Samuel Betton

1. Shown as of Philadelphia in the compensation records. Online genealogical material shows him as born in Jamaica, of parents from Shrewsbury in England, and as an MD in Germantown Pennsylvania aged 64 in the 1850 US census.

2. Samuel Betton's parents Samuel Betton senior, parish of St Alkmunds, Shropshire and Catherine Kilvert of Wem were married in Wem, Shropshire, 03/03/1785. In 1817, one of the enslaved people on Betton's estates was called Wem - a 58 year old Creole man. Samuel Betton, son of Samuel Betton and his wife Catherine, born 19/04/1786 and baptised 29/04/1786 in St Ann, Jamaica. Mary Ann Betton, daughter of Samuel and Catharine Betton, was born 03/08/1793 and baptised 02/12/1795 in Philadelphia.

3. There was a Samuel Betton living in Germantown, Philadelphia, in the US Federal Census of 1800, and again in 1830 and 1840. Dr Samuel Betton of Germantown was an executor of Hugh G. Shaw whose will was written in 1804 and proved in Philadelphia County in 1805; the same will included legacies to Mary Ann Betton and Samuel Betton junior. Dr Samuel Betton, junior, arrived in Philadelphia from Canton on the ship Dorothea 29/03/1806.

4. Samuel Betton, age 64, "M. Doctor", with real estate valued at $50,000, born Jamaica, was living at Germantown, Philadelphia, with Mary Betton, age 60, Thomas F. Betton, "M. Doctor" age 41, Elizabeth Betton age 36, Samuel Betton age 7, Lambert Kengler, age 24, Mary Morris age 22, Briget Droyer age 24 and Lavina Gray age 12. All the Bettons except Samuel age 64 were born in Pennsylvania.

5. Dr Samuel Betton, age 65 years, was buried 12/06/1850 in St Luke's Church, Philadelphia.

6. Abstract of probated will from Philadelphia County, written 16/12/1809 and proved 03/03/1810: "Betton, Samuel. of the Parish of Saint Ann's Middlesex Co., Jamaica. (Liber 82 Folio 168)... All estate ot wife Catharine Betton, sons Samuel and John Betton and daughter Mary Anne Betton. Exec[utor]s: Wife Catharine Betton and said Sons Samuel Betton and John Price Betton."

1. http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/betton/43/ [accessed 01/02/2018].

2. Findmypast.co.uk, Staffordshire, Dioceses of Lichfield & Coventry marriage allegations and bonds, 1636-1893 [database online]; slave register, T71/43 p. 71; Familysearch.org, Jamaica Church of England Parish Register Transcripts, 1664-1880 [database online]; Familysearch.org batch no. C71442-3 [baptism of Mary Ann Betton].

3. US Federal Censuses, 1800, 1830, 1840; Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 [database online]; Philadelphia, Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1800-1850.

4. US Federal Census 1850.

5. Ancestry.com, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 1669-2013 [database online].

6. Ancestry.com, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Will Index, 1682-1819.

We are grateful to Geoffrey Betton for his assistance with compiling this entry.