USA > New Jersey > Monmouth County > Early Dutch Settlers of Monmouth County, New Jersey > Part 18
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Chrynjans (Chrineyonce) the only son of Cyrenius VanMater and Abigail Lefferts, by his wife Eleanor VanMater, had two children, viz:
Joseph C., b ----; m. Feb. 28, 1803, Cath- arine, daughter of his cousin Chrineyonce VanMater and Huldah Holmes, his wife. She was born Jan. 9, 1784 ; d. Jan. 20, 1804. She was a bride for only one year, and Joseph C. VanMater never married again. This is the Joseph VanMater about whom so many stories are told, es to the ownership of land, stock and negro slaves. He was called "Big Joe Van- Mater" on account of his size, and to dis- tinguish him from others of the same name.
Abigail, b. May 7, 1775 ; died in infancy.
Joseph C. VanMater lived at what is row called the Phalanx, in Atlantic township, and owned an extensive tract of good farming land running from the vicinity of Tinton Falls on over to the lands owned by his maternal grand- father, Joseph VanMater, in the vicinity of Holmdel and Colts Neck. He also owned nearly one hundred adult negro slaves. Joseph C. VanMater executed his will January 20, 1825. It was proved before Peter C. Vanderhoef, surrogate of Monmouth county, Dec. 31, 1832, by oaths of Gilbert B. VanMater and Henry VanMater, two of the subscribing wit- nesses. Daniel T. Polhemus was the third witness to this will. It is record- ed in Book C of Wills, pp. 300-3.
He gives to Joseph, son of Holmes Van- Mater, "my silver tankard." To Joseph 1 . Holmes, son of Daniel Holmes, $50 to buy a silver tankard. He gives to Mary Lloyd, Rhoda Holmes and Eleanor Croes, all his mother's wearing apparel, and to Eleanor Croes a chest of drawers belonging to his mother, Eleanor VanMater. He bequeaths to Sally Thompson $100. To John Bennett, son of "my uncle William Bennett," £100 ($500). To Albert Bennett and his brother Cyrenius Bennett each £100 ($500). To Charles and Catharine, children of William and Mary Lloyd, £1,400 ($7,000) to be paid to them when they arrive at age. To Rhoda Holmes, daugh- ter of his uncle Chrineyonce VanMater, £1.400 ($7,000). To Louisa VanMater £1,400 ($7,000).
To children of Benjamin Cooper and Sarah VanMater, his wife, £1,400 ($7,000). To chil- dren of Rev. John Croes, Jr., and Eleanor VanMater, his wife, £1,400 ($7.000). To Elize Jane VanMater £1,400 ($7,000). He wills and orders that "all his black people" be set free, both male and female. "It is my will," he says, "that all those under 40 years be regularly manumitted by my executors before they have their freedom, and all the black children born free be given up to their par- ents." He adds "It is my will if any of the black people of my family or that have be- longed to the family, become a charge upon my estate, the expense shall be equally borne by my legatees, (except Mr. Thompson, John, Albert and Cyrenius Bennett). I devise to my two brothers-in-law, Joseph H. VanMater and Holmes VanMater, the farm whereon 1 live. called the homestead farm, also the VanBrunt farm, together with all the remainder of my real and personal property, in fee, to be equally divided between them."
Joseph H. VanMater, Holmes VanMater and Daniel Holmes are appointed executors to ad- minister the estate.
Joseph C. VanMater lived and died on the homestead at what is now called the Phalanx. He owned nearly 100 adult negroes not affected by the new law. He speaks of them in his will as the "black people of my family." He never married after losing his young bride of a year, but lived there among his col- ored people, whom he treated with great kindness. Like the other Van- Maters, "Big Joe" never made merchan- dise of his black people, and by his will orders the freedom of them all, num- bering nearly 100 adults, whom he could have sold, if so disposed. They were probably worth, at this time in the Southern markets over $30,000. Un- like many modern abolitionists, who take out their views in cheap talk or speeches "Big Joe" without any talk or fuss, frees them all at a great pecun- iary loss, at a time when anti-slavery sentiments had made no great headway.
A story has been current for some two generations, among the farmers of Holmdel and Atlantic townships, that "Big Joe" VanMater, childless and wife- less, wanted to own an even 100 adult slaves, but although he made many efforts, yet when he reached this num- ber, some accident or fatality would happen, which would cut down his "human chattels" to ninety and nine. As it was, he had more than he knew what to do with. After his death they were all set free, as directed by his will. Many of them by years of depen- dance for food, clothing and shelter on their easy going, good-natured master, were like children, unable to take care of themselves. Neither were they con- tent with a new place of abode. They
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clung to their old home. It is said that after "Big Joe's" death the road from what is now the Phalanx to Colts Neck, was black with these newly freed negroes, and they wandered back and forth, perplexed and bewildered with the great change. For it was hard to find another home, where the "black people" would be treated as part of the family, and where there was another man, like lonely, but good-natured and generous-hearted "Big Joe" VanMater. Many of them sought homes and shelter from Joseph H. and Holmes VanMater, the devisees and legatees of the de- ceased. For in his will he strictly charges them to take care of the "black people of my family" and "those which
had belonged to the family." This brought upon these two men, all the helpless and indigent ones of this es- tate, as well as those of their grand- father and father. There are people now living, who remember Joseph H. VanMater when he drove over to church at Holmdel on Sundays. Not only his immediate family, but crowded in with the whites, in a big carryall, would be all the colored people who wished to go to church. This burden of the negroes, together with heavy legacies charged in the will of "Big Joe" made a heavy financial load for his devisees to carry. For the land brought in no income except as farmed and the profits were then small.
THE LONG AND INTERESTING WILL OF JOSEPH VAN MATER.
Joseph VanMater, the fifth and youngest son of Kreijn Janse, and Sarah Roelofse Schanck, his wife, had the following children:
Eleanor, or Neeltje, b. Oct. 4. 1735; bap. June 20, 1736 ; m. her cousin Chrineyonce, son of Cyrenius VanMater and Abigail Lefferts, as already mentioned.
Ruloff, (named for his maternal grand- father) b. March 2, 1738, bap. April 23 ensu- ing ; m. Catharine Kearney, then the widow of Joseph VanMater, as set forth in a former article. She was the daughter of James Kearney of Chinqueroras, as the region about Keyport was then called. Ruloff VanMater d. Dec. 10, 1817, aged 79 yrs 9 mo., 8 days, ac- cording to inscription on his tombstone in VanMater yard. His wife is interred by his side, and her headstone informs us, she died May 10, 1807, aged 54 yrs., 9 mo., 20 days. The above couple had only two children, both daughters, viz: Sarah, who married Benjamin Cooper, and Eleanor, who was married Oct. 13, 1812, to Rev. John Croes, Jr., by Rev. John Croes, Sr., then rector of Christ church at New Brunswick, N. J. In Book I of Deeds. p. 214 Monmouth clerk's office, is record of a deed dated July 23, 1787, consideration £820 4-5 current money of New York, from Cath- arine VanMater, wife of Ruloff VanMater, Jacob Tice, and Anna his wife, James Holmes, and Margaret his wife, Henry Chappe, and Sarah his wife, legatees of James Kearney, late of Middletown township, to Ruloff Van- Mater. They quit claim and convey to him four-fifths of a tract of land in Middletown township, lying at a place called Brown's Point, beginning at the very point, thence up Matawan Creek 32 chains to Whingson Creek, etc. After particular description by chains and links, comes this general description. A tract of 52012 acres bounded northeasterly by the Bay, northwesterly by Matawan Creek, and Wingson Creek, easterly by Luparticong
Creek and brook, and southerly by lands lately the property of James Kearney, deceased. The witnesses are Gilbert VanMater, Joseph Throck- morton and Cyrenius VanMater (miller). The conveyance by a wife directly to her husband. as in this deed, is considered illegal and void by the artificial rules of law. The courts have solemnly adjudged that a man and wife are one person in law, and therefore cannot make a contract with each other. This, too, in face of the experience of mankind that the marital relation is formed and continued by mutual agreement or contract to give and take, to bear and forbear.
The third child of Joseph VanMater and Sarah Roelofse Schanck, Cyrenius, was b. Aug. 1740; bap. Sept. 21, following, and d. Dec. 23, 1745, aged 5 yrs., 5 mo., according to his tombstone in VanMater cemetery.
Catharine, b. March 15, 1743; bap. May 6 following and d. unmarried Aug. 27, 1763, aged 20 yrs., 5 mo., 12 days, as we are informed by her headstone in family burying ground.
Chrineyonce. b. Jan. 23, 1747 ; m. about 1772 I uldah, daughter of Obadiah Holmes and Catharine Remsen, his wife, and d. March 24, 1803, aged 56 yrs., 2 mo., 1 day, as stated on his headstone.
Cyrenius, b. Dec. 23, 1750 ; d. in infancy.
Only three of the above six children sur- vived to grow up and marry, viz: Eleanor, Ruloff and Chrineyonce. These are the three mentioned in the will of Black Roeloff Schanck, as the three children of his daughter, Sarah VanMater.
Joseph VanMater, the father of the above children, lived on and farmed the old home- stead, where Kreijn Janse first settled. The family graveyard is on these premises, and re- served forever for that purpose, by the will of this Joseph VanMater. The following is a true copy of the will of Joseph VanMater and cod- icil, as same are recorded in the office of the surrogate of Monmouth county :
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JOSEPH VAN MATER'S WILL.
In the name of God, Amen ; I, Joseph Van- mater of the township of Middletown, in the county of Monmouth and State of New Jersey, being of a sound disposing mind and memory, thanks be given to Almighty God, therefore duly considering the mortality of my body, and knowing it is appointed for man once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, that is to say, principally and first of all, 1 give and recommend my soul into the hands of God, &c., and as for my body I recommend it to the earth, to he buried in a christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named, &c., and as touching such wordly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to hless me with in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in man- ner and form following :- My mind and will is, and I do hereby order all my just debts and funeral charges to be well and truly paid, in some convenient time after my decease by my executors hereinafter named.
Secondly .-- I give and devise to my beloved son Ruloff Vanmater, all that piece or lot of wood saplin marked on three sides, on the land and meadow beginning at a small butten- south side of Hop brook in the line that part me, the said Joseph Vanmater from my son Ruloff : thence northerly across the meadow along said Ruloff's line till it comes to a ditch. on the north side of said meadow ; thence easterly down the ditch to a small oak saplin marked on three sides, standing on the bank of said ditch ; thence southerly across the meadow, as the fence now stands, on the westerly side of a road, to the mouth of a gully on the southerly side of Hop brook : thence up said gully untill it comes opposite the middle of the bank, thence westerly along the middle of the bank to said Ruloff Van- mater's line ; thence to the beginning ; also I give and devise to my son Ruloff Vanmater, all that tract of land called the Barren lands. which was taken up between me the said Joseph Vanmater and Benjamin Vanmater, also one certain piece or lot of salt meadow lying on Shrewsbury River, which I bought with the plantation I purchased of Joseph Holmes, as also one equal half of my upland or stacking place at Little Neck, also all that tract or lot of land which Ithe said Joseph Vanmater bought of Joseph Holmes, adjoining land formerly Peter Tilton. Also that small Jott of land lying to the Northward of my farm and said Ruloff's farm next to Obadiah Holmes, Beginning at a poplar tree standing in the line between me and my son Ruloff.
marked on two sides with the letter (R), on the east side from thence, easterly about ten paces to a small run of water, thence north- erly down that stream until it comes to Hop brook, thence westerly up said brook, untill it comes to said Ruloff's line, thence along his line to the beginning, I also give unto my son RuInff, my negro man Herenlus, my negro woman Deon and her two boys named Cesar and Jersey, and my negro woman Dine, also one silver tankard and six silver spoons now in his possession, as also the one half of my wearing apparell, I also give unto my son Rulnff the one equal half of my farming utensils, as also the one equal half of my stock of creatures of all kinds. I also give
unto my son Ruloff the fruit of the westerly half of my orchard four years after my de- cease, from the first of September untill the middle of November yearly, I also give unto my son Ruloff the sum of Five hundred pounds procklamation, to be paid to my said son Ruloff as shall be herein after ordered and directed : all which devises or gifts are to my son Ruloff his heirs and assigns forever.
Thirdly. I give and bequeath unto my son Crineyonce Vanmater his heirs and assigns forever, these following tracts of lands (to wit) all my farm or plantation whereon 1 now live, called my homestead farm, except such parts thereof as are devised to my son Ruloff, also all that lot of land whereon Wil- liam Arnold lately lived, beginning at a tree marked (L. M.) as may appear by a deed of sale under the hand and seal of John Taylor, formerly high sheriff, also I give unto my son Chrineyonce one certain lott or piece of salt meadow lying at Shrewsbury River, which I bought of Thomas Shepherd, as also the one equal half of my upland or stacking place at Little Neck, as also the residue or remainder of my lands wheresoever the same may lay not herein disposed off : also I give unto my son Crineyonce one silver Tankard and six silver spoons now in my possession, as also my negro man Tom, and my negro woman Hagar, and her two sons, Sam and Robbin and all the remainder of my negroes, that shall not be herein otherwise disposed of. I also give unto my son Crineyonce the one equal half of iny wearing apparrell, also the one equal half of my farming utensils, together with the one equal half of my stock of creatures of all kinds ; all heretofore of my real and personal estate and what may hereafter be given him, my said son Crineyonce, shall be subject to the following conditions (to wit), that my son Crineyonce do pay my son Ruloff's legacy of five hundred pounds, procklamation, two years after my decease, and also pay unto my daughter Nelly, the sum of five hundred pounds prochlamation one year after my decease, both of which legacies to my son Ruloff and to my only daughter Nelley, is to be paid by my son Crineyonce in gold or silver, allowing dol- lars in payment of the above legacies at seven shillings and six pence each, they being of full weight : and if it should so happen that my son Crineyonce should bring in any ac- count against my estate after my decease. then and in such case I do hereby order, the amount of such account to be taken out of that part of my estate herein devised to my said son Crineyonce, and in case any law of this State or of the United States or any impediment whatever, should prevent my son Crineyonce Vanmater from holding or enjoy- ing the aforesaid devises or gifts then it is my will and I do give and devise all the lands and moveables to him devised to the children of my said son Crineyonce Vanmater, to be divided by him in such proportion among his children, as he my said son thinks proper, under the same restriction as it is given and devised to my said son which devises or gifts is to them and each of them, their heirs and assigns forever, provided he my said son cannot hold and enjoy the same, nor enter into the peacable possession thereof at any time before the children shall arrive to the age of twenty-one, then the gifts and de-
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vises to remain good to the children, their heirs and assigns forever ; but in case my son Crineyonce can hold and enjoy the same at any time before the children arrives to the age of twenty-one, and no law to pre- vent him from the same, then its my will that every of the devises and bequests given to my son Crineyonce, remain good to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item-I give unto my daughter Nellie Van- mater and to her heirs and assigns, all my household furniture not heretofore disposed off, also all my linen cut up or not cut up, also one silver tankard and six silver spoons now in her possession, as also my negro woman called Roseatt and the said Roseatt's female children, and all her grandchildren, I also give unto my only daughter Nellie, the sum of Five hundred pounds procklamation money, to be paid her one year after my decease, by my said son Crineyonce as above enjoyned him : 1 also give unto my three children Ruloff, Nelley and Chrineyonce, all my bonds, bills noats and book debts and all other of my moveable or personal estate, not herein al- ready disposed off. to be equally divided be- tween them or each of their respective heirs or assigns; but if my son Crineyonce cannot hold and enjoy his bequests or gifts by means of any hindrance whatever, then it is my will and I do give the same to the children of my son Crineyonce, to be disposed off by him to his children as before directed, to them their heirs and assigns forever ; Also it is my Will and I do allott and set apart and give one chain square of land where there is now our family's burying place, to remain forever for the fam- ily of the Vanmaters to bury their dead and for no other use whatever.
And Lastly, I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my only daughter Nelly Vanmater, my son Ruloff Vanmater, Hendrick Hendrick- son, Esq., and William Crawford, Executors of
William Crawford, one of the executors named in Joseph VanMater's will, was the paternal grandfather of the late James G. Crawford of Holmdel township, who was the father of Ann, who married Joseph H. Holmes, as mentioned hereafter.
William Crawford was a son of George Crawford and is named in his will probated at Perth Amboy May 10, 1745, and now on record in the Secretary of State's office at Trenton.
The above testator was not the son of John Crawford, the pioneer settler of this name, as has been heretofore supposed. This fact is established beyond any doubt, by a deed dated Feb. 29, 1723, from George Crawford to Nich- olas Stillwell, conveying six acres, and record- ed in Book H of Deeds, page 86, Monmouth county clerk's office. It is stated in this deed that this six acres is a part of a tract granted to John Crawford, the grandfather of said grantor, by patent dated Dec. 3, 1687, from the Proprietors. This patent is recorded in Book B, page 211, in office of the Secretary of State of New Jersey.
In Book A of Deeds, page 36, Monmouth clerk's office, is record of a deed dated Aug. 3. 1691, from John Crafford, Sr., to John Craf- ford, Jr., conveying in consideration of father-
this my last Will and Testament, ratifying this and no other.
In Witness Whereof I the said Joseph Van- mater have hereto set my hand and seal this twenty-fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety. Signed sealed published, pronounced and declared by the said Joseph Vanmater to be his last Will and testament in the pres- ence off
JOSEPH VANMATER [L. S.] CYRENIUS B. VANMATER, BARNES SMOCK,
WILLIAM VANMATER.
Be it known unto all men by these presents. that I, Joseph Vanmater of Middletown in the County of Monmouth and State of New Jersey Yoeman, have made and declared this my last will and Testament in writing, bearing date the Twenty-fifth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety, I the said Joseph Vanmater do by these presents contained in this Codicil, con- firm and ratify my said will only that part I intend to alter, I give and bequeath unto my son Ruloff the sum of Five hundred pounds now in his possession, in lieu of a legacy of the five hundred pounds, ordered to be paid him my said son Ruloff by my son Crineyonce. 1 give unto my said son Crineyonce all my farming utensils, and stock of creatures of all kinds.
Thirdly .- I give unto my only daughter Nelley VanMater, all my notes, bills, bonds and cash, except the five hundred pounds given to my son Ruloff, all which devises and gifts are to them and each of them, and to each of their heirs and assigns, And whereas Hen- drick Hendrickson, Esq., is nominated and appointed an executor in my last Will and Testament, I do hereby make null and void all his power as an executor to my last will and Testament, on any pretense whatever. And my will and meaning is that this Codicil or scedule be esteemed and adjudged to be part
ly affection, 280 acres of land in the township of Middletown.
The name Crawford is spelled in Books A. B, and C of Deeds, Monmouth clerk's office. Crafford, Crawfford, and other ways. This John Crawford, Jr., is named as a grand jury- man in year 1393 in the minutes of the Mon- mouth courts. This would show he was then at least 21 years of age.
In Book C of Deeds, pages 111-12 is record of a deed dated May 8, 1691, from Sadler to Jobs. John Crawford and George Crawford appear as subscribing witnesses to its execu- tion. They, together with Gideon Crawford, were sons of John Crawford, Sr., the pioneer settler. This George is said to have migrated to and settled in one of the southern counties of New Jersey, or in one of the eastern coun- ties of Pennsylvania.
The John Crawford, Jr., to whom the real estate was conveyed by his father, according to tradition, married the daughter of Henry or Moses Lippet, and besides his eldest son George, had Richard, William, Samuel, John and Andrew. Several of these sons removed to other parts of New Jersey and Pennsyl- vania and there settled, according to family traditions.
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and parcell of my said will and Testament, and all things contained and mentioned therein be faithfully performed, in as full and ample manner in every respect as if the same were so declared and set down in my said will.
In witness whereof, I the said Joseph Van- mater have hereunto set my hand and seal the Seventeenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety two.
Sealed and delivered in presence of
JOSEPH VAN MATER (L. S.) DANIEL SCHENCK. JOSEPH VAN MATER, his
JOHN X WOLLEY. mark
Probated in Monmouth County Surrogate's Office January 20, 1821, and recorded in Book B of Wills, page 221. etc.
Joseph VanMater and Sarah Schanck, his wife, were both members of the First Dutch Church of Monmouth, and were particular to have all their chil- dren baptized, as records of the church now show. They were very regular and punctual in performance of all church duties. Their descendants have very generally followed their example down to this day. A number of the deacons and elders will be found among the different generations of this branch of the VanMater family.
This line, too, have been noted for their modest, unobtrusive manners. courteous address and peaceable dis- positions.
They have avoided strife and litiga- tion, and made very little business for our courts and lawyers. Neither have they pushed themselves forward for offices, honors and other political emol- uments, but have pursued the honored and quiet occupation of farmers and asked favors from no man.
To this branch of the VanMaters our county is largely indebted for the blooded stoek of race horses, for which Monmouth became celebrated during the first half of the present century. The VanMaters of the older generations were born lovers of thoroughbred horses. They seemed to possess an in- tuitive judgment about the good or bad qualities of a horse. They had a nat- ural talent or ability to manage and train these animals so as to develop their best qualities. Their introduction of blooded and thoroughbred stock and successful training of raee horses like "Monmouth-Eclipse." "Horn-blower." and others, whose names and pictures at ore 'time were all over the United States, led many of the Monmouth farmers to engage in the business of raising blooded horses for sale or rac- ing. Customers for blooded stock, and
sporting or racing men came to Mon- mouth from all over the country, for no place at one time stood higher than Monmouth county for good horses.
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