Hannah Shaw

Born 4 August 1800 in England to Mary Lloyd and Charles Shaw
Married George Ison 26 July 1821 in England
Hannah-Mary-Thomas-Charles-Eudean-Earl
Died 22 April 1839 in England

George Ison

Born 9 April 1800 in England to Mary Walton and Charles Ison
Married Hannah Shaw 26 July 1821 in England
George-Mary-Thomas-Charles-Eudean-Earl
Died 12 October 1851 in England


George Ison was born 9 April 1800 at Maxstoke, Warwickshire, England, the son of Charles Ison and Mary Walton.

George Ison, bachelor, of this parish (Maxstoke) and Hannah Shaw, spinster, of this parish were married in the
church by banns 26 July, 1821. Witnesses: Elizabeth Shortherd, Charles Ison, Henry (?).

Although a common laborer, George learned to read and write.

A large, athletic man, George entertained the local people by participating in boxing and wrestling matches. His
mother, Mary Walton Ison, attended his matches well into her old age. She sat ringside and cheered her son on by yelling, "Beat 'im Georgie, or I'll beat thee!" as she struck the ground with her cane to emphasize the fact.
George died 12 October 1851.

Ann Mershon

Born about 1706 in Maidenhead, New Jersey, to Ann Houghton? and Henry Mershon
Married Andrew Smith
Ann-Jemima-Penelope-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford 
Ann-Jemima- Anna- Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 12 January 1785 in Hopewell Township
Buried in Hunt Farm Burial Ground

I know very little specifically about Ann, but I'm always curious.

Andrew Smith

Born 4 September 1708/9 in Hopewell to Sarah Stout and Andrew Smith
Married Ann Mershon
Andrew-Jemima-Penelope-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford 
Andrea-Jemima- Anna- Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 20 March 1794 in Hopewell Township
Assumed to be buried in the Hunt Farm Burial Ground

Here is Andrew's will:

I Andrew Smith of Hopewell in the County of Hunterdon in the Western Division of the State of New Jersey yeoman this Sixteenth day of October ANNO, one thousand seven hundred and eighty four. Being advanced in years but of sound mind and memory, God be blessed therefor, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing all men once must die do make this my last Will and Testament and as touching such worldly estate as its pleased God to bless me with in this life. I give and dispose of in the following manner, Viz, it is my will that all my just debts and funeral charges be fully paid and discharged by my Executors hereafter named. Imprimis, I give and bequeath unto my wife Anna one Negroe girl named Vilet to be forever at her dusposyl, and also a good comfortable and reasonable mentenance for her and her servant, at all times and in all things necessary for her comfort during the life of my said wife to be provided and made convenient out of my Estate by my Executors hereafter named. I give and devise to my eldest son Charles Smith all that Plantation I purchased of Jonathan Smith (Taylor) where _____on lives bounded Easterly by land of my Brother Timothy Smith, Southerly by lands of Isaac Larowe and Cornell, Westerly by lands of my Brother Jonathan Smith, Northerly by land of Benjamin Price and Stephen Moore containing by estimation _____ acres be the same more or less with the appurtenances and profits thereof with one good bed and beding for and during his natural life (but if he lives to have lawful issue of his body I do here by devise his legacy jointly to them their heirs and assigns forever). If the profits of the farm should not procure him a reasonable mentenance I do hereby order and require my Execrs. to give such further reasonable supply out of my Estate that his life may be comfortable, and whereas my said son Charles now is and hath been for many years last past deprived of his reason and like to continue. So therefor I do will and order that both his person and Estate be in the care and under the direction of my Execs. hereafter named. Item I give and devise to my daughter, Jemima, one Spanish Pestole to her forever. If it should so happen that my daugher Jemima should become poor and needy in this life I do require my Execrs. to give her reasonable relief out of my Estate. I also give and devise to my daughter Jemima's children that she bear to Benjamin Merril to Wit: Samuel, John, Andrew, William, Charles, Elijah, and Jonathan Merril, Anna McCleary and Penelope Merril to all and each of them soverally fifty pounds a piece to be paid to them respectively in four years after my disceased (or as they come of age afterwards) and I do hereby further will and order that if either of my said grand children aforenamed die leaving lawful issue before this will is in force their children that is to say all the children of the disceased, to the full share of their parent legacy being fifty pounds, share and share alike all to be paid out of my Estate by my Execs. hereafter named. It is my will and order that my old Negroe wench Rene may live with my son Andrew or else where to her own likeing. When all the legacies as above said are paid and the duties injoind on my Execrs. to per form as above required according to the true intent and meaning thereof then I devise all the residue and remainder part of my Estate both real and personable of all kind and nature whatsoever to my son Andrew Smith to be enjoyed by him his heirs and assigns forever. And I do constitute make and appoint the said Andrew Smith, John Smith (Son of Jonathan) and Andrew Hixon Executors of this my last Will and Testament and I do hereby utterly revoke all and every former Will or Testament by me in any wise before this made, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed sealed and pronounced and declared by the said Andrew Smith as his last Will and Testament in the presents of us the subscribers.

Penelope Stout

Born 20 May 1700 in Hopewell to Elizabeth and James Stout
Married William Merrell about 1729 in Hopewell
Penelope-William-Benjamin-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Penelope-Benjamin-Penelope-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford 
Penelope-Benjamin-Anna- Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 11 July 1776 in North Carolina

Penelope was married several times, the first time to Thomas Jewell who died in 1727.  After William died after being struck by lighting in 1740 she married Isaac Herrin in 1756.  She lived in Hopewell Township until she died and was not part of the group the left for North Carolina.  She was apparently wealthy and didn't want to worry about taking part in settling William's estate after he died.  It would have been more difficult than usual because he had died intestate since his death was accidental.

William and Penelope had three sons and one daughter.  Penelope also had at least one one child, a daughter, with Thomas Jewell.  And I think that's all I've found about Penelope.

We are descended through two of Penelope's sons (twice through Benjamin).  I hope the links above make sense.

William Merrell 1680ish-1740

Born around 1680ish to Grace and William Merrill
Married Penelope Stout about 1729 in Hopewell
William-William-Benjamin-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
William-Benjamin-Penelope-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford 
William-Benjamin-Anna- Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 25 June 1740


We are descended through two of William's sons (twice through Benjamin).  I hope the links above make sense. 

I don't know much about William except that he died intestate when he was struck by lightning.  He married Anna Park before he married Penelope; Penelope had also been married before.

Mary Cornell

Born about 1724 to Mary and William Cornell
Married William Merrell 16 September 1750 in Hopewell
Mary-Benjamin-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 15 August 1813
Buried in North Carolina

I don't know much about Mary except what can be found in others' histories.  The only story anyone ever tells about her is that the British split her tongue after raiding her house in North Carolina near the end of the Revolutionary War.  Apparently she told them what she thought of their actions.  And that's all she gets to be known for here.

William Merrell 1730ish-1782ish

Born about 1730 in Hopewell to Penelope Stout and William Merrell
Married Mary Cornell 16 September 1750 in Hopewell
William-Benjamin-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died in about 1782 or 1783 in North Carolina

This website writes about William:

William Merrill was extremely active , along with other Merrills, in persecuting the pacifists and Tories, and entering upon and taking away their lands. William was the first Coroner of Randolph County, in March 1779, when the county was organized. In March 1780, he was qualified as a Justice of the Peace in Randolph County. At the December 1781 Term of Court, the Estate of William Merrill was probated, and his son, Benjamin, named administrator, bonded by Edward Sharp and Thomas Dougan. This was the first session of the Court following Cornwallis' invasion of North Carolina and the Battle of Guilford Courthouse, 20 miles distance from the Uwharrie. Inasmuch as William Merrill was a Militia Captain, and both of the bondsmen for his Estate were field officers in North Carolina Militia, historians have surmised that he was killed either in guerrilla action or was among those nameless North Carolina Militia killed at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse (March 1781). Whatever, William Merrill is regarded as a patriot, descendants being certifiable for the DAR.

Family tradition says that William was carried off my the British and presumably hanged near the end of the Revolutionary War, but he also might have been killed in battle or guerilla action during the war.

William was born in Hopewell and he and Mary moved in North Carolina in the 1750s with other relatives.

Jemima Smith

Born about 1728/1732 in Hopewell Township, New Jersey, to Ann Mershon and Andrew Smith
Married Benjamin Merrell in Hopewell in the late 1740s
Jemima-Penelope-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford 
Jemima-Anna- Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 7 May 1801 in Rowan County, North Carolina (or at least she wrote her will that day)

We are descended from Jemima through her two daughters Penelope and Anna.  Penelope's son Eli and Anna's daughter Nancy married each other.

Jemima was born in Hopewell Township, New Jersey and married Benjamin when she was about 20.  Jemima and Benjamin left New Jersey in the early 1750s, probably because of debt from the Hopewell land swindle.  Many early founding families of Hopewell left because of the swindle.  Here's a description of what happened:

After the English claimed New York from the Dutch, New Jersey (separated into East and West Jersey) became a proprietorship, and was awarded to George Carteret and Lord Berkeley, the Duke of York. The New Jersey land included in the proprietorship was land already owned and occupied by the Merrills, Stouts and others. George Carteret and Lord Berkeley subsequently deeded their interests to others, including Dr. Daniel Coxe of London. He asserted his proprietary interest to the lands, requiring that the original settlers pay him rent or re-purchase the land they had already acquired from the Indians or Richard Nicholls. When proof of transfers of land from the Indians could not be produced, “Writs of Ejectment” were served upon some of the settlers. After the New Jersey Supreme Court validated the proprietary deeds and invalidated the settlers’ ownership to thousands of acres, many of the families abandoned Hopewell township and resettled to Rowan County, North Carolina, a safe haven for refugees beyond the reach of royal law.

North Carolina had a repuation for fair and honest leadership and cheap land.  A few years later Benjamin wrote to his brother and sister-in-law William Merrell and Mary Cornell and convinced them to move to North Carolina also, which they did in 1758.  The area they settled in Rowan County became known as the Jersey settlements for obvious reasons.

Jemima and Benjamin were early members of the Jersey Baptist Church organized in 1754 and he was a deacon in the Church. Jemima educated their children at home and probably taught other children reading and math.

Jemima's husband Benjamin was hanged by the British in 1771; she and her children were forced to watch. Before he died he asked that some of his property go to Jemima and their children; usually the property of someone convicted of treason was forfeited to the Crown.  Jemima was able to go back to their plantation with her children, although tradition has it that she never recovered from Benjamin's death.  Here is one account from Henry Sheets, an elder in their Church:

After his execution the widow remained on the old homestead. The late Miss Susie Turner, a very worthy and aged lady, told the author that she recollected well, when a young girl, of hearing her aunt Mary Workman tell of calling in to visit the widow while on her way to meeting at Jersey church. Her aunt told her that the widow was blind. Whether this blindness was caused by some natural defect or from excessive grief at the sad and untimely death of her husband was not known. She was never herself after the death of her husband - she never recovered from the shock. She was almost crazed at the cold, cruel fate which befell her in thus being bereft. She suffered great mental distress and spent much of her time in walking to pass off the melancholia which clung to her only to darken her days of grief and bitterness. Her mind was scarcely ever free from her affliction while awake.

Jemima's father, Andrew, died a few years after Benjamin's execution and mentioned her in his will, saying that she should be supported out of his estate if she needed financial help; he also gave each of her children 50 pounds.   Her parents, Ann and Andrew, stayed in Hopewell Township when many of the original Hopewell settlers left for North Carolina.

After the Regulator executions in 1771 many people from the Jersery Settlement left for safer places.  Jemima left the Jersey Baptist Church in 1773 and moved to Boone's Ford Baptist Church.  She married Harmon Butner 20 February 1775.  She went back to the Jersey Baptist Church in 1786.  She died in 1801, although I don't know if anyone knows where she is buried.  Here is her will:

In the name of God Amen! I Jemima Butner of the County of Rawan and State of N. Carolina being in perfect mind and memory, but weakly in body and calling to mind my mortality think proper to make and ordain this as my last will and test: knowing that it is appointed unto men once to die, do this proper to confirm my intention by these presents, and in the first place I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, and my body to be decently buried, at the discretion of my executors, and as touches such worldly estate, as it had pleased God to bless me with, I dispose, devise and give in manner and form following, that is, I give and bequeath to my eldest son Samuel Meril 14 pounds which I paid for the improvement whereon Meril now lives also 27 pounds, which I paid in taking up a judgment that was against him, also my sorrel horse, also and equal part of all my moveable property with the rest of my sons; my negroes except I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy my negro woman Slager, which is to be valued, and John, William and Charles Meril is to have an equal part of the value of said Negroe in money; also I give one half of my wering cloaths to my daughter Nancy; I give and bequeath to my daughter Ellien one negro girl named Rose, which is also to be valued and the above John, Wm and Chas Meril is to have an equal part of her value in money, I also give to my daughter Ellien the other half of my wearing cloaths. I give and bequeath to my son Sandrew Meril my Negroe boy named James, which is also to be valued and the above John Meril, Wm and chas Meril to have an equal part of the value in money, also I give to my son Andrew an equal part of my moveable property, that I do not mention in my will. I give to my son Jonathan Meril my Negro boy named David and he is to pay to my son Chas Meril 10 pounds current money 2 yrs after my decease I give also to my son Jonathan Meril and equal part with the rest of my sons of my moveable property, which is not here mentioned or given. I give to my son Elijah Meril and equal part of my moveable property which is not mentioned or given in this will - Lastly I also appoint constitute and ordain, my son Andrew A Meril and Jonathan Meril whole and sole executors of this my last will and test: I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of May, 1801. 

Benjamin Merrell 1731-1771

Born about 1731 in Hopewell to Penelope Stout and William Merrell
Married Jemima Smith in the late 1740s
Benjamin-Penelope-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford 
Benjamin-Anna- Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 19 June 1771
Buried in Orange County

This website is a great place to explore Benjamin Merrill.  So is this one.  This is the Benjamin who was hanged by the British for leading the Regulators, a group who opposed corrupt local officials.  There is also more information about Benjamin on Jemima's page.

The Merrell plantation was about 5 miles south of Lexington, North Carolina, and was over 1000 acres.  Family tradition says Benjamin was a hardworking and ambitious farmer, gunsmith, and blacksmith.  He also owned an apiary.  They lived about two miles from the Jersey Baptist Church where Benjamin was a deacon.

Benjamin was a captain in the Rowan County militia.  He was a leader in what is known as the War of Regulation and was executed for treason in 1771. Usually someone executed for treason forfeited his property to the Crown, but Benjamin asked that his wife and many children be allowed to keep his land. Morgan Edwards, a Baptist minister and historian, recorded Benjamin's final words:

I stand here exposed to the world as a criminal. My life will soon be a change. God is my comforter and supporter. I am condemned to die for opposing government. All you that are present, take warning by my miserable end, when I shall be hung up as a spectacle before you. My first seducers were Hunter and Gelaspie. They had often solicited me, telling that a settlement only was contended for with regard to publick officers, who, they said, had oppressed the people; and that unless these measures were taken, there would be no remedy or redress hereafter. Thus they pressed me on, by assuring me the disputes (as they called them) then existing might be settled without shedding of blood. I considered this unhappy affair, and thought, possibly, the contentions in the country might be brought to some determination, without injury to any; and in this mind I joined the Regulation. After I had enlisted under the banner of the Regulators, I was ever after pressed to be made a leading man among them; and was one of the number who opposed Col. Weddel with his troops; information prevailing that the Governor was on his march to lay waste this country and destroy its inhabitants, which I now find to be false, and propagated to screen old offenders from justice.

As to my private life, I do not know of any particular charge against me. I received, by the grace of God a change, fifteen years ago; but have, since that time, been a backslider; yet Providence, in which is my chief security, has been pleased to give me comfort, under these evils, in my last hour; and although the halter in now round my neck, believe me, I would not change stations with any man on the ground. All you, who think you stand, take heed lest ye fall. I would be glad to say a few words more before I die. In a few moments, I shall leave a widow and ten children; I entreat that no reflection may be cast on them on my account; and if possible, shall deem it as a bounty, should you, gentlement, petition the Governor and Council, that some part of my estate may be spared for the widow and fatherless; it will be an act of charity, for I have forfeited the whole, by the laws of God and man.

We are descended from Benjamin through his two daughters Penelope and Anna.  Penelope's son Eli and Anna's daughter Nancy married each other.

Mark Carleton

Born 3 April 1670 to Isabel Marke and Thomas Carleton
Married Susannah Watson 25 January 1698 in Ireland
Mark-Elizabeth-Susannah-Boyd-Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died at sea while emigrating from Ireland in 1711

Mark's family were members of the Society of Friends.  He had seven children, six of whom survived him.  He died at sea while immigrating to America with his family in 1711.

Susannah Watson

Born 24 April 1680 in Ireland to Elizabeth Thompson and Samuel Watson
Married Mark Carleton 25 January 1698 in Ireland
Susannah-Elizabeth-Susannah-Boyd-Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died about 1745 in Chester County, Pennsylvania

Susannah and her husband Mark were members of the Society of Friends.  In 1711 they applied to their meeting as they were leaving for America with their six surviving children.  They arrived in America later that same year, but Mark had died at sea.  Susannah married Richard Parks, also a Friend, on 26 June 1713, a widower from England who had arrived in Pennsylvania around the same time Susannah had.

Susannah and Richard were married for about 20 years before he died in Chester County in about 1732/3.  On 17 September 1735 Susannah married John Fincher in the Kennett Meeting.  She died in Chester County in about 1745.

Elizabeth Carleton

Born 18 June 1701 in Ireland to Susannah Watson and Mark Carleton
Married William Whitaker 13 February 1722 in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Elizabeth-Susannah-Boyd-Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died (this is one opinion)

Elizabeth is said to have emigrated from Ireland with her parents when she was 10 years old. Her father died at sea as they were coming to America.

Elizabeth married William Whitaker who had recently immigrated from England on 13 February 1722.  They were married in the Old Kennett Monthly Meeting House near Hamorton, but later moved their membership to Bradford Monthly Meeting near Marshallton.

In December 1739 William and Elizabeth's home was destroyed by fire, although they were able to save a few things, including this Bible. The family had been preparing to move back to Kennett Square and the Kennett Meeting.  After the fire, there was some confusion about who ought to help the Whitaker family:

It appears that there was some dispute between the Kennett and Bradford Meetings regarding which meeting was responsible for the family's relief. On March 20, 1739 (20 d, 4 mo, 1739), the minutes of the Bradford Monthly Meeting reported that the Kennett Meeting had been advised of the circumstances of William Whitaker's family and that they were in danger of wanting relief. The Bradford Monthly Meeting minutes of June 19, 1740 (19 d, 4 mo, 1740) recorded that "Phinehas Lewis reports that he went to William Whitaker and found him and family likely to want bread soon if not relieved also this meeting is informed that friends at Kennet has their case under consideration, but that they may not suffer this meeting desires Aaron Mendenhall to supply them with Breadstuf for the present and make report the next meeting." The following month on July 17, 1740 (17 d, 5 mo 1740), the minutes show that "Aaron Mendenhall reports that he hath supplyed Wm Whitaker with one hundred & half of midlings as ordered by last meeting and several friends from Kennett being here it appears that they have the matter under their consideration soe it is left at present for a further Conference and in the interim Aaron Mendenall is desired to continue to take care of him." William Whitaker and his wife obtained a certificate of transfer from the Newark (Kennett) Monthly Meeting on September 4, 1740 (4 d, 7 mo, 1740), and were received by the Bradford Meeting two days later (6 d, 7 mo, 1740). Records of the Bradford Monthly Meeting show that an arrangement for the relief of the Whitaker family was reached between the two meetings on September 17, 1741 (17 d, 9 mo, 1741), whereby Kennett would pay 3/4 of the relief money, and Bradford would provide 1/4 of the sum as condition for acceptance of the family into the Bradford Monthly Meeting. Their membership was finalized on June 17, 1742 (17 d, 4 mo, 1742), the minutes indicating that "A Certificate from Newark (Kennett) Monthly Meeting for Wm Whitacre & his wife was here read & accepted on the terms formerly agreed on between the two meetings." More monies were collected for the Whitaker family on December 16, 1742 (16 d, 10 mo, 1742) and October 18, 1744 (18 d, 8 mo, 1744); however, the Kennett Preparative Meeting revoked its agreement to send more money to the family on October 15, 1747 (15 d, 8 mo, 1747). 

On 20 June 1751 William and Elizabeth asked for a certificate of removal so they could go to North Carolina, and it was approved on 15 August 1751. However, it wasn't approved for their son, Mark.  Thomas Carleton, Elizabeth's brother, wrote about Elizabeth and William's moving to North Carolina in a letter to Ireland:

My eldest Sister Elizabeth with her husband & family (they haveing 7 Children alive when they left these parts) are removed to North Carolina, a Country that is Setling pretty fast, where they say land is Cheap, they removed from these parts last summer was a Year. I had a Letter from her last Spring they were then well.

William and Elizabeth traveled with most of their children and other others, using the "Great Wagon Road" between Philadelphia through the ShenandoahValley to Salisbury, North Carolina.  While they were stopped for a time in Virginia they met a group of Baptists traveling from Hopewell and joined them for the rest of the trip.  They don't seem to have joined a Society of Friends Meeting in North Carolina, although there are conflicting opinions whether there was a meeting near them; they appear to have joined the Baptists in North Carolina.  Their daughter, Susannah, had already left the Society of Friends when she married Hugh McCrary in Pennsylvania; her son, Boyd, married Anna Merrell who was from the Hopewell families.

There isn't much more known about William and Elizabeth after this.  He is on a tax list in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1759. It is also not known when they died.

William Whitaker

Born around 1700 to Jane Parker and Joshua Whitaker, probably in Lancashire, England
Married Elizabeth Carleton 13 February 1722 in Chester County, Pennsylvania
William-Susannah-Boyd-Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died

William's father Joshua died in England, although there are many questions about his death and who his parents were.  You can read much more if you click on Joshua's name above.  William's mother, Jane, went to America, although I don't know if it was with her children, although all four of her children ended up in America.

The following information comes from this website and  this website; the second describes its main source this way:

The earliest written account of the Whitaker family is found in a manuscript entitled Record of the Whitaker Families of North Carolina dated March 29, 1874, compiled by Henry Whitaker (1811-1883) of Fairview, Buncombe County, North Carolina, who was assisted by his nephew Henry Jenkins (1839-1919) and his son-in-law Jesse Garren (1828-1892). The account was compiled in behalf of Henry Whitaker's older brother James Whitaker (1805-1892) of Willard, Box Elder County, Utah, an early convert of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In January, 1939, Lorah Jerusha Whitaker Beeks prepared a typescript of this manuscript family history.

William's family moved to Ireland in about 1716 or 1717The first record of William is in Dublin from the minutes of a meeting of the Society of Friends in 7 April 1719:

At Mens Monthly Meeting, Dublin 7 d, 2 mo, 1719, William Whitaker, who formerly lived at Timahoe, and now in this City, having desire to go to Pennsylvania, it is desired that William Brookfield, Henry Martin, and John Stevens doe enquire into his conversation and cleanness in relation to marriage and give a certificate, if needful, before next Men's Meeting and get some friends to sign it...A certificate was given of his cleaness on account of marriage and going away clear.

William's uncles John and James had already come to America.  William was received by Kennett Monthly Meeting of the Society of Friends in Chester County, Pennsylvania, on 2 December 1721.  It appears that William and his brother, Peter, came first, followed by their mother, Jane, and brother and sister Katherine and Robert.

William married Elizabeth Carleton a few months later on 13 February 1722.  They were married in the Old Kennett Monthly Meeting House near Hamorton, but later moved their membership to Bradford Monthly Meeting near Marshallton.

In December 1739 William and Elizabeth's home was destroyed by fire, although they were able to save a few things, including this Bible. The family had been preparing to move back to Kennett Square and the Kennett Meeting.  After the fire, there was some confusion about who ought to help the Whitaker family:

It appears that there was some dispute between the Kennett and Bradford Meetings regarding which meeting was responsible for the family's relief. On March 20, 1739 (20 d, 4 mo, 1739), the minutes of the Bradford Monthly Meeting reported that the Kennett Meeting had been advised of the circumstances of William Whitaker's family and that they were in danger of wanting relief. The Bradford Monthly Meeting minutes of June 19, 1740 (19 d, 4 mo, 1740) recorded that "Phinehas Lewis reports that he went to William Whitaker and found him and family likely to want bread soon if not relieved also this meeting is informed that friends at Kennet has their case under consideration, but that they may not suffer this meeting desires Aaron Mendenhall to supply them with Breadstuf for the present and make report the next meeting." The following month on July 17, 1740 (17 d, 5 mo 1740), the minutes show that "Aaron Mendenhall reports that he hath supplyed Wm Whitaker with one hundred & half of midlings as ordered by last meeting and several friends from Kennett being here it appears that they have the matter under their consideration soe it is left at present for a further Conference and in the interim Aaron Mendenall is desired to continue to take care of him." William Whitaker and his wife obtained a certificate of transfer from the Newark (Kennett) Monthly Meeting on September 4, 1740 (4 d, 7 mo, 1740), and were received by the Bradford Meeting two days later (6 d, 7 mo, 1740). Records of the Bradford Monthly Meeting show that an arrangement for the relief of the Whitaker family was reached between the two meetings on September 17, 1741 (17 d, 9 mo, 1741), whereby Kennett would pay 3/4 of the relief money, and Bradford would provide 1/4 of the sum as condition for acceptance of the family into the Bradford Monthly Meeting. Their membership was finalized on June 17, 1742 (17 d, 4 mo, 1742), the minutes indicating that "A Certificate from Newark (Kennett) Monthly Meeting for Wm Whitacre & his wife was here read & accepted on the terms formerly agreed on between the two meetings." More monies were collected for the Whitaker family on December 16, 1742 (16 d, 10 mo, 1742) and October 18, 1744 (18 d, 8 mo, 1744); however, the Kennett Preparative Meeting revoked its agreement to send more money to the family on October 15, 1747 (15 d, 8 mo, 1747). 

On 20 June 1751 William and Elizabeth asked for a certificate of removal so they could go to North Carolina, and it was approved on 15 August 1751. However, it wasn't approved for their son, Mark.  Thomas Carleton, Elizabeth's brother, wrote about Elizabeth and William's moving to North Carolina in a letter to Ireland:

My eldest Sister Elizabeth with her husband & family (they haveing 7 Children alive when they left these parts) are removed to North Carolina, a Country that is Setling pretty fast, where they say land is Cheap, they removed from these parts last summer was a Year. I had a Letter from her last Spring they were then well.

William and Elizabeth traveled with most of their children and other others, using the "Great Wagon Road" between Philadelphia through the ShenandoahValley to Salisbury, North Carolina.  While they were stopped for a time in Virginia they met a group of Baptists traveling from Hopewell and joined them for the rest of the trip.  They don't seem to have joined a Society of Friends Meeting in North Carolina, although there are conflicting opinions whethere there was a meeting near them; they appear to have joined the Baptists in North Carolina.  Their daughter, Susannah, had already left the Society of Friends when she married Hugh McCrary in Pennsylvania; her son, Boyd, married Anna Merrell who was from the Hopewell families.

There isn't much more known about William and Elizabeth after this.  He is on a tax list in Rowan County, North Carolina, in 1759. It is also not known when they died.

Susannah Whitaker

Born 1727ish to Elizabeth Carleton and William Whitaker
Married Hugh McCrary in 1749 in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Susannah-Boyd-Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 20 October 1800

Buried in Jersey Baptist Church cemetery

Susannah was born in Pennsylvania to a Quaker family.  About a year after she married Hugh she had to leave her church because he wasn't a Quaker.  A few years later they left Pennsylvania for North Carolina where she lived the rest of her life.  Her tombstone reads:

Here lies the body of Susannah McCrary who departed this life Oct 20, 1800. Aged 73 years. My race is run, My life is done, My resting place is here, This stone was got to keep the spot, Lest men should dig too near.

Hugh McCrary

Born about 1720, probably in Ireland
Married Susannah Whitaker in 1749 in Chester County, Pennsylvania
Hugh-Boyd-Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 14 February 1785 in North Carolina
Buried in the Jersey Baptist Church cemetery
Here's his will 

Hugh was probably born in Ireland, although his place of origin hasn't been found, nor have any family members.  He was living in Pennsylvania by 1749.  Hugh and Susannah moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina before 1757 where they lived the rest of their lives.  Hugh's gravestone reads:

Here lies the body of Hugh McCrarey, Deceased, February the 14th Anno Domini 1785, aged 65 years, You lookers on and standers by, As you are now so once was I, As I am now so you must be, Therefore prepare to follow me.

Nancy (Anna) Merrell

Born in 1757ish  in North Carolina to Jemima Smith and Benjamin Merrell
Married Boyd McCrary before May 1777 in North Carolina
Anna-Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died before 7 March 1828 in Howard County, Missouri

Anna is Benjamin Merrell's sister; her daughter Nancy and his son Eli married each other.

Ann's parents moved to North Carolina from Hopewell not long before she was born. Her father was executed by the British in 1771.  She married Boyd McCrary whose parents had come to North Carolina from Pennsylvania.  You can read more about Anna here.

After Boyd died around 1819, Anna moved to Missouri with some of her children.  I haven't been able to learn anything about her life there, although I think it would be interesting, especially since she was nearly 70 at the time and Missouri a little rough then.  She died in Howard County.

Boyd McCrary

Born around 1753 in North Carolina to Susannah Whitaker and Hugh McCrary
Married Nancy (Anna) Merrell
Boyd-Nancy-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died about 1819
Buried in Buncombe County (likely in this cemetery)

This site and the burial site linked above have the best collection of infomation about that I've seen about Boyd.  The Fairview Town Crier posted an article about Boyd that is no longer available at the original site, although it's reposted here on Find a Grave. The article raises questions that are answered in the first linked site.

Penelope Merrell

Born 1759 to Jemima Smith and Benjamin Merrell
Married Benjamin Merrell 4 February 1778 in North Carolina
Penelope-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died in 1830
Buried in Buncombe County

Penelope was likely born a few years after her parents, Jemima and Benjamin, moved to North Carolina from New Jersey.  When she was about 12 years old her father was executed by the British and Penelope and her mother and siblings were forced to watch.  Her mother remarried a few years before Penelope married Benjamin Merrell.  According to family tradition, Benjamin's father was also killed by the British at the end of the Revolutionary War. 

Penelope and Benjamin moved to Fairview, North Carolina in 1798 where many of their neighbors from Rowan County had already moved.  Penelope's sister Anna and her husband Boyd McCrary also moved with them.  Over the next ten years Benjamin acquired over 1300 acres of land and Penelope and Benjamin lived near their relatives.  Penelope died in 1830 and was buried in the Merrell-Patton Cemetery.  She had 15 children, 13 of whom survived childhood.

Benjamin Merrell 1752-1836

Born 2 December 1752 in Hopewell, New Jersey, to Mary Cornell and William Merrell
Married Penelope Merrell 4 February 1778 in North Carolina
Benjamin-Eli-Charles-Charles William-Fenly-Clifford
Died 10 May 1836 in North Carolina
Buried in Buncombe

Benjamin was born in Hopewell Township a few years before his parents, Mary and William, moved to North Carolina where William's brother already lived.  Benjamin enlisted in the Continental Army about March or 1776 in Guilford County, North Carolina where he served for about six weeks. Then he moved to South Carolina where he enlisted again in August of 1776.  He fought in a battle on 19 September 1776 and was discharged in October and returned to North Carolina.

He returned to North Carolina where he married Penelope Merrell in 1778.  He reenlisted in South Carolina a year later in 1779 and fought at the Battle of Brier Creek, then enlisted again in March of 1780 for two months.  He served one final time at the end of 1780 for six weeks and then moved to Randolph County, North Carolina.  I don't know where Penelope lived during this time.

Benjamin and Penelope lived in Rowan County until 1798 when they moved to Cane Creek in Buncombe County, North Carolina.  They had many friends and relatives there and Benjamin was prosperous.  He owned 2 slaves in 1810 and had over 1300 acres of land.  He was active in his church and the community and encouraged his children to work hard.

Benjamin is also the first cousin of his wife, Penelope, and also Nancy (Anna) Merrell.  Anna's daughter, Nancy McCrary, married Penelope and Benjamin's son Eli Merrell.