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William Vestal was born in about 1667 in Huntingtonshire, England. The first record of William Vestal in America was as the
husband of Alice (Glover) Brunsden, daughter of George and Alice Lamboll Glover of Ichingswell, in the Parish of Kingsclere,
County of Southhampton, England. She was married to John Brunsden, Oct 12, 1680 at Brumpton, County of Bucks, Pennsylvania,
who apparently died early. A highway laid out on Oct. 25, 1687 mentions Alice Brunsden's name in describing the highway.
This would indicate the her husband was dead. John Brunsden left three children: John who died unmarried, Hannah who became
the wife of John Buckingham, and Alice who married and had a child both of who died soon after.
William Vestal married the widow of John Brunsden sometime previous to 1692. At the Orphans Court held in Chester County,
William was required to give security to the court and provide guardianship for the children of John Brunsden and Alice Glover
At a Court of Quarter Sessions held at Chester, Pennsylvania., 12th of March 1694/5, several Constables were appointed
for different townships. Among them William Vestal was appointed for Birmingham Township"
The records of the Brandywine Baptist Church show that Alice Vestal was baptized the 6th mo. 10th day 1697. Hannah Brunsden
(her daughter) was baptized on the 8th mo. 30th day 1698. Gilbert Cope, an authority on the records of the early Friends
states, "They had probably been led away from the Friends Society by the defection of George Keith, who caused much trouble
in the Society of Friends.
At a Court of Common Pleas, 14th of March 1694, "A Deed Past Henry Hollingsworth Attorney for William Roe, to George
Stroud Attorney for Thomas Moore and William Vestal, for one hundred acres of land lying in Concord." This land was less
than one mile eastward from the present Concord Station of the R.R and is shown in the Smith's Atlas of Early Grants and Patents
in Delaware County (formerly a part of Chester County.)
On 6 Apr 1696, James Powell of Upper Providence, Chester County, and James Jacob of Philadelphia County, executors of
John Loftus of Philadelphia County, conveyed to Richard Buffington and William Vestal of Chester County, husbandman, a tract
of 216 acres on the east side of Brandywine Creek.
A coroner's report to Court shows that Sarah, a child of William Vestal of Birmingham drowned in a pond of water 3 Mar
1699. The report was made 4 Aug 1698.
On 12 Oct 1699, Benjamin Mendenhall of Concord township executed articles of agreement to convey to William Vestal a tract
of 125 acres adjoining the 49 acres lying on the east side of the Brandywine Creek at the forks thereof. William Vestal erected
a dwelling and settled on this land. In his will made 19 Jan 1701 he is described as of Weston Township (now East Bradford
township) and thereby devised his lands, 174 acres to Alice (his wife) during her life then to his son William. He in turn
was to give his brother George 30 pounds. To Mary his daughter he gave two mares, a cow, some colts, etc., when 21 years old.
William died 26 Feb 1701 in Weston (Westtown), Chester, Pennsylvania.
The Last Will and Testament of William Vestal, Westtown, Chester Co., Pennsylvania
My will Maid ye 19th January 1701-02 In the name of god, Amen, I William Vastall, living in the Township of Westtown,
in the County Chester, so have ordained and considered this my last will and testament, Being of Sound Judgment and of perfest
Rememberance, praised by almighty god for his Mercy, though weak in body and finding my self to decay in body, am Willing
to Set my house in order before I go hence, and for this purpose doe Here ordain this will and testament as follows: First
I bequeath my body to ye earth and be decently burying according as my Executors (hereafter named) shall think fit. And Faithfully
resigning up my soul into ye hands of God, my creator, hoping to receive pardon of all my sins by the death and suffering
of my lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who is my Redeemer, Impimos. I leave and bequeath to Alice my wife, all my land and Musage
which I am now living upon and occupy, being 1 hundred twenty fore acquires, during the time of her Natural Life, and all
my goods and Chatels and Cattles (excepting such as shall be here after named, ) paying all my debts which I owe. An After
to descend to my son William Vastall, after ye decease of Alice, my wife, and my son William bastaal, shall pay unto my sone
George Vastall, ye just some of thirty pounds of lawful money, according to ye passable coyne of ye province out of ye estate,
as after that my son, William Vastall, comes legally installed in ye property. Item, I leave unto my daughter Mary, one cow,
and two breeding mares, and two horse colts, with their increasd (ye Cow her increase excepted) and Like Wise to Receive a
.... and a hacoll and these to be deliverd when she comes to ye age of one and twenty, or before if her mother thinks fit.
And likewise I ordain my wife Alice Vastall, to be executor, with my loving friend, Thomas Powell, of ye town of providence,
of County Chester, Yomen Junior, to be joint executor with my wife to see this my will duly and truly executed according as
I have appointed.
William Vestal his mark (this is an inked thumb print, as seal) (Conclusion of will of William (1) Vestal, Senior, witnesses
and proving) Sealed and deliverd in ye presents of
X John Wood
X Nathaniel Ring
Robert Way (?)
Robert Jefferies x my mark
Philadelphia, Feb 20th, 1701
there personally appeared John Wood and Nathaniel Ring, two of the witnesses to the above will;; and on their solemn Affirmation
do declare they saw above named William Vastall sign, seal, publish and delcare the above writing to be his last will and
Testament, and he was at the doing thereof of sound mind and memory, tot he best of their knowledge.
County court (/) Reg. Gen
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