Derivation of the Name:
Austell: 1. Personal, 2. The little one from the East, 3. English: Diminutive of Ost, Host, East; English: Ost, Host, Owst, East, Easty, Easto; Modern German: Ost; Old German: Oste; Diminutives: Aostilo; 8th Century: Ostell, Austell
--- Sir Bernard Burk:
"General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales"
The Austells are of a Noble family of Cornwall, England. The town (and parish) of St. Austell is a thriving village (on the Bay of St. Austell) and the ruins of the Castle built by William De Austell, Sheriff (of Cornwall) and Commoner under Edward III (and Henry IV) are still standing. The male line of the family has been extinct in England for nearly 200 years (1720). Lady Molesworth of Kenizer and Lady Trevillyan are representatives of the family. This old Northern family came over to England with the conqueror.*
from "North Carolina Register, Vol I, (page 635)",
(published about 1920)
I have a transcription of a Will of Thomas Austell, dated 24 Aug 1509. (The original was written in latin.) Thomas was buried in Exeter Cathedral, "by the sepulture of Master Thomas Kyrckby sometime treasurer there," in June, 1515
*Research on the assertion that the family "came over with the Conqueror" finds no supporting evidence thus far. Surnames, as we know them, were not in use in 1066, the time of the conqueror, which makes it more difficult to trace. Much further research would be required to prove such an assertion.
Who was/were The Immigrating Ancestor(s)?
The sole immigrating ancestor which we have documentation of, is Joseph Austill (dob 24 Feb 1672). Joseph was the eldest son of William Austell and Mary Gibbons of Ore, (Oare) England. Joseph and wife Sarah, who were of the Quaker Faith, (see: The Austills & the Friends) immigrated to Pennsylvania in 1699. They brought with them two sons, Joseph (dob 5 Apr 1697) and William (dob 15 Mar 1699). We find:
Joseph Austill, "lately of Ore," son of William Austell, and grandson of Dorothy Austell, deceased, "An honourable woman in the truth." (received) From meetings of Ore and Newberry, England. dated 11 mo 17 day, 1698/9
"Quaker Arrivals at Philadelphia - 1682-1750," by Albert Cook Myers
The only other mention of Joseph and family, found in the records of the Philadelphia Friends (Quakers) is this:
Pentecoast Teague and Anthony Morris are desired to treat with Newton Friends about Joseph Austell's wife and children, who are like to be chargeable to this meeting, and we think they properly belong to their meeting, and therefore we think the aforesaid Friends are to use their Endeavour to see what can be gotten from them towards their assistance.
"There is no explanation of this situation, but as
a Friends Librarian remarked: Joseph Austell seems to have disappeared
from recorded records, which was a common occurrence in the early days.
He might have met with sudden death while away from home; (or he might
have otherwise disappeared)." There has been no mention found of either
he or wife Sarah beyond this.
--From Research Notes by Juanita Austill Allen
Several sources mention an English sea captain, G.W. Austill, who came to America early in the 18th century and who supposedly was descended from William De austell, sheriff of Cornwall.
--From Research Notes by Juanita Austill Allen
There was apparently a ship docked at or near Williamsburg, (Va), on Nov 2, 1740, named : The George William - Captain (G.W.) Austill -
---William & Mary Quarterly, Series I, Vol 21, Page
97
Other sources state that G.W. Austill was sent from the Colonies to
England.
Mary Shields Shore who was a descendant of William (Sr.) Austell and Amelia, says she has seen an entry in a "William & Mary" Quarterly, Series I, Vol 21, p 97, which names a Capt. G. W. Austell as having been sent as a messenger from Williamsburg, Va., to England in 1740.
--From Research Notes by Juanita Austill Allen
Additional note:
In 1743 the "George William" was mastered by
Lachlan Campbell,
according to the Virginia
Colonial Records Project, Survey Report # 05653
(Captain) Joseph Austell married Elizabeth Enggersell (Ingersoll), 19 Jan 1721, in Boston (Mass.) New England. They were married by (preacher & scientist), Cotton Mather. This Joseph died Sep, 1748. Joseph had a cousin Moses Austell and a brother, Isaac Austell. (It is believed that this Joseph is the eldest son of Joseph & Sarah Austill of Ore, England & Pennsylvania, but this is not well documented.)
1748, September - Grants made in The Prerogative Court of Canterbury, London: Special limited probate of the will of Joseph austell of Boston, New England.
---"Complete Book of Emigrants, Vol. 3"
- Peter Wilson Coldham, Genealogical Publishing Co."
Austell, Joseph, of Boston, New England. Special limited probate to the cousin, Moses Austill (Sep 1748)
---"American Wills & Administrations in
the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 1610-1857"
-Peter Wilson Coldham, Baltimore:Genealogical Publishing Co. 1989 (page
13)
Isaac Austill bought 200 acres of Land, on Coleman's Creek, in Halifax County, VA from John Hunter on 15 Aug, 1765. Isaac sold the above land to Pleasant Turner on 18 March 1773. On 20 Sept. 1786(?) Isaac sold 101 acres on Coleman Creek to Pleasant Turner. The 1782 Virginia census lists Isaac as head of a household of 10, in Halifax Co. VA.
Isaac Austill bought 132 acres (in the Yadkin Valley, Surry County, NC.), at Fox Knobs on Deep Creek from Salathiel Martin, on 6 Aug, 1786. The 1790 Federal Census lists Isaac as head of a household of 10 in Surry Co., NC.
Among Isaac's children are Isaac, Jr., Evan (Sr.), and Major (Sr.); the names of the other children are not known to me at this time. Isaac is believed to have had 9 children.