Individual Details

WILLIAM VESTAL LINEAGE

A pamphlet issued by Asa Vestal in 1862 on the Vestal family states that two brothers, William and Daniel Vestall, embarked from London, England in 1683, and that Daniel died on the ocean and was buried at sea.

Gilbert Cope, an authority on early Friends records in Pennsylvania, stated that the first appearance on their records of William Vestall was as the husband of Alice Glover. William, b. ca 1667 in England married probably in Chester Co., Pennsylvania Alice (Glover Brunsden, daughter of George and Alice (Lamboll) Glover of Ichingswell, parish of Kingsclere, Co. of Southhampton, England. Alice had married at Brumpton, Co of Bucks on 10-19-1680, John Brunsden of Blucklebury, Berkshire, England. (From Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania Families Data, U-V)

Mr Cope states, " The life of John Brunsden (or Brundsen) was brief in the new world, but we have not certain date of his death." A highway, laid out 10-25-1687, mentions Alice Brundsen¹s name in describing the line of the highway. This would indicate her husband had died previous to this time. John Brundsen had three children; John who died unmarried; Hannah, who became the wife of John Buckingham; and Alice who married and had a child, both of whom died later.

William Vestal married the widow of John Brundsen sometime previous to1692, for we find "Att an Orphans Court held at Chester ye 1st day in ye 8th mo. 1692: William Vestal and his relict of John Brunsdall Deceased was Called and appeared and the Court Required the said William Vestall to give Security to the Court Well and Truley to perform the Trust of Guardianship for the Childen of the Deceased untill he hath pased his accounts in oppen Court and be discharged according to Law which accordingly he did" (Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania Family Data U-V, p.192

The records of the Brandywine Baptist Church show that Alice Vestal was baptised 6th mo. 10th day, 1697 and Hannah Brundsen (her daughter) 8th mo. 30th day 1698. (Mss. Records of Brandywine Baptist Church, Original at Crozer Theological Seminary, Chester, Pennsylvania.) Cope states the they had probably been led away from the Friends Society by the defection of George Keith, who caused much trouble in the Society of Friends.

At a Court of Quarter Sessions, held at Chester, Pennsylvania,12th of March 1694/95, several constables were appointed, for different townships, and among them William Vestall was appointed for Birmingham township.

At a Court of Common Pleas, 14th Of March, 1694, "A Deed Past by Henry Hollingsworth, Attorney for William Roe, to George Stroud, Attorney for Thomas Moore, and William Vestall, for one hundred Acres of land lying in Concord and Deed Bearing Date the 12th Day of March 1694" This land was less than a mile eastwardly from the present Concord station on the R.R. and is shown in Smith¹s Atlas of Early Grants and Patents, in Delaware Co. (formerly a part of Chester Co.)

Thomas Powell, of Upper Providence, Chester Co., and James Jacob, of Philadelphia Co. executors of John Loftus, of Philadelphia, by deed of 4-6-1696, conveyed to Richard Buffington and William Vestall, of Chest Co., husbandmen, a tract of 218 acres of land on the east side of Brandywine Creek. By another deed, 4-5-1701/2, they conveyed to the same persons two tracts of 49 acres and 169 acres, adjoining the former purchase. In the division William Vestall appears to have kept the 49 acres and Richard Buffington the remainder. (Collections of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, Family Data U-V, p.192)

Benjamin Mendenhall, of Concord township (Chester Co., Pennsylvania), executed articles of agreement 10-12-1699 to convey to William Vestal, a tract of 125 acres, adjoining the 49 acres and lying on the east side of Brandywine Creek at the forks thereof. William erected a dwelling and settled on this land, and in his will, made 1-19-1701/2, he is described as of Westtown township, now East Bradford township, and thereby devised his lands, 174 acres, to Alice his wife, during her life and then to his son, William. He in turn to give his brother, George 30 pounds. To his dtr Mary, he gave two mares, a cow, and some colts, etc. when 21 years old. As executors he appointed his wife and friend Thomas Powell ( the latter renounced executorship.) The will was proved 2-26-1701/2. Witness John Wood, Nathaniel Ring, Robert Way, and Robert Jefferys. (No. 61, Abstract of Wills at Philadelphia, Bk. K,. Gen. Soc. of Pennsylvania, v. 3, p.248 - Will Book on file at City Hall, Philadelphia.)

William's will:

My will Maid ye 19th day January 1701-2

In the name of God, amen, I William Vastall living in the Township of Westtown, in the County Chester, so have ordained and considered this my last will and testament. Being of sound judgement and of perfect Remembrances, praies be allmights god for his Mercy, though weake in body and finding my selfe to decay in body, am Willing to Sett my house in order before I go hence, and for this purpose doe Here ordaine this my will and testament as followeth:

First, I bequeath my body to ye earth to be decently buryed according as my Executors (hereafter named) shall think fitt. and faithfully resigning up my soule into ye hands of God, my creator, hopping to receive pardon of all my sins by the death and suffering of my lord and savior, Jesus Christ who is my Redemer.

Imprimos, I leave and bequeath to Alice, my wife, all my land and Musage which I now live upon and occupy, being 1 hundred twenty four ackers, during the time of her Natural life and all my goods and Challltes and Cattles (excepting such as shall be herafter named) paying all my debts which I owe. And after to descend to my son, William Vastall, after ye decease of Allice, my wife, my son, William Vastall, shall pay into my son George Vastall, ye just some of thirty pounds fo lawfull money, according to ye passable coyne fo ye province out of ye said estate, as after that my son, William Vastall, comes legally installed in ye property.

Item, I leave unto my daughter Mary one Cow, and tow breeding mares, and two horse coults with their increase (ye Cow her increase excepted) and Like Wise to Receive a ____ and a hacholl and these to be delivered when she comes to ye age of one and twenty, or before if her mother thinks fitt.

And likewise I ordaine my wife, Allice vastall, to be one executor, and my loving friend, Thomas powell, of ye town of providence, of County Chester, yeoman, junior, to be joints executor with my wife to see this my will duly and truely executed according as I have appointed.

William Vastall his mark
(THIS IS AN INKED THUMB MARK, AS SEAL)

Conclusion of will (1) William Vestal, Senior, eitnesses and proving)
Sealed and delivered in ye presents of
John Wood
Nathaniel Ring
Robert Way(?)
Robert Jafferis x my mark

Philadelphia, Feb 20, 1701

* "Mussuage" is a legal term meaning a dwelling house and it's adjacent buildings and door yard.

Birth	Abt 1667	Southampton, England
Marriage	Bet 1687 and 1692	Chester Co., Pennsylvania - Alice Glover
Death	Abt 1702	Bucks Co., Pennsylvania

Spouse	Alice Glover ( - )
Child	William Vestal II (1691 - 1745)
Child	Sarah Vestal (1693 - 1696)
Child	Mary Vestal (1694 - )
Child	George Vestal (1698 - )

Father	William Vassalls (1623 - 1683)
Sibling	Daniel Vestal (1669 - 1683)