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Messages - jhurst15

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Hertfordshire / Re: HOW Family of Watford
« on: Saturday 04 July 15 15:10 BST (UK)  »
Hello, Phil.  Thank you for the speedy reply.  I had looked at your family records in Abbots Langley, hoping the Thomas who was baptized March 1682 was our Thomas.  However, your 6 great grandfather Thomas lived too long to fit the story in Rev. Muhlenberg's journals (Thomas' father was supposed to have died when Thomas was young, which triggered his move to London and his eventual journey across the ocean to America).  What was your 5th great grandfather's name?  I saw a William and possibly a Michael in the Abbots Langley records as possible sons of Thomas.  Thank you for the background information on the Hows in Hertfordshire and Bedford.  The possible connection with William Penn is a surprise!  William Penn was associated with our Thomas How's in-laws, the OpdenGraefs.  He influenced a lot of people in Krefeld, Germany (then part of Holland), to convert to Quakerism and come to Pennsylvania, and, as you probably know, he was instrumental in their acquisition of land there.  Does your family tree go back even further?  Do you know your 7th or 8th great grandfather's names?   We are almost certainly distant cousins--7th, 8th or more.  If you have any suggestions whatever for pinning down Thomas' parents, let me know (I'm guessing you would have shared it if you did).  Meanwhile, what you have told me is a big help.  Jackie (Howe) Hurst

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Hertfordshire / Re: HOW Family of Watford
« on: Friday 03 July 15 03:33 BST (UK)  »
Hello!  I am researching a Thomas How, born in or around Watford in April 1681, raised in Watford till his father died, at which time he was taken in by family in London, educated, and trained as a tailor.  He crossed the Atlantic at age 17 or 18, ending up in Germantown in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he married a Dutch woman, Margret OpdenGraef, daughter of master weaver Abraham OpdenGraef.  Thomas is the immigrant-progenitor whose last name we bear, and I would love to find his ancestors in England!  Unfortunately, I do not have his parents' names (other than last name How).  Any information or ideas?  The facts above, taken from the published journals of Thomas' pastor in Pennsylvania, are almost certain to be accurate.  The Internet data bases I have checked (Familysearch.Org, Ancestry.Com, Findmypast) and the microfilms I have sifted through have not helped me locate him.  There are lots of Thomas Hows born around that time in that area of England, but none match my information.  First names for this family (based on names of Thomas' sons), other than Thomas, are William, Samuel, Edward, John, and possibly Joseph or Abraham (though Abraham most likely came from Thomas' father-in-law, Abraham OpdenGraef).  I'm hoping someone knows something that'll help me.  It's a long shot, but I thought I'd give it a try!   

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