William Cloud (abt. 1621 - bef. 1702)

Born about 8 Jul 1621 in Southbroom, Wiltshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Susan (James) Cloud — married 7 Jun 1647 in Calne, Wiltshire, England

Descendants

Died before 25 Aug 1702 before about age 81 in Concord, Delaware County, Delaware, British America

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Biography

Quaker Member and Penn land recipient

William Cloud migrated from England to Provincial Pennsylvania.

William was a Friend (Quaker) member of Chichester Monthly Meeting, Pennsylvania

Thomas Maxwell Potts, author of "Genealogical Notes of the Cloud Family founded by William Cloud...typescript compilation, of Genealogical Notes of the CLOUD FAMILY founded by William Cloud who came to Pennsylvania in 1682 and died in 1702, in 1910/11; an expansion of an earlier publication authored by himself, titled "Our Family Ancestors", chapter 23, "The Cloud Family", and edited by Janice G Cloud, Cloud family historian and Editor; states "William Cloud of Calne, Wiltshire, England was probably born at least as early as 1630". (Handwritten note to the manuscript gives date of birth as August 7, 1621, son of Robert Cloud and Joan Norys.) NOTE: However, the baptism record for William is dated 08 July 1621; son of Robart Cloud^[1]

William Cloud was a member of the Friend's Meeting at Calne, and on May 16, 1660, the meeting was broken up by a "Party of Soldiers, who came with their swords drawn, and pistols cocked, and violently haled those that were met, and when asked for their Warrant, shrewd their Swords, saying, "This is our Warrant".^[2][3]

On 12 mo. 7, 1680, he attended a monthly meeting, held at Marlborough, as a representative from Calne, but in 1682 he seems to have come under the censure of Friends. A minute of a monthly meeting held at Calne on 6 mo. 7, 1682, reads:

"Whereas there is a complaint, made to this meeting of William Cloud of Calne, disorderly walking contrary to truth, agreed that John Neate, Samuel Noise & William Coole speak with him & advise him as "ye Lord in his wisdom shall direct & give an account at ye next Monthly meeting''^[2]

On September 8/9, 1681: William Cloud, "Yeoman" of Seene [i.e. Seend], in Melksham, Wiltshire County, England was granted 500 acres of Pennsylvania land by William Penn, who signed the account at Gravesend, Kent County, England on February 31 (?), 1682. This land was surveyed and laid cut to the southwest of Naemans creek, but was afterwards discovered to be in New Castle County, Delaware. He does not appear to have lived on this land, his home being in Concord Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.^[4]

Note: Gravesend is in Kent County, England on the Thames River, about 22 miles southeast of London, and within the Port of London. The Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Volume IV, has a map at the back showing the grant and the William Cloud land.

He was a member of the Chichester Meeting, and was a contributor to the fund toward the erection of a meeting house and the cost of a graveyard about 1685; The minutes indicate his attendance at two meetings in 1690.^[5]

Migration to the United States

William, along with three of his sons, (William, Jeremiah, and Robert) came to America in 1682 on the sailing ship"Unicorn".^[6][7]

His wife dying in 1663. His son Joseph had come to America the year before. His daughter Susannah remained in England. William's belongings were recorded in the ships records as follows:^{[citation needed]}

25 August

4 cwt. wrought iron/ 3 pieces qty. 120 yds. English linen/cwt. lead shot/3 doz. bodices/150 made garments/1.5 cwt. brass and copper manufactured/.5 cwt. pewter/3 small saddles/ 3 pieces English fustians (coarse, sturdy cloth made of cotton and flax)/2 cwt. nails/6 doz. Irish stockings

27 October

40 lbs. serges/15 lbs. linsey, woolsey (cheap wool and flax mixture)/18 lbs. woolen stockings/14 lbs. haberdashery/68 lbs. shoes and boots/2.5 cwt. cheese/3 cwt. wrought iron/.5 cwt. nails/8 lbs. gunpowder/28 lbs. shot/.5 cwt. English soap/ 2 cwt. bread.[Bristol Port Book E/190/1144/1]^[8]

The "Unicorn was loaded in August and sailed after the 17th of October, 1682.^[9]

The "Unicorn" was part of William Penn's contingent of 23 ships containing Quakers, who were leaving England to escape religious persecution. William Penn had been granted land in America by Charles II in 1681. The original charter reads:

    "Charles the Second By the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, etc., To all whome these presents shall come Greeting." These words open the original Charter. In this grant of rights, priviledges, and obligations, the King addresses his "Trustie and well beloved Subject," charging him to enlarge the Empire, promote its prosperity, and civilize the New World by "gentle and just manners." Charles honors "the memorie and meritts" of the late Admiral, Sir William Penn, after whom the colony is named, by granting his son land in America. The Colony's wealth, real and potential, is placed at the disposal of Penn, "his heires and assignes."

"This includes "the soyle, lands, fields, woods," as well as "the fishing of all sorts of fish, whales, sturgeons," and the "wealth beneath the ground, all veines, mines and quarries," not to mention Gold, Silver, Gemms and pretious Stones."^{[citation needed]}

Chester County, Pennsylvania

William, at age 61, came to America to settle at Chester County in Pennsylvania. His land was laid out and surveyed, to the southward of Naaman's Creek, but part of it was later found to be in New Castle County, in the northern part of Pennsylvania Province. The land was located in Rockland Manor, Brandywine Hundred, New Castle County, Pennsylvania, about six miles north of what is now Wilmington, Delaware.

The deeds are recorded in New Castle County, Delaware. He does not appear to have settled upon his land, but lived in town nearby. In October, 1682, he purchased 125 acres in Concord Township in Chester County, Pennsylvania from William Bezar, and 17 years later bought another 125 acres from Bezar's descendants, plus another 50 acres on rent.

In the "Blackwell quit-rent rolls" compiled by Receiver General and former Deputy Governor John Blackwell from December 1689-March 1689/90. William Cloud is listed as having 250 taxable acres in Chester County as well as 49 feet of frontage on lot in Philadelphia for which he paid a quit-rent of 2s.

By 1700, he had acquired the original Bezar tract along the Bethel-Concord line, and he farmed this land until his death around 1702. This land was then sold to James Clemson in 1710. It is located in an area bounded by present-day Garnet Mine Road, Shakertown Road, and Kirk Road.

The following extracts are taken from the Minutes of the Board of Property of the Province of Pennsylvania "Volume XIX, edition 1893.

Philadelphia the 13th 12 month, 1691-2:

William Cloud of Chester County, purchaser of 500 acres of land, and the same being laid out to him on Naaman;s Creek, of which he hath given to his son Jeremiah 100 acres; Therefore desires a patent for that 100 acres that he may confirm the same to his son, himself being unwilling yet to to take a patent for the whole 500 acres before resurvey be made thereof, there being supposed to be more than what it was laid out for, which was granted. (pg 85).

Jacob Willis, indentured servant to William Cloud, requested a warrant for his 50 acres, as his right in the following extract:

Philadelphia, the 4th of the 12th month, 1701:

Jacob Willis having formerly proved in the Sec'ries office that he came a Serv't into this Country at the first settling of it to William Cloud, requests a War't for 50 acres of Head land as is his right. Which is granted in case it appear in the said office. (Pg 295)

Philadelphia the 11th of the 12th month 1701:

The property having be deeds of lease and release, dated September 8/9, 1681, sold to William Cloud 500 acres of land. The said William upon arrival in 1682 settled on a tract joining on the south of Naaman's Creek, which falling afterwards in the county of New Castle, Manor of Rocklands, he has been obliged to pay a bushel of wheat per 100 acre quit rent, and he has no security of said land because not within the bounds of the Province.

Requests therefor that his rent may be settled according to his purchase and the land be secured to him, or that if he must pay the said rent that 500 acres be laid out to him elsewhere in pursuance of his said purchase. Ordered that a warrant of resurvey be granted on the said land and a patent on the return paying for the over plus, if any, and that the said William on the back of the above mentioned release of property for the within granted 500 acres upon which the rent to be fixed at one shilling, per 100 acres. Signed a warrant of resurvey to William Cloud on 500 acres. Ordered today."

Philadelphia January 9, 1703:

William Cloud, original purchaser of 500 acres by a warrant dated September 30, 1683 who by deed dated October 28, 1698 conveyed the same to William Clayton, of Chichester, who requests a resurvey and patent. Granted." (pg 267)

It seems William Clouds 500 acres of land was laid out on land taxed by both the County of New Castle, DE., and Chester Co., Pa. The resurvey dated 11th day of the 12th month, 1701, confirmed its location in New Castle County, and was patented to Jeremiah Cloud (William Cloud deceased), on July 20 1713

Children of William Cloud and Susan James

^[4]

1. William Jr

2. Jeremiah

3. Joseph

4. John

5. Robert

6. Susannah

Will of William Cloud

The will of William Cloud, of Concord, "being aged and well stricken in years," was dated the 20th day of the 7th month 1700/1, and proved August 25, 1702, Chester County, there appeared Robert Pyle, one of the witnesses to William Clouds signature in 1700/1, "within named and upon his solemn affirmation did declare he saw the within named William Cloud sign. William Clouds will is recorded in Will book B, pg 244, in the registers office at Philadelphia.^[4][10]

Extract of William Clouds will:

Know all men by their presents that I William Cloud of Concord, Senr., in the county of Chester being aged and well stricken in years and of perfect mind and memory knowing I must shortly go the way of all flesh, therefore willing to dispose and settle my small estate, do this the 20th of the 7th month 1700/1 make this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz.\: Imprimis:

I do hereby make void all former wills by me made either by writing or by work of mouth and make this to be my last will and testament.

Second: I do give and Bequeath unto my son William Cloud (Jr.) 100 acres of my parcel land and unto his heirs forever

Thirdly: I do give and bequeath unto my son Jeremiah Cloud 200 acres of my parceled land and to his heirs forever

Fourthly: I do give unto my sons Joseph, John and Robert Cloud one English shilling or the value thereof in coin if demanded

Fifthly: I doe give unto my daughter Susannah Lukens living in old England one English shilling or ye value thereof in coyen corent if demanded

Last: I do give and bequeath unto my grand-daughter Hannah Cloud, daughter of Jeremiah Cloud all the rest of my estate both real and personal and to her heirs forever, and do make her my whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testament and to pay all my debts and legasies and bury me decently

I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved son Jeremiah Cloud to be my overseer in trust to see this my last will and testament well and truly performed. In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written, (Signed) William Cloud.

The witnesses were Robert Pyle, Anne Pyle, and Sarah Pyle. The inventory was made October 17, 1702, by John Buckley and Wa: Marten. [Pennsylvania Wills, 1682-1834]

Sources

1. ↑ Baptismal Record for William Cloud; "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWVX-N3K : 11 February 2018, William Cloude, 08 Jul 1621); citing SOUTHBROOM ST JAMES,WILTSHIRE,ENGLAND, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 950,261. His baptism record says he was son of "Robart" Cloude
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Pg 142 Potts "Cloud family" chapter 23
3. ↑ Bese's Suffering of Friends, Vol II, Chapter II, page 89
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Genealogical and personal history of Fayette county Pennsylvania, Vol 3
5. ↑ Page 11 "The Cloud Family, by Potts; in genelaogical notes of the cloud family, founded by william cloud..
6. ↑ Identified passengers on the ship "Unicorn", approved by the Committees on Ancestral Eligibility and Lineage, and the Council of the Society; Retrieved from The Welcome Society; accessed 7 October 2023.
7. ↑ {http://files.usgwarchives.net/pa/chester/immig/ships-indx.txt], 12-22-2014; Early Chester County Arrivals Index (1681-1698) Chester Co., Pa
8. ↑ Bristol Port book source retrieved from {http://bkendall.tripod.com/Page5.html]
9. ↑ Source retrieved from {http://bkendall.tripod.com/Page5.html]; on 12-22-2014
10. ↑ mykindred.com, retrieved from link

• "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JWVX-N3K : 11 February 2018, William Cloude, 08 Jul 1621); citing SOUTHBROOM ST JAMES,WILTSHIRE,ENGLAND, index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 950,261.

• Futhey, J. Smith & Cope, gilbert (1881). History of Chester County, Pennsylvania with genealogical and biographical sketches. Press of Lippincott & Co., Philadelphia. (pg 500)

• Jordan, John Woolf, & Hadden, James. "Genealogical and personal history of Fayette county Pennsylvania", Vol 3. (pg 642)

• Potts, Thomas Maxwell. (1895) "Our family Ancestors", chapter 23; "The Cloud family". Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. (pg 142)

• Potts, Thomas Maxwell (1911), edited by Janice G Cloud (Cloud family Historian and Editor) Genealogical Notes of the CLOUD FAMILY founded by William Cloud who came to Pennsylvania in 1682 and died in 1702. Canonsburg Pennsylvania.

• Ancestry.com. US and Canada Passenger and Immigration lists index, 1500's-1900's [database-online]. Provo, UT USA; Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Original data: Filby, P. William, ed. Passengers and Immigration lists index, 1500's-1900's. Farmington Hills, MI, USA: Gale Research, 2012.

• Early Chester County Arrivals Index (1681-1698): Chester County, PA; Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Sandra Ferguson <ferg at intelos.net>

• {http://bkendall.tripod.com/cloud.html] Website constructed by Bill Kendall, Cloud descendant; and can be reached via email at: pbkendall at netzero.net

Additional Sources:

• Sheppard, Walter Lee Jr., Passengers and Ships Prior to 1684. Volume 1 of Penn's Colony: Genealogical and Historical Materials Relating to the Settlement of Pennsylvania. Heritage Books (2009)

• This profile includes the import of ThomasBaldwin.ged on Apr 20, 2012 by Curtis Baldwin, and contributions by Curtis Baldwin and X Gorby,

• {http://mykindred.com/cloud/TX/getperson.php?personID=152489&tree=mykindred01]

• Ancestry.com Public member family trees and contributions retrieved from membership required site at : {http://trees.ancestry.com/tree/18232371/person/19126333289/storyx/d5171701-0571-40a2-9355-bab5b47b9435?src=search]

• Evans,Helen "Reta";Family Group Records-Pedigree Charts,5605 Westcreek Drive,.

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/118391953/william-cloud: accessed 07 June 2023), memorial page for William Cloud Sr. (8 Jul 1621–25 Aug 1702), Find a Grave Memorial ID 118391953; Cremated, Other, Most likely buried in Deleware; Maintained by Alan barber (contributor 46631884).