This is an amazing treasure we have — five different biographical sketches of John Test by five different authors. How many people are able to find the opportunity to write such a sketch about their own parents much less about great-great...grandparents, 6, 7, 8 or more generations back.
Every year more genealogical and historical records become available on the internet making research much easier. No longer must anyone go to a Pennsylvania or a New Jersey library to access their records. Given the improvement in internet search engines and the almost leisurely pace we can conduct our research, documents can be found that earlier researchers have missed. But even search engines aren't perfect.
For example, if you do a search for John Test in volume one of the Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania you would not find any mention of him in December of 1683.
Subject Addressed | Laura G. Fryburg John Test: The Pioneer Ancestor of the American Family |
Nathan Hall John Test |
Glenn Test John Test |
Dorothy Hardin Massey and Clifford M. Hardin John and Grace (Wooley)Lippincott Test |
Dr. Charles E. Test John Test |
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Where was John Test born? | |||||
King’s Messenger to Gov. Andros | Cites Dorothy Hammitt's claim | ||||
Marriage License Allegation | Quotes allegation in full including reference to cordwayner. |
Omits cordwayner reference. |
Quotes allegation in full including reference to cordwayner. |
Omits cordwayner reference. Probably quoting Hall's sketch. Obscure reference to P6.7 at Swarthmore Library |
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Agreement Signed by John Test in London on June 28, 1675 | |||||
Sailed to America on Griffin in 1675 | or on the Mary | ||||
Part of Fenwick Colony | |||||
Described as a Merchant | Called Merchant but mainly interested in buying and selling Land. | ||||
Described as Cordwainer | Omits the word cordwayner in quoting marriage license allegation | in marriage record | Seems to follow Hall in omitting cordwayner in quoting marriage license | ||
Described as a Land Speculator | John Test is called Merchant but there is nothing to show he was interested in anything except the buying and selling of Land. | John was quite a land speculator.... | ....dealer in land. | ...Bought large tracts and then divided them up and sold them.... | |
Operated a Store | Opened a store in Upland and later at New Castle | ||||
Appointed Sheriff at Upland and later at Philadelphia | |||||
Justice on the Court at Burlington | |||||
Was John Test a Quaker? | Probably not a thorough Quaker | Not Members |