Thomas Powell

Thomas Powell, Gentleman (c1640 - 8 Dec 1714) is said to have been born in Holt, Denbighshire, Wales. [Note: This is a simulated portrait of Thomas. This is not an actual lithograph.]

Thomas is said to have married a Jane Handley. A Thomas Powell married a Jane Handley of Woolstanwood in Nantwich Parish, Cheshire, England on 1 Jan 1679, according to Nantwich Parish records. The marriage license was applied for on 10 Dec 1678, according to the same record. If this is the same Thomas, he may not have joined with the Quakers, at least openly, until after he and Jane were married. That said, the timing of this particular marriage does not match the infromation provided by other researchers.

If the above mentioned marriage is correct, it is likely that Thomas Powell (b. 17 May 1680) and Sarah Powell (b. 28 Feb 1682) of Woolstanwood were the children of Thomas and Jane. The Nantwich Parish records indicate that the father of Thomas and Sarah was a Thomas Powell.

In 1679, Thomas Powell and possibly his brother a Joseph Powell were fined 20 pounds each, along with 20 other Quakers, for not attending their parish churches. At the time, Thomas resided in Rudheath Lordship, Cheshire, England, all according to "Cheshire notes and queries." Rudheath is just 27 miles northeast of Holt, so it is plausible that he was born in Holt. It was this persecution that led Thomas to purchase land from William Penn in order to take his family to America. [Note: Joseph may have been a Joseph Powell of Acton, which is located near Nantwich.]

Thomas arrived in America on 14 Aug 1682 on the ship "Friendship," captained by Robert Crossman out of Liverpool. During this long trans-Atlantic journey, his son Thomas Jr. died on 17 May 1682 and was thus buried at sea, according to "Early Church Records of Delaware County, Pennsylvania" by John Pitts Launey.

In Mar 1681, before journeying to America, 180 acres south of the Robinson land in Upper Providence, Chester Co., PA was surveyed to Thomas, according to the "History of Delaware County" by Henry Ashmead. On 22 Mar 1682, Thomas had purchased two lots of land from William Penn, 250 and 500 acres respectively, according to "Annals of Pennsylvania, from the Discovery of the Delaware" by Samuel Hazard. At that time William Penn was selling land at a bout 40 shillings per hundred acres, so Thomas Powell would have paid 15 pounds sterling for this land. [Note: A skilled craftsman during the late 1600s only made about 40 pounds a year.] In 1683, Philadelphia lots were drawn up and distributed based on how much land a person purchased. Thomas Powell was given back lots given that his land purchases were under 1000 acres; lot #5 in the back lots on the Delaware River side and lot #110 on the Schuykill River side of Philadelphia, according to "Digest of the Ordinances of the Corporation of the City of Philadelphia ." Also according to Hazard's book, on 19 Jul 1682, in the drawing of Philadelphia city lots, Thomas received plat #27 on Second St, plat #48 on Broad St, plat #16 on Fourth St, and plat #49 on Back St.

Philadelphia, 1683 (Thomas Powell land highlighted in enlargement.)

Thomas Powell 180 acres in Providence.

While Thomas' status in England is not yet known, in America his status was pobably that of a yeoman, or rather a prosperous farmer who held freehold or copyhold land. Given the wealth of yeoman, their children could enter the ranks of the lesser gentry through marriage to gentry families, by going to university, or through military service. That said his will listed him as a gentleman, while his sons in their wills were listed as yeoman according to "Wills of Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1713-1748" by Jacob Martin, Joseph Martin.

[Side Note: On 5 Feb 1688, Thomas subscribed to the position of not selling or trading alcohol to the indians, according to the above mentioned book by John Pitts Launey.]

On 2 Jul 1690, Thomas donated an acre of land to Peter Taylor and Randall Maylin in the behalf of several others to be used as a "Friends" cemetery, which is now known as the "Sandy Bank" graveyard located in Upper Providence, according to "History of Delaware County, Pennsylvania" by George Smith. In the same year, Thomas donated 2 pounds 10 shillings toward the building of a meeting house in Chester. However, on 2 Nov 1692, the meeting of friends declared that Randall Vernon and Randall Meallen should go and return to Thomas his money that he lent toward building the meeting house and for the land, most likely because of Thomas' departure to the schism of the Society of Keithians or Keithites, Quakers who followed the teachings of George Keith.

George Keith held his meetings at the home of Thomas Powell in Providence. Thomas was baptized into the Keithian division by Thomas Martin in 1697, according to "History of Chester County, Pa with Genealogical & Biographical Sketches" by John Smith Futhey, Gilbert Cope. Over a dispute about when the Sabbath should be, Thomas and his family, along wiht George Keith himself, left the Keithians and joined the Episcopal Church. As of 1703, George Keith was still holding meetings, but now as an Episcopalian, at the home of Thomas Powell, all according to Ashmead's book.

Thomas Powell's Last Will and Testament:

This the fourth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & fourteen I Thomas Powell, Senr. of Upper Providence in Chester Co and Province of Pensilvania. Gentleman being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye. Do make and ordain this my last will and Testament(That is to say) principally & first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to ye earth to be buried in a Christian like & decent maner at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at ye Generall Resurrection I shall receive ye same again by ye mighty power of God and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give Devise & dispose ye same in ye following maner and form.

IMPRIMIS I give & bequeath unto the Church that is for the use of ye Church at Chester four Lotts of ground lying in James's Street over against the Church, they all joyn togeather. Item. I give & bequeath unto Anna my dearly beloved wife one half of my estate both real & personall during her life. Item. I leave my three sons John, Joseph & Thomas twelve pence a piece and no more. item. I leave to my son John Powell's children there being four sons of them Viz. Joseph Powell, John Powell, Jur. Thomas Powell & Benjamin Powell forty pounds, to each of them ten pounds a piece. Also I give & Bequeath to my son John Powell's two daughters Mary & Margaret Powell five pounds a piece. item. I leave to my son Thomas, after the decease of my wife Anna Powell the other half of my estate both personall & Recall it also my will & Testament. That ye above mentioned Legacies be paid within a twelve month & a day after my Departure in current money of the provinceof Pensylvania. Item. I leave Anna my dearly beloved wife and son John Powell Excecutors of this my last will & Testament and I do here by utterly disallow revoke and disannull all & every other former Testaments wills & Bequethed Ratifying & confirming this and no other to be my last will & Testament. In witness wherof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the Day & year above written.

Signed Sealed published pronounced & Delcared by the said Thomas Powell as his last will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers; the word(Powell's) being interlined before signed and sealed.

John Humphreys Thomas Weston Joseph Elly

In 1714, Reverand Ross of St. Paul's Episcopal Church commended Thomas for his willed donation of lands that would be used for a "minister's house, garden and other conveniences," according to "Country Clergy of Pennsylvania" by Samuel Fitch Hotchkin.

John Powell

John Powell, yeoman (bef 1665 - 15 Jul 1734) was born in Cheshire, England and was the first son of Thomas Powell. John emigrated with his father Thomas on 14 Aug 1682 on the ship "Friendship," captained by Robert Crossman out of Liverpool, England, according to the ship's passenger list. [Note: This is a simulated portrait of John. This is not an actual painting.]

In about 1689, John married his neighbor who emigrated to America with him at the same time on the "Friendship," Elizabeth Taylor, daughter to William Taylor and Margaret Finsham, in Providence, Chester Co., PA. They had the following children:

1. Joseph Powell (c1690 - Aug 1752)
2. John Powell (c1692)
3. Thomas Powell (c1694)
4. Benjamin Powell (c1696)
5. Mary Powell (c1698)
6. Margaret Powell

John and Elizabeth raised their children on their farm in Nether Providence. His holdings included land from his father's original purchase from William Penn, given to John by his father through a deed of gift on May 25, 1703.

As Keithite or Keithian Quakers, followers of George Keith, both John and Elizabeth were baptized at Ridley Creek on 27 Sep 1697. They separated from the group after a dispute on which day should be the Sabbath, the Powell family choosing Sunday. In 1702, they became members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. John and Elizabeth left the Episcopal church and on June 14, 1715, the Brandywine Baptist Church was constituted at the house of John Powell. Fifteen people were present including John, his wife Elizabeth, his sonJoseph and his wife Joan, and Mary Powell wife of John's brother Joseph.

John's following will was written on on 19 Aug 1727 and it was proved 15 Jul 1734 in Nether Providence:

To son Joseph 5 shillings. To son Thomas 5 shillings. To daughter Mary and Margaret 5 shillings each. To granddaughter Sarah Powell a box iron and haters. To all the rest of my grandchildren a pocket bible. To each of the children of brother Joseph a New Testament. To Susanna daughter of brother Thomas a New Testament. To each of the children of brother in law Samuel Robinett a New Testament. To Owen Thomas, baptist minister in or near New Garden 3 pounds and to the baptist congregation at Birmingham 3 pounds. To wife Elizabeth all lands and remainder to moveables also executrix.

Witnesses: John Beckingham, Francis Pullan, Jer. Colle.

St. Paul's Episcopal Church, c1702

Joseph Powell

Joseph Powell (c1690 - Aug 1752) was born in Providence, Chester CO., PA and was the first of the six known children of John Powell and Elizabeth Taylor. [Note: This is a simulated portrait of Joseph. This is not an actual painting.]

Joseph married a Joan Miles, daughter of Richard Miles and Sarah Evans, in Radnor Twp., Chester Co. They had the following children:

1. Edward Powell (c1713)
2. Sarah Powell (c1716)
3. David Powell (c1717 - 16 Mar 1769)
4. John Powell (c1720)

Joseph and his wife were among the 15 original members of the Brandywine Baptist Church organized at Joseph's father's house on 14 Jun 1715, according to "Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Delaware County, Pennsylvania" by Winfield Scott Garner, Samuel T. Wiley.

According to tax records, Joseph lived in Ridley Twp, Chester Co. from at least 1715-1726. At least part of Joseph's land in Ridley Twp. was 184 acres bounded by Crum Creek and the lands of Richard Crosby, Samueal Carpenter, Jacob Simcock, according to "Publications of the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania" by Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania. On 22 Feb 1734, Joseph purchased 266 acres in East Fallowfield Twp, Chester Co. from William Penn's sons, according to "Thomas Powell in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1682" by Dawn Powell Cartwright. The 266 acres were surveyed on 12 Oct 1734, and it was this land that Joseph gave to his son David in 1739.

A mortage, dated 17 Dec 1745, shows Joseph sold 1/3 of the 150 acres left by to him by his mother, to John Sharpless,Jr. This mortage showed his grandfather Thomas Powell's original purchase from William Penn, indicatinf the land of Nether Providence "conveyed by said Thomas Powell to John Powell the father of said Joseph Powell. The mortage also mentions
Elizabeth Powell's will "John Powell, his son" and his sister Margaret Davis and her husband John Davis of Tredyffin. Also, the selling of 22 acres to John Edge and the sale made by Jospeh Powell and John Powell, his son to John Sharpless, Jr. Chester Co., PA., according to "Land Warrants 1733-1858 (East Fallowfield landsurvey)."

Joseph Powell's following will was written on 2 May 1752 in Nether Providence and proved on 15 Aug 1752, according to "Abstracts of the Wills of Chester County, Pennsylvania" by Joseph Martin, Jacob Martin. [Note: His will indicated that he was a wheelwright.] The inventory was filed 20 Aug 1752. So it is likely that Joseph died in July or August of 1752:

To sons Edward and David 5 shillings each. To son John all wearing apparel, remainder to wife Katherine.

Executors: Wife and John Sharpless.
Wit: Abraham Ashton, John Day, Joseph Vernon

David Powell

David Powell (c1717 - 16 Mar 1769) was born in Nether Providence, Chester Co., PA, the second son and third child of the known nine children of Joseph Powell and Joan Miles. [Note: This is a simulated portrait of David. This is not an actual painting.]

David married Elizabeth Chalfant, daughter to Henry Chalfont and Elizabeth Chandler of England, on 24 Oct 1739. They had the following children:

1. Joseph Powell (c1740)
2. David Powell (c1743)
3. James Powell (c1745)
4. Isaac Powell (c1749)
5. Elizabeth Powell (c1752)
6. Nathan Powell (5 Nov 1754 - 13 May 1831)
7. Benjamin Powell (c1757)
8. Abigail Powell (22 Feb 1760 - 3 May 1842)
9. Sarah Powell (c1761)

David and Elizabeth Powell lived on the 266 acres in East Fallowfield, which David's father had deeded him the year that they were married. He is shown as a taxpayer from 1739 to 1768.

In 1746, David and Elizabeth were baptized into the Brandywine Baptist Church in Chester Co., near Chadds Ford, the location that his sons would engage the British at the Battle of Brandywine over thirty years later. After his baptism, David served in the church as a deacon and chorister.

David died in East Fallowfield Twp, Chester Co. in 1769, and his children who were still minors chose their uncle Henry Chalfant to be their guardian. Elizabeth was appointed administor of David's estate and petitioned the courts to divide the 266 acres. She was granted 88.5 acres and their eldest son received 32+ acres; while the other nine children were awarded 16+ acres each. The five youngest Powell boys, who moved toWashington Co., PA., sold their acreage (80.5+) to their older brothers. The 1787 tax records show sons Joseph and David with 133 acres each, all according to "Thomas Powell in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1682" by Dawn Powell Cartwright.

Brandywine Baptist Church

Isaac Powell

Isaac Powell (1749 - Mar 1819) was the third son and fifth of the known 10 children of David Powell and Elizabeth Chalfont, according to "History of the Powell, Bailey, Troutman, and allied families" by Jehu Z. Powell. Isaac was born in East Fallowfield Township, Chester Co., PA. [Note: This is a simulated portrait of Isaac. This is not an actual painting of Isaac.]

On 3 Jan 1771, Isaac married Hannah Baily, daughter of Thomas Baily and Sarah Bentley in Old Swede's Church, in Wilmington, DE, according to "Genealogy of the Baily family of Bromham, Wiltshire, England" by Gilbert Cope. They had the following children:

1. Ellis Powell (18 Aug 1775 - 1 May 1849)

2. John Powell (1777)

3. Silas Powell (c1778)

4. Isaac Powell (c1780)

5. Joseph Powell (c1784)

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Revolutionary War Years

During the Revolutionary War, Isaac, along with his brothers was a private the Chester Co. Militia, according to the Pennsylvania Archives. [Note: His brother Nathan was the rank of ensign.]

Maxwell's Position at Battle of Brandywine.

The Chester Co. Militia fought at the Battle of Brandywine on 11 Sep 1777. Two hundred men from Isaac's 8th Battalion under Colonel Bell were attached to General William Maxwell's Corps of Light Infantry, part of General Washington's advance forces, and were tasked to provide reconnaisance for the American forces, given that the men of the Chester Co. Militia were very familiar with the territory, although they lacked military training. [Note: Maxwell's forces were posted west of Brandywine Creek toward Kennett Square.] Their lack of training was apparent, as records suggest that many militiamen were wandering around aimlessly the morning of the battle, all according to "The Philadelphia Campaign: Brandywine and the fall of Philadelphia" by Thomas J. McGuire. During the battle, Maxwell's troops were engaged by the advanced forces British General Howe.

It is yet uncertain whether or not Isaac participated in the Battle of Brandywine, but he was listed as being in service in May of 1778 under Captain Bezaleel Bentley. Captain Bentley commanded the 3rd Company, out of East Fallowfield Twp., of the 8th Battalion of the PA Militia under Colonel Patterson Bell. Captain Morras took command of this company in 1779, and then in 1780 the men of East Fallowfield became the 2nd Company of the 8th Battalion, under Captain Robert Morell and Lt. Colonel Matthew Boyd respectively, all according to the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. Isaac and brothers Nathan and Benjamin, however, were not listed in the 1780 rolls and may have already gone to Washington Co., PA.

The Powell brothers were subsequently listed on the Washington Co. Militia rolls. They were part of Captain Benjamin White's Company (Fallowfield Township) under the Washington Co. Militia's 5th Battalion under Colonel Thomas Crooks. Natahn Powell was Captain White's lieutenant, and Benjamin Powell was the ensign, while Isaac was a private in class number six, according to USGenWeb archives. [Note: The class indicated the rotation order for when designated individuals were required to show up for their two months of active duty. So, Isaac's duty fell within the sixth rotation.] Isaac's class included Henry Dixon, Robert Reilley, John Adams, Amos White, James McCormick, Jacob White, and Isaac Darnold; so he would have been well acquainted with them. Since this list was undated, this may have represented the militia after the war.

On 18 May 1782, Isaac's brother Nathan was a co-signer to a letter to Brigadier General Irvine, where Captain White appealed to him for seven-nine men to guard the mill of Alexander Wells, according to "Washington-Irvine Correspondence" by Consul Willshire Butterfield, George Washington, William Irvine. The seventh and eighth classes were summoned to duty on 27 Jun 1782, so it is possible that Isaac was on duty from Apr - May 1782, when the letter was sent, according to Pennsylvania Archives.

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Shortly after the death of Hannah in 1790, Isaac remarried to Elizabeth Hutton on 3 Jan 1791 in Washington Co., according to "Thomas Powell in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1682" by Dawn Powell Cartwright. That said, their marriage was listed, on the same date, in Monongalia Co., (W)VA, according to Monongalia marriages on microfiche. Isaac and Elizabeth had the following children together:

1. Amos Powell (c1791)

2. Abigail Powell (12 Jul 1792 - 23 May 1861)

3. Sarah Powell (c1794)

4. Chalfant Powell (c1796)

5. Hannah Powell (c1799)

6. Elizabeth Powell (c1801)

7. Mary "Polly" Powell (c1803)

8. Rebecca Powell (c1805)

9. James Powell (c1807 - 1846)

10. Levi Jefferson Powell (c1809)

11. Bushrod Washington Powell (c1812)

Sometime between 1805 and 1808, Isaac Powell was among petitioners who were worried that the relocation of the old road, leading from near Laurel Run Bridge to intersect the new location and road leading from Selby's Bottom toward the mouth of Booth's Creek, would no longer afford their farms an outlet. The petitioners were successful in getting the plan annulled, all according to "Monongalia County, (West) Virginia Records of the District, Superior & County
Courts Vol. 6 1805-1808" by Melba Pender Zinn.

Isaac probably died in Mar or or Apr 1819 and was laid to rest in the Powell Family Cemetery at his farm, north of Smithtown in the Clinton District of Monongalia Co., (W)VA. [Note: The cemetery is located off of Opekiska Ridge Rd.] Isaac's will was either drawn up or declared in Mar 1819, and the inventory of Isaac's estate was taken on 20 Mar 1819. [Note: Inventories usually were done within 30 days of death, unless a will was contested.] The bill of sale of his estate occurred on 4 Jun 1819. Isaac's will mentioned the following as devisees (beneficiaries): his sons - John, Silas, Ellis, Isaac, Joseph, Amos, Levi, Bushrod, Chalfant, and James; daughters - Abigail West, Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth, Polly, and Rebecca; wife Elizabeth; and others, all according to West Virginia Estate Settlements.

Old Swede's Church

Powell Farm Cemetery General Location.

James Powell

James Powell (c1807 - 1846) was the third son and ninth of 11 known children of Isaac Powell and Isaac's second wife Elizabeth Hutton. James also had at least five half-siblings from Isaac's first wife Hannah Baily. James was born in Chester County, PA, probably in East Fallowfield Township. [Note: This is not an actual picture of James. This is a simulated photo based on his son James G. Powell.]

James married Susannah B. Thorn, daughter of Joshua Thorn and Nancy Ann Lanham, on 21 Oct 1832, according to Marriage Bond Records Monongalia County (West) Virginia 1796-1850 by Mrs. Owen Crickford. James and Susanah had the following chldren:

1. Eugenius Powell (1834)
2. Francis Marion Powell (1835)
3. Nancy Powell (1837)
4. James G. Powell (9 Dec 1838 - 31 Dec 1924)
5. Sylvester Powell (Jun 1841)
6. Greenwood W. Powell (6 Sep 1843 - 29 Oct 1920)

James died in 1846 when he fell through a mill. This may have been by accident, but there was some speculation that he had been murdered, all according to his great granddaughter June Powell.

James G. Powell

James G. Powell (9 Dec 1838 - 31 Dec 1924) was the third son and fourth of the known children of James Powell and Susanah B. Thorn. He was born in either Monongalia or Marion County, West Virginia. His family had moved to the Catawba area of Marion Co. sometime between the birth of his older sister Nancy in 1837 and before the 1840 census.

On 14 Jul 1860, at the age of 21, James married Elizabeth Selinda Summers, daughter of Elisha Summers and Martha Elizabeth Steele of Marion Co., who was two months away from her 16th birthday, according to "A genealogy of the descendants of James Steele and his wife Mary" by Donley M. Steele . They had the following children:

1. Alleta Ella Powell (1861)
2. Sandford J. Powell (1867)
3. Rebecca Lina Powell (7 Dec 1868 - 17 Sep 1950)
4. Permelia O. Powell (11 Jan 1871 - 12 Aug 1954)
5. Jerry E. Powell (19 Jun 1872 - 1944)
6. Eugenius W. Powell (13 Jan 1873)
7. William Edgar Powell (7 Jul 1875 - 11 Jul 1952)
8. Susana B. Powell (9 Jan 1878 - 28 Dec 1954)
9. Nancy J. Powell (Jun 1880 - 1939)
10. Idella Mae Powell (10 Aug 1883 - 19 Jan 1957 )
11. James Logan Powell (31 May 1886 - 23 Jul 1939)

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Civil War Years
A year after their marriage, James and Elizabeth had had their first child, Alletta, before being separated for three years while James served the Union in the Civil War, based on Elizabeth's obituary. James enlisted in Company C of the 6th West Virginia Infantry, which was organized on 1 Aug 1861, with his brothers Eugenius and Sylvester and cousins George and Elias Summers , according to Civil War military records.

The WV 6th Infantry, under Colonel Nathan Wilkinson, was first charged with gaurding the Baltimore & Ohio railroad lines that ran through West Virginia. As of 10 Jan 1863, Co. C under Captain Thomas A. Maulsby was the artillery wing of Colonel Robert Bruce's Third Brigade under Brigadier General Benjamin F. Kelly's Railroad Division of Major General Robert C. Schenck's Eigth Army Corps Middle Department, according to "The War of Rebellion" by the United States War Department. As of 31 Jan 1863 the battery was in Colonel B.F. Smith's brigade stationed in Martinsburg, WV. Co. C in March 1863 became Battery F, a six gun light artillery unit, remaining under the command of Captain Maulsby. On 26 April 1863, the battery moved to New Creek and then stopped in Berryville on 31 May 1863 on its way back to Martinsburg, WV.

Maulsby's battery lost four of its six of its six pound guns on 14 Jun 1863 during the retreat of Union troops to Harper's Ferry, after an engagement with Confederates in Martinsburg, all according to "Loyal West Virginia from 1861 t0 1865" by Theodore F. Lang. Apparently, the Confederates had better placed artillery and the Union troops were more exposed to enemy fire, according to "Appalachian Ohio and the Civil War, 1862-1863" by Susan G. Hall. George W. Graham took command of the battery after Maulsby was wounded during the battle at Martinsburg.

After the defeat at Martinsburg, the battery was charged with gaurding the supply lines to Washington, from July - Dec 1863. The battery moved back and forth between Clarksburg, New Creek, and Maryland Heights. As of 31 Jan 1864, the battery was part of Colonel Nathan Wilkinson's Third Brigade under Colonel James A. Mulligan's Second Division under Brigadier General Benjamin F. Kelley. Battery F was engaged in the Second Battle of Kernstown on 24 Jul 1864.
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James moved his family quite a bit moving to Ritchie Co., WV in 1876; to Taylor Co., WV in 1880; back to Marion Co. in 1887; and then again to Ritchie Co. in Dec 1891, according to Elizabeth's obituary. According to their respective death certificates, daughters Rebecca and Idella were born in Preston Co., WV in 1868 and 1883 respectively, so the family was most likely living in Preston Co. during those years.

James and Elizabeth were apparently religious, joining the M.P. Church in Marion Co. in 1861, and an United Brethren church in Ritchie Co. in Feb 1893 as it was the closest church to their home, all according to Elizabeth's obituary.

In 1895, two years after the death of his wife Elizabeth, James married his second wife, Mary A. Wolf, according to Ritchie Co. marriage records.

James died of old age (86) in Harrisville, Ritchie Co. on the last day of 1924, according to his death certificate. He was laid to rest in Harrisville on 3 Jan 1925.

James G. Powell and wife Elizabeth.

William Edgar Powell

Now that I laid out the possible lineage of our Haywood, Harrison County, WV Powells, I will now work backwards, starting with William Edgar Powell, to try to make a strong connection with the Powells of Horsley. That way I can start out with solid information that has plenty of verifiable sources. Ultimately, it may require DNA evidence to make a solid connection between the two Powell families, but until then perhaps I will be able to uncover some circumstantial evidence.

William Edgar Powell (7 Jul 1875 - 11 Jul 1952) was the fourth son and seventh of the 11 known children of James G. Powell and Elizabeth Selinda Summers. William was born in the Clay District of Ritchie County, WV. [Note: According to his grandson J. Powell, he went by the name Ed, which is corroborated by some census records and "The History of Haywood" by Hannah Vincent Morris that listed him by his middle name Edgar.] J. Powell indicated that based on the way William would speak of his mother, it was obvious that he and his mother were very close. William would tell his grandson J. Powell of how his mother Elizabeth always worried about her boys and would ring her hands, every time she would hear a gun shot at the saloon, until they all made it back home.

William married Frances Rhuhamie Collins on 22 Dec 1895 in Ritchie Co. William and Frances had the following children:

1. Avon Regina Powell (1 Aug 1894 - 21 Jan 1967)
2. Salinda May Powell (31 Oct 1896 - 28 Feb 1970)
3. Starling Clarence Powell (1 Apr 1898 - 24 Apr 1962)
4. Raymond Edgar Powell (17 Jan 1900 - 4 Nov 1978)
5. June Myrtle Powell (15 Mar 1902 - 2004)
6. Lawrence Everett Powell (9 Feb 1904 - 13 Mar 1965
7. Maud Verdelia Powell (15 Oct 1906 - 29 Mar 1989)
8. Paul Leonard Powell (25 Feb 1908 - 12 Dec 1988)
9. Ernest Lemore Powell (25 May 1912 - 16 Feb 1969)

In 1900, according to census records, William was living with his family in the Murphy District of Ritchie Co., working as a tanner. By 1910, William was living with his family in the Haywoord home that his children lived in up until the mid to late 1990s, where he worked as a miner in the local coal mines, also based on census records. According to the "History of Haywood," which William's daughter contributed to, their home in Haywood, when it was still just a two room home, was used as a barber shop. There was no indication of who the barber may have been.

By 1930, William may have given up the coal mines, as he was listed as a general farmer in the census. According to his grandson J. Powell, one crop William planted was broom corn and they would clean off the seeds before taking it to a Mr. Hendershot who had a broom machine. They would gather old broom sticks with worn out brooms to make into new ones, and would they would split the brooms, which would sell for 50 cents a piece, with Mr. Hendershot. William made a half bushel measure out of chestnut, for measuring the corn and broom corn seed, according to J. Powell.

According to J. Powell, William taught himself to read by reading comic books, his favorite being Hopalong Cassidy (William called it "Hopalong Casey"), which was first published in 1943. William could write his name, but J. Powell wasn't sure how much more he could write. However, also according to J. Powell, William was a wiz at doing math in his head, and when the would play double 12 dominoes, which uses 91 tiles, William would always know the score of the board.

On 11 Jul 1952, William's daughter June asked J. Powell if he had seen his grandpa William, as he hadn't come home for lunch. She asked J. Powell to go look for him, so he started at Aunt Rose's, then went to Ruby Brown's (who was somehow related). J.Powell's brother and cousin Ronnie joined him in the search, looking at every "little patch," which is what William called his little gardens. It was at one of these patches that they found their grandfather dead, where he had been working. William's son Raymond recounted this story to the coroner. The coroner stated that William's death was due to acute coronary heart disease. William was laid to rest two days later in the Shinnston Masonic Cemetery in Shinnston, Harrison Co., WV, according to William's death certificate.

William Edgar Powell, c1891

Haywood Powell home after additions.

Howel ap David ap Gruffydd Fychan

Our Powell family is said to have originated with Hywel ap Dafydd ap Gruffydd (Howel ap David ap Gruffydd Fychan) of Talwrn in Burton (Mortyn and Llai), who descended from Dafydd Hen ap Goronwy and thus Sandde Hardd, Lord of Burton. Hywel inherited Horsley Hall (Plas yn Horsli) by marriage to Margaret, daughter of Ieuan Llwyd ap Gruffydd ap Dafydd Fychan (descended of Einion ap Ithel) of Trefalun. Margaret's mother Anghara was daughter to Ieuan ap Dafydd ap Madog ap Dafydd Hen of Burton (descended of Sandde Hardd), from whom she inherited Horsley Hall.


The shield of Iorwerth Fychan ap Dafydd Hen ap Goronwy of Mortyn and Llai. Sable, three roses argent, seeded or.



















The shield of Sandde Hardd inherited by Dafydd Hen ap Goronwy of Mortyn and Llai. Vert, seme of broomslips, and a lion rampant or.














The shield that Caradog Hardd bore through his second wife, Angharad daughter of Brochwael ap Y Moelwyn of Llwydiarth in Mon. Argent, two foxes countersalient, the dexter surmounted by the siniste, gules.















The Possible Paternal Lineage of William Edgar Powell in Welsh tradition:

William Edgar ap James G. ap James ap Isaac ap David ap Joseph ap John ap Thomas ap John ap John ap John ap John ap Hywel ap Dafydd Fychan ap Gruffydd Fychan ap Madog ap Iorwerth Fychan ap Iorwerth ap Dafydd Hen (Lord of Mortyn and Llai) ap Goronwy (Lord of Mortyn and Llai) ap Iowerth (Lord of Mortyn and Llai) ap Hywel (Lord of Mortyn and Llai) ap Moreiddig ap Sandde Hardd (Lord of Mortyn and Llai) ap Caradog Hardd (Lord of Tref Fodavon in Mon) ap Gwrydr ap Maelog Ddu ap Cwnws Ddu ap Cillyn Ynad ap Peredur Teirnoedd ap Meilir Eryr Gwyr y Gorsedd ap Tydai ap Tudredd ap Gwylfyw ap Marchudd ap Bran ap Pill ap Cynfyr ap Meilir Meiliorn ap Gwron ap Cunedda Wledig (King of Cumberland)

Family Crest and Shield of Thomas Powell, Esq

Thomas Powell, Esq. - 1629
of Horsley, co Denbigh, and ChesterArms: Quarterly of nine1 Sable, three roses Argent, a crescent for cadency [Powell of Horsley; Cunedda Wledig]2 Azure, a lion rampant Or [Cadwgan Ap Bleddyn Ap Cynfin]3 Azure, a fess between three horses' heads erased Argent [Rhys Ap Mardram]4 Azure, a lion statant guardant Or [llewelyn Aur Dorchog]5 Ermine, a lion rampant Azure [Eliden Ap Rhys Sais]6 Gules, three chevronels Argent [Jestin Ap Gurgan]7 Vert, a lion rampant Or [Sandde Hardd]8 Or, six annulets Sable, 3,2,1 [Lowther]9 Argent, a chevron Sable between three rooks [Cornish choughs] proper [Worsley]

Crest - A bear's head Argent issuant from a crest-coronet Or, in front of the head two broken spears in saltire, a crescent for cadency.

Thomas Powell, Esq - 1629
The Shield is: Sable, an Escutcheon between Three Roses Argent

The Crest is: A Demi Savage Holding a Club Proper

A Thomas Powell was knighted as Sir Thomas Powell of Horsley in 1591