From an unidentified source from Chester County, Pennsylvania:
Storkey, Christian died July 2, 1818, buried on the 3rd at Baptist ground, aged 82 years-9mo-14d. He came as a bound servant about November 1753, served seven years, his wife came 1754 and served six years as a bound servant. Christian was born Sept 19,1735 in Hanover, a part of the British dominion, he survived his wife by 10 years and 6 days.
This lad who came to the United States at age 18 may well be the progenitor of my U.S. family line. Now to find out where "Baptist Ground" was in 1818. Perhaps it was where he married his wife. It seems that in his home area of Birmingham Township, the Baptist church then was Brandywine Baptist. The church concedes their records are not complete but was unable to find Christian. I may have to go back to them with a list of potential spellings because he may not turn up as I have him spelled here because the room for error is spacious as you'll see.
As we may observe from the list below of places Christian appeared in his day, he seems to show up mostly in Birmingham (which today is Chadds Ford Township in Delaware County, and still Birmingham Township in Chester County).
Please note this research was pulled from online records that may have been butchered over time. Christian's first language was German and he was giving his info to English speakers who then wrote it down in their own handwritings, and then many years later, the old fashioned and variable handwritten documents were typed out based on the typist's best guesses. That's a lot of chances for things to go wrong. Remember that the letters in his last name, "St" in cursive script can look like an "H" or "M" if the "t" is crossed into the "S". Fortunately there were not a lot of households in the area in Christian's time and if you search for his first name, you can usually find him.
I checked tax records in Birmingham for 1752 to 1761 where he did not appear, but...
A Christian Stalker is on 1762 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man - perfect sense, as he would have been done with his servitude about November 1760, and his wife-to-be finished around the same time)
A Christian Harker (perhaps Starker?) is on 1763 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, taxed 0,3,0, unsure what this represents)
A Christian Mother is on 1764 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, with 1 horse, 1 cow, listed as a cobber - recognize the name is a stretch but this is the only Christian in Birmingham and he never appears again. Also, the "cobber" occupation is not known to me, a cobbLer was a shoemaker but there are other men who are actually listed as shoemakers and a bunch listed as cobbers so it is probably not a typo or transcription error)
A Christian Holker (Storker perhaps?) is on the 1765 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate)
A Christian Holker (Storker perhaps?) is on the 1766 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate)
A Christian Starkey with Fredrick Starkey is on 1767 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 2 horses, 1 cow - it is not yet known if Fred was his father, child or brother)
A Christian & Fred. Starker is on 1768 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 3 horses, 2 cattle, 6 sheep, listed as farmer)
A Christian Stark is on 1769 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 2 horses, 3 cattle)
A Clayton Stork is on 1770 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 117 acres, 1 horse, 3 cattle, and while many if not all single men have a special mention, he does not so may be married)
A Christopher Storke is on 1771 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man)
A Christian Storby is on 1772 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man with 1,0 which appears to be one acre, zero buildings)
(1773 not found in Birmingham)
(1774 not found in Birmingham)
(1775 not found in Birmingham)
A Christian Starky is on 1776 tax rolls in Birmingham (as inmate, - that is, married man)
(1777 no records online for Birmingham)
A Christian Storkey is on the 1778 tax rolls in Birmingham
A Christian Starke is on the 1779 tax rolls in Birmingham (as inmate)
A Christian Storky is on 1780 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate)
A Christian Storky is on 1781 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate)
(1782, 1783, and 1784 not online)
(1785 not found in Birmingham)
A Christian Starke is on the 1786 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate with one cow)
A Chrisitan Stark is on the 1787 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate taxed 0,1,0, unsure what this represents)
(1788 not found in Birmingham)
(1789 records not online)
A Christion Storky appears on the 1790 census in Birmingham (only 2 males in the household, one under 18 and one over) but not on the tax rolls
(1791 not found in Birmingham, but 3 people show up that look interesting - William Horkins (inmate) and Caleb and Joseph Harkins (freeman) - in all cases, I wonder if the handwritten "St" looked like an "H" to the typist)
(1792 not found in Birmingham)
(1793 not found in Birmingham but there is a William Harvey, with 150 acres, 4 horses, 4 cattle, no marital info)
(1794 not found in Birmingham)
(1795 - 1801 not online)
A Christian Storkey is on the 1798 window tax in Birmingham (living in/on land owned by Isaac Gilpin [probable son of Gideon Gilpin whose farm was plundered during the Revolutionary War] 12 X 20 log dwelling house, on 130 acres)
A Christian Storkey is in Edgemont 1800 census (with his household showing just 2 people 1 male and one female over age 45, presumably he and wife)
(Not appearing on combined data for 1802 1803 1804, possible Eli Harvey with 50 acres, 2 horses, a brick house and stone barn)
(1805, 1806, 1807 tax rolls for Birmingham not online)
A Christian Storkey is on 1807 state census for Birmingham (as laborer)
A Christian Storkey is on 1808-09-10 tax rolls for Birmingham (as single freeman, jiving with his wife dying about 1808)
And in the Revolutionary War, Christian served as a private in Col. John Hannum's Battalion.
If the family is of German origins, the original name Stürke may make sense, as well as account for the spellings of Starkey and Storkey, since English speakers would be a bit rough and uncertain in saying an umlautted "u" and a final "e" that is spoken.
This memorial would not have been possible without the kind efforts of Terry who posted this obituary info back in 2005 on a genealogy site, which I found in 2012. Terry, your data has given my previously-stuck search new direction, and I truly thank you. If you ever recall your source, I'd be all a-tingle; let me know.
I believe Christian may have been the father of William Storkey I (who right now is little more than a concept) and grandpa of William Storkey II who is much more real, and of whom we even have a picture. The only reason to doubt this: my grandfather was quite firm that his Storkey family came from Scotland.
The burial location below is most likely correct based on Christian's obituary. Even though Chadds Ford was in Birmingham Township, trying to stretch the distance mapwise still creates only a 4.7 mile distance.
It is confirmed that Brandywine was the first Baptist church in Delaware County and was not followed by another until the establishment of Marcus Hook in 1789, and later Ridley in 1830. In 1925, the church sold off its burial grounds and the people were reinterred in Lawn Croft.
While this Marcus Hook congregation existed at the time of his death, it seems less likely he would have traveled the 14 miles to get there to worship. Marcus Hook's original location was in Lower Chichester which would have been about the same or more from Birmingham. Brandywine is the only Baptist church extant in the area during Christian's life and passing. The man lived there, and fought at Brandywine, and there was no other Baptist church nearby so we're pretty solid.
For my own future research, however, it is worth examining the following which apply to Chester County and not Delaware as above. The area has split so Baptist Ground might be in the next present county, so search on these:
Baptist. — Great Valley is the oldest and
was the first Baptist church that was organ-
ized in the present county of Chester. It
was established April 22, 1711, with Hugh
Davis as minister, and Alexander Owen
and "William Rees as elders. Since then
the following churches of that denomina-
tion have been established :
Vincent, 1771 (610) 306-4641 - left msg., has cem but is 20 miles away from Birmingham
London Tract, 1780 - this date differs from the 1703 date I found for when the church was founded, and others claiming 1729. If it is the one in Kemblesville, it too was 20 miles from Birmingham.
Hepzibah, 1810. This is 17 miles from Birmingham in Coatesville. This is the location the church moved to from Newlin Twp. in 1793 so would have been there in 1818. The cemetery was begun the same year. The original location in Newlin to Birmingham was 10 miles. 610-383-0330
All the following churches were established after 1818, too late to have handled Christian's burial:
Beulah, 1823
Bethesda, 1827
Goshen, 1827
Phoenixville, 1830
Glen Run, 1832
Windsor, 1833
Willistown, 1833
West Chester, 1834
East Nantmeal, 1841
West Cain, 1842
East Brandywine, 1843
Pughtown, 1856
Lawrenceville,1858
Coatesville,1867
Berean,1878
Oxford, 1881
Green Valley 1881.
About the area, referring to Chester County "The English settlers were chiefly Qua-
kers, and settled in the eastern and central
parts of the county. They were a peacea-
ble, thrifty and law-abiding people.
The Germans were mostly Lutherans,
German Reformed, Mennonites, Dunkers
and Moravians ; and they made homes for
themselves principally in what is now East
and West Vincent townships, where they
supplanted the few pioneer inhabitants of
that section. They were honest, frugal and
industrious, and soon became prosperous.
The Welsh were principally Baptist in
religion, and settled on the famous "Welsh
Tract," which embraces several of the town-
ships in the eastern and northern parts of
the county. They were an intelligent, en-
ergetic, and enterprising people, who made
the best of citizens."
Though his burial suggests he may not have been Lutheran, let's leave this here for future reference:
"Lutheran. — Zion church was organized
prior to 1770, but its early records are lost,
and the date of its establishment cannot be
given. Of the other Lutheran churches in
the county we have obtained the date of es-
tablishment for the following: St. Peter's,
1770; St. Matthew's, 1833; St. Paul's,
1839; St. Peter's, of Pikeland township.
1840 ;- Centennial, 1876; Central, 1876;
and Spring City in 1880."
Storkey, Christian died July 2, 1818, buried on the 3rd at Baptist ground, aged 82 years-9mo-14d. He came as a bound servant about November 1753, served seven years, his wife came 1754 and served six years as a bound servant. Christian was born Sept 19,1735 in Hanover, a part of the British dominion, he survived his wife by 10 years and 6 days.
This lad who came to the United States at age 18 may well be the progenitor of my U.S. family line. Now to find out where "Baptist Ground" was in 1818. Perhaps it was where he married his wife. It seems that in his home area of Birmingham Township, the Baptist church then was Brandywine Baptist. The church concedes their records are not complete but was unable to find Christian. I may have to go back to them with a list of potential spellings because he may not turn up as I have him spelled here because the room for error is spacious as you'll see.
As we may observe from the list below of places Christian appeared in his day, he seems to show up mostly in Birmingham (which today is Chadds Ford Township in Delaware County, and still Birmingham Township in Chester County).
Please note this research was pulled from online records that may have been butchered over time. Christian's first language was German and he was giving his info to English speakers who then wrote it down in their own handwritings, and then many years later, the old fashioned and variable handwritten documents were typed out based on the typist's best guesses. That's a lot of chances for things to go wrong. Remember that the letters in his last name, "St" in cursive script can look like an "H" or "M" if the "t" is crossed into the "S". Fortunately there were not a lot of households in the area in Christian's time and if you search for his first name, you can usually find him.
I checked tax records in Birmingham for 1752 to 1761 where he did not appear, but...
A Christian Stalker is on 1762 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man - perfect sense, as he would have been done with his servitude about November 1760, and his wife-to-be finished around the same time)
A Christian Harker (perhaps Starker?) is on 1763 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, taxed 0,3,0, unsure what this represents)
A Christian Mother is on 1764 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, with 1 horse, 1 cow, listed as a cobber - recognize the name is a stretch but this is the only Christian in Birmingham and he never appears again. Also, the "cobber" occupation is not known to me, a cobbLer was a shoemaker but there are other men who are actually listed as shoemakers and a bunch listed as cobbers so it is probably not a typo or transcription error)
A Christian Holker (Storker perhaps?) is on the 1765 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate)
A Christian Holker (Storker perhaps?) is on the 1766 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate)
A Christian Starkey with Fredrick Starkey is on 1767 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 2 horses, 1 cow - it is not yet known if Fred was his father, child or brother)
A Christian & Fred. Starker is on 1768 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 3 horses, 2 cattle, 6 sheep, listed as farmer)
A Christian Stark is on 1769 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 2 horses, 3 cattle)
A Clayton Stork is on 1770 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 117 acres, 1 horse, 3 cattle, and while many if not all single men have a special mention, he does not so may be married)
A Christopher Storke is on 1771 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man)
A Christian Storby is on 1772 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man with 1,0 which appears to be one acre, zero buildings)
(1773 not found in Birmingham)
(1774 not found in Birmingham)
(1775 not found in Birmingham)
A Christian Starky is on 1776 tax rolls in Birmingham (as inmate, - that is, married man)
(1777 no records online for Birmingham)
A Christian Storkey is on the 1778 tax rolls in Birmingham
A Christian Starke is on the 1779 tax rolls in Birmingham (as inmate)
A Christian Storky is on 1780 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate)
A Christian Storky is on 1781 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate)
(1782, 1783, and 1784 not online)
(1785 not found in Birmingham)
A Christian Starke is on the 1786 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate with one cow)
A Chrisitan Stark is on the 1787 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate taxed 0,1,0, unsure what this represents)
(1788 not found in Birmingham)
(1789 records not online)
A Christion Storky appears on the 1790 census in Birmingham (only 2 males in the household, one under 18 and one over) but not on the tax rolls
(1791 not found in Birmingham, but 3 people show up that look interesting - William Horkins (inmate) and Caleb and Joseph Harkins (freeman) - in all cases, I wonder if the handwritten "St" looked like an "H" to the typist)
(1792 not found in Birmingham)
(1793 not found in Birmingham but there is a William Harvey, with 150 acres, 4 horses, 4 cattle, no marital info)
(1794 not found in Birmingham)
(1795 - 1801 not online)
A Christian Storkey is on the 1798 window tax in Birmingham (living in/on land owned by Isaac Gilpin [probable son of Gideon Gilpin whose farm was plundered during the Revolutionary War] 12 X 20 log dwelling house, on 130 acres)
A Christian Storkey is in Edgemont 1800 census (with his household showing just 2 people 1 male and one female over age 45, presumably he and wife)
(Not appearing on combined data for 1802 1803 1804, possible Eli Harvey with 50 acres, 2 horses, a brick house and stone barn)
(1805, 1806, 1807 tax rolls for Birmingham not online)
A Christian Storkey is on 1807 state census for Birmingham (as laborer)
A Christian Storkey is on 1808-09-10 tax rolls for Birmingham (as single freeman, jiving with his wife dying about 1808)
And in the Revolutionary War, Christian served as a private in Col. John Hannum's Battalion.
If the family is of German origins, the original name Stürke may make sense, as well as account for the spellings of Starkey and Storkey, since English speakers would be a bit rough and uncertain in saying an umlautted "u" and a final "e" that is spoken.
This memorial would not have been possible without the kind efforts of Terry who posted this obituary info back in 2005 on a genealogy site, which I found in 2012. Terry, your data has given my previously-stuck search new direction, and I truly thank you. If you ever recall your source, I'd be all a-tingle; let me know.
I believe Christian may have been the father of William Storkey I (who right now is little more than a concept) and grandpa of William Storkey II who is much more real, and of whom we even have a picture. The only reason to doubt this: my grandfather was quite firm that his Storkey family came from Scotland.
The burial location below is most likely correct based on Christian's obituary. Even though Chadds Ford was in Birmingham Township, trying to stretch the distance mapwise still creates only a 4.7 mile distance.
It is confirmed that Brandywine was the first Baptist church in Delaware County and was not followed by another until the establishment of Marcus Hook in 1789, and later Ridley in 1830. In 1925, the church sold off its burial grounds and the people were reinterred in Lawn Croft.
While this Marcus Hook congregation existed at the time of his death, it seems less likely he would have traveled the 14 miles to get there to worship. Marcus Hook's original location was in Lower Chichester which would have been about the same or more from Birmingham. Brandywine is the only Baptist church extant in the area during Christian's life and passing. The man lived there, and fought at Brandywine, and there was no other Baptist church nearby so we're pretty solid.
For my own future research, however, it is worth examining the following which apply to Chester County and not Delaware as above. The area has split so Baptist Ground might be in the next present county, so search on these:
Baptist. — Great Valley is the oldest and
was the first Baptist church that was organ-
ized in the present county of Chester. It
was established April 22, 1711, with Hugh
Davis as minister, and Alexander Owen
and "William Rees as elders. Since then
the following churches of that denomina-
tion have been established :
Vincent, 1771 (610) 306-4641 - left msg., has cem but is 20 miles away from Birmingham
London Tract, 1780 - this date differs from the 1703 date I found for when the church was founded, and others claiming 1729. If it is the one in Kemblesville, it too was 20 miles from Birmingham.
Hepzibah, 1810. This is 17 miles from Birmingham in Coatesville. This is the location the church moved to from Newlin Twp. in 1793 so would have been there in 1818. The cemetery was begun the same year. The original location in Newlin to Birmingham was 10 miles. 610-383-0330
All the following churches were established after 1818, too late to have handled Christian's burial:
Beulah, 1823
Bethesda, 1827
Goshen, 1827
Phoenixville, 1830
Glen Run, 1832
Windsor, 1833
Willistown, 1833
West Chester, 1834
East Nantmeal, 1841
West Cain, 1842
East Brandywine, 1843
Pughtown, 1856
Lawrenceville,1858
Coatesville,1867
Berean,1878
Oxford, 1881
Green Valley 1881.
About the area, referring to Chester County "The English settlers were chiefly Qua-
kers, and settled in the eastern and central
parts of the county. They were a peacea-
ble, thrifty and law-abiding people.
The Germans were mostly Lutherans,
German Reformed, Mennonites, Dunkers
and Moravians ; and they made homes for
themselves principally in what is now East
and West Vincent townships, where they
supplanted the few pioneer inhabitants of
that section. They were honest, frugal and
industrious, and soon became prosperous.
The Welsh were principally Baptist in
religion, and settled on the famous "Welsh
Tract," which embraces several of the town-
ships in the eastern and northern parts of
the county. They were an intelligent, en-
ergetic, and enterprising people, who made
the best of citizens."
Though his burial suggests he may not have been Lutheran, let's leave this here for future reference:
"Lutheran. — Zion church was organized
prior to 1770, but its early records are lost,
and the date of its establishment cannot be
given. Of the other Lutheran churches in
the county we have obtained the date of es-
tablishment for the following: St. Peter's,
1770; St. Matthew's, 1833; St. Paul's,
1839; St. Peter's, of Pikeland township.
1840 ;- Centennial, 1876; Central, 1876;
and Spring City in 1880."
From an unidentified source from Chester County, Pennsylvania:
Storkey, Christian died July 2, 1818, buried on the 3rd at Baptist ground, aged 82 years-9mo-14d. He came as a bound servant about November 1753, served seven years, his wife came 1754 and served six years as a bound servant. Christian was born Sept 19,1735 in Hanover, a part of the British dominion, he survived his wife by 10 years and 6 days.
This lad who came to the United States at age 18 may well be the progenitor of my U.S. family line. Now to find out where "Baptist Ground" was in 1818. Perhaps it was where he married his wife. It seems that in his home area of Birmingham Township, the Baptist church then was Brandywine Baptist. The church concedes their records are not complete but was unable to find Christian. I may have to go back to them with a list of potential spellings because he may not turn up as I have him spelled here because the room for error is spacious as you'll see.
As we may observe from the list below of places Christian appeared in his day, he seems to show up mostly in Birmingham (which today is Chadds Ford Township in Delaware County, and still Birmingham Township in Chester County).
Please note this research was pulled from online records that may have been butchered over time. Christian's first language was German and he was giving his info to English speakers who then wrote it down in their own handwritings, and then many years later, the old fashioned and variable handwritten documents were typed out based on the typist's best guesses. That's a lot of chances for things to go wrong. Remember that the letters in his last name, "St" in cursive script can look like an "H" or "M" if the "t" is crossed into the "S". Fortunately there were not a lot of households in the area in Christian's time and if you search for his first name, you can usually find him.
I checked tax records in Birmingham for 1752 to 1761 where he did not appear, but...
A Christian Stalker is on 1762 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man - perfect sense, as he would have been done with his servitude about November 1760, and his wife-to-be finished around the same time)
A Christian Harker (perhaps Starker?) is on 1763 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, taxed 0,3,0, unsure what this represents)
A Christian Mother is on 1764 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, with 1 horse, 1 cow, listed as a cobber - recognize the name is a stretch but this is the only Christian in Birmingham and he never appears again. Also, the "cobber" occupation is not known to me, a cobbLer was a shoemaker but there are other men who are actually listed as shoemakers and a bunch listed as cobbers so it is probably not a typo or transcription error)
A Christian Holker (Storker perhaps?) is on the 1765 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate)
A Christian Holker (Storker perhaps?) is on the 1766 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate)
A Christian Starkey with Fredrick Starkey is on 1767 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 2 horses, 1 cow - it is not yet known if Fred was his father, child or brother)
A Christian & Fred. Starker is on 1768 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 3 horses, 2 cattle, 6 sheep, listed as farmer)
A Christian Stark is on 1769 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 2 horses, 3 cattle)
A Clayton Stork is on 1770 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 117 acres, 1 horse, 3 cattle, and while many if not all single men have a special mention, he does not so may be married)
A Christopher Storke is on 1771 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man)
A Christian Storby is on 1772 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man with 1,0 which appears to be one acre, zero buildings)
(1773 not found in Birmingham)
(1774 not found in Birmingham)
(1775 not found in Birmingham)
A Christian Starky is on 1776 tax rolls in Birmingham (as inmate, - that is, married man)
(1777 no records online for Birmingham)
A Christian Storkey is on the 1778 tax rolls in Birmingham
A Christian Starke is on the 1779 tax rolls in Birmingham (as inmate)
A Christian Storky is on 1780 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate)
A Christian Storky is on 1781 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate)
(1782, 1783, and 1784 not online)
(1785 not found in Birmingham)
A Christian Starke is on the 1786 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate with one cow)
A Chrisitan Stark is on the 1787 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate taxed 0,1,0, unsure what this represents)
(1788 not found in Birmingham)
(1789 records not online)
A Christion Storky appears on the 1790 census in Birmingham (only 2 males in the household, one under 18 and one over) but not on the tax rolls
(1791 not found in Birmingham, but 3 people show up that look interesting - William Horkins (inmate) and Caleb and Joseph Harkins (freeman) - in all cases, I wonder if the handwritten "St" looked like an "H" to the typist)
(1792 not found in Birmingham)
(1793 not found in Birmingham but there is a William Harvey, with 150 acres, 4 horses, 4 cattle, no marital info)
(1794 not found in Birmingham)
(1795 - 1801 not online)
A Christian Storkey is on the 1798 window tax in Birmingham (living in/on land owned by Isaac Gilpin [probable son of Gideon Gilpin whose farm was plundered during the Revolutionary War] 12 X 20 log dwelling house, on 130 acres)
A Christian Storkey is in Edgemont 1800 census (with his household showing just 2 people 1 male and one female over age 45, presumably he and wife)
(Not appearing on combined data for 1802 1803 1804, possible Eli Harvey with 50 acres, 2 horses, a brick house and stone barn)
(1805, 1806, 1807 tax rolls for Birmingham not online)
A Christian Storkey is on 1807 state census for Birmingham (as laborer)
A Christian Storkey is on 1808-09-10 tax rolls for Birmingham (as single freeman, jiving with his wife dying about 1808)
And in the Revolutionary War, Christian served as a private in Col. John Hannum's Battalion.
If the family is of German origins, the original name Stürke may make sense, as well as account for the spellings of Starkey and Storkey, since English speakers would be a bit rough and uncertain in saying an umlautted "u" and a final "e" that is spoken.
This memorial would not have been possible without the kind efforts of Terry who posted this obituary info back in 2005 on a genealogy site, which I found in 2012. Terry, your data has given my previously-stuck search new direction, and I truly thank you. If you ever recall your source, I'd be all a-tingle; let me know.
I believe Christian may have been the father of William Storkey I (who right now is little more than a concept) and grandpa of William Storkey II who is much more real, and of whom we even have a picture. The only reason to doubt this: my grandfather was quite firm that his Storkey family came from Scotland.
The burial location below is most likely correct based on Christian's obituary. Even though Chadds Ford was in Birmingham Township, trying to stretch the distance mapwise still creates only a 4.7 mile distance.
It is confirmed that Brandywine was the first Baptist church in Delaware County and was not followed by another until the establishment of Marcus Hook in 1789, and later Ridley in 1830. In 1925, the church sold off its burial grounds and the people were reinterred in Lawn Croft.
While this Marcus Hook congregation existed at the time of his death, it seems less likely he would have traveled the 14 miles to get there to worship. Marcus Hook's original location was in Lower Chichester which would have been about the same or more from Birmingham. Brandywine is the only Baptist church extant in the area during Christian's life and passing. The man lived there, and fought at Brandywine, and there was no other Baptist church nearby so we're pretty solid.
For my own future research, however, it is worth examining the following which apply to Chester County and not Delaware as above. The area has split so Baptist Ground might be in the next present county, so search on these:
Baptist. — Great Valley is the oldest and
was the first Baptist church that was organ-
ized in the present county of Chester. It
was established April 22, 1711, with Hugh
Davis as minister, and Alexander Owen
and "William Rees as elders. Since then
the following churches of that denomina-
tion have been established :
Vincent, 1771 (610) 306-4641 - left msg., has cem but is 20 miles away from Birmingham
London Tract, 1780 - this date differs from the 1703 date I found for when the church was founded, and others claiming 1729. If it is the one in Kemblesville, it too was 20 miles from Birmingham.
Hepzibah, 1810. This is 17 miles from Birmingham in Coatesville. This is the location the church moved to from Newlin Twp. in 1793 so would have been there in 1818. The cemetery was begun the same year. The original location in Newlin to Birmingham was 10 miles. 610-383-0330
All the following churches were established after 1818, too late to have handled Christian's burial:
Beulah, 1823
Bethesda, 1827
Goshen, 1827
Phoenixville, 1830
Glen Run, 1832
Windsor, 1833
Willistown, 1833
West Chester, 1834
East Nantmeal, 1841
West Cain, 1842
East Brandywine, 1843
Pughtown, 1856
Lawrenceville,1858
Coatesville,1867
Berean,1878
Oxford, 1881
Green Valley 1881.
About the area, referring to Chester County "The English settlers were chiefly Qua-
kers, and settled in the eastern and central
parts of the county. They were a peacea-
ble, thrifty and law-abiding people.
The Germans were mostly Lutherans,
German Reformed, Mennonites, Dunkers
and Moravians ; and they made homes for
themselves principally in what is now East
and West Vincent townships, where they
supplanted the few pioneer inhabitants of
that section. They were honest, frugal and
industrious, and soon became prosperous.
The Welsh were principally Baptist in
religion, and settled on the famous "Welsh
Tract," which embraces several of the town-
ships in the eastern and northern parts of
the county. They were an intelligent, en-
ergetic, and enterprising people, who made
the best of citizens."
Though his burial suggests he may not have been Lutheran, let's leave this here for future reference:
"Lutheran. — Zion church was organized
prior to 1770, but its early records are lost,
and the date of its establishment cannot be
given. Of the other Lutheran churches in
the county we have obtained the date of es-
tablishment for the following: St. Peter's,
1770; St. Matthew's, 1833; St. Paul's,
1839; St. Peter's, of Pikeland township.
1840 ;- Centennial, 1876; Central, 1876;
and Spring City in 1880."
Storkey, Christian died July 2, 1818, buried on the 3rd at Baptist ground, aged 82 years-9mo-14d. He came as a bound servant about November 1753, served seven years, his wife came 1754 and served six years as a bound servant. Christian was born Sept 19,1735 in Hanover, a part of the British dominion, he survived his wife by 10 years and 6 days.
This lad who came to the United States at age 18 may well be the progenitor of my U.S. family line. Now to find out where "Baptist Ground" was in 1818. Perhaps it was where he married his wife. It seems that in his home area of Birmingham Township, the Baptist church then was Brandywine Baptist. The church concedes their records are not complete but was unable to find Christian. I may have to go back to them with a list of potential spellings because he may not turn up as I have him spelled here because the room for error is spacious as you'll see.
As we may observe from the list below of places Christian appeared in his day, he seems to show up mostly in Birmingham (which today is Chadds Ford Township in Delaware County, and still Birmingham Township in Chester County).
Please note this research was pulled from online records that may have been butchered over time. Christian's first language was German and he was giving his info to English speakers who then wrote it down in their own handwritings, and then many years later, the old fashioned and variable handwritten documents were typed out based on the typist's best guesses. That's a lot of chances for things to go wrong. Remember that the letters in his last name, "St" in cursive script can look like an "H" or "M" if the "t" is crossed into the "S". Fortunately there were not a lot of households in the area in Christian's time and if you search for his first name, you can usually find him.
I checked tax records in Birmingham for 1752 to 1761 where he did not appear, but...
A Christian Stalker is on 1762 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man - perfect sense, as he would have been done with his servitude about November 1760, and his wife-to-be finished around the same time)
A Christian Harker (perhaps Starker?) is on 1763 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, taxed 0,3,0, unsure what this represents)
A Christian Mother is on 1764 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, with 1 horse, 1 cow, listed as a cobber - recognize the name is a stretch but this is the only Christian in Birmingham and he never appears again. Also, the "cobber" occupation is not known to me, a cobbLer was a shoemaker but there are other men who are actually listed as shoemakers and a bunch listed as cobbers so it is probably not a typo or transcription error)
A Christian Holker (Storker perhaps?) is on the 1765 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate)
A Christian Holker (Storker perhaps?) is on the 1766 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate)
A Christian Starkey with Fredrick Starkey is on 1767 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 2 horses, 1 cow - it is not yet known if Fred was his father, child or brother)
A Christian & Fred. Starker is on 1768 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 3 horses, 2 cattle, 6 sheep, listed as farmer)
A Christian Stark is on 1769 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 150 acres, 2 horses, 3 cattle)
A Clayton Stork is on 1770 tax rolls in Birmingham (with 117 acres, 1 horse, 3 cattle, and while many if not all single men have a special mention, he does not so may be married)
A Christopher Storke is on 1771 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man)
A Christian Storby is on 1772 tax rolls in Birmingham (as an inmate, that is, a married man with 1,0 which appears to be one acre, zero buildings)
(1773 not found in Birmingham)
(1774 not found in Birmingham)
(1775 not found in Birmingham)
A Christian Starky is on 1776 tax rolls in Birmingham (as inmate, - that is, married man)
(1777 no records online for Birmingham)
A Christian Storkey is on the 1778 tax rolls in Birmingham
A Christian Starke is on the 1779 tax rolls in Birmingham (as inmate)
A Christian Storky is on 1780 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate)
A Christian Storky is on 1781 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate)
(1782, 1783, and 1784 not online)
(1785 not found in Birmingham)
A Christian Starke is on the 1786 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate with one cow)
A Chrisitan Stark is on the 1787 tax rolls for Birmingham (as inmate taxed 0,1,0, unsure what this represents)
(1788 not found in Birmingham)
(1789 records not online)
A Christion Storky appears on the 1790 census in Birmingham (only 2 males in the household, one under 18 and one over) but not on the tax rolls
(1791 not found in Birmingham, but 3 people show up that look interesting - William Horkins (inmate) and Caleb and Joseph Harkins (freeman) - in all cases, I wonder if the handwritten "St" looked like an "H" to the typist)
(1792 not found in Birmingham)
(1793 not found in Birmingham but there is a William Harvey, with 150 acres, 4 horses, 4 cattle, no marital info)
(1794 not found in Birmingham)
(1795 - 1801 not online)
A Christian Storkey is on the 1798 window tax in Birmingham (living in/on land owned by Isaac Gilpin [probable son of Gideon Gilpin whose farm was plundered during the Revolutionary War] 12 X 20 log dwelling house, on 130 acres)
A Christian Storkey is in Edgemont 1800 census (with his household showing just 2 people 1 male and one female over age 45, presumably he and wife)
(Not appearing on combined data for 1802 1803 1804, possible Eli Harvey with 50 acres, 2 horses, a brick house and stone barn)
(1805, 1806, 1807 tax rolls for Birmingham not online)
A Christian Storkey is on 1807 state census for Birmingham (as laborer)
A Christian Storkey is on 1808-09-10 tax rolls for Birmingham (as single freeman, jiving with his wife dying about 1808)
And in the Revolutionary War, Christian served as a private in Col. John Hannum's Battalion.
If the family is of German origins, the original name Stürke may make sense, as well as account for the spellings of Starkey and Storkey, since English speakers would be a bit rough and uncertain in saying an umlautted "u" and a final "e" that is spoken.
This memorial would not have been possible without the kind efforts of Terry who posted this obituary info back in 2005 on a genealogy site, which I found in 2012. Terry, your data has given my previously-stuck search new direction, and I truly thank you. If you ever recall your source, I'd be all a-tingle; let me know.
I believe Christian may have been the father of William Storkey I (who right now is little more than a concept) and grandpa of William Storkey II who is much more real, and of whom we even have a picture. The only reason to doubt this: my grandfather was quite firm that his Storkey family came from Scotland.
The burial location below is most likely correct based on Christian's obituary. Even though Chadds Ford was in Birmingham Township, trying to stretch the distance mapwise still creates only a 4.7 mile distance.
It is confirmed that Brandywine was the first Baptist church in Delaware County and was not followed by another until the establishment of Marcus Hook in 1789, and later Ridley in 1830. In 1925, the church sold off its burial grounds and the people were reinterred in Lawn Croft.
While this Marcus Hook congregation existed at the time of his death, it seems less likely he would have traveled the 14 miles to get there to worship. Marcus Hook's original location was in Lower Chichester which would have been about the same or more from Birmingham. Brandywine is the only Baptist church extant in the area during Christian's life and passing. The man lived there, and fought at Brandywine, and there was no other Baptist church nearby so we're pretty solid.
For my own future research, however, it is worth examining the following which apply to Chester County and not Delaware as above. The area has split so Baptist Ground might be in the next present county, so search on these:
Baptist. — Great Valley is the oldest and
was the first Baptist church that was organ-
ized in the present county of Chester. It
was established April 22, 1711, with Hugh
Davis as minister, and Alexander Owen
and "William Rees as elders. Since then
the following churches of that denomina-
tion have been established :
Vincent, 1771 (610) 306-4641 - left msg., has cem but is 20 miles away from Birmingham
London Tract, 1780 - this date differs from the 1703 date I found for when the church was founded, and others claiming 1729. If it is the one in Kemblesville, it too was 20 miles from Birmingham.
Hepzibah, 1810. This is 17 miles from Birmingham in Coatesville. This is the location the church moved to from Newlin Twp. in 1793 so would have been there in 1818. The cemetery was begun the same year. The original location in Newlin to Birmingham was 10 miles. 610-383-0330
All the following churches were established after 1818, too late to have handled Christian's burial:
Beulah, 1823
Bethesda, 1827
Goshen, 1827
Phoenixville, 1830
Glen Run, 1832
Windsor, 1833
Willistown, 1833
West Chester, 1834
East Nantmeal, 1841
West Cain, 1842
East Brandywine, 1843
Pughtown, 1856
Lawrenceville,1858
Coatesville,1867
Berean,1878
Oxford, 1881
Green Valley 1881.
About the area, referring to Chester County "The English settlers were chiefly Qua-
kers, and settled in the eastern and central
parts of the county. They were a peacea-
ble, thrifty and law-abiding people.
The Germans were mostly Lutherans,
German Reformed, Mennonites, Dunkers
and Moravians ; and they made homes for
themselves principally in what is now East
and West Vincent townships, where they
supplanted the few pioneer inhabitants of
that section. They were honest, frugal and
industrious, and soon became prosperous.
The Welsh were principally Baptist in
religion, and settled on the famous "Welsh
Tract," which embraces several of the town-
ships in the eastern and northern parts of
the county. They were an intelligent, en-
ergetic, and enterprising people, who made
the best of citizens."
Though his burial suggests he may not have been Lutheran, let's leave this here for future reference:
"Lutheran. — Zion church was organized
prior to 1770, but its early records are lost,
and the date of its establishment cannot be
given. Of the other Lutheran churches in
the county we have obtained the date of es-
tablishment for the following: St. Peter's,
1770; St. Matthew's, 1833; St. Paul's,
1839; St. Peter's, of Pikeland township.
1840 ;- Centennial, 1876; Central, 1876;
and Spring City in 1880."
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