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Archiver > PA-OLD-CHESTER > 2007-11 > 1194897441


From: "Bill & Jeanette Vance" <>
Subject: [PaOldC] William, Thomas and Jacob VANCE in Nantmeal Twp, Chester Co,PA 1700s - 1815
Date: Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:57:21 -0800


Thank you. Fortunately, we have this information. There have been VANCEs paying taxes in Chester County since 1722, with 24 entries through the year 1785. There was also a John Vance who received a warrant for land in 1734. The VANCE surname has been in Chester County for a while, including William, Thomas and Jacob, all three having served in the PA Militia.

There are two issues for us with regard to William, Thomas and Jacob VANCE. First is whether there were two different Thomas VANCEs based on the 1790 and 1810 Censuses, as noted in the initial posting. We know that the Thomas Vance in the 1810 Census was the brother of Jacob, as confirmed by the probate of Thomas Vance's estate by his brother in December of 1810. There is also a 1747 will of Philip David of E. Nantmeal Twp that states "Thomas (was the) son of William Vance." It might appear that these two Thomas Vances are one and the same person, but the dates 1747 to 1810 seem a little far apart for the Thomas Vance enumerated in the 1810 Census to have two daughters under the age of 10 (but not impossible). The Thomas Vance enumerated in the 1790 Census with four sons under the age of 16 might be a better candidate for William Vance's son. Perhaps there is a subscriber to this List that may have information that would help clarify this issue. One thing that would help is if William Vance had a will or there was a probate of his estate. One might expect to see the names of his family mentioned. We first see a William Vance on the tax rolls of E. Nantmeal Twp in 1748. The last entry for William is for 1785 in E. Nantmeal where he is listed as a "taylor" (probably 'tailor'). We think William Vance died about 1790, soon after the Census was taken. Someone with information on this William VANCE may be able to help clarify who his family members were and possibly their ages. This would solve the second issue of the relationships between William, Thomas, and Jacob VANCE.

An inquiry has been made to the Chester County volunteer who works on cemeteries in East Nantmeal. She offered that it would be difficult to find any legible headstones earlier than 1810. The thought was that there may be more than one headstone for Thomas Vance prior to 1810. Other suggestions would be most welcome.

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