MR. THOMAS FOULKE. GWYNEDD, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
Thomas Foulke was born 7th Aug 1683 in Coed-Y-Foel, Rhiwlas, Llandderfel, Merionethshire, Gwynedd, Wales, the first son and child of Edward Ffoulke and Eleanor 'Ellin' Hugh(es).He emigrated with his parents and siblings leaving Coed-Y-Foel on 3rd Feb 1698, reaching Liverpool in 2 days. They boarded the ship 'Robert and Elizabeth' 14 days later and sailed the next day for Ireland. After 11 weeks at sea, they arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania about 17th May 1698. His father purchased a tract of land of about 700 acres at Gwynedd and settled there the beginning of November 1698.
The family became Quakers after arriving in Pennsylvania. Thomas was an Elder in the Gwynedd Friends Monthly Meetings and his conversation was well ordered. His attendance to the meetings was exemplary and he took great care in bringing his family. He guided his affairs with great discretion.
Thomas married Gwen Evans on 27th Jun 1706 in Gwynedd Friends Monthly Meeting (Colonial Families of the USA, 1607-1775) and (Historical Collections Relating to Gwynedd - by Howard M. Jenkins). She was the daughter of one of the Welsh Settlers. They had nine children:
1. Edward Foulke, 1707–1770
2. William Dudley Foulke, 1708–1775
3. Eleanor 'Elinor' Foulke, 1710–
4. Evan Foulke, 1712–1748
5. Margaret Foulke, 1715–1734
6. Caleb Foulke, 1718–1718
7. Sarah Foulke, 1720–
8. Susannah Foulke, 1720–1787
9. Caleb Foulke, 1722–1736
Thomas began losing his sight and hearing in his advanced years. He died 8th Oct 1762 at the age of 79 and was buried in the Gwynedd Friends Cemetery.
Find a Grave.
MR. THOMAS FOULKE. GWYNEDD, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
THOMAS FOULKE, of Gwynedd, son of Edward and Eleanor, born in Merionethshire, Wales, immigrant to Gwynedd 1698, with his parents, m. at Gwynedd m.h., 4th mo. 27, 1706, GWEN EVANS, (d.12th mo. 9, 1760), eldest daughter of David of Radnor.They settled at Gwynedd, on part of the Edward Foulk tract. Thomas Foulke d. 8th mo. 15, 1762.
Historical Collections of Gwynedd.
MR. THOMAS FOULKE. GWYNEDD, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
The testimony of Gwynedd Monthly Meeting held the 31st 5mo. 1764 concerning our dear deceased friend and elder Thomas Foulke.He was born in Merionethshire North Wales in Great Britain and came over into Pennsylvania with his parents in the year 1698.
He was of a well ordered conversation and and guided his affairs with discretion and exemplary for his close attendance of meetings and care in bringing his family with him, his demeanour at such times was well becoming the solmnity of the occasion even in his advanced years, and though he was of late much deprived of sight and hearing, yet it appeared that the stay of his youth was his support in the decline of life, and had endued him with resignation to bear those close trials with becoming patience, never being heard to murmur or complain.
When some of his near friends came to visit him he would give some lively hints how it fared with his mind as well as body and expressed that he apprehended it his duty before he closed his eyes to sleep, so remeber ye aged and distressed in his near approaches unto God.
He was in the station of an Elder many years and a servicable member almost from the first Institution of the Meeting.
He departed this life the 8th day of the 10th month 1762 and was buried the 10th in Friends burying ground in Gwynedd. Oh. that ye succeeding generation would follow ye example of those worthy Elders that have of late years been removed from amongst us, that the Church may again appear in her ancient beauty.
Signed and on behalf of our said Meeting by Thomas Evans, Clerk.