Read More About Thomas Woodward (new)

Here's an extract from the History of Chester County by Futhey and Cope, 1881, p. 783:

"Richard Woodward, son of Robert, of Rockland Manor, New Castle Co., Del., and Birmingham, Chester Co., married in 1705 Mary, the only heir of Henry Nayle, of Thornbury, and at his death left seven children, viz. : Henry, John, Richard, Thomas, [Our line] Deborah, Mary, and Alice.

"Of these, Thomas was married Oct. 26, 1745, to Elizabeth Jacobs, relict [widow] of John Jacobs and Daughter of Roger Kirk and Elizabeth Richards, at East Nottingham Meeting. Thomas was born Nov. 7, 1722-23, in East Bradford, and died June 15, 1785 and his wife, Elizabeth was born Feb.15, 1721, and died Jan. 25 1812.

"Roger Kirk, from Lurgan, North Ireland, was among the pioneers of Nottingham, and located in East Nottingham as early as 1712 and purchased large tracts of land. He married Elizabeth Richards about 1714, the daughter of Nathaniel and and Mary Richards, of Ashton [Aston] Township. Nathaniel was a blacksmith and Mary's Grandfather was Joseph Richards, who, with his wife Jane, came from England, and settled in Chichester Township (now Delaware County). Richard conveyed to Thomas Woodward, Dec. 12, 1740, one hundred acres in East Bradford.

"Thomas was a Friend (member of Concord Monthly Meeting), and obtained his certificate of removal to New Garden Monthly Meeting , dated April 5, 1749, which was about the time he settled in East Marlborough , and became a member of Londongrove Particular Meeting. He resided on Street road one and three quarter miles from the meeting-house. He was engaged in bookbinding, also in surveying and conveyancing. He held Negro slaves, but after hearing John Woolman, a noted preacher of Friends and anti-slavery man, preach against the sin of human bondage, he liberated them.

"Thomas had children, viz.: Rebecca, Elizabeth, Samuel, [our line], Thomas, Deborah, Timothy, and Susanna."