In 1641, when all males over 18 had to swear an oath of allegiance to the King of England and the Protestant religion, Francis Searle was one of 69 men of Holbeton, Devon, to take the oath.1 It is commonly said that Francis Searle who immigrated to Pennsylvania was born in Holbeton in 1642, son of Francis Searle, probably the one who took the oath. There is no immigration record for Francis. He married Joan Philips and had at least one child before immigrating. Their son Arthur was baptized in Holbeton in 1683.

Francis and his wife Joan first appear in Bucks County records in 1690.  In 7^th month, Thomas King pleaded not guilty to spreading rumors about Joan Searle. “Hugh Marsh says in about the 3^rd month last past Thomas King said there was a witch near by. Being asked who it was, he said he suspected Francis Searle’s wife for she was an ugly ill favored woman and he did believe her to be one. Robert Marsh said he heard Thomas King say that there was a witch hard by.” The jury found King guilty of defaming her.2

In 1697 Searle bought his first known land in Bucks County, although the description of the land makes it clear he already owned an adjoining tract. He bought 400 acres in Bensalem from Joseph Growdon, bounded by land of Growdon, William Duncan, and other land of Francis Searle, paying £60.3 In 1714 Searle sold 100 acres of this land to his son Arthur.4 In 1697 Searle also bought land in Abington, Philadelphia County, jointly with John Carver. They bought 200 acres from the estate of Thomas Terwood, paying £130.5 Three years later they partitioned this land.6 In 1704 Francis Searle and Nicholas Waln requested a resurvey on a tract of 250 acres on Neshaminy Creek, originally laid out for Elizabeth Walmsley, now in the possession of Ralph Draycott. If there was any deficiency it was to be made up from adjacent tracts if possible.7 Searle was an overseer of the highways for Bensalem, serving several times.8 Other than that, he was not active in local government or in Quaker meeting affairs. He worked as a butcher.9

He made his will in January 1722; it was proved in May of that year.10 He left to Joan the rents from 100 acres that their son Thomas had settled on, plus two cows, a horse and 40 bushels of wheat, and a bed and furniture.11 He left cash bequests to his granddaughters Grace and Mary, daughters of his son Thomas deceased. The bulk of his estate was five tracts of land. The son Arthur received the plantation of 300 acres in Bensalem, while the daughter Mary, wife of Henry Walmsley, got the plantation in Southampton of 200 acres and 28 acres in Bensalem, also a plantation of 200 acres in Horsham and land in Abington. Mary and Arthur were the executors. He asked the meeting in Byberry to choose two men to see that the will is fulfilled. It is not known when Joan died.

Children of Francis and Joan:

Mary, married Henry Walmsley in 1699 at Middletown Mtg, lived in Bensalem, had two sons and seven daughters. Mary died in 1747; Henry died in 1759. Children: Joan, Elizabeth, Mary, Thomas, Rebecca, Francis, Sarah, Ann, Grace. All the children were living when Henry’s estate was probated in 1759.12

Thomas, b. ab. 1680 in England, died before 1722, married Sarah Naylor, daughter of John and Jane, in 1709, and left two daughters.13 Thomas and Sarah declared their intentions of marriage at Middletown Meeting on 9^th mo 1709.14 Children: Grace, Mary.

Arthur, b. 1683 in England, died in Middletown in 1737, married a daughter of John and Jane Naylor.15 Arthur was a maulster. He left a will naming eight children.16 Children: Thomas, Arthur, John, Jane, Mary, Rebecca, Sarah, and Elizabeth. His wife had died before him.