THE CADWALADER FAMILY
John Cadwalader was the first of his family to assume CADWALADER as the surname. He was the son of Cadwalader Thomas, the son of Thomas ap Hugh. Cadwalader Thomas had a brother John ap Thomas who prepared his own pedigree, in which he describes himself as John Thomas of Llaithgwm in the County of Merioneth, Gent, 1682. The Manuscript crossed the ocean with the first emigrants, and has been carefully preserved in the family for more than 200 years. A few years ago it was reproduced in the Pennsylvania Magazine, Vol. iv., p. 477-481.
In the first part of the pedigree is traced the descent of John ap Thomas, 1682, from Marchweithian, 16 generations. Marchweithian was the eleventh of the 15 tribes or nobles of North Wales — the Lord of Is-Aled in Merionethshire. In the second part, the pedigree goes back to Adda and to Duw (God).
John Cadwalader, the eldest son of Cadwalader Thomas of Kitalgarth (afterwards of Wern Fawr), and Ellen Owen, his wife, dau. of Owen ap Evan of Fron Goch, was b. in Penllyn, Merionethshire circa, 1677-8, and was educated in Pembrokeshire, and from this place received his certificate of removal to Pennsylvania in 1697. His friends say of him:
"We have known him since the age of thirteen, he hath the reputation of an apt scholar, and hath attained to as good a degree of learning as any at the school. His demeanour has been sober and innocent."
Upon his arrival in Pennsylvania, he was welcomed by his kinsfolk in Merion, where he first settled. He was m. at Merion Meeting 10th mo. 29, 1699, to Martha, dau. of Dr. Edward Jones of Merion and his wife Mary, dau. of Dr. Thomas Wynne, who came over with Penn in the "Welcome," and was Speaker of the first three General Assemblies.
John Cadwalader removed to Philadelphia ; he became a member of Common Council in 1718, and in 1729 a member of the Provincial Assembly. These offices he held until 1733. He d. in Philadelphia July 23, 1734 ; was bu. in Friend's Burying ground. His widow Martha Cadwalader d. April 16, 1747, and was bu. with her husband. ...
