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COLLECTIONS
OF THE
NEW JERSEY
HISTORICAL SOCIETY
VOLUME IX
NEWARK, N. J. : PUBLISHED BY THE SOCIETY 1916
F131 N 532 HC V.9 1916 OFFICERS
OF THE NEW JERSEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1915-'16
PRESIDENT-Francis Joseph Swayze, of Newark.
VICE-PRESIDENTS-Charles Mandred Lum, of Chatham; George Rowland Howe, of East Orange; Charles Bradley, of Newark.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY-A. Van Doren Honeyman, of Plainfield. RECORDING SECRETARY AND LIBRARIAN-Joseph Fulford Folsom, of Newark.
TREASURER-William Connet Morton, of Newark.
TRUSTEES-Frank Bergen, of Elizabeth ; James J. Bergen, of Somer- ville: J. Lawrence Boggs, of Newark; Frederick A. Canfield, of Dover ; Hiram E. Deats, of Flemington ; William S. Disbrow, of Newark; Edwin S. Lines, of Newark; William J. Magie, of Elizabeth; Charles W. Parker, of Jersey City ; Joseph M. Riker, of Newark; Austin Scott, of New Bruns- wick ; Wallace M. Scudder, of Newark; Edwin R. Walker, of Trenton.
WOMAN'S BRANCH-OFFICERS, 1916-'17
PRESIDENT-Miss Altha E. Hatch, of Morris Plains.
FIRST VICE-PRESIDENT-Mrs. George Batten, of Montclair. SECOND VICE-PRESIDENT-Mrs. Charles W. Parker, of Jersey City. THIRD VICE-PRESIDENT-Mrs. Henry S. White, of Red Bank. RECORDING SECRETARY-Mrs. Washington Wilson, of Metuchen. TREASURER-Mrs. Arthur H. MacKie, of Newark.
HISTORIAN-Miss Ginevra Freeman, of Orange.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY-Mrs. Harrie Pennington Whitehead, of Elizabeth.
AUDITOR-Mrs. Ruth E. Fairchild, of Parsippany.
CALL PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO., Paterson, N. J.
NEW JERSEY
BIOGRAPHICAL and GENEALOGICAL NOTES
FROM THE VOLUMES OF THE
NEW JERSEY ARCHIVES
WITH ADDITIONS AND SUPPLEMENTS
BY THE LATE
WILLIAM NELSON
Corresponding Secretary New Jersey Historical Society
NEWARK, N. J.
1916 5
Prefatory Note
THE COLLECTION of "New Jersey Biographical and Genealogi- cal Notes" embraced in this volume consists of the more important biographical footnotes appearing in the various volumes of the "New Jersey Archives," with the corrections and extensive addi- tions made by the late Mr. William Nelson, Corresponding Secre- tary of the New Jersey Historical Society. The work of extending these notes was begun by Mr. Nelson about eighteen years ago, and much of it was then put in type. From time to time he added to it, and, at his death, August 10, 1914, the matter was nearly ready for publication. It is evident, from various marginal notes made by Mr. Nelson, that he had not fully completed some addi- tions to the proofs, but the work is now published by the New Jersey Historical Society just as prepared and left by him. No attempt has been made to verify the innumerable dates and refer- ences, as, indeed, that would be an almost insurmountable task.
It is believed that this volume will prove extremely useful to those who are making biographical or genealogical researches.
The work of seeing the matter through the press has devolved upon the present Corresponding Secretary.
A. VAN DOREN HONEYMAN,
Corresponding Secretary.
Dated June, 1916.
NEW JERSEY BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL NOTES.
JOHN ADAMS, of Salem.
John Adams was from Reading, in Berkshire, England. He married Elizabeth, dau. of John Fenwick, and came out with him in the ship Griffin, Robert Griffith, master, which arrived off. the present Salem, on the Delaware, probably about the first of October, 1675. He brought with him his wife, and three children-Elizabeth, eleven years old; Fenwick, a lad of nine, and Mary, aged four years. Adams is described in the records first as a "weaver" or "clothier," indicating his occupa- tion in England, but after his arrival here he is designated as "planter;" by 1686 he is on the border line, "yeoman alias gentleman," and in 1689 is a full-fledged "gentleman." On March 24, 1674-5, Fenwick gave him and his wife a patent for 2,000 acres of land in the proposed "Fenwick's Colony," afterwards "Salem Tenth," and ultimately Salem. He was among the signers, 25th of 4th mo. (June), 1676, of the agreement for apportioning and settling the town of New Salem, affixing his mark to that important instrument. On July 14, 1676, he received from Fen- wick a warrant for the survey of 500 acres, which tract was deeded to him Sept. 12, 1676. On Oct. 18, 1676, a tract of 1,468 acres was sur- veyed for him. He had a decided predilection for affixing his mark instead of signing his name to documents of all kinds. He and his wife incurred the displeasure of the local court on Sept. 13, 1680, but frankly acknowledged their fault and promised better behavior in the future. It is doubtful if they kept the promise. John Fenwick, in his will, dated Aug. 7, 1683, indicates his lack of confidence in his son-in-law, Adams. The latter does not seem to have exerted much influence in the new community. He was a member of the West Jersey House of Representatives for several years, it is understood. He lived at Penn's Neck, Salem, his tract being known as Sapaney. His house, built at Ivy Point, near Market street, Salem, stood until about 1825. No record of any will by John Adams or by his wife has been found, nor is it certainly known when they died. They are not mentioned in the will of their son Fenwick, in 1689, and may have died before that. Issue:
i. Elizabeth, b. in England in 1664. Her grandfather, John Fenwick, in his will, dated Aug. 7, 1683 (when she was only nineteen), proved April 16, 1684, provides: "I doe Except against Elizabeth Adams of haveing any the least pte of my Estate & her heirs for ever, Ex-
1
220261
ADAMS
cept the Lord open her eyes to See her abominable Transgression against him, & me her poore father by giveing her true repentance & fersakeing yt Black y't hath been the ruine of her and becoming penitent for her sins," etc. Col. R. G. Johnson, in his "His- torical Account of the First Settlement of Salem," says: "From that illicit connection hath sprung the families of the Goulds, at a little settlement called Gouldtown, in Cumberland county."
2. ii. Fenwick, b. in England in 1666. John Fenwick, in his will, appoints William Penn guardian of this grand- son.
iii. Mary, b. in England in 1671.
iv. Walter, b. in Salem.
vi. Ann, b. in Salem; m. Samuel Hedge.
2. Fenwick2 John1 Adams prob. m. Ann Watkin, Aug. 18, 1687 .- Salem Wills, 2:11, reversed side. The will of Fenwick Adams, of Fenwick's Grove. Salem county, gentleman, dated June 7, 1689, was recorded August 26, 1689. He makes his wife Ann sole heiress and executrix of his "worldly" estate. His personal estate was appraised at £75. 17. 10, including a tankard of 66 lbs. of pewter at twelvepence per lb. If he was in the habit of draining that huge tankard often it would account for his presumably untimely death.1 Issue: Sarah, m. Robert Pickman. She and her husband, by deed Aug. 23, 1718, quit- claimed to John Champneys, grandson of John Fenwick, all her rights in the estate of her great-grandfather, John Fenwick, and in the estate of her father, Fenwick Adams, but not in the estate of her grandfather, Jolın Adams .- Salem Deeds, 1715-1797, p. 64.
There was another Fenwick Adams in Salem county about this time. In 1676, Sept. 4, he was appointed by John Fenwick to the office of Register of Salem Colony .- Salem Surveys, 1676, p. 35. He signed four deeds as a witness in that same year .- Salem No. 1, p. 148; Salem Deeds, Liber B., pp. 1, 2, 4. By 1680 he witnessed several more deeds. He is charged with assisting Fenwick actively in his resistance to the claims of the Governor of New York, on the trial of Fenwick, at New York, Jan. 12, 1676-7. No other mention of him has been found in the records. The writer was disposed to assume that he was the grandson of John Fenwick. but Mr. Edson Salisbury Jones, of Port Chester, New York, has called attention to the foregoing data, which appear to preclude that assumption.
By an error in N. J. Archives, 23: 3, the account of the estate of Esther Adams immediately follows the will of Fenwick Adams, whereas it should precede it, following Esther's will.
1Here is a fac-simile of part of the inventory (recorded in Salem Wills, Liber A. f. 33), including the pewter tankard in question. From the total valuation nut on these items it is evident that the tankard weighed but 66 oz., instead of as many pounds.
1. 80% of Rome plates. Trichos. 1. 1248 plats) 1. Pulling. 1. botho. 2 print8 pcts. Pay y2. 1. 3 Bhayel prat. 1. flagon , fallsod 3 plates >03=06=00 1. Janforo. Govt. 66 of how Cal /2)
2
ALLEN
REV. JOHN ALLEN of Woodbridge.
The people of Woodbridge, founded in 1665, made repeated efforts to secure a settled pastor, but during the first fifteen years of the new town enjoyed only nine months of religious services, with the brief pastorate of the Rev. Ezekiel Fogg, in 1674. On July 15, 1679, they commissioned Captain Andrew Bound, on a voyage to England, to treat for a minister, at £50 per year, with the use of 200 acres of parsonage land, and probably a residence, and to bring him over at the expense of the town, in case he was unable to pay his own passage. They also sent by the Captain two letters, one to Dr. Ovin and one to the famous Richard Baxter, setting forth the needs of the Woodbridge congrega- tion. The results of this mission are not known, but in September, 1680, John Allen became the settled preacher in the town. On Novem- ber 16, 1680, the inhabitants agreed to a voluntary subscription toward his salary, instead of the usual custom of a town rate for the purpose. On January 1, 1681, it was resolved in town meeting:
"WVe the freeholders and inhabitants of Woodbridge having sent to England to have an honest, able, godly minister to Come over to vs to preach the word of God sinserly and faithfully-and Mr John Alin by the providence of God being for that End Come amongst vs, and we having had Sum Experience of his good Abilities: are willing and doe hereby make Choise of him to be our Minister and desire to put our- selfe under his ministry According to the Rules of the gospel."
In February it was voted in town meeting that if Mr. Allen would consent to remain in the place as its clergyman he should be made a freeholder. He consented, and on November 15 ensuing it was voted to present him with a house-lot of ten acres. In pursuance of this reso- lution and agreement, John Dennis, carpenter, deeded to John Allen, clerice, both of Woodbridge, January 26, 1681-2, "a messuage there on the road from the Meeting House to the Common Court House and' Prison, nineteen acres and a half, bounded on the north by Elisha Parker, on the west by Daniel Greasy, now Thomas Leonard, on the south by Samuel Moore, with said road between." Also seven and a half acres of meadow, bounded on the east by a small creek dividing it from Elisha Parker, on the south by Crane Neck Creek, on the west by Samuel Moore, and on the north by the first lot.
On September 26, 1682, the townsmen petitioned the Governor and Council to induct Mr. Allen formally as their minister, and the message was sent by Capt. Pike. We have no account of the result of this application. Of course, this was entirely unnecessary, but the people were probably so proud of their new pastor that they wished to have him honored by the most public official recognition.
Unhappily, they were destined to have his ministrations for only a little more than three years. On January 2, 1683-4, John Dennes, of Woodbridge, planter, was appointed administrator of John Allen, late of Woodbridge, Clerk; Nathaniel Fitzrandolph, of Woodbridge, and William Looker, of Elizabeth Town, planter, going on his bond. It is not unlikely that in this proceeding Mr. Dennis was acting for the town. It does not appear that he ever filed an inventory or any ac- count.
There is nothing to indicate that Mr. Allen had wife or children in America. If a widow had survived him here she would most naturally have applied for letters of administration on his estate. Had there been minor children a guardian would have been appointed. It seems, however, that the minister left behind him in England a son, John Allen. The news of his father's death drifted slowly across the ocean. and it was fifteen months later, or on April 15, 1685, that he applied for
3
ALLEN
letters of administration, which were granted to him (in Latin), by the Archbishop of Canterbury, by virtue of his prerogative to exercise jurisdiction over estates lying in more than one Diocese, or over the seas. These letters were "on the estate of John Allen, senior, of the Island of New Jersey." The Archbishop's knowledge of his prerogative was better than his geography. The administrator did not act himself, but immediately (May 1, 1685) executed a power of attorney to Daniel Allen, of Boston, New England, for the collection of debts, and for managing the land business of his (John's) father. This Daniel Allen was perhaps either a brother or a younger son of the deceased clergy- man. He does not appear to have acted, and nothing further was done in the matter for ten years, when the older son, now. designated as "John Allin, late of London, England, now of Boston, New England, son and sole heir of John Allen of New Jersey, deceased," gave a power of attorney, dated September 9, 1695, to Captain Samuel Walker, of Boston, as his land agent in New Jersey. Next, we find on record a deed, dated February 21, 1695-6, from "John Allin, late of London, now of Boston, son of John Allin, Clerk, by Captain Samuel Walker, late of Boston, New England, now of Piscataqua, Middlesex county, New Jer- sey, his attorney," to William Ellison, of Woodbridge, tanner, for the messuage of nineteen and a half acres, and the meadow of seven and a half acres adjoining, conveyed to John Allin, Clerk, by John Dennis, January 26, 1681 .- Dally's History of Woodbridge and Vicinity, 81-84; N. J. Archives, XXI., 56, 78, 223, 226, 237-8; XXIII., 9.
In addition to the Rev. John Allen, of Woodbridge, there appear to have been two other John Allens, contemporaries of his. Dally, in his excellent History of Woodbridge, has confounded them or one of them with the clergyman, assuming that the latter retired from the ministry, but continued to reside in Woodbridge, where he married a wife, Deliv- erance, and that he was chosen by the townspeople to various local 'offices, which he held for several years. As shown above, the clergy- man was retired by death, probably in December, 1683.
In this connection it will not be out of place to give a few particulars. not in Dally's History, regarding the
OTHER JOHN ALLENS, OF WOODBRIDGE.
In a deed dated May 2, 1685, from William Camptone, of Woodbridge, to Richard Powell, of the same place, for a homelot of ten acres there, the tract is described as bounded on the south by lands formerly "of John Smith, now John Allan."-N. J. Archives, XXI., 120. This John Allen doubtless married a daughter of Thomas Alger, of Woodbridge, who in his will, dated January 4, 1687-8, names "grandchild John, son of John Allen of Woodbridge."-Ib., 108. When William Brown, of Woodbridge, died, the inventory of his personal estate was made by John Allen, January 10, 1698-9 .- Ib., XXIII., 66. John Allen, of Middle- sex, made his will on January 4, 1702-3, naming son John, and daugh- ters (names not given), under age. He left real and personal estate. His executors were John Fitzrandolph and Nathaniel Fitzrandolph, junior, both of Woodbridge. His personal estate was inventoried and appraised at £45, 14, 1. The will was proved the same month, January 28, 1702-3, indicating that it was made on his death-bed. No wife is mentioned, she having doubtless predeceased her husband .- Ib., 10.
John Allen, of Woodbridge, cooper, doubtless son of the last-named, made his will January 16, 1715-16. He names wife Deliverance, and children Samuel, John, Ursula and a younger daughter, whose name is not given. He devises lands bought of Moses Rolf, and other lands inherited from his father, John Allen. The executors named were his wife, and his brother-in-law (? John Heard). The will was witnessed
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ALLINSON
by Daniel Britten, John Thomson and Adam Hude, and was proved before James Smith, Secretary of the Province, in due course. The inventory of the personal estate was appraised at £103. 3s., including a great bible valued at £1, 10s., and a small one at 6 shillings .- N. J. Archives, XXIII., 10.
From sundry passages in Dally's History it would appear that these John Allens were Quakers.
ALLINSON FAMILY.
The progenitor of the Allinson family in New Jersey was Joseph Allison (son of Peter, son of Bryan), who came to this country in May, 1718, and settled in Burlington county. He was a grandson of Bryan Allinson, of York, England, and Elizabeth Walker, his wife; he d. 1679; she d. 1663. Their only son was Peter Allinson, who m. Mar- garet Wrighton, dau. of Michael and Elizabeth (Brinks) Wrighton. Peter's son Joseph on coming to New Jersey was received into Burling- ton Friends' Meeting, 11 mo. 8, 1718, his certificate describing him as "from Great Britain, at Raby in Durham." He m. 2d mo. 20, 1721, the record describing the parties as "Joseph Allinson late of Yorkshire, Great Britain, but now of Burlington county, and Elizabeth Scatter- good, dau. of Thomas Scattergood, of Mancefield township, said county." His wife's mother was Phebe, dau. of Christopher Wetherell. Mr. Allinson was probably a native of Yorkshire, and later resided at Raby, in Durham, taking his certificate from the latter place when he came to America. He d. at Burlington, 6th mo. 23, 1756. His will, dated May 6, 1755, proved July 28, 1756, designates him as of Burlington City, and devises to wife Elizabeth a house and lot on High street (Burlington), "which I bought of Francis Smith;" to son Feter, £10 "and my riding mare;" to sons Joseph and Jacob, minors. meadow land bought of Francis Smith, to be equally divided between them; to son Samuel, house and lot in Pearl street (Burlington), "that I bought of Richard Wheat," etc .; it also leaves bequests to Mary, wife of James Clothier, and to grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mary, children of son Thomas, deceased, when 18; remainder of estate to wife Elizabeth, to bring up son Samuel. Executrix-wife Elizabeth. Witnesses-John Saunders, John Hoskins, William Hewlings .- Liber No. 8 of Wills, f. 311. His wid., b. 1st mo. 14, 1688-9, d. at Burlington, August 22, 1768. Says a newspaper of the day: "She was possessed of many good qualities, that endeared her to her family and Friends." Her daughter-in-law, wife of Samuel Allinson, died a few hours before her. "As she had always lived in great Harmony with, and much esteemed her Daughter. the Sorrow her Illness gave her, affords Reason to believe it was a Means of hastening the Mother's End. They were carried to their Graves together, attended by a great Number of Relations, and Friends of all Denominations." The will of Elizabeth Allinson, of the city and county of Burlington, bears date 1st mo. 3d, 1765, and was proved Sept. 12, 1768. It gives to sons Peter, Joseph and Jacob each £50, "but Jacob is absent and it is not known whether he is dead or alive;" mentions daughters-in-law Elinor Allinson and Mary Clothier; grand- children Elizabeth Allinson and Mary Allinson, children of son Thomas, deceased; "children" of son Peter; £5 to Mary Holmes; to son Samuel "all the rest of my estate." Executors-brother Thomas Scattergood, son Samuel Allinson. Witnesses-John Hoskins, Mary Holmes. The will was made, she says, "as my Husband's Executrix."-Liber No. 13 of Wills, f. 429. Of the sons of Joseph Allinson, the most distinguished was Samuel Allinson, the prominent lawyer named below.
Joseph Allinson and Elizabeth, his wife, had issue:
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ALLINSON
Second Generation.
2. i. Thomas2, b. 11 mo. 29, 1721-2; m. Mary Shinn (b. 10 m. 23, 1727, dau. of Thomas Shinn and Martha Earl, m. in 1718); they were passed the second time in Bur- lington Friends' Meeting, 4 mo. 3, 1745; he. d. Jan. 12, 1754. Thomas Allinson, blacksmith, of Bridgetown (now Mt. Holly), Burlington county, made his will March 21, 1752, proved March 18, 1755, in which he names wife Mary, daughter Elizabeth, an expected child, and brothers Peter, Jacob, Joseph and Samuel Allinson. Executors-friend Thos. Atkinson, miller, wife Mary Allinson. Witnesses-Henry Paxson, Benj. Bispham, Thos. Laurence .- Liber No. 8 of Wills, f. 39. His wid. m., 2d, James Clothier or Cloather.
3.
il. Mary2, b. 10 m. 30, 1723; d. 11 mo. 12, 1728.
iii. Peter2, b. 11 mo. 26, 1725-6; m. Eleanor or Ellen, dau. of John and Mary West. Peter Allinson, joiner, of Mt. Holly. d. intestate, and administration on his estate was granted January 10, 1782, to Thomas Allin- son (doubtless his son), tanner; bondsman, George West, saddler, of Mt. Holly. The inventory, taken 1st mo. 1st, 1782, was appraised by Solomon Gaskill and Aaron Smith at £110. 5s. 6d .- Lib. H of Wills, f. 215.
iv. Mary2, b. 1 mo. 9, 1728-9; d. S mo. 12, 1730.
V. Elizabeth2, b. 11 mo. 14, 1730-1; d. 7 mo. 20, 1732.
vi. Joseph2, b. 2 mo. 1, 1734; d. 2 mo. 18, 1800. His brother Samuel refers to him in his will as "my poor brother Joseph."
vii. Jacob2, b. - -; he is referred to in the will of his brother Thomas, in 1752. In his mother's will, dated 1st mo. 3d, 1765, £50 is left to Jacob, but it is stated that "he is absent and it is not known whether he is dead or alive." There is no further trace of him.
4. viii. Samuel2, b. 6 mo. 26, 1739; m. 4 mo. 25, 1765, Elizabeth Smith (b. 11 mo. 26, 1738-9; d. Aug. 21, 1768); 2d, Martha Cooper, Jan. 29, 1773.
Third Generation.
2. Thomas2 Joseph1 Allinson and Mary Shinn had issue:
i. Elizabeth ?; Elizabeth Allinson, of Mt. Holly, m. William Chew, of Gloucester, mar. lic. dated April 21, 1774.
ii. Mary3; Mary Allinson, of Burlington, probably the dau. of Thomas, m. George Githens, of the county of Gloucester, Oct. 30, 1774, as appears by a certificate of the Rev. Robert Blackwell, of Old Coles Church. Mr. Githens paid the equivalent of $6 for the mar- riage fee.
3. Peter2 Joseph1 Allinson and Ellen West had issue:
5.
i.
Thomas3, b. 1 mo. 7, 1754; prob. m. Sarah
, who
d. 6 mo. 7, 1806; he d. 1828.
i1. Mary3, b. 2 mo. 26, 1756; m. 11 m. 12, 1783, William At- kinson, son of Thomas and Susannah (dau. of Peter and Ellen -, deceased, of same place) Atkinson, of Mt. Holly, at Mt. Holly Meeting house; d. 1787.
ili. Elizabeth3, b. 1 mo. 30, 1759; m. Samuel Clark, of Mt. Holly. Children: 1. Joseph Allinson; 2. Thomas Al- linson.
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ALLINSON
iv. Samuel, b. 6 mo. 24, 1761. He appears to have removed to Virginia, from which State he was appointed ensign of the second sub-legion of the U. S. army, June 2, 1794; transferred to the second infantry Nov. 1, 1796; commissioned first lieutenant March 3, 1799. He d. at St. Mary's, Camden county, Ga., Nov. 2, 1799. His will was made at that place June 17, 1799; it was proved by the affidavits of the witnesses-E. Hebbard and Will Mowbray-taken at St. Mary's, Nov. 25, 1799, before a notary public. The testator gives all his estate to his only daughter, Frances Barber Allin- son, a minor, and in case of her death without issue, then to his sister, Sarah Allinson. He mentions sis- ters-Mary Atkinson and Elizabeth Clarke-and ap- points his brother-in-law, Samuel Clarke, turner and chair maker, of Mt. Holly, guardian of his daughter. Executors-Samuel Clarke and Capt. A. Y. Nicoll, of 1st U. S. Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. Samuel Clarke alone qualified, March 27, 1800, when the will was admitted to probate. The inventory of the personal estate, taken March 27, 1800, was ap- praised by John Dobbins and John Perry at $2,620.28. -IV. J. Wills, Liber No. 39, f. 59. His dau. Frances d. young.
v. Joseph West3, b. 9 mo. 2, 1764.
vi. Sarah3, b. 9 mo. 17, 1766; living and unm. 'in 1799; sub- sequently m. William Widdifield, of Philadelphia.
4. Samuel2 Joseph1 Allinson was a member of the Society of Friends. He was licensed as an attorney and counsellor-at-law of New Jersey, November 9, 1760, and was commissioned one of the Surrogates of New Jersey, March 22, 1762. He was clerk of the corporation of Burlington in 1764. In the same year he was also clerk of "The Lower Sluice Com- pany in the city of Burlington," formed to bank the meadows on both sides of the creek surrounding the Island of Burlington. In 1765-6 he advertised for the heirs of a deceased client in Maryland, for whom he had collected a claim. He also advertised a large number of deeds which had come into his hands, and which he thought the grantees ought to come and get, for the security of their estates. In 1769 numer- ous petitions were presented to the Legislature, complaining of many lawyers, for exacting extortionate fees. Among those accused was Sam- uel Allinson, but he produced certificates, signed by the Justices of the Supreme Court, and three of the most distinguished members of the New Jersey bar-Messrs. Richard Stockton, James Kinsey and John Lawrence-to the effect that they had carefully inspected the bills of costs complained of, and found them to be in every particular correct The Assembly thereupon dismissed the complaint. On October 25, 1769, James Kinsey and Samuel Allinson were permitted to appear before the Assembly and address that body in behalf of their fellow members of the bar, who had been so generally accused, and with so little justice, when Allinson turned the tables on one of his prosecutors by showing that the people's grievances were mainly due to the excessive charges of the Sheriffs, one of whom-Samuel Tucker-was then a member of the House, and particularly vigorous in his denunciation of the law- yers. In 1773 Allinson was designated by the Legislature to prepare a new edition of the laws of New Jersey, for which purpose the Council gave him permission to peruse the first three volumes of their minutes. His work was so far completed on January 14, 1775, that the Legisla- ture appointed a committee to inspect the laws as prepared by him for
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