An abstract of the life of James Logan

Source: James Logan and the Culture of Provincial Pennsylvania by Frederick B. Tolles (1957)

Abstracted by James Quinn

Before 1674: Patrick Logan, James's father, the chaplain at the Lady at Stenton, is convinced to become a Quaker. Because of this Patrick Logan had to emigrate from Scotland to Ulster. Here Patrick found work as a schoolmaster at Lurgan, county Armagh. Patrick married Isabel Hume, also a Quaker. She had nine children but only James and his brother William survived childhood.

20 October 1674: James Logan is born. He is given a good education by his father.

1687: Apprenticed to Edward Webb, Dublin, Ireland, linen merchant at age 13.

1688. The Logans flee Ireland during the war between James II and William and Mary, returning to Scotland. In 1689, the family moves to Bristol where Friends have secured Patrick a job as schoolmaster.

1693: James is left in charge of the school at Bristol when his father returns to Lurgan. By 1699 he is trying to break into the linen merchant business in Bristol, when William Penn calls him into his service. Penn had married Hannah Callowhill, the daughter of a Bristol linen merchant and had been on the oversight committee for Logan's school.

1699 James Logan arrives in Philadelphia as secretary in the service of William Penn. He acts as the go-between for Penn and his wife with things both great and small, such as dealing with the builders of Pennsbury and acting as land agent for the sale of lands in Pennsylvania.

1701: Penn returns to England. He makes Logan Clerk of the Council of Pennsylvania and Secretary of the Province. He, along with Edward Shippen, Dr. Griffith Owen, and Thomas Story are responsible for all land purchases in Pennsylvania (which is mostly virgin forest owned by Penn). He and Isaac Norris are in charge of making remittances to England. And finally he was given the unpopular post of Receiver General of Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Jersey - tax collector in chief! Logan is also placed in charge of Indian affairs, and he is William Penn's American representative in business affairs.

1702 - due to war between France and Britain over the Spanish succession, the Province of Pennsylvania experiences a recession, because of loss of trade and piracy. Logan has to make ingenious trade deals to pay the Proprietor's bills. The fur trade is found to be especially lucrative. Logan is paid very little for his services by the Penns (100 pounds per year).

1702-1709 In the conflict between the Proprietor Penn's feudal rights, and the liberal Governor Penn's belief in representative government, Logan in this period is seen as the advocate for the Proprietor's rights which make him initially unpopular in Pennsylvania. This is the time that William Penn is sent to Debtor's prison in his conflict with the title to Pennsylvania with the Ford family of Bristol. Logan and Governor Andrew Hamilton, also act as an intermediary between the freedom loving people of Pennsylvania (led by David Lloyd and Joseph Wilcox) and the Royal authorities in disputes over Royal customs duties on imported goods. However, as the Royal authority's (Robert Quary, John Moore) true purpose was to take Pennsylvania from Penn and the Quakers, it was difficult for Logan and Hamilton to deal with them. Hamilton, who lives in Perth Amboy, East Jersey, shifts the ministerial duties of government in Pennsylvania onto Logan. Hamilton dies in April, 1703. 2 Feb 1703/4 - the new governor, John Evans arrives with William Penn's son William. He, Evans and William live together on a house on Chestnut St., Philadelphia. Evans governorship starts well-enough, but by 1707 his term ends disastrously and a new governor, Charles Gookin arrives in 1708.

During this period Logan becomes convinced that ruling a government with strict pacifist principles is not practical. Logan is caught in the middle between the Royal authorities and the Quaker populace, between the threat of war and the inability to raise a militia, and is very frustrated and unpopular with all sides, although his job was made easier in 1705 with the election of friends of William Penn's to the Assembly (and ruined in 1706 by Gov. Evans). The Assembly elected in 1707 asks to have James Logan removed from all public offices and impeaches him for "high crimes, misdemeanors and offences". Logan becomes the leader for the party in favor of strong executive powers over democracy. The Assembly orders Logan jailed but Governor Gookin thwarts them (Nov 1709).

While in Philadelphia he unsuccessfully courts Anne Shippen and teaches himself Calculus from Newton's Principia Mathematica and Charles Hayes' Treatis of Fluxions.

Dec 1709 - he sails from New Castle, Delaware to England by way of Portugal, reaching London in March 1710. In London he becomes a firm Whig. [The Tories were attempting to make dissention from the State religion difficult again, and Logan is a Quaker.] He attempts to straighten out Penn's financial affairs. He spends as much time as possible in the company of scholars. He proposes marriage to Judith Crowley, but is turned down. He has little money or property at this time, and this had raised objections from her family. He resolves to return to America and make his fortune. Penn's friends retake the Pennsylvania Assembly in 1710. Before leaving England he buys up the rights to land in Amercia from Quakers in England at bargain prices.

Feb 1711/12 - He arrives in Pennsylvania and sets himself up in the fur trade. Amongst the fur traders he deals with are Peter Bezallion, John Harris, James Paterson and John and Edmund Cartlidge. By 1715 he is doing 1000 pounds per year in the trade, and by 1717, Isaac Norris says he has nearly cornered the Pennsylvania fur trade. Perhaps he gave the Conestoga wagon its name, as this is what he used to carry the furs.

1712 - William Penn has a stroke. Logan at this time again starts to subjugate his self-interest to that of the Penn family, giving them a share of his fur business and taking up duties as their agent in Pennsylvania.

1714 - he courts Sarah Read, and on 9 December 1714 they are married. His daughter Sarah is born December 1715, and son William in December 1716. He accumulates a large library and orders scientific instruments sent to Pennsylvania. Especially he studies the Greek and Roman classics (in their original tongue).

He becomes the presiding Judge at the Court of Quarter Sessions in Pennsylvania. About this time Logan says to a jury about being an American, "The lateness of this our settlement will scarcely allow many to account it their country, because they can remember that they were born and bred in another. But, while our estates and families are here, while our children are born and must subsist here, it becomes truly ours and our children's country; and it is our duty to love it, to study and promote its advantages."

1717 Governor William Keith replaces Gookin. Logan is called upon to help prevent an Indian war. One of his main allies in Indian affairs is Governor Spottswood of Virginia. Spottswood was a soldier whose method of negotiation was to intimidate the Indians. Logan used William Penn's methods of treating the Indians with respect, patience and friendship. In February 1717/18 Logan orders the Conestoga Indian lands fenced for their own protection against Squatters. Near his Conestoga trading post he lays out a town called Donegal as a Scotch-Irish garrison against Indian troubles. Many of the settlers are veterans of the civil war in northern Ireland. Logan believes that the best way to counter the French (who encourage the Indians to oppose the American colonists) is with fair trade, especially since British goods were cheaper and of better quality than French goods. His suggestions are well-received by the Royal colonial authorities. Logan works hard to keep the Pennsylvania Indians from warring on other Indians too.

20 July 1718 - William Penn dies.

1720 - Logan's daughter Hannah is born.

1722 - The Treaty of Albany with the Iroquois brings to success Logan's Indian policy. The elections of this year turn out Logan's party ( Isaac Norris, Richard Hill and Jonathan Dickinson losing the election) and are a victory for the more democratic party led by Joshua Carpenter and Francis Rawle. In 1723 Governor Keith removes Logan from all public office except Judge and the Council.

1723 - He returns to London. There he works on the Penn's financial affairs and the boundary dispute between Pennsylvania and Maryland. His stay was brief. He set sail for America in May, 1724, armed with instructions from Hannah Penn to Gov. Keith to reinstate him and the Council.

The Governor declares the Penn's instructions illegal and with the support of the Pennsylvania Assembly refuses to reinstate Logan. A battle of words ensues between Keith, Lloyd and Logan. The Penns replace Keith with Patrick Gordon who arrives on June 22, 1726. Logan is then restored to office, although the duties of Provincial Secretary are turned over to Robert Charles.

1727 - Hannah Penn dies and the Penn children, John , Thomas and Richard Penn become Proprietors of Pennsylvania. Logan slips on ice and is crippled for life in his left leg. The Penns continue to insist that Logan work for him with little payment, though now Logan asks to be relieved of his duties.

1728 - He invests a quarter share and supplies some technological know-how for the Durham furnace in Bucks county. He does scientific experiments on reproduction of maize 1728-1735 (published in Philosophical Transactions of The Royal Society of London). He tutors the American botanist John Bartram in Latin, whom he also introduces to Linnaeus, the famous Swedish botanist. Logan publishes a full account of his botanical experiments in 1739 in Latin - Experimenta et meletemata de plantarum generatione. Another protege of Logan's (later) is Benjamin Franklin who is often a guest at Stenton (the Logan's home). Logan and Franklin discussed science and philosophy and Logan backed Franklin's early ventures to improve life in Philadelphia.

1729 His allies in government now are Governor Gordon, Andrew Hamilton who has returned and Jeremiah Langhorne of Bucks County. His son James is born (the second of this name and this one will survive him)

Nov 1730: His home, Stenton is completed. Then a country house 5 miles from town, it is now in the city of Philadelphia. It was (and is) a large brick home with 10 black and white servants. (Now a museum)

1731 - At David Lloyd's death, he become Chief Justice of Pennsylvania. He serves for five years. The pay is 100 pounds per year.

August 1736 - As President of Council, Logan becomes the acting administrator of Pennsylvania after the death of Governor Gordon. Andrew Hamilton is elected Speaker of the Assembly. On October 14 the Assembly meets in the new State House which is now Independence Hall. Logan serves as administrator of Pennsylvania for about 2 years. The new Governor, George Thomas, arrives in June, 1738.

1739, 1741 His mathematical papers on optics (spherical aberration) are published in Leyden, Holland.

Feb 1739/40 - He suffers a stroke, which leaves his right side partially paralyzed (he already was on crutches for his left leg).

1747 - Logan resigns from the Pennsylvania Council and is replaced by his son William.

1749 - He is a trustee on the newly formed University of Pennsylvania (as it was later renamed).

1749-1750 - Logan is afflicted with palsy, paralyzing his right side and making him incapable of speech.

1751 - He hears the news that the boundary dispute between Maryland and Pennsylvania is settled along lines he proposed. The Mason-Dixon line will not be drawn until 1763-7.

31 October 1751 James Logan dies as "the region's most influential statesman, its most distinguished scholar and its most respected - though not its most beloved - citizen." His estate includes (1749 will) 8500 pounds in cash and bonds and 18,000 acres of Pennsylvania and New Jersey land.
  White settlers from the Palatine and Ireland arrive in great numbers and fill up the part of Pennsylvania purchased from the Indians. Some Squatters begin to invade Indian land. Complaints from the Indians are heard.

1731 - Logan shows a map to Council in which the French claim everything west of the Susquehannah River. The French begin to cultivate the Shawnee with gifts and bring the Chiefs to Montreal. He writes a memorial to Robert Walpole in London, pointing out the danger of the French threat to the colonies. He urges the crown to have a unified Indian and military policy in America.

1732 - He convinces Thomas Penn to come to America to negotiate with the Iroquois, who supposedly hold the Pennsylvania tribes as vassals. The Seneca chief Hetaquantagechty led the Iroquois delegation and Logan and Weiser assisted Penn. The meet in the Great MeetingHouse (Arch St., Philadelphia). Later, they also negotiated with the Delaware chief, Saaoonan for the lands on the upper Schuylkill, east and west of Tulpehocken.

1732 - His near monopoly in the fur trade is eroded during this and the next several years as English firms with cheaper trade goods (giving the traders and Indians better bargains) compete successfully against him.

1736 - While Logan is President of Council, Cresap's war between settlers from Pennsylvania and Maryland breaks out along the Susquehannah. It ends about a year after Sheriff Samuel Smith captures Thomas Cresap and sends him to Philadelphia. This is the same Cresap who later is a partner of George Washington's in the Ohio Company.

1736-7 Logan's negotiations with the Delaware Indians living at the forks of the Delaware River are less successful. Nutimus, Lapppawinzoe, Tishecunk and the other chiefs would not agree that Penn had purchased this land in 1686. He then, with Conrad Weiser accomplishes the Walking Purchase strategem. In the deed of 1686 the Delaware had agreed to give up land that a man could walk in a day and a half. On the day of the walk, a path was cleared through the woods, and three very fit fit men walked at a brisk pace from Wrighttown Friends Meeting to beyond the Delaware Water Gap. The walkers had covered 55 miles in a day and a half. Logan revised this slightly in the Indian's favor back to the Kittaniny mountain (Delaware Water Gap). A reservation of 10 square miles was set aside in the purchase as hunting grounds for the Delaware. Many of the Indians refused to leave, claiming trickery, and Logan did not move to evict them. This Walking purchase was very controversial in the Pennsylvania white community as well. There were doubts that the day and half agreement was real. There were also rumors that the walkers had run the course which was probably not true (55 miles is not such a far distance to walk in a day and a half) - see testimony of Nicholas Scull, surveyor and Indian interpretor. That the Indians particularly resented it for a long time is quite true, and this day and a half walk marked the end of a period of unusual trust between the Indians and the heirs of William Penn.

1741 - Conrad Weiser, the Indian agent, with Logan's support writes a pamphlet urging Quakers to step down from Government, seeing a looming French and Indian war likely. In 1747, Benjamin Franklin and others formed militias without authority from the Quaker legislature called Associators. Logan, who is no pacifist approves. In 1756, during the French and Indian War, the Quaker legislators do resign or not stand for re-election because their pacifism made them unable to help defend the colony.

June 1742 - Another conference with the Iroquois, this time led by Canasatego. At this conference old treaties are reaffirmed and the Iroquois tell the Delaware to leave the forks of the Delaware in favor of the Walking Purchase. After this conference, Gov. Thomas, Conrad Weiser and Richard Peters take over most of the responsibilities for Indian Affairs, as Logan is retired. Soon George Croghan's voice is added too.

1744 - Indian conference at Lancaster. After this conference, William Johnson is the most important man in America concerning Indian affairs, replacing Logan

October 31, 1751 - James Logan dies in Philadelphia. He is buried near today's Arch Street Meeting House, probably under its parking lot. He was a member of the Religious Society of Friends throughout his life, although he was often eldered about his stances on political issues and war (he was not a pacifist like most Quakers)

May 16, 1754 - Sarah Read Logan dies. Note: Sarah's sister Rachel married Israel Pemberton and Rachel's son, Israel Pemberton, was a prominent pacifist Quaker leader of the Pennsylvania Assembly at the outbreak of the French and Indian war that broke out after James Logan's death.

Further Reading: A critique by James Logan of Quaker pacifism made to the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.
Philadelphia MM records

1. James Logan m. Sarah Read

Philadelphia MM, James Logan received on a certificate from Bristol MM, England dated 1701, 12, 9

Phila MM, 1714, 8, 29. James Logan received on a certificate from 2 Week Meeting at Devonshire House, London, England, dated 1713, 5, 13.

Phila MM, 1714, 10, 9. James Logan of Philadelphia County married Sarah Read, daughter of Charles of Philadelphia, PA at Philadelphia MH. (James Logan thus became the brother in law of Israel Pemberton who married 1710, 2, 12, at Philadelphia Meeting, Rachel Read, daughter of Charles of Philadelphia)

Phila MM, James Logan died 9 (Nov)-2-1751

will of JAMES LOGAN, Stenton, Prov. of Penna. Gentleman. made November 25, 1749/50. proved May 1, 1752. Philadelphia County will book J. page 510.
Wife: Sarah. Children: James, William and Hannah Smith.
Grandchildren: Sarah and Mary Norris. Brother: Dr. William Logan.
Brother-in-Law: Israel Pemberton. Sons-in-Law: Isaac Norris, John Smith.
Niece: Mary Norris. Public Academy of the City of Philadelphia.
Friends: John Kinsey, Richard Peters, Israel Pemberton, Junr., Edward Shippen.
Poor Quakers in Philadelphia. Poor Quakers in Germantown. Cousin: Andrew Read.
Exec: Sarah, William and James Logan, John Smith.
Overseers: Isaac Pemberton, Israel Pemberton, John Kinsey.
Wit: Thomas Armstrong, Jared Irvine, Richd. Peters.

will of SARAH LOGAN. City of Philadelphia. 4 mo. 8, 1754. Proved July 27, 1754. Philadelphia Co., Will book K.186.
Children: William, James and Hannah wife of John Smith.
Brother-in-Law: Dr. William Logan of Bristol, England.
Granddaughters: Sarah and Mary Norris. Sisters: Rachel Pemberton and Sarah Read. Beneficiaries: Sarah Morris in trust for the use of the Women's Meeting in Philadelphia and Ann Cross.
Exec: Son-in-law John Smith, and sons William and James.
Wit: Jonah Thompson, Sarah Morris, Joyce Benezet.
 

2. Son William Logan m. Hannah Emlen

Philadelphia MM: 1740, 1, 24. William Logan, son of James of Philadelphia Co., PA married Hannah Emlen, daughter of George of Philadelphia, PA at Philadelphia Meeting.

Phila MM, 1759, 10, 5. Wm Logan was granted a certificate to Bristol MM, England

Phila MM, Wm Logan received on certificate from Bristol MM, England dated 1761, 8, 31.

Phila MM, Wm Logan received on certificate from Devonshire House MM, London, dated 1762, 8, 11

Will of WM LOGAN Phila. Merchant. July 25, 1772. November 25, 1776.
Father: James. Wife's Father: Geo. Emlen.
Wife: Hannah. Uncle: Dr. Logan of Bristol.
Children: James, George, Charles, Sarah Fisher.
Brother in law: John Smith.
Grandson of late son Dr. Wm. Logan;
daughter in law Sarah Logan (widow of said son Wm.);
brother James; Mary (daughter of sister Sarah Norris);
James, Hannah and John (children of sister Hannah Smith);
Mary Houlton, Housekeeper; Catherine Philips, formerly Smith, and Ann Deborah, Nurses;
---- Rothwell (wife of Henry Rothwell), Shoemaker; Sophia Fielding;
the Monthly Meeting Women's Friends, for the poor; the Penn. Hospital;
the Logan Library and the Phila. Library.
Execs. and Trustees: brother James, cousin James Pemberton and son in law Thos. Fisher.
Wit: Samuel, Jr., and Israel Morris, Jr. and Edward Middleton. Q.378.


There is a very brief biography of William Logan on the official Stenton site.

i) Williiam, son of William, married Sarah Portsmouth

1763, 10, 4. Phila MM: Wm, son of Wm Logan was granted a certificate to Bristol MM, England

1771, 8, 30. Wm, Jr. and wife Sarah received on certificate from Devonshire House MM, London England dtated 1771, 5, 8.

1-17-1772, Wm, Jr., died 1-17-1772, aged 25.

1772, 4, 24. Philadelphia MM: Sarah Logan was granted a certificate to Devonshire House MM, London, England

will of SARAH LOGAN, Stockwell. Co. of Surry, England. Widow. March 16, 1797. June 12, 1797. X.728. [Estate in America.]
Sisters: Mary Arch, Elizabeth Bevington, Henrietta Portsmouth, Anna Fry.
Deborah [Wife of George Logan, Stanton, near Phila].
Nephews and Nieces: William Arch and Children of Brother Charles Logan of Virginia [December'd].
To Thomas Coivdorvy [Berkshire]. Phebe A. Groves.
To Ten Poor Widows in Phila. belonging to Friends Meeting in Market St.
To Ten Poor Widows, Members of Friends Meeting [in Great Church Street, London].
Brothers: Thomas Fisher [Phila], George Logan [Stanton, near Phila].
Exec: Richard Bevington, John Arch.
Wit: Thomas Day [Castle Lane, Southwark], John Richman [Stockwell], Elizabeth Day.
Proved in Prerogative Court in England.
Registered in Phila., May 17, 1798.
 

ii. Sarah Logan, daughter of William, married Thomas Fisher

Philadelphia MM: Sarah, daughter of Wm and Hannah, Philadelphia, PA, married Thomas Fisher, son of Joshua and Sarah of Philadelphia at Philadelphia Meeting, 3, 17, 1772.

Will abstract of THOMAS FISHER, Phila. Gentleman.

December 19, 1806. October 24, 1810. 3.263.
Bequeaths his property to children: William Logan Fisher, James Logan Fisher, Hannah Logan Fisher and Esther Fisher.
Eldest son Joshua Fisher lately died leaving wife Elizabeth Powell Fisher, enciente. Property in Phila. purchased from Peter Reeve and wife, property devised to him by his father Joshua Fisher, December'd, Meadow in Passyunk Twp. Phila. Co., devised to him by sd. father.
Property in Southwark held with bro. Miers Fisher, land now or late in Twp. of Chemung, State of NY, purchased of Richard Harrison and wife, half of which he sold to William Cooper of Coopertown. Property originally in Westmorland Co., PA, by division of that co. thrown into several counties.

Bros. Samuel R. Fisher and Miers Fisher and nephews Joshua and Thomas Gilpin interested is sd. property. Property in Bristol Twp., Phila. Co., now annexed to Country Seat Wakefield, formerly the estate of his late wife Sarah Logan under the will of her father William Logan. Property in Bristol Twp., Phila. Co., purchased from William Dagnie and wife and from Assignees of John Mayo. Brew house, malt house &c. in Phila., purchased from John Baker, Esq., administrators of William Van Phul, Esq. Property in Phila. purchased from trustees of William Peters. Property in Baltimore, MD, which John Brown and Jane his wife conveyed to George Emlen who conveyed the same to him according to leases made to Abraham France, Henry Hartman, Tinker & Stiles and James Davidson, all which sd. George Emlen conveyed to him and he has leased to Michael Peters, rents received by friend John McKim of Baltimore. Ground in Southwark, Phila. Co. held with bro. Miers Fisher by devise from sd. father. Land in Canaan Twp., Wayne Co., sometime called the Proprietors Garden and afterwards Elk Forrest bought of William Cooper now held in common with sister Lydia Gilpin and bros. Samuel and Miers Fisher.

Purchased from Samuel Emlen, Jr., and wife, land in or near Otsego Co., NY State being part of tract since called Bloomfield. Lands in Otsego Co., N. Y. formerly property of Henry Hill who conveyed them to John Holker, he to Thomas Fitzimons &c. Legacy to yearly Mtg. of Friends, Indian Natives who received our first Proprietary William Penn to derive benefit thereof. Legacies to PA Hospital, Monthly Mtg. of Woman Friends Southern District, Phila. To friends Rebecca Jones and Benjamin Mason. To Elizabeth Scott who served her time in his family. To Mary Kirkpatrick. To Priamus Stanton. Entered into partnership with his father, later taking in bros. Samuel R. and Jabez Maud Fisher. Entered into lumber business with bro. Miers, Thomas Hough and Caleb Bickham about 1784. Connected with Paper Mills at Brandywine. Partnership with Leonard Snowden in 1800 in Brewery Business. To grandchildren Thomas Fisher and Sarah Logan Fisher children of son William and to nephew Thomas Fisher son of bro. Samuel R. Fisher.
To expected grandchild, child of son Joshua.

Execs: Sons William Logan Fisher and James Logan Fisher,
also to be guardians of dau. Esther Fisher and of expected grandchild.
Wit: Charles Wharton, Redwood Fisher, Owen Jones, Robert Waln, John Roberts.
Codicil. Sister Lydia Gilpin since deceased, son born to dau.-in-law Elizabeth Powell Fisher named for her husband Joshua, December'd.
Wit: Robert Waln, John B. Wallace, Jno. Roberts. Signed January 18, 1809.
 

Thomas Fisher was one of the 20 wealthy Quaker merchants transported to Winchester, Virginia during the Revolution. They were arrested 4 Sept 1777 and held at the Masonic lodge in Philadelphia on suspicion of being Tories (it is now thought that, instead, most of them were leading pacifists amongst the Quakers). Caught in a bureaucratic loop, they were processed without trial on evidence of a faked document. They returned after the evacuation of the British from Philadelphia in the summer of 1778. References: 1, 2, 3, 4.

The descendants of this line (Sarah Logan m. Thomas Fisher) are listed by Charles Henry Browning in Americans of Royal Descent which is on-line via Google Books. The children of this line (last name Fisher): (1) Joshua d. 1806, m. Elizabeth; (2) Hannah Logan m. James Smith; (3) William Logan - Quite a lot about him HERE. He married (a) Mary Rodman and (b) Sarah Lindley; (4) James Logan - m. Ann Eliza George. The home of one of James' son, Sidney George Fisher, was Mount Harmon Plantation in Maryland, and his diaries are a published historical source; (5) Esther d. unmarried.
 

iii. George Logan, son of William, married Deborah Norris

Philadelphia MM: 1775, 5, 26. George Logan was granted a certificate to Grace Church St., MM, London, England & elsewhere in Great Britain.

Phila MM: George Logan, son of Wm, dec'd, received on certificate from Edinburgh MM, dated 1780, 4, 20.

Phila MM: 1781, 9, 6. George Logan, son of William and Hannah, Philadelphia, married Debby Norris, daughter of Charles and Mary of Philadelphia at High St. Meeting, Philadelphia.

Phila MM: 1791, 1, 28. George Logan disowned for associating with others in bearing arms.

Deborah Logan granted certificate from Phila MM to Abington MM on May 1, 1812 by Philadelphia MM;

Congressional Bio: Born in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pa., September 9, 1753. Democrat. Member of Pennsylvania state house of representatives, 1785; U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, 1801-07. Died April 9, 1821. Interment at Logan Graveyard in Stenton Park. There is a longer biography at answers.com, and another brief one on the official Stenton site.

will of GEORGE LOGAN, Stenton. County of Philadelphia, Penna. Doctor of Physic. March 22, 1821. July 9, 1821. 7.323.
Wife: Deborah Logan, my plantation of Stenton. Plantation on Old York Road purchased of my brother and sister Fisher, wheron Charles Heath now lives.
Son: Albanus C. Logan, after deceased of his mother, the mansion house of Stenton and whole plantation, so called, also ground rents out of lots in Nicetown.
Eldest grandson: George Gustavus Logan to have Stenton after death of said Albanus.
Son: Algernon Sydney Logan,my estate of Logansville County of Morris, New Jersey, also plantation on Old York Road purchased of my brother and sister Fisher in tenure of Charles Heath.
Exec: Wife: Deborah Logan. Sons: Albanus C. Logan, Algernon Sydney Logan.
Wit: William L. Fisher, Joseph K. Potts.
 

iv. Charles Logan m. Mary Pleasant

Philadelphia MM: Charles Logan, son of William and Hannah of Philadelphia married Mary Pleasant, daughter of John and Mary, late of Henrico Co., VA, at High St. Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.
1782, 7, 26. Phila MM: Charles Logan disowned, "joining himself in an association with a number of men engaged in war."
1782, 7, 26. Phila MM: Mary Logan, wife of Charles, and children, James and Sarah got certificate to Cedar Creek MM, VA.
 

3. Daughter Sarah Logan (of James and Sarah) married Isaac Norris
 

1733, 8, 26. Isaac Jr. got certificate from Phila MM to London MM.

Philadelphia MM: Sarah Logan, daughter of James, Philadelphia Co., PA married Isaac Norres, son of Isaac, Philadelphia PA, at Germantown MH.

Phila MM: Sarah Norris, wife of Isaac died 8-15-1744

Phila MM; Isaac Norris died 7-14-1766, aged 65

1751 - It is Norris whose idea it was to place the words "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land and to all the inhabitants thereof" on the Liberty Bell. He was the man who persuaded the Pennsylvania Assembly to buy the bell. Norris took his text from the Bible - Leviticus 25:10.

September 26, 1753, With Benjamin Franklin and Richard Peters, he represented Gov. Andrew Hamilton in an Indian conference at Carlisle just prior to the outbreak of hostilities in the French and Indian War. Negotiations began in early October after the arrival of 800 pounds of presents for the Indians approved by the PA legislature.

Norris was a wealthy Quaker merchant, and like his father, served many years in the Pennsylvania Assembly and was its Speaker. He is said to be one of the Quakers who tried to combine Quaker idealism with some compromise to the practical requirements of governing Pennsylvania. He supported some defensive military expenditures in the French and Indian Wars. He was the recognized head of the "Quaker Party" in Pennsylvania politics until his resignation in 1764.

He was clerk of his monthly meeting, was widely read and cultured and perhaps not the simple man that some devout Quakers would have wished him to be.

i. Mary Norris, daughter of Sarah, married John Dickinson
 

Phila MM: 1770, 12, 28. Mary Dickenson (late Norris) condemned, marriage contrary to discipline.

In the Pennsylvania Assembly he was a known opponent of the "Quaker Party'. First elected in 1762.
He was famous for his early opposition to the taxation policies which had flamed the fires of the Revolution.
1765 - Attended the Stamp Act Convention and advocated economic retaliation.
1767- Wrotes "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania" - giving a thoughtful voice to colonist's views of the Townsend duties.
1774 - Delegate to the first Continental Congress
1776 - Not reelected to Congress, after a battle over the nature of Pennsylvania's constitution.
He voted for the Declaration of Independence, but could not be present for the signing. He sent George Read to sign in his place.
John Dickinson was a key member of Pennsylvania's "moderate" Patriot faction during the Revolution. He was called the "Penman of the Revoution"
He helped draft the Articles of Confederation
1787 - Member of the Federal Constitutional Convention
He led the fight for its ratification in Delaware.
He served as Governor of Delaware and later of Pennsylvania.
The Dickinson Mansion near Dover, Delaware, is a National Historic Site.

John Dickinson was raised a Quaker and his wife was a practicing Quaker during his marriage, but John never officially joined them. He was buried at his request at Wilmington Friends Meeting which he attended after his retirement from politics.

Maria Dickinson dau. of Mary and John Dickinson married her cousin Albanus Charles Logan, son of George Logan and Deborah Norris

Phila MM: 1808, 2, 25. Albanus Charles Logan was granted a certificate to Wilmington MM, DE.

Phila MM: 1816, 4, 25, Albanus Charles Logan was granted a certificate to Frankford MM.
 

iii. Sarah Logan and Isaac Norris had other children:
 

Phila MM: Isaac son of Isaac and Sarah died 11-1-1741; a second son Isaac died 5-14-1743.

 

 4. Daughter Hannah Logan m. John Smith (son of Richard Smith)

Burlington MM: 1719, 8, 15. Richard Smith Jr. got leave to marry Abigail Raper.

Burlington MM: list of children of Richard Smith Jr. (an elder, d. 9-9-1751) and Abigail: Samuel b. 12-13-1720, d. 7-13-1776; John b. 11-20-1722; Elizabeth b. 8-4-1724; William Lovett Smith b. 7-19-1726; Raper b. 10-31-1727.

Burlington MM; 1741, 10, 7. John Smith, son of Richard Jr., was granted certificate to the Barbadoes.

Burlington MM: John Smith received on certificate from Bridge Town MM, Barbadoes, dated 1741/2, 1, 18.

Burlington MM: 1744, 3, 27. John, son of Richard was granted a certificate to Philadelphia MM.

Philadelphia MM: 1748, 10, 7. Hannah Logan, daughter of James of Philadelphia Co., PA married John Smith, son of Richard, Jr., of Philadelphia, PA at Germantown MH.

Burlington MM - list of children of John and Hannah: Sarah Logan Smith b. 8-29-1749; James b. 10-15-1750; Hannah b. 3-8 or 9-1752, d. 7-9-1752, bur. Philadelphia; Hannah b. 10-29-1753, d. 12-18-1761; John b. 7-31-1755, d. 8-8-1755; John b. 11-23-1761.

Phila MM: 1756, 3, 26. John Smith and wife and children was granted a certificate to Burlington MM. (received at Burlington 1756, 6, 7)

Phila MM: 1761, 7, 31. John Smith, wife Hannah and children Sarah, James and Hannah received on certificate from Burlington MM.

Burlington MM: 1761, 12-18, Hannah Smith, wife of John buried in Philadelphia.

Burlington MM: 1768, 5, 19. Sarah Logan Smith dau of John Smith of Burlington Co. married William Dilwyn, son of John of Burlington Co. at Burlington MH. Their daughter Susanna Dilwyn is mentioned several times in the Burlington MM minutes and marries Samuel Emlen Jr., 1795, 4, 16 at Burlington MH.

Son James: Phila MM: James Smith and wife Esther and children Hannah, Sarah Logan, John and Wm Smith received on certificate from Burlington MM dated 1784, 8, 2.

Burlington: James Smith and wife Esther had children: Hannah b. 11-26-1773; Sarah Logan Smith b. 9-28-1778; John b. 7-26-1780; Elizabeth b. 3-28-1782, d. 5-22-1783; William b. 2-22-1784.

Burlington MM: 1784, 4, 8. John son of John and Hannah of Burlington Co., married Gulielma Maria Morris, daughter of William and Margaret, late of Philadelphia at Burlington MH.

Burlington MM: List of children of John and Gulielma Maria Smith: Rachel b. 5-27-1792; Martha M. b. 5-5-1795, d. 12-27-1802; John b. 6-16-1798, d. 4-18-1803; Morris b. 8-29-1801; Richard M. d. 2-11-1826.

Burlington MM: 1784, 5, 3. James Jr. and wife Esther and children Hannah, Sarah Logan Smith, John and William was granted a certificate to Philadelphia Southern District MM.

Burlington MM: 1791, 1, 3. John and wife Gulielma Maria and children Margaret and Richard Morris Smith were received on certificate from Philadelphia Northern District MM.
 

5. James Logan married Sarah Armitt

Phila MM: James Logan Jr. received on certificate from London MM, dated 1751, 3, 13

Phila MM: Sarah Logan, daughter of William died 5, 16, 1754

Phila MM, 1763, 10, 4: James Logan granted a certificate to Grace Church St. MM, London, England

Philad MM, 1766, 12, 16. James Logan, son of James, Phila Co., PA, married Sarah Armitt, daughter of Stephen Armitt of Philadelphia at Philadelphia Meeting.

Phila MM: James Logan buried 9-25-1803, aged 74.

Phila MM: Sarah Logan, wife of James buried 11-6-1787, age 54.

will of JAMES LOGAN, City of Phila. 12 mo. 31, 1799. October 15, 1803. 1.137.
Legacy to friends Nicholas Waln, John Cox and Thomas Fisher for use of public school at Weston, Chester Co., under care of Yearly Meeting of Friends at Philadelphia, Penna. and New Jersey.
Legacy to Penna. Hospital.
Nieces: Sarah Dickinson and her sister Maria.
Nephew: George Logan's wife, Deborah. Late Uncle Logan of Bristol, England.
Niece: Susannah Emlen, late Dillwyn.
Mentions William Savery, Arthur Howell and Peter Barker. Legacy for use of poor belonging to Monthly Meetings of Friends in Phila. James Logan,
son of nephew Charles Logan, decd. Land in Nantnell Township, Chester Co.
Nephew: George Logan's children.
Children of nephew Charles Logan.
Children of niece Sarah Fisher, decd.
James Smith.
Nephew: John Smith, brother of James, their nieces Susannah Emlen and Hannah Cox.
Exec: Friends Nicholas Waln, John Thompson and James Smith.
Wit: Walter Franklin, Edward D. Corfield.

The will abstract of James' mother in law (Sarah [Whitpaine] Armitt):

will of SARAH ARMITT, City of Phila. Widow. July 18, 1780. Proved March 28, 1781. Philadelphia County Will Book R.402.
Children: Ann, Mary Bell, John, Richard, Sarah Logan, John.
Exec: Sarah Logan, Ann Armitt.
Wit: Thomas Afflack, Elizah Brown, Miers Fisher.
 

Sources for the appendix:

(1) Quaker Records: Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy (William Wade Hinshaw), Vol. II., Edwards Bros. Inc., 1938.

(2) Will Abstracts: Philadelphia PAGenWeb Archives

(3) Wikipedia (more references and links): (a) James Logan; (b) Stenton; (c) George Logan

(4) Official Site of Stenton, the home of James Logan.

(5) The Historic Mansions and Buildings of Philadelphia by Thomson Westcott (Google Books)

Abbreviations used:

MM = monthly meeting (a Quaker unit of organization, comprising the people who worshipped in one or more meeting houses). This unit of organization would meet once per month to conduct business, including discipline.

MH = Meeting House. The Quaker house of worship. Other denominations in early Pennsylvania also called their houses of worship Meeting Houses after the Quaker custom including Mennonites, Baptists and Presbyterians.

Phila = Philadelphia (the city)

Updated by James Quinn, Historian, Gwynedd Friends Meeting, April 2009.