The Ancestors and Family of J. Alvin Hardin

By Dorothy Hardin Massey and Clifford M. Hardin



The earliest reference to John Test that has been found is in an unpublished document in the Friends Library at Swarthmore College, Pennsylvania (Call No. P6.7). It begins as follows:

In the record of marriages in the Episcopal Church of London in the year 1673, we find this item: "John Test of London, a bachelor, age about twenty-two and Elizabeth Sanders, a spinster, age about twenty-two of St. Martin’s in the Fields, consent of her father being given." According to the minutes of Westminster Monthly Meeting , there were several Tests and Sanders members of that meeting and in their record of burials in the year 1673, is this item:

"Elizabeth twin daughters of John and Elizabeth Test, age three weeks, buried in Friends burying ground at Longacre."

John Test, and presumably his wife, Elizabeth (Sanders) Test arrived at the present site of Salem, New Jersey on the Griffin, Robert Griffin of New Castle, master, on 5 October 1675.1 The Griffin had been chartered to bring John Fenwick, the Proprietor of the Salem Colony and his group of settlers to New Jersey. On the same ship was Joseph Ware, also an ancestor of the authors.

It is possible that John Test had made an earlier trip to New Jersey and then returned to England. Thomas Shourd[s] in a paper published by the Historical Society of Salem, New Jersey, 27 January 1885, reported that the ship Mary left London in January 1675 and unloaded passengers at Fort Elsborg, New Jersey and Upland (now Chester), Pennsylvania. Included on the list of passengers who disembarked at Upland was John Test. Shourd[s] further reported that some of the passengers returned to England on the Mary, arriving a short time before the Griffin sailed from London. Among those passengers who presumably returned to London were Robert Wade, Richard Whitacre, and William Hancock. All of these are listed as passengers on the Griffin which arrived in New Jersey in October, 1675.

If John Test was on the Mary, he definitely returned to London for on 11 June 1675, the following document was executed:

Received the Eleaventh Day of the fourth month called June one thousand six hundred seaventy and five of John Test citizen and Cordwayner of London the sume of ffive pounds sterlin -- which is the same sume of ffive pounds menconed and expressed as the consideration money in a certain deed poll made frome me William Malster of the Citty of Westminster wthin the Kingdom of England gent Katherin his wife and Ffrancis Bowyer of Frer in the County of Buckingham within the said Kingdom of England spinster sister unto the aforesaid Katherine to the said John Test


I say received

  By William Malster
Witness hereto  
   
Richard Noble Katherin Malster
Edward Wade  
John Smith Frances Bowyer
James Garfeild  




Of those who signed the document, William Malster, Richard Noble, Edward Wade, and John Smith are listed as passengers of the Griffin. The name of James Garfield, who also signed as a witness, does not appear on the Griffin pssenger list and his name has not been found in any later records of the Fenwick Colony.

The original of the document cited above was written on leather, and is on file in the museum of the Salem County, New Jersey Historical Society. It clearly identifies John Test as a citizen of London and it definitely proves his presence there prior to the departure of John Fenwick and his group later the same year. Richard Noble, who signed as witness on the document above, was surveyor for Upland for the period 1679 to 1681.2

On 31 January, 1675, John Test purchased from Niels Matson, 22 acres granted by Francis Lovelace, Esquire, Governor of New York to Niels Matson, 7 June 1673.3 It should be noted that 31 January 1675 under old style dating was actually 31 11 mo. 1675, and occurred about three and a half months after the arrival of the Griffin. On 13 June 1676, John Test sold the same tract to Richard Guy who was also a passenger on the Griffin. On 14 September 1677, Richard Guy sold the tract to John Hayles. On 19 March 1677/8, John Hayles sold the same land once again to John Test who sold it again in 1679. John Test continued this pattern of buying and selling land for most of his remaining years.

John and Elizabeth (Sanders) Test lived at Upland (Chester), Pennsylvania during this first few years in America. It was at Upland that John Test, Jr., their only surviving child was born in 1677.

John Test became Sheriff of Chester County, Pennsylvania on 13 September 1681.4 In 1682 he was appointed as the first sheriff of Philadelphia by Deputy-Governor William Markham.5 It was about this time that John Test and his family moved to Philadelphia.

Entries in the Records of the Court at Upland in Pennsylvania, 1675 to 1681, as published by the Pennsylvania Historical Society in 1860, contain the following entries regarding John Test:

13 June 1677

Mr. John Test brought into Court a certain man servant named William Still and acknowledged to have sold him to Capt. Edmond Cantwell (page 51).



13 November 1677
John Test, plaintiff
Neiles Laersen, Defendant

The Plt. demanded the sum of 186 guilders for certain goods sold to the Deft (p. 68).

Among the records entered between above date and the next meeting of the Court, March 12, 1678 John Test and servant appear on the lists of taxable persons (p. 79).

12 March 1768

Court granted the request of John Test and Michael Izzard to take up each 400 acres (p. 87).

On April 10, 1679, William Malster (see his name on earlier document) ordered Richard Hancock to survey and set out 1000 acres for John Test in Salem County (Salem Surveys No. 2, page 1). This could be the same 1000 acres owned by John Test on Alloways Creek in Salem County (Book 2, p. 41). He was also recorded as owning land in Monmouth and Gloucester Counties in New Jersey. In 1685 he is reported to have finished the building of a brick house and a "bake house of timber6. It was located on the northeast corner of Third and Chestnut Streets in Philadelphia. (See attached map of Philadelpha.)

There has been speculation as to whether John Test was a Quaker. However, he must have been -- at least for a while. Minutes of the Philadelphia Friends Meeting of 6, 1 month, 1682 reports as follows7:

John Test desired of the meeting, right against Griffith Johnes upon the account of a contract for a plantation because the said Griffith Jones having given earnest money in order to purchase same, did, notwithstanding, unjustly deny to perform the bargain.

On 5, 4 month 1683, referred to a difference between him and John Test. Requested that a committee be appointed to make a judgment on the matter.

An item in New Jersey records has suggested that John Test may have lived for a time in Gloucester Counter, New Jersey. The item in question states, "John Test, gentleman, of Gloucester County, sold land through an attorney" -- dated 1688. It is thought that John Test sold his Gloucester County land through an attorney because he did not live there. Furthermore, when his wife, Elizabeth (Sanders) Test died in 1689, she was buried in Philadelphia Friends Grounds, 1, 12 month 1689. Elizabeth and John Test had been married for 16 years, and they had lived for 14 years in Pennsylvania. They had one living child, John Test, Jr., who was about 12 years of age at the time of his mother's death.

About 1690 John Test married a young widow, Grace (Wooley) Lippincott. Grace Wooley was born in April 1666 at Newport, Rhode Island. She was the daughter of Emmanuel and Elizabeth Wooley, prominent Quakers who were in Rhode Island by 1659.

Grace had married Jacob Lippincott about 1685 and had two children who died as infants. The second child and Jacob Lippincott died the same month, December 1689, as did Elizabeth (Sanders) Test.

Grace and John Test had a total of eleven children born between 1691 and 1706. At least eight of the Test children grew to maturity.

While no record of the marriage of John Test and Grace (Wooley) Lippincott has been found, a date of marriage in 1690 seems right for in that year in the administration of the estate of Jacob Lippincott letters were granted to John Test and wife of Philadelphia, and John Test entered his bond as administrator on 1 February 1691.8

Apparently, John and Grace Test continued to live in Philadelphia. Their first child, Richard, was born in 1691 and died 27, 10 month 1692. Their sixth child, Mary was born in 1699 and was buried in Philadelphia 28, 8 month 1700. Both deaths were reported in the minutes of Philadelphia Friends Meeting in a section called "Deaths of Persons Not Friends.9

It is not clear whether the Indian deed to John Test, summarized below, represents an original purchase or a clearing of title for land he had obtained at an earlier date.

Indyan Deed to Jon Test 16 June 1673

OKENMAN, QUIALEMAN AND AWISHAM, alias Capt. John, natives to John Test of Salem County, gentleman, a tract of land on the main branch of Salem Creek and Hugh HUTCHING's RUN situated between the land of Thomas Graves and the land of Acquilla Barber -- for and in consideration of two pounds and one piece of eight and one quart of rum, and several other valuable considerations.

Recorded ye 9th of August 1703 Signed and sealed by their marks
Saml Hedge
Recordr
OKEYMAN
QUIALEMAN
AWISHAM
alias Capt. John
In the presence of:
Saml Hedge
Saml Hedge, Junr
Joh Holman
Jon Belden
Jon Dickason
Jon Smith
Carlos Angols
Benjn Jewell (?)
Jon Holme
 

In spite of the above reference to John Test of Salem County, it seems unlikely that he ever lived in there. Soon after 1700, the John Test family moved from Philadelphia to a 600 acre estate called Hopewell which was located near New Castle, Delaware. It was at Hopewell that John Test died in 1706.

Following is copy of the will of John Test filed in Delaware (Lib. B, p. 255, Delaware Wills) and a copy was filed in Trenton, New Jersey):10

In the name of God, Amen. The twenty and first day of the month called July in the year 1706. I, John Test, now of in the County of New Castle in Delaware, being weake of body yet of perfect mind and memory doe make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and formes as followoeth, First, after my funeral charges defrayed and due debts paid, as to the remainder of my estate, I doe give and bequeath as follows: first I doe give unto my son John Test five shillings and to the rest or other of my children five shillings to each to be paid by Executrors to each particular when they shall be married or att the age of twenty and one years being in full of what any or either of them may Claime as to any part of my estate. 2ndly I doe give and bequeath unto My well-beloved wife Grace Test all and every part of my estate both real and personal whatt and wheresoever it may be beholden for her use and other disposal for ever after she paid five shillings to each of my children, paid as aforesaid. I do likelwise constitute and appoint my well beloved wife full and absolute executor of this my last will and Testament hereby utterly disallowing make void and revoking all former wills testaments legacies bequests executed by me heretofore made. Given made or constituted and conforming this and none but this to be my last will and testament. In consumation whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seale the day and year abovementioned.

(signed) John Test

Wit
George Hogg
Joseph Griffin
Benj. m. Levett

Proved 20 January 1709/1710 and testamentary letters granted to John Bacon, who has married widow Grace Test, the executrix named in the will.

The children of John and Elizabeth (Sanders) Test were:

1. and 2. Twins named Elizabeth, born 1675 in London; died at age of three weeks.

3. John, Jr. born 1677 in Upland (Chester), Pennsylvania; died June 1718 at Darby, Chester County, Pennsylvania. Beginning about 1700 he operated a tavern in Darby. His brief will is as follows:

John Test, Innkeeper, DARBY, Chester Col, Pa. dated 15 June 1718. proved June 27, 1718. Being sick -- wife Margaret to have all Estates during her widowhood -- In case of her marrying again, Then I give unto her one fourth part, the balance of Estate to be divided between my three children, Thomas Test, John Test and Margaret Test.

Signed John Test

Son, Thomas married 1727 Sarah Harmer. Margaret married James Mather, also in 1727.

The children of John and Grace (Wooley) Lippincott Test were:
1. Richard, born 1691 at Philadelphia; died and buried there 27, 10 month 1692.11

2. William, born about 1693 at Philadelphia; died Salem County, New Jersey 1752; married Priscilla who also died 1752. Will lists children: Rebecca, Grace, Sarah, Walker, Richard, Edward, and William. His brother, Francis, made guardian for youngest son, William Jr. William, Sr., was a hatter by trade.12

3. Daniel born about 1695 at Philadelphia; died after 1726 and before 1733; married Susannah Thompson daughter of William and Hannah (Rednap) Thompson.

4. Ann, born 1696 at Philadelphia; married 30 March 1715, John Smith, son of John and Mary Smith of Amwelbury, Salem County, New Jersey; married second in 1722 to Samuel Dennis.

5. Francis, born 1698 in Philadelphia; died 1762 Salem County, New Jersey; married , first 20, 2 month 1720 to Rebecca Smart, daughter of Isaac and Elizabeth (Thompson) Smart; married, second, 27, 6 month 1722 to Mary Butcher; married, third, 3, 12 month 1724, Elizabeth Bacon, who survived her husband by 10 years and died 11 February 1772. (See her obituary in The Friend, Vol. 35, p. 212.) Children of Francis and Elizabeth (Bacon) Test: Thomas, Rachel, Elizabeth, Benjamin, John, Ruth, Letitia, Francis, and Abner.

6. Mary, born 1699 at Philadelphia; buried there 28, 8 month 1700.

7. Joseph, born 1700 probably in Philadelphia; died 1756 Salem County, New Jersey; married, first 26, 4 month Ann Jeans; married, second, 24, 9 month 1729 Sarah Thompson, married, third, 27, 7 month 1736 Rachel Tyler married, fourth, 31, 6 month 1741 Hannah (Champnes) Allen Darkin, widow of both David Allen and Joseph Darkin; married, fifth, 26, 8 month 1754 Hannah Pledger, the widow of Joseph Pledger; also widow of -- Siddons and James Champnes. Children of first marriage: Joseph Jr. and John.

8. Elizabeth, born 1702 probably at Hopewell, New Castle, Delaware; married her step-brother, John Bacon, son of John and Elizabeth (Smith) Bacon. Children as follows: Thomas, born 29, 6 month 1721, John, born 30, 11 month 1724, Elizabeth, born 31, 10 month 1726, David, born 14, 1 month 1829, Mary, born 17, 8 month 1733, Job, born 16, 10 month 1735.

9. Zachariah, born 1704 at Hopewell, New Castle, Delaware; probably married a daughter of Nathaniel and Susanna Chamness; one child, Susanna.

10. Edward, born at Hopewell, New Castle, Delaware; will date 25 September 1759; mentions son, Edward, Jr., son-in-law Joseph Burrough; also mentions sister Elizabeth (Test) Bacon and Five of her six children (sec 8 above); also mentions sister Ann Dennis. He set free his negro woman, Phillis and her child, Nancy, and also his man Moses. His children were Edward Jr. and Mary.

11. Jean, born probably at Hopewell, New Castle, Delaware; Married 23, 12 Month 1729 (intentions) William Nicholson.

Children of Jacob and Grace (Wooley) Lippincott were:

1. Jacob, died 6, 9 month 1687.

2. Ruth, died 21, 12 month 1689.

Child of John and Grace (Wooley) Lippincott Test Bacon:

1. Lucy Bacon, born after 1708 at either Hopewell, New Castle, Delaware or Selem County, New Jersey; married Philip Dennis.

When John Test died in 1706 at Hopewell, Grace Test had been mother of at least 13 children. At this time, either eight or nine of her children were living -- the oldest, William, being 13 years old.

On 6, 4 month 1708, Grace married John Bacon, son of Samuel and Martha (Foxwell) Bacon at her home, Hopewell in New Castle, Delaware. They were married in a civil ceremony. Witnesses were William --, Elizabeth Test and seven others.

John Bacon had been married first to Elizabeth Smith, daughter [of] John and Mary Smith of Amwelbury in Salem County, [New] Jersey. John and Elizabeth Bacon had at least three children before Elizabeth's death. At some point after their marriage John and Grace Bacon moved from Hopewell to the Bacon home in Salem County, New Jersey and became active in the affairs of the Salem Friends Meeting. However, the first Test entry in the Friends['] records was 30 March 1715 when Ann Test, daughter of Grace, married John Smith, son of John and Mary Smith of Amwelbury.

John Bacon named children John, Edmund, Job, and Lucy Bacon in his will of 1715; however, when Grace married again after John Bacon's death, Salem Meeting ordered care taken of "that child which she had by John Bacon." So it appears that the last child, Lucy Bacon, was the daughter of John Bacon and Grace.

By 1718, Grace was 52 years of age, had been widowed three times, was the mother of 14 children and still had young children at home. It was at this time, 25, 6 month 1718, that Grace married as her fourth husband Richard Woodnutt also of Salem County, New Jersey. Richard Woodnutt died in February 1726/7. Grace at age 60 survived him.

Unfortunately, the records are silent concerning Grace Wooley Lippincott Test Bacon Woodnutt after 1727. Whether she lived several more years, whether she married again, we do not know. We do know however, that Grace had to have been a person of great strength and determination.






Notes

1. Walter Lee Shepard, Jr., editor, Passengers and Ships Prior to 1684, The Welcome Society of Pennsylvania, 1985, p. 138.

2. Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. IX, p. 615.

3. Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. one, p. 50, 51.

4. Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, Vol. IX, p. 617.

5. Pennsylvania Archives, Second Series, IX, p. 673, 697.

6. Albert Cook Meyers, Narratives of Early Pennsylvania, West New Jersey and Delaware, 1630-1707, p. 270, and Memorial History of Philadelphia, Vol 1, page 73.

7. William W. Hinshaw, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, (Ann Arbor: Edward Bros., Inc., 1936), Vol. II.

8. New Jersey Archives, Vol. XXI, p. 183; and Vol. XXIII, p. 293.

9. Hinshaw, Vol II, p. 448.

10. Wills on files, New Jersey Archives, Trenton, New Jersey. Will number 1120Q. Also, Delaware Archives.

11. Hinshaw, Vol. II, p. 448.

12. Manuscript, John Test (1651-1706), on file at Salem County, New Jersey Historical Society and also at Friends Library, Swarthmore. Quotes Salem Monthly Meeting records on marriage of Francis to Elizabeth Bacon -- among witnesses was William Test, brother.

13. Hinshaw, Vol. II, p. 44, 104.

14. Shepard, p. 138


The Journal of the Friend’s Historical Society, Vol IV No. 1 January 1907 “Our Bibliographers: I. John Whiting by Isaac Sharp Salem County Place Names http://www.westjerseyhistory.org/books/salemnames/ Our early settlers: paper read by Secretary Keasbey before the Historical Society in this city on Wednesday, Sept. 11, 1902AuthorThomas ShourdsSubjectsNew Jersey Salem County (N.J.)