HOLLAND.--The date of John Holland's first arrival in unknown, but he
obtained a certificate, 9,24,1712, from Chester Monthly Meeting, to return
to England, which he presented to Hartshaw Monthly Meeting, in Lancashire,
about the middle of the following year. He obtained another from the
latter meeting, 12,16,1713, to Friends here, which informed that he
"formerly having entertained in his mind a Respect to Mary Somerford of our
meeting, relating to marriage, and the matter reviving betwixt them since
he came, they have made orderly proceedings therein to accomplishment."
As
to Mary, "being an honest friend's daughter and of a good parentage, so she
hath had a suitable education and hath been one whom friends have esteemed
worthy of their care advice and encouragement to well doing." They
had
arrived in this country by 8,25,1714, and became members of Goshen Meeting.
She was recommended as a minister 8,15,1733, and her husband was an
overseer. He obtained a patent for 498 acres on the borders of Goshen and
Whiteland, June 28, 1734. Children: John, b. 4,7,1714; survived his
father. Samuel, b. 6,15,1717; probably died unmarried. Hannah, b.
4,10,1721; m. John Bowen.