The 17th century was a time of some dissatisfaction with the Church and its rigid authority in England . The Pilgrim Fathers fled to America in 1620 on the Mayflower. Quakerism rose as other groups sought free discussion and worship. George Fox (1624-1691) was a nonconformist religious reformer in England who preached that individuals had direct access to God and the right to interpret and discuss Scriptures without persecution. These “ Friends” refused to tithe to the state Church; honor the king; go to war or take oaths in court; and spoke out in concern for the disadvantaged. William Penn (1644-1718) helped create the colonies of West Jersey (1675) and PA (1682) noted for their toleration of minority religious groups.
My earliest known Woodward ancestor was Robert Woodward who settled in Chester County, PA in the 17th century, presumably for freedom of worship as a Quaker. Some Woodward family members in England fled after they were persecuted for maintaining their right to religious freedom.
Robert Woodward came to Chester Co, PA before 1687 where he was known as Robert of Rockland Manor.
Robert Woodward; his younger brother, Richard Woodward, Sr; their brother-in-law Thomas Eavenson, married to Elizabeth Woodward (previously married in England, to Hannah Woodward, dec’d, probably Elizabeth's sister), were believed all born in England. They arrived together in PA before 1687.
It is assumed these first settlers were affiliated with the Society of Friends (Quakers) although no documents exist to prove it. It is known their children were members of the Society of Friends and had responsibilities in church affairs.
The Woodwards, Eavensons, and Simcocks were all believed to be residents of Acton Parrish, Cheshire, England, before coming to America. Thomas Eavenson bought land from John Simcock, and for a time he and Elizabeth lived near her brothers in Chester Twp.
Brothers Richard Woodward and Robert Woodward, both had sons named Richard Woodward, both about the same age. Both lived in Chester Co, PA at about the same time. Fortunately, the two Richard Woodwards (son of Robert and son of Richard, Sr.) lived in slightly different areas of Chester County which helps in sorting them out. They also belonged to different Quaker meetings. Later Richard, son of Robert, lived in East Bradford and Richard, son of Richard, lived in West Bradford
On 3 June 1690, Robert Woodward, “being called to seave his Recognience. Accordingly he appeared and submitted himself.” He was named as defendant for speaking abusively against the magistrates and John Simcocks. John Simcocks purchased large parcels of land from William Penn in England to resell in the Colony of Pennsylvania. When the Quakers disagreed with a policy, it was not unusual for them to refuse to bow down and act submissive. However, on 3 June 1690, Robert came forth with the two who vowed for him and the case was closed.
The Woodward descendants intermarried with others of the same faith and our Woodward line continued to be Quakers for about 4 generations.
Records of the marriage for Robert Woodward’s son, Richard Woodward and Mary Nayle are recorded with Birmingham Monthly Meeting in Chester County in 1705.
Richard Woodward’s son John Woodward married first to Ann Pyle in 1729. He married twice more upon the deaths of his wives. Those marriages are recorded in Concord Monthly Meeting in Chester County.
John Woodward’s son, Richard Woodward, married Hannah Taylor in 1761 also recorded in concord Monthly Meeting in Chester County.
The 4 sons of Richard and Hannah Taylor Woodward (Joseph, John, Caleb and Joshua) and their sisters Ann and Elizabeth with husbands William Jeffries and Elias Jeffries, crossed over the mountains from Chester Co. and settled in Menallen Twp., Fayette County, PA near New Salem soon after the year 1800 according to early U.S. Federal Census Records.
The families worshipped at the Sandy Hill Meeting House between Uniontown and New Salem. A burial ground, behind the Meeting House, is the final resting place of many Woodward and Jeffries. Joseph Woodward Sr. and wife Hope Shotwell Woodward were buried here. Later, when the membership at their meeting house declined, most of the Woodwards became Presbyterians.
Richard and Hannah Taylor Woodward probably accompanied their 4 sons and 2 daughters and their families in the migration to Fayette County. Early Quakers did not believe in fancy stonework on their graves and many inscriptions on old tombstones are illegible today.
Richard Woodward made his will on 2 Dec 1815 in his home in Menallen Twp, Fayette Co, PA and died on the fourth day of the same month. It was uttered, handwritten and brought before the court on 11 Dec 1815. He asked for son Joe (Joseph Woodward Sr). He wanted to leave horse and $300.00 to Dick (grandson by son John). Because he was too young, Joe was to take care of it. Son John was to have his clothes and cloth in the chest. Son Joshua was to have pocketbook and chest. Hope is the wife of his son Joe (Joseph Sr). Joshua to have $10.00 and residue of property to be divided equally among the rest of children. Words witnessed by Joshua Rockwell, Braley Green and Elizabeth Jeffers. Registered and compared 11 Dec 1815.
Richard’s son, Joseph Woodward Sr was born in Chester Co, PA, 11 April 1766. He was married to Hope Shotwell, a Quaker and native of NJ. They had 8 children of whom Joseph Woodward Jr was the third, born Nov. 10, 1810.
Hope Shotwell Woodward was “condemned for marryiage out of unity” at the Friends Quaker Church meeting Redstone Monthly Meeting records show in Redstone Twp. of Fayette Co, PA. Joseph was not a Quaker and Hope was condemned shortly after her marriage to Joseph. He must have become a member as both he and Hope are buried at Sandy Hill behind the Meeting House.
Joseph Woodward Jr. married an Irish Protestant girl named Eleanor Buchanan who bore him 13 children and died at the age of 41. One of Joseph and Eleanor’s daughters was a twin, Sarah Woodward, my great grandmother. Joseph Sr. was a Presbyterian Elder In Cumberland Presbyterian Church for many years. Joseph and Eleanor are buried in Salem View Cemetery, across the street from the New Salem Presbyterian Church. Joseph married twice more, both to women named Sarah.
Sarah Woodward, with twin sister Elizabeth, was born on November 19, 1841 in Menallen Twp, Fayette Co, PA. Membership records of the New Salem Presbyterian Church (then Cumberland Presbyterian Church) show Sarah was examined and baptized as an adult at age 14 on March 14,1858. Robert M. Antram had been received by Examination Aug 19, 1856, baptized as an adult by J.T.A. Henderson.
William G. Antrim brought 4 leaves torn from the bible of his grandfather Caleb Antram showing the following record: Marriages--Robert M., son of Caleb & Nancy Antram, and Sarah Woodward were married February 6, 1862 by the Rev. Jesse Adams.
Eight children in all were born to Robert and Sarah Woodward Antram: Laura Belle, William, Caleb Ewing; Nellie; Joseph Woodward; Mary Elizabeth; Lewis Walter; and Ethel May.
Daughter Laura Belle Antram born in 1862 in Fayette Co, PA. She died in 1868 at age 6. Son Caleb Ewing Antram born 12 Feb 1865. Another son, William Antram born in May 1867 in Fayette Co, PA. but died the same year. Robert's sister Mary M. Antram, age 23, died in February 1868. This series of deaths may have prompted the move to IL.
Robert and Sarah moved to Grand Ridge, LaSalle Co, IL. with 4 year old son Caleb Ewing Antram, and took up residence on the Antram homestead which had been purchased by Robert’s Father, Caleb Antram in 1869. Five more children were born to Robert and Sarah Woodward Antram in IL.
The Antrams were instrumental in establishing the Cumberland Presbyterian. The Church was organized in 1870 in Grand Ridge. On May 22,1896, R.M. Antram went to Birmingham, Alabama where he represented the Cumberland Presbyterian Church at a convention to be held there. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was sold in June 1905 and most members united with the Farm Ridge Presbyterian Church. Among the Elder’s names were: Antrams, Woodwards, Boyds, Crumrines and Finleys who had all come from Fayette Co, PA.
Robert and Sarah Woodward Antram resided on the Antram homestead until 1912 when they moved into the village of Grand Ridge. They celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary on February 6, 1912, a week before Sarah’s death of cancer of the stomach. She is buried with her husband Robert, in Grand Rapids Cemetery, LaSalle Co, IL. in the family plot.
Credits:
Genealogy of the Woodward Family of Chester County, Pennsylvania with an appendix giving a brief account of the Woodwards of some other portions of the United States compiled by Lewis Woodward, M.D.
The Woodward Family of Chester County, Pennsylvania and Some of Their Descendants compiled by J. Gary Woodward
Descendants of Edward Woodward through children of Richard Woodward (born 1673 of E. Bradford) and Mary Nayle Woodward compiled by Glenellen Woodward
Joseph and Eleanor Buchanan Woodward compiled by Judge Charles Edgar Woodward
History of Fayette County Pennsylvania with Biographical Sketches of Many of Its Pioneers and Prominent Men by Franklin Ellis.
The Ancestors and Descendants of Davis Woodward (1806-1882) and his wife Mary Boyd (1810-1890) by Thompson Elwyn Woodward.
Encyclopedias of American Quaker Genealogy. William Wade Hinshaw, author and publisher.
Shared contributions of photos and documents from: Elizabeth Moyer, Jeffery Culbertson, Robert Heffelfinger, Marjorie King, June Kates.
For further sources, contact Linda Smith <LLSdarien@aol.com>
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