1600s - Seeking Freedom, Janney & Friends Set Sail

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Thomas Janney is believed to have been born in Cheshire, England, where his family had resided for generations. His baptism is recorded at Styall in "Januarie 1634", "The 11th day was baptyzed Thomas Janey sonne of Thomas Janey of Styall."

Thomas Janney, a yeoman farmer, joins the Religious Society of Friends. He becomes a minister of the Quaker faith, publishing religious papers and traveling extensively in England, Ireland and later in the New World.

James Harrison of Kendal, Westmoreland, England marries Anne Heath on the 5th month 1st day. Harrison later became an agent of William Penn’s personal affairs and a member of the Provincial Council.

Thomas Janney marries Margery Heath of Horton, County of Staffordshire, on the 9th month 24th day at the home of James Harrison in Pownall Fee, England. Margery is the sister of Anne Heath.

William Yardley of Ransclough, Staffordshire marries Jane Heath, sister of Anne and Margery.

Phineas Pemberton marries James Harrison's daughter, Phoebe in Bolton, England. The Pemberton and Harrison families were instrumental in the formation of a Friends Meeting held regularly at the Harrison home.

James Harrison was arrested at his home and charged 'that he did preach to the people that they should repent and fear God not  man and seek the way of light and truth'. He was fined and his goods seized. Thomas Janney suffers persecution as well, being a preacher of the Quaker faith. He is heavily taxed, has his property seized and was imprisoned several times for his religious convictions and his refusal to pay tithes to the Church of England.

Benjamin Duffield arrives in Burlington, NJ. Duffield is said to have been one of a delegation who came across the Delaware river to welcome William Penn on his arrival. It was Duffield's kinsman, Duane Duffield Doan Jr., who grew up on and farmed Doan/Patterson farm beginning in the 1930s, Presided over the Lower Makefield Township Farmland Preservation Board, and helped establish the nonprofit organization Patterson Farm Preservation, Inc. in 2015.

On the 5th month 3rd day Phineas Pemberton writes to Thomas Janney at Shadow Cross, Cheshire, England to invite Janney to the funeral of Pemberton's daughter Anne.  Pemberton's wife is Margery Janney's niece. Pemberton's home in America, Bolton Mansion in Bristol, still stands today, preserved by the Friends of Bolton Mansion. https://boltonmansion.org/

The ship Endeavor brings Quaker immigrants Thomas & Margery Janney and their four children Jacob, Thomas, Abel and Joseph from Shiall (Styall), County of Chester, England to their home-to-be in the new world. Phineas Pemberton records in his Book of Arrivals that they sailed up the Delaware the 29th day of 7th month (September in the Quaker calendar).

On the 12th of the 6th month, William Penn sails back to England on the ketch Endeavor which had brought Thomas Janney and family to the new world the year before.  Penn arrives at Wonder in Sussex the 6th of October.  His high regard for Thomas Janney begins to emerge in his letters, as the next day he writes to James Harrison from Worminghurst, sending his love to seven Friends, including Thomas Janney and William Yardley.

Immediately upon arrival here, Thomas Janney is called into a prominent place in civic and religious affairs of the Province. He was elected to the Provincial Council for a term of three years, 1684-1685-1686.

Writing to Harrison again on the 7th month 23rd day,  Penn requests, "Give my love to Thomas Janney, Phineas Pemberton and William Yardley and wives".  Another note to Harrison from Penn at Worminghurst on 11th month 28th day states, "much love to J. Simcock, Thomas Janney, William Yardley, and thyself especially...Glad that three such honest men whom I love in my heart, are in that station of service, as your being Provincial Judges, I know also that you are men of a good understanding and friends to me and my honest interest, but I could have wished you easier and better work."

The brownstone Janney Brown house is built.

William Satterthwaite II dies. His will transfers his estate to his son Joseph.

Death of Thomas Satterthwaite Patterson Jr. at the age of 97 on the 16th of August.

Death of Alice E. (Stokes) Patterson at the age of 96 on the 25th of August. Later that year Lower Makefield Township evicts Alice's tenant from the Satterthwaite House. The historic house has been kept vacant since that time, despite Patterson Farm Preservation, Inc's offers to restore, manage and open it to the public.

Patterson Farm Preservation, Inc. submits a successful nomination to have Patterson Farm recognized on Preservation Pennsylvania's At Risk List. The listing raises awareness of Patterson Farm as a threatened property of significant historic importance to the Commonwealth, and makes available the preservation expertise of Preservation PA as a resource for Lower Makefield Township.

Today, Patterson Farm is farmed by the Stewart family who rent the land from Lower Makefield Township to grow produce and grains. The Stewarts are award-winning, 6th generation Bucks County farmers. Crops grown on Patterson Farm are available at the Charlann Farms store on Stony Hill Road in Yardley.  A portion of the harvest is donated to charity to assist neighbors experiencing food insecurity. For more information about the Charlann Farms Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program visit  https://www.charlannfarms.com 

Anticipated celebration of the 350th Anniversary of Patterson Farm's founding. We look forward to a fully restored and protected Patterson Farm with a bright future for agriculture! With YOUR help we can bring this vision to fruition. Join the effort!