General Notes

Simon HADLEY <hdly0167.htm>, b. 5 3M 1736, New Castle co,DE; d.24 Mar 1803, Surry co,NC; [per gene.recs. at Deep River MM,NC; also at Deep Creek MM,NC] marr.(8 Mar 1756, New Castle co,DE) Bridget FOOTE, b.17 4M 1732, New Castle co,DE; d.15 Dec 1805, Surry co,NC;

This marker was placed at the grave of Captain Simon Hadley, Sr. <index220.html> by the Thomasville Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. He served in various capacities in the Revolution from 1775-1785. The ceremony was held on 14 May 1960 at the grave site of Captain Hadley, on his former plantation property in Beachton, Grady County, Georgia (formerly Thomas County <index604.html>). The ceremony was presided over by Mrs. James B. Burch, and the address was given by James B. Burch.
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Notes for Simon Hadley (1675)  Simon Hadley came to America about 1712 from County Wes t Meath, Ireland. He was accompanied to Pennsylvania by hi s wife and six children. Two children were later born in P ennsylvania. It is unknown which ship he came over on. Man y of the Friends sailed from Ireland to Pennsylvania on th e ship Sizargh of Whitehaven. Jermiah Cowman was the master . However, Simon and his family do not appear on the record s.  Simon did not present his certificate of removal unti l four years later. At Newark Monthly Meeting (now Kennett ) held at Center Meeting House, Centerville, Delaware - "4th. of 6th. mo. 17 16, Simon Hadley produced a certificate from Moate Monthl y Meeting in County of West Meath and Nation of Ireland whi ch was read and accepted".  Simon purchased 1000 acres of land about 30 miles sout h of Philadelphia in the Manor of Steyning. When the Pennsy lvania-Delaware line "C" was drawn it passed through Simon' s property, leaving part of his plantation in Chester Count y, Pennsylvania, but placing his home and official residen ce, and most of his plantation in New Castle County, Delawa re. This became part of New Garden Township. The house is located on Li me Stone Road, Hackessin, DE about 10 miles northwest of Wi lmington (or Wellington), DE, off Route 41. Go to Kaolin(a bout 3 miles before you get to Avondale) and turn left. G o down Route 7 for about 2 or 3 miles, turn right and go u p a hill and there you are. The cornerstone is hidden unde r a tree. Among the neighbors of Simon Hadley are some fami liar names: Lindley, Starr, Hutton, Rutledge, Miller, Rowla nd, and Johnson. All of these families were of English orig in, as were all of the Friends who went to Pennsylvania fro m Ireland with the exception of two it is said. Many of the m had been friends in Ireland and others were related by b lood or marriage.  The description that Chalmers Hadley gives to the hous e which was called Messuage Plantation of Steyning Manor, i s as follows:  The old house is on a slight eminence nearly a qua rter of a mile back from the road, and the nearest railroa d station, Southwood, is on what probably was once part o f the place. The old house is a two and one-half story, stu cco covered stone structure, and the gabled roof permits t he use of rooms on the third floor. The pointed windows und er the gables give a quaint appearance to the old building , and along the front extends a long porch. Underneath th e pointed gable window in the front a white stone slab is s unk in the wall and on it is carved "S. and R. H. 1717," th e initials of Simon and his wife, Ruth Hadley, and the dat e of the building's erection.   Some distance from the house is an old stone barn whic h appears to be as ancient as the house itself. Tradition c laims that when Simon Hadley was a very old man he was kil led in the stable by a servant who planned to rob him of th e considerable money he is said to have carried about wit h him.  This house is still in use and in 1977 the owner's wif e was a Dupont-Pierre's favorite niece. In 1716, Newark Mon thly Meeting was divided and New Garden Monthly Meeting cre ated. It was composed of the meetings of New Garden, Nottin gham and London Grove. By deed dated 26th. of 10th. Mo. 171 7 James Miller conveyed six acres of land to Simon Hadley a s trustee for New Garden Meeting. Simon apparently was quit e active in this meeting. His name frequently appears on co mmittees and he was made an overseer 28 May 1733. He and h is wife, Ruth, are buried there. On at least one occasion , we find Simon taking active part in his Quarterly Meetin g also. His name appears on a petition from Concord Quarter ly Meeting dated 3rd. Mo. 13th. 1734 and addressed to Kin g George II of England, regarding the boundary disputes bet ween the Penns and Lord Baltimore.  Although such activities were usually frowned upon by F riends, Simon was not completely inactive in public affairs .