Early Evidence

Early Evidence
of the
Henthorn Family
in
America

Irish Migration to the Colonies

It was to Pennsylvania, the Quaker colony, that the great bulk of the Ulster migration came. They began to reach there before 1710 and by 1720 thousands had come into the colony by way of Newcastle, Delaware  (then in PA). At first, they settled in the townships of London Britain, New London, Londonderry, London Grove, East and West Nottingham, etc., in Chester Co., PA.
(Source: Ohio Valley Genealogies, Charles A. Hanna, 1900, published privately)

Henthorn Family at London Grove Twp., Chester Co., PA

James Henthorn and his wife Mary, and his brother John Henthorn, a single man, were inhabitants of London Grove Twp., Chester Co., PA. Chester Co. was established as one of the three original counties in Pennsylvania in 1682. The first settlement in London Grove took place in 1714.
(Source: History of Chester Co., Pennsylvania, Davis)

The Maryland/Pennsylvania Border Dispute

23 Nov 1736
"Sir - Mr. Henry Mundy,
We the undersigned subscribers, being informed that there is some vacant lands and plantations near the Susquehanna River that were settled by some Dutch families, and the said lands were by them located by warrants issuing from the land office in the Province of Maryland, as of the right and property of the said Lord Baltimore; and that since the said Dutch families hath disclaimed the right and property of the said Lord Baltimore, and hath taken umbrage under the Proprieta... ... Penns; that we are informed that the absolute fee and Right to the said land is within the limits and bounds of the Lord Baltimore's charter or patent; that the Lord's agent hath and doth give encouragement for the resettling the said vacant plantations and land, we therefore pray and request that you will in our behalf and stead intercede with the Governor and agent to settle in such vacant land or plantations ... shall all be willing to pay such fee or rent charge as his Lordship usually ... and we should with our lives and fortunes defend the same, and be subject to ... of the province, and defend his right for which service we shall be very much ..."

Thomas Charlton;
John Charlton;
Edward Charlton;
John Charlton Jr.;
Thomas Charlton Jr.;
Arthur Charlton;
Richard Sedgwich;
Moses Starr;
Thomas Scarlett;
Henry Charlton;

Wm. Betty;
Wm. Betty Sr.;
James Downard;
James Starr;
Dan'l Oneal;
Geo. Bond;
Richard Ryan;
Joseph Moss;
James Henthorn;
Richard Pope;

Thomas Linnis;
Wm. Linnis;
John Linnis;
John Coates;
Robert Jessop;
Geo. Moore;
Gibbons Jennings;
Saml. Williamson;
John Carter
(Source: History of Chester Co. Pennsylvania, J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Pope, 1881, Philadelphia, PA, Louis H. Everts)

25 Nov 1736
Henry Munday, of London Grove, sadler, age about 48, being examined on Nov. 25, 1736, stated that about the latter end of September, Thos. Thompson of London Grove, told him of meeting at Wm. Miller's with Rev. Jacob Henderson (his brother-in-law) and Benjamin Tasker, Esq. of Maryland, then on their way to Philadelphia. Thompson mentioned a desire for some land for himself and sons, whereupon Tasker gave him a letter to some person in Maryland, now supposed to be Cresap. Thompson with John Starr and Wm. Downard, went toward Lancaster, and crossing the Susquehanna River, called upon Cresap, who showed them some vacant plantations and others inhabited by Dutch people. Starr then proceeded to Annapolis, and on his return informed that Gov. Ogle had agreed to grant these lands to Starr, Thompson, Downard, Thompson's two sons, and these other persons, who are friends or relatives of Starr and Downard, to wit, James Starr, James Henthorn, John Henthorn, Nathaniel Dawson, James Downard, and ? Savor, an Atty. at Law.

24 Nov 1736
"an extra session of the assembly was called to join with the Council in a representation of the troubles between the two provinces of the King."

Edward Leet, of Marlsborough, yeoman, age about 71 years, being examined by the council stated that Munday had shown him a petition about a month past, signed by several of his neighbors; and a few days after, Charles Higgenbotham came and asked him to go to Annapolis about some lands in Maryland. He wishing to take up some land, not only for himself, but for eight of his cousins, agreed to go and with him went John Smith, John Henthorn, Hugh Kaine, John Kaine and James Nicholson.

Upon calling on Gov. Ogle of Maryland, he told them he intended to disposses the Dutch on the Susquehanna, and would give to Leet and his companions each, 200 acres of their lands. While at Annapolis, Henry Munday came and presented a paper to the governor signed by several persons for the lands on the Susquehanna, and seemed displeased that Higgenbotham had been there before him in his application.

James and John Henthorn took up lands on the Susquehanna. They located on Codorus Creek, 3 miles west of the present city of York, PA. At that time the location was in Baltimore Co., MD and it now lies in York Co., PA. This was in the area disputed by Maryland and Pennsylvannia.

1738.
The examination of Sarah Southby upon her oath saith yt upon ye 16 day of this instant, 9 br (Sept.), at ye house of Willm Downard, John Owen ye highe sherife, being there as he heard, to take Charles Higgenbotham, she saw John Star take down a gun, but saw him do no more, and saw John Henthorn knock down a man so yt ye blod run out of his head, and saw James Henthorn and Mary Henthorn strick with sticks, and saw Jean Downard throw scalding broth and a stone at ye high sherife which hit his shoulder, and saw Daniel Oneal strick ye sherife with his fists and then went and got a how and threned to strick any yt came near him, and then went and calld the Henthorns who knew nothing of it before. Taken before me Abra; Emmit
(Source: History of Chester Co. Pennsylvania, J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Pope, 1881, Philadelphia, PA, Louis H. Everts, p 47-48)

1736 (Additional version of Henry Munday's statement)
An account of the transactions and affairs that I now am charged with and stand committed. That in Sept. last, the Rev. Mr. Jacob Henderson and Esq. Tasker of Maryland, upon their journey from Maryland lodged at the house of Wm. Miller of New Garden, where he met with John Thompson who is brother-in-law to the said Mr. Henderson. He sd Thompson applyed to him for advice in the settling or buying a plantation. Sd. Parson Henderson referred to Esq. Tasker, who immed. wrote a letter to some person in Maryland to show him some plantations near Susquehanna R. He being a stranger, John Starr and Wm. Downard did joyn with him (Thompson) and viewed the land. John Starr did proceed his journey to Annapolis and of the Governor did procure an order for the settling of ye sd Starr, Thompson, Downard, and James Starr, James Down, James Henderson, John Henthorn, Nathaniel Dawson, ? Savor, atty at law, that upon the return of sd John Starr and the good account he gave of the land, and that there is land to be taken up for to supply several families, and that the Governor would order 200 acres to be surveyed for each person at 4 shillings quit rent and the contigent charges for the surveying and patent, that he would maintain them in the possession and give them a lawful right that he esured them that said lands were within the limits of the Lord Baltimore charter. I then made some reflections on my unhappy circumstances and that it was occasioned by an expensive suit in chancery.
(Source: Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. I, Series I, page 502)

Connections to the Lowe(e), Johnson, and Cresap Families

The marriage of John Henthorn to Frances (Fanny) Low established the connection to the Cresaps and Johnsons. Daniel Johnson resided in 1698 in Spesutia Island but soon afterwards removed to the Susquehanna, at Lapidum, the country at the head of the Chesapeake Bay. (Note: Lapidum is just north of present day Havre de Grace, Maryland on the west bank of the Susquehanna River. REH) Daniel and Frances Johnson had six daughters:

• Sarah married Richard Touchstone;
• Hannah married Thomas Cresap, the great hero of the border warfare;
• Elizabeth married John Lowe, whose arrest, together with that of his sons, Daniel and William, was the occasion of one of the worst outbreaks during the boundary troubles;
• Rachel married Edward Evans;
• Sophia married Robert Cannon;
• Frances married William Cannon,

all of whom took a conspicuous part in connection with Cresap in defending the rights of Lord Baltimore on the northern frontier.

Daniel Johnson died, 14 Sep 1715. Frances, his widow, married Edward Harris in 1719 and he died 1723-1724. She then married Hugh Grant and fourth, married Miles Foy.
(Source: Lapidum - Aborigines)

Thomas Cresap was on the Susquehanna as early as 1726. He went to Virginia and tried to associate in business with the Washingtons, but failed to do so. He returned to Maryland and married Hannah Johnson, 30 Apr 1727.

About 1730, Cresap got a tract of land from the Governor of Maryland near Wright's Ferry on the Susquehanna River, opposite Columbia. On 26 Nov. 1732 a Pennsylvania sympathizer attacked him. Again in 1733, he was attacked and a child of John Lowe was almost killed. Later, Cresap was captured and held in Philadelphia. He was released in 1737. In 1739, he took out patents on several choice pieces of land in Western Maryland. The first was "Longmeadows," 500 acres located on Antietam, 2 miles from Hagerstown. Henry Munday was with him. He lost his property for debts.

20 May 1740, Cresap bought, "Indian Seat" from John Charlton for 100 pounds. Charlton was a Penna. Capt. Indian Seat became the permanent home of Cresap.

In 1752, following explorations by Christoper Gist, Cresap built a road from Willis Creek to the Monongahela, but a year earlier, in 1751, he had founded Redstone Old Fort on the right bank of Redstone Creek.

In 1763, the government issued a proclamation that no whites were to settle west of the Alleghany mountains, but Cresap had a private treaty with the Indians and had secured a large tract of land. He was friendly with the Indians because he traded with them. His land grant was in the vicinity of Redstone Creek. As the settlement was illegal no patents could be taken out.

In 1766, he surveyed the land and began bringing in families to settle, and although this was illegal, the settlers continued to come and made their claims stick.

There is a town named, Cresaptown, in Allegany Co., MD as of 1992, just to the southeast of Cumberland, Maryland.

Henthorn Land Transactions

10 Mar 1738, but extended to 27 Aug 1739, John Henthorn received patents on two pieces of land in Prince Georges Co., MD, which at that time was in the "Reserve" of the Province. "Hanthorn's Rest," 100 acres, (Source: Liber L G. # B, folio 235, Land Office Records, Annapolis, MD). And, "Saint John," 150 acres, (Source: Liber L G # B, folio 216). "Hanthorn's Rest" was on or near the Potomack River, 210 perches (5 1/2 yards) above the mouth of Tonoloway Creek. "St. John"s" was a tract near the wagon road leading from the Potomack River by Stull's Mill and near the property of Capt. Higgenbotham. Rent on "Hanthorn's Rest" was 4 shillings and on "St. John's" 6 shillings, annually.

21 May 1740, John Lowe, a citizen of Prince William Co., Virginia sold "Providence," a tract of 372 acres to John Henthorn of Baltimore Co., MD. The tract originally surveyed for John Lowe, 7 Aug 1735, lying in the "Reserve," as laid for Lord Baltimore on the W. side of the Susquehanna, north of a line extended west from that part of the said river which is opposite to and over against the mouth of Conestoga Creek, beginning at a bounded white oak standing on a hill near the wagon road leading from Susquehanna towards Potomak. Now lies in York Co., PA. (Parts of 1740 Baltimore Co., MD now are in Lancaster Co., PA)
(Source: Provincial Court Deeds, Liber E. I No. 3, folio 135)

James and John and their families lived on "Providence" on the Codorus River (Creek) in Baltimore Co., MD. James rented from John. It is thought that Fanny, wife of John, died about 1745. This is because on the conveyance, selling "Providence," the wife testifying was named: Margarett. Nothing is known of this woman, but it is assumed that John, being a widower with 4 children would have remarried.

3 May 1745, John Henthorn sold, "Providence." He sold 272 acres to Mathias Smiser for 160 pounds, Pennsylvania money. William Rogers and Nick T. Rogers witnessed. He sold the remainder of "Providence," about 100 acres to his brother, James, for 20 pounds Pennsylvania money. Wm. Rogers and Nick T. Rogers also witnessed this deed along with George Buchanan and Charles Ridgeley.

26 Apr 1746, less than a year after he purchased part of "Providence" from John Henthorn, James Henthorn sold his 100 acres to Jacob Hoak for 100 pounds. Witnessed by Thomas Tradway and Isaac Butterworth. James' wife, Mary Henthorn, gave her consent to the transaction.

20 May 1746, John Henthorn sold, "Hanthorn's Rest" to Charles Polke. The deed says that John is a citizen of Lancaster Co., PA and Polke is of Prince Georges Co., MD. The property contained 100 acres. John received 45 pounds in Maryland currency. The transaction was witnessed by Joseph Chapline and Morris Moran. On 31 May 1746, John Henthorn and Margrett his wife, of Lancaster Co., PA acknowledged the indenture.
Witnesses were: Joseph Chapline and Thomas Cresap.

After John Henthorn sold "Hanthorns Rest" and "Providence," he had only one piece of property left, "St. John's, the property he owned on Tonoloway Creek in Prince Georges county Maryland. It has been suggested that he lived there until approximately 1761-1762.

1748, the county of Frederick, MD was created from part of Prince Georges Co., MD.

1752, James Henthorn was still living on Codorus Creek, 3 miles west of York, PA.
(Source: Pennsylvania Archives, Vol. 2, Series III, p. 190)

29 Sep 1760, James Hinthorn ("i" is intentional) leased from Jacob Plunk, 171 acres for a term of 21 years. Annual rent 1 pound, 3 shillings, 5 pence.
(Source: Records of Dorchester County, MD - Vol. II, Maryland Records by Brumbaugh, p. 46) (Note: The location of Dorchester Co., MD on the east side of the Chesapeake Bay and quite removed from the location of James I and John I raises considerable question as to who this James Hinthorn might have been. It is not James, the son of James I, for he was in Frederick Co., MD. No location is known in 1760 for James II, son of James I, so it is either him or a different family.)

30 May 1761 (Recorded 27 Jun 1761), John Henthorn, farmer, Frederick Co, MD, sold to Christian Wellday, of Lancaster Co. MD (?) his property, called Saint John's, for the sum of 218 pounds current money of MD. Situate and lying in Frederick Co., MD (when John bought the property it was in Prince George Co., MD) consisting of 218 acres, beginning at a hickory sapling on a hill on the east side of the wagon road that leaves from the Potomack River to Stull's Mill, next to Capt. Higgenbotham's. Witnessed by Thomas Norris and Mor Chapline. (Source: Liber G, folio 80, Land Records, Frederick Co., MD) (Note: No wife of John Henthorn signed this release, as was required by law, so Margarett was evidently deceased by this date.)

Henthorn Military Service

13 Aug 1757, French and Indian War. The manuscript from which the following list is taken is a book of 109 pages, which was apparently made up for the General Assembly of Maryland. It is undated, but on page 28 is an entry, "To Capt. Elias Delashnut, Muster Roll, Aug. 13, 1757," and further on there is an account for 1758. It appears that this is a record for actual services. The first seven pages are given over to the claims of those on whom soldiers were quartered, while the remainder is devoted almost exclusively to muster rolls.

Capt. Joseph Capline's Muster Roll

• To Adam Henthorn - 47 days service, 2 pounds, 7 shillings
• To Adam Henthorn - 8 days service, 8 shillings
• To Adam Henthorn, Cpl. - 6 days service, 8 shillings
• To James Henthorn - 6 days service, 6 shillings
• To John Henthorn, of Frederick - no entry, 1 pound, 12 shillings, 6p

(Source: Maryland Historical Magazine, Vol. IX, p. 260)

Court Records

5 Mar 1757, James Gilliland, his administration bond in common form by Hannah Gilliland, his administratrix with John Henthorn and James Henthorn of Frederick Co., Maryland for surators in sum of 300 pounds sterling, dated 5th day of March 1757. The surators sued Hannah for several years after 1757 to collect something due the estate. She had remarried, William Polk.
(There may be a further connection of Gilliland to Philip Henthorn but the note didn't explain it.)
(Source: Testamentary Proceedings, Maryland Hall of Records.)

12 Aug 1758, John Henthorn, farmer, Frederick Co., MD loaned John McIntyre, 23 pounds Maryland currency and took a mortgage on McIntyre's stock. Witnessed by Ralph Higgenbotham, Brice Bler.
(Source: Liber F, folio 513, Maryland Hall of Records)

24 Aug 1758, John Henthorn, farmer, Frederick Co., MD loaned John McIntyre, same county, 23 pounds, currency money and took a mortgage on McIntyre property, "Smith's Choice." Witnessed by, Joseph Smith and Pat Bainbridge.
(Source: Liber F, folio 530, Maryland Hall of Records)

19 Jun 1762, John Henthorn, of Frederick Co., released John McIntyre from the mortgage on "Smith's Choice," when Mc Intyre repaid him 23 pounds. Witnessed by ? Butler and Jas. Wailpn (last name not clear).
(Source: Liber H, folio 48, Maryland Hall of Records)

17 Jun 1763, "Thomas, Lord Fairfax did on the 17th day of June 1763 execute a ... for a term of lives unto a certain Frederick Huckleberry, of Frederick Co., Virginia for a tract or parcel of land, lying in said county, 278 acres being part of a larger tract of 2875 acres lying on Potomack Riber, there in Frederick county, since called Berkeley county. Whereas, the said Frederick Huckleberry did sell and dispose of said lease estate to a certain James Henthorn of Berkeley county."
(Source: Deed Book 13, p. 198, Martinsburg, WV)

(Note: The exact location of the property of James Henthorn, described above, is not known. It is supposed that being on the banks of the Potomack, as stated in James's will, that it was near the property of his brother John, near Tonoloway Creek, in the area of Berkeley Springs, VA/WV.)

All Saint's Parish, Frederick County, Maryland

In 1742, the "Back Inhabitants" of Prince Georges Parish, Prince Georges County, MD petitioned in the General Assembly that an act might be passed to divide Prince Georges Parish and set up a new parish. (Maryland Archives, XLII, p. 278) The act was passed by the Assembly at its session, September - October 1742, for erecting a new parish, called by the name of All Saints' Parish. The following bounds were determined for the new parish:

"Beginning at Great Senecar Run Mouth, and running by and with the said Run to the Head thereof, from thence with a due east line to the Head of one of the Draughts of Patuxent River, and so binding all around as the upper part of the said County is bounded, shall be, and is by this Act separated, constituted, erected, and made in a Parish to be called All Saints' Parish."

All Saint's Church, 1750 West Church Street, Frederick, Frederick Co, MD.
Shortly after the establishment of All Saints' Parish in 1742 the Rev. Joseph Jennings was appointed by Governor Bladen as the first incumbent of the parish. He served the parish from 1742-1745, but his efforts were confined to old Monocacy Chapel near the present Poolville, former chapel of ease (?) of Prince Georges Parish. In December 1746, Rev. Samuel Hunter arrived at All Saints's Parish and finding no church building standing within the limits of the parish, urged the vestry to petition the General Assembly for a tax upon the inhabitants in order that a church could be erected. A petition was accordingly presented, and an act was passed at its session of May - Jul 1747 empowering the vestry of All Saint's Parish to purchase three separate acres of land in the said parish for a parish church and two chapels of ease to have a tax of three hundred pounds current money levied for building of same. A lot in Frederick Town, on All Saint's Street about one half mile from the present All Saint's Church was secured for the parish church.

In 1750, an act was passed by the General Assembly authorizing another tax for completing the building in Frederick Town. The church was completed about 1750 and was used by the congregation until 1814.

1761-1763, Petition #966, Sundry inhabitants of the Parish of All Saints', Frederick Co., MD to Governor Horatio Sharpe and the upper and lower houses of assembly. Petition for three new levies to build two chapels, one below Monacacy; three previous levies raised enough to repair the church at Frederick town; since the two chapels cannot be repaired they will need 12,000 pounds of tobacco in three payments, 1761, 1762, 1763.
Signed by:
Thomas Prather, Van Swearingen Jr., Charles Swearengen, John Stull, James Winder, Daniel Mc Coy, Jos. Perry, James Henthorn, John McIntyre, Joseph Helms, John Rullen, Thomas Scarlett, James White, Thomas Hankins, John Henthorn, Ralph Higgenbotham, Michael Rittlacrer, James Christie, James Henthorn, Jr., son of John, John Perins, Edward Dawson, Wm. Norris, Zacharias Rickets, Nathan Chiver, Thomas C. Canteau, Jeremiah Duvall, Robert Jackson, Hugh Jackson, Joseph Logan Jr., etc.
(Source: Maryland Archives, LVI , p. 502, 504, Also, Maryland Black Books, p. 141)

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Email Dick Henthorn: Dick.Henthorn@gmail.com
Posted: 1 Jun 2012
File: Intearly.txt