An American Family History

A History of the Townships of Byberry and Moreland in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania by Joseph C. Martindale

In the records of the Monthly Meeting of Friends, held alternately at Tacony and Poquessing, we find that Nathaniel Walton had their approbation to accomplish his marriage with Martha Bownall, of Philadelphia, which was accordingly done 11th mo. 26th, 1685. When the Keithian controversy divided the Society of Friends, Nathaniel and his family joined the Keithian Church, of which John Hart was the minister. When Hart joined the Baptists, Nathaniel joined the "Church at All-Saints." In a letter found some years since, written by Nathaniel to his brother William, dated 7th of October, 1713, he reminds him " that he paid five pounds for his passage from England, which had not been repaid, and makes a demand for the money." We have no other account of him. except that he lived on property now belonging to George Dehaven, and left two sons, Nathaniel and Benjamin.

(1.) Nathaniel and Martha Walton's Children.

(2.) Nathaniel [Walton], was a schoolmaster as early as 1727, and Thomas Chalkley speaks in his Journal of having sent his children to Nathaniel's school. He died in Moreland, back of Edge Hill, in 1784, aged about 80 years, and left two sons, Boaz and Joseph.

(3.) Benjamin [Walton], we have no account of, except that he left a son, Benjamin.

(4.) Joseph [Walton], son of (2) Nathaniel, lived on property now owned by William Wenzell. He taught the school at Byberry for fifteen years, after which he moved to the Falls, in Bucks County, to follow his profession. It is said he was a teacher for sixty years. He died 10th mo. 4th, 1759.

(5.) Benjamin, son of (3) Benjamin, was a rigid Whig in the time of the Eevolution, and very active in his distraints upon Friends on account of military requisitions, exorbitant in his seizures, and of imperious disposition. He was commonly called " Black Ben," on account of his dark complexion, and to distinguish him from another of the same name.