RICHARD   CHAMBERS

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THE STORY AS I KNOW IT


The story of  the  Chambers family connects Quaker families found around the London Grove Meeting in south eastern Chester county PA.  They were directly connected to the Gregg, Sharp, Allen, and Miller families.  They all owned extensive properties in New Garden, Kennet and a bit of Londongrove.  The Chambers themselves were large landowners near-by in Delaware. And from this group there is a direct connection to the Pennock, Pusey and Hayes families just found surrounding the Monthly Meeting site. 


Richard Chambers was born the 20th day, 4th month, 1700 (June 20).  His parents were John Chambers of Acastor, Selby and Deborah (Dobson).   from England & Wales Quaker Birth, marriage and Death Registers 1578 - 1837.  re Monthly meeting of York.  Acaster is equal distance between York and Selby.   It is considered park of the Selby district.   Most likely the small village did not have a Quaker meeting and thus had the 6 miles to York to connect to a meeting.  The village is on the river Ouse which flows out of York. 


Richard is believed to be the eldest son of Deborah, and possible 3rd or 4th of his father John Chambers, whose first wife had died 1697.  Two more children were born to the family in Yorkshire, and then the family moved.  an unknown source stated that John Chambers had livestock and farm produce taken by the government because on non-payment of tithes.  This led to the family emigrating to the Delaware valley area. John had brought a certificate from Friends of York, England dated 1st month, 5th day 1712/13.  It was presented to Philadelphia MM.  


from History of the Chambers of Hilltop by John Whiteclay Chambers II  John and Deborah Chambers began farming on White Clay Creek in Mill Creek Hundred Delaware in 1715 with their 5 children.   The eldest died, John jr. died in 1717.  He would have been 27 years old.  In 1720 they officially bought 664 acres from the William Penn family.  One source says the name of the farm was Hopyard, but the History noted says in the 20th century it was called Chambers Rocks Farm.  The main house was called Hilltop.


The family continued on the farm for the next 250 years.  At one time the extent of the land owned was over 1000 acres.  Today it is mostly protected as White Clay Creek park  with at least one of the houses still standing on the property at the Visitor's Center.  While the river had planned to be dammed to provide Newark with water, it was never flooded, nor will it ever be.   from the Mill Creek Hundred History Blog
 http://mchhistory.blogspot.com/2021/05/restoring-chambers-family-farm-in-20th.html

Richard Chambers married Elinor Miller of New Garden 4th month, 19th day 1729. (June 19)   Four months later his older brother Willaim Chambers married Elinor's sister Elizabeth.   They were the daughters of John and Mary Miller.  New Garden Monthly meeting Marriage Certificates, pg 63 was Richard and Elinor's wedding and guest list, pg 64 William and Elizabeth.    John Miller is listed as deceased.


Richard and Elinor Chambers had the following known children:
1.  John born 1st month,(March) 26th day 1730 - wed Sarah Black  and had 8 children
2.  Mary born 7th month (Sept) 13th day 1731 - wed James Buckingham
3.  Martha born 10th month,(December) 1736 - wed James Thompson and settled in North Carolina.
4.  Sarah born 11th month, (Jan) 20th day 1740/41 wed 1st Benjamin Gregg and 2nd George Sharpe.  she lived her adult life in Chester County in or near        New Garden PA
5.  Samuel born 1st month,(March) 8th day 1742 wed Sarah Thompson sister of James and they also moved to North Carolina
6.  Hannah born 2nd month, (April) 6th day 1744 never married
7.  Benjamin born 3rd month (May) 2nd day 1746 wed Hannah Black, sister of Sarah
8.  Joshua, born 1749.  He died in 1763
most of the data on the children is from "Genealogy of the Chambers Family"  found in the Chambers surname file at Delaware Historical Society.


It is believed that Richard and Deborah Chambers lived out their lives on or near the land his father had purchased.   There is a list from the Chambers surname file that contain dates of official records.  It is not easy to read but includes
1.  11th month (Jan) 20 1725/6  "certified boundary by Samuel Lightfoot of Richard Chambers first land from his fahter John Chambers.   130         acres. this was a few years before his father died.
2. 4th month (June) 5, 1747 he sold a piece of land bounded by White Clay Creek and the land of William Chambers (his brother) for 60 pounds.


Richard Chambers wrote his last will on April 24, 1773.   It was proved Nov. 19, 1774.  Calendar of Del wills K 189, pg 77 by Colonial Dames
Elinor, his wife is not mentioned so it is believed she had previously died, but we do not know when.
John, his eldest son, received the bulk of the estate "all the plantation containing ....several tracts of land "   and the livestock
Mary, Sarah and Martha cash- not specified in document I read.   I believe they were all married in 1773.
Benjamin cash of 120 pounds


the Executors were said to be sons John and Samuel Chambers and cousin  William Miller.


Those not mentioned were Samuel who had moved North Carolina which seems odd as he was an executor.  Perhaps Richard had granted him a portion when he moved to the south.  Hannah, was also not mentioned.   She too may have died previously.


We do not know where he is buried.   It may have been at New Garden Meeting where he was active.  But with all the land and family, they may have had family grave yard.

If you know the answer please CONTACT US

1. confirm all the children, their birthdates and life partners
   

2. Why was Samuel left out of his father's will
   

3. When did Elinor die?
   

4. Where are Elinor and Richard buried?
   

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