committed to jail in Sussex and fined six pounds for meeting with other Quakers. After refused to pay his fines, William was jailed for six months in the House of Correction in the town of Arundel.

1677 William Clayton sailed from London to New Jersey on the ship "Kent" as one of a company of commissioners appointed by William Penn to remove (by purchase) any Indian claims to the land around Burlington, New Jersey which Penn had been granted. William Clayton and his party arrived in New York in August 1677. He then became one of the "Commissioners of Proprietors who settled in Burlington, West Jersey. During the next four years, 1,400 additional settlers (mostly Quakers) would settle there too.

It appears that William Clayton may have left his family in England until he had established a home in the area because they are not mentioned in the 1677 Kent records. However, if they didn't accompany him this first trip, they arrived shortly thereafter because Prudence witnessed a wedding in New Jersey in 1678.)

6 8th mo 1678 William and Prudence Lanckford Clayton were among the witnesses to the first marriage in the records of the Burlington MM, West Jersey

March 1679 William Clayton purchased the share of Hans Oelson in Marcus Hook (in present-day Delaware County, Pennsylvania), and his family settled there.

6th mo 1679 Honour Clayton was married at "Markers Hook" in the jurisdiction of the Burlington MM.

1681 William Clayton moved his family onto 500 acres he had purchased across the Delaware River in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

13 Sep 1681 William Clayton presided over the first court held in Chester County as one of the first two judges for the City of Philadelphia.

1683 William Clayton was a member of William Penn's Council. 1684 William Clayton was again a member of William Penn's Council.

1684- 1685 William Clayton was activing governor of Pennsylvania while Penn was in England.

1689 William clayton died. His Will Bond was number 119, and is filed in teh office for wills in Philadelphia. There was no actual will, and the bond was written by his widow, Prudence. She assigns power of executor to her son, William, the eldest.

DOCUMENTATION FOR PENNSYLVANIA RECORDS: HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA by Futhey and Cope. Pub. Philadelphia - 1881, p. 498. HISTORY OF DELAWARE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA by George Smith, M.D. Pub. Philadelphia - 1862. IMMIGRATION OF IRISH QUAKERS INTO PENNSYLVANIA by Myres. Pub. - page 158. BIRTHS, DEATHS AND MARRIAGES OF THE NOTTINGHAM QUAKERS 1680-1889 by Alice L. Beard, Family Line Publications, Pub. Westminster, MD, 1989. QUAKER MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES--CONCORD MONTHLY MEETING, DELAWARE CO., PA, 1679-1808 by Gwen Bjorkman, Heritage Books, 1991. Document at Devonshire House London Port folio *.89 listing decease of Public Friends deceased in ye Co. of Chester in ye Province of Pa..."William Clayton came from Chichester in ye county of Sussex and arrived ye year 1677 and died ye year 1688." "WILLIAM CLAYTON OF CHICHESTER" by Louis E. Jones, The Quaker Yeoman, Jan. 1985, pp. 1-2. "THE PARENTAGE OF WILLIAM CLAYTON, QUAKER IMMIGRANT TO PA: A CORRECTION" in The Genealogist (1983), Vol. 4, #2, pp. 169-173. " THE GENEALOGIST" by Charles M. Hansen (1983), Vol. 4, #2, pp. 169-173. "WILLIAM CLAYTON'S PARENTAGE: AN ADDITION IN THE GENEALOGIST" by Charles M. Hansen (1988), Vol. 9, pp. 78-9. "THE CLAYTON FAMILY" by Henry F. Hepburn. (Papers of teh Historical Society of Delaware, 41, Wilmington, 1904), pp. 12-20. "HISTORY OF CHESTER COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA," by Futhey & Cope, Pub. Philadelphia, 1881, p. 498. "PENNSYLVANIA QUAKER MEETING RECORDS, CONCORD MM" by William Wade Hinshaw, Shelby Publishing. "THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN QUAKER GENEALOGY," by William Wade Hinshaw, Vol. 2, Burlington MM, New Jersey. AMERICAN COMPENDIUM OF GENEALOGY by Virkus, Vol. 5, p. 754.

DOCUMENTATION FOR ENGLISH RECORDS: CONSISTORY COURT WILLS REGISTER 1553-1571, Vol. 8, p. 268, microfilm XA10/6 in West Sussex Records Office, Chichester, Sussex, England. Will is faded and could only be partially transcribed by Louis E. Jones. CONSISTORY COURT OF CHICHESTER RECORD, Vol. 18, p. 76b, microfilm STC 1/18 XA/18, County Record Office, Chichester, Sussex, copied by Louis E. Jones, 1984. A CALENDAR OF THE PARISH OF BOXGROVE, SUSSEX 1560-1812, by W. D. Peckham, 1946. Document at Devonshire House London Port folio *.89 listing decease of Public Friends deceased in ye Co. of Chester in ye Province of Pa...William Clayton came from Chichester in ye County of Sussex and arrived ye year 1677 and died ye year 1688.

• *****************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

BEWARE OF ERRONEOUS CLAYTON RESEARCH!

Note from Marva Hoffmeyer: The following article was published by "Cheska" (who runs the Clayton website). I, too, subscribed to THE QUAKER YEOMAN in the Seventies--and fell into the same trap she describes here. (I let the subscription lapse after I wrote to James E. Bellarts asking for a source for one of the marriages--and he published a scathing reply, offended that I questioned anything he printed.) Nevertheless, I was excited about the legitimate royal line he outlined for us (legitimate for earlier generations of Claytons from Sussex, but not necessary a royal line belonging to our own Clayton ancestors). I spent hours stringing the generations together--through William the Conqueror and Charlemagne and most of the British kings prior to the 1200s--as well as their French and German contemporaries. (Many of these lines are still contained in these records. I left them because the PEARSALL line of Frances Marie Berges truly does tie into these same royal families--though I have not yet had time to work on her specific lineage. It sits in boxes, untouched for years--but I will get to it.)

Keep in mind, however, that just because Bellarts made a mistake about the parents of our William Clayton, this does not mean that we don't tie into this lineage at an earlier point. William Clayton lived in Sussex, England--where the noble Clayton family lived--and I believe we are apt to connect down the line. Great care must be taken each generation because the names "William" and "Thomas" recur again and again among the famillies of many sons and cousins. (I don't feel I possess the expertise necessary to distinguish between these many families, and I'm grateful that William Clayton has literally thousands of eager descendants tracing his progenitors. There is a great deal of interest throughout the United States (See the Internet!) and I believed qualified British genealogists will straighten this out for us.

This phony connection was very disturbing to thousands of genealogists who thought they had reliable sources. It serves as a great lesson to us about how easily errors creep in (especially when the ancestors in question are famous). I can't stress enough how little it will hurt my feelings if others receiving the records I compiled recheck the data. I only hope they will point out the errors I have made as they are brought to light.

• ***************************************************************************************

"BEWARE OF ERRONEOUS CLAYTON RESEARCH!" by Cheska Wheatley - cheskaS934310190@

---

GEDCOM Source

@R-2138160964@ Ancestry Family Trees Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created. Ancestry Family Tree http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=16791045&pid...

---

GEDCOM Note

From History of Wayne County Pioneers:William Clayton came from Chichester to New Jersey on the ship; Kent in 1677, and settled in Burlington. He was one of the commissioners sent by the proprietors of London to purchase land from the Indians. He moved to Pennsylvania, near Chester, and was a member of Penn's Provincial Council, presiding over it's first meeting. He was Acting Cover nor, 1684-85, and a member of the Governor's Counsel during the drafting of the Great Charter. Wm. Clayton and Daniel E Pastorius were the first two judges of Philadelphia.