Thomas Mildenhall (abt. 1630 - 1682)

Born about 1630 in Marridge Hill, Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Joane (Stroud) Mildenhall — married 12 Aug 1649 in Aldbourne church, Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England

Descendants

Died 5 Jul 1682 at about age 52 in Marridge Hill, Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England

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Biography

Thomas Mildenhall was a Friend (Quaker). Join: Quakers Project Discuss: quakers

Son of Thomas Mildenhall and Ann Unknown Mildenhall^{[1] [2]}

THOMAS MILDENHALL was born in 1630 in Mildehall Marridge Hill, Wiltshire, England. He died in 1682 in Marridge Hill, Wiltshire, England. He married Joane Stroud on 12 Aug 1649^[3] in Aldbourne Church, Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England. She was born in 1634 in Aldbourne, Wiltshire, England. She died in 1682 in Marridge Hill, Wiltshire, England.^[4][5]

note: some say Thomas died at Somerset House, London, Middlesex, England

Life Sketch, from his Family Search profile:Thomas Mildenhall was born in1630 in "Mildenhall," a village in Wiltshire, England where the family was from. The American spelling "Mendenhall" was never used by this generation and first appeared among Thomas's children in Pennsylvania.

He was a promindent, well-to-do farmer and a Quaker convert in Wiltshire. His ancestors had lived near Marridge Hill, near Ramsbury, in Wiltshire for generations. On August 12, 1649, married Joane Stroude from the nearby village of Aldbourne. (About four miles west of Ramsbury, on the north bank of the Kennet, lies the small village of Mildenhall (pronounced “Minall”), but Thomas Mildenhall attended Anglican services in Ramsbury, not Mildenhall, before he became a Quaker.)

Thomas Mildenhall left the Church of England in Ramsbury to become a Quaker, probably in the late 1650s. He and his family attended Lambourn Woodlands Meeting, just over the county boundary in Berkshire, about two miles northeast of Marridge Hill. Thomas paid a price for deserting the Church of England. He was “presented” for not attending Divine service in 1663 and 1668 and for not paying tithes to the parish church in 1673 and 1674.

In 1681, William Penn received a royal charter to settle the Province of Pennsylvania in North America. William Penn sought brave adventurers, farmers and craftsmen, to whom he offered a self-governing society free from oppression and an end to the relentless religious persecution they had suffered under the British Crown since 1660, with over 10,000 Quakers imprisoned. To recruit settlers, Penn prepared a real estate prospectus for his proposed colony. The prospectus described attractive terms for purchasing or renting as little as 250 acres. A 500-acre estate could be purchased for ten pounds cash. Penn concentrated his sales efforts on areas with strong Quaker communities and where he was well known. Wiltshire accounted for no less than 47 of these 260 “First Purchasers,” the term William Penn used to describe the earliest investors in his new colony.

When the opportunity of emigrating to Pennsylvania was first proposed Thomas, then about fifty years old, he had less than a year to live. His eldest son, Thomas Jr., was farming across the county border in Berkshire. Under inheritance laws of the day, Thomas Jr. would inherit his father’s farm in Marridge Hill. Two daughters had married, both at Quaker ceremonies in Lambourn Woodlands. In January of 1676, Margery Mildenhall wed Thomas Martin, a wheelwright from Great Bedwyn, a Wiltshire village some seven miles south of Marridge Hill. In July of 1681, Joan Mildenhall married John Spier, a doctor from Hampshire. Thomas’ and Joane’s remaining children, all unmarried, included four more sons, namely John, Benjamin, Moses, and one daughter, Mary. Most of them emigrated to Pennsylvania.

In 1682, two sons and a daughter of Thomas emigrated to America; Benjamin, John, and Mary. They landed at Philadelphia in the fall of 1682. Benjamin and John purchased 2000 acres of land from William Penn for the sum of three pounds of English money for every one-hundred acres, and a tax of ten shillings a year to England on every one-hundred acres.

The land was located on the east and west sides of the Brandywine in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Later it was divided into farms and occupied by a number of the descending families.

It has all passed out of the family name, except Springdale Farm which is located among the hills and fertile fields of southeastern Pennsylvania, Close to the beautiful historic Brandywine, where Washington and Lafayette played so important a part during the Revolutionary War.

Another son, Moses and his older sister Margery and her husband, Thomas Martin and their four young daughters arrived on the ship, Unicorn, from Bristol, England on Dec. 16, 1685.

As the Mendenhalls were Quakers or members of the Society of Friends, of high standing, they were opposed to war, refused to bear arms and were not active participants in the Revolutionary nor Civil Wars. However, they often provided medical care for the wounded of the battles and some of the Mendenhalls used their teams to haul cannon and supplies at the Battle of Brandywine which was fought upon and around the original Mendenhall Farm.

Some of them were cast out of the Friends Meeting at Kennett, Pennsylvania, for their activities in the revolution, helping General Washington and Lafayette.

Thomas' will, dated June 2, 1682, was proved in Perogative Court of Canterbury at Somerset House, London, England, Nov. 17, 1682.

HOLY CROSS CHURCH, Ramsbury, England

The church at Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England, is the site of several Mildenhall burials. Ramsbury is about four miles east of Mildenhall and like Mildenhall, lies on the Kennet River. Marridge Hill where the early Mildenhall manor is said to be is about two miles north of Ramsbury. It is now called Holy Cross Church and is where Thomas Mildenhall and his wife Joane worshiped before they became Quakers. At that time it was an Anglican church.

The Quaker movement began in England in the late 1640's . The Society of Friends, as it was called, was organized by George Fox. The organization was created in large part because of the oppressive requirement that all citizens worship the Church of England. The Kennet valley became a stronghold of those that had joined the movement. It was primarily due to one of the Quakers, William Penn, that the Mildenhalls along with many other Quakers made their way to America, subsequently settling on land that had been granted to William Penn in what became Pennsylvania.

After leaving the church in Ramsbury, Thomas Mildenhall attended the nearest Quaker Meeting which was just across the county line in Berkshire, a distance of about two miles from his home in Marridge Hill. It is in the Quaker records of the Berkshire archives that we find most of the information about Thomas Mildenhall.

In the cemetery that adjoins the church is a marker that is inscribed: "In Memory Of Charles Mildenhall, Who Died At Salisbury, October 29th, 1895 In The 71st Year Of His Age. He Now Lies In~Rest In The Cemetery Of That City. For Many Years He Held An Appointment Under The Late Duke Of Wellington At Stratfield-Saye Hants. This Stone Was Erected By Thomas White Waldron, Esq. Of Eastridge."

Just who the father of Charles was is unknown. Most of the markers that remain in the cemetery are no longer readable. However, it is known that several of the early Mildenhalls are buried there possibly including Thomas Mildenhall, b. 1630, his wife Joane and their son Moses.

Thomas Mildenhall and Joane Stroud had the following children:

1. MARGERY MARJORIE MILDENHALL was born in Dec 1655 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. She died in 1742 in Concord, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. She married Thomas Martin on 30 Nov 1675 in England (Reading and Warboro Monthly Meeting). He was born on 04 Mar 1650 in Mogna, Wiltshire, England. He died in 1714 in Middletown, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States.
2. THOMAS MILDENHALL was born in 1656 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. He died on 26 Mar 1739 in Wiltshire, England. He married Mary Eaton * in 1687 in Wiltshire, England. She was born in 1658 in Wiltshire, England. She died on 06 Jun 1732 in England.
3. JOAN MILDENHALL was born in 1657 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. She died in 1731 in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England. She married John Spier(s) [Doctor] on 10 Jul 1681 in England. He was born in 1650 in 1657268, Berkshire, England. He died in 1703 in 1657268, Berkshire, England.
4. JOHN MILDENHALL was born on 30 Oct 1659 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. He died on 19 Aug 1743 in Newark, New Castle, Delaware. He married (1) ELIZABETH MARIS on 13 Aug 1685 in Darby, Chester, Pennsylvania (Darby Meeting). She was born on 03 Apr 1665 in Inkberrow, Worcestershire, England. She died on 15 Nov 1705 in Chester, Pennsylvania, United States. He married (2) ESTHER MADDOX (DIX) on 08 Nov 1708 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, United States (Concord Meeting). She was born in 1670. She died in 1709 in Concord, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States.
5. BENJAMIN MILDENHALL was born on 14 Feb 1662 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. He died on 13 Apr 1740 in Concord, Chester, Pennsylvania. He married Ann Pennell on 17 Feb 1689 in Concord, Chester, Pennsylvania. She was born on 15 Apr 1668 in Middletown, Chester, Pennsylvania. She died in 1749 in Middletown, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States.
6. MARY MILDENHALL was born on 21 Mar 1663 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. She died on 04 Oct 1728 in East Calne, Chester, Pennsylvania. She married NATHANIEL NEWLIN on 17 Apr 1685 in Concord, Chester, Pennsylvania (Concord Meeting). He was born on 18 Dec 1665 in Mountmellick Mm, Mountmellick, Leix, Ireland. He died on 17 Apr 1729 in Concord, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States.
7. STEPHEN MILDENHALL UNM was born on 21 Jun 1664 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. He died in Dec 1732.
8. MOSES MILDENHALL was born on 24 Nov 1666 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. He died on 21 Jul 1739 in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England. He married Elizabeth Bacon on 02 Mar 1690 in Reading, Berkshire, England (Reading and Warboro Monthly Meeting). She was born about 1666 in England. She died on 21 Jul 1739 in Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England. Ramsbury, Wiltshire, England.
9. AARON MILDENHALL was born on 14 Jul1669 in Marridge Hill, , Wiltshire, England. He died on 30 Jun 1682 in England

". Thomas was reported to the authorities in 1662 and 1664 as a recusant, one refusing to take communion in the Church of England. He is not listed in Quaker records as having been imprisoned and therefore may have conformed as far as paying tithes to the Church, which was the subject of Quaker passive resistance."^[6]

Only "Five children of Thomas and Joane Stroud Mildenhall emigrated to the Pennsylvania Colony in the years ca. 1682-1685,: John, Benjamin, Margery (Mendenhall) Martin, Mary who married Nathaniel Newlin, and Moses. Moses returned to England ca. 1686 after only a few months in Pennsylvania." ^[7] It is at this point the Mendenhall version of the name started to be used by the children of Thomas who immigrated to America^[8]

Will of Thomas Mildenhall, 1682:

From Wills and Administrations at Somerset House, Prerogative Court of Canterbury, Vol. 371, Cottle Vol. 3, 1682, folio 135 for THOMAS MILDENHALL: 17 Nov 1682

THOMAS MILDENHALL of Maridge in parish of Ramsbury, Wilts, Following is the will left by Thomas:

In the name of God, Amen, on the thirtieth day of June in the year of our Lord, God, one thousand six hundred eighty two, I, Thomas Mildenhall of Marridge in the parish of Ramsbury in the county Wilts, yeoman, being aged and weak in body but sound and perfect in mind and memory, praise be heretofore given to God, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

That is to say first and principally, I commend my soul into the hands of almighty God through the promise of death and promise of my savior, Jesus Christ, to have full pardon of my sins and to inherit everlasting life and my body committed to the earth to be decently buried according to the direction of my overseers hereinafter named. As concerning the disposition of such temporal assets as the Lord in mercy hath lent me, I give and dispose thereof as follows:

First, I will that my debts and funeral charges be all paid and discharged.

Then, I give and bequeath unto my first son, Thomas Mildenhall of West Hundred in the county of Wilts and his heirs forever, all manner of tenth and tithes of whatsoever arising, being and growing out of that messuage and tenement with the appurtenances thereto belonging in which I now dwell and is in my possession which I lately purchased of Henry Powle, Esq. and others.

Item. I give and devise unto my son, John Mildenhall and his heirs forever, the fee simple of all that cottage and two gardens with the appurtenances lying in Marridge aforesaid which I lately purchased of Thomas Stockbridge and one close of land or pasture by five acres or there abouts be it more or less lying in Marridge heath which I lately purchased of Nathaniel Stoneham. And also all that close of arable pasture around heretofore part of great Rashlett Coppice in parish of Ramsbury aforesaid of seven acres and half and all the tenths and tithes the said seven acres and half of arable or pasture ground from and towards his better preferment in marriage and for his marriage portion. And upon this condition never the less that he, the said John Mildenhall, shall and will pay or cause to be paid to his brother, Benjamin Mildenhall, the sum of £40of lawful money of England at such time as the said premises before given shall come to be in his own possession. All of which premises by me given unto my said son, John, and lately purchased of said Henry Powle, Esq. and others.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son, Stephen Mildenhall, all that messuage or tenement and two acres of arable land in Rovly Heath in the parish of Chilton Folliott, in the said county of Wilts and containing thirty acres with the appurtenances during the terms of the estate thereof to me granted by John Darlow and Jane, his wife, upon condition nevertheless that he, the said Stephen Mildenhall, his heirs and assigns shall and will yearly and every year pay unto his brother, Moses Mildenhall, the sum of £5 per annum out of the said premises when he, the said Stephen, shall come to enjoy the same during the remainder or term of the said sale.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Mildenhall, the sum of £4 of lawful money of England to be paid unto her within one year after my decease.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Margery, wife of Thomas Martin of Bedwin Magna, the sum of 40s of lawful money of England.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Joane, wife of John Spier, 1s.

And my will and meaning is that the said messuages, lands, tenements and premises herein before by me given and bequeathed to my said sons, John and Stephen, shall remain and be in the possession of my now wife, Joane Mildenhall, during her natural life.

And my will and meaning further is that in case there shall happen to be any loss or damage in recovery or getting in of my debts and estate which shall be due and owing at the time of my decease, that my sponsors hereinafter named and such of my children and legatees aforesaid shall be his or hers or their equal part and portion in the lot thereof out of their respective legacies and portions as to my overseers hereinafter named shall think mete and convenient.

Item. I give and devise unto my son, Moses Mildenhall, the inheritance of that house and land now in possession of Thomas Callaway in or near the parish of Marridge aforesaid and which I lately purchased of Nicholas George of Whittendish together with all the belongings of the same premises which I order shall be delivered to my said son, Moses, in a weeks time after my decease if he demands them.

All the rest of my goods and chattels of what sort total, movables and immovables, I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Joane Mildenhall, whom I make and ordain as the sole ownership of this my last will and testament and I do appoint my brother, Benjamin Stroud and my son, Thomas Mildenhall, to be overseers of this my last will and testament desiring that they will be aiding and assisting of my said sponsorship that all things herein, my will may be performed according to my stated intent and meaning and I do give to each of them for their care herein 5s apiece.

In witness hereof, I, the aforesaid Thomas Mildenhall, have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year first above written.

^[9]

A memorial is found in the Holy Cross Churchyard, Ramsbury, Wiltshire Unitary Authority, Wiltshire, England^[10]

Books

History of Chester County Pennsylvania page 635

The Mendenhall family: descendants of Thomas & Joan (Strode) Mildenhall, Volume 1

Mendenhall Pedigrees of England US

Sources

1. ↑ https://www.mendenhall.org/mfa/reunion/1999/slide-presentations/Stories/Singleton.pdf
2. ↑ Mendenhall Person: I19822
3. ↑ https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:NX9X-9XN
4. ↑ Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Originally, the information was derived), Ancestry.com, Source number: 736.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: TG2. Birth date: 1630 Birth place:.
5. ↑ Yates Publishing, U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.Original data - This unique collection of records was extracted from a variety of sources including family group sheets and electronic databases. Originally, the information was derived), Ancestry.com, Source number: 984.000; Source type: Electronic Database; Number of Pages: 1; Submitter Code: HT2. Birth date: 1620 Birth place: Marriage date: 1649 Marriage place: WI.
6. ↑ http://marykayj.com/Families/thomasmildenhall.htm
7. ↑ http://genforum.genealogy.com/mendenhall/messages/741.html
8. ↑ History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical ... By John Smith Futhey, Gilbert Cope. Page 635.
9. ↑ http://www.mendenhall.org/mfa/md/tmildenhallwill.html
10. ↑ Find A Grave: Memorial #92190270

• Ancestry Family Trees (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.), Ancestry.com, Ancestry Family Trees.
• The Mendenhall Records

IMPORTANT

The use of the surname Mendenhall came about by the immigration of Thomas children John and Benjamin Mildenhall to the United States. From that point the spelling of Mendenhall was used for John and Benjamin and their descendants.

G2G

Mendenhall Corrections needed

Using the LNAB Mendenhall when it should be Mildenhall

Notes

Note NI1011!SOURCES: 1. Futhey and Cope Hist. of Chester County, Penn. pp. 635

2. D.A.R. Magazine Vol 60 p. 220

3. The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy: First Families of :America: A Genealogical Encyclopedia of the United States, Volume 5

The Abridged Compendium of American Genealogy: First Families of America: A :Genealogical Encyclopedia of the United States, Frederick Adams Virkus

Editors Frederick Adams Virkus, Albert Nelson Marquis

Publisher F. A. Virkus & Company, 1933

Original from the University of Wisconsin - Madison

Digitized :Jun 13, 2008)

• England Marriages, 1538-1973