The Women of Tyler Arboretum: Ann Heacock Minshall (1742-1821)

Many of us are familiar with Thomas Minshall, who purchased quite a bit of Tyler Arboretum’s land from William Penn in 1681. We may know the Painter brothers planted more than 1,000 trees and shrubs, most in the area we now call the “Old Arb.”

We probably know less about the women of Tyler. During Women’s History Month in March 2025, we began sharing the stories of the women who made an impact on Tyler and the surrounding community, starting with Laura Hoopes Tyler, and will continue with periodic additions over the next year or so. We hope you enjoy reading about the challenges and contributions made by some of the women of Tyler Arboretum! Next up, Ann Heacock Minshall!

1600s: A Generation of Quakers Aims to Escape Religious Persecution in England

In England during the 1600s, the Church of England was the only recognized church, and all English citizens were required to support it. Dissenters, like the recently formed Society of Friends, or Quakers, were severely punished because they refused to conform to the doctrine, discipline and worship of the established Church of England. The persecution began in 1650 and lasted until 1689 with the passing of the Tolerance Act. Between 1660 and 1685, 15,000 Quakers were imprisoned.

Ann Heacock was part of a Quaker family that suffered abuse for practicing their faith. Her great-grandfather, John Till, was fined and spent 6 years in prison for refusing to attend Church of England services. Because of this maltreatment, between 1682 and 1715 approximately 23,000 Quakers and Quaker sympathizers immigrated to Pennsylvania where William Penn promised religious freedom. Among these immigrants were Ann’s grandparents, Jonathan Heacock and Ann Till. They left Staffordshire, England, soon after their marriage and arrived in Pennsylvania in 1710-11. After renting property for seven years, they purchased a farm in Marple, Pa., where they raised their six children. One of these children was John Heacock, born in 1713. John married Sarah Taylor in 1739 at the Providence Friends Meeting in what is now Media. They lived on a farm in Middletown Township with their five children. John supplemented his farming income by being a cabinetmaker.

1742: Ann is Born

John and Sarah’s second daughter, Ann, was born on June 24, 1742. Contrary to the custom at the time, Quakers believed that daughters as well as sons should obtain an education. To that end, Ann could read the Bible and sign her name. She was well known for her dexterity with a spinning wheel and loom. This was a valuable skill before cloth manufacturing became mechanized. Ann most likely worked with wool and flax, which could be obtained locally. In fact, there are spinning wheels in Lachford Hall that may have been used by Ann. Many Quakers did not wear cotton because of its association with slavery.

Record of Ann Heacock and Hannah Minshall's births.

A spinning loom in Lachford Hall that may have been used by Ann Heacock, who was well known for her dexterity with a spinning wheel and loom.

1777: Ann Marries Jacob Minshall

Ann married Jacob Minshall (great grandson of Thomas and Margaret Minshall) at the Providence Meeting on November 6, 1777, and set up housekeeping in Lachford Hall. As a wedding gift, her father, John Heacock, built a blanket chest, which is currently located in Lachford Hall. In that same year, Jacob built the east wing of Lachford Hall. His parents, Thomas and Agnes Minshall, moved into the new house and the newlyweds lived in the older section. Unfortunately, this was an exceedingly challenging time for the Quakers. Just six weeks before Ann and Jacob’s wedding, the Battle of Brandywine took place. The sounds of the cannons could be heard at Lachford Hall and Jacob was called to serve in the military. Quakers were pacifists and Jacob declined to serve. Because of this and his refusal to pay taxes for a war, he was fined, and a great deal of material goods were confiscated.

1782: Ann Has a Daughter, Hannah

When Ann was thirty-nine years old, this happy union produced their only child, Hannah. Ann was regarded as an industrious and economical housekeeper, never shrinking from labor. By the time Hannah married Enos Painter and began raising her own seven children, Ann and Jacob had moved to the east wing of the house. It was the ideal place for Ann and Jacob to live as Ann could be involved with Hannah’s children — the next generation to live at Lachford Hall. Ann and Jacob were married for 40 years before his passing in 1818. Ann died three years later at 79 years old, succumbing to quincy on February 4, 1821. Quincy is a serious throat infection that today would be treated with antibiotics, but they were unavailable in 1821.

Sources:

  • Swarthmore College Library – Special Collections – Friends Historical Library
  • Digitalhistory.uh.edu
  • ClevelandClinic.com
  • BritishHeritage.com

The blanket chest Ann Heacock's's father John built for her as a wedding gift.

The marriage certificate of Ann Heacock and Jacob Minshall.

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