This is my first post. I have recently been in touch with Barbara (bfitzsenry). I'm involved with the Pennepack Baptist Historical Foundation as well as with the church, the formation of which would probably not have happened without the Eatons and Samuel Jones settling on the banks of Pennypack Creek. In preparation for the 325th anniversary (June 1&2, 2013) of the church, I'm seeking a thorough understanding of its beginning. When, where, and why.
I'd like to confirm the date of the Eatons’ (et al) arrival in Pennsylvania and to eventually determine where they lived on Pennypack Creek and why they chose this remote (though not uncommonly remote) location.
The frequently used 1686 arrival date comes from Morgan Edwards Materials Towards a History of the Baptist in Pennsylvania, 1770, pg 7:
“About the year 1686, one John Eaton, George Eaton and Jane his wife, Sarah Eaton and Samuel Jones (members of a Baptist church residing in Llanddewi and Mantmel in Radnorshire whereof Rev. Henry Gregory was overseer), also John Baker (member of a church in Kilkenny in Ireland whereof Rev. Christopher Blackwell was pastor) and one Samuel Vans from England arrived, and settled on the banks of Pennepek.”
This source is clearly used by David Benedict in his 1813 History and by Jonathan Davis (aka John Jones??) in his 1835 History. Presumably using Morgan Edwards, Davis states (pg 67) rather definitively that:
“By reason of most cruel persecution at home, Samuel Jones, John Eaton, George Eaton and Jane his wife, and Sarah Eaton, all members of the church at Dolau, with their families, and other friends and relatives, went to America in the year 1686, two years before the end of the persecution in Wales, and settled on the banks of Penepeck, Pennsylvania. John Baker, a member of the Baptist church at Kilkenny, Ireland, and Samuel Vaus, a. member of a Baptist church in England, also arrived and settled with them.”
The inclusion of Baker and Vaus (ie, Vans) strongly suggests the M Edwards source.
Morgan Edwards' “arrived, and settled on the banks of Pennepek” “about the year 1686” does not preclude an earlier arrival elsewhere in Philadelphia.
Hywel M. Davies states in his Transatlantic Brethren: Rev. Samuel Jones (1735-1814) and His Friends, 1995 , pg 43:
“George Eaton's Bible records that they left Llandewi on 1 August
1683 for their journey to the port of Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire.
They arrived in Philadelphia on 3 November.”
That seems to be the only source of the 1683 date. Where is the Eaton’s Bible now?
Is there evidence of a ship departing Milford Haven about August 1683 and arriving Philadelphia November 3, 1683?
[Btw, the Samuel Jones (1735-1814) in the title of Davies’ book is not the Samuel Jones (1657-1722) who came with the Eatons. Two or three generations apart and apparently unrelated, they were both from Wales and were each extremely important in the history of Pennpack Baptist.]
I have many more questions. But one at a time.
Thanks.
Fred
