Mintier Lines - S07 - Rotheram ========== ROTHERAM Joseph Rotheram, sometimes identified as "Senior," was affiliated with the Society of Friends. He was born in 1699 or 70 in England, one of nine children born to Edward and Mary Harris Rotheram, according to the record in the Minutes of Badgley Monthly Meeting, Warwickshire, England. Mary Harris was "of Pooley." Another record shows that Edward "Ratheram" of Southy married Mary Harris of Freshley on July 30, 1685. The two Edwards may have been the same man. Rotheram is a county and parliamentary borough in the West Riding of Yorkshire, England five miles northeast of Sheffield. It lies at the confluence of the River Don with its tribulary the Rother. The date of arrival of Joseph Rotheram Sr. in America, probably at Wilmington or New Castle, Delaware, is unknown, but it is certain that it was no later than 1723 and probably a few weeks earlier. His daughter Abigail was born May 3, 1725 which would imply a marriage no later than August, 1724. He was married in Delaware "after the approved manner of Friends," but we do not know the name of the bride. He belonged to the New Castle Meeting. Joseph Rotheram bought a mill at sheriff's sale in 1739. This mill, operated until about 1840, is mentioned in several Delaware histories as one of the earliest mills in the State, the site of which was known as late as 1886, at which time the site was occupied by a warehouse. It was on White Clay Creek in White Clay Creek Hundred which joins Mill Creek Hundred and is not far from the White Clay Creek Presbyterian Church. Much of our known history of Joseph Rotheram, my great-great-great-great grandfather, concerns his relations with the Quaker Meeting. He came to America without a Certificate of Removal from his home Meeting at Badgley, England. This action was improper from the Quaker viewpoint. Jospeh himself never bothered to send for the Certifcate. He attended Meeting regularly and was, in his eyes, a good Quaker. These certificates of removal say, "You are clear from all others in respect to matrimoney" and to a Quaker this is vital. Without the Certificate of Removal Joseph could not be married in Meeting. We do not know wether he married a non-Friend, and hence was not married in Meeting, or married a Quaker but not having the certificate was not recognized by the Meeting, hence had to be married out of Meeting. The fact the Meeting would not accept his as a memeber made them unable to take action against him. If he had married a Quakeress, she would have been "read out of Meeting" unless she gave an acknowledgement that she was sorry for what she had done. No record of such action has been found. The most interesting part of the story is how when Joesph England was courting Abigail, Joseph's daughter, and was considering matrimony seriously, he was concerned that her father was not in good standing as a Quaker, and, wishing to give Abigail a birthright, he wrote to this prospective father-in-law's home Meeting in England, pleading with them to give Joseph a Certificate of Removal, which they did. It put Joseph in good standing as a Quaker and Abigail's birthright was recognized. 2. Letter from Badgley Meeting: "These may certify you that he (JosephRotheram) was educated amongst Friends and was a Sober Young Man in his Life and Conversation and Free from any Engagement upon Acct. of Marriage so far as we know. We believe he Did not then attend Meetings so Closely asz he Might have Done being ingaged in Apprentiship and afterwards to Work with Persons of Different Persuasions; upon Acct. of his Occupation which was that of Millwright. So with Desires for his Welfare and Prosperity in the truth, we Reocommend him to Your Notice. Signed in and on behalf of our Monthly Meeting held at Badgley in the County of Warrick the 8th of 2nd month 1747. (Note, Birmingham and Badgley Join in One Monthly Meeting.)" We know nothing of the death of the first wife, but there is a record of Joseph's marriage to a second wifre, Catherine Jacobs in Feb., 1746. (Note discrepancy in date in the following material.) Joseph was disciplined for marrying "outside the church," for the wedding took place at Old Swedes in Wilminton, Delaward (now Holy Trinity, an Episcopalian Church), though Catherine was a memeber of Newark Monthly Meeting. Actions of the Meeting concerning Joseph's marriages are included here: Minutes of Kennett Monthly Meeting, Kennett Square, Pa. 1749-5-1 Rotheram, Joseph: received on certificate from Badgley Monthly Meeting, Warwichshire, England, dated 2-8-1747. (Meanwhile it has been discovered that he was twice married contrary to discipline.) 1749-5-1 Joseph Rotheram: married contrary to discipline 1749-7-2 Rotheram, Joseph: Offering accepted for marriage contrary to discipline "Jospeh Rotheram produced a certificate to our last monthly meeting from Badgley, Warwickshire, in old England, dated 8th, 2nd, 1747, of their knowledge of ye said Roteram who hath been removed from them above 20 years and signifie that whilst among them he was a sober young man who had his Education among Friends and was free from marriage engagement as far as they knew. Now since his removal into America, his residence being mostly in our parts, Therefore we appointed Eliakim Garretson and John Lewden to enquire into his conversation whilst among us, and upon enquery find he beth married twice out the approved way of friends. Otherwise his conversation is orderly, therefore Eliakim Garretson and John Lewden is to treat with him in order that he may make Friends satisfaction misconduct and report ye report to the next meeting and desire him to be there also. 2-7-1749 Joseph Rotheram offered Sum lines for satisfaction to this meeting which was read, and after consideration, thereon is received as such and Eliakim Garretson is getting it read in New Castle first day meeting and return it to our next meeting. 7th: 8th mo. Report is made that the testimony given in by Joseph Rotheram was read, and is returned which here follows -- 3. To ye Monthly Meeting of Newark held at Kennett the 2nd of 7th mo. 1749. Dear Friends - I was educated among Friends but for want of giving due heed to (the) principle of truth in myself have so far erred as to marry twice out of the approved way of Friends by (the) priests which actions I hereby condemn, and hope you will pass by and that for the future I may be carefull of my ways." Joseph Rotheram In 1746 J.R. was a member of Kennett Monthly Meeting, but later (1770) was subject to the discipline of Wilmington Monthly Meeting. He had neglected to pay a debt "for which has been much labored with by Friends, but it has not had the desired effect, therefore for the clearing of our Society from the blame of his conduct, we do hereby disown Joseph Rotheram from being in membership with us until he makes suitable satisfaction to this Meeting which we desire he may." The debt seems to have been made to a Mary Richardson who may have been a house-keeper whom J.R. employed after his first wife died. J.R. was formally disowned by Wilmington Monthly Meeting on July 11, 1770. At another time (April 14, 1762) the Friends appointed a committee "to treat with Joseph Rotheram, George Wollaston and John Lewden, relating to their purchasing negroes." They reported that J.R. refused to comply with their advice or submit to the judgement of the Meeting. He provided in his will for his slaves to be freed when they had earned 40 pounds. Records say that Joseph Rotheram Sr. died in 1773 in White Clay Creek Hundred. His grave has not been found. He left a substantial estate to his children which would permit the deduction that he had resided in the area for many years, if not all his life. At the time of his death these children petitioned for distribution of his estate since there was no will: 1. Joseph Rotheram, Jr., farmer, eldest son; White Clay Creek Hundred 2. Jacob Rotheram, New Castle Hundred 3. Elizabeth Rotheram, the now wife of James McCune, one of the petitioners, Mill Creek Hundred 4. Abigail Rotheram, the now wife of Joseph England, one of the petitioners, Mill Creek Hundred 5. Catherine Rotheram - only child by second wife Catherine Jacobs, married Feb. 1746. Family tradition says that the Rotherams were among those called "Fighting Quakers" because they fought for our country in the Revolution. They were expelled from the Friends Meeting for this offense, but after their expulsion they and others, "about one hundred altogether," founded another organization known as the Society of Free Quakers. This group included Betsy Ross. In 1783 they erected a meeting house at the southwest corner of 5th and Arch Streets in Philadelphia, but regular meetings were not held after 1836. We know that Joseph Rotheram Jr. was not a Loyalist, for in 1777 and 1779 he was Tax Appraiser for White Clay Creek Hundred, New Castle County. The British plundered him and his brother Jacob of Furniture, which is rather strong evidence that they were not Loyalists. 4. James McCune, husband of Elizabeth Rotheram, (my great-great-great grandparents) bought a 100 acre farm near Wilmington, Delaware March 16, 1767 after their fifth child was born. (No record has been found of the sale of this farm.) See McCune history for continuation of the history of this family. For benefit of any further research I add this information about my great-great-great-great grandfather's mills. His son Joseph Jr. operated the saw mill and grist mill after the mills were vested in him by descent and purchase in 1775. He operated them until his death probably in 1795, since that is the date when his property was advertised for sale by his Executors. The Delaware Gazette of August 15, 1795 prints the following advertisement: NOTICE will be exposed to public sale, (pursuant to the last will and testiment of Joseph Rotheram, deceased) On the first day of October next, all the real estate of said deceased, situated in While-clay creek hundred, and county of New Castle in the state of Delaware Viz, No. 1 A valuable merchant mill and sawmill, and plantation or tract of land, situate on While-clay creek, the plantation is said to contain 185 acres more or less; on third, whereof is good woodland, and about 12 or 15 acres of excellent meadow, the residue is arable land, and in very good plight; there is on said premises, a large and commodious two story brick messuage and kitchen adjoining thereto, a well of good water at the door, with a large barn, stabling and other improvements, and a good, bearing orchard; there is also a convenient sawed log dwelling house near to the mill, for the purpose of accommodating a miller and his family; the merchant mill is in good repair, has two water wheels and three pairs of stones, two pairs whereof are dood burrs, the other pair for country work -- the saw mill is in tolerable repair, and in a good neighborhood to get timber for sawing -- the situation of the place must be a very desirable one, being in a healthy part of the country and the mill on one of the best streams of water in that part, it never being known to fail, in the driest of season; within three miles of Christiana bridge, and about the same distance from White-clay creek landing, about 5 miles from New-port; and about 11 miles from Elkton, a noted wheat market. No. 2, A small tract of land, containing 20 acres with a snug log dwelling house thereon, situated about the same distance from Christiana bridge, about 3 acres of this has begun to be cleared for meadow, the resdue is good woodland, of which more is capable of being converted into meadow, on said premises is an excellent spring of water. It is expected the terms of payment for a considerable part of the purchase money will be made very easy to the purchaser; on seeing the same, the sale will commence at 2 o'clock P.M. said day on the premises No. 1, when the terms will be more particularly known Joel Lewis James Stroud Ex'rs Abel Glasford These mills in 1802 came into possession of James Price and to his daughter Mary Canby at his dath in 1840. The mills fell into disuse. The land in 1932 was owned by William F. Smalley and a warehouse was on it. (See McCune history fo continuation of Jospeh McCune family.) ROTHERAM [Genealogy was slightly reformatted to ease reading] I. Edward Rotheram m. Mary Harris Lived at or near Badgley, England II. Joseph Rotheram 1699/1700-1773 m. 1. ___________________ Born in England 2. Catherine Jacobs 1. Joseph Jr 2. Jacob 3. Elizabeth m. James McCune 4. Abigail m. Joseph England 5. Catherine (only child of 2nd wife) III. Elizabeth Rotheram m. James McCune 1730-1808 Born in Delaware and first eight children born in Delaware. 1. Thomas 1758-1842 m. Mary Brady 2. Elizabeth 1760- m. _____________ McCombs 3. Joseph 1762- m. Mary Shannon 4. William 1764- Single 5. Mary 1766- m. _____________ Culbertson 6. Sarah 1768-1840 m. David Robertson 7. James 1770- m. Margaret Robinson 8. Abigail 1773-1866 m. Robert Dean Last two children born in Cumberland County, Penna. 9. Samuel 1776- m. Sarah Robinson 10. Margaret 1779-1842 m. Hugh McConahey IV. Jospeh McCune 1762-1804 m. Mary (Margaret Shannon) Buried in Huntingdon Co., Pa. (later married Samuel Bigger) 1. John 1795- 2. James 1797- m. Nancy Norton 3. Joseph *1801- m. Martha Dunlap 1804-1841 4. Thomas *1799-1847 m. Nancy McCormack V. Thomas McCune 1799-1847 m. Martha Dunlap 1804-1841 1. Joseph 1826-1877 m. Mary Jane Medill 2. Adam 1827-1866 m. Margaret A. Medill 3. Sarah J. 1829-1902 m. Robert DeLafayette West 4. Samuel 1831-1863 Single 5. James 1833-1868 m. Mary J. Keller 6. William 1836-1913 m. Elvira Alexander 7. Thomas (died in childhood) 8. Martha Ann (died in childhood) VI. William McCune 1836-1913 m. Elvira Alexander 1. Mary Kate 1858-1885 m. Alexander McMannis 2. Elwood Clyde 1862-1885 Single 3. Pearl Amsden 1870-1960 m. William Mintier VII. Pearl Amsden McCune 1870-1960 m. William A. Mintier 1869-1936 1. Wilma McCune 1898-[1983] Single 2. Wendell Reid 1900-[1985] m. Sara Byrnes [1902-1994] 3. Harold Nichol 1905-[1986] m. Virginia Esterquest [1909-2000] VIII. Wilma McCune Mintier 1898-[1983] Single VIII. Wendell Reid Mintier 1900-[1985] m. Sara Byrnes [1902-1994] 1. Donna Jean [xxxx]- m. David McKay [xxxx]- IX. Donna Jean Mintier [xxxx]- m. David McKay [xxxx]- 1. Barry Reid [xxxx]- 2. Steven Alan [xxxx]- VIII. Harold Nichol Mintier 1905-[1986] m. Virginia Esterquest [1909-2000] 1. Martha Jane [xxxx]- m. Wiley Sanders 2. Patricia Ann 1935-1948 Buried in New Concord, Ohio 3. Robert Nichol 1940-[2002] m. Eve Shawn [(div)] 4. Barbara Elaine [xxxx]- IX. Martha Jane Mintier [xxxx]- m. Wiley Sanders 1. William Daryl [xxxx]- 2. Mark Earl [xxxx]- 3. Wilene Carol [xxxx]- IX. Robert Nichol Mintier 1940-[2002] m. Eve Shawn [(div)] 1. Charles Willard Ivan [xxxx]- 2. Patricia Ann [xxxx]- 3. Nicholas Shawn [xxxx]- IX. Barbara Elaine Mintier [xxxx]- ========== Source: 1970, "A Brief History of Some of the Family Lines of Wilma McCune Mintier", written and self-published for family members by Wilma McCune Mintier, 1970; Full typewritten, copied text in possession of William Daryl Sanders, Wilma's GrandNephew. Transcribed by William Daryl Sanders in Sections, predominantly separated by main family group. ---------- Mintier Lines - Sections S01 - Intro - Thank you and poem S02 - Mintier S03 - Hammond S04 - Henderson S05 - Nichol S06 - McCune S07 - Rotheram S08 - Dunlap S09 - Alexander S10 - Mitchell S11 - Appendix - Poem and several photocopies of family pictures [HTML, Text and PDF versions online Copyright 2007 by William Daryl "Bill" Sanders. Any reproduction, printing, or selling of this content is prohibited without express written consent from William D. Sanders. More can be found at http://www.orangefrogproductions.com/ofp2o_family_999_wmm_s00.shtml.] ==========