The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1872-03-16
THE KIRK FAMILY.


The old Evolutionary story "of having
descended from three brothers" who came
from England, Ireland, or some other for
eign land, and settled in different localities,
is told and believed by many of the descend
ants of the first colonists of southeastern
Pennsylvania and Delaware.
In fact, this anc lent, stereotyped tradi-
ton, seems to attach itself to our old fam
lilies; and is related with an JUNCTION suffi-
Gent to make one, not cognizant Of the
uncertainties connected with genoalogy,
accept it as historical truth.
The Kirk Family, of Nottingham, being
among the oldest established in Pennsylva-
mia, does not lack in 'traditionary lore as
regards ancestry.
As a natural sequence we have the fol-
lowing
/. "The Kinks are all descended from
three brothers: Alphonsus, who came from
Ireland, and settled IN New Castle, Della
ware; Jacob, who settled on the rich lands
of the Conestoga, and Roger, who located
near the waters of North East Creek.
II. "The first who came to America was
Alphonsus Kirk, and from him descended
all of the name Of Kirk in this country"
After three years patient search and
inquiry, having access to many old docu-
ments of historical nature, we have arrived
at the conclusion that none of the above
statements have any foundation in fact.
Prior to the arrival of William Penn, and
for many years after this event, number
of persons of the name of Kirk, migrated
to this country, settled in different locali-
ties, and eventually became the founders
of numerous families. In all probability
they came from the same region of country
in the sold World " but to tell what rela-
ton they bore to each other, is at this late
day, matter of impossibility.
In our genealogical researches we have
succeeded in tracing our family back to
Roger Kirk, of East Nottingham; but no
farther.
Of him little is known, save what can be
learned in the different provisions of his
"last will and testament" Itappears that
he was among the pioneers Of Nottingham,
and, reasoning priort, are led to inter that
he migrated from the north of Ireland
He located in East Nottingham, Chester
county, Province of Pennsylvania, at least
as early as 1712, where, at different times,
he purchased large tracts of land, situated
on both sides, and extending for great
distance along North East Creek. BY
occupation he was weaver, and it would
seem that he carried on his business
together with farming.
He was married about the year 1741, to
Elizabeth Richards, of Aston, Of whom we
have the following account:
Among the early settlers ir Chichester
township now Delaware county, Ba.,
were Joseph Richards and his wife Jane,
who doubtless came from England.
Their children were Joseph, Nathaniel,
Ann, who married Anthony Weaver, and
Humphrey Scarlet, and Susanna, who mar
ried James Lownes, of Springfield. The
father died about the year ITO.
Nathaniel Richards was q blacksmith,
and settled in Asten township, where he
died in the year 1900, leaving a wife, Mary,
and four children: William, Nathaniel,
Elizabeth and Mary.
From the will of Richard Mason, of
Aston, who died in Ills, it would appear
that NathapieIs wife was his sister, and if
so, she was the daughter Of Richard Mason,
who died in 1914, leaving wife, Abigail,
and children, Thomas, Joseph, Benjamin
Abraham, Richard, Mary, Sarah, Hannah,
Elizabeth and Susanna.
After time Mary Richards married again
to one Thomas Rowland, of Aston, who
probably came from Cheshire, England
Being Friends, but the marriage not being
celebrated ia lie usual manner, they after
ward made an acknowledgment icr having
acted contrary to the advice Of the meeting
About the year 1907 they removed west
ward to William PENIS Manor, now New
Garden township, and settled in beauti
full valley, on a tract of 700 acres, which
they called Marberry." This land ex-
tended from the p,ese.:t village of tough
kennamon eastward to the line Of kennett
township. Thomas Rowland died in 150S,
nd without having obtained y deed for the
land, which. however, confirmed to the
widow within the same year. In 1712 she
purchased i3e acres Of adjoining land to
the eastward. The Philadelphia and Bal
timore Central Railroad now passes through
both of these tracts. In lTl3 Mary was
married to third husband, Evan Powell,
widower of Nottingham, who came to
live with her on her property in New Gar
den. William and Mary Richards, the CHI
dren of her first husband, probably died
young, while Nathaniel and Elizabeth, the
other t.o, accompanied their neither in her
removal from Aston.
Nathaniel married Margaret, daughter of
Allen Wiley, and Elizabeth became the wife
of Roger KIRK.
Nathaniel left three sons-William, Ma
thaniel and Isaac. His widow married
William Carpenter, an Englishmen, who
settled in New Garden. Thomas and Mary
Rowland had three daughters, viz: Mary,
who married Joshua Hadley, Ruth, who
married William Miller, and Rachel, who
married Thomas Wiley. BY her third hus-
band she had one daughter, Sarah Powell,
bern in 1714, who became the wife of Jos.
Dixon.
Mary Powell--the mother of Elizabeth
Kirk-died on the Eth Of I'd month March
1912, and her husband about tie year
1873.
The next mention Of Roger and Elizabeth
Kirk is in deei conveying part Of his
real estats to his Oldest son, Timothy
"This tn,ienlufe. MADE the 25th day q