I will start once again with more data.
"Thomas Cooper, master, for Pa. and VA. Aug. 25. William Cloude: 4 cwt.
wrought iron; 3 pieces Qty. 120 yds. English Linen; cwt. lead shot; 3 doz
bodices; 150 made garments; 1 1/2 cwt. brass and copper manufactured; 1/2
cwt. pewter; 3 samll saddles; 3 pieces english fustians; (what are
fustians? abc) 2 cwt. nails; 6 doz irish stockings."
William Cloud's (1620 - 1702) land was laid out on the south side of
Naaman's Creek in Chester Co., Pa. (John Bethell was also in Chester Co.,
Pa. abc) Part of this land was later found to be in Rockland Manor,
Brandywine Hundred, New Castle Co., De. This disputed land, located in
Northern De. about six miles north of what is now Wilmington, De., was taxed
by both Chester Co., Pa. and New Castle Co., De. for a time Deeds are
recorded in New Castle Co., De.
The Rockland Manor lands were set off in 1682 by William Penn and settled
largely byi his friends. These Cloud Lands are still distinguished by the
(NOTE) Chester - Bethel Methodist Church at 2615 Foulk Rd., Formerly
Cloud's Chapel, (has anyone been there? abc) Naaman's Creek was named for
an Indian Chief and was used here as a dueling ground, especially by
Philadelphians who could cross the state line easily to evade Pa. law
officers.
William Cloud was apparently preceded to America by his son Joseph. Joseph
Cloud had come in as a servant to John Bezer who loaded goods on the Bristol
factor in Oct. of 1681. William Cloud with his children came to America in
the later part of 1682 or early in 1683. (Thius need to be compiled better
or condensed somehow). In 1691 William Cloud conveyed 200 acres to Joseph
and John Cloud; three years later Joseph conveyed his rights to "His
brother John Cloud." Olther brothers who presumably came with the father
were William, Jr., Jeremiah, and Robert Cloud. Chester Court Records, 255 -
326; Smith, Deeelaware Co., 453. Jacob Willis was probably on the Unicorn,
also. He claimed he had come "into the country at the first settling of it"
as servant to William Cloud.
William Cloud (1620 - 1702) does not appear to have settled upon his New
Castle Co. land as he lived in Concord Twp., Chester Co., Pa. He belonged
to the Chichester Friends Meetings and doubtless frequentlyi attended there,
though he does not seem to have taken an active part in the meeting affairs.
He was a contributor toward the erection of the meeting house and the cost
of the graveyard, about 1685.
William Cloud presented the following petition to the Provincial Council on
Jan. 25, 16;89, in the council room, post Meridian, The following
isWilliam Clouds Petition
William Cloud: HIs petition was read sitting forth his being taxed for the
levies of one and the same tract of land in both the county of New Casle and
the county of Chester, the tract of land was laid out as in the county of
Chester and was part of five hundred acres he bought in England of the
proprietor. Ordered that the secretary write a letter in the name of the
governor and council, to the justices of the county of New Castle, to
inquire into that matter and certify to the governor and council the gounds
of thir having interrupted him, as is therein expressed. If it so proved,
with what conveniet speed they could and in the meantime to suspend levying
the payment complained of till further order."
On Sept 4, 1689 are the following further minutes in this matter; "A
petition was likewise exhibited to this board from Walton Rawson, setting
forth that he was distressed upon by Cornelius Empson, for county rates, in
the county of New Castle, wheras his lands lay in the county of Chester,
where he had always till then been rated payed. It was ordered, that he
continue to pay in the county of Chester until the two counties shall have
the moors of the said counties otherwise determined. And that the justices
of New Castle do order the restoring of Distress taken by Cornelius Empson."
Alike petition was exhibited from William Cloud, upon like cause of Distress
and it was ordered in his behalf as in Walto Rawon's.
William Cloud is mentioned at the Chichester monthly meetings in 1690 at
Concord Twp., Chester Co., Pa. The Chichester meeting was held at Marcus
Hook, now in Delaware Co., Pa.
The following extracts are taken from the minutes of the board of property
of the province of Pa.: Vol XIX, edition 1893
Philadelphia Dec. 13, 1691 - 2 : Pg. 85 Wi8lliam Cloud, of Chester Co.,
purchased of 500 acres of land, and the same being laid out to him on
Naaman's Creek, of which he hath given to his son Jeremiah 100 acres,
therefore desires a patent for that 100 acres, that he may confirm the
sameto his son, himself being unwilling yet to take a patent for the whole
500 acres before ressssssurvey be made therof, there being supposed to be
more than what it was laid out for, which was granted.
Philadelphia Dec. 4, 1701: Pg. 195 Jacob Willis having formerly proved
in the secretary office that he came a servant into this country at the
first settling of it to William Cloud, requests a warrant for 50 acres of
head land as is his right. Whis is granted in case it appear in the said
office. Philadelphia Dec. 11, 1701: page 267: The proprietary having by
deeds of lease and release, dated Sept. 8 - 9, 1681, sold to William Cloud
500 acres of land. The said William upon his arrival in 1682settled on a
tract joining on the south of Naaman's Creek, which falling afterwards in
the county of New Castle, Manor of Rocklands, he has been obliged to pay a
bushell of wheat per 100 acres quit rent, and he has no security of said
land because not within the bounds of the province. Requests therefore that
his rent may be settled according to his purchase and the land be secured to
him, or that if he must pay the said rent that 500 acres be laid out to him
elsewhere in pursuance of his said purchase. Ordered that a warrant of
resurvey be granted on the said land and a patent on the return paying for
the overplus if any, and that the said William, on the back of the above
mentioned release to the property for the within granted 500 acres upon
which the rent to be fixed at one shilling sterling, per 100 acres.
Signed a warrant of resurvey to William Cloud on 500 acres. Ordered today.
I know that this maybe getting boring to some of you but to others it is
something that they would like to have, therefore please bear with me a
little bit and then I will get into the family charts. abc
After William Cloud's (1620 - 1702) death in 1702, the land went to his son
Jeremiah, who had been appointed earlier to take over the estate. The will
of Pioneer William Cloud, dated Julyi 20, 1700, was proved Aug. 25, 1702.
It is on file at the register of Wills, room 182, City Hall, Philadelphia,
Pa. In Will Book B., page 244. Will send it in next posting.
BEth