Person:William Vestal (4)

m. 1648
  1. William Vestal1667 - 1700
  2. Daniel Vassalls1669 - 1683
  • HWilliam Vestal1667 - 1700
  • WAlice GloverAbt 1665 - Bef 1729
m. 3 Aug 1692
  1. William Vestal1691 - 1744/45
  2. Sarah VestalAbt 1693 - 1695/96
  3. Mary Vestal1694 -
  4. George Vestal1698 - Aft 1721
Facts and Events
Name William Vestal
Gender Male
Birth? 1667 Southampton, Hampshire, England
Marriage 3 Aug 1692 Chester, Pennsylvania, United StatesBrandywine Baptist Church
to Alice Glover
Death? 26 Feb 1700 East Bradford, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States

Came to America in 1683 with his brother Daniel Vestal who died on the ocean and was buried at sea. William was 16 and his brother two years younger and his parents had died at this time. It is believed that William spent some years with his great Uncle William, a prosperous Puritan owner of plantations in America and on the islands of Jamaica and Barbados, and with his cousins in Boston. He must have received financial help as he purchased prime land at a young age near Brandywine Creek in Pennsylvania.

After his marriage to the widow Alice Glover Brunsden he legally adopted her children and gave them his name. They were John, Hannah and Alice.

Will dated January 19, 1701, and proved February 26 1701 Will Book B1643 on file in Philadelphia City Hall. Will mentions wife Alice, sons William and George and daughter Mary a minor. They had a daughter Sarah that drowned in a pond of water 3rd month, 3rd day, 1696.

In History of Chester Co. PA has a picture of a large stone house, the George Little Farm. In present E. Bradford Township formerly Westown Township it definitely states the former Farm of William Vestal, bought 1699. Vestal Willed in 1701/2 He acquired land with Richard Buffington of acres on the east side of Brandywine Creek. They appeared to have divided the land When he drew up his will he had 1714 acres of land with a dwelling which he left to his wife while she lived and then to his son William.

Research about the Vestal (Vasssalls) done by Audie Vestal Hamilton. Even with the help of professional researchers in England, she could not find any name of Williams's mother. His father was suppose to have married a Welsh girl and been disowned by the family.



In C-611, William's birth place is listed as Southhampton, ENG. This is the port where many Quaker families embarked from to come to the new world. William came to the American colonies in 1683 with his brother Daniel. Daniel died and was buried at sea. William first appears in Chester Co., Pa records in 1692 when he took Guardianship of the children of his wife's first husband. (C-2251g) He was a taxpayer in Birmingham Twp., Chester Co., PA in 1693 and 1696. William was listed as a Constable of Birmingham on Mar. 12, 1694/5. He was a Baptist by religion and a farmer by trade. (C-2141) He and Thomas Moore were deeded 100 acres of land lying in Concord on that same day. He and Richard Buffington (the first settler in the area) jointly purchased 218 acres in Bradford, Chester Co., PA in 1696 and an adjoining 218 in 1701. They then each took 218 acres to themselves, with William taking the l701 purchase. This land was between Brandywine, below the forks, almost to Srode's Mill. He built a home on this property and died shortly after. Benjamin Mendenhall of Concord, PA confirmed his agreement to sell William Vestal Sr. the land where his home stood to his widow, Alice on Mar 2, 1709. (C-2251g) A large stone home still stands on it today which is alluded to be his home. (C-869) The exact reference to this deed is found in Bryant's Chester Co. Land Records: "Deed. On 02 Mar 1709 Benjamn MENDENHALL of Concord, yeoman, to Alice VESTALL, widow of William VESTALL, dec'd & William VESTALL the son. Whereas Benjamin MENDENHALL sold but did not convey the tract in Bradford bounded by Brandywine creek, land of John MARTIN & John BORRADY. containing 125 acres. To William VESTALL the father now dec'd for the sum of Ð10 & full performance of articles of agreement made on 12 Oct 1699 who devised by his last will & testament dated 19 Jan 1701 to Alice VESTALL during her life then to son William VESTALL who paying Ð30 to his brother George VESTALL. Now land is conveyed to Alice VESTALL & William VESTALL. Signed Benjamin MENDENHALL. Delivered in the presence of John BETHELL, Job HARVEY & Isaac TAYLOR. Recorded 26 May 1709. (C389)"

William and Alice had four children. The only child who is known to have descendants was William Jr. Their first daughter, Sarah, drowned in a small pond of water in 1696. Soon after, on June 10, 1697, Alice was baptized at the Brandywinde Baptist Church. Their daughter, Hannah, was baptized there on August 30, 1698. There is a distinct possibility that William was a Baptist already. Alice was a Quaker up to this point in time. Her departure could have been influenced by George Keith who was causing "much trouble" at the time and by her daughter, Sarah's death. In his will dated Jan. 19, 1701/2, he gave his wife Allice the 124 acres where they lived. It names sons George and William and daughter, Mary. His executors were his wife and Thos. Powell (although Thos. declined). It was proved 26 Feb. 1701/2. Witnesses were John Wood, Nathaniel Ring, Robert Way and Robert Jefferys. In it, he spells his name Vastall. (C-804, 2251g)

BIOGRAPHY: Noted events in his life were:

BIOGRAPHY: � Immigration, 1683, London, Middlesex, ENG.

BIOGRAPHY: � Will, 1/19/1701. 12

BIOGRAPHY: � Probate, 2/26/1701, Weston Twp., Chester, PA, USA. William's will is recorded in the Philadelphia City Hall. Chester Co. records were recorded in Philadelphia at that time. (C-869)

References
  1.   Frithey, J. Smith and Gilbert Cope. History of Chester County, PA.