Say....Dankbaar
Dr Truth
"The Vernon Family History, Descendants of Robert Vernon(1682)"
by John V and Laureen E Winterton
available from Higginson Book Company
and
"History of Vernon-sur-Seine... Giverny and Vicinity" by Michel de Decker
and
Andria L Fiegel's Vernons
The "Vernon Family" story begins back around 888-906 AD when the Vikings
under "Marching Rollo" invaded and conquered Normandy including the ancient
town of Vernon. The Town dates back to Gallo-Roman times and is located in
a beautiful valley on both sides of the Seine River, 30 some miles northwest
of Paris.
Rollo's son, William Longsword, became Duke of Normany in 925. The family
became very powerful and wealthy holding many large estates in Normandy.
Richard de Reviers, the first Vernon, was a good and loyal officer serving
the Duke of Normandy, William the Bastard, future William the Conqueror. He
was such a good and loyal officer, that in 1050 he was given the little town
of Vernon-sur-Seine as a reward. From then on, Richard de Reviers and all
his descendants to come, took the name of their town for their name. The
VERNON family was born. Richard de Reviers changed has name to Richard de
Vernon. Sixteen years later, William the Conqueror invaded England in 1066
at least two of his high ranking officers were Vernons. Richard de Vernon
definately took part in the invasion. Many others of the family also
accompanied him. For the service more great estates in Normandy and England
were granted to the Vernon family and its members were ranked among the
wealthiest and most powerful in both counties. Several members became
Barons and were Knighted.
Shortly following the Battle of Hastings the area round Chester County,
England became a Norman stronghold. William the
Conqueror awarded Chester to his nephew Hugh Lupus in 1070. Hugh
immediately appointed four great Barons, one of them being Sir Richard De
Vernon Baron De Shipbrook. He and his brother Sir Walter were both at the
Battle of Hastings. Their Father was Sir William De Vernon of Vernon castle
in Normandy.
Prior to the Norman Conquest there were no surnames used in England. Many
of the families coming from Normandy eventually changed their names to a
more Anglo-Saxon name. The Vernons, however, made no such change.
The Quaker Vernons descended from Sir Richard De Vernon, Baron De Shipbrook.
They were not only friends of the Quaker William Penn but related to him
through marriage. William Penn's father was owed a great deal of money by
the King of England and to settle that debt gave the area of Pennsylvania to
William Penn.
Thomas Vernon made the surveying voyage to Pennsylvania with William Penn in
1681 and returned later that year to England. He and his brothers were
among the first to obtain property in the newly acquired land. Land Titles
in Delaware County Records the Three Vernon Brothers purchase of 625 acres
each in March 1681. Randall Vernon purchased a further 829 acres in 1711
and 1712. Robert Vernon purchased a further 330 acres in 1684.
"The Three Quaker Brothers"
The three Quaker Brothers came to America, arriving on a Liverpool ship, the
"Friendship" Robert Crossman, Master, which is presumed to have arrived 14
August 1682 at Upland, Pennsylvania. It is recorded that he shipped the
following goods on "The Friendship of Liverpool": 1 fardel (parcel) qty 30
lbs. woolen cloth; 10 ells English linen; 1/4 cwt. wrought iron; 2 dozen
stockings for men.. The Friendship of Liverpool was one of the 24 known
ships that sailed from England, arriving December, 1681 through December,
1682 with passengers to establish William Penn's "Holy Experiment" in
Pennsylvania. These 24 ships made up "William Penn's Fleet", and descendants
of the passengers are eligible to become members of the "Welcome Society".
Descendants of both Randal and Thomas Vernon are already listed among
members. Their Father was James Vernon and their Mother was Esther or Hester
of Cheshire, England who probably lived in the neighborhood of Davenham,
between Northwich and Middlewick. She died April 1, 1675.
Thomas Vernon of "Stanithorne", near Middlewick, County Palatine, Chester
England was the eldest son. He had been persecuted for being a Quaker in
1678/9. He brought with him to America his wife, Elizabeth, and a son
Thomas, aged about 12 years. He settled near Upper Providence, PA., and
died Dec. 25, 1698, buried at Chester, PA. His widow died May 24, 1714.
The son, Thomas, married August 13, 1702 Lydia Rolf/Ralfe. He was born
about 1670 and died Nov. 4, 1754 or Apr. 11, 1754.
Randall Vernon of Sandivway, in the Parish of Weaverham, County Cheshire,
England, believed to be the second son, was born in England about 1640. He
married (being then the son of Maron) Sept. 14, 1670 at the home of Thomas
Vernon in the parish of Middlewick, Sarah Bradshaw of Stanithorne. Sarah
Bradshaw was probably related to John Bradshaw, who was appointed Premier of
England after Charles I was beheaded. She died Dec. 18, 1718/9. They
settled in Lower Providence Tsp., PA. Randall served as a member of the PA.
assembly in 1687 and was a Justice of the Peace in 1692. He died in 1734.
Robert Vernon of Stoke in the Parish of Aston, County Cheshire, England, the
third son, came with his wife, Elinor Minshall. daughter of John Minshall
oand their sons John and Jacob. Robert was born around 1642 and died in Jan
or Feb. 1709/10. His wife Elinor died July 24, 1720.
The Bropthers occupied the same house for sometime after settling in Nether
Procidence. Chester(now Delaware) county, PA. and a good deal of the
surrounding area. The each build large homes. Thomas Vernon's home was
destoyed a few years ago, however, the large two stoy stone house built by
Randall and Robert around 1690 are still in excellent repair and presently
occupied in the exclusive are of Rose Valley near Media, PA.
This was the beginning of the Vernon Family in America. During the next one
hundred years the Brothers prospered and their families grew and spread
throughout several states.
Other Vernon History Links:
Origin of Delaware Valley Quakers
Another Vernon History
Andria L Fiegel's Vernons
History of Quakers in Pennsylvania