Rees, Reese, Reece in the Records of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends located now in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.

[Which includes information on the surname Rhoads listed under Ellin Rees.]

transcribed by James Quinn

Note: Before the formation of Montgomery County in 1784, Gwynedd Meeting was located in Philadelphia County. Dates before 1753 are old style (i.e. 1st mo. = March) and from 1753 on are new style (i.e. 1st mo. = January). Gwynedd, Plymouth and Providence Preparative Meetings were all part of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting as was Exeter (Oley) Meeting until 1739 and Richland Meeting until 1742.

Document created September, 2010, last modified April 2011.

Records listed alphabetical by first name:

Edward Rees, son of John of Philadelphia Co., PA married Elizabeth Thomas, daughter of Oliver Thomas late of the City of Philadelphia, at Gwynedd Meeting House, 1726/7-11 [Jan]-16. Witnesses: John Rees, Hannah Rees, Mary Thomas, Jane Thomas etc. First intentions:  Att our monthly meeting of women ffriends held att Gwynedd the 30th of the 9th month 1726. 1st Edward Rees and Elizabeth Thomas Declared their Intentions of marriage with each other the first time - Alice Griffith and Jane Lewis are Appointed to inspect into her Clearness and Conversation and bring Report thereof to the next Meeting. Second Intentions: 27th of the 10th month 1726. Reported married: 30th of the 11th month 1726/7. Philadelphia MM records show Oliver Thomas was buried at the Friends Burial Ground there on August 17, 1713.

Ellin Rees, daughter of John of Philadelphia County, PA married Abraham Rodes (Rhoads), son of Jacob, of Darby, Chester county, at Plymouth Meeting House, 1733-7mo. [Sept]-24. Witnesses, Jacob, Jacob, Jr., John, Isaac and Elizabeth Roades, John, Edward and Hannah Rees and 24 others. First intentions: att our Monthly Meeting held att gwynedd the 29 of the 11 mo [should be 9, or Nov.] 1733 - Abraham Roads and Ellin Rees Declared their intention of Marriage with each other the first time - Phebe Pugh and Elizabeth Ellis to inspect into her Clearness and Conversation and bring report to the next Meeting.

This marriage marks the beginning of the Rhoads family of Plymouth and Gwynedd here. They lived in the eighteenth century in Norriton township and a branch removed to Gwynedd township in the early nineteenth century. Records for Rhoads in the Gwynedd records:

Gwynedd MM records for Rhoads:

1790-6-29. Abraham Rhoads offered an account for a marriage contrary to discipline [perhaps the son of Ezekiel?]

Abraham Rhoads died 11-1-1866, age 85 years, 11 mos., 18 days, buried at Gwynedd Meeting. [this is the son of Jacob Rhoads and was born December 4, 1782. His family is commented on in Roberts' Annals in an entry for his son in law, Jacob Acuff.] [There is also a biography of Abraham's son Jacob in Theodore Bean's 1884 History of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1884), Vol. II, p. 864-865.]

1830-10-28 - Anna Rhoads disowned by the Orthodox Meeting for joining the Hicksite Meeting

17 Jan 1857, Annie Collier (daughter of Abraham Rhoads, and husband of George Collier) died and was buried at Gwynedd Meeting House.

Annie Rhoads was born 24 Jun 1857, died the same year and was buried at Gwynedd Meeting.

1830-9-2 - Barbara Rhoads disowned by the Orthodox Meeting for joining the Hicksite Meeting

Esther Rhoads died June 20, 1812, age 68. [daughter of Ellin (Rees) Rhoads]

Ezekiel Rhoads married contrary to discipline and offered an account, 1763-5-31

Ezekiel Rhoads and wife Mary had children: Abraham, b. 8-15-1764; Lydia b. 1-21-1771; Barbara b. 1-22-1773; Hannah b. 12-1-1774; Ann b. 3-14-1777; Ezekiel b. 8-10-1779; Joseph b. 6-22-1783

1779-2-23 Jacob Rhoads offered an account for marriage contrary to discipline. [according to Roberts' Annals, he is the son of Ellin (Rees) Rhoads, married Ann Morris and is the father of Abraham Rhoads, b. 1782.]

Jacob Rhoads was buried in the Gwynedd Meeting burial ground, he died September 28, 1873 [brother of Abraham Rhoads, b. 1782].

Sarah Rhoads (nee Baker, wife of Abraham) died 3 April 1840, and was buried at Gwynedd Meeting

Will abstract of EZEKIEL RHOADS, [son of Ellin (Rees) Rhoads]. Norriton. February 16, 1809. March 2, 1813. 3.463
To wife, 100 pds. to be paid to her with 30 days and household goods. To son Ezekiel, tract of land containing 100 acres subject to the payment of 900 pds. to 7daughters and also 15 pds. yearly to wife. To son Abraham, land purchased of Elizabeth Norris, subject to the payment of 150 pds. to sisters. To son Joseph, land in Norriton containing 25 acres, 5 perches. The several sums of money amounting to 1750 pds. are to be divided as follows: to daughters: Eleanor, Elizabeth, Margaret, Lydia, Barbara, Hannah, and Anna, 250 pds.
each. To daughter Eleanor, clock. To daughter Barbara, and Anna, 20 pds. each. Rem. of estate to sons Ezekiel and Joseph equally. They paying todaughters Barbara and Anna, 30 pds.
Execs: Sons Abraham, and Ezekiel, and Joseph.
Wit: Joseph Tyson, William Zimmerman.

Will abstract, ROSANNA RHOADS, [daughter of Ellin (Rees) Rhoads]. Norriton. June 15, 1797. December 31, 1818. Montgomery Co., PA will book 5.102
To Rosanna Jones, daughter of Abraham Jones, 10 pds. silver spoons etc. To nephew Issacher Rhoads, 10 pds. To nephew Abraham Rhoads, 5 s. Rem. to nephew Zebedee Rhoads.
Exec: Zebedee Rhoads.
Wit: Nathan Potts, Priscilla Potts.

See also 1850 census for Gwynedd township for more Rhoads information.

Esther Rees was granted a certificate to Goshen MM (1753-7-30)

Esther Rees was disowned for a marriage out of unity (1783-10-28)

Esther Rees [late Matson] was disowned for a marriage contrary to discipline (1784-7-27)

Hannah Rees [and Edith Daws] are chosen by Plymouth Preparative Meeting Overseers for the ensuing year and this Meeting approves of them [Att our Monthly Meeting held att Gwyneth the 26th of 1 mo 1722].

Hannah Rees (overseer at Plymouth): Samuel Spencer and Mary Dawes Declared their Intention of Marriage the second time. This meeing appoints Mary Owen and Hannah Rees to see their marriage accomplished orderly. [Att our Monthly Meeting held att Gwynedd the 25th of 3rd month 1723.]

Hannah Rees (overseer): Mary Spencer hath proposed to this Meeting for a Certificate in order to join herself to Abington Monthly Meeting. This Meeting appoints Ellin Meredith and Hannah Rees to draw a Certificate for her against next Meeting. (Att our Monthly Meeting held att Gwynedd the 30th 5th mo 1723 [sic, continued? or more likely this is for 6th mo. - JQ])

Hannah Rees (overseer): Att our Monthly Meeting held att Gwynedd the 26th of 10th mo 1723. 4th John More and Ann Jones declared their intention of Marriage with each other the second time and are left to their Liberty to Consumate their said intention. Sarah Daws and Hannah Rees are to see their Marriage be orderly accomplished.

Hannah Rees (overseer): Att our Monthly Meeting held at Gwyendd 28th of 5th mo 1724. 2nd Charles Crusey and Mary Davis Declared their intention of marriage the first time. This Meeting appoints Edith Dawes and Hannah Rees to inspect into her life and conversation and make report thereof next Meeting.

Hannah Rees (overseer): Att our monthly meeting held att Gwynedd the 29th of first month 1726. 1st Joseph Jones and Elizabeth Samuell Declared their Intentions of marriage with Each other the second time. Hannah Rees and Jane Pugh are desired to attend their marriage they being left to their Liberty to Accomplish their said Intentions.

Hannah Rees (overseer):  6th Isaac Willing [sic, believe this is Malin] and Jane Pugh declared their Intentions of marriage the first time - Lydia Harry and Hannah Rees are appointed to Inspect into her Clearness and Conversation and report the same att next monthly meeting. [30th, 3rd mo., 1727]

Hannah Rees (overseer):  3rd Lidia Harry, Hannah Rees and Elizabeth Roberts are by this meeting appointed to give an account of the life and Conversation of Jane Melin and Ann Rogers to the men ffriends in order to draw a Certificate Accordingly against the next Meeting. [28th, 6th mo., 1727]

Hannah Rees (overseer at Plymouth): Plymouth preparative appointed Ellin David and Grace Esbourn [Eastborne] to visit frds families within the compass of their Meeting also Hannah Reese, Elizabeth Ellis to be Overseers of their Meeting. [31 of the 1st mo 1730]

Hannah Rees married out of unity and offered an account (1739-4 [Jun]-22). Women's minutes: "Hannah Rees having for severall years gone out in marriage contrary to the rules of our society and now made a verbal acknowledgement of her error and out going which in some degree was the satisfaction of this Meeting."

Hannah Rees was granted a certificate to Buckingham MM (1743-1 [Mar]-29) Women's minutes: "Hannah Rees Certificate was read signed and directed to Buckingham Monthly Meeting."

Hannah Rees, daughter of John of Philadelphia County, PA, married John Bell, of Norriton, Philadelphia county, at Plymouth Meeting House (1745-3 [May]-14). Witnesses, Henry Bell, John, Hannah, John, Edward, Elizabeth and Catherine Rees, Hannah and Rachel Bell, Jane and Samuel Davies, Owen Evans and 15 others. 1st intentions: 26th of the 1st mo, 1745. 2nd intentions: 2 mo., 30, 1745. Will abstract: "JOHN BELL. Plymouth. Phila. Co. Yeoman. February 18, 1773. Proved May 19, 1773. Wife: Hannah. Children: Jonathan, John, Rees. Niece: Rachel Bell. Execs.: Jonathan and Hannah Bell. Wit: David Meredith, Nathan Potts. Philadelphia County will book P.409." Hannah (Rees) Bell married a second time: "Joseph Jones of Plymouth married Hannah Bell of Whitemarsh, 8, 9 mo., 1774 at Plymouth MH. Wit. Col 1. Abraham Griffith, John Jones, Margaret Shoemaker, John Wilson, Jane Wilson, Rees Harry, Thomas Evans, Mordecai Moore, William Foulke, Hannah Foulke, Evan Meredith, Susannah Meredith, Mary Paul, Joseph Paul, Elizabeth Griffith, Samuel Davis, Edward Davis, Eleanor Stroud. Col 2 (under bride and groom): Ellin Roads, Ruth Evans, Sarah Harrison, Elizabeth Roberts, Robert Evans, Martha Evans, John Bell, John Scotton, Thomas Harrison, Rees Bell, Levi Roberts, Elizabeth Roberts, Mary Evans, Jemima Bell."

This was the third marriage for Joseph Jones. He married [1] Elizabeth Samuel on 22 April 1726 and [2] Sarah Morris, widow, in 1736. Henry Bell, the father of John Bell (first husband of Hannah Rees) executed a deed in Plymouth township in 1736 and sold this land in 1739 to Jacob Castner (Philadelphia Co. deed book H6 page 199.) He left a will in Amity township, (now in Berks County):  "HENRY BELL, Amity, County of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Yeoman. March 4, 1748. Proved April 5, 1748. Philadelphia Co. will book, G.225. Wife: Elizabeth. Children: John, Hannah, Mary, Amos, Charles, Learance and Jonathan. Friend: Mary (wife of William Henton). Exec: Elizabeth Bell and John Bell. Wit: Jonas Jones and Seargt. Hughes." The first wife of Henry Bell was Sarah Rumford (married October 30, 1720 in Radnor twp.). She died 1739 in Plymouth township.

Hannah Reighs married contrary to discipline and offered an account (1755-7-29)

Hannah Rees was granted a certificate to Buckingham MM (1756-10-26)

Hannah Rees married out of unity and offered an account (1761-10-6)

Hannah Rees was granted a certificate to Burlington MM (1763-10-25)

Jane Rees, daughter of John of Philadelphia County, PA, married Samuel Davis, of Plymouth, Philadelphia county, at Plymouth Meeting House (1736-3 [May]-24). Witnesses, John, Hannah, Edward and Elizabeth Rees, Daniel, Stephen, Mary and Hannah Davis, Evan Jenkin and 6 others. First intentions: att our Monthly Meeting held att Gwynedd the 30 of the 1 mo 1736 - Samuel Davis and Jane Rees declared their intention of Marriage with each other the first time. Phebe Pugh and Elizabeth Ellis are desired to inspect into her clearness and conversation and bring report to the next meeting. 2nd intentions: 26 of the 2 mo 1736. Samuel Davis was said to have been born in Wales about 1710, and be the sibling of Mary Davis (who married Thomas David, d. July 18, 1751 in Plymouth twp., and buried at Great Valley Baptist Church - see message 27576 on the Davis Genforum) and of Daniel Davis who was buried at Merion Meeting in 1749. The estate of Daniel Davis was administered in Philadelphia, 1749. Letters of Administration on the estate of Daniel Davis, late of Blockley, were granted to his brother Samuel Davis of Plymouth (the widow, Mary having renounced) Aug. 12, 1749. David Thomas (husband of Samuel's sister Mary) left a will (Philadelphia will book J.414) naming Samuel Davis an executor as well. Samuel and Jane (Rees) Davis were the parents of (1) David Davis who married Elizabeth Coulston, (2) John Davis who married Elizabeth Wood; (3) Stephen Davis who married Mary Schaeffer; (4) Hannah Davis; (5) Katherine Davis who married John Wood, (6) Revolutionary War captain Samuel Davis who married Elizabeth Williams and was disowned for his military activities by Gwynedd Meeting; (7) Mary Davis; (8) Daniel Davis. Samuel Davis married 2 more times after the death of Jane (Rees) Davis in 1751. He married (2) Susannah Atkinson in 1753 and (3) Rebecca. Will abstract: "SAMUEL DAVIS. Plymouth, Co. of Phila. Carpenter. April 21, 1776. Proved November 7, 1778. Philadelphia County Will Book R.124. Wife: Rebeckah. Children: Samuel, Daniel, John, Thomas, David, Steven, Hannah, Catharine. Step Son: Atkinson Hughes.Trustees: John Child, John Jones. Exec: Rebeckah Davis, John Roberts Cadwalader. Wit: Jacob Wager, John Adams, William (his mark) Tippin."

John Rees and wife Hannah had children: Edward, b. 3-27-1706; Ellin b. 8-7-1708; Rose b. 1-14-1710; Hannah b. 10-13-1713; Jane (twin) b. 10-13-1713; John b. 9-12-1718. Will abstract: "JOHN REESE. Whitpain Township, Co. of Philadelphia. Yeoman. 8 mo. 25, 1753. Proved November 3, 1753. Philadelphia County will book K.118. Wife: Hannah. Children: John, Edward, Elin, Hannah, Rose (Malsby) and Jane. Son-in-Law: John Bell. Exec: Grandson John Bell. Wit: William Morris, Isaac Ellis, Joseph Dickinson." Note that former Gwynedd Historian Eliza Foulke suspected that the father of John Rees was named Edward Rees (first born son of John also had this name.) A Reese family Bible for this line, apparently started in the middle of the 1800s shows John Reese born 1718 to have a father named Rees Meredith. Could the person writing these Bible entries have been confused and given the son John (b. 1718) the father of his father?

John Rees, son of John of Philadelphia Co., PA married Catherine Evans, daughter of Cadwallader Evans, of the same county. at Plymouth Meeting House (1746-9 [Nov]-11) Witnesses. Col 1 (under groom and bride): John Reese, Cadr Evans, Samll Davies, Sarah Evans, Jane Davies, John Bell, Hannah Bell, Ellin Roads, Edward Reese, Elizabeth Reese, Merchant Maulsby, Rose Maulsby. Col 2. Evan Evans, John Evans, Thomas Foulk, Joseph Jones, William Trotter, William Roberts, Samuel Richard, Job Pugh, Phebe Pugh, Aaron Meredith, John Williams, Jane williams, David Roberts, Robert Roberts.

Betty R. Thomas of Texas shared entries in a Reese family Bible which read:

"Catherine the wife of John Reese and daughter of Cadwalleder and Sarah Evans was born 1724"

"Cathrine Reese wife of John Reese departed this Life August 1805 in the 82nd year of her age"

"John Reese husband of Cathrine departed this Life November 1807 in the 90th year of his age." (JQ: at Fallston, Harford Co., MD)

"The children of John and Cathrine Reese were Sarah - John - Joseph - David and Daniel."

The Reese family Bible continues with son Joseph:

"Joseph Reese, the son of John and Cathrine Reese was born the 14th day of February, in the year of our Lord 1761."

This Joseph Reese was on November 26, 1785 disowned by Gunpowder MM (Maryland) for "misconduct" for having been married by a priest. Along with his wife Mary he convinced the meeting that they were heartily sorry for having been married by a "hireling minister" and were reinstated in 1787. On May 30, 1801 he requested a certificate of removal from Gunpowder MM to the Baltimore MM for himself, his wife, and their six children. The Reese family Bible shows that Mary (born 1770) was the daughter of William and Elenor (Atkinson) Lee and that William Lee is in turn the son of Ralph Lee of Bucks County.

John Rees, son of Edward married out of unity and was disowned. (1765-1-29)

John Rees and wife and 4 children granted a certificate to Warrington MM, York Co., PA (1767-7-28) Note that Oliver Rees, son of Edward, and Cadwallader Evans, brother of Catherine Evans (m. John Rees, son of John) also migrated to Warrington MM. Since the John Rees who marries Catherine Evans emigrates to Maryland, this entry is likely for John, son of Edward.

Mary Rees married out of unity and was disowned (1773-10-26)

Mary Rees offered an account for her marriage out of unity with Friends (1777-2-25)

Oliver Rees granted a certificate to Warrington MM, York Co., PA (1756-5-25)

Rachel Rees (late Peters) offered an account for a marriage out of unity with Friends with her first cousin (1760-5-27)

Rachel Rees was disowned for disunity (1765-6-25)

Rebecca Rees received on certificate from Buckingham MM (1737/8-11 [Jan]-31)

Rose Rees, daughter of John of Plymouth, Philadelphia County, married William Maulsby, of Plymouth, Philadelphia county, at Plymouth Meeting House (1733-2 [April]-29). Witnesses, Merchant and David Maulsby, John, Hannah, Edward, Ellin, Jane and Hannah Rees, Jr., Joseph and Sarah Williams and 8 others. First intentions: att our Monthly Meeting held at Gwynedd the 29 of 12 mo 1731 - William Maulsby and Rose Rees Declared their intention of Marriage with each other the first time - Phebe Pugh and Elizabeth Ellis are appointed to make due inquire into her Life Conversation and Clearness from all others and bring report to the next Meeting. 2nd intentions: 26 of 1 mo 1732. JQ: They resided in Limerick twp., now Montgomery Co., PA and Newberrytown, York Co., PA.

Samuel Rees offered an account for his marriage out of unity with Friends (1770-1-30)

Samuel Rees granted a certificate to Uwchlan MM (1770-11-27)

Thomas Rees and Esther Trotter reported married (1752-12-26). Thomas Rees and Esther Trotter first intentions: 31st of the 10th mo 1752.