Person:James Woodward (6)

http://freepages.family.rootsweb.com/~mygermanfamilies/JamesWPyle.html

James and Ann Pyle Woodward Return to Woodward Home Page Return to Richard Woodward, Jr. Page

James Woodward was son of Richard & Deborah Stanfield Woodward, Jr. of England and Chester County, Pennsylvania.

Anne Pyle was the daughter of Robert & Elizabeth Swaffer Pyle of Birmingham, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Robert is listed as deceased on the wedding certificate of James and Ann. The Pyles came early to Pennsylvania with Robert Pyle witnessing a deed in 1688. Anne Pyle Woodward married (2) Richard Buffington (more below)

 Ann Pyle

born Chester Co, Pa died 10/21/1764 Chester Co, Pa James Woodward born Chester Co, Pa died 5/25/1748 Chester Co, Pa

 Married: 2/21/1737 at Concord Monthly Meeting, Chester Co, Pa 

Children: Joseph Woodward born 11/4/1737 Chester Co, Pa; married Rebecca Martin 11/1760 at Old Swede's Church on the Delaware Jane Woodward born 8/3/1739 Chester Co, Pa; married William Butler 5/20/1762 at Bradford Monthly Meeting William Woodward born 1/16/1741 Chester Co, Pa; married second cousin Mary Pyle 11/21/1765 at Bradford Monthly Meeting James Woodward born 2/6/1746 Chester Co, Pa; married Jane Bullock 12/7/1770 at Old Swede's Church on the Delaware* Robert Woodward born Chester Co, Pa; married Jane Sure 5/17/1769 at Old Swede's Church on the Delaware* Ann Woodward born Chester Co, Pa

• Old Swede's Church was a popular place for young people to marry who for some reason could not, or would not, marry in the Quaker faith. For a link to see history of the Church go to the Home Page under Abraham and Hannah's marriage.

More on the Marriage of James and Ann Pyle Woodward We have a copy of James Woodward and Ann Pyle's wedding certificate. Relatives who signed were Richard Woodward, Susanna Pyle, John Pyle, Rachel Pyle, Martha Walker, Mary Marshall, Elizabeth Thornburg, Hannah Shortridge, Esther Wilson, William Pyle, Christopher Wilson, Joseph Hayes, Jane Hayes, William Woodward, Jacob Pyle, and Thomas James. Death of James Woodward James Woodward died at a relatively young age. We do not know his birthdate for sure, nor the order of children in Richard & Deborah Stansfield Woodward's family, but since Richard & Deborah were married in 1701, James Woodward had to be less than 47 when he died; a birthdate of about 1711 would be consistent with his marriage date. His will was written May 23, 1748, in West Bradford, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

From Abstracts of Wills & Administrations, Chester County, Pa: "To son Joseph part of my land on south side of great road where John Kirgan lives, except 10 acres at west end - at age 21. To son Robert at 21, 40 acres on north side of road and 10 acres reserved above. To other two sons, William and James, at 21 remainder of land; James to have buildings. Wife Ann to have use of real estate until sons are of age. To daughters Jane and Ann Woodward, 30 pounds each at 18. Executors: Wife Ann and brother William Woodward. Wit.: Edward Clayton, James Milleson (brother-in-law), Benjamin Hawley"

The will identifies son Robert and daughter Ann not found in other records. More on the children of James and Ann Pyle Woodward William and Jane Woodward Butler Daughter Jane Woodward Butler was given a Certificate on 8/13/1762 from Bradford Monthly Meeting to another meeting but the meeting name is not given (probably Uwchlan?).

On LDS Microfilm 384541 we found "The Woodward Bible, Rachel Butler, her book, 1 March 1832." The Bible tells us that William Butler, son of Noble and Rachel Butler, born 4/12/1738, and Jane Woodward, daughter of James and Ann Woodward, born 8/3/1739, were joined in marriage at Uwchlan on 4/20/1762[not quite correct!]; this coincides with the certificate given at Bradford and records of the children may be found at Uwchlan. Children listed in the Bible record are: Samuel Butler, 2/24/1766; James 7/5/1767; Amos, 5/8/1769; Ann, 6/10/1771; Rachel, 11/23/1773; Sarah, 11/18/1776; and William, 2/6/1780. One has to be careful with Bible records - this one is dated 1832, thus the birth dates may not be quite accurate since they occurred a long time before they were entered in the Bible. Much more credence can be given to Bible records where the Bible was published prior to the date of entries as they were then probably entered as they happened and not from someone's memory or from family lore. William and Mary Pyle Woodward Son William Woodward and Mary Pyle gave their notice of intention to marry for the first time at Bradford Monthly Meeting 10th month 18th day 1765. It was at this same meeting on the same day that Abraham Woodward appeared, having traveled from North Carolina, to present his apology for misbehavior to the Bradford meeting (See Abraham's biography). Mary Pyle was daughter of William and Betty Chads Pyle. Betty Chads was niece of Deborah Stanfield Woodward, grandmother of William. William and Mary's marriage took place at Bradford on 21st day, 11th month, 1765. William Pyle had died in 1746 and a William and Mary Pyle (relationship unknown) signed in lieu of parents so Mary's mother, Betty, was also likely deceased. Richard Buffington (William Woodward's stepfather) signed for him as both of his parents were also deceased. Other relatives attending were Ann Chandler, James Kenny, Israel Pyle, Joseph Woodward, William Butler, Ann Buffington, Robert James, James Pyle, Hannah Pyle, James Woodward, Thomas James, James Woodward, Samuel Huggins.

Some of the children of William & Mary Pyle Woodward are recorded at Bradford Monthly Meeting but unfortunately the record has been torn and the birthdates, but not the names, of five of their children are known: 9/8/1766; 2/9/176-; 1/15/1770; 7/15/1773; 1/13/1776. We would love to hear from anyone who can put names to those dates of birth. So far, from unproven sources, we have Eli Woodward as the one born 7/15/1773 (there is a record of Eli Woodward at Bradford as died 23th of 11th mo, 1851, aged 79 and the date fits, so Eli is probably correct); and Joshua as the one born 2/9/1768 (per Ancestral File). There is also a Caleb Woodward given in the Ancestral File as son of William and Mary with a birthdate of 9/8/1776 which may be instead the firstborn son above. At least two more children are proven by Bradford Monthly Meeting Records: on 6/16/1803 Mary Woodward of West Bradford, daughter of William and Mary Woodward, married Enoch Alford, son of James and Elizabeth Alford. On 12/14/1809 Abiah Woodward of East Caln, son of William and Mary Woodward, married Rebecca Way at Bradford Meeting.

Despite his good Quaker background, William Woodward served in the Revolutionary War. He has a proven DAR line and his DAR records probably contain the names of his children. William died in 1789 and administration was granted to his wife Mary on 11/9/1789. Thus there was no will which would also have provided more information on children. Robert and Jane Sure Woodward Son Robert Woodward and his wife Jane Sure were chastised at Bradford Monthly Meeting during the 10th month of 1769 for having carnal knowledge of each other before marriage and of marriage by a priest (does not say disowned). They apparently made their peace with the Quakers as their children are recorded at Bradford Monthly Meeting: Esther 9/20/1769; Elizabeth 11/27/1770; Ruth 11/7/1772; Thomas 10/6/1774; Robert 9/1/1776; Ann 6/23/1779; Jonathan 9/8/1780; Sarah 2/1/1783; Amos 3/23/1784; Jesse 2/28/1786; James 7/4/1788; Evan 6/22/1790.

Robert Woodward died young. He wrote his will on December 13, 1790 and it was probated on March 3, 1791. "Provides for wife Jean, including plantation I now live on until son Evan is 21. When he is 21, the plantation and smith shop to be divided between sons James and Evan. To 2 eldest daughters Elizabeth and Ruth 30 lbs each. Plantation now occupied by William Mills to be sold when son Robert is 21 and all remainder of estate equally divided among my 8 elder children, Elizabeth, Ruth, Thomas, Robert, Ann, Jonathan, Amos and Jesse. Executors: Wife Jane [sic], brother Joseph Woodward. Wit: Richard Thornbury, Joseph Hawley."

Robert and Jane's son, Robert, Jr., was dismissed on 1/17/1800 for mustering. We have received information from Donna Heath that her ancestor, Robert Woodward, married Elizabeth Gabe on 2/6/1805 in West Chester, Pa, and Robert, Jr., looks the right age and is in the right place to be the same person. For more on the family of Robert and Elizabeth Gabe Woodward see Donna's entry in our guestbook archive #2 on the Yahoo site (link on home page). Richard and Anne Pyle Woodward Buffington After James Woodward Sr.'s death Anne Pyle Woodward married Richard Buffington, son of Richard Eavenson & Phebe Grubb Buffington, as his second wife. 7th mo 21st day 1749, at Bradford Monthly Meeting: Richard Buffington & Ann Woodward to marry, inquiries made to see if her affairs are settled according to her late husband's will. 9th month marriage had not taken place, they both being indisposed. 10th month reported they had decided against marriage. Perhaps there was some problem with the settlement of the will, as on 4th month 21st day 1750 Richard Buffington was disowned for marriage by a priest. Newcastle County papers report that Richard Buffington & Ann Woodward, spinster, of Chester County were disowned for marriage on 12 May 1760.

On 9th month 17th day 1762 at Bradford Monthly Meeting, Richard & Ann Buffington, acknowledged for marriage with the assistance of a priest; also requesting for their four children, Richard, Jesse, Ann & Esther Buffington to be received .

Ann Pyle Woodward Buffington died 10/21/1764. On 6/12/1767 at Bradford Meeting Richard Buffington, Sr., was accused of not "referring a case depending between him and two of his last wifes children by her former husband who complains of him respecting a bargain & damages depending between them" Children named in 10th month minutes - stepsons William & James Woodward. By his first wife, Mary Bate, Richard Buffington had children: Curtis (1/8/1743); Mary (7/17/1745): Phebe (3/12/1747). When time permits we will add more information about the Buffington children.