GEORGE   MARIS

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THE STORY AS I KNOW IT

George Maris was born in Worcestershire England.  It is repeated many times that he was born Dec. 2, 1632 .  In either one of two villages : Inkberrow in History of Delaware by George Smith written in 1862 on page 482.  A biographical sketch of John's father, George Maris,  and Grafton Flyford in The Maris Family in England by George and Annie M. Maris.  I have yet to find that documentation.  We do not know who his parents were.

Inkbarrow has a parish church, St. Peter's which dates from the 13th century. Grafton Flyford also has an ancient church.  The villages are less than 5 miles apart and both are east of the small city of Worcester.  Actually the exact wording that is on the web " George Maris born Dec. 2, 1632 Grafton Flyford, christened 1632 in Hadswell Parish, Inksborough."  I can find no reference to a Hadswell Parish.  Inkberrow, yes.  So my assumption is that George Maris was born in this area, and eventually connected to Inkborough and Grafton Flyford. 

However, I recently received a message from a member of the Stanley family who has lived in the area for at least 400 years.  She said Hadswell should be spelled Chadswell and was a part of the Inkberrow Parish mid 1600s. It is just east of Inkberrow.  Cladswell Home Farm was where her ancestor John Stanley lived and was visited by George Fox.  Chadswell is now the village of Cookhill, also known as Coles Hill.  Thank you Alison.

About 1658 George Maris wed Alice (maybe Welsmith) in Worchestershire. They had 6 known children. I'll give the dates as they are given in  noted above.  They are:
1.  Alice Maris, born 8, 17, 1660 wed Jacob Simcock
2.  George Maris, born 10,2, 1662 wed Jane Maddock, daughter of Henry Maddock
3.  Elizabeth Maris, born 2,3, 1665 wed John Mendenhall
4.  Ann Maris, born 6,18,1667 wed John Worrilow, son of Thomas Worrilow.
5.  John Maris, born 3, 21,1669 wed Susanna Lewis
6.  Richard Maris, born 9,20, 1672 wed Elizabeth Hayes, daughter of Jonathan and Ann Hayes

 Before or possibly after they were married, they became Quaker.  Prosecutions of Worcestershire Dissenters Under the Stuarts, page 377  state "In 1668....obtained from all parishes returns of meetings and people known unfavourably to the clergy." .....on page 378 " Grafton Flyford, heads, Henry Hanson, George Maris."

In 1683, George Maris brought his family to Pennsylvania and on the quaker date, 6th of the 3rd month, 1683 he presented a certificate "from the meeting at Hadswell, in the parish of Indborough wrocesterhsire"  Delaware County Notes by George Smith.   The History went on to say that they lived with Friends who had arrived the year before in Darby, Delaware County PA, but soon located a large tract of land in Springfield township, Chester County.  The family settled there and called it Home House.  

Jane Levis Carter, wrote The Paper Makers, tells the history of the Quakers who left the Midlands of England for the freedom of religion and potential along the Delaware River in Pennsylvania.  on page 16-17 there is a Map of Nether Providence & Springfield showing Early grants On this map is the land of George Maris, 400 acres, purchased from Robert Toomer on May 14, 1683.  It shows Home House being right on State Road.  the 400 acres stretched on both sides of the road and edged Darby Creek                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

There are a number of Chester County Deeds that involve George Maris:

1687, Book A, page 225
1693 Book A, page 146
1691, Book A, page 122
1699, Book A, page 227

I have not read the actual deeds, but found the references from  the Chester County Deed Index online.

George Maris was an active member of his Pennsylvania community:
     He served on the1686 1st Court of Equity, Chester County, The Paper Makers, by Jane Levis Carter, page 20.
     He was a Member of Assembly 8 times in 10 years
     He was a member of the provinical County 1695
     and a Minister in the Society of Friends,  These last 3 items are from The Maris Family and the Delaware County History.

Alice Maris died in 1,11 1699.  George Maris her husband died 11,15,1703.  The Delaware county History states that he was 73 years old.   It is very likely that the Quaker Library records at Swarthmore College could confirm the dates. According to Find A Grave, Alice and George Maris are both buried at Chester Meeting House.

RESEARCH QUESTIONS

If you know the answer please CONTACT US
        1. Where was he born and who were his parents?
        2. Where and when were he and Alice married?
        3. What was her birth name?
        4. Get documentation for all dates.

 

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Doc; gpmar030.html
Date created: 6/28/2014
Date edited 5/9/2018