MR. JOHN HUMPHREYS. GWYNEDD, MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.
John Humphreys arrived here from Wales in the year 1698, was one of the first settlers of Gwinnedd and an elder about _ years; he was orderly and regular in life and conversation. He continued an elder to his end, and departed this life 14th day of the 9th month 1738, and was buried at Friends Burying Ground at Gwinnedd, aged 70 years.His will is on record in Philadelphia. It is dated 7th mo. 3, 1736, and was proved December (l0th mo.) 2d, 1738. He appoints as " overseers " of the will " my cousin John Jones, and my friends John Jones, carpenter, and John Evans." The witnesses are Rowland Roberts, who signs his name with his mark, " R. R." ; Thomas Evans (Owen's son, no doubt), who signs with a mark T. E., joined in a monogram ; and Isaac Cook, who makes his initials only " i. c. " John Humphrey himself signs with his mark, " I. H. " in rude letters.
The contents of the will are of some interest. He leaves 30 pounds to his sister Elizabeth Thomas, 5 pounds to the children of Evan Griffith, 5 to his son-in-law Cadwallader Jones, 5 to his son-in-law Hugh Jones, 5 to his "daughter-in-law " Elizabeth Davies, 5 to his niece Gainor Jones, and 5 to his niece Catharine Lloyd.
To Gwynedd preparative meeting he leaves 50 pounds, the interest to be applied to the relief of its poor and indigent members, but he expresses the hope that if any of his relations, members of the Society, though not of this meeting, should be in want, their claims will be considered. To his grandson John Jones he leaves 30 pounds, and his riding horse, — to receive them when he is 15 years old. To his grandson Humphrey Jones he leaves 30 pounds, and to his granddaughter Jane Jones 25 pounds and a case of drawers, which she is to receive at the age of 18. To his granddaughter Sibill Jones he leaves 27 pounds, with a brass kettle, which she is to have at 15, and to his granddaughters Elizabeth and Gainor Jones 30 pounds apiece.
But as to these legacies to his grandchildren, he particularly says that they are to receive nothing unless "by their good conduct they recommend themselves worthy and deserving." He gives a legacy to his daughter-in-law Katharine Jones, and to his son Humphrey Jones all his remaining estate, real and personal, appointing him executor.
The number of these legacies and their amounts indicate that John Humphrey was comparatively rich. Upon this point, however, we get more light from the inventory filed with his will. This exhibits him as an extensive money lender. He must have been the banker of the neighboring country. The total of the inventory (personal estate only) is 1,027 pounds 9 shillings, of which but 80 pounds 18 shillings is for household or other goods, the remainder being made up by a mortgage of Robert Hugh, 60 pounds, and by "obligations," — which we may assume to mean bonds and notes, — numbering no less than eighty-two, altogether.
The list of debtors who had given these obligations is a long one, and includes many of the second generation of the Gwynedd people, with others in Montgomery and elsewhere. Five of the notes are by Rowland Roberts, four by William Mellchor, three by John Clayton, two by William Williams, two by Hugh Foulke, two by Barnard Young, the others generally one each by different persons.