John Hodgskins (abt. 1655 - 1698)

Born about 1655 in England

Descendants

Died 1698 at about age 43 in Chester, Pennsylvania

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Biography

John Hodgskins Sr. and Mary, his wife, were natives of Cheshire England. They came to this country in the year 1682. On the 21sr day, 9th mo., 1681, before leaving England, John purchased two hundred and fifty acres of land from Wm. Penn which was laid out to him on the 27th day, 4th mo., 1684, in Middletown township between the lands of Richard Crosby and David Ogden. In August 1684, he purchased from John Simcock property upon which he built his home.

Johnwas a member of the 1st General Assembly which sat March 12 1683. ^[1]His Will dated 11th month 2 1694/5, probated August 15 1698 in Philadelphia, is signed John Hodgskins,^[2] but the renunciation of the Executors named therein dated 12th of 6 mo 98 speak of him as John Hoskins. He left two children John and Hannah and his widow who, although aged, married widower George Woodyer in 1700.

Last Will and Testament:

John Hodgskins Will is extremely hard to read due to the nature of the handwriting. With that in mind, the following is an abstract of it:

On the 2nd day, 11th (?) mo., 1694/5, John Hodgskins of Chester County, Province of Pennsylvania tailor, executed his Last Will and Testament leaving his estate as follows: first, to his sister Francis Lodgslingotn (?) personal property; second, to his wife's sister (illegible) Ashton, personal property; third, to his friend John Wood of West Jersey, personal property; fourth, to his loving wife Mary Hodgskins a life estate in his real and personal property; fifth, to his son John Hodgskins real estate and illegible; sixth, to his daughter Hannah Hodgskins (illegible); and seventh, he nominated John Simcock, Thomas Borman (?) and a third person executors. Witnesses Charles Forman and Robert Barbor. Proof of Will August 15 1698 in Philadelphia.^[2]

Abstract by Pennsylvania Geneaological Society:

No. 176. JOHN HODGSKINS or Hodgskinson, of Chester Co., tailor. Wife Mary; sister Frances Hodgskinson [probably in England]; sister Hannah Ashton [probably in England], son John, under age. Mentions John Wood of West Jersey, and appoints wife, John Simcock, Sr., Thomas Vernon, Sr., Walter Facett, and Caleb Pusey, Ex'rs. The two last named renounced. Signed 2 Jan., 1694/5. Proved 15 Aug., 1698.

Witnesses : George Forman, Robert Barber.^[3]

Research Notes

The Abstract by Pennsylvania Geneaological Society does not mention daughter Hannah, but the Will clearly provides for dispostion. See image.

Sources

1. ↑ 1st Pennsylvania Legislature
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Will Book A, p. 409 Available here
3. ↑ Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, v. 3, p.17 Available here

• "England and Wales Non-Conformist Record Indexes (RG4-8), 1588-1977," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWLP-25F : 11 December 2014), Mary Hodskin in entry for John Hodskin, 12 Jun 1677, Birth; citing p. 22, Cheshire & Staffordshire, record group RG6, Public Record Office, London.