Pinpointing the Spot of James Willcox's Paper Mill

There is a lot more to learn about the area where James Willcox's paper mill was located! The area mentioned in historical documents like tax recors is Upper Providence. But if I am following the succession of mills correctly, it is actually closer to Media and Rose Valley and might have been what became known as Middle Mills, the latest and last purchaser being Samuel Bancroft. Samuel also owned Upper Mills, which is in present day Rose Valley Borough. I stumbled across a wedding venue that is at the Old Mill (Bancroft's Upper Mill), and started putting two and two together. 

Anyway, in October 2020, this barn and house site went up for sale for $1,199,000. It's history states that is Todmorden Hall, home and farm of Samuel Bancroft. So the history of it is really cool to read. 

Once part of a farmstead that included several nearby historic houses, this 1872 barn and its companion residence form a gracious estate set amid lush gardens. 

 Sandy Smith, Home and Real Estate Editor for Philly Mag, wrote:

Today we offer you a magical duo: a historic barn and a modern house in one of the region’s most distinctive communities. The community is Rose Valley, the Delaware County borough that began as a settlement around mills on Ridley Creek and blossomed into an early-20th-century utopian community. The barn and the house site were once part of Todmorden Farm, one of the earliest parcels of land to be settled in what is now Rose Valley. 

Todmorden’s history stretches back to 1787, when one Jacob Benninghoove built the original section of the house known as Todmorden Hall on land that had been granted to Randal Vernon by William Penn in 1681. The land had long since passed out of the Vernon family’s hands by 1787; Benninghoove had leased it from one Alexander Willcocks (NOT RELATED to our James Willcox) and bought the land outright by 1798. The house, which sits across Todmorden Lane from this property, sat on the highest point of land from here to the Atlantic, some 250 feet above sea level.

The two barns as they appeared in the late 19th century. Part of the stone wall on the right side of the barn in the foreground still stands. | Photo: Athenaeum of Philadelphia collection

Todmorden Hall was enlarged over the decades by a series of owners. In the years before the Civil War, its then-owner fitted it to accommodate slaves seeking freedom via the Underground Railroad. And in 1872, the bridge barn you see above was built. The barn was one of two that originally sat on this site. The second wooden barn eventually fell into ruin, but part of its foundation wall survives.

In the history of Rose Valley on www.rosevalleyborough.org, it is further explained:

Rose Valley was included in land grants by William Penn in 1681 to three Vernon brothers - Thomas, Robert and Randal - while they were still in England.  They all arrived here the following year. Robert's grant was confirmed by patent  in 1684, Thomas's in 1702 and Randal's in 1711. The three brothers' lands were  contiguous, and each had considerable frontage on the east side of Ridley Creek.  Randal Vernon built his home on what is now Rabbit Run, and that home still  stands. The part of Rose Valley we know as Todmorden was also part of Randal  Vernon's grant, but it was not until 1831 when Samuel Bancroft bought the farm  and mill on that site that the house was called Todmorden - a name which is said  to mean "Death of the Fox" or "End of the Hunt." Robert Vernon's home may have  been the three-story stone house on Old Mill Lane, now known as the Bishop White  House, getting that name from William White who sent his family here from  Philadelphia during an epidemic of yellow fever in 1793.

I'll be reading more here! 

https://www.phillymag.com/property/2020/10/07/rose-valley-todmorden-barn-and-house-for-sale/

http://www.rosevalleyborough.org/rose-valley-history/

https://theoldmillrosevalley.com/our-history-1 

https://www.phillymag.com/property/2020/02/04/house-for-sale-rose-valley-walton-cottage-forge/

https://rosevalleymuseum.org/history/the-artists/1901-1911/herbert-walton/#:~:text=Herbert%20Lightfoot%20Walton%20%281885-1938%29%20was%20a%20versatile%20artist.,Norton%20and%20his%20father%20was%20Charles%20Joseph%20Walton.

https://rosevalleymuseum.org/history/

Links to Research

I have no idea how/if this family fits in to the Thomas Willcox family yet, but there are ties that I am pursuing:

1860 - William Wilcox -46 - Bonnet Manufacturer (England) (
Wilcox, Lucy -45 (England)
Wilcox, Catherine - 25 (England)
Wilcox, Anna - 22 (N. Jersey)
Nancy C - 16 (PA)
Mary - 14 (PA)
William* - 9 (PA) (if this is William's family, then the tie to our family would have to go back to England)

1870 Census: (Philadelphia Ward 04 Dist 11)

Wilcox, William J. - 30
Wilcox, Mary J - 30
?Master, Joseph M - 10
?Master, George - 8 (there is a George Master in the death records who is black)
Wilcox, Walter - 4
Wilcox, Andrew - 4

Of importance here is the Dunn family, because later on, a tie to the Willcox/Wallover clan marries a Mary Dunn.

Dunn, Thomas - 30
Dunn, Catherine - 28
Dunn, Mary - 6
Dunn, Kate - 3
Dunn, Thomas, Jr. 10/12

And then the King Family:
King, Brien - 50
King, Bridget - 48
King, John - 21
King, Brien Jr - 19
King, Thomas - 16
King, James - 12
King, Maria C. - 9

A Catherine King married a Willcox.

Source Link:

1880 Census:

The family consisted of
Wilcocks William - 40 - Teamster - born in England
Mary Jane - 38 - Keeping House - Born in NJ
George - 17 - Works in Auction House
Walter - 14 - At School
Annie - 11 - At school
William - 8 - At school
Frank - 3
Leon - 2

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YB6-9PC4?i=23&cc=1417683

Mary C. Willcox applied for a passport April 28, 1922 to travel to France and Belgium on board the La France leaving on June 28, 1922.
Born 13 December 1858
Husband William J. Willcox, not living
Both born in Philadelphia
She lives at St. David's
No photograph
Cousin is Isabel M. Parrish
63 years old, 5'7', mix grey hair, blue eyes, oval face, high forehead, round chin

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L961-MC7N?i=406&cc=2185145

William Wilcox born 27 Sep 1878 to Wm and Mary Wilcox. Wm is listed as a "carter." Address 1231 Passayunk.
Also of interest is Elizabeth Shaffer - address 621 Moyamensiry? born to Wm (teamster) and Elizabeth Shaffer.

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-81RP-97L2?i=62&cc=1951739

James Wilcox married to Susan , daughter Elizabeth Ann Wilcox b. 20 Dec 1864 in philadelphia.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2FT-3GM

1870 Census

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6XMS-F13?i=24&cc=1438024

There are quite a few people here to look into. A King Family, Willcox Family, Dunn Family, 

THE WILLCOX PAPER MILL (IVY MILLS), 1729-1866

THE WILLCOX PAPER MILL (IVY MILLS), 1729-1866 Author(s): JOSEPH WILLCOX Source: Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, Vol. 8, No. 1 (MARCH 1897), pp. 28-85 Published by: American Catholic Historical Society

PDF: http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/44207609.pdf?refreqid=excelsior%3A19ea20e564ec4ba6a7d629a10fa5b208

Ivy Mills in "Catholicity in Delaware County"

Catholicity in Delaware County: Nineteen Hundred and Eighteen

An authentic compilation of facts concerning the history of the Catholic Church in Delaware County, 7-8. 

IVY MILLS 

The present flourishing condition of the Church in Delaware County is the result of a long-continued process of development. As far back as 1729 Mass was celebrated in the County at the home of Thomas Wilcox, the founder of the famous paper-mills at Ivy Mills. For the first few years the Station at Ivy Mills was attended from Bohemia Manor, Cecil County, Maryland, Father Greaton, S. J., making the long journey on horseback to minister to·the few Catholics who formed the Congregation at Ivy Mills. Then in 1733, when St. Joseph's Church, Philadelphia, was built and entrusted to the Jesuits, Father Graton made it his headquarters and attended from there the Stations at Ivy Mills, West Chester and Deer Creek.

For more than a hundred years Mass was said in one of the rooms of the old Wilcox Mansion. This structure was pulled down in 1837 and a new house erected on the same site, and Mass was celebrated there until a Church was built in the vicinity in 1853. Naturally, the congregation at first was very small. Indeed - even in 1819, almost a hundred years after Mass was first said at Ivy Mills, the congregation numbered less than a dozen souls. But about 1840 it began to increase in numbers, and on May 1, 1842, twenty-one persons received the Sacrament of Confirmation from Bishop Kendrick. This date is notable as being the first time that Confirmation was administered within the County, and also the first time that Bishop Kendrick confirmed since succeeding Bishop Conwell as Bishop of Philadelphia. Again on August 28, 1853, Bishop Neuman administered Confirmation, this time to twenty-four persons.

Meanwhile the Congregation had steadily increased in size until the rooms in the 'Wilcox Mansion used for the purpose of saying Mass became too small to accommodate the people. It became apparent that conditions warranted the erection of a Church, and on August 26, 1852, a tract of land was purchased from Nicholas F. Walter by Bishop Neuman to be held in trust for the Congregation at Ivy Mills. Work was at once commenced on the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle, and on Sunday, August 29, 1852, the Cornerstone was laid by Father Sourin, of Philadelphia. The Church was dedicated by Bishop Neuman, October 21, 1855.

By this time the congregation had increased to 500 or 600 people, and Bishop Neuman deemed it advisable to appoint a resident pastor in the person of the Rev. Charles J. Maugin. The appointment of Father Maugin marked a new era in the history of the parish, for it now became possible to have Mass every Sunday. Up to this time Mass had been said at Ivy Mills only about once or twice a month; for, on account of the great distances which the priests had to travel on horseback, and the number of stations to which each priest had to attend, it had been impossible for them to visit oftener the stations assigned to them.  In 1858 Father Maugin was succeeded by the Rev. Nicholas Walsh, and in the latter part of the same year a frame Rectory was built.

In 1860, Rev. Thomas Kyle was appointed Rector, and he was succeeded after two years by Rev. Henry Wright. Rev. John Wall was appointed Pastor in 1864, Rev. John J. McElroy became Pastor in 1866, Rev. John Cox was appointed in 1870, and in  1872 Rev. Michael Lawlor. Rev. John J. Ward was appointed in 1873; he was succeeded in 1875 by Rev. Andrew J. Gallagher, who in turn was succeeded by Rev. William F. Cook in 1877. Father Cook remained in charge of the parish until his death, in 1900, when Rev. John J. Walsh was appointed to succeed him. In 1907 Rev. Charles J. Mullin was appointed, and he was succeeded in 1913 by Rev. D. A. Dever. In 1916 Rev. D. C. Munyon was appointed to succeed Father Dever, and he is at present in charge of the parish with the Rev. D. F. McMenamin as his assistant.

http://delawarecountyhistory.com/documents/Catholicity.pdf

Mark Willcox Watermarks in Bank of North America Collection

Mark Willcox and Ivy Mills mentioned in the following article about watermarks found in the Bank of North America Collection

https://hsp.org/blogs/fondly-pennsylvania/water-marks-found-in-the-bank-of-north-america-collection-ii

The Cherokee Land Lottery: Containing a Numerical List of the Names of the ...

p. 76, T. Wilcox, Jr. (son of Thomas), Fryer's, Telfair. 

https://books.google.com/books?id=4fQxAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false

James Willcox Residence Catawissa

There is a reference to a photo of a James Willcox residence in Catawissa, Columbia, PA taken in 1924 at this link:

http://findingaids.hagley.org/xtf/view?docId=ead/1970_200.xml

[Description and dates], Box/folder number, Dallin Aerial Survey Company photographs (Accession 1970.200), Hagley Museum and Library, Wilmington, DE 19807

Box

1 James Willcox residence, circa 1924 [File ID# 70.200.00267]

Box

1 George Willcox residence, circa 1924 [File ID# 70.200.00268]

More about the collection:

In 1924, pilot J. Victor Dallin, a former member of the Royal Air Force and veteran of the First World War, formed the Dallin Aerial Survey Company. Operating out of the Philadelphia Municipal Airport, his company was one of many during the era searching for business opportunities that utilized the nascent technology of the airplane. Dallin's company took thousands of aerial photographs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, most in the Philadelphia area.

The images in this online exhibit include a small fraction of the aerial views from the Victor Dallin Aerial Survey Collection at the Hagley Library. 

1880 Census John Willcox

This census record is for John Willcox, John Willcox's* youngest child (*son of James Willcox, grandson of Thomas Willcox.)

Of interest to me is that his wife Sarah (this would be Sarah Ellis) is from Scotland.

John Willcox in 1880 US Census

Papermaking in Exeter
https://books.google.com/books?id=mIUsAAAAYAAJ&q=exeter,+england+papermaking&dq=exeter,+england+papermaking&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwifptW12-bQAhXiy1QKHQqTCioQ6AEINjAG

A book to read: p.8 talks about Exeter at the time of Thomas's birth (1689)

A History of the Peoples of the British Isles: From 1688 to 1914

By Thomas Heyck

https://books.google.com/books?id=beQDAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA8&dq=exeter+england+in+the+1600s&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjk9MTA1ObQAhVJwVQKHRrxAAQ4ChDoAQhDMAc#v=onepage&q=exeter%20england&f=false

Wills & Administrations Devon, England

I'm not sure how to use this yet, but here is a link to Wills and Administrations in Devon, England: (p. 872 listings for Thos.)

https://books.google.com/books?id=uUJFAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA662&lpg=PA662&dq=willcox+exeter+devon+england&source=bl&ots=xP08DrAf48&sig=4JQh2yU0FNQCUMuYRDHKs0Q0mwQ&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjiwsrT0ubQAhUqxlQKHcLzDvM4ChDoAQgqMAQ#v=onepage&q=willcox&f=false

Ivybridge

In a couple of entries on Family Search, Thomas Willcox's birthplace has been shown as Ivybridge. Another birthplace given is simply "near Exeter." There is, in fact, an Ivybridge in Devon, England near Exeter, so I am researching this more.

Here is a fun brochure put together about this area which I am checking out.

http://www.ivybridge-devon.co.uk/ivybridge_heritage_p2.htm

Of interest to me is the mention of St. John's church. I am going to look there to see if I can find any official birth records.

The Battle of Breakfast Branch

From http://mv.ancestry.com/viewer/71caf4fc-9346-49f3-9819-a9923e333fd4/13460237/87219990

In the spring of 1818, a large number of hostile Creek Indians appeared on the big bend of the Ocmulgee river opposite Telfair county, and started committing depredations upon the whites. On March 3, Joseph Burch (Joseph was married to a niece of John Willcox) and his son, Littleton, crossed over to the Indian side of the river and started erecting a shelter near present-day Oscewichee Spring. As darkness fell they built a fire and settled down for the night. suddenly from out of the darkness, several shots rang out. Joseph was killed instantly and Littleton was severely wounded. The Indians scalped them both, and although Littleton remained conscious. he kept perfectly still to preserve his life. After the Indians had departed, Littleton somehow made his way back to the river and managed to get across. Fading in and out of consciosness, he crawled and staggered and reached the house of John Willcox two days later.

The settlers along the river, primarily from the communities of China Hill, Temperance, Hopewell and Copeland, became greatly alarmed and started gathering at Fort Adams, which had been erected in Temperance during the War of 1812. On the eighth od March a force of 34 men under the command of Major Josiah D. Cawthon, Commander of the Telfair County Militia, crossed the river at Jordan's Bluff, and as it was late in the day, went into camp for the night. Early the next morning the force moved out and soon approached a spring at the head of a branch near the present-day Browning community. There they found the Indians, estimated to be about 60 in number, scattered about the spring eating breakfast. The Indians were not taken by surprise, however, and a fierce fire fight quickly ensued. The fighting continued for about 45 minutes.

The whites, being greatly outnumbered, started taking heavy casualties and began to fall back. This soon turned into a rout and they quickly scattered and ran for the river several miles away. Mark Willcox, son of John, was severely wounded with a rifle ball in the head but was saved by Thompson Nathaniel Statham.  Nat managed to get Mark upon his back, and still carrying his rifle, headed for the river with the Indians in hot pursuit. Wiley Ellison came to Nat's assistance and together they fought off the Indians and managed to reach the river with the wounded Mark. this action on the part of Nat and Wiley no doubt saved the life of Mark Willcox, who would live to become a Major General, the where abouts of Mark's father, John, amd his brother, James Lea, during the retreat is not known, although both were engaged in the battle.

In addition to Mark, Moses Roundtree and John Lawson were wounded and both recovered. The dead were a Mr. Nobels, William Mooney, William Morrison, Michael Burch (brother of the scalped Littelton) and Captain Benjamin Mitchell Griffin (Griffin was married to a sister-in-law of John Willcox). Griffin was the first coroner of Telfair County and this fact is so stated on the historical marker at the courthouse in McRae. He had also served as state senator-elect for the year of 1818, at the time of his death. Others known to have been in the battle were Redding Hunter, Daniel Drawdy and Daniel Campbell. Four Indians were known to have been killed.

This fight, known as "The Battle of Breakfast Branch", proved to be the last hostile encounter with Indians in the vicinity of Telfair County.

On September 15, 1819, a new son was born to John and Mary Willcox. This son was named Mitchell Griffin Willcox, in honor of the slain Mr. Griffin. That name survived until this day in the Willcox family.

Nat Statham was the last survivor of this fight, dying on June 26, 1892, at the extreme age of 97.

Willcox Cemetery in Georgia

From sources on Ancestry.com:

This cemetery is located just off the old River Road (the unpaved part) near the town of Rhine, GA. This was originally Willcox land, in what was at that time Telfair County, GA (now Dodge County).
It is near the Hopewell Baptist Church--past the church and up a lane in a wooded area.

Link to online records

https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/Pennsylvania_Online_Genealogy_Records

Book to Read

https://books.google.com/books?id=lDghAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=willcox+middletown,+pa&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjnnOzzh43OAhUlyoMKHVh0CeI4HhDoAQhLMAk#v=onepage&q=willcox&f=false

Important index to search through letters of administration and wills

Important index to search through letters of administration and wills:

https://familysearch.org/search/image/index?owc=9PMZ-FM9%3A268496701%3Fcc%3D1999196

Widow Sutton in Census

"Widow Sutton" listed in Northern Liberties township, 1800

https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GR8Z-T83?i=32&wc=3V1X-N3F%3A1585149703%2C1585150013%2C1585150018%3Fcc%3D1804228&cc=1804228

Northern Liberties comes up in reference to Prudence Kartchner, so this is interesting.

James Willcox, buried Lower Merion Cemetery

In the Philadelphia City Death Certificates Index, it says that James Willcox (info below) was buried in Lower Merion Cemetery. I am going to try and find the original record. The burial date and place actually match up to the St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Ardmore, PA, on the website http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/burial/lutheran/w.html. This is a great clue, because I am trying to see if this James Willcox is John and Sarah Walton Willcox's son. The date is off by six years, according to the baptism record at the Catholic church.

The reason I think this may be James, son of John and Sarah is because of the burial location, in the same cemetery as his uncle Peter Wallover and aunt Margaret Walton Wallover. I believe we will find that most of John and Sarah's family affiliated with Protestant religions although they were baptized Catholic as children. (Sarah was originally Protestant and is listed as such in two of the baptism records: "Protestant", and "non-Catholic." Her daughter Prudence and son John both joined the Roxborough Baptist Church.

Name: James Willcox
Birth Date: abt 1806
Birth Place: Delaware Co, PA
Death Date: 27 Dec 1886
Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age at Death: 80
Burial Date: 30 Dec 1886
Burial Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Race: White
Street address: 1228 N 12th St , 20th Ward
Residence: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Lower Merion
Marital Status: Married
FHL Film Number: 2025965

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2008, 2010. From originals housed at the Philadelphia City Archives. "Death Records."

SACRAMENTAL REGISTERS, p. 478

Wilcocks [Willcox], on the 19th*, by Rev. J. Rosseter, James, born Feb. 15, or John Wilcocks and his wife Mary Warton (perhaps Wharton;] sponsors—Peter Scravendyke and Anna Cassin.

1Error. John Willcox married Sarah Walton.—Jos. Willcox.

*19 Oct 1800

http://books.google.com/books?id=bLMTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA478&dq=sarah+walton,+willcox&hl=en&ei=ve6CTeSiB4GksQOqlunuAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=sarah%20walton%2C%20willcox&f=false

.

James Willcox, buried Lower Merion Cemetery

In the Philadelphia City Death Certificates Index, it says that James Willcox (info below) was buried in Lower Merion Cemetery. I am going to try and find the original record. The burial date and place actually match up to the St. Paul's Lutheran Cemetery in Ardmore, PA, on the website http://www.lowermerionhistory.org/burial/lutheran/w.html. This is a great clue, because I am trying to see if this James Willcox is John and Sarah Walton Willcox's son. The date is off by six years, according to the baptism record at the Catholic church.

The reason I think this may be James, son of John and Sarah is because of the burial location, in the same cemetery as his uncle Peter Wallover and aunt Margaret Walton Wallover. I believe we will find that most of John and Sarah's family affiliated with Protestant religions although they were baptized Catholic as children. (Sarah was originally Protestant and is listed as such in two of the baptism records: "Protestant", and "non-Catholic." Her daughter Prudence and son John both joined the Roxborough Baptist Church.

A James Willcox who was affiliated with the Quakers would have been buried in Quaker burial grounds, I think, but maybe that is too far of a stretch in my thinking. And it isn't a cousin James Willcox, whose family was still Catholic.

At any rate, I have not been able to find the death date for Sarah Walton Willcox. There IS a Sarah Wilcox buried next to this James, along with an Elizabeth. But I don't think is her, because it would make Sarah Walton Willcox over 100 years old when she died. :)

Name: James Willcox
Birth Date: abt 1806
Birth Place: Delaware Co, PA
Death Date: 27 Dec 1886
Death Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Age at Death: 80
Burial Date: 30 Dec 1886
Burial Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Gender: Male
Race: White
Street address: 1228 N 12th St , 20th Ward
Residence: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Cemetery: Lower Merion
Marital Status: Married
FHL Film Number: 2025965

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City Death Certificates, 1803–1915." Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2008, 2010. From originals housed at the Philadelphia City Archives. "Death Records."

SACRAMENTAL REGISTERS, p. 478

Wilcocks [Willcox], on the 19th*, by Rev. J. Rosseter, James, born Feb. 15, or John Wilcocks and his wife Mary Warton (perhaps Wharton;] sponsors—Peter Scravendyke and Anna Cassin.

1Error. John Willcox married Sarah Walton.—Jos. Willcox.

*19 Oct 1800

http://books.google.com/books?id=bLMTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA478&dq=sarah+walton,+willcox&hl=en&ei=ve6CTeSiB4GksQOqlunuAQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CCsQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=sarah%20walton%2C%20willcox&f=false

.

Description of Mary Brackett Willcox Papers

http://mv.ancestry.com/viewer/7448640c-3266-4679-ab1f-c5f94f8ac6ff/22821923/28113555430

Willcox-Mary-B_2-300x405

Mary Brackett Willcox papers, 1807-1864 (MC 10) This collection contains mostly incoming correspondance to Mary Brackett Willcox (1796-1866), wife of James M. Willcox (1791-1854) whose family owned one of the most significant paper mills in the country in Ivy Mills, now Glenn Mills, Pennsylvania. Along with their status in industry, the Willcox family was also one of the most prominent families within the Catholic community in the Philadelphia area. The family’s mansion became the center of Catholicity in Delaware County, and served as the beginnings of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, the oldest parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. During the 1840s and 1850s, students and the Vincentian administrators of St. Charles Borromeo Seminary spent their summers at the Willcox estate. The letters in the collection are from Vincentians, seminarians, and other priests serving the Archdiocese of Philadelphia who formed close ties with Mary and the Willcox family during this period. A majority of the letters address the topics of religion and spirituality, and more specifically, the teachings of the Catholic Church. These topics were of special interest to Mary. From an old established Puritan family from Massachusetts, she converted to Catholicism after marrying into the Willcox family. The correspondence also documents the Vincentians’ work in the Philadelphia diocese and in other parts of the country; and relates to the Willcox family. Besides correspondence, the collection also includes miscellaneous drafts, notes, and other writings that Mary likely authored.

Catharine Ryan

I am posting this record because Catharine Ryan is a name that has come up in association with the Willcoxes and I want to look into it more.

Village Record on May 3, 1826 — Marriage — Marriage By Rev. John S. Jenkins, on the 30th ult. Mr. BARTHOLOMEW KEECH, to Miss CATHARINE RYAN, both of Tredyffrin township, Chester county.

More History at: http://www.accessible-archives.com/the-pennsylvania-genealogical-catalogue/#ixzz4ECzbJR61

Sarah Wilcox, wife of William

I was researching the Sarah Wilcox buried at St. Paul Lutheran Church and found the following entry on findagrave.com. (Not the right Sarah, I know, but now I want to see where this Sarah fits in.)

Birth: 1805
Death: Jun. 17, 1835

w/o William Wilcox

Burial:
Saint Peters Lutheran Church Cemetery
Chester Springs
Chester County
Pennsylvania, USA

Sarah Bicking late Martin

From Gwynedd Monthly meeting Minutes, 1779-1786
The Women Friends brought in a paper offered at their meeting by Sarah Bicking late Martin, acknowledging sorrow for her conduct in accomplishing her marriage by a Priest
and also acquaint the meeting that Hannah Shubert late Martin hath been married by a Priest

Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

One of the friends appointed to visit Sarah Bicking and Hannah Shubart; report that they visited them Sarah, continues desirious that her acknowledgment may be Received . . . Hannah requests friends to wait longer with her the same friends are appointed to visit her again with the men friends.

Image at Ancestry

James Wilcox and Sarah Bicking

I am not sure right now which James this is...

Village Record on August 16, 1826 — Marriage — Marriage On the 10th instant, by William Everhart, Esq. Mr. JAMES WILCOX, to Miss SARAH BICKING, both of Chester county.

More History at: http://www.accessible-archives.com/the-pennsylvania-genealogical-catalogue/#ixzz4ECyQJcNi

St. Thomas' Church, Ivy Mills

St. Thomas’ Church, Ivy Mills.
The Catholic residents of Aston for many years attended worship in St. Mary’s Church, the noted chapel in the mansion of the Willcox family at Ivy Mills, in Concord township, but in time the congregation grew so numerous that it became necessary to erect a sanctuary at a more convenient location for those living in Rockdale and its neighborhood. Hence to that end a tract of land was purchased from Nicholas F. Walter on Aug. 26, 1852, the deed being made to the Rt. Rev. J.N. Newman, bishop of the diocese of Philadelphia, which lot was to be held in trust for the congregation of Ivy Mills. On Sunday, Aug. 29, 1852, the corner-stone of the church of "St. Thomas the Apostle" was laid, Rev. Mr. Sourin, of Philadelphia, conducting the ceremonies. The imposing church edifice was finished in 1856, and on Oct. 20, 1856, Rev. Charles Joseph Maugin was appointed the first pastor. In 1858 he was succeeded by Rev. Nicholas Walsh, and in the latter part of that year a frame parsonage was erected, at a cost of two thousand four hundred and forty-four dollars. In 1860, Rev. Thomas Kyle was in charge, and in 1862, Rev. Henry Wright. He was succeeded by Rev. John Wall in 1864, and in 1866, Rev. James J. McElroy became the pastor of St. Thomas’ Church. The latter, in 1868, gave place to Rev. James F. Kelley, and he in turn, in 1870, to Rev. John Cox. In 1872, Rev. Michael Lawlor was its pastor. On Tuesday night, Feb. 4, 1873, the parsonage was totally destroyed by fire, originating in a defective flue. The contents of the building were saved, and by the utmost exertions the church edifice, which stood in close proximity, was rescued from the flames, which threatened its destruction. The following October Rev. John J. Wood was in charge, and during his pastorate a substantial brick parsonage was erected. He was followed, in 1875, by Rev. Andrew J. Gallagher, and on Oct. 14, 1877, the present pastor, William F. Cook, was installed. The congregation now numbers about fourteen hundred persons, and a mission chapel is attached to this church, located near Elam.

Source: http://www.pa-roots.com/index.php/pacounties/delaware-county/86-history-of-delaware-county-pennsylvania/787-historyofdelawarecountychapter29

Willcox marriages in Delaware County History

http://www.delawarecountyhistory.com/Marriages1860thru1880.htm

September 15, 1868
David M. Odiorne of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Ida E. Willcox of Ivy Mills
daughter of the late James M. Willcox at Ivy Mills, by Rev. John Wall.

August 20, 1876
Benjamin H. Day of Darby
Mary A. Willcox of Phila.
in Phila., by Rev. Samuel Irwin

William P. Willcox

An entry for William P. Willcox in the Pennsylvania Veterans Burial Cards, 1777-2012

I am just wondering if possibly this could be John and Sarah W. Willcox's son William mentioned by Wm. D. Kartchner and for whom I don't have any info.

NOTE: No, upon further research he is a son of Isaiah Wilcox and Polly Pendleton.... Hence, the P. :)

Research helps

This is a great article for understanding how to read the Catholic records.

http://www.archives.com/experts/alzo-lisa/researching-roman-catholic-church-records.html

Sacramental Registers Digital Link

http://libcollab.temple.edu/aggregator/?f%5Bsubject_sim%5D%5B%5D=Baptism+--+Records+--+Pennsylvania

Joseph Willcox and Politics

A search for future reference about Joseph Willcox and his involvement in politics:

https://books.google.com/books?id=9-rPCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA384&lpg=PA384&dq=willcox+quaker+pennsylvania&source=bl&ots=p6n-PZ8fyO&sig=iJ1mMHsIIB2wuCxpdyIoUDVAwg4&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6pYqPh8HNAhXC6YMKHTJxA-8Q6AEIPDAF#v=onepage&q=willcox&f=false

German Names in Pennsylvania

This is a great book to have on file.
https://books.google.com/books?id=ihPVAAAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=kirchner+philadelphia+1700s&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjdmvy3_LzNAhXC64MKHaPXCygQ6AEIQTAH#v=onepage&q&f=false

Henry Bicker Probate Records

Name: Henry Bicker
Probate Date: 1797
Probate Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Inferred Death Year: Abt 1797
Inferred Death Place: Pennsylvania, USA
Case Number: 42
Item Description: Administration Files, 1797

Table of Contents3 images

Cover Page

Administration Papers2–3

Link to Ancestry.com

Here is a Land Warrant to Investigate
Link to Ancestry.com

There are lots of Henry Bickers in the  Pennsylvania, Revolutionary War Battalions and Militia Index, 1775-1783

William England and Elizabeth Willcox

From Roster of Revolutionary Soldiers in Georgia Vol II

WILLIAM ENGLAND came to America with his parents who came with the Scotch-Irish emigration to Penn. He removed to Md. and in 1760 to N.C. He mar. (1) Elizabeth Willcox (dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth [Cole] Willcox in Penn. They had 1 child, William England, Jr. He mr. (2) Mary Watson of Gloucester Co., N.J. He was in REV. SERVICE for N.C. and together with his brother-in-law John Willcox, was appointed by the Council of Safety of N.C. to carry on the work of Iron Furnace, making cannon and cannon balls for the Government; they were exempted from military, but rendered material aid during the War.
(Ref. Col. Records of N.C., by Sanders, Vol. 10, pages 648-650; Vol. 12, pages 992-996.)
Children by (2) wife:
1. Daniel, b. in Md. about 1752, came to N.C., 1760; mar. in N.C. 1772, Margaret Guinn, b. in N.C. He d. in Burke Co., N.C., 1819. She d. in Habersham Co., Ga., 1840. He was a REV. SOLDIER.
Children:
1. Elisha, mar. Eliza Siminaer Erwin (dau. of John and Catherine Erwin).
2. Joseph.
3. Jane.
4. Deborah.
5. Rachel, mar. John Williams.
6. Margaret.
7. Nancy.
8. Mary.
NOTE: DANIEL ENGLAND, Revolutionary service record; he served as a worker in the Iron Works, where he rendered material aid, and was exempt by vote of the Congress of N.C. In 1827, his widow drew land in 1827 Land Lottery of Ga. as widow of a REV. SOLDIER. Three other sons of WILLIAM ENGLAND, REV. SOLDIER were: Joseph, moved to Habersham Co., Ga.; John; and Samuel.

U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 for Elizabeth Willcox

Meeting Records
The friends appointed to assist the women friends in dealing with Elizabeth Willcox report they have not had an opportunity, by reason of her being sick, therefore they are continued.

Pennsylvania Vital Records
Spetemeber 29, 1791. Peter Orrison to Elizabeth WIllcox, of Bristol Township. Marriage performed by Rev. David Jones, A.M. Pastor of the Southampton Baptist Church.

Elizabeth Willcox Will information

Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1819

Name: Elizabeth Wilcox Hoggard
Residence: Philadelphia
Description: Decedent
Date: 6 Sep 1802
Prove Date: 1 Sep 1802
Title: Widow
BookPage: Y:726
Remarks: Elizabeth Hoggard. City of Phila. Widow. Sept 6, 1802. Sept 14, 1802. Y.726., Former Husbands: Henry Bicker, William McMurray. Daughter: Maria Bicker. Step-Daughter: Sophia Bicker. Brothers: James and John Wilcox. Exec. and Guardian: Henry Hawkins.

Thomas Hoggard Administration Files

Name: Thoms Hoggard
Probate Date: 1801
Probate Place: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Inferred Death Year: Abt 1801
Inferred Death Place: Pennsylvania, USA
Case Number: 12
Item Description: Administration Files, No 252-255, 1-75, 77-82, 1800-1801
Table of Contents 3 images
Cover Page 1
Administration Papers 2–3

Thomas Hoggard was Elizabeth Willcox's third husband. She was only married to him about a year when he was killed in a battle near Gibraltar. He was captain of the ship Louisa.

In "A Register of Marriages and Deaths 1800-1801" from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 23, it states the following:
A Register of Marriages and Deaths, 1800-1801 from The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 23

Deaths (from the Issue of November 29, 1800):
Died--
At Gibraltar, of the wounds he received in his gallant action with several privateers and piratical barges, Captain Thomas Hoggard, of the ship Louisa, of Philadelphia.

We have adminstration files for his estate:

Know all Men by thefe Prefents, That we Elizabeth Hoggard wido of Capt. Thos Hoggard decd. Robert Webb of Southward Jeweller and Peter Scravendyke of the City of Philad. Tallow Chandler are held and firmly bound unto the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in the fum of Four thousand Dollars to be paid to the Commonwealth: To the which payment well and truly to be made, we bind ourfelves, jointly and feverally, for an in the whole, our Heirs, Executors and Adminiftrators, and each and every of them firmly by thefe Prefents. Sealed with out Seals. Dated the nineteeht Day of Jany in the year of our Lord One Thoufand eight Hundred & one.

Link to files


This book (not available online) talks about Captain Thomas Hoggard: Biography of a Colonial Town: Hamilton, Bermuda, 1790-1897 by Jean de Chantal Kennedy.

HOLY SMOLY FRIJOLE. Here's a story to behold: READ THIS!
Recollections of a Voyage to Italy in the year 1800 in The Port Folio
By Joseph Dennie, John Elihu Hall pp 207 to 236

https://books.google.com/books?id=c_EaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA210&dq=captain+thomas+hoggard&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK1KbK2a3NAhUQ_mMKHbOEAAwQ6AEINjAF#v=onepage&q=captain%20thomas%20hoggard&f=false

I'm not sure if this document pertains, but if it does, it would be huge.

"READ an Application, certified by Capt. Moorfom, from Elizabeth Barton, Mary Cooper, and Sufannah Hall, of Gainsburgh, in Lincolnfhire, Sifters of the late Thomas Hoggard, Seaman, of H.M.S. Revenge, killed in action with the Combined Fleets, off Cape Trafalgar, on the 21ft of October laft:

RESOLVED,
That the fum of Forty Pounds be given, to be divided between the three fifters of the late Thomas Hoggard, at the difcretion of the Rev. C. B. Maffinberg, Minifter of the Parifh, and of the Chief Magiftrate of the place.

From https://books.google.com/books?id=yYdhAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA332&dq=captain+thomas+hoggard&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjK1KbK2a3NAhUQ_mMKHbOEAAwQ6AEIMTAE#v=onepage&q=captain%20thomas%20hoggard&f=false

German Catholics

This is a very important book to read to understand the religious significance of families.

German Catholic Parishes of Maryland and Pennsylvania
By John H. Foertschbeck, Sr.

https://books.google.com/books?id=KVLVAAAAQBAJ&pg=PA25&dq=german+walton+pa&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjWrM_Vl63NAhVX4mMKHc54A6UQ6AEITTAI#v=onepage&q=german%20walton%20pa&f=false

Link to Burials in St. Mary's Graveyard, Philadelphia

https://books.google.com/books?id=MaVJAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA261&dq=peter+scravendyke+ireland&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjepZHi96zNAhWo7oMKHeumD_YQ6AEIJDAB#v=onepage&q=peter%20scravendyke%20ireland&f=false

On page 261 it states Mary, wife of Peter Scravendyke, Sr., died April 20, 1820; age, 52 years.
Peter Scravendyke, Sr., died June 20, 1836; age, 74 years.

Odiornes

Here is a link to a book (that I can't fully read) about the Odiornes:

https://books.google.com/books?id=McrESStscH4C&pg=PA207&dq=willcox+family+exeter+england&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXj_60-KrNAhUSfVIKHTVNB1wQ6AEIPTAG#v=onepage&q=willcox%20family%20exeter%20england&f=false

Willcoxes in Diary of Robert Morris

Supposedly, the Willcoxes are mentioned throughout the diary of Robert Morris. So, I want sometime in the future to look at the diaries and see if this is true.

http://rs5.loc.gov/service/mss/eadxmlmss/eadpdfmss/2011/ms011193.pdf

Ridley Creek

This week I am trying to pin down the location of James Willcox's mill. Here's a Google image for S Ridley Creek Road that has a sign for "Upper Bank House."

https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9065846,-75.3966832,3a,75y,298.08h,83.17t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sbkAWTvpbBG4YIKBcnAcknw!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Ridley Creek and Bancroft's Upper Bank

A website about the Piedmont Water Shed states:

"Ridley Creek continues to flow parallel to South Ridley Creek Road. Far above it is the trestle of the SEPTA Media-Elwyn commuter rail line. The original wooden trestle of the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad was completed here in 1854. Ridley Creek passes under Media Station Road after flowing past some small contracting businesses built directly in the floodplain. The covered bridge over Ridley Creek that once existed at this spot was called the Blue Bridge. Below Media Station Road, Ridley Creek flows through a wooded area around the Upper Bank Nursery, former site of Samuel Bancroft’s Upper Bank Woolen Factory. A small tributary called Gayley Run enters from Upper Providence on the opposite side and meets Ridley Creek within the Upper Bank Nursery. It originates from a culvert near Gayley Road and Jefferson Streets in Media and is named for Samuel M. Gayley, a Presbyterian minister and educator who founded the Media Classical Institute in the 1850s. Just below Upper Bank, South Ridley Creek Road turns east and out of the bottomland. The road that continues to follow the creek is called Knowlton Road. A bridge carries Knowlton Road over the creek just south of the split with South Ridley Creek Road and then Knowlton Road follows the west bank of Ridley Creek for a scenic mile-and-a-half. The former site of the Middle Bank Mills, also known as Hillsborough Mills, is located near the bridge where Manchester Road crosses the creek and meets Knowlton Road. Middle Bank Mills were also once owned by Samuel Bancroft. At first, it looks as though these mills have left no apparent trace, but there is a partial stone wall on the east bank of Ridley Creek at this location that may have been part of the mill dam."

http://www.piedmontwatersheds.com/ridley.html

Samuel Bancroft also owned the Lower Bank Mill:

"As Ridley Creek leaves the Borough of Rose Valley, it forms the boundary between Brookhaven Borough and Nether Providence Township at the site of Sackville Mills. In 1831, the Bancroft family established John Bancroft & Son woolen mill on the site of an old 1790s snuff mill here, which they called the Lower Bank Mill. During the economic downturn following the Panic of 1837, the Bancrofts were forced to sell the mill in 1842. When more prosperous times returned, Samuel Bancroft bought it back in 1854, by which time it had been renamed Todmorden Mills. By the 1870s it was one of the largest woolen mills in the United States. Under its main 20th century owner, Herman Rudolph Sack, it was called Sackville Mills, where it was the site of a major anthrax outbreak in the 1930s. Eventually labor costs are what caused its operations to leave Ridley Creek for North Carolina. All operations ceased by the late date of 1992 and the site became the Sackville housing development."

Process of making paper moulds

http://www.americanantiquarian.org/proceedings/44517595.pdf

James M. Willcox

The following link is to an artist's rendering of James M. Willcox in the PAFA museum collection:

https://www.pafa.org/collection/james-m-willcox

'That aint Willcoxy'

The following article was sent to me by a Willcox cousin, who found it among her dad's things. Her dad and Bill were good friends, she says.  I especially love the part about planning the family reunion. Enjoy the article!

Ivy Mills photo from Library of Congress

Jim Love sent me this AWESOME photo of Ivy Mills in the 19th Century, which was included in a short essay by Marian Nash located in the Library of Congress. The essay is called "The Willcox Family: Some Random Notes." Nash was a lawyer for the State Department and a distant Willcox cousin.  

Willcox letters in South Carolina

Link about three Civil War era letters owned by Thomas Willcox of South Carolina, auctioned off in 2007 for $61,000 because they were written by General Robert E. Lee. Wonder if these Willcoxes tie in somehow?

http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-09-29-letters_n.htm

1865 View of Ivy Mills

http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/22821923/person/1452188938/photox/b0cdbb45-6ac3-4e0b-b8f8-6439c73b9e1d?src=search

Willcox Coat of Arms

The motto means "faithful and bold." Click on link for source.

Ivy Mills drawing

Drawing of Ivy Mills from a notecard. Credit in lower right hand corner reads:
"Willcox Mansion Ivy Mills originally erected 1729, rebuilt 1837"

Click on photo for source on ancestry.com.

Delaware County, PA research link

https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Delaware_County,_Pennsylvania

Researching Land Warrants

Info about researching land warrants:

http://ancestortracks.com/warrant_registers_CD.htm

Historical Map of Delaware County

Source: https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/images/1/1f/Delaware_county_pennsylvania_townships.png

Thomas H. Willcox of North Carolina

Here is a link to a Bible belonging to Thomas H. Willcox of North Carolina. I haven't established how he fits into our Willcoxes yet, but I am posting a link for reference.

http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15012coll1/id/40851/rec/5

Source listing Sarah Walton

Records of the American Historical Society of Philadelphia, Volume 19
Sacramental Registers. p 333

Willcox, the 8th, by Rev. J. Rosseter, John, born ___ 16th, 1804, of John Willcox, Catholic, and his wife Sarah Walton, non-Catholic; sponsor--Mary Willcox.

Address info for Sandy Bank Burial Ground (Friends)

"East side Providence Road south of State Road, Borough of Media" 

Media history

For my information to read later about Media's history:

http://www.archive.org/stream/semicentennialb00pagoog/semicentennialb00pagoog_djvu.txt

Nancy, or anyone, please help!

There is a mystery I am trying to solve. There are two transcriptions of the Willcox family cemetery online, and then I have one in my possession that was put together by FOST. They are each different. I am trying to get in touch with the contributor for the first one, Nancy Annie Odegard , and maybe she can help shed some light on where the info about John and Sarah Walton Wilcox came from that is not on source #2 or the list from Friends of St. Thomas. :) Any help would be HUGE.

1) http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/delaware/cemeteries/willcox.txt


2) http://www.delawarecountyhistory.com/concordtownship/WilcoxCemetery.htm

James Mark Willcox biographical sketch

James Mark Willcox

(A biographical sketch taken from One Hundred Years, The Delaware County National Bank Chester, PA 1814-1914)

Years in parentheses are years of service as a Director of The Bank of Delaware County and/or The Delaware County National Bank

James Mark Willcox (1836-39), son of Mark and Anna Mary (Croffman) Willcox, was born at Ivy Mills, Concord, April 12, 1791. He was admitted to partnership with his father, Hon. Mark Willcox, and his elder brother, John Willcox, in conducting the noted Willcox paper works at Ivy Mills. Upon the death of his brother John, in 1826, the senior member of the firm, Judge Mark Willcox, then being in his eighty-third year, the entire management of the business devolved upon James M., who, in 1829, dismantled the old mills, excepting the venerable Ivy Mill, built in 1729, and erected one of double capacity, in which was manufactured hand-made bank-note paper – those issued by The Bank of Delaware County were printed on this paper – which found ready sale in the United States, South America, and even the governments of Greece and Italy using the output of the Willcox Mills in their paper currency issues. He was one of the Commissioners named in the Act of April 10, 1835, to receive subscriptions for the Delaware County Insurance Company.

In that year, he purchased the Sharpless Iron Works, on Chester creek, and erected the Glen Mills Paper Works, placing therein a large Fourdrinier paper machine, a notable event of that day. He was the originator of the project for the building of the Delaware County Branch Railroad via the Valley of Chester creek from West Chester to Chester, where it was designed to connect with the P., W. & B. Railroad.

In 1837, a bill was passed by the Legislature appropriating $20,000 for the purchase by the State of stock in the proposed road, but Governor Ritner vetoed the measure. In the spring of 1848, the manufacturers along Chester creek, at the solicitation of Mr. Willcox, raised sufficient money to have a survey made of the proposed route. In that year, the West Chester and Philadelphia Railroad Company was incorporated. James M. Willcox was the first subscriber to its stock; was solicited to accept the presidency of the company, but declined. He was one of the directors, and served as such until his death.

He was one of the incorporators of the Delaware County Mutual Insurance Company, and, in 1828, was one of the company which ran a stage line carrying the mails from Philadelphia to Baltimore, via the Black Horse and Chadd's Ford. About 1830, Mr. Willcox established in Philadelphia a paper and warehouse business. In 1846, he built the second mill at Glen Mills. On March 3, 1854, he retired from active business, leaving it to his sons, Frank, James, and Joseph. The next day, he died suddenly in Philadelphia, aged 62 years.

Link: http://www.oldchesterpa.com/biographies/willcox_james_mark.htm

John Willcox (1789-1826) Biographical Sketch

Old Chester, PA: Biographical Sketches

John Willcox

(A biographical sketch taken from One Hundred Years, The Delaware County National Bank Chester, PA 1814-1914)
Years in parentheses are years of service as a Director of The Bank of Delaware County and/or The Delaware County National Bank

John Willcox (1815-25), son of Mark and Anna Mary (Croffman) Willcox, was born at Ivy Mills, Concord, Delaware county, April 15, 1789. In June, 1811, he was admitted into partnership with his father in the manufacture of paper at Ivy Mills. He was one of the commissioners of banking for the district of Delaware county, appointed by the Legislature in the Act of March 21, 1814. In the fall of that year a troop of horse was raised in Delaware county, and when the British fleet and army threatened Philadelphia, Willcox, with his command, was in service at Camp Gaines, Marcus Hook, for nearly three months, until honorably discharged. He was elected County Commissioner in 1816, and, in 1826, was one of the committee appointed "to ascertain the number, extent and capacity of the manufactories, mills, and unimproved mill sites in the County of Delaware."

John Willcox died at Ivy Mills, July 16, 1826, aged 37 years and 3 months.

At the meeting of manufacturers and citizens in the Court House, Chester, August 5, 1826, Hon. George G. Leiper offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

"Resolved, That this meeting regrets the loss the county of Delaware has sustained by the decease of John Willcox, Esq., one of her most public spirited and respected citizens, and begs leave respectfully to offer to the family their condolence on this melancholy occasion.

"Resolved, That a copy of this resolution, signed by the chairman and secretary, be delivered to his venerable father, and three copies be enclosed to Mrs. Willcox, one for herself, the others to be handed by her in proper season to her children."

Link: http://www.oldchesterpa.com/biographies/willcox_john.htm

I'm missing something. THINK!!!

The Willcoxes were an influential family. Thomas' children and grandchildren married into other influential families. (I'm going to outline all the connections in a future post.) Bottom line is, you would think that as I am researching James and Prudence's son John, his wife's family would pop out somewhere in the thick of things like everyone else's. I think I need to try going back to the Byberry Waltons to see if there is a William and a Sarah somewhere.

Second frustration is... where was James Willcox (who married Prudence Doyle) buried? His father Thomas was still alive at James's death...Would the family not offer to bury him in the family plot at Ivy Mills? Mark helped with the estate, probably funeral arrangements. Where would they bury him?

Maybe I need to look where the Doyle family is buried? Maybe Thomas Doyle stepped in and helped his daughter, and James is buried in a Doyle family plot.

Birth date discrepencies

In 1904, Joseph Willcox  wrote a sketch about the Willcox family—including a section about James Willcox and Prudence Doyle. The sketch was published in The Records of the American Catholic Society.

In 1911, he compiled this and several other sketches into a book “Ivy Mills, 1729-1866: Willcox and Allied Families.”

As far as James and Prudence are concerned, there are some interesting differences between the two accounts, mainly in the birth order of the children. In the 1904 account, Ann was born first (1754), John second (1756), and Thomas third (1758). In the 1911 version, however, a different date is given for Ann’s birth (1760), placing her as the third child with John as the oldest.

(Interestingly, a tombstone inscription included in the same 1911 publication says that Ann “departed this life on the 23d of November 1821, at sea, aged 63 years,” which would put her birth date in 1758 and make her two years older than her husband John Cassin, born 1760.)

There are definitely discrepancies in the birth order. Which is correct? (Interesting side note: in Prudence Doyle Willcox (Slater)'s will, she lists her children in the following order: Thomas, John, James, Ann, Elizabeth, Mary and Sibby.) For copy of will click HERE:

Joseph Willcox Union Army Colonel

The following is from "Colonels in Blue: Union Army Colonels of the Civil War : the Mid-Atlantic" 

Willcoxes in 'Colonial Families of Philadelphia'

Besides the book by Joseph Willcox, the following book provides a decent overview of the Willcox family.

Colonial Families of Philadelphia, Volume I