An American Family History

Simon Hadley

He married Ruth Miller Keran (also spelled Kieran, Kernan, Keeron) in 1697 in Dublin County, Leinster, Ireland. Ruth was born in December, 1677. Ruth was the daughter of Robert Miller and Margaret Broithwaite.

1697 the 26th of the 11th mo 
Whereas Simon Hadly the elder hath acted contrary to the order of truth by giving way to his son to proceed in relation to marriage with a young woman whom another man hath liberty to speak to her ...

Jacob Fuller and John Mickell are desired to speak to Simon Hadly, the younger, and know of him whether he will give friends such satisfaction as will clear truth against his runing out to marry with a priest ...

Simon and Ruth's children included:

Joseph Hadley (1698, married Amy Gregg),
Deborah Hadley (1701, married Benjamin Fred and Jacob Howell),
Joshua Hadley (1703, married Mary Roland and Patience Brown),
Simon Hadley, Jr. (1705),
Hannah Hadley (1710, married Thomas Dixon and John Stanfield),
Ruth Hadley (1713, married Thomas Lindley),
Catherine Hadley (1716, married Robert Johnson), and
Anne Hadley (1718, married Richard Gregg).

They immigrated from Ireland about 1712 and settled in New Castle County, Delaware. Simon bought 1,000 acres that were about 35 miles southwest of Philadelphia in what was then the Manor of Steyning, and was later New Garden Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

In 1713 the Friends of Steyning Manor built a meeting house and Simon was one of the four trustees named to hold land for the meeting.

In 1716 the family was received at the Newark Monthly Meeting on certificate from Moate Meeting, County of West Meath, Ireland

In 1717, they built a stone house, barn, and outbuildings.

In 1726, Simon was appointed a Justice of the Peace and was re-appointed in 1727 and 1733. He also served as a Judge of the New Castle Court.

Ruth died on February 18, 1751.

In 1752, Simon married Phebe Grubb Buffington at Bradford Monthly Meeting in Chester County Pennsylvania. Phebe was born about 1684 in New Castle. She was the daughter of John Grubb and Frances Vane. She was the widow of Richard Buffington, Jr. Phebe already had children when they married.

In 1754, Simon Hadley wrote to the copyist, Thomas Woodward:

Respected friend, Thomas Woodward;
My wife (Phoebe) hath a desire for to see thee for she hath a writing to draw and she is desirous that thou should draw it, therefore I desire thee come as soon as possible and thow wilt oblige thy friend to serve thee,
Simon Hadly.
I have got some money for thee from John Buhoman.

Simon died in 1756. He had already provided for his children and left the majority of his estate to his grandchildren.

Know all men by these presents that I, Simon Hadly of Mill Creek Hundred in the County of New Castle on Delaware, yeoman, calling to mind the mortality of my body, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I do give, devise, and dispose of the same in the manner and form following:

First, it is my will that my funeral charge and just debts be first paid.

It is my will and I do leave my beloved wife, Phoebe Hadly

• ? pounds, current money to be paid her six months after my death, to be paid by my executors, hereinafter mentioned,
• her chaise and chaise-horse,
• my riding mare and
• the two best cows I have
• besides what I have left her in my marriage settlement with her, and as much of the furniture of the house as she will think fit to take, to the value of ? pounds and no more, which shall be in full of my real and personal estate.

Imprimus, ? I give, devise and bequeath unto my grandson Simon Hadley, son of my son Joshua Hadley, [oldest son of second son]

• the Messuage plantation and tract of land I now live on, bounded and described as follows: Viz.
  • Beginning at a corner post, being a corner of Jacob Johns lands
  • thence by his line east 300 perches to a corner white oak in the Manor line,
  • thereon south by the said line 217 perches to a corner hickory,
  • thence west by the land now seated by my grandson, John Hadley, 73 perches to a post,
  • thence north 31 degrees, west 38 perches to a black oak,
  • thence north 50 degrees west 48 perches and a half to a gum tree,
  • thence north 60 degrees west 137 perches and a half to another gum,
  • thence north 20 degrees, west 19 perches to a post,
  • thence north 69 degrees, 59 perches to a post in William Rows line,
  • thence north by the same 46 perches to the place of beginning,

  contain - 260 acres be the same more or less, making the bounds aforesaid, with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, to hold to him, my said grandson, Simon Hadley, and the male heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever,

  but if my said grandson should depart this life without lawful issue, then it is my will and I do give and devise the same Messuage plantation and tract of land unto my grandson, Jeremiah Hadley, son of my said son, Joshua Hadley, to hold to him and the male heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever,

  but if he should depart this life without male heirs as above, then and in such case I give and devise and bequeath the said Messuage plantation and tract of land and premises unto the next male heirs as consanguinity to him and the male heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever. I also give and bequeath unto my said grandson, Simon Hadley,

• my clock and walnut clothes press which stands in one of the upper rooms and
• the sum of 10 pounds lawful money,

all of which several bequests to be possessed by him when he shall arrive at the respective age of 21 years.

I give and bequeath unto my grandson, Simon Johnson, son of Robert Johnson [and Catherine Hadley], [oldest son of 4th daughter]

• certain plantation and tract of land lying contiguous to the above land devised to my grandson, Simon Hadley, bounded and described as followeth; Viz,
• Beginning at a corner mulberry tree being a corner of a corner post of the above land devised to my said grandson, Simon Hadley,
• thence south 69 degrees, east by the said tract 59 perches to a pos
• and south 20 degrees, east 19 perches to a gum tree
• and south 60 degrees, east 137 perches and a half to another gum
• and south 50 degrees, west 48 perches and a hal
• to a corner black oak
• and south 31 degrees, east 38 perches to a corner post in a line of the land seated by my said grandson John Hadley,
• thence west by the same 57 perches to a corner black oak in a line of the aforesaid Robert Johnson land,
• thence north by the same 37 perches to the place of the beginning,

containing by estimation 112 acres be the same more or less within the bounds aforesaid, with the hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining, to hold to him, my said grandson, Simon Johnson, and the male heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever,

but if he my said grandson, Simon Johnson should happen to depart this life without male heirs as above, then and in such case I give, devise and bequeath the said tract of land and premises unto the next male heirs by consanguinity to him, my said grandson, and the male heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever, to be possessed by my said grandson when he shall arrive at the respective age of 21 years.

I do give and bequeath to my grandson, John Hadley, son of my son Joseph Hadley [oldest son of oldest son], and the male heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever,

• a plantation or tract of land hereinafter mentioned. but if he should depart this life without male heirs, then in such case, it is my will and I do give and bequeath the said plantation and tract of land to the next male heir by blood to him and his heirs forever, said plantation and tract of land to be bounded as followeth;
  • Beginning at a corner black oak in the line of the said Robert Johnson's land,
  • thence east 130 perches to a corner hickory tree in the said Manor line,
  • thence by the said line south 185 perches to a corner oak sapling (faded out)

  containing within the said bounds 150 acres of land, be the same more or less, and

• I do bequeath to my said grandson, John Hadley, 10 pounds current money.

I do give and bequeath a plantation or tract of land to ? Johnson in the Letitia Aubrey Manor containing 93 acres and 66 perches of land.

I have a deed for the same and recorded in the name of my grandson, Simon Gregg, son of Richard Gregg departed, and Anne his wife, my daughter, to him and male heirs of his body lawfully begotten as above, [oldest son of youngest daughter]

but should he depart this life, it is my will and I do give the said plantation and tract of land to the next male heirs by blood to him and the male heirs of his body legally begotten forever,

and it is my will that my executors hereinafter named, rent the above plantations to good tenants until my said grandsons arrive at the age of 21 years, that all of my said grandsons shall pay the ? due on each of their plantations when lawfully ??

I do leave my said son, Joseph Hadley,

• half of my wearing apparel and
• 10 pounds current money, which shall be his full portion and share of my real and personal estate.

I do leave my daughter, Deborah Howel, wife of Jacob Howel, 10 pounds current money

and I do leave to the said Jacob Howel, 10 pounds current money, which shall be in full their portion and share of my real and personal estate.

I do leave to my daughter, Hannah Stanfield, widow of John Stanfield, 50 pounds current money which shall be paid in full of her portion and share of my real and personal estate.

I do leave to my daughter, Ruth Lindley, wife to Thomas Lindley, 10 pounds current money, which shall be their full share of my real and personal estate.

I do leave to my daughter, Katherine Johnson, wife to Robert Johnson, the sum of 10 pounds of current money,

and I do leave to the said Robert Johnson, the sum of 10 pounds current money, which shall be their full share of my real and personal estate.

I do leave to my daughter Anne Gregg, widow of Richard Gregg departed, the sum of 40 pounds current money which shall be in full of her portion and share of my real and personal estate.

I do leave my son, Joshua Hadley,

• 10 pounds current money and
• half of my wearing apparel which shall be in full of his portion and share of my real and personal estate.

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I do leave to my grand-daughter, Elizabeth Thompson, wife to James Thompson, 40 pounds current money and

I do leave to my grand-daughter, Deborah Curle, wife of John Curle, the sum of 5 pounds of current money, and

to my grand-daughter Hannah Curle, wife to Samuel Curle the sum of 40 pounds current money, all of them children of my son Joseph Hadley.

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I do leave to my grand-children Ruth Marshall, wife to John Marshall, the sum of 20 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Thomas Hadley , the sum of 40 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Sarah Fred, wife to Joseph Fred, the sum of 50 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Mary Hadley the sum of 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Jeremiah Hadley the sum of 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Joshua Hadley, Jr. the sum of 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Joseph Hadley Jr. the sum of 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave Deborah Hadley 60 pounds current money and

I do leave Hannah Hadley the sum of 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave Catherine Hadley, the sum of 60 pounds current money, all of them children of my son Joshua Hadley.

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I do leave to my grand-children to wit,

I do leave to Simon Dixon 55 pounds current money, and

I do leave Rebecca Marshall wife to William Marshall, 30 pounds current money and

I do leave Ruth Dixon 60 pounds current money and

I do leave to John Stanfield, Jr. the sum of 50 pounds current money, and

I do leave Thomas Stanfield 50 pounds current money, and

I do leave Samuel Stanfield 50 pounds current money, all of them children of my said daughter Hannah Stanfield, widow and relict of John Stanfield departed.

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I do leave to my grandchildren, to Catherine Lindley, 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave James Lindley 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave Simon Lindley 60 pounds current money and

I do leave Ruth Lindley, 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave Mary Lindley, Jr. 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave Eleanor Lindley 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave William Lindley 60 pounds current money and

I do leave Thomas Lindley, Jr. 60 pounds current money, all children of my daughter Ruth Lindley, wife to Thomas Lindley and

I do leave Deborah Lindley 60 pounds current money.

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I do leave to my grandchildren, Hannah Taylor wife of Joseph Taylor, 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave Caleb Johnson 60 pounds current money and

I do leave to John Johnson 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Freeman Johnson 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Jonathan Johnson 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Isaac Johnson 60 pounds current money, all children to my daughter Katherine Johnson, wife to Robert Johnson.

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I do leave to my grandchildren to-wit;

Sarah Smith Gregg, 55 pounds current money, and

I do leave to Jacob Gregg 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave Ruth Gregg 5 pounds current money, and

I do leave William Gregg 60 pounds current money, and

I do leave Miriam Gregg 60 pounds current money and

I do leave Deborah Gregg 60 pounds current money and

I do leave Phoebe Gregg 60 pounds current money, all of them children of my daughter Ann Gregg, widow and relict of Richard Gregg departed.

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NOTE - John Lindley was twice set down in a mistake and when I found the mistake I erased it with my own hand. Deborah Lindley was born in North Carolina and I did not remember to get her name down in the proper place, but I do give the said sum set down on the other side.

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And it is my will that as many of my said grandchildren which are at age at my decease, that my executors shall pay them their legacies left them by me one year after my decease,

and all my said grandchildren which are not of age, I do order my said executors to give it into the hands of the parents of said grandchildren, the giving bond and security with interest for the same for the benefit of their children, and my said grandchildren, to be paid one year after my decease to said parents,

but if they refuse to comply as above, then I do order my said executors to put out the said legacy left by me to my said grandchildren into good hands at interest, and pay them as above when they come of age with the interest of said legacy at 21 years or day of marriage which first shall happen .

It is my will that if sum my grandchildren depart this life before they come to age or before, unmarried, that their legacy left them by me shall be equally divided among their survivors, and it is my will that if any of my granddaughters or grandsons' wives should have any more children before my decease or be pregnant, that then my said executors shall put to ?

I do leave to my nephew Thomas Kiernan, the sum of 10 pounds current money.

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I do leave to my said wife's children to wit;

John Buffington, one pistole,

Richard Buffington one pistole,

Phoebe Wall one pistole,

Peter Buffington one pistole,

Isaac Buffington one pistole,

Joseph Buffington 10 pounds current money

to be paid them one year after my decease and

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what bonds, notes or accounts be payable to me from any of my grandchildren or their husbands, must be discounted out of the legacy left them by me, and

I hereby constitute make and ordain
my trusty and well-beloved grand-son-in-law, James Thompson and
my trusted and well beloved grandson, John Hadley and
my worthy and well-loved friend, Daniel Nichols,

all of them in Mill Creek Hundred in the County of New Castle on Delaware, yeomen, my executors of this my last will and testament,

and I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills made by me at any time heretofore,

and I do leave my executors 30 pounds current money to each of them, for their care and trouble they will have about the managing and settling of my said estate, which said sum shall be in full for their care and trouble and shall not have more for their commission, nor any other charge against my said estate on that account, but I do allow my said executors shall have commissions for what just money shall be received by them arising out of the legacies left by me to my said grandchildren until they respectively arrive at the age above said, and

I do desire and request my trusty friends Benjamin Swett of the town of New Castle, Esq. and Samuel Gregg of Christiana Hundred and county above said, yeomen, to be overseers, to see that my last will and testament be well and truly performed, and

for their care and trouble I do leave to each of them the sum of 5 pounds current money, to be paid by the said executors,

and it is my will that what is left to my said son, Joseph Hadley, should be kept in my said executors' hands and give it to him at several times as they see it is necessary for it.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and my seal this 3rd day of November, one-thousand-seven-hundred and fifty five (1755).

Note before signing and sealing: It is my will that if any of my grandchildren should fall heir to any of the above said tracts of land by the death of him or them which I have willed to, then it is my will that he or they which shall fall heir to said estate or estates, shall not have the said fifty pounds willed to them by me as above, but shall be equally divided as above to the surviving grandchildren.

Signed, Sealed, pronounced and declared by the said Simon Hadley to be his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers.