(2) David STRATTON

Son of Mark Stratton

 

 

 

 

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David Stratton(2) (Mark[1]) was born in Evesham, in 1714-15. He married Mary Elkinton, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Antram) Elkinton; she was born November 2, 1714, and died February 21, 1808. They were married January 7, 1736-37, at the Meetinghouse in Chester Township (now Moorstown), New Jersey. Joseph Elkinton was son of George Elkinton, "blacksmith and maker of edged tools," who came to New Jersey on the "Kent" in 1677. He came from Warwickshire, and "passed the Burlington Monthly Meeting" June 6, 1688, and married Mary, daughter of Walter Humphreys, and widow of Enoch Cove. Walter Humphreys, "Weaver", came to New Jersey about 1679. George Antram, father of Elizabeth, came about 1680. He was a shoemaker. Almost every boy among these early Quakers was taught a trade.

In his certificate of marriage David Stratton is styled "a tailor." He became a promiment man in the Society of Friends and in the Township. The Pennsylvania Gazette of December 11, 1755, contains this advertisement:

"Wanted, a sober person, that is capable of teaching a school. Such a one coming well recommended may find employment by applying to David Stratton of Evesham, in the County of Burlington, West New Jersey."

In 1759 he was executor of his father's will. His own will is dated May 20, 1771, and was proved the 11th of the following month. It mentions his wife and the eight children given below. To his wife he gave all his real and personal estate.

To the children, only small legacies - 1 to 15 shillings - in money. They had probably received their portions when coming of age, or at marriage.

Grandson, Seth Stratton, was to have E5 at twenty-one. At date of this will all the daughters were married, except Mary, who was not yet eighteen. His wife Mary was his executrix. She outlived her husband thirty-seven years, duying at the age of 94 years.

Children:

At least five of his family went to Virginia. Joseph and Susannah were already there at the time of their father's death.

The length of their sojurn in Virginia, however, was limited to a generation, or less. These Strattans were Quakers, and as Quakers they were opposed to slavery. For a while there was a large Society of Friends in Virginia, but their antislavery views caused bitter feelings against them, and many of them after a few years sought homes in the free states. Most of these Strattans moved from Virginia to Pennsylvania and Ohio between 1800 and 1812.

David Stratton's Will: