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Ancestors of Lindsay Kaye McCann


Generation No. 12


      2560. Robert Hodgson, born 1621 in Linton, York, England; died Abt. 1690 in Pennsylvania. He was the son of 5120. William Hodgson II and 5121. Isabelle Stockdale. He married 2561. Betteryce Hewett Abt. 1644 in Linton, York, England.

      2561. Betteryce Hewett, born Abt. 1625; died WFT Est. 1647-1728.

Notes for Robert Hodgson:
[Brøderbund WFT Vol. 2, Ed. 1, Tree #2634, Date of Import: 29 Jun 1999]

This appears to have been written around 1926. It was obtained from James Gregg Hodgin July 4, 1995. It was in an envelope addressed to Mrs. H.E. Cas Stevens from R. K. Stanley and the envelope dated around Sept. 1954.

I have attemped to keep it in it's original form, spelling errors and all.
Keith G. Hodgin Jr.

In many instances some of our Hodgin ancestors were reported singular. To many minds this defect fails to contain enough merit to warrant their approval, from the fact that nothing is more true than that a Christian principle is expected to be singular with respect to the corruptions of the world. If it were my priviledge to characterize some of the singular traits of character belonging to the 18th and l9th century Hodgins, the first would be that they believed that the Bible was the best gift which God has ever given to men, for all the good from the Saviour of the world was communicated to them through this Book. And believing that all man were created free and equal in the sight of God, their heads refused to bow to earthly monarchs. Their religious creed and their political creed was embodied into one. They believed that it was the duty, of men, as well as the duty of nations, to own their dependence, recognizing God as the over-ruling power of all.

If history has been true to us, not one of the name has been cared for inside of the public charitable institutions.

The first one of the name to dwell in the prison halls in America occurred in 1657, on account of his religious beliefs. From that till the dawning of the 20th century no prison walls were erected for his posterity.

During this span of time his decendants were closely associated with the founders and builders of religious assemblies, scattered over the region from Maine and Canada on the north to the Gulf States on the south, and from the cities and ports on the Atlantic to the cities and ports on the Pacific. So with churches and with all nations the character of their founders is a source of pride. To investigate the rise, and to trace the progress of a church that has written four of its fundamental principles into the Constitution of our Government, demonstrates the wisdom and the fore thought of the founders and defenders of the Friends Church in America. During its early history it has been the theater of more barbarous affairs involving human liberty than any other church in the history of civilized man.

The wonderful spreading of Christianity in the 17th and 18th centuries first was scattered among our people through the agency of humble, unlearned pioneers. Some of these master minds were outcasts from the institutions of learning in their mother country on account of their religious belief. The history of their influence in America is the history of our libertys, our civilization, and progress.

The point I am attempting to make is to show the character of the founders of the Hodgin family in America whose name was Robert Hodgson. He was a minister of the Gospel and liken to George Fox. His ministry was begun in his youthful days. Likewise, under the trammels of law and priestly dictation, he experienced the extremes of entire freedom of conscience on the one hand and the cruel religious persecutions on the other. Robert Hodgson was one of George Fox's Missionary band who came to America in "Robert Fowler's" vessel, landing at New Amsterdam (now Yew York City) in 1657, while Peter Stuyvesant was the Dutch governor of the province of New Netherlands -- 269 years ago.

The first notice that we find respecting Robert Hodgson occurs in 1655 while on a Gospel mission in Berkshire. In that course of which he was imprisoned at Reading for refusing to take the oath of allegiance when tendered to him by the Mayor, before whom he was brought for ministering to the peoples. In the following year he again visited Reading, and as on the former occasion, he was again taken before a magistrate who sent him to jail for not taking off his hat when in his presence and for not having, as is stated, a certificate of his travel.

Of the place of his birth and residence it is difficult to speak with certainty, but the probabilities are that it was near Skipton in Yorkshire. It matters very little what immediate spot may have been the birth place. of such a man as Robert Hodgson -- his fame is eternity, and his residence creation. In all his ministrations, under every species of insult, he most perfectly illustrated the precepts and principles of the religion he taught.

The next account respecting Robert Hodgson is given by Robert Fowler who crossed the Atlantic with ten ministers in his own vessel, called the "Woodhouse". Three of these gospel messengers were boys, two were men, and five were women, and were the first of whom we have any account that visited New Netherlands. During this voyage many incidents of an interesting character occurred, some of which are without parallel in the annals of which are detailed descriptive account penned by Robert Fowler himself. A manuscript copy of these, endorsed by George Fox,., is still preserved among the Archives of the Society in the city of London.

The English Government, not being in sympathy with passage of these Friends to America, denied Robert Fowler protection on the high seas. And to prevent the voyage he was deprived of his servants on board of ship. George Fox, being an instrument in the hands of a higher power than the English Government, encouraged the voyage and gave them, assurance that the wisdom of Him whose ways are above human comprehension would be their guide and protector on the open seas.

On the first day of the Fourth month, 1657 this little band of Gospel messengers sailed from the city of London in a very small vessel without servants on board of ship and without sympathy, so far as the English Government was concerned. Passing out through the English Channel to the open sea, regarding neither latitude nor longitude, 60 days were spent on the pathless ocean, guided by the hand of Providence to this western wilderness in search of freedom of conscience and the liberty to worship without the trammels of law and priestly dictation.

In the evening of the last day of' the Fifth month they discovered land and, while engaged in prayer and thanksgiving , the power of the Lord fell with such force that his voice was irresistable to certain members, saying that the seed in America shall be as the sand of the sea.

On the first day of the Sixth month, 1657, as their boat was approaching land it was caught in an ocean currect caused by the rising tide and forced into port over rock, through a dangerous passage between two strips of land known as Hell Gate, where boats were unknown to pass.

Being just two months from the time of their leaving London, they landed safely at New Amsterdam (now New York City). The day of arrival being First day, Robert Hodgson with Robert Fowler paid a religious visit to Peter Stuyvesant, the Dutch governor. His was moderate "both in word and actions" remarks the visitors. His friendly disposition towards these Friends on their landing was, however, but of short duration.

Robert Hodgson, with other ministers, visited the settlers on Long Island who were mostly English. They proceeded first to Gravesend where their testimony was received and from thence passed to Jamaica where they were received with gladness, and next to Hamstead where also they met with settlers who welcomed them to their homes and rejoiced in the spread of those living truths which were preached among them.

On the First day after Robert Hodgson arrived at Hamstead he appointed a Meeting to be held in an orchard, to which the inhabitants were invited. There lived in the town an Englishman who was a magistrate under the Dutch Government and who, having heard of the intended Meeting, sent an officer to arrest Robert Hodgson. The officer arrived at the place of Meeting before the appointed time where he found his victim alone, walking the orchard in quiet meditation. Robert Hodgson was immediately seized and carried before the magistrate who kept him prisoner in his house; and while the magistrate went to his worship in the fore-part of the day, many people stayed and heard Robert preach. The magistrate, on his return finding that his house had answered the purpose of a chapel, wrote a mittimus for the removal of Robert to another house. The change, however, did not prevent the people from visiting him. In the latter part of the day many came to the prison to hear him preach and those that had been his enemies, after they had heard the truth, confessed to it.

There resided at Hamstead another magistrate who disapproved of the course adopted by his colleague towards the stranger, a feeling in which most of the respectable inhabitants of the town also participated. But the persecuting magistrate, taking counsel of the baser sort, committed Robert Hodgson to prison and then set off for New Amsterdam to inform the governor of what had taken place. The proceeding met with the approval of Stuyvesant who determining to proceed with vigor in the suppression of the Quaker heresy, forewith dispatched the Sheriff and jailer with a guard of twelve musketeers to bring the prisoner and those who had entertained him to New Amsterdam. On the arrival of these at Hamstead Robert Hodgson was searched and his Bible, papers, and some other articles being taken from him, he was pinioned in a barbarous manner and so kept until the following day. During this interval the officers were busy in searching for those who had entertained the stranger, and on this ground two hospitable women were arrested. On the following day preparations were made for conveying the arrested parties to New Amsterdam. The two women were placed in a cart, to the hinder part of which they fastened Robert Hodgson in his pinioned condition. The distance they had to travel was nearly thirty miles over bad roads and through the woods. The journey, which was performed mostly during the night, was a very painful one to the prisoners and especially to Robert Hodgson who was much bruised and torn.

Having reached their destination, the two women were imprisoned, but the period of their detention was short. The punishment of Robert Hodgson, however, was one of great severity. Being loosed from the cart he was led by the jailer to one of the dungeons of the city, a place full of vermin and mud. On the following day he was brought before the court for examinations, an English Captain officiating as interpreter. But of the nature of the examination or what passed occasion we are uninformed. He was brought up the next day when the sentence of the court was read to him in their own language, and afterwards thus interpreted to him: "It is the General's pleasure, seeing you have behaved yourself thus, that you are to work two years at a wheelbarrow with a negro or pay or cause to be paid 600 guilders". Robert Hodgson, conscious of his innocency and that he had committed no breach of the laws of Holland, attempted to make his defense against the cruel decision. Stuyvesant, however, would not suffer him to speak, but remanded him to the wretched dungeon with orders that none of his countrymen should be allowed to visit him. In a few days he was again brought out when a paper in the Dutch language was read to him. Of the nature of its contents he was ignorant, but the Dutch people who heard it shook their heads in token disapproval and sympathized with the the sufferer. After a further imprisonment of several days he was again brought out, and, having been chained to a wheelbarrow, was commanded to work on some repairs of the city walls which were then going forward. He felt restrained from recognizing the dictation of his persecutors and declined to obey. Excited at the unexpected refusal, the authorities, in order to reduce him to submission, directed a lusty crabbed negro slave to beat him with a tarred rope. The negro, obedient to the order of his masters, commenced the cruel task and continued it until Robert Hodgson, faint from suffering, fell to the ground. The beating, severe as it had been, was not severe enough to satisfy the sheriff who superintended the affair. At his bidding the suffer was raised and the negro commanded to renew his work. After an infliction of about one hundred blows the prisoner fainted a second time. Having failed in their attempts to force him to work, the officers conducted him to the governor to complain of his obstinacy. The governor resided at the Forst and here Robert Hodgson was left the whole day. Towards noon the heat of the sun became oppressive, when, being unsheltered from its rays and having for some time had but little food and also oppressed with his lacerated condition, he again fainted.

On the following day he again commanded to work, but, steadfast to his convictions, he still refused. During these sufferings his mind, he observes, was staid upon the Lord and he was sweetly refreshed and strengthened by His living power.

Having been closely confined in the dungeon for about a week, Robert Hodgson had to endure sufferings of a still more barbarous description. The hard-hearted Stuyvesant--by some of the settlers in milder tone called hard-headed--unrelenting towards the victim of his displeasure, now ordered him to be stripped to the waist, to be hung up by the hands with weights attached to his feet, and, thus suspended, to be beaten severely with rods. The sentence was executed with great cruelty, after which he was again led to his miserable abode and for two days and nights kept without food.

"Afterwards" remarks the sufferer, "they took me forth again and asked me if I would pay the fine. But I told them I could not". The command to work was then repeated, and, continuing to refuse, he was a second time suspended by the hands and cruelly beaten. Being greatly exhausted by his sufferings, Robert Hodgson solicited that some of the English inhabitants of the city might be allowed to visit him. His request having been granted, he was soon visited by a Christian woman who gave the needful attentions to his wounds and administered to his wants; but his body was so torn and his strength so reduced that she expected death in another day would terminate all his sufferings. The tender hearted woman, on her return homes informed her husband of Robert Hodgson's critical state. It excited his commiseration, and in his anxiety for the recovery of the sufferer, he immediately offered the authorities a fat ox to be allowed to remove him from the dungeon to his own dwelling where he might receive proper attention and have those comforts of which his miserable abode was destitute. The offer of the humane settler being communicated to Stuyvesant, this mercenary governor refused to allow the removal of the prisoner unless the fine were paid of six hundred guilders. The sufferings of Robert Hodgson had excited the sumpathy of many others in New Amsterdam, both Dutch and English, and on the refusal of the Governor to accept the ransom, a number of them came forward and offered to raise the amount requisite to obtain his release. He, however. did not feel easy to accept his liberation on this principle, and in a belief that the Lord would heal him and that strength would be given him to labour for his sustenance during his imprisonment, he declined the kind offer of the citizens. He now rapidly recovered and in a few days was sufficiently strong to works.

The cruelties to which Robert Hodgson had been subjected caused no small degree of excitement in New Netherlands. The colony had been famed for its religious toleration, and emigrants from different regions had sought it as a land where freedom of conscience was especially recognized. It soon became known that the persecution of Friends was mainly attributable to the malevolent whispers of Captain Willett, of Massachusetts, who received very intelligible intimations from the colonists of their dissatisfaction with his conduct. Willett, anxious to regain the esteem which he had so justly forfeited, now petitioned the governor for Robert Hodgson's release. A sister of Stuyvesant, whose sympathies were enlisted on behalf of the sufferer, also exerted her influence for his liberation. The aversion of the colonists to religious persecution, together with the entreaties of Willett and the governor's sisters obtained the object, and thus, without paying any portion of the fine.

Robert Hodgson was again at liberty to pursue his Gospel labours. His discharge took place about the middle of the Seventh month, 1657. Soon after his release from the dungeon at New Amsterdam he proceeded to New England and towards the close of 1658 he appears to have joined with other Friends in a visit to the West India Islands, from whence he sailed to Virginia. For about ten years from this date he appears to have been occupied in the service of his Lord in the colonies of North America, his return having taken place in 1669.

After remaining in England about two years and a half, he embarked a second time for the shores of America, and five years later we find him engaged on Rhode Island, this being the latest account which we have been able to find respecting him until an elapse of another five years. During this interval William Penn obtained a grant from the Crown of England for the state of Pennsylvania. In addition to this grant, he obtained from the Duke of York a free gift of a portion of the territory belonging to the Province of New York, now known as Delaware, and inhabited at that time by Swedish and Dutch settlers. This district was then called the territories of Pennsylvania.

On becoming the sole proprietor of Pennsylvania, William Penn,. for the information of his friends, published a description of the territorial province as being a place where an Abraham, Isaac an Jacob would be well contented, and offered lands at forty shillings per hundred acres to those who were inclined to emigrate.

Here we are informed that Robert Hodgson removed from Long Island in 1682 and procured a grant from William Penn of ten square miles on Sassafras River. He had a son, John, who had two sons, Robert and George. Of the history of Robert we know but little, though we have some intimations that he may have been a sea captain.

About the year 1750 it was known to many Friends in New England and Pennsylvania that the province of North Carolina was another place where an Abraham, Issac, and Jacob would be well contented. George Hodgson and family, animated with a desire to improve living conditions, parted with friends, kinsmen, and native soil in hope of finding greater opportunities in North Carolina. Winding their way over hill and dale and through pathless forests they reached a spot about half way between where the city of Greensboro now stands and the Friends church called Centre. This beautiful region amid babbling brooks and sparkling spring-heads was a land of June, abounding with every natural resource essential to the happiness of man. Apart from the roaring winds of the northern winters they saw opportunities that no other place on earth affords. With a promise richer than any other their fancy could picture' a pre-emption claim on 640 acres of land
was quickly bounded with newly made stakes, then called Anson County in the province of North Carolina. Obedient to the laws of the Royal Government his entry claim to this homestead was placed on file July 31, 1753. (Then called Rowan County). His title was issued in 1761. In the midst of charming beauties around this home, he enjoyed the free gifts of nature in three different locations, His death occurred in Guilford County in 1774.

Covering a space of 170 years volumnes of history could have been written about the decendants of our ancestors that were given birth on this sacred spot, and still the true story of their influence, advancing civilization, and progress would remain untold.

Being surrounded with the blessings of all things natural, their opportunities could not be equaled for spreading abroad that noble cause for which their ancestors had suffered in the dungeons of Doubting Castle. In those primitive days quakerism decended from father to son and they undertook nothing in which they did not beg of the Lord to prosper.

In the year 1753 our Pilgrim Fathers assembled in a log cabin there on the eastern slope of this old church yard and there united with the founders and builders of Centre Friends Church, one among the oldest Quaker churches in Guilford County. For many, years this log cabin was the cradle in which this infant church was rocked, whose influence has been felt throughout the nation. The great principles laid down in their discipline there proved to be the germ of American liberty. Today we find four of their fundamental principles written into the Constitution of our government. To commemorate and perpetuate the name of a Friends Church established in 1687 in New Jersey, this place was called Centre.

No doubt but this primitive church building was devoid of the furnishings that we see in our modern church buildings of today, but the one thing prominent, and so lasting in that little church building on the brow of the hill was God. He was their King, their elders were magistrates and their code of laws were the first five Books of the Bible, called the Pentateuch.

George Hodgson, who first settled in North Carolina, married a Mary Thatcher, To this union 6 children were born, four boys and two girls: John, George, Robert, Joseph, Sarah, and Susanna. Sarah married John Hiatt and Susanna married William Hiatt. Like a venerable fathers his four sons were comfortably settled around him. John married Mary Mills and they raised five children; four boys and one girl. George married Rachel Oldham and they raised ten children; four boys and six girls. Robert married Sarah Mills and they raised thirteen children; seven boys and six girls. Joseph carried Hannah Williams and they raised a whole audience; eight boys and seven girls, making in number forty-three Hodgsons to welcome the beginning of the 19th century.

To evidence their belief in the Bibles, whenever a new born babe was to be named the Bible was consulted and a suitable name selected and the name of many distinguished Bible characters have been written in the Hodgin family; ranging from Jacob and Joshua to David and Solomon.

In the beginning of the 19th century, long before steamboats came into use or were known, and before railroads were constructed, a large percent of these forty-three Hodgins Here among the first to meet the perils of the overland journey into the regions of the far northwest. Blazing their way across mountains rivers, and trackless forest, among merciless savages without protection or guides. They lived in every condition from the dugout and shack on the wide plains, and wild mountains to halls of wealth and pride--everywhere active, earnest, ambitious, and successful, giving tone, strength, and honor to all social, civil, and religious institutions with which they were connected. No doubt but the wonderful adaptability they possessed by growing up in the climate of North Carolina gave them advantages over people of other states and made them the equals of
any race on earth.

In the beginning of the 20th century their decendants could be found in most every state in the union, filling positions from village cobbler to the Author of the Steel Square. From a tribal heritage the Hodgins have been wonderful trail blazers and they seldom come home except to visit.

     
Children of Robert Hodgson and Betteryce Hewett are:
  1280 i.   Robert Hodgson II, born 1660 in Doncaster, York, England/Doncaster, England; died 1732 in Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married Sara Hodgson Abt. 1692.
  ii.   Susan Hodgson, born 1645; died 1646.
  iii.   George Fox Hodgson
  iv.   Henry Hodgson
  v.   Mark Hodgson
  vi.   Mary Hodgson
  vii.   Rachel Hodgson
  viii.   Matilda Hodgson
  ix.   Phineas Hodgson
  x.   Alexander Hodgson


      2564. Richard Thatcher IV, born 1645 in Uffington, Berkshire, England - Vale of White Horse; died Abt. 1722 in Thornbury, (Chester) Delaware Co., PA. He was the son of 5128. Richard Thatcher III and 5129. Helen Joan Ashwell. He married 2565. Jane Stevens 24 April 1667 in Reading & Marlboro Mtg, Uffington, Berkshire, England/Reading, England.

      2565. Jane Stevens, born Abt. 1646 in Uffington, Berkshire, England; died Aft. 1700 in Birmingham, Chester Co., Pennsylvania. She was the daughter of 5130. John Stevens.

Notes for Richard Thatcher IV:
In 1682 Richard Thatcher purchased 1000 acrea of land from William Penn Esq. in Bucks Co Pa (Penn Archives Ser 2, Vol 19, page 367

Richard from Uffington Berkshire England to Bucks Co Pa Ship list --

     
Children of Richard Thatcher and Jane Stevens are:
  1282 i.   Jonathan W. Thatcher, born 15 December 1667 in Uffington, Berkshire, England; died November 1751 in Birmingham, Chester Co., Pennsylvania; married Hannah Dicks December 1699 in Birmingham, Chester Co., Pennsylvania.
  ii.   Jane Thatcher, born 17 October 1670 in Uffington, England - Vale of White Horse/England; died 17 February 1755 in Birmingham, Chester Co.. PA; married William Brinton 09 October 1690; born 12 August 1670 in Worcester, England; died October 1751 in Birmingham, Chester co.. PA./Chester Co., PA.
  iii.   Richard Thatcher V, born Abt. 1676; died WFT Est. 1677-1766.


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