History 368: Colonial and Revolutionary America

Biles Island

Charles M. Biles

Humboldt State University

Spring Semester 2010

Professor Thomas Mays

Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to describe the life of William Biles in colonial America.

How did William Biles come to leave England and settle on Biles Island?
How did William Biles contribute to the political and Quaker development of colonial Pennsylvania?

The thesis of this paper is that William Biles was an early English settler who helped develop the political and religious way of life in colonial Pennsylvania. In particular, he helped determine the source of political power: proprietary or popular.

Chapter 1 describes how I got interested in history and chose this topic. Chapter 2 describes why William Biles left England and came to America to settle on Biles Island. Chapter 3 describes the key events in the public life of William Biles, especially his activities in Pennsylvania politics and his Quaker ministry.

In a certain way, the paper about William Biles was already written by Miles White in 1902.[1] White’s 3-part series is the definitive published work on William Biles and details much of his life, including his arrival in America, the highlights of his political career, his activities as a Quaker, and his will. Rather than just writing a biography of this colonial settler, I have placed his life in the background of his times. In particular, I examine his actions and contributions within the forces of the newly developing colony of Pennsylvania.

Chapter 1

My Personal Invitation to History

The Presidents

While watching media coverage during the 2008 presidential campaign, the question occurred to me: What makes a great president? In pursuit of this question I bought some books that treated the presidents in sequence from George Washington to George W. Bush. I soon realized that my question was ill posed. The word great is too nebulous. I began to think in terms of which presidents gave this country a legacy. Using today’s moral judgment is a poor evaluator. How can one take as a role model a slave owner? But, I can appreciate a father of my country for inaugurating a road that led to where we are today. Rather than greatness, a search to explain how we got to where we are today ismore enlightening.

Jared Diamond

I was examining a table of books at the bookstore when an elderly man walked up and asked, “Are you looking for something good to read?” I smiled and said, “Yes.” He picked up a book that was right in front of me. “Here, read this. It is disturbing, but profound. It will make you think.” He handed me Collapse by Jared Diamond.[2] I read the back jacket cover and the testimonials enticed me to buy the book.

When I got home I made some coffee and sat comfortably to read. Wow! For the next sixteen days I studied a chapter a day. Turned on, motivated, excited, interested are all terms that applied. I then studied another Diamond book, Guns, Germs, and Steel.[3] Who we are and how we got here emerged as a comprehensible quest.

I began to think about American history again andwent back to the bookstore. This time no knowledgeable person appeared. I was intimidated by the shelves of American history books; so, I caved. I bought U.S. History for Dummies by Steve Wiegand.[4] The Dummies book wasn’t bad for someone in my poor state of knowledge. It taught me that I needed to take a real course in American history.

Cousin John Radford

In April 2009 my wife Carolyn and I took a riverboat cruise in France during which afriendly couple approached me. “Biles, I’ve been looking for you.” I glanced at the man’s name tag: John Radford, Baton Rouge, LA. “I was hoping to find you because my grandmother was named Biles. What do you know about your family heritage?” he asked. Although he must have been disappointed that I knew virtually nothing, he and his wife were gracious and sociable. We would chitchat and call each other “cousin” whenever we met during the rest of the trip.

About two weeks after returning home I got a package from John Radford. John is a genealogyaficionado and has researched every branch of his family tree. He sent me a wealth of information about the Biles heritage. We are indeed related; we are sixth cousins. We have a common ancestor, Thomas Biles, born 12 March 1710 in West New Jersey. John Radford is descended from Thomas’sthird son, Daniel; I am descended from his eighth child, John Biles.

Thomas was the grandson of William Biles who left England in 1679 and settled on Biles Island, Pennsylvania. A Google search of "Biles Island" gets 2,140 results; "William Biles" gets 14,100. I ravenously started reading about William Biles. I beganfantasizing about living on Biles Island in 1679, and later welcoming my new neighbor who called his place Pennsbury. What was it like to live back then?

HIST 110: United States History to 1877

I enrolled in beginning American history, History 110, at Humboldt State University. I could not help but feelsomewhat anxious. Could I really do well in history despite a 50-year old warning by my Graduate Record Examination scores about my documented illiteracy in the humanities?

All the planets were aligned correctly during the first week of class. After the usual first-day of class housekeeping features, Professor Mays explained his viewpoint of teaching American history: What was it like to live back then? In the next classProfessor Mays began by talking about American history beginning as a meeting of cultures. Then he showed a video clip of Jared Diamond and his work. It made me believe my thinking was on track. With each character and event throughout the course, I was immersed: What was it like to live back then?

As History 110 came to a close, I saw that next semesterProfessor Mays was teaching a course on colonial American history, which carries with it a research project. It was time to return to Biles Island.

Chapter 2

Departure and Arrival

Dorchester, Dorset County, England

April 4, 1679, must have been a wonderful day to travel. The ship Elizabeth and Sarah of Weymouth was in portat Weymouth in southern England, County Dorset.[5] William Biles had just come with his family from Dorchester, the main town in Dorset County,12 kilometers north of Weymouth. William brought his entire family, including his wife, Johanna, and their five children: Elizabeth, William, George, JonaJohanna, and John. He also brought his23-year old youngest brother Charles and two indentured servants: Edward Hancock to serve 8 years and Elizabeth Petty to serve 7 years.

William probably felt confident making this trip to America. Already well established by 1635 in Massachusetts were the towns of Dorchester and Weymouth, named after these English towns in County Dorset. A 1676 map of County Dorset is shown at left.[6] The Rev. John White of Dorchester was famous for organizing efforts to America, including work in obtaining charters for the Dorchester, New England, and the Massachusetts Bay Companies.[7] Travelling to America was a topic well discussed for decades in Dorchester.

During the voyage William reflected on his reasons for going to America. Until recently his family was loyal to the Church of England. But when William was a boy of seven years, he witnessed a disturbing event. His grandfather, Alexander Biles I, had criticized Pastor William Benn of All Saints Parish. Pastor Benn’s wrath from this criticism fell on sympathetic ears. Alexander was stripped of wealth and title and forced into Napier’s Almshouse in 1651.[8]

Alexander Biles I had only one child, Alexander Biles II. Alexander Biles II married Dorothy Strong in Dorchesterin 1643 at All Saints Church. They had seven children. William, the oldest, was born in Dorchester on 18 September 1644. The youngest, Charles, was born on 12 August 1665. Both William and Charles learned the trade of vile monger from their father. The old English term of vile monger comes from phial, later vial, meaning bottle. Hence, a vile monger is a merchant dealing in bottles and bottled goods.

William also had obtained an advanced education that would serve him well in America. In 1660 at the age of 16 he matriculated at Cornwall, Exeter College. He earned his BA in 1664 and his MA in 1667.4 He was well versed in religion and law.

In Dorchester, William married Joanna (English spelling) at All Saints on 6 May 1669. Their first child, Elizabeth, was born on 3 June 1670 and baptized on 14 June 1670 at All Saints Parish in Dorchester. Their second child, William, was born on 12 June 1671 and baptized on 12 January 1672 at All Saints. But in 1672 William, along with his family, converted to that new radical sect, the Society of Friends, derisively called Quakers. William and Joanna would have three more children in Dorchester: George, born 4 September 1673; Jona Johanna, born 1 January 1675; and John, born 13 March 1678. None of these three were baptized at All Saints Parish. Only William and his brother Charles became Quakers; the rest of the family remained loyal to their parishes in Dorchester.

At age 35, William was all set for this voyage to America. He had a wonderful family, a good education, wealth, and he would be among Friends.

West New Jersey

The ship Elizabeth and Sarah of Weymouth set its destination for Burlington, West New Jersey. In 1676 Friends had acquired West New Jersey. The first important settlement in West Jersey was made in 1677 when 230 people, mostly Quakers, sailed up the Delaware River and founded Burlington.[9] Within two years several hundred more would make their homes in the vicinity; among them, were William and Johanna (American spelling) Biles. Pemberton’s List of Arrivals lists them among the first residents of Bucks County, Pennsylvania.[10] In Residents of Bucks County, Pa, 1677-1687 we find:

William Biles, of Dorchester, in the County of Dorset, vile monger, and Johannah, his wife. Arrived in Delaware river in the "Elizabeth & Sarah," of Weymouth, the 4th of the 4th M˚., 1679. Children, William, George, John, Elizabeth, Johanna, Rebecca, and Mary Biles. Servants, Edward Hancock, to serve 8 years ; loose the last of the 3d M˚., 1687. To have 50 acres of land. Elizabeth Petty, to serve-7 years; loose the last of the 3d M˚., 1686. To have 50 acres of land.

Charles Biles, of the town and County above. Arrived in the ship aforesaid, the time aforesaid.[11]

One of William’s first endeavors in America was to obtain land. In 1679 about eight hundred Quakers arrived in West New Jersey. Some were attracted to the west side of the Delaware River. In July 1679, Governor Edmund Andros directed his surveyor for New Castle to lay out lands below the falls on the west side of the Delaware for some recent arrivals from England eager for land. Some applied directly to the governor and received land grants without the intervention of the courts. Among these, William Biles got a grant of 173 acres.

This region seemed to be perfect for anyone migrating from England to start a new life in America. Davis describes the Delaware as a settler’s paradise.[12] Davis reprints a 1680 letter written by Mahlon Stacey to his brother back in England. Mr. Stacey avered that hewas telling the truth and not exaggerating. He traveled through most of the settled places on the Delaware and “find the country very apt to answer the expectations of the diligent.” The orchards “are laden with fruit to admiration.” In particular, Stacey was impressed by the apple, cherry and peach trees. The land was fertile for growing wheat; “forty bushels of bold wheat harvested from one sown.” There was an abundance of wild berries such as strawberries, cranberries, and huckleberries. Stacey wrote that the cranberries in particular made a wonderful sauce “for venison, turkey and great fowl.” The fish, venison and fowlwere abundant. The fish included herring, rock, cat-fish, shad, sheeps-head and sturgeon. The fowl included “ducks, geese, turkeys, pheasants, partridges, and many other sorts.” Further, “as to beef and pork there is a great plenty of it and cheap; also good sheep.” Stacey also described the friendliness of the LenniLenapi Indians and their eagerness to trade for their delicious foods. Stacey told his relatives and friends in England that “I like it so well I never had the least thought of returning to England except on account of trade. I know not one among the people that desires to be in England again, since settled.” Davis further amplifies that “those who located near streams had a never-failing supply of fish.” Further, the Indians often supplied a new settler and his family with corn and wild game until they could establish themselves by felling their trees and raising their own crops.

William Biles made several land deals in West New Jersey during his life. He became a member of the Council of Proprietors of Western Division of New Jersey.[13] Although his brother Charles later owned property and livestock in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Charles lived his life in West New Jersey. William decided to move across the river.

The Move Across the River

Miles White details a land acquisition by William Biles:

In 1679 Jasper Dankers made a copy of a map of the Delaware River from Burlington to Trenton… . On this map William Biles is shown to have 309 acres on the west side of the Delaware River.9

The Jasper Dankers map appears at right.[14]

Davis confirms:

In the summer of 1679 and spring of 1680, several English settlers took up land on the river bank, just below the falls;…William Biles,309,…He was a man of talent and influence, and a leader.[15]

White continues,

Of the original settlers in Falls, several of them were there before the country came into Penn’s possession. They purchased the land of Sir Edmund Andros, who represented the Duke of York, and were settled along the Delaware from the falls down; among whom were William Biles, whose lands bordered on the river.

Thisacquisition was later acknowledged by a patent from William Penn to William Biles on “1st mo. 31, 1684, for 306 acres, for which warrant had been issued by Sir Edmund Andros in 1679 and from Penn 3rd mo. 9, 1684”.[16] These complications were motivated by the situation that in 1679 the land was distributed by Sir Edmund Andros; however, the land also fell under the proprietorship granted to William Penn in 1681. When Penn arrived later he was reputed to be surprised to learn that some of the land granted in his charter was already sold. Hence, William Biles needed his acquisition to be recognized by Penn. Further, as was the Quaker custom, Biles also purchased the property for £10 from four Lenapis:Orecton, Nanacus, Nenemblahocking, and Patelana. This purchase from the natives was consistent with the Quaker belief that the land was owned by the Indians.

William Biles came to possess his 309 acres on the west side of theDelaware by a land grant from Governor Andros.[17] Davis writes that

Governor Andros made easy terms in the purchase of land. Actual settlers, with families, were allowed 50 acres to each member and a patent issued on the certificate of the court, approved by the Governor, and quit-rent on all newly seated land was remitted for three years. If the land were not settled upon within that time it vitiated the title.[18]

That William Biles was settled on the west Delaware River in 1679 is further verified by a story in Davis that tells of a visit by Jasper Dankins and Peter Sluyter, leading members of the Labadists of Holland, in 1679.[19] They hired a Dutchman for 30 guilders to take them up the river to the falls. After landing, the Dutchman took them to William Biles’s plantation where they were rested and refreshed. In the afternoon the Dutchman took them across the river to Bordentown, a town in West New Jersey. Davis concludes his Chapter VII, The Organization of Townships, with the following paragraph about Biles Island.

Biles’s island, in the Delaware, a mile below the falls, containing 300 acres, was sold to William Biles about 1680, by Orecton, Nannacus, Nenemblahocking and Patelana, free native Indians, in consideration of £10, but was not actually conveyed by deed. On March 19, 1729, Lappewins and Captain Cumbansh, two Indian “Sachems,” heirs and successors of the Indians above named, confirmed the island to William Biles, Jr., son of William Biles the elder, now deceased, in consideration of £7 in Indian goods. The deed contained a warranty against the grantors, their heirs and all other Indians.[20]

Chapter 3

Biles Island

Crewcorne

The first public name for the general area in which Biles’s property was located on the west side of Delaware River was Crewcorne (also known as Creekehorne). White writes:

Colonial documents still preserved at Albany show clearly that there was in 1680 a Court at Crewcorne, or Creekehorne, and that William Biles was a member thereof.

In reply to inquiries, Dr. William H. Egle writes me that “Crookhorne in Falls Township, Bucks county, was the first seat of justice of the county, . . .”[21]

McNealy writes:

In1679, fully three years before William Penn landed in his new colony, a dozen or so Quaker families settled on the west bank of the river adjacent to the Falls. Their little village went by the name of Crewcorne (sometimes spelled Crookhorn), recalling the town in England from which one of their number, William Biles, had emigrated.[22]

I have not been able to confirm that William had emigrated from Crewcorne. A 17th century map (see page 1) of Dorchester, England, shows a small area of Crokethorn nearby. Davis conjectures that the name perhaps came from the market town and parish of Crewkerne, Somersetshire, near the border of Dorset County in England.[23] However, I was not able to make any connection that William Biles had with this area.