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