New information shows that George Hodson, we thought to have been the first Hodson in America, was actually the second generation born in America. Its data are from the records of St. Michael’s Parish, Yorkshire England and the wills of Robert [Hodgson I] and Robert [Hodgson II] in America that show their issue.

The line which is traced in the web page states that the first of this line was Robert Hodgson-I, who had been involved with Cromwell during the English Civil War. His wife and daughter died. After the war, he was put in prison for killing a fellow officer. While in prison, he met George Fox, also an inmate of Exter Prison. Robert Hodgson was converted to the Quaker faith by George Fox. Fox secured the release of Robert Hodgson. Robert Hodgson became a Quaker missionary and was imprisoned in the town of Reading for preaching his faith and for refusing to remove his hat for a Magistrate.

A Quaker named Robert Fowler of Bridlington had visions about this time of a ship taking the Quakers to the colonies. They sailed to London in March of 1657 and left for America in June of 1657.

Robert Hodgson-I stayed in New Amsterdam and was imprisoned there. A promise to leave the colony secured his release.

No further public records may be found for Robert Hodgson until in 1659, George Fox requested his return to Yorkshire for a meeting. He married again that same year, but where is not known for sure. In 1661, he returned to America and remained in Rhode Island until about 1682. At that time, he received a grant from William Penn for 10,000 acres on the Susquehanna River.

The children of Robert Hodgson I were: Robert Hodgson II, George Fox Hodgson, Henry Hodgson, Mark Hodgson, Mary Hodgson, Rachel Hodgson, Matilda Hodgson, Phineas Hodgson and Alexander Hodgson.