Joseph Walton, born about 1698, was the son of Daniel Walton and Mary Lamb, Quaker immigrants to Pennsylvania.1 He grew up in Byberry, Philadelphia County, with his parents and siblings. In 1719 his father Daniel died, and left the plantation in Byberry to his three younger sons, Joseph and Benjamin and Nathan, to share when they came of age. Until then they were to be diligent on the plantation and under the rule of their mother.2

In 1722 Joseph married Esther Carver, daughter of William and Mary, under the care of Abington Meeting. They were cleared to proceed in marriage in 10^th month 1722.3 They settled in Byberry and had two children before Joseph’s death in 1727, at a young age. He did not leave a will, and letters of administration were granted to Esther on April 12, 1727.4

The inventory of his estate was taken on April 18 by John Duncan and Thomas Walmsley, two Quakers of Byberry who would have known Joseph and his family very well. It included very sparse household goods, just a little brass, earthen and iron ware and a frying pan. Could Joseph and Esther have been still living on the plantation with his mother? He owned some farming tools: hoes and axe, a harrow and plow and irons and the ubiquitous saddle and bridle for the riding horse. He owned three horses, some sheep and cattle and had corn in the ground. The total came to only about £50. Twenty years later the children of Joseph and Esther renounced any claim to the estate in favor of their mother and her second husband.5

At Abington Meeting the following year Esther married Daniel Knight, son of Giles and Mary.6 His first wife Elizabeth Walker had committed suicide. Daniel and Elizabeth were married in 1719. A few years later, while Daniel was at the meeting, she left her two children alone in the house and hung herself in the stable. “As no person had discovered before that she was uneasy with her situation, Daniel felt anxious to know the cause of an act so extraordinary, and for several evenings afterwards he sat alone in the stable where she was found, in hopes that something might present to explain this mystery. At length he said he was satisfied, but never would give any person the least information by what means he became so.”7 Daniel and Elizabeth had three children together, one of whom died young. He married Esther in 1728, blending their two families and adding six more children together. After Esther died he married Mary Wilson. Daniel died in 1782 at the age of 85.8

Children of Joseph and Esther:9

Richard, b. 10^th month 1723, d. 1776, m. in 1753 Abigail Walmsley Comly, daughter of Thomas Walmsley and Mary Paxson, and widow of Isaac Comly.10 Richard and Abigail were married at Trinity Church in Oxford, but made an acknowledgment to Abington Meeting. She had three children with Isaac and three more with Richard. Richard died in 1776, supposedly of camp fever (typhus), and left a will, naming his wife and two living children. He left the plantation in Byberry to his son Joseph and left 26 acres with a grist mill to his son-in-law Ephraim Howell.11 Children of Richard and Abigail: Joseph, Benjamin (d. inf), Esther.

Rachel, b. 4^th month 1727, m. 1) William Groom, son of William Groom, 2) Edmund Briggs; disowned by Abington MM for the Briggs marriage. Rachel and Edmund were the guardians for her children with William Groom: William, Hester, Thomas, Mary, and Mahlon. There was much contention about their handling of William’s estate, with accusations of mismanagement by her Groom in-laws.12 Rachel was still alive in 1774.

Children of Esther Carver and Daniel Knight: (surname Knight)13

William, b. 9^th month 1729, d. 1782. “He was somewhat singular in his habits and would utter predictions which were afterwards so nearly fulfilled that many persons believed that he had a knowledge of future events and they looked upon him as more than an ordinary being.”14

Daniel, b. 7^th month 1732, married Ann Wilson in 1754 at Abington. It was reported accomplished on 30^th 12^th month 1754.15 Is he the Daniel Knight Jr who died in 1757 at Byberry?16

Martha, b. 9^th month 1736, married Henry Walmsley in 1759 at Byberry. The marriage certificate was signed by many Knights and Walmsleys as well as other members of the meeting like the Duncans and William Groom.17

Joseph, b. 1^st month 1739, d. 1799, m. Elizabeth James. He was probably the elder of Middletown Meeting whose death was reported by Philadelphia Yearly Meeting as 3^rd 10^th month 1799, age 61.18 He left a will naming his wife Elizabeth, one son and five daughters.19

Ann, b. 12^th month 1741/2, married in 1762 Daniel Walton, son of Daniel Walton and Elizabeth Cliffton. Daniel owned a saw mill in Byberry and died in 1776 of camp fever. Both Daniel and Ann were in trouble with Abington Meeting. Daniel was disowned for spreading “evil reports” and Ann was disowned for her irregular marriage after Daniel died. They had three or four known children. 20

Thomas, b. 7^th month 1744, married in 1771 Sarah Walton, daughter of Benjamin Walton and Rebecca Homer.21 They were married at Byberry. Children: Amos, Rebecca, and Esther. Sarah died in 1807.

Children of Daniel Knight and his first wife Elizabeth Walker.22 (Surname Knight)

Mary, b. 11^th month 1719/20, married in 1744 at Byberry David Buckman, son of William and Elizabeth. They lived in Wrightstown, Bucks County, where David was an elder. He died in 1791 but did not leave a will.

Joseph, b. 2^nd month 1721, no further record, probably died young.

Jonathan, b. 8^th month 1722, married in 1748 at Middletown MM Grace Croasdale. They lived in Southampton. Jonathan died in 1772.23 They had six sons.