TRIMBLE DIVISION. SECOND GENERATION.* THE name TRIMBLE, according to Richard Stephen Charnock in his "Ludus Patronymicus, or Etymology of Curious Names," is from trebel, signifying "the fair or fine place," and is probably of Cornish origin. According to the best interpretation, it seems to come from the words tre, "a place" or "town," and bel, “fair” or "pretty ;" and as surnames were taken, very considerably, from the surrounding circumstances, it is highly probable that the dweller in some cozy spot still continues to remind his progeny of it by a name, though they may have changed its orthography. It is likely, however, that the name, in some instances, has been derived from the roots trum, "firm," "strong," and compounded with bald, a "fortress," making Trumbald, which has been changed in time to Trumbull and names of that character, which in turn have given place to Tremble, Trimble, etc.-Teutonic Name-System. The appearance of the name in Ireland was due to the emigration which took place across the Channel, and, with others, it became established in the north of that island. Concerning the ancestry of those of whom it is now proposed to speak but little can be said. They resided in Antrim, Armagh and adjacent counties in the north of Ireland, where the name is still to be found. The evidence of this is apparent from * To ensure regularity of plan, the generations are carried on according to the Palmer descent, though this is actually the first generation of the Trimble family. 24* 281 the following anecdote: There was residing in this (Delaware) county a few years ago emigrants from Enniskillen, in the north of Ireland, who became acquainted with some of the Trimble family of Concord, and they would notice the striking resemblance of certain of these to one Jack Trimble of their native town. A connection of the family, knowing this circumstance, and meeting with another emigrant from Enniskillen, inquired if he knew Jack Trimble, and immediately received the answer, "Yes; were you ever in Ireland ?” It is pretty well established that there arrived in this country in the 6th mo. (August), 1719, several brothers Trimble, but the exact number is in doubt. The names of William, James and Hugh are certain, as being brothers, and that of John is tolerably so, his name being to both William's and James's marriage certificates. Some accounts and traditions also exist of a Joseph and Henry. As this record proposes to deal only with the descendants of William and James, the others will be passed with a brief notice. Hugh m., but his wife's name does not appear; he settled in Middletown, Chester (now Delaware) co., Pa., and raised a family of children; his descendants still reside in the county, though they do not seem to be numerous. He appears to have been a man of some note, as he represented the county in the Provincial Assembly for four years-from 1756 to 1760. John. We have no certain account of him, but he may have been the one that went to Virginia, as it is believed a brother removed that way, and if so, was probably the progenitor of the late Governor Allen Trimble of Ohio, the late Senator David Trimble of Kentucky, Hon. John Trimble of Tennessee, and of many of the name in the various Western States. A Joseph Trimble emigrated from Ireland when a lad of fifteen years, about 1730, and served a time with a William Brown; he bought property in Nottingham, Chester co.; in 1741 m. Sarah Churchman, sister to John, a minister in the Society of Friends, and a second wife, Ann Chandler, having children by each. His descendants are still to be found in that vicinity. William, b., 1705, in the county of Antrim, Ireland; d. 8 mo. 5, 1795; buried at Concord Friends' grounds. 6. Ann Palmer, b., 1706, in Concord; d. 10 mo. 11, 1755. The proceedings in relation to their position in Friends' Meeting and marriage are shown by the following extracts: "At our Monthly Meeting of Women Friends, held ye 5th of ye 4th mo. 1732, "Ann Pamer and Mary Pamer daughters of John and Mary Pamer desires to come under ye care of friends and their request is accepted." "At a Monthly meeting held at Concord Meeting-house ye 5th of ye 6th month 1734, "Concord Preparative meeting Signifies that William Trimble Desires to come under the care of friends which this meeting accepts of." "At a Monthly meeting held at Concord Meeting-house the Second day of ye Eighth month by appointment 1734 William Trimble & Ann Palmer appeared here & proposed their intentions of Marriage with each other this being the first time Nicholas & John Newlin are to enquire into his clearness relating to marriage and also to enquire of ye young woman's parents whether they are free that their daughter shall marry with the said young man and report to our next meeting." "At the next Monthly Meeting 4th of 9 mo. 1734, "William Trimble & Ann Palmer appeared here and continued their intentions of marriage this being the second time nothing appears to obstruct, they having consent of parents and relations as aperes by those friends which were to go to ye young womans parents to inquire of their consent which they gave very freely therefore this meeting leaves them to their liberty to con sumate their marriage according to the good order used amongst us. Nicholas Newlin & John Newlin are to attend the marriage & report to ye next meeting & return the Marriage Certificate to be recorded." "At a Monthly meeting & ye 2nd day of ye 10 mo 1734. Those which were to attend the marriage of William Trimble and Ann Palmer report that it was accomplished orderly ye 13 day of ye 9 month 1734 at Concord meeting-house and moderate ye house of entertainment." at William purchased land in close proximity to Concord Mill (see illustration), and erected thereon a dwelling (his land will be seen by reference to the map); it appears to have been purchased in two tracts-the first, about seventy acres, of Thomas West, July 12, 1737, being part of a tract of two hundred acres taken up by Thomas King by patent dated July 2, 1681, and a little later, from Joseph Nichlin, about thirty acres, which were a part of a tract purchased by Moses Key in 1702 of Thomas Moore, and subsequently sold to Nichlin. The annexed is a view of his residence. Their autographs are presented as found in a deed given to his brother James in 1748. See page 289. Here William and Ann took up their permanent abode, and appeared to have thriven both in the good things of the earth and of the spiritual kingdom. Friends seem to have appreciated his services, from the following extract: "At a monthly meeting held the 4th day of 6 mo 1746, Concord preparative meeting returns William Trimble for an Elder to sit in the monthly meeting of ministers and Elders in the room of Thos. Gilpin which is accepted till farther orders." He was continued in this position many years, and most likely until his death. His name also very often appears in connection with other business of the Society. As time progressed he became the owner of more land in the neighborhood, and also of a large tract in Whiteland twp., 15 miles northward in the Great Valley. The extent of his pos |