When writing the book Edward Farmar and the Sons of Whitemarsh, the research that created the biggest headache was in determining who arrived in America, who stayed, who died, and who returned to Ireland.
We know the Farmar family embarked on the Bristol Merchant which may have left Liverpool on 11 August 1685, arrived into County of Cork, Ireland for more passengers, and then arrived into Pennsylvania on 10 November 1685.
The first item to discern was… who made the voyage? Several resources have a different account of the passenger list, which has been compiled below.[1]
Major Jasper Farmar (b, c, d, e, f, g, h)
Mary Farmar, wife of Major Jasper Farmar (a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h)
Edward Farmar, son of Major Jasper (a, b, c, d, e, f, g)
Richard Farmar, son of Major Jasper (b, g)
Sarah Farmar, daughter of Major Jasper (a, b, c, d, e, f, g)
John Farmar, son of Major Jasper (a, c, e, f, g)
Robert Farmar, son of Major Jasper (a, b, d, e, f, g)
Catharine Farmar, daughter of Major Jasper (a, b, d, e, f, g)
Charles Farmar, son of Major Jasper (a, b, c, d, e, f, g)Jasper Farmar, Jr., son of Major Jasper (a, b, c, d, e, f, g)
Catharine Farmar, wife of Jasper Jr. (a, c, d, e, f)
Thomas Farmar, son of Jasper Jr. (a, c, d, e, f)
Elizabeth Farmar, daughter of Jasper Jr. (a, c, d, e, f)
Katherine Farmar, daughter of Jasper Jr. (c, d, e, f)Edward Batsford, step-son of Major Jasper (a, c, d)
About twenty [b] artisans and Servants, all from Ireland [a]:
Joanna Daly, also “Joan Daly” and “Joane Daly” (a, c, e, f)
Philip Mayow (a, c, e, f)
Helen Mayow, wife of Philip Mayow (a, c, e, f)
John Mayow (a, c, e, f)
John Whitlow, also “Whitloe” (a, c, e, f)
Nicholas Whitlow, also “Whitloe” (a, c, e, f)
Thomas Young, also “Younge” (a, c, e, f)
___ Young, wife of Thomas Young (a, c, e, f)
William Winter (a, c, e, f)
George Fisher (a, c, e, f)
Arthur Smithy, also “Smith” (a, c, e, f)
Thomas Alferry (a, c, e, f)
Henry Wells (a, c, e, f)
Robert Wilkinson, also “Wilkison” (a, c, e, f)
Elizabeth Mayow (a, c, e, f)
Martha Mayow (a, c, e, f)
Albert Dawson (c)
Sarah Burke, possibly also “Sara Binke” (a, c, e, f)
Sheele Oceven, possibly also “Thebe Orevan” and “Shebe Orevan” (a, c, e, f)
Andrew Walbridge (a, c, e, f)Thomas Webb (e, f, h)
Daniel Webb, son of Thomas Webb (e, f, h)Servants of Thomas Webb:
John Beltshire (e, f)
John Robinson (e, f)
Richard Ford (e, f)
James Banbury (e, f)
Thomas Case (e, f)
Henry Ford (e, f)
John Fox (e, f)
Derby Haley (e, f)
Joseph Case (e, f)
Thomas Burke (e, f)
John Garrett, also “Garrell” (e, f)
John Mehone (e, f)
David Quinn (e, f)
Mary Widdam (e, f)
Prudence Stuart (e, f)
Katherine Robinson (e, f)
Richard Muske (e, f)Nicholas Scull, Major Jasper’s nephew through Jasper’s sister Alice (a, e, f, h)
Servants of Nicholas Scull:
Samuel Hall (a, e, f)
Cornelius Davye (a, e, f)
George Gooding (a, e, f)
Miles Morin (a, e, f)
Daniel Morin (a, e, f)
John Ward (a, e, f)
Mary Cantwell, also “Cantrell” (a, e, f)Thomas Carter, Sr. (e, f)
Frances Carter, wife of Thomas Carter Sr. (e, f)
Thomas Carter, Jr., son of Thomas Carter Sr. (e, f)
Henry Carter, son of Thomas Carter Sr. (e, f)
John Carter, son of Thomas Carter Sr. (e, f)
Ann Carter, daughter of Thomas Carter Sr. (e, f)Jonathon Thatcher (e, f)
Ann Besor, from Bristol, bound for Virginia.[2]
The second hurdle was to determine whether Major Jasper Farmar died prior to the voyage, died en route, or died after arriving into Philadelphia.
Dies before the voyage? “When all arrangements had been made for the voyage Major Farmar died, when his widow, Mary and children… embarked on the ship Bristol Merchant, John Stephens, master, and arrived at Philadelphia November 10, 1685…”[3] If Major Jasper dies before the voyage, why is his name on the manifest list?
Dies before he arrives? “Major Farmar did not live to see his colony established as his death occurred just as the vessel came to port in Philadelphia…”[4] and “Some records state that Major Jaspar and his son Jaspar, Jr. both died on the voyage…”[5]
Dies after arriving? “Major Farmar arrived at Philadelphia, September 10, 1685, on board the Bristol Merchant, Captain John Stevens commander, with his family…”[6]
It is generally accepted, based on dates of Major Jasper Farmar’s will and the names on the manifest, that members of the family died en route and were buried at sea.
The third hurdle was determining the children referenced in the will of Major Jasper Farmar’s wife, Madame Farmar, dated 31 October 1686:
“In the name of God, Amen. I, Mary Farmar, widdow and relict of Major Jasper Farmar of Ireland, being weak in health but in perfect memory, blessed by God, doe make this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme followeing, that is to say, Imprimis, I give and bequeath my Soule into the hand of my God my Creator who give it me, and who alone is able to keepe it, and my body to be buried with or neare my children in this towne of Philadelphia…”[7]
Which of the children are buried in Philadelphia who preceded Madame Farmar in death? John Farmar witnessed the will which names Edward Farmar, Edward Batsford, Sarah Farmar, and Katherine (Batsford) Farmar (the widowed wife of Jasper Jr.); therefore, they all survived Madame Farmar. Administration on the estate of Madame Farmar’s other son, William Batsford, states he “died at sea without a Will coming from Ireland to this Province in the eighth month 1684” and was granted “in the second month (April) 1687” to “Edward Batsford, his brother.” It is inferred that William died during his trip in October 1684 on a separate ship as his name does not appear on the manifest of the Bristol Merchant. (reference Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.90.)
Cook states that “[Katherine, Robert, and Charles] were possibly deceased by 31 October 1686, the date of the will of Mary Farmar…”[8] Some accounts state that Katherine Farmar, the daughter of Major Jasper Farmar and Mary Gamble, died and was buried at sea with her father and her brother Jasper Jr. That no records exist for Katherine, Robert, and Charles, after 1685, it is accepted that they are the children referenced in Madame Farmar’s will.
The next hurdle was determining who remained in Pennsylvania. John Farmar is presumed to have returned to England where he married Mary Hayles in 1686 and had a son, John.
The last obstacle was determining if Richard Farmar had joined his family across the Atlantic, and if he did, whether he remained in Pennsylvania. Any evidence is circumstantial, but Richard may not have been on the Bristol Merchant. Only two cited resources have Richard making the voyage, whereas one resource states “[Major Jasper] also settled any financial obligations he may have felt necessary with his two grown sons, Richard and Samuel, who had elected not to make the voyage to America…”[9]
That Richard remains in Ireland is further supported by the last will and testament of Major Jasper Farmar dated 25 September 1685, with Richard’s inclusion on the same line as Samuel Farmar and Mary (Farmar) Webber (who also did not make the voyage).
“In the name of God, Amen. I, Major Jasper Farmer being weak in health but in perfect memory blessed be God doe make this my last Will and testament in manner and forme following that is to say, Imprimus. I give and bequeath my Soule into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body to be buryed wherever it shall please the Lord I dye… Item, I give and bequeath unto my sonns Richard Farmer and Samuel Farmer and my daughter Webber in Ireland tenn shillings a peece to bye them mourning rings, and to my sonn Jasper Farmer and daughter Web tenn shillings a peece to buy them rings…”[10]
Deposition: “Major Jasper Farmer to his son Richard Farmer. Be it remembered that Samuel Hunt of Philadelphia in the province of Pensilvania, being legally attested before me Humphrey Morrey, one of the justices of the peace of the County of Philadelphia, Deposeth and saith as followeth, that is to say. That he this Deponent, about the tenth day of September which was in the year 1685, saw a certain Deed from Major Jasper Farmer to Richard Farmer, of that date, sealed and executed by the said Major Farmar unto the said Richard Farmar for a certain ferme purchased by the said Major from one Sir Boyle Maynard, and upon delivery thereof this Deponent heard the said Major demand of Richard Farmar whether he was satisfied and whether he owed him anything. Whereunto the said Richard answered that the said Major owed him nothing upon any account whatever, or words to that effect. And this Deponent further saith that he, this Deponent, was desired by Major Jasper Farmar, since deceased to draw his the said Jasper’s last Will and Testament, dated the twenty fifth day of September 1685, which Will this Deponent drew according to his directions, and which said Will and Testament he the said Major Jasper Farmar, being of sound and perfect memory, at the same time did seal and execute and publish in this Deponent’s and Edward Farmar’s presence, who have subscribed their names as witnesses thereunto. In witness whereof the said Deponent hath hereunto set his hand the 8th day of the 5th month July 1687. (signed) Saml Hunt. Attested by and before me, the day and year aforesaid Humphrey Morrey.”[11]
The disposition of Samuel Hunt attests that on 10 September 1685, he personally saw Major Jasper and his son Richard agree to the settlement of the farm, and witnessed Major Jasper write his will on 25 September 1685. Samuel Hunt isn’t listed on the Bristol Merchant manifest,[12] and Samuel Farmar’s signature on the back of the will further proves the document was written before the family set sail, but still does not prove Richard stayed in Ireland.
“By deed of 23 April 1685, Richard Farmer of Arderrack, Co. Corke, Ireland, gent., conveyed to Thomas Webb of Racannon, Co. Limerick, gent., for £144,4 sterling money of England, his one-quarter part of 5,000 acres granted by patent and which by mutual consent of the patentees is to be divided by the Surveyor General resident in Pennsylvania, together with his share of such goods and servants as were carried over there…”[13]
“…That said Richard Farmer assigned unto said Thomas Webb for £144, 4, sterling money of England all his right and title in his said fourth part of the said 5,000 acres and his property of such goods and servants as were carried over by the said Jasper Farmer, Jr. when the Patent was granted…” [14]
Although most accounts chronologically state that Richard “soon” or “shortly after” sells his quarter share of the land during the probate of his father’s will, the date of the land deed implies that four months before the family departs for Pennsylvania, Richard deeded his share of the 5,000 acres along with his belongings already in America which arrived on his brother’s trip in 1682, to his brother-in-law Thomas Webb. If so, why would Richard make the voyage and leave behind his wife and four children under the age of nine?
[The other big question: Why did Thomas Webb sell his land to Madame Farmar?]
If Richard had arrived in America, he soon returned to Ireland based on a deed from 3 August 1687:
“John Barnes of Bristol Township, Philadelphia County conveyed to Edward Batsford of the town of Philadelphia, yeoman, for £225 a tract of 500 acres on Tacony Creek in Bristol Twp., subject to a mortgage to secure three bills of exchange for £140 drawn on Edward Boyle of Co. Cork, Ireland, Esq., reciting that “Whereas Mistris Catherine Farmer, relict and executrix of the deceased Jasper Farmer (Jr.) late of the Co. of Cork in the said Kingdom of Ireland, Gent., did also this day draw three bills of exchange containing 50 Pounds upon Richard Farmer of the Co. of Tipperary in the said Kingdom of Ireland, Gent., payable in three score days sight thereof unto the said Richard Barnes or his order,” the £190 money of England, being in current silver money of the said Province, £237,10.”[15]
Burke’s Landed Gentry states that Richard “was obliged to leave Ireland in 1689, and retired with his family to Taunton Deane, in Somersetshire. He returned to Ireland in 1691…”[16] His will is dated 01 January 1690 and was proved 28 March 1691, naming wife Elizabeth (daughter of Robert Phaire of Grange, County Cork), and children: Jasper, Robert, John and Elizabeth.[17]
It is presumed that the following is simply stating that Richard has died by 1767, as Edward was the last surviving son of Major Jasper, as it pertains to the ownership of the original 5,000 acres.
“At a Special Meeting at the Governors on Monday the 19th of October 1767: Peter Robeson agt Jno. Morris, On Caveat… Jasper the Son dyed and left his Share of the said Land to his wife Catharine who afterwards married one Billup. Richard also dyed Edward only survived…”[18]
Philip Farmer is the author and publisher of “Edward Farmar and the Sons of Whitemarsh,” a 500-page, 155-year biographical history of the Farmer family’s immigration from Ireland into Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, and Harlan County, Kentucky.
“Very well written and researched…”
Ms. L. King
“I love your work… Very interesting!“
Ms. B. H. Baker
[1] Sources:
a. Bean, Theodore W. History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1884), p.1139.
b. Mann, Charles S. “Fort Washington Historic Environs.” Historical Sketches: A Collection of Papers Prepared for the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, vol. 2 (1900), p.203.
c. Billopp, Charles Farmar. A History of Thomas and Anne Billopp Farmar, And Some of Their Descendants in America (1907), p.11-12.
d. Jordan, John W., Edgar Moore Green, & George T. Ettinger. Historic Homes and Institutions and Genealogical and Personal Memoirs of The Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, vol. 1 (1905), p.43.
e. Cook, Lewis D. “Farmar of Ardevalaine, County Tipperary, Ireland and of Whitemarsh, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.” The Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine, vol. 21, no. 2 (1959), p.90-91. Original citation “A Partial List of the Families Who Arrived at Philadelphia Between 1682 and 1687,” Philadelphia Magazine of History and Biography, vol. 8 (1884), p.336.
f. Ralston, Harold A. “Ship Passenger Lists, Scot and Irish.” Our Ralston and Belden Family Histories. 2007-2017. Retrieved 24 September 2018:
http://www.ralstongenealogy.com/sislist.htm#forty8
g. Yeakle, William A. “Whitemarsh.” Historical Sketches. A Collection of Papers Prepared for the Historical Society of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, vol. 1 (1895), p.18-19.
h. Baker, Jr., C.A. “Chapter 21, My Pennsylvania Ancestors, Part 1.” Baker Family Tree. 16 January 2009. Retrieved 15 March 2018:
http://bakerfamilytree.blogspot.com/2009/01/
“In late August of 1685, Jasper and Mary Farmar, six of their children including three children from his wife’s first marriage, plus his son Jasper and his wife and their three children, and his daughter (name unknown) and her husband, Thomas Webb, and their son, and at least twenty of their servants and their children boarded the ship “Bristol Merchant” in Ireland bound for Philadelphia. Also on board was Nicholas Scull, son of Jasper’s sister Alice, and his seven servants…”
[2] “Indentured Servants Basic Search Results” Virtual Jamestown. Retrieved 24 September 2018:
http://www.virtualjamestown.org/indentures/search_indentures.cgi?start_page=522&search_type=basic&db=bristol_ind&servant_ln=%
[3] Bean, History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1884), p.1139.
[4] Mann, “Fort Washington Historic Environs,” p.204.
[5] Billopp, A History of Thomas and Anne Billopp Farmar, p.12.
[6] Mann, “Fort Washington Historic Environs,” p.203. The date of 10 September 1685 is a misinterpretation of the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
[7] “Colonial Estates – Philadelphia, PA & Bucks County, PA,” Hobbs and Phillips Family Genealogy. Retrieved 29 April 2018:
http://www.angelfire.com/ga/hobbsphillips/colonialestates.html;
Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.93.
[8] Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.90-91.
[9] Baker, “Chapter 21, My Pennsylvania Ancestors, Part 1.” Note that Samuel will eventually immigrate to Virginia in March 1689.
[10] Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.93-94.
[11] Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.92. Recorded 9th day of 5th month 1687 in Philadelphia Letters of Attorney Book D-2-4, 166, now in Bureau of Land Records, Department of Internal Affairs, Harrisburg.
[12] “Samuel Hunt” is not on the manifest, but “Samuel Hall” is. Is it possible that Samuel Hunt was on the Bristol Merchant and that the surname is incorrect due to mistranslation?
[13] Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,”, p.91. Recorded 1st day 12th month 1685 in Deed Book E-l-5, p.156.
[14] Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.91-92. Acknowledged in Open Court 3rd day 12th month 1685 and recorded 10th day of 12th month 1685 in Deed Book E-l-5, p.174.
[15] Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.90. Recorded in Philadelphia Deed Book E-l-5, 542.
[16] Burke, Sir John Bernard. A Genealogical and Heraldic Dictionary of the Landed Gentry of Great Britain and Ireland (1858), p.368.
[17] Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.99.
[18] Cook, “Farmar of Ardevalaine,” p.92.
