George Harlan, the son of James and Rebecca [New]Kirk Harlan was born in Durham, England. He was baptized at Monkwearmouth the 11^th day first month 1650 [March 11, 1650]. The History and Genealogy of the Harlan Family by Alpheus Harlan states that he was born in "Nigh Durham in Bishoprick, England." and "baptized at the Monastery". Bishoprick was the title given English Bishops. And the word nigh is used to describe "left." Thus this compiler suggests that his baptism was left in the Bishops Records of Durham and not in a village by that name as translated by researchers who have continually copied Harlan’s publication.

Monkwearmouth Church was built in Romanesque style. Besides the church, no trace remains of a Monastery today. In fact the Monastery was gone by the time George Harlan was born but on its site is St. Peter’s Church in the Diocese of Durham.

As a young man George left England for Ireland. George married Elizabeth Duck 17^th day of the ninth month [November] 1678 in Shankill, Armagh, Ireland. When they married the handwritten certificate was read as Donnahlong by researchers who have perpetuated the improper Parish name. An experienced evaluation reads "Donnahclony" with the writing running the "h" and "c" together. The proper spelling is Donaghcloney. George stated he was from Donaghcloney in the county of Down.

Elizabeth Duck was born 5 May 1660 in Lurgan, Shankill, Armagh, Ireland, the daughter of Ezekiel and Hannah Hoope[s] Duck. Lurgan is on the southern shore of Lough Neagh in the center of Northern Ireland. It is known for linen manufacturing. Among the most prominent linen Quaker craftsmen were Robert and John Hoope. Robert Hoope was a witness at George and Elizabeth’s wedding.

Lurgan is accorded the honor as the cradle of the Quaker spiritual movement. Robert Hoope came to Lurgan in 1660 and joined the Friends of Lurgan becoming an influential member. In 1696 he was the prime mover in having a Quaker meeting house built. Besides various Hoope family members contributions were also made by the Kirk family, Dixsons, Robinson’s, William Porter, Mary "Harlin" and Marke Wright. Marke Wright was born in 1619 at Sheep Pastor near Gisborough, Yorkshire and came to Ireland in 1654 with his wife and children. He converted to the Society of Friends after witnessing William Edmundson protesting a parish church service.

George and Elizabeth, like other Quakers, prior to the building of a meeting house, married in a Friend’s home. The Harlan’s had married at Marke Wright’s. Activity for the building of a Quaker meeting house did not begin until nine years after George, Mary and their first four children left for America. George’s brother Michael Harlan was among those who sailed in 1687 to New Castle in the Province of Pennsylvania. Today we known Shankill better as Belfast.

The family settled on Brandywine Creek in Christiana Hundred near Centerville [now Delaware]. George was immediately appointed to the Committee of Responsibility of Friends Affairs. As part of his duties in December 1689 he recommended at the concurrence of Friends that families on the other side of Brandywine hold their own mortgage for the winter season among themselves because of the dangerousness of the ford. By 1695 he had been elected to the Provincial Assembly of New Castle County.

Families corresponded with other Friends still in Lurgan. In 1696 George wrote to William Porter concerning the death of Thomas Child. William Porter was born in 1641 at Yorkshire and came to Ireland in 1659. He was a Quaker and a weaver by trade. George also asked William Porter that his wife’s love be remembered to Robert and Eleanor Hoop[e], wishing to hear from them. By then George and Elizabeth had nine children.

Thomas Child left nothing to his surviving mother in England. George Harlan was present when he wrote the will and stated in his letter to Porter that Child, not having heard from any family in England and fearful that they may have died chose the will directed to those among the Friends in America. Child left Michael Harlan and Michael’s infant son George 20 acres. Michael also received two black mares, a clot and several other horses, hogs, corn clothes and utensils. He gave George Harlan a three year old horse and several of the younger Harlan’s animals.

In 1701 George while residing in what was then Kennett Township New Castle County, Pennsylvania now Delaware received a land warrant for 200 acres granted for fencing and maintaining the land while Indians resided there. In 1711 Centre Meeting was built. The land had been conveyed by Alphonsus Kirk and George Harlan was one of a committee instrumental in seeing that the work got done.

In 1713 George deeded 203 acres to his son-in-law William Webb, husband of Rebecca. He also deeded 200 acres to sons James and Joshua. Being weak in body George wrote his will in April 1714 stating he was of Brandywine Creek in Kennet, County of Chester in the province of Pennsylvania. He requested that his body be buried next to his wife at the new burying place on Alphonsus Kirks land [Centre Meeting]. A major portion of his estate was to be equally divided among his children. George Harlan died and was buried at Centre Meeting Burial Ground in July 1714.

.i. Ezekiel Harlan, born 16 September 1679 County Down, Ulster, Ireland; died in Chester County Pennsylvania; married (1) Mary Bezer in Chichester Monthly Meeting, Delaware county, Pennsylvania; married (2) Ruth Buffington.

ii. Hannah Harlan, born 04 April 1681 in Ireland; married Samuel Hollingworth 1701; died November 1748 in Chester County Pennsylvania.

iii. Moses Harlan, born 20 February 1682/83, County Down, Ulster, Ireland; died Bet. 1747 - 1749 in Menallan Township, Adams County Pennsylvania; married Margaret Ray Abt. 1712.

iv. Aaron Harlan, born 24 December 1685 in County Down, Ulster, Ireland; died September 1752; married Sarah Heald 1713 in Newark Meeting, New Castle County, Delaware³; born in Mobberly, Cheshire, England; died 1747 in Kennet Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

v. Rebekah Harlan, born 17 October 1688 in Pennsylvania; died 17 October 1775; married William Webb 22 March 1708/09.

vi. Deborah Harlan, born 28 October 1690 in Pennsylvania; married Joshua Calvert 1710 in Kennet Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania.

vii. James Harlan, born 19 October 1692 in New Castle, Pennsylvania now Delaware; died in Frederick County, Viriginia; married Elizabeth --?-- 1716.

viii. Elizabeth Harlan, born 09 October 1694 in New Castle, Pennsylvania now Delaware; died in Chester County Pennsylvania; married Joseph Robinson 12 September 1712; died in Chester County Pennsylvania.

ix. Joshua Harlan, born 15 January 1695/96 in Province of Pennsylvania; died May 1744 in Kennett Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania; married Mary Heald 1719; born 1697 in Cheshire, England