James Family Archives
• Researching the Past
• Education for the Present
• Preservation for the Future
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Children of Margaret James (-
1. Thamer James Miles: born October 21, 1687 in Radnor Township, Chester (now Delaware) County, Pennsylvania; reported to be the first white child born in Radnor Township; married May 6, 1708 in Radnor Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania to Thomas Thomas, son of William Thomas; died July 28, 1770 in Radnor Township; known children include: Miles Thomas, Michael Thomas and Margaret Thomas.
2. Phebe Miles: born June 20 1690 in Radnor Township, Chester (now Delaware)
County, Pennsylvania; married April 13, 1715 in Radnor Township, Chester County,
Pennsylvania to Evan Evans (1684-
3. Ruth Miles: born March 28, 1693 in Radnor Township, Chester (now Delaware)
County, Pennsylvania; married January 3, 1717 in Radnor Township, Chester County,
Pennsylvania to Owen Evans (1687-
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Notes:
Margaret James, the spinster, is reported by historian Thomas Allen Glenn to be the
sister of David James (1660-
Phebe Miles’ husband, Evan Evans, was the cousin of Ruth Miles’ husband, Owen Evans. That is to say that Evan Evans’ father, Owen Evan, was the brother Owen Evans’ father, Thomas Evan.
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Sources:
"Welsh Founders of Pennsylvania" by Thomas Allen Glenn, Publication date 1911, Published in Oxford, England, Pages 179, 216.
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Virtual Memorials on “Find A Grave” Website:
Thamar James (Miles) Thomas (1687-
Thomas Thomas (1687-
Owen Evans (1687-
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Photos:
Phil Jones with the Indenture of Margaret James
“Rare manuscript purchased by Powys County Council” by Jack Butler, Reporter, published on May 12, 2021 in Powy County Times: “POWYS Archives has recently bought a rare manuscript which documents land bought in Pennsylvania in the 17th century. The indenture dated 1682 records a sale by Richard Davies, the prominent Quaker of Cloddiau, Welshpool, to Margaret James a spinster of the parish of Newchurch, Radnorshire, of 200 acres of land in Pennsylvania. The document was purchased with the help of the Powysland Club, the historical society for the county of Montgomeryshire and Powys Family History Society. David Hall, chairman of the Powysland Club, believes manuscripts of this type are important and contribute to the rich heritage of the area. He said: “Rare manuscripts of this type are important and contribute to the rich heritage and culture of the county. “The Powysland Club promotes and supports historical research, and we plan to publish a transcript of the 1682 conveyance in our next edition of the Montgomeryshire Collections. “We hope this will encourage more research about local families who emigrated to America in the 17th century.” Phil Bufton, Chair of Powys Family History Society, added: “Many families in America can trace their routes to the old counties of Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire, and this manuscript provides direct evidence of local people buying land and emigrating to Pennsylvania almost 340 years ago. “Powys Family History Society welcomes new members, and we can provide advice about different sources for family history research.” The indenture was witnessed and signed by several future Welsh immigrants, who essentially founded Radnor Township, and was later recorded at the Registry in Philadelphia under the signature of Thomas Lloyd, Master of the Rolls and Deputy Governor to William Penn. Lloyd was also a Montgomeryshire man, a son of Charles Lloyd of Dolobran. Margaret James married just a week later and she herself emigrated to Pennsylvania. Quakers in 17th century Wales faced imprisonment and fines for failing to take the Oath of Allegiance and for openly practising their faith. Because of this many sought a new home in the United States. However, because Quakers also suffered persecution there, William Penn and other British Quakers set about buying tracts of land, purchasing a large part of what is now New Jersey. Radnor Township is one of the oldest municipalities in Pennsylvania and was founded as a part of the “Welsh Tract.”
From the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends
“Owen Evans [husband of Ruth Miles] was a native of Wales, his education was amongst Friends. He was of an Honest and Sincere disposition, a Lover of Truth. Delighted in the prosperity thereof. Regular and exemplary in life and conversation, he was zealous, active, & serviceable in meetings of Discipline. This Death a considerable loss to our meeting. He was an Elder about 14 years died the 1st 3 mo. 1757 and was interred in Friends grave yard in Qwinnedd the 3 day of the said month aged about 70 years.”
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Updated: June 10, 2022