338th Anniversary of Elizabeth BISHOP and Richard VICKRIS, my 8th Great-Grandparents

Richard VICKRIS (1648-1700),  son of Robert Vickris and his wife Elizabeth, married Elizabeth BISHOP (1655-1724), daughter of George Bishop and Elizabeth CANNE 25 Mar 1672 at a Quaker meeting in Bristol. Richard Vickris and Elizabeth's father George Bishop were important figures in the early Quaker movement, and both have entries in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.

Signatures in the Quaker meeting record of their marriage include Richard Vickris, Elizabeth Vickris (nee Bishop) signing with her new married name, Robert Vickris (Richard's father) and George Bishop (possibly a brother, as Elizabeth's father predeceased her wedding).

The couple's vows included a mutual "promise to each other to live together in love and faithfulness to God's ordinance until by Death they should be separated."

Valuable information from a respected researcher

Elizabeth was born in Bristol in 1655. Her father was a prominent Quaker, and 'intelligence officer' in Oliver Cromwell's army during the Civil War. She was the only surviving child of George Bishop and his wife, nee Elizabeth CANNE. Elizabeth (Canne) Bishop died young, in 1658, leaving her young daughter to be raised by George Bishop's sister, also Elizabeth Bishop (the Elder). Our Elizabeth's father George died when she was 13. Her aunt was required to grant permission for Elizabeth -aged seventeen to his twenty-four -to marry Richard Vickris.


Richard was a Quaker writer. His father was a Parliamentarian who did not approve of his Quaker leanings; indeed he considered a persecutor of Friends.  His stepmother Hester Vickris (nee Crispe) attended Quaker meetings as early as 1669.  His father Robert sent him to fight in France as a young man (where?) in the hopes he would outgrow his pacifist leanings. He returned instead with a faith that was stronger than ever. In August 1684 Richard Vickris was in fact sentenced to death for refusing "to retract his beliefs and attend the services of the Church of England". (Oxford Dictionary of National Biography). During his incarceration, Elizabeth visited the King's brother James, the Duke of York, successfully seeking his assistance.


The couple had 10 children between 1673 and 1695, including Sarah VICKRIS bap 1690 Chew Magna, Somerset who married Caleb DICKINSON. The family lived at Firgrove, the Vickris estate in Chew Magna, Somerset, after the death of Richard's father, Robert Vickris. The couple hosted Quaker meetings from their Manor House, including a meeting in 1687 when William Penn spoke under the boughs of his great oak. The Manor House was recently for sale.

Richard's father Robert remembered his daughter-in-law in his will with "a piece of gold of twenty shillings instead of a ring", and to her children one hundred pounds each at age 21 or marriage. The bulk of his estate, not otherwise committed, was left to Richard, including the estate at Chew Magna.

Elizabeth's will, dated 1723, includes a "desire to be buried in the burial place of the people called Quakers in Bristol as near my husband and children a possible". Her will is quite detailed. Her husband Richard left the household goods to Elizabeth for her use during her lifetime, and instructed her to dispose of them to their children as she wished.

History of Quakers in Bristol

Connections to William PENN, founder of Pennsylvania
Richard Vickris was a witness at William Penn's marriage. William Penn advocated for Richard, urging Richard's father Robert to reconcile with his son. William Penn also argued for Richard's release from Newgate, Bristol.

In 1681, Richard and his father Robert were among the first purchasers of land in the new Quaker Colony of Pennsylvania. My understanding is their property was on the waterfront in Philadelphia. One day I will identify the exact location. Richard had no intention of moving to the New World, and must have considered land there a good investment.



Geocaches
Near Chew Magna Stanton Drew Stone Circle (Somerset) virtual, largest after Avebury  photos
and nearby pub which is now on my 'must see' list
Bristol
Gorgeous Earthcache
Ten Centuries In Bristol: #1 St. James Priory micro
Ten Centuries in Bristol: #2 Quakers Friars micro, I wouldn't mind attempting the entire series..., particularly #5 and #3
CCCC celebrating Cabot's 'discovery' of Newfoundland
and for fun, in Philadelphia
Living History