MARGARET JANE McMASTERS
THE STORY AS I KNOW IT
The Pennock family was a leading Quaker family in
colonial Pennsylvania. The descendants are numerous. Three
known books have been written about them:
The Pennocks of Primitive Hall by George Valentine
Massey II,
The Pusey Family by Pennock Pusey, and
Christopher Pennock Genealogy, compiled by Charles
A. Rudolph, 1959.
Margaret Jane McMasters was born 5/29/1828 in Chester
County PA, probably in East Nottingham. Her
father was Andrew McMasters.
This much is listed on her PA death Certificate. Her
mother was said to be Ann
Dobbin. from the McMasters family
of Cecil county, page 12 by Gary Burns which
names Ann Dobbin as Andrew's wife. However,
his list of children for Andrew and Ann
McMasters did not include Margaret Jane. I
received communication from Patricia Stafford that
she believed Ann Dobbin McMasters died sometime
between 1820 and 1826. In 1829 there was an
official record in the Chester County Archives
that stated that Jesse Watson had lived with Andrew
McMasters since 1826. It is believed that Andrew
married Margaret Watson, widow about 1826.
This probably the mother of Margaret Jane.
Andrew McMasters was on the 1840 East Nottingham
Census and his wife was 40-49 years old at that time
roll 454, page 232, FHC library film
#0020542. Andrew was a farmer.
But Margaret Jane is not on that census???
Where is she? Margaret Jane would have
been nearly grown when her father died. In
1850 she was living with the John Watson family in
London Grove. They had 3 young children. I believe John
Watson was related via her mother Margaret
Watson. Perhaps Margaret Jane was acting as
their "nanny".
On March 26, 1852 Margaret Jane McMasters wed William Pennock. There
was a tiny 2 line notice in the Daily Local news of West
Chester. It is in a collection of Pennock news
items at the Chester County Historical society. They
had 10 known children. They are:
1. Elizabeth (Lizzie) born 1852, she wed Alfred
Bowers and died in 1883
2. Morris born 1854 may have died very
early. He is not on the 1860 or 1870 census.
3. William Herbert born 1854 twin, he wed Hannah
Keighley
4. James Hibbert born 1855, he wed Mary Scott
5. Thomas Hughes born 1858,
he wed Martha Mary Missimer
6. Mary Alice born 1860, never wed, she died 1922.
7. Annie Woodrow born about 1863 wed Amos
Curry
8. Harry Owens born 1865 died 1878
9. Harvey Lewis born 1867 wed Sarah Mason
10. Bayard Taylor born 1871 died 1895
They lived in Chester County and were part of the New
London Presbyterian community. The 1860
Census has listed in the home Annie Hayes,
age 14. Was she in their care for some reason or was
she there to help care for the children? She was not
on the 1870 Census.
William Pennock died Sept 18, 1879. There
was a poem placed in the Daily local News of West
Chester by his children.
After William's death Margaret Jane
went to Manayunk to live. Joseph and Robert, her brothers
had both moved to Manayunk previously. It was a
textile mill town so there was probably work. The 1880
PA Census, roll 1180, FHC film #1255180 has her
living at 240 Spring St. with her are 6 of
her children. Elizabeth dress maker,
James H laborer. Alice M, Annie W. dress
maker Harvey L. (Harry L. on the census) and
Bayard T. Alice was listed as housekeeper.
Unfortunately, the 1890 Census is gone, but on the 1900
PA Census, roll 1463, FHC film # 1241463,
Margaret Pennock is living at 246 Krams Av
in Manayunk with Mary A. who was working
then as a weaver.
Margaret Jane McMasters Pennock died Nov. 14, 1907
in Philadelphia. She was buried in the New London
Presbyterian Cemetery along side her husband William
Pennock. The Local Daily News of
West Chester stated that Rev. H.E. Baird officiated
at the interment. Mistakenly, the newspaper had it
at a Methodist church.
Their tombstone is on Find a Grave and listed on
the stone are also Lizzie Bowers, Harry O. Pennock,
Bayard T. Pennock and M. Alice Pennock.
.
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Date created 12/6//2012
date updated 5/18/2013
date updated 7/11/2015