William Yardley | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1632 |
| Died | May 6, 1693 (aged 61) |
| Nationality | Pennsylvanian |
| Citizenship | Province of Pennsylvania |
| Occupation(s) | Legislator; Quaker minister |
| Employer | Province of Pennsylvania |
| Known for | Namesake of Yardley, Pennsylvania |
| Spouse | Jane |
| Children | Enoch, William and Thomas |
William Yardley (1632 – 6 May 1693) was an early settler of Bucks County, Pennsylvania, and is the namesake of the borough of Yardley, Pennsylvania. As a persecuted Quaker minister, Yardley and his wife, Jane (nee Heath) moved from Ransclough, England, near Leek, Staffordshire, to Bucks County when Yardley was 50.
The family arrived on September 28, 1682, on the ship Friend's Adventure with their children, Thomas, Enoch, and William, and a servant, Andrew Heath (1667-1720). Yardley subsequently purchased 500 acres (2.0 km2) of land in Lower Makefield Township in Bucks County from William Penn, who had received the land from Charles II of England to settle a debt owed Penn's father. Yardley named his tract "Prospect Farm". He served as a justice of the peace for Bucks County and became a member of the Provincial Council.
After Yardley died in a smallpox epidemic in 1693, his nephew, Thomas Yardley, arrived from England in 1694 to manage the holdings. Through marriage, nephew Thomas added land to Yardley's former holdings and had ten children.