JOHN HENRY GREGG
THE STORY AS I KNOW IT
John Henry Gregg was born 1668 in Ardmore,
Waterford Ireland. This is a port town on the south
coast of Ireland about half way between Cork and the town of
Waterford. According to Wiki it is the oldest
Christian town in Ireland. His parents were William Gregg
Jr. and
Anne Wilkinson.
From about 1660 on Quakers were looked on with disfavor and
distrust by British Parliament and a steady increase of
penalties were experienced. The Gregg family had
been influenced by William Penn about 1678 and became
Quakers. In 1682 they became part of the first group of
Quakers to leave Great Britain for Pennsylvania, probably aboard
the Caledonia. this included their eldest child, 14 year
old John Henry Gregg. Re Immigration of
Irish Quakers to Pennsylvania by Albert Cook Myers.
William Gregg Jr. had a grant for 200 acres from William Penn in 1682. In 1684 he had a warrant for 400 acres, (right to have land requested surveyed) on this land he built Strand Milas. This home housed Gregg family members for hundred plus years. It still stands today. William died in 1687 and the land divided between John Henry and his brother Richard. Richard died without issue and all the land went under John Henry's care. He continued to purchase land on the Brandywine and Red Clay Creeks. The Gregg settled on the west side of Brandywine creek near what is now Centerville. Much of it lay on what is now called Montchanin Rd and contained land now part of Winterthur and Wilmington Country Club and Hagley Museum.. Ten Mile country and Its Pioneer Families by Howard Lewis Leckey, page 531 states that John Henry Gregg owned 3 square miles along the Brandywine and his house is on the Hagley Property.
The family first participated in the Newark Quaker Meeting
on the east side of the Brandywine. But because of
the danger of crossing the Creek, they were given permission
along with neighbors, Mathias Defosse, Henry and Thomas
Hollingsworth, and others to start their own
meeting. It became Centre Meeting on Centre Meeting Rd,
just East of Centreville.
William
Gregg died five years after arriving in America. John
H Gregg was 19 years old and became head of the family at
that time. The land and property continued under his
care. In 1694 he built a stone house on the land, 2-story.
Later that same year, on November 11, 1694 he married Elizabeth
Cooke at Concord Friends Meeting. Re
A short History of John Henry Gregg's Family and their
Ancestors by Elma Gregg Marshall
John
Henry and Elizabeth Cooke Gregg had a large family.
According to Ms Marshall, they had 3 daughters and 4
sons. However, there may have been other children
which died young so were not included in his will.
Those known via the will were:
William Gregg born 1695, wed Margery Kinley, he died in 1747
Emey Gregg born 1698
Thomas Gregg born 1701
Samuel Gregg born Aug 5, 1710 ) twins, wed Ann Robertson in 1737
Jospeh Gregg born Aug 5, 1710 ) wed Hannah Beeson
Hannah Gregg born 1713
Rebecca Gregg born about 1716
He was said to be serious and obviously a good business man. He remained active with the Quakers and was helpful as advisor and legally to his sister, Anne at the death of both of her husbands, first William Dickerson in 1708 and then John Houghton in1720.
John and Elizabeth Gregg bought land to erect a Grist Mill on Aug. 17, 1702 re Ms Marshall. She also stated that at one time John Gregg owned 5700 acres of land along the Brandywine River including the first mill at Rockland. Eventually, most of his land was owned by the DuPont family and company.. For a very interesting description of the property owned by the Gregg family go to http://mchhistory.blogspot.com/2013/02/mch-history-blog-on-road-strand-millas.html
Some time before his death, he gave his eldest son the land he had bought on Red clay Creek and its mill at Ashland
In 1735 John Gregg of Christiana Hundred, New Castle County, yeoman stated "that he has dwelt in the said County about 51 Years". #175, Miscellaneous papers, 1655-1805, three Lower counties, Historical society of Penna. It is not known why he made the declaration.
On April 22, 1738 John Henry Gregg made a will as yeoman of Christiana Hundred. It was probated March 6 1738/39. Misc Wills Vol I, pg 100 He names his wife Elizabeth, William "my eldest son", Thomas, Joseph, Samuel, Hannah, Rebecca, Emey.
The Executors were sons William and Thomas.
He gave 700 acres along the Brandywine to son Samuel, 200 acres each on the Red Clay Creek in Chester Ct PA to Thomas and Joseph. William had already received his inheritance. Rebecca and Hannah received 29 pounds, Emey had already received hers. then remainder of moveable estate was divided between the three daughters.
He was buried at the Centre Meeting Burial Grounds. There is a note that Elizabeth Gregg died later that same year. But I do not have a source for that. I must believe she is buried with John Henry Gregg.
The Hagley Research Library has a great deal of information on the Gregg family, particularly son Samuel as his inheritance eventually all became property of the DuPont family. The last piece of Gregg property was actually sold in 1909
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
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How do we know his birth year?
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Date created 9/2/2021
Date updated 6/23/2022
Date edited 5/21/2023
Date edited 3/3/2025