We learn from the contents of an old letter published in the Pennsylvania Magazine, Vol. 16, pages 462 and 463, "that Stephen Sands left a wealthy parentage behind and that he came to this province to enjoy liberty of conscience among the people called Quakers, being one." Therefore it was interesting to find this record: "James Dilworth of Thornley in Lancashire, husbandman, came in the ship the 'Lamb' of Liverpool. The master, John French, arrived in this river (Delaware) 8th mo. 1682, with William their son, Servant Stephen Sands, to serve one year, and to have 50 acres of land." This portrays the sturdy character of the man, who forsook ease and worldly prospects for "liberty of conscience," and his memory should be revered by his descendants.
Stephen Sands prospered in his adopted country, as he deserved to do, for upon the 3rd day of 1st mo., 1698, an indenture was delivered to him from Joseph Growden for one hundred acres of land in Bensalem township, Bucks county, Pennsylvania, vid. Book of Deeds No. 2, p. 287. This land was a part of the five thousand acres which William Penn had confirmed by deed, October 24, 1681, to the above Joseph Growden. In 1708 "Oldmixon" bears testimony to the worth of Joseph Growden and his great services in planting this county with English colonists of worth and character. Stephen Sands continued to acquire land in Bensalem township, as evidenced by deeds on record. He married 1st mo. 21st, 1684, Jane Cowgill, who came in the "Welcome" with her widowed mother, Elizabeth Cowgill, and brothers, Edmund and John, and sister, who married Bernard Lane, of New Jersey. The Cowgills were prominent and the ancestors of some of the best people in Philadelphia today.
The children of Stephen Sands and his wife, Mary (Cowgill) Sands, were: Richard, John, Elinor, William and Edmund. Vid. will of Stephen Sands, dated January 25, 1730, probated February 15, 1732-33, Book of Wills 1, p. 197.
Stephen Sands married (second), at Middletown meeting, 8 mo., 9 da., 1701, Elizabeth Norcross, widow of William.
William Sands, son of Stephen and Jane (Cowgill) Sands, is mentioned as a witness to Peter Wood's will, Bristol, July 10, 1745. He died intestate and the letter of administration calls him, "William Sands late of Bensalem township, yeoman,
