Francis FINCHER, JR.

                   NOTE:
      Francis emmigrated about 1683.  He was a good friend to William Penn and received his original land patent from him.  Further detail of his life and possible relationship with William Penn are found in the PAF Notes.




The Immigrant Francis FincherFrancis "The Immigrant", was one of the early settlers with a land grant from William Penn. He was considered a friend of William Penn's. He was asked to be the speaker of the First Assembly of PA in 1684, but declined. He took an active part in politics and government. He is referenced in the book, "History of York Co., Pa." by John Gibson. Chicago 1886 (772, 207p): 286-7, 289.the Colonial Society of Pennsylvania 1950, page 95, shows membership for Francis & Mary (Achelly) Fincher, John & Martha (Taylor) Fincher, Joseph & Rebecca (Fincher) Bennett, James & Rebecca (Bennett) Rankin, Abraham & Catherine (Coppenheffer) Rankin, John & Ann (Moore) Rankin, William Washington & Maria Amelia (Jefferihe 13th day of January in the reign of our Lord God 1692 and in the 4th year of the Reigns of King William and Queen Mary: I William Swayne of Ockingham in the County of Wilts yeoman, being in a perfect memory and rite in mind, thanks be to Almighty God for it, I therefore do make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form as followeth: that's to say first: I commend my soul to God who gave it & my body to the grave to be decently entrd in the Ch. yard of Bienfield in hope & expectation of a comfortable resurrection. Item, I give to my daughter Judith Broine all that house and piddle of ground called the Harpe bein, Beinfield, and to her Heirs of her body & for want of such issue, to William Swayne Son of my Son Francis Swayne & his heirs forever, and I give to my dafter Judith forty pounds in money to be paid to her as I shall further express, and I give unto my son William Swayne all my house & lands lying in Wockingham in the liberty of Wilts paying my dafter Judith the forty pounds within twelve months after my decease & if he does not pay the money my mind and will is she shall have the Close, called Miller Close, and if my son William Swayne shall have no Heirs then my will is after he and his wife decease the s'd house and land shall go to my Son Francis Swayne and his Heirs forever, but if William Swayne has heirs lawfully begotten it is to remain to them forever. Item: I give to my Son Francis Swayne all that House and Land and the store in the Common Field of Bienfield call'd or known by Taylor's Land by the wayside going to Bienfield Church and to his heirs and assigns forever, and I make him my full and sole executor of all my goods, cattle corn or anything that I shall be then possest of, only twenty shillings given to his Son William & my funeral charges and other debts being paid. Thus humbly submitting myself to the good hand and pleasure of God praying Him for all his benefits, I publish & declare this to be my last Will and Testament & hereunto I set my hand and seal the day & year first above written.

Witness WILLIAM SWAYNEJohn BeatteThomas VickeyerRobert Grening (his mark)