A Review of Five Biographical Sketches of John Test

This is an amazing treasure we have — five different biographical sketches of John Test by five different authors. How many people are able to find the opportunity to write such a sketch about their own parents much less about great-great...grandparents, 6, 7, 8 or more generations back.

Every year more genealogical and historical records become available on the internet making research much easier. No longer must anyone go to a Pennsylvania or a New Jersey library to access their records. Given the improvement in internet search engines and the almost leisurely pace we can conduct our research, documents can be found that earlier researchers have missed. But even search engines aren't perfect.

For example, if you do a search for John Test in volume one of the Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania you would not find any mention of him in December of 1683.

Review of Five Bio Sketches of John Test
Subject Addressed Laura G. Fryburg

John Test: The Pioneer Ancestor
of the American Family 		Nathan Hall

John Test 		Glenn Test

John Test 		Dorothy Hardin Massey
and Clifford M. Hardin

John and Grace
(Wooley)Lippincott
Test 		Dr. Charles E. Test

John Test
Where was John Test born?
King’s Messenger to Gov. Andros Cites Dorothy Hammitt's claim
Marriage License Allegation
Quotes allegation in full including reference to cordwayner.
Omits cordwayner reference.
Quotes allegation in full including reference to cordwayner.
Omits cordwayner reference. Probably quoting Hall's sketch. Obscure reference to P6.7 at Swarthmore Library
Agreement Signed by John Test in London on June 28, 1675
Sailed to America on Griffin in 1675 or on the Mary
Part of Fenwick Colony
Described as a Merchant Called Merchant but mainly interested in buying and selling Land.
Described as Cordwainer Omits the word cordwayner in quoting marriage license allegation in marriage record Seems to follow Hall in omitting cordwayner in quoting marriage license
Described as a Land Speculator John Test is called Merchant but there is nothing to show he was interested in anything except the buying and selling of Land. John was quite a land speculator.... ....dealer in land. ...Bought large tracts and then divided them up and sold them....
Operated a Store Opened a store in Upland and later at New Castle
Appointed Sheriff at Upland and later at Philadelphia
Justice on the Court at Burlington
Was John Test a Quaker? Probably not a thorough Quaker
Not Members