from Chronicle of the Yerkes Family, with Notes on the Leech and Rutter Families by Josiah Granville Leach
Elias Yerkes (Herman2, Anthony1), ninth child and seventh son of Herman Yerkes by his wife Elizabeth Watts, was born in the Manor of Moreland, Montgomery (formerly Philadelphia) County, Pennsylvania, 7 February, 1729; died there, 16 January, 1799. He was a farmer, and resided throughout his life in the Manor of Moreland.
The Pennsylvania Gazette of 23 August, 1770, contained this advertisement:
Supposed to be Stolen, on Tuesday night, the 14th of this instant August, from the plantation of Elias Yerkes, living in the Manor of Moreland, Philadelphia County, a dark bay mare, 9 years old between 14 & 15 hands high, a large star on her forehead, behind feet white, shod before, she can pace and trot, but is more inclined to pace. Whoever takes her up and secures said Mare, so as the owner may have her again shall have Ten shillings,
and Mr. Yerkes married, 18 March, 1756, Rebecca Foster, who died 30 November, 1820, in the eighty-fifth year of her age. Her will, dated 16 February, 1807, was proved in Montgomery County, 23 November, 1821, and names sons Isaac, David, Elias, and Arthur, and daughters Mary, Rebecca, Sarah, and Susanna.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Yerkes were baptized according to the Baptist faith, 10 October, 1773, and were received into membership in the Southampton Baptist Church, the religious home of many of the Yerkes family. They were buried in the graveyard of that church, where a stone marks their grave, as is shown in the accompanying illustration. Children of Elias and Rebecca (Foster) Yerkes; born in the Manor of Moreland:
Elias Yerkes, born 16 January, 1757; died 21 June, 1844; married.
George Yerkes, born 18 September, 1758; died 25 December, 1839; married Rebecca.
Elizabeth Yerkes, born 3 October, 1760; married, by the Reverend David Jones, pastor of the Southampton Baptist Church, 9 April, 1789, to Nathan Marple. It would appear from the will of her sister Mary that she had by this marriage a daughter: (85) Elizabeth Marple.
Susanna Yerkes, born 27 September, 1762.
Isaac Yerkes, born 17 March, 1765; died unmarried and without issue. His will,dated 7 September, 1823, proved in Montgomery County, 26 May, 1827, names brother David, and Elias, "son of my brother Arthur," and gives the remainder of his estate to Horatio Gates Yerkes, another son of his brother Arthur.
Mary Yerkes, born 15 November, 1766; died, unmarried, circa 1852. Her will, dated 12 April, 1848, proved 14 September, 1852, names sisters Sarah Michener and Rebecca Yerkes, nephew Horatio Gates Yerkes, and Lydia Lukens, "daughter of my brother Elias," and Elizabeth Edwards, "daughter of my deceased sister" Elizabeth Marple.
Rebecca Yerkes, born 15 November, 1766; died 18 August, 1850.
Arthur Yerkes, born 1 1 February, 1769; died 23 October, 1840; married Elizabeth Hart.
Sarah Yerkes, born 1 1 June, 1772; died 17 May, 1856; married Thomas Michener, Jr.
David S. Yerkes, died unmarried; will, proved 21 May, 1849, names David S. Y. Lukens, "son of my niece Lydia."
