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Fearless Females: Margaret Still

Lisa A Alzo of The Accidental Genealogist started the Fearless Females prompts for Women’s History Month. Throughout March, each day will feature a different female ancestor. Today’s prompt is: Do you have a favorite female ancestor? One you are drawn to or want to learn more about? Write down some key facts you have already learned or what you would like to learn and outline your goals and potential sources you plan to check. 

I’m not sure that Margaret Still is my favorite female ancestor but she is certainly the one I obsess over the most.  

Margaret is my 4x great grandmother. She got pregnant out of wedlock and her father, Charles Still, put her out on a farm in Goosetown, East Fallowfield Township, in Chester County. In a nutshell, I want to know who got her pregnant.  

What I know:
Margaret was born in 1788 to Charles and Margaret Rhoades Still, of Uwchlan Township, Chester County. She has three brothers: Charles, Henry and Jacob.
TIMELINE:
1788 - born in PA
1808 - son George born May 3rd
1823 - son David born
1827 - court records show David Phillips committed fornication against her.
1828 - as per Sheriff Deeds (online) she purchased 3 lots from the Kennedys in East Fallowfield Twp.
1830 - son George marries Sarah BING Dec. 30th
1830 - land records show Margaret sold son George 37 acres, a bldg, a horse and a cattle
1845 - son David marries Agnes Armstrong April 16th
1850 - census shows her living w/David and his wife and their son William in East Fallowfield Twp.
1851 - 23 Jan. she sold George land purchased on 2 Feb 1829
1870 - census shows her living w/David in Marshalton, East Fallowfield Twp.
1871 - 4 Dec wrote will
1872 - died in East Fallowfield Twp., Chester County, PA
1872 - 15 Aug. will executed 

Goals:
I want to know who fathered my 3rd great grandfather, her son, George David Still and his brother, David Still. I want to know who my 4th great grandfather is. I also want to know more about Margaret’s parents and brothers. 

Potential Sources:
The Chester County Archives and the old local newspapers may be of great help. 

Fearless Females is a daily prompt throughout March celebrating Women’s History Month 
© Jeanne Ruczhak-Eckman, 2015
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Comments

  1. Dana LeedsMarch 1, 2015 at 10:42 PM

    That sounds like a tough case! Thanks for reminding me of Lisa's Fearless Females. I'll have to go check it out.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Cousin RussMarch 2, 2015 at 2:18 AM

    Jeanne,

    Did you check the Quaker Records ?

    Russ

    ReplyDelete
  3. Genealogical GemsMarch 2, 2015 at 9:40 AM

    You're welcome, Dana! ...

    I have not, Russ. The family was not Quaker tho. Recently tied her parents to a Baptist Church in Vincent Twp. She and one son are buried at a Baptist Church as well. Her other son (my George) attended a ME Church but is buried in a Presbyterian Cemetery.

    ReplyDelete

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