Person:Jane Hawkins (17)

     Thomas Coverdale and his wife, Jane Hawkins, settled in Buck's County, Pennsylvania prior to 1687 when they are each mentioned in court records of Buck's County, Pennsylvania.
     In 1687, a complaint was filed by Jane Coverdale against Philip Conway. "Jane Coverdale attested doth Say that Philip Conway about 3 months ago: came to her bed side & did Say he had sworn he would fuck her either by night or by day & about A month after that he Came to the house & said he had Sworn about 4 years [earlier] he would fuck her & she Said She was so afraid lest he Should lay violent hands on her that She was forced to Call back A youth that was newly gone out of the house to Stay until said Conway was gone." 
     Elliza Hickman, a neighbor of both parties testified as a character witness against Conway. "Elliza Hickman Attested doth say that about the going away of the last frost, Philip Conway Came in to the house of Rich Ridgway drunk & was very abusive & threw Several things into the fire & Swore severall oaths, four at least, by the name of god & once cursed the Quakers." 
     Philip Conway evidently was an evil tempered man whose outbursts in court led to contempt charges being leveled against him also. He subsequently was fined twenty-five shillings for "his oaths & Curses on the house of Rich Ridgway" whereupon the "said Conway behaved himself contemptously toward ye Court & for his Contempt the Court fines him in five pounds. For his attempting to lie with Coverdale's wife, the Court orders him to give security for his good behavior & appearance at next Court & that he Shall pay fees of Court in all the said Cases." 
     Philip Conway was committed to the Sherrifs custody until the fines and fees were paid. Evidently these fines were paid since he was indicted a few months after this for selling rum to the Indians.

     The only child of Thomas and Jane Coverdale discovered so far is Richard Coverdale, born about 1688 in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In 1693 the family was in Sussex County where they paid six shillings tax. Death dates for Jane or Thomas are unknown.