George Maris, of Chester County

Biography

Updated 13 September 2024

Extracted from https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Maris-17 and then edited.

• Flag of Worcestershire (adopted 2013)
• George Maris was born in Worcestershire, England.
• George was a Friend (Quaker)
• National Society, Descendants of Early Quakers
• George Maris is a qualifying ancestor of the National Society, Descendants of Early Quakers.
• Flag of England
• George Maris migrated from England to Pennsylvania.

George Maris was from Worcestershire, England. He was born there late 1631 or early 1632 (from the age given at his death entry in Quaker records and the birthdate of his older sister)[1], the son of George Maris and his wife, Alice (Collier) Maris. His father was a prosperous husbandman (tenant farmer) in the village of Grafton Flyford and it is likely he was from there. The parish register for the village before 1676 is missing and it is not possible to check his date of baptism.

The first record for George is his father's will, dated 18 September 1656, when he would have been about 25 years old. It is an odd will (see father's page for transcription); George was likely the youngest son and clearly was not getting on with his siblings. Perhaps he had become a Quaker and this was causing tensions in the family. There were specific provisions for what he is to receive and how long the executors have to pay him. Also, he is specified as being allowed to eat at the family home for a year or until married. His father died two years later at the end of 1658 and the will was probated in January 1659.

Immediately thereafter, George married a woman named Alice based on the birth of their first child in July 1660[2].

Children of George Maris and Alice

Children information came from Pgs 1-2; 2nd Generation; the MarisFamily; George Lewis Maris Pg 2; Bryan, Jesse. Paxon ancestry: an adjunct to the Moorman-Johnson family (1906)

1. Alice, b. 8, 17, 1600; m. 11, 15, 1684, at an appointed meeting at Chester, to Jacob Simcock (Simcox) son of John and Elizabeth Simcock; d. 10-10-1726
2. George, b. 10-2-1662; m. 1690 to Jane Maddock (Maddox), daughter of Henry; she died 6-28-1705; he m. 2nd 6-17-1718. Jane Hayes, widow of Jonathan of Merion, and daughter of Edward Rees; he d. 1753
3. Elizabeth, b. 2-3-1665; m. 1685, to John Mendenhall of Concord
4. Ann, b. 6-18-1667; m. 8-14-1690 to John Worrilow, son of Thomas of Edgemont
5. John, b. 3-21-1669; m. 9-21-1693, Susanna Lewis of Haverford; he died1-8-1747
6. Richard, b. 9-20-1672; m. 1698 Elizabeth Hayes, daughter of Jonathan and Ann of Marple; he died 1745;

George Maris was a shoemaker and leather worker[3] as can be deduced from the materials he brought with him to Pennsylvania. He became a prosperous man and remained a Quaker.

In the Spring of 1670, a band of soldiers known as the Clergy Band acting on a warrant from two justices raided George's house in Grafton Flyford while a Friends Meeting was happening. For this, exorbitant fines were levied. One of those present had all his goods seized to meet the £20 fine. George, receiving the same fine, was able to pay it[4]. This must've enraged the authorities for he was taken to Worcester Assizes and on 23 July was sent to the gaol there. He was held for eight months. After that ordeal, George was more careful and was not caught again.

Emigration

With continuing persecutions in England, there was a strong push for Quakers to move to the Americas. We don't what triggered it but in May of 1683, George moved with alacrity. On 6 May he received from his local Monthly Meeting in Inkberrow a glowing testimonial to the brethren in Pennsylvania. On 13 May he completed his purchase of the rights to 1000 acres in the new colony from Robert Toomer of Worcester who had acquired the rights to 5000 acres from William Penn, who himself had just sailed to the waters of Delaware; "where freedom of conscience was the law of the land". On 23 May he emigrated with his family to Pennsylvania aboard the Comfort of Bristol which left Bristol (fifty miles to the south) on 23 May 1683 and arrived 26 June in the colony[5][6]. The listing of his cargo gives us an idea of how well prepared he was: List of a George Maris' luggage on the ship: - "10 dozen dressed calf skins; 1 qtr. malt; 3 1/2 qtrs. wheat; 3 bushels oatmeal; 90 lbs shoes; 1/2 cwt. pewter; cwt. brass manufactured; 2 flitches bacon; 20 cwt. wroght iron; 6 doz. woolen stockings; 10 cwt. cheese; 1 bbl. beer; 3 doz. plain sheepskin gloves; 1 1/2 firkins buter; 33 yds. flannel; 11 pcs. English earthware; 1/15 hhd. aquavita; 1 1/4cwt. lead shot; 1/4 cwt gunpowder; 20 bells English linen; 10 parcels several wares value 18 pounds 10s"[7]. It is worth perusing the list: there is enough food for the coming year (two flitches of bacon is an entire pig and the butter comes to twelve gallons) as well as enough material to continue his business as well as all the gloves and shoes he had in stock. There is also one entire ton of wrought iron, half a ton of cheese and, just in case, four gallons of hard liquor. He was clearly a man who believed in being prepared.

Life in Pennsylvania

George having purchased from Robert Toomer the right to 1000 acres of land in Pennsylvania, shortly after arriving he took up a tract of 400 acres[9]in Springfield where he settled calling his place Home House; A year later, he took up an additional 580 acres of land a little to the west in what became Edgmont township, Chester Co., Pa.[10]

George joined the Darby MM (then part of Chester Monthly Meeting established in 1681). From the Chester Monthly Meeting. came the Darby MM and the Springfield MM, among others. In the Chester MM minutes records for 1686, it was decided to circulate the meeting place among the homes of George Maris, Caleb Pusey, and Bartholomew Coppock.

George submitted his testimonial to the Darby Monthly Meeting where it forms the 3rd page of the oldest records of that meeting[8][9].

Testimonial for George Maris from Hattswell MM; Worcester England

Source: The Maris Family in the United States: A Record of the Descendants of George Maris; by George Lewis Maris and Annie M Pinkerton Maris. < Wikitree image >

Not long after the Maris family emigrated to Springfield Township, in Chester (now Delaware) Co., Pennsylvania; George became very active in civic duties; and elected a Justice of the Peace holding the Courts for Chester County, during the years 1684-85-86-87-88-89-91-92-93[11][12]

George having purchased from Robert Toomer the right to 1000 acres of land in Pennsylvania, shortly after arriving he took up a tract of 400 acres[9]in Springfield where he settled calling his place Home House; A year later, he took up an additional 580 acres of land a little to the west in what became Edgmont township, Chester Co., Pa.[10]

Home House

Source: Maris Home House, print over 100 years old. < image posted at Wikitree >

Member of Assembly in 1684-85-86-87-88-90-92-93[11]

Member of the Provincial Council in 1695[11]

George Maris was very active with his religious beliefs and was a Minister in the Society of Friends, a member of Chester Monthly Meeting.[11]

Death & Burial

George Maris died; and is buried at Chester Friends Cemetery; Chester, Delaware County Pennsylvania[13] (Note: George Lewis Maris author; in his published book The Maris Family in the United States: A Record of the Descendants of George and Alice Maris. "1683-1885 provides a death date of 11-15-1705[14])

Time-Line for George Maris

• 1632/33 George Maris was born in Worcestershire, England.
• 1659, George married Alice Wellsmith, in Worcestershire, England.
• 1670 or earlier, George became a member of the Society of Friends.*1683 He migrated from Inkberrow, Grafton-Flyford, Worcesterhire, England, on the "Bristol Comfort" with his wife Alice and their 6 children, to Springfield, Delaware Co,, Pa.*1683, he purchased 1000 acres of land from Robert Toomer, of Worcester, one of the original purchasers of 5000- acre townships, Maris brought a certificate from the Friends Meeting at Hadswell in his home parish and came very highly recommended to the Darby MM (then part of the Chester MM) in the new world. *1684, he was elected Justice of the peace and the courts, and served years 1684 thru 1689, 91, 92, 93
• In 1684 he was a member of the Assemby thru 1688, 90-92-93
• In 1695 he was a member of the Provincial Council
• Jan (Probably Nov) 15, 1705

  ---

Research Notes

DoB, PoB and Parents

The parish record for his place of birth, Grafton Flyford appears not to exist for the period before the Restoration; it is lost or destroyed most likely. The best estimate of his date of birth comes from his death entry in the Friends record in early 1704 where it refers to him as being 'about 73 years'. That would put him at about 1630 or 1631.

His recommendation to the Friends in Pennsylvania states that he is from Grafton Flyford and that they met at Hattswell in the parish of Inkborough. This seems to be the source of the idea that he came from Inkberrow. He was not registered there, and his father's will does not place him there.

The parents currently attached have no evidence linking them to this Geroge Maris. In deed it is more likely that Richard Maris is his uncle, not his father, based on the evidence of the will of his real father, George Maris. This will clearly identifies his children and wife and even his brother Richard. I plan to rearrange the family to match the will. [sic: This was done.]

Notes

George Maris, a shoemaker<"Pg 649; Cope; Hist. of Chester">, was dedicated to the betterment of his country, but not at the price he and his family and many others like his, endured over many years. A warrant issued; delivering soldiers of the Band called the Clergy came to a meeting being held at the home of George Maris; he was fined 20 pounds for the meeting being at his house. He was afterward taken by an assize process, and sent to prison July 23rd 1670 or more then 8 months "but says the Sufferings", "he never knew for what cause he was so long imprisoned".

From Religious Persecution to freedom of Conscience

With continued persecutions continuing in England, George must have felt the strong urge to follow William Penn a Friend; respected and admired; and who himself had just sailed to the waters of Delaware; where freedom of conscience was the law of the land. George laid hisintentions before the Monthly Meeting to which he belonged; "and in "response received a testimonial of which was taken from the 3rd page of the oldest records of the Darby (Pa) Monthly Meeting"<ref>Maris, Pg XII; The Maris Family</ref> (Image attached to profile){Image|file=Maris-17-1.jpg |align=r |size=m |caption=Testimonial } George Maris, his wife Alice, and their six children, of Grafton Flyford, county of Worcester<ref name="Pg XII; The Maris Family' by George Lewis Maris">Pg XII; The Maris Family' by George Lewis Maris; retrieved from E-Book 3-16-2018 https://books.google.com/books?id=7bn2sZhkbHEC&pg=PR11&lpg=PR11&dq=...</ref>arrived in Pennsylvania on the Bristol Comfort in 1683.<ref>Chapter V, pg 19 of Katharine Hutchinsons "One Mans family" descendants of Thomas Henry Worrilow Pg 90; SHEPPARD, WALTER LEE, JR., compiler and editor. Passengers and Ships prior to 1684; Arrival Year: 1683: Arrival Place: Pennsylvania: Family Members: Wife Alice; Child John; Child Richard; Child Alice; Child Elizabeth; Child George; Child Anna: Source Publication Code: 8370: Primary Immigrant: Maris, George</ref> Previous to leaving England, George purchased from Robert Toomer, of Worcester; 1000 acres of land in Pennsylvania, but unlocated; and shortly after arriving he took up a tract of 400 acres<ref name="Pg XII; The Maris Family' by George Lewis Maris"/>in Springfield where he settled calling his place Home House; A year later, he took up an additional 580 acres of land a little to the west in what became Edgmont township, Chester Co., Pa.<ref name = "One mans family"> A Book written by Katharine Krell Hutchison, about the descendants of Thomas Henry Worrilow.....</ref> George, a "Friend", came very highly recommended by his home parish, his certificate from Friends Meeting 'bore date of 3 Mo., 1683' and wasfrom Att Hadeswell In ye Pish of Inksborrough and County of Worcester<ref>Pg 25; 4th Generation; History and Genealogy of the Harlan Family; retrieved 2018-3-16 from: https://archive.org/stream/historygenealogy00harl#page/24/mode/2up/...</ref>

Civic and Society of Friends

George joined the Darby MM (then part of Chester Monthly Meeting established in 1681). From the Chester Monthly Meeting. came the Darby MM and the Springfield MM, among others. In the Chester MM minutes records for 1686, it was decided to circulate the meeting place among thehomes of George Maris, Caleb Pusey, and Bartholomew Coppock Not long after the Maris family emigrated to Springfield Township, in Chester (now Delaware) Co., Pennsylvania; George became very active incivic duties; and elected a Justice of the Peace holding the Courts for Chester County, during the years 1684-85-86-87-88-89-91-92-93<ref name ="Pg 1; First Generation; Maris Family">Pg 1; First Generation; Maris Family in the United States</ref><ref>See Records of the Courts of Chester; Vol. 1; Index which lists all the pages related to George's civic activity in the Courts; retrieved 2018-3-16 from: https://archive.org/stream/recordofcourtsof01penn#page/420/mode/2up...</ref> Member of Assembly in 1684-85-86-87-88-90-92-93<ref name ="Pg 1; FirstGeneration; Maris Family"/> Member of the Provincial Council in 1695<ref name ="Pg 1; First Generation; Maris Family"/> George Maris was very active with his religious beliefs and was a Minister in the Society of Friends, a member of Chester Monthly Meeting.<ref name ="Pg 1; First Generation; Maris Family"/>

George joined the Society of Friends and the Worcestershire Monthly Meeting around 1660. On July 23rd, 1670, he was fined 20 pounds imprisoned 8 months for holding a Friends meeting in house.

In 1683, George and his wife Alice, with their six children, came from Worchesterchire to America, and settled at "Home House," in Springfield township, Chester (now Delaware) county, Pa. He was one of the Justices holding the Courts for Chester county, during the years 1684-85-86-87-88-89-91-92-93. Member of the Assembly in 1684-85-86-87-88-90-92-93. Member of the Provincial Council, in the year 1695. He was a Minister in the Society of Friends, a member of Chester Monthy Meeting, and took an active part therein.

(Research):"GEORGE MARIS emigrated from the parish of Inkborough, in the County of Worcester, England, in 1683. with his wife Alice and several children. On his first arrival he appears to have tarried for a short time with the Friends that had arrived the year before and settled at Darby, but he soon located a large tract of land in Springfield township, whereon he settled and named it "The Home House." He was among the most eminent of the public Friends that came over with the first settlers, and was so esteemed in his native country, where meetings had been held in his house, and where he had suffered by fines and imprisonment. His certificate, which is recorded at Darby, says, "He hath adorned the Gospel of Christ." He held many public trusts; was a Justice of the Peace, one of the Judges of the Court, and on several occasions was chosen a member of the Provincial Assembly. He was one of those who signed the testimony against the celebrated George Keith. The descendants of this worthy patriarch are numerous; those bearing his name in this County, Chester County and in the city of Philadelphia, are probably all descended from him.

His death occurred in 1705, at the age of seventy-three years; his wife having died nearly four years earlier. His children, so far as is known, were Elizabeth who intermarried with John Mendenhall; George, with Jane Maddock; Ann, with John Worrilow; John, with Susanna Lewis, of Haverford; and Richard, with Elizabeth Hayes, of Marple." [Alice with Jacob Simcock.] - Smith's History of Delaware County, Pa.

Copy of the patent from WM. PENN to GEORGE MARIS. WILLIAM PENN by the providence of God & the king's authority Proprietary & Governor of the province of Pennsylvania and the territories thereunto belonging, To all to whom these presents shall come sendeth greeting- WHEREAS, there is a certain tract of land in the County of Chester Beginning at a corner marked post from thence Nol"th by a line of Marked trees three hundred & eighty perches to a corner marked white oak being the corner tree of the land of Bartholomew Coppock from thence South West by West by the sd land five hundred & seventy-five perches to a corner marked post from thence North by West by a line of marked trees three hundred and fifteen perches to a corner marked Maple tree standing by Darby creek from thence downe the severall courses of the creek to a corner marked post standing by ye sd creek from thence South by West by a line of marked trees two hundred & ninety-seven perches to a corner marked post being the corner post of the land of George Simcock from thence North West by a line of marked trees one hundred & sixty perches to the first mentioned corner post containing four hundred Acres of land granted by a warrant from myself bearing date the sixth day of the eighth month one thousand six hundred and eighty-three, and laid out by the surveyor general's order ye twenty-fifth of ye sd month and year unto George Maris purchaser & ye sd George Maris requesting me to confirm the same by patent KNOW YE that I have given granted & confirmed & by these presents for me my heirs & successors do give grant and confirm unto the Sd George Maris his heirs and assigns forever the said four hundred Acres of land. To HAVE HOLD AND ENJOY ye sd land to ye only use and behoof of ye said George Maris his heirs and assigns forever to be holden of me my heirs & successors proprietarys of Pennsylvania & the territories thereunto belonging as of our mannor of Spring Town in the county aforesaid in free and common Socage by fealty it being seated planted and improved yielding and paying therefore to me my heirs and successors at or upon the first day of the first month in every year at the town of Chester one silver English shilling for every hundred Acres or value thereof in coyn currency to such persons as shall from time to time be appointed for ye purpose. In Witness hereof I have caused these my letters to be made patent. Witness myself at Philadelphia the thirtieth day of the fifth month one thousand six hundred and eighty-four being the thirty-fifth year of the king's reign and the fourth of my government. WM. PENN.

GEDCOM Note

I protected this profile to facilitate merging. Feb. 28, 2014
{Pennsylvania Settlers} Category: Chester Monthly Meeting, Pennsylvania Category: Chester County, PennsylvaniaCategory: Darby Monthly Meeting, Lansdowne, PennsylvaniaCategory: Grafton-Flyford, Worcestershire

Biography

George Maris Jr., from Worcestershire England; <ref name ="Pg 649; Cope; Hist. of Chester">Pg 649; History of Chester County Pennsylvania: With Biographical and Genealogical sketches; retrieved from https://books.google.com/books?id=kt84AQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&...</ref>was born there about 1633<ref>Family Group Record for George Maris, b. 1633; Katharine Hutchinsons "One Mans family"in which the Maris and Worrilow families intermarried</ref>the son of Richard Maris and Alice Colliercitation needed George married Alice Wellsmith approx. 1659 in Worcestershire, England.<ref>"The Genealogist" (Volume 13, No.2 - Fall 1999)</ref>

Non-Conformity and Consequences

From 1661-1665 Parliament, under King Charles II; passed four penal codes referred to as Clarendon Code which effectively re-established the supremacy of the Anglican Church after the interlude of Cromwell's Commonwealth, and ended toleration for dissenting religions<ref>http://www.britainexpress.com/History/stuart/clarendon-code.htm</ref>'<ref>Statutes of the Realm; Vol. 5, 1628-50; Charles II, 1662; retrieved from http://www.british-history.ac.uk/statutes-realm/vol5/pp350-351; as cited in History of the Quakers URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Quakers</ref>#: (1) Corporation Act (1661)required all municipal officials to take Anglican communion, and formally reject the Solemn League and Covenant of 1643. The effect of this act was to exclude nonconformists from public office. This legislation was rescinded in 1828.#: (2) The Act of Uniformity 1662 - This second statute made use of the Book of Common Prayer compulsory in religious service. Upwards of 2000 clergy refused to comply with this act, and were forced to resign their livings.#: (3) The Conventicle Act (1664) - This act forbade conventicles (a meeting for unauthorized worship) of more than 5 people who were not members of the samehousehold. The purpose was to prevent dissenting religious groups from meeting.#: (4) The Five MileAct (1665) - This final act of the Clarendon Code was aimed at Nonconformist ministers, who were forbidden from coming within five miles of incorporated towns or the place of their former livings. They were also forbidden to teach in schools. This act was not rescinded until 1812.

Origins

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Maris-187

George Maris married Alice Collier on 20 June 1622 in Bradley, Worcestershire. Their children were:

1. Anne Maris (~1623 - )
2. Richard Maris (~1625 - )
3. Elizabeth Maris (~1626 - )
4. Francis Maris (~1628 - 1671)
5. George Maris (~1631 - 1704)
6. Mary Maris (~1638 - ).

George Maris was a prosperous husbandman (tenant farmer)[1]. He wrote his will on 18 September 1656 in Grafton Flyford[1]. He died late in 1658 in Grafton Flyford, aged about 63, as his will was proved 22 January 1659[1].

References

1. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/memories/L5FG-VF3
2. Maris family history : a record of the descendants of George and Alice Maris of Grafton Flyford, Worcestshire, England and Springfield, Chester (now Delaware) County, Pa.; v. 03." Viewer https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/622564-mari.... Accessed 17 Jan. 2020.
   1. Images 118 -- 124 of 150 [provides information about the Maris family in England, to include George and Alice mrais, the parents of George Maris the immigrant. Also include abstracted copies of the will of both George and Alice Maris, the parents of George Maris of Pennsylvania.
3. WikiTree contributors, "George Maris (abt.1632-1704)," WikiTree: The Free Family Tree, (https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Maris-17 : accessed 13 September 2024). cites
   1. The Maris Family in the United States: A Record of the Descendants ofGeorge and Alice Maris. 1683-1885; F.S. Hickman, 1885; EBook retrieved from Google Books at https://books.google.com/books?id=7bn2sZhkbHEC&pg=PR11&lpg=PR11&dq=...
4. Hutchinson, Katharine Krell. (1997). "One man's family. The story ofthe descendants of Thomas Henry Worrilow of Brasenhill, Staffordshire, England who emigrated to Pennsylvania in the 1680's"
   1. Harlan, Alpheus H. (Alpheus Hibben), b. 1848; History and genealogy of the Harlan family, and particularly of the descendants of George andMichael Harlan, who settled in Chester County, Pa., 1687; Publicationdate 1914; Publisher Baltimore, The Lord Baltimore press.
   2. “George Maris of Chester County, Pennsylvania,” The Genealogist,Vol. 13, No. 2, Fall 1999.
   3. SHEPPARD, WALTER LEE, JR., compiler and editor. Passengers and Ships prior to 1684. (Publications of the Welcome Society of Pennsylvania, 1.) Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1970. 245p. Reprinted by Heritage Books, Bowie, MD, 1985. Annotation: This excellent work contains over 3,000 names and an index to vessels. Reprints the following articles with corrections, additions, and new materials: "The Real Welcome Passengers," by Marion Balderston (no. 242) pp. 1-26; "Pennsylvania's 1683 Ships,"
   4. Bryan, Jesse. Paxon ancestry: an adjunct to the Moorman-Johnson family (1906) Google Books YQh267QeYU0C
   5. Futhey, John Smith and Gilbert Cope. History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches, Part 1; L.H. Everts (1881), GoogleBooks
   6. Record of the courts of Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1681-1697; by Pennsylvania. Courts (Chester Co.) Vol. 1; Publication date 1910; Publisher Philadelphia : Colonial Society of Pennsylvania
   7. 'The Ancestry of Richard Milhous Nixon', Third Edition (1971), NixonPresidential Returned Materials Collection: White House Special Files (WHSF), box 10, folder 12 [George is #826]; cites as source History of Chester Co. PA p 647
   8. Find A Grave, database and images (accessed 16 March 2018), memorial page for George Maris, Jr (2 Dec 1632–15 Jan 1704), https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34832001/richard-george-maris
   9. Also See: Charles II, 1662: An Act for preventing the Mischiefs and Dangers that may arise by certain Persons called Quakers and others refusing to take lawfull Oaths, Statutes of the Realm: volume 5: 1628–80. 1819. pp. 350, 351. Retrieved 2018-3-16.
5. National Society Descendants of Early Quakers" Founded 10 d 9 mo 1980 ANCESTOR ROSTER as of 20 Jul 2024 < PDF > Maris, George m Alice Wellsmith, settled in PA