Individual Details
(1647 - 1734)
Robert William, of Merion, Pennsylvania, a widower, was married at the home of Hugh Roberts on April 19, 1691 to Gwen Cadwallader. About 1700 they settled in Goshen, Pennsylvania probably on land then owned by Griffith Owen, at or near the present Goshen Friends Meeting. He was sometimes called the "King of Goshen", and it is claimed that he was the first settler in the township. Transition says that their first residence was a cave, and that on occasion when their hearth fire went out he had to go seven miles to get it renewed. Goshen Meeting was held first, it is believed, at his house, though some records say at the house of Griffith Owen, but the latter doubtless lived in Philadelphia. In 1701 Robert is shown as owning 76 1/4 acres in Goshen. He had a deed on January 21, 1703, from William Edward, for 75 acres of land in Goshen, and in 1707 he purchased 300 acres in the same township from Edward Jones, surgeon. In 1715 they lived in Uwchlan township, and in that year conveyed the Goshen homestead to their son Ellis. Though he had considerable land in Goshen, he appears to have been in straitened circumstances, since in 1702 Friends of Haverford contributed 19 pounds, 9 pence, 8 shillings to him to build a new house, he having received Friends "kindly and openhearted," and keeping the meeting in his house. In 1710 Edward Roberts complained about a debt of his and the meeting advised him to sell some of his land to pay it, and even appointed a committee to assist them in doing so. Robert died in 1734 at the age of 87 years. Parents: Ellis WILLIAMS and Ellin WILLIAMS .
Events
| Birth | 1647 | Marion, Pembrokeshire, Wales England | | | |
| Marriage | 18 Apr 1691 | Gwen Cadwallader | | | |
| Death | 1734 | Goshen, Chester County, Pennsylvania | | | |
Families