8.  Caleb BICKHAM, son of Thomas BICKHAM and Elizabeth HOPPER, was born in March 1736,^{1, 2} died on 23 February 1811 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 74,^{1, 3} and was buried on 24 February 1811 in Friends Cemetery.^{4, 5}  Other names for Caleb were Caleb BICKHAM , Lumber Merchant ⁶, Caleb BICKHAM , Stave Merchant ⁷, and Caleb BRICKHAM. ⁸   

Recorded events in his life were: 

• Quaker Activity, Haddonfield Mm, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Marriage out of Meeting, November 1765. This was three years after Caleb obtained a license for his marriage with Rachel Scull.⁹

• Quaker Activity, Haddonfield Mm, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Marriage out of Meeting, April 1766. This was four years after Caleb obtained a license for his marriage with Rachel Scull.¹⁰

• Quaker Activity, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. Certificate Produced, 30 August 1771, from Wilmington, [Delaware ?] for Caleb Bickham and wife Rachel, and their children, Abel, Thomas, Abiah, and Joseph, and Mary Pingard, a young woman in their service.¹¹

• Advertisement: Break-in, 8 December 1771, Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.¹²  Philadelphia, December 10, 1771. FOUR DOLLARS Reward. In the night of the 8th instant, was broke open, a store on South street wharff, belonging to the subscriber, out of which was stolen several loves of sugar, 3 beaver hats, 3 raccoon ditto, and 3 castor ditto, made by Jeremiah Warder, of this city, with sundry other articles. Whoever apprehends the perpetrators, that they may be brought to justice, and the goods had again, shall be paid the above reward by Caleb Bickham.

• Quaker Activity, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting. Received on Certificate, 5 July 1772. Caleb Bickham and wife Rachel, since deceased, and children Abel, Thomas, Abiah & Joseph. Received by certificate from Wilmington, dated 10 July 1771.¹³

• Quaker Activity, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Southern District. Charter Members, 1772. Caleb Bickham and children Abel, Thomas, Abia, and Joseph.¹⁴

• Quaker Activity, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Southern District. Dismissed, 21 February 1776, for marriage contrary to discipline.¹⁵

• His residence,¹⁶ in 1780, was in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the Southward or Southwark Ward. 

• Will Abstract of Anthony Duche,¹⁷ of Southwark, Pennsylvania.  The will was written 9 November 1780, and proved 10 October 1787.  Children were named as Rebeccah Griffith, and John.  Grandchildren were named as Andrew and Anthony Duche, Sarah, Mary and Catherine. Executor of the will was named as John Duche.  Witnesses were John Brown, Joseph Huddell, and Caleb Bickham.

• Caleb went into the Lumber Business with Thomas Fisher and Miers Fisher, who were brothers, and Thomas Hough. This was about 1784. There may have been some connection with paper mills at Brandywine.¹⁸

• Caleb was listed with a Stave Yard in the 1785 City Directory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.¹⁹ The address of the Stave Yard was 319 W'ater Street. There was also a listing for a Caleb Bickham at 22 Coxe's Alley, and a Caleb Bickham at 52 W'harton's Alley.

• Quaker Activity, Philadelphia Monthly Meeting, Southern District. Reinstated, 24 May 1786, on request after being dismissed for marriage contrary to discipline.²⁰

• He is listed in the 1790 Federal Census, in Southwark, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.²¹ The residence address was Swanson Street, East Side, and Caleb's occupation was listed as Stave Merchant. In the household were three males over 16 (Caleb, Abiah, and Joseph), three males under 16 (Caleb, Joshua, and one other), and six females (Mary, Anne, Mary, Sarah, and two others). Caleb was also listed as a Stave Merchant, with a Stave Yard and Compting House on Almond Street, River Side. As this was a business listing, no individuals were counted.

• Caleb was listed as a Stave merchant in the 1791 City Directory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.²² Three addresses were listed. 105 and 135 South wharves, and 102 Swanson Street, all in Southwark.

• Caleb was listed as a lumber merchant in the 1793 City Directory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.²³ The address was 103 Swanson Street in Southwark.

• Will Abstract of John Brown,²⁴ City of Philadelphia Merchant. John wrote his will 22 January 1783, and it was proved 12 January 1795.  He mentioned his wife Jane, children Benjamin, Dinah Morgan, and John, and his son-in-law Abel Morgan. He named his executors as his wife Jane and son John Brown. Witnesses were Thomas Franklin, Israel Morris, and Daniel Corse. 

  A Codicil was signed 27 July 1784. in which the children were named as Benjamin, John, and Dinah Morgan. Witnesses to the codicil were Jonathan Penrose, Daniel Smith, and Thomas Steel. 

  A second codicil was signed 3 September 1794. John mentioned his wife Jane, and changed his executors to be his grandson-in-law Peregrine Wharton, wife Jane, and son John Brown. Witnesses to this codicil were Cald [Caleb] Bickham, Daniel McCulloch, and Shewbart Armitage.

• Caleb was listed as a Stave merchant in the 1797 City Directory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.²⁵ The address was 103 Swanson Street.

• Caleb was listed as a Stave merchant in the 1798 City Directory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.²⁶ The address was still 103 Swanson Street.

• Caleb was listed as a Stave merchant in the 1799 City Directory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.²⁷ The address had changed slightly to 100 Swanson Street.

• Will Abstract of Mary Jones,²⁸ Southwark,  Philadelphia, widow of Blathwaite Jones, late of said city.  Mary wrote her will 1 April 1799, and it was proved 16 January 1810. She gave to her grandson Samuel Lieberhichn Shober her bible which her aunt Deborah Morris had left her. All estate to daughter Susanna Budd Shober widow of Dr. Samuel Shober, whom she appointed sole executrix. Witnesses were Caleb Bickham, Samuel Law, and Isaac Morris.

• He is listed in the 1800 Federal, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.²⁹ In the household were two males under 10 (Joshua and George W.), one male between 26 and 45 (Abiah), one male 45 or over (Caleb), one female under 10 (Elizabeth Hopper), one female 10 to 16 (Anne), and one female over 45 (Mary).

• Will Abstract of Thomas Penrose,³⁰ District of Southwark,  Philadelphia County, Ship Carpenter. Thomas wrote his will 15 January 1803, and it was proved 5 December 1815. He mentioned his wife Ann Penrose. A legacy to Thomas Fisher for educating Black People under the care of the people called Quakers, in Philadelphia. A legacy to cousins Bartholomew Mather and Joseph Mather, and to Benjamin Mather. He mentioned his two sons, William and Charles Penrose.  Executors were his wife Ann, and his sons William and Charles. Witnesses were Caleb Bickham, Thomas Bickham, and John Elliott Cresson. The will was proved 5 December 1815.

• In the 1804 City Directory of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania³¹ there is a listing that states "Bickham's Wharf opens at 17 Swanson." Caleb Bickham was listed as a stave merchant at 117 Swanson and his son Thomas Bickham had his boat builders shop at 32 Swanson.

• Will Abstract of John Jones,³² City of Philadelphia,  Cooper.  The will was written 16 January 1806, and proved 5 May 1807.  He made legacies to his eldest daughter Ellen Yard, to his second daughter Mary Jones, to his daughter Agnes Wayne, to his daughter Margaret McClellon, to his daughter Jane Lyon, to his youngest daughter Hannah Jones, to his grandson Charles Jacob Jones Yard, and to his housekeeper whose name was not given.  The residue of his estate was left to his grandchildren, the children of dauhters Margaret McClellan and Eliza Bartlett, but their names were not mentioned.  Caleb Bickham of Southwark, lumber merchant, and William Merriss of Philadelphia, merchant, were also mentioned.  Letters granted to Caleb Bickham.  Witnesses were John Wisman, Joseph Ashmore, and Samuel Hamilton. 

  A codicil was made 6 April 1807, appointing Timothy Paxon of Philadelphia as Trustee to the children of daughter Margret McClellan and of daughter Eliza Bartlet.

• The Will of Caleb Bickham was written 15 April 1806, in Southwark, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.³³ "Be it remembered that I Caleb Bickham of the district of Southwark merchant . . . I give to my beloved wife Mary all my wearing apparel, to be by her disposed of in such manner as she may deem best for the use of my younger children Joshua George and Elizabeth.  Item I give to my said wife forty pounds P.C. to be paid her immediately after my decease to enable her to maintain such of my children as may then be minors, and all my houshold furniture, (including my plate) provisions and fuel which I may possess at the time of my death, excepting such parts thereof as are hereinafter otherwise disposed of.  Item I give to my son Thomas by a former marriage sixty pounds P.C., and to my son Abia by the same marriage sixty pounds P.C. and a feather bed and bedstead called his, with a suitable quantity of bed clothes, and this considering what I have done for them heretofore is all I think I can do for them now.  Item I give to my son Joshua after the death of my beloved wife my eight day clock.  Item I give to my son George my large bible and to my daughter Elisabeth a feather bed and bedding.  Item I give to my sister Margaret twenty pounds P.C. to be paid her within six months after my decease.  Item I give to my grandson Caleb Bickham Henry fifteen pounds money aforesaid to be paid at his age of 21 and in the mean time put out at interest for his use; the interest to accumulate become principal and be payable at his said age of 21 . . . but if he should die before the age of 21, then I bequeath the same to my son George. Item I give and devise to my beloved wife and my children Ann Mary Joshua George and Elisabeth their heirs and assigns forever all my real and minor estate and the residue of my personal  estate after payment of debts and legacies equally to be divided between them as tenants in common . . . the said devise to my wife to be in lieu and bar of her dower at common law and every other claim to my real and personal estate.  And in case any of my children by my present wife should die before the attainment of the age of 21 with out issue, it is then my will that the share or shares of such decedent or decedents in my estate should pass to my child or children by my present wife living at the time of such his her or their decease, and the issue of such as may then be dead, such issue taking the parts which their parents respectively would have taken, equally to be divided between them.  It is my will that my beloved wife should maintain and educate such of my children as may be minors at the time of my death till their age of 21.  And I direct the guardians of their estates, if my said wife cannot conveniently bear the expence of supporting and educating them, to advance to her as may be necessary such parts of their annual income as she shall require for said purposes.  I desire that my children may receive a good school education, and in particular that my daughter Elisabeth should learn the trade of a mantua-maker.  I nominate and empower my executors hereinafter named and the survivors of them to make partition of my estate among my said wife and children and to execute the necessary deeds for confirming the same.  And I authorize and empower my executors and the survivors and survivor of then his or her executors or administrators to sell and convey in fee simple the whole or such parts of my real estate as he she or they may deem proper in order to effect an equal division thereof among my wife Mary guardian of the persons of such of my children as may be minors at my decease, and my said wife and my beloved friend Alexander Wilson guardians of their estates.  I nominate and appoint my said wife Mary and my beloved friends Miers Fisher and Jonathan Willis to be the executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby revoke all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made and declare this and no other to be my last will and testament.  In witness where of I the said Caleb Bickham the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the fifteenth day of the fourth month called April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and six." The will was witnessed by Wm. Jones Williams and Jacob S. Wahn, Jr., and affirmed 29 March 1811.

• Will Abstract of Thomas Fisher,³⁴ Philadelphia Gentleman.  Thomas wrote his will 19 December 1806, and it was proved 24 October 1810. He bequeathed his property to his children:  William Logan Fisher, James Logan Fisher, Hannah Logan Fisher and Esther Fisher.  His eldest son Joshua Fisher had lately died leaving wife Elizabeth Powell Fisher, enciente.  He mentioned property in Philadelphia purchased from Peter Reeve and wife, property devised to him by his father Joshua Fisher, December'd,  Meadow in Passyunk Township, Philadelphia County, devised to him by his father.  He also mentioned property in Southwark held with his brother Miers Fisher, land now or late in the Township of Chemung, State of New York, purchased of Richard Harrison and wife, half of which he sold to William Cooper of Coopertown.  Also mentioned was property originally in Westmorland County, Pennsylvania, that by division of that county was thrown into several counties.  Brothers Samuel R. Fisher and Miers Fisher and nephews Joshua and Thomas Gilpin interested in said property.  Also property in Bristol Township, Philadelphia County, now annexed to the Country Seat Wakefield, formerly the estate of his late wife Sarah Logan under the will of her father William Logan.  Also property in Bristol Township, Philadelphia County, purchased from William Dagnie and wife and from the assignees of John Mayo.  Brew house, malt house &c. in Philadelphia, purchased from John Baker, Esq., administrators of William Van Phul, Esq.  Property in Phila. purchased from trustees of William Peters.  Property in Baltimore, MD, which John Brown and Jane his wife conveyed to George Emlen who conveyed the same to him according to leases made to Abraham France, Henry Hartman, Tinker & Stiles and James Davidson, all which said George Emlen conveyed to him and he has leased to Michael Peters, rents received by friend John McKim of Baltimore.  Ground in Southwark, Philadelphia County held with brother Miers Fisher by devise from his father.  Land in Canaan Township, Wayne County, sometime called the Proprietors Garden and afterwards Elk Forrest bought of William Cooper now held in common with sister Lydia Gilpin and brothers Samuel and Miers Fisher.  Purchased from Samuel Emlen, Jr., and wife, land in or near Otsego County, New York State being part of tract since called Bloomfield.  Lands in Otsego County, New York formerly property of Henry Hill who conveyed them to John Holker, he to Thomas Fitzimons &c.  Legacy to yearly Meeting of Friends, Indian Natives who received our first Proprietary William Penn to derive benefit thereof. Legacies to PA Hospital, Monthly Meeting of Woman Friends Southern District, Philadelphia.  To friends Rebecca Jones and Benjamin Mason.  To Elizabeth Scott who served her time in his family.  To Mary Kirkpatrick.  To Priamus Stanton.  Entered into partnership with his father, later taking in brothers Samuel R. and Jabez Maud Fisher.  Entered into lumber business with brother Miers, Thomas Hough and Caleb Bickham about 1784.  Connected with Paper Mills at Brandywine. Partnership with Leonard Snowden in 1800 in Brewery Business.  To grandchildren Thomas Fisher and Sarah Logan Fisher children of son William and to nephew Thomas Fisher son of brother Samuel R. Fisher.  To expected grandchild, child of son Joshua.  Executors to be sons William Logan Fisher and James Logan Fisher, also to be guardians of daughter Esther Fisher and of expected grandchild.  Witnesses were Charles Wharton, Redwood Fisher, Owen Jones, Robert Waln, and John Roberts.

  A codicil signed 18 January 1809, mentioned Sister Lydia Gilpin since deceased, son born to daughter-in-law Elizabeth Powell Fisher named for her husband Joshua, December'd.  Witnesses to the codicil were  Robert Waln, John B. Wallace, and Jno. Roberts.

• Letter to Stephen Girard from Amela Ensworth, dated 28 February 1810, from Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.³⁵ The letter from Amela Ensworth was one requesting money. However, there was a note at the bottom of the letter that said: "Between Catherine and Queen Street near Third - paid Mrs. Mary Bickham Wife of Caleb Bickham Twelve Dollars the 28 Feb 1810."

• He is listed in the 1810 Federal, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.³⁶ In the household were two males under 10 (not sure who they are), two males 16 to 26 (Joshua and George W.), one male 26 to 45 (Abiah), one male over 45 (Caleb), one female 10 to 16 (Elizabeth Hopper), one female 16 to 26 (Anne), one female over 45 (Mary).

• Caleb BICKHAM's will was proved 29 March 1811.³⁷  Miers Fisher and Jonath Willis renounced and refused the office of executor, therefore, letters were granted to Mary Bickham who was affirmed as executrix 9 April 1811. 

Caleb married Rachel SCULL on 1 January 1762 in Gloucester County, New Jersey.^{38, 39}   

Marriage Notes: #300; Caleb Bickham of the Township of Greenwich in the County of Gloucester, waterman, and James Ward of the Township of Deptford in the county af'sd, yeoman … [bound to] … Josiah Hardy, Governor … 50 pounds … 1 January 1762 … Caleb Bickham … obtained license of marriage for himself and for Rachel Scull of the Township of Greenwich, spinster … Witnesses: Hannah Ladd and John Ladd.⁴⁰ 

Children from this marriage were: 

    i.   Abel BICKHAM was born in 1763 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania,⁴² died on 6 March 1786 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 23,⁴³ and was buried on 6 March 1786.⁴⁴ 

10   ii.   Thomas BICKHAM was born in 1765,⁴⁵ died on 22 February 1816 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 51,^{46, 47, 48} and was buried on 23 February 1816 in Friends Cemetery.^{46, 49} 

  iii.    Abiah BICKHAM was born about 1767 and died on 11 June 1826 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, about age 59.⁵²  Another name for Abiah was Abia BICKAM. 

   iv.   Joseph BICKHAM was born in 1769,^{53, 54} died on 25 December 1792 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 23,⁴³ and was buried on 25 December 1792 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.⁴⁴ 

    v.   Sarah BICKHAM was born in February 1771⁵⁵ and died on 17 May 1771 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.⁵⁶   

Caleb next married Mary HUNN, daughter of Jonathan HUNN, on 25 January 1776 in Christ Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.⁵⁷   

Marriage Notes: Children of Caleb and wife Mary, listed in Southern District MM records as Jonathan born 13 October 1776, Anne born 5 May 1779, Mary born 18 February 1782, Caleb born 2 December 1785, Joshua born 18 December 1789, George W. born 7 April 1793, and Elizabeth Hopper born 16 December 1794.⁴⁴ 

Children from this marriage were: 

    i.   Jonathan BICKHAM was born on 13 October 1776,^{44, 60} died on 1 August 1789 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 12,⁶¹ and was buried on 1 August 1789 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.⁶² 

   ii.   Anne BICKHAM was born on 5 May 1779.^{63, 64} 

  iii.   Mary BICKHAM was born on 18 February 1783.^{65, 66} 

   iv.   Sarah BICKHAM was born in December 1785,⁶⁷ died on 18 April 1786 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania,⁶⁷ and was buried on 18 April 1786 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.⁶⁸ 

    v.   Caleb BICKHAM was born on 2 December 1785,^{69, 70} died on 17 August 1805 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 19,⁶¹ and was buried on 17 August 1805.⁶² 

   vi.   Sarah BICKHAM was born about 1787,⁷¹ died on 21 April 1791 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, about age 4,⁷¹ and was buried on 21 April 1791 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.⁷² 

11  vii.   Joshua BICKHAM was born on 18 December 1789,^{73, 74} died on 29 June 1817 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 27,^{75, 76} and was buried on 29 June 1817 in Friends Cemetery.^{77, 78} 

12 viii.  George W. BICKHAM was born on 7 April 1793 in Pennsylvania^{80, 81, 82} and died after February 1834, after age 40. 

  ix.    Elizabeth Hopper BICKHAM was born on 16 December 1794,^{83, 84, 85} died on 8 April 1883 in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, at age 88,^{86, 87} and was buried in Friends Fairhill Burial Ground, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.⁸⁸