George was the son of English Quakers. The family consisting of their parents and 3 sons,sailed from an Irish port for America in 1710. When the landing was made several weeks later in Philadelphia,nine year old George was the only survinving member. He was raised in Pennsyvania. He married Mary Thatcher whose granfather,Richard Thatcher came to Pennsyvania about 1685 from Uffingham,Berkshire,England. The Thatchers lived in Chester County. In the early 1750 George and his family joined the Quaker Migration to North Carolina where in 1761 he had a land grant of 640 acres,in what is now Guilford County. They lived near and worshipped at a Quaker church called Centre Meeting about 10 miles directly south of present day Greesboro, NC. A church and Cemetary are there today.


Following is a copy of the will of George Hodgson probated in August 1774 in Guilford, North Carolina, Book A, Page 148:

Whereas, I George Hodgson of Center in Rowan County and Province of North Carolina being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect memory and understanding (thanks be to the Almighty for the same.) do make this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows to wit: -

Principally and first of all I commit my Soul unto the Lord, and my body to the earth to be buried in a Christian-like manner, at the desecration of my wife, children, and Friends, and as touching such worldly substance wherewith, I am possessed of, I leave, Bequeath, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form Viz.:

First - I order that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid by my Exers. hereafter named.

Secondly - I give to my son George Hodgson two hundred acres of the land I now live on, which said two hundred acres I allow to include the improvements I purchased from Robert Lamb, and to be laid out to the best advantage to that and the remaining divisions - which I give to him, his heirs and assigns forever.

Thirdly, I order the remaining part of said tract of land be equally divided between my two sons Robert Hodgson and Joseph Hodgson and I give unto Robert and his heirs and assigns forever that division of part which will include the improvements he now lives on, and to Joseph that division or part which will include the improvements I live on, and to his heirs and assigns forever.

And I further order and it is my will, that my two sons Robert and Joseph pay the costs and charges accruing upon the whole tract and to obtain a deed out of the land office for the same, it being only yet entered and surveyed that is to say, that Robert pay the cost for the remaining parts, his own and George's part.

Fourthly, I give to my son George, above mentioned, a young sorrel horse called Sorrell, also a dark bay mare and her colt, and likewise two cows and calves, both young cows of their first calves.

Fifthly, I allow that that tract of land adjoining William Osborn be sold by my exers., and as much of the money obtained for it give to my two sons Robert and Joseph, as will pay the above mentioned charges of obtaining a deed for the land as mentioned above.

Sixthly, I give to my son John Hodgson five shillings, and to my daughter Sarah Hiatt, wife of Jon Hiatt, five shillings and to my daughter Susannah Hiatt, wife of William Hiatt, five shillings.

Seventhly, and what there remains of the money which the above mentioned tract of land is sold for I give to be divided between my wife and son Joseph, as also it is my will that my wife have the privilege of a peaceable possession and the benefit of living to herself, on the place I now live on during her remaining my widow.

Lastly, I ordain constitute and appoint my trusty friends Robert Lamb and Nathan Dicks whole and sole Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking, disannulling and making void all other and former wills, will, or testaments by me made or may appear in my name ratifying and confirming this and no other as my last will and testament. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of the Sixth Month, 1769

Signed, sealed and acknowledged by the said George Hodgson as his last will and testament in the presence of Thomas Wilson, Jeanne Wilson, Margaret Williams




This account is according to the Institute of American Genealogy, Chicago, Il.

George Hodgson removed in 1710 with his parents and 2 brothers to Ireland and later set sail for America. During the voyage all took sick and died, buried at sea, except for George. Orphan boy settled near Philadelphia PA. where he married about 1730 Mary Thatcher. Moved with family to Rowan (now Guilford) Co., NC and became owner of a large plantation. He was a quaker.