USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 55
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85
Romayne. 5. Andrew Carnrite, born Novem- ber 9, 1849 ; married, May 13, 1880, Josephine Fisher Webb, and had: i. Albert William, born February 19, 1881, died August 12, 1881 ; ii. Samuel Webb, born May 27, 1883, died October 28, 1901; iii. Martha Mildred, born August 15, 1885, died July 9, 1887 ; iv. Bessie Alberta, born November 30, 1888; v. Phebe Doty, born July 26, 1892. 6. William, died. 7. Isaac, died. 8. Edward, died. 9. Phebe Emma.
(VIII) Charles Pitman, son of Daniel Wood- ruff Hedden, was born in 1839, on the home- stead of his father, then situated near the junc- ture of New street, Springfield and Union ave- nues. He died in 1905. He attended the dis- trict school taught by Master Burdict and Jo- seph Haynes (who was later a mayor of the city of Newark ), in the old brick academy. He also received instruction from Dominie Chap- man, who kept a private school. In his early manhood he learned the trade of printer with Moses Cummings, and followed the same trade at Yonkers, New York, and New York City, working for Horace Greeley on the Tribune. During the civil war he was for a time a cook in the army, but gave this up. He later lived in Union avenue, Irvington, and followed the milk business. Later he moved to Stuyvesant avenue, where he lived two years and then moved back to Union avenue. Subsequently he leased the old McChesney farm, which he conducted a year, raising milk. About 1881 he bought the seven acre farm known as the Richard Van Riper place. By his thrift and enterprise he added to his lands, and ten years later, in 1891, owned twenty-two acres. He was successful in business, and his farm com- pared favorably with the best in the vicinity. He had a herd of thirty to thirty-five head of cattle of the best mixed stock, and was a good judge of cattle, no man being more particular than he was in buying, and the best results were obtained by his careful selection. He be- lieved in the improved methods of agriculture. In habits he was retired, and led the simple, honest life, industrious and frugal. He was a constant reader of Signs of the Times and the Christian Herald, and was greatly attached to his home and church. He was a member with his wife of the First Christian Church, serving in various church offices. Hewas strong in his prin- ciples of temperance, and, while reared a Dem- ocrat, in later years was a Prohibitionist. For a number of years he was overseer of the high- ways.
He married, December 4, 1890, Caroline Vir- ginia Melville, born July 15, 1847, died July 14,
II32
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
1899, at Irvington, daughter of Samuel Mel- ville. Children : I. Edward Fullings, born January 7, 1872, died February 11, 1872. 2. Ida Vincent, born January 4, 1873 ; married (first) September 6, 1894, Horace Greeley Owens, and had Sidney Merton, born May 7, 1897. She married (second) February 4, 1904, Frank Curtis Sanford, and had Leah Virginia, born October 31, 1905. 3. Marion Mercellis, born December 3, 1875, died January 22, 1878. 4. William Melville, born December 7, 1876, mentioned below. 5. Goffe DePue, born September 20, 1878; married, October 9, 1902, Ella Maud, daughter of Daniel B. Hedden ; son, Earle DePue, born June 30, 1903. Goffe D. Hedden is employed at the Murphy Varnish Works, Newark. 6. Carrie Wilbur, born Octo- ber 5, 1880; married, January 21, 1901, Lyman Compton Tingley Jr. ; children: Warren Hed- den, born November 27, 1901 ; Ralph Wilkin- son, February 22, 1907 ; Caroline Loraine, June 9, 1909.
(VIII) William Melville, son of Charles Pitman Hedden, was born at Irvington, New Jersey, December 7, 1876. His educational training was gained in the central public school of Irvington. During his boyhood and after he completed his schooling he became associated with his father in the milk business, driving the milk wagon in the delivery of milk. By his strict attention to all the de- tails of business the son soon gained his father's confidence as to his business ability, and the entire management of the concern was placed in his hands. In this the father was not dis- appointed, for the business was well-cared for and was made to yield a large yearly income. At his father's death the son succeeded him. Mr. Hedden enjoys a large patronage of many of the foremost families of Newark and Irving- ton, and among his patrons numbers many of his father's original customers.
At the time of his father's death Mr. Hed- den erected a handsome residence on Orange avenue, on part of the estate, which he admin- istered after his father's death. He is a man of domestic tastes and devotedly attached to his home. He and his wife are members of the First Christian Church at Irvington, and take an active interest in all that relates to it. Mrs. Hedden is active in the Ladies' Aid Soci- ety and a teacher in the Sunday school. She is also president of the International Sunshine Society. In politics Mr. Hedden has always manifested a Democratic leaning, following in the steps of his stern, staid forefathers. Of recent years, however, he has been an ardent
supporter of Socialistic principles, and belongs to the Irvington branch of that party. He was a charter member of the Junior Order of Irvington Council, No. 167, of which he has acted as recording secretary, conductor of work, and inside sentinel. He was formerly a di- rector of the Standard Building and Loan Association of Newark.
He married, October 6, 1898, Mabel Moore Tingley, born October 6, 1877, daughter of Lyman Compton and Hannah Frances (Wil- kinson) Tingley. Lyman Compton was a jeweler in Newark, and served in the Twenty- sixth Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Militia in the civil war. One child : Frances Melville, born December 29, 1902.
HEDDEN (V) Caleb Hedden, son of Jon- athan (q. v.) and Phebe (Can- field) Hedden, was born on his father's homestead on Main street, East Orange, New Jersey, 1761, died in Grove street, June 16, 1846. He inherited part of his father's property, but later removed to Grove street and bought a portion of the Canfield property belonging to his mother's people. This thorough- fare was known as old Whiskey Lane, made famous by the events enacted while the British were plundering the town. Besides farming, Caleb Hedden had a fine pair of horses with which he did teaming. He contracted to cart the stone and brick with which to build the - Third Newark Presbyterian Church. He and his wife were constant in their church attend- ance, being members in full communion of the First Presbyterian Church of Orange. Their homestead on Grove street was of stone, and built before revolutionary days; it stood until about 1823 when their son Jotham replaced it with a modern frame structure which is now standing and owned by a Mr. Osman, who re- moved it twenty feet south and took off the north and south wings to make room for an- other building. When Caleb Hedden was six- teen years of age the British passed through the town, and it was at this time that he en- listed in the cause of the patriots. He was in Captain Nichols company, Colonel Philip Van Cortland's Second Essex County Regiment. How long he served is not obtainable, but he did credit to his country and his family. He died at an old age.
He married Rhoda, daughter of Judge John and Mary (Harrison) Peck, of Orange, New Jersey. She died September 29, 1832. She was a very superior woman, very devout and much respected, beloved by all who knew her ;
II33
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
she possessed very gentle ways and a most lovable disposition. (See Peck). Children : I. Mary, born August 21, 1798; married Caleb H. Paterson ; children : Hedden, Rhoda, Mary Jane, Margaret, Elizabeth, Thomas, Ellen, Sarah, Henrietta. 2. Rebecca, born February I, 1800; married Henry D. Rowe; children : Lewis, Mary Ann, Jane, Henry, George, Eliza, Albert, Emily. 3. Jotham, born June 8, 1802, died December 6, 1877 ; married Eliza Jeffries ; children : Mary ; Rhoda, born 1828, died April 2, 1895; Emily ; Kate; George W., born 1834, died December 28, 1856; Jotham E., born Feb- ruary 10, 1841, died April 5, 1899, married Caroline Ely ; Frank M., born 1844, died March 15, 1888; Eliza. 4. Lewis, referred to below. 5. Eliza, born December 17, 1807; married John Orr; children: Ann, Caroline, Henry, Jotham, Sarah.
(VI) Lewis, son of Caleb and Rhoda ( Peck) Hedden, was born on his father's homestead, on Grove street, East Orange, New Jersey, Oc- tober 4, 1804, died March 12, 1872. He was reared on his father's farm, acquiring the usual common school education of a farmer's son at that period. During his minority he was apprenticed to Lewis Dodd to learn the trade of shoemaker. This not proving bene- ficial to his health, be bought his time of Mr. Dodd and worked with his brother Jotham at the trade of mason, which he learned of his brother. This became his chosen calling, and he followed it with success and profit during the major part of his life. He did a large con- tract- work for new residents who moved to the Oranges from New York City at the be- ginning of the influx of outside residents. He made a specialty of concrete building and erect- ed the first concrete residence in the locality. He built the Aaron Mitchell house on Grove street, and two concrete houses for the Fenner Brothers at South Orange, and other notable houses. At one time he was engaged in brick making on what is now Williams street. He inherited his share of his father's property. and with his brother Jotham owned separate estates on Grove street, Lewis occupying the west side, opposite his brother Jotham. To lis twelve acres Lewis added, and at his death the farm comprised some twenty acres. He sold milk to Mathias Dodd, a dealer, and raised the common crops. He was industrious, hon- est and frugal, extremely retired in his habits and manners. He was deeply religious and a devoted - member of the Second Presbyterian Brick Church, having been dismissed from the old First Church, where at the age of fifteen
he was admitted in full communion. He be- came deeply interested in the work of the church and became one of its pillars. He was devoted to his family and friends, and was the soul of honor in all his doings, being just to his neighbor and strictly temperate. He possessed a rare mechanical ability. He was one of the staunch Whigs of his town, and later became a Republican. He was at one time in the Orange military organization. He married, Jan- uary 4, 1828, Mary Jeffries, born June 4, 1803, died October 5, 1897, daughter of Nicholas and Mary (Cocks) Jeffries, the former of whom was a cooper in New York City. Children : I. Rev. William, referred to below. 2. Harriet, born September 22, 1832; married, September I, 1859, William Gilbert Boyce. 3. Thomas Jeffries, born October 23, 1834, died February 29, 1855.
(VII) Rev. William, son of Lewis and Mary (Jeffries) Hedden, was born on his father's homestead, at Orange, New Jersey, November 6, 1828. His early elementary educational train- ing was limited to the village select schools, and while attending Dr. Week's school, at sixteen years of age, he was brought into especially good companionship and under christian influences, and at the age of seventeen took a decided stand for His Master. His parents were among the consistent members of the Presbyterian church, but he was baptized by Rev. I. M. Church, and became a member of the First Baptist Church of Orange, which he afterward served as pastor for a quarter of a century. Feeling called to the ministry, he entered Madi- son University at Hamilton, New York, in 1847, and left in June 1850. He came to Rochester with the first class of the University of Rochester, which class was practically the establishment of the college, from which insti- tution in 1851 he graduated, receiving the de- gree of A. B., and that of M. A. in 1854. In 1870 received D. D. degree at Columbian Univer- sity, Washington, D. C. Immediately after his. graduation he returned to the home of his nativity to spend the summer. His first pas- torate was at Meridian, Cayuga county, New York, where he commenced his labors and was ordained in October, 1853. Here he dili- gently and successfully labored. He returned to his old home in Orange and was made pastor May 13, 1855, and continued until June 22, 1856, and in October, 1857, an invitation was extended to Rev. William B. Matchett, but not being regularly ordained as a Baptist minister he retired in 1858 and Mr. Hedden was recalled and continued as pastor without
.
II34
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
intermission until February 1, 1882. During this time the church grew in numbers and influ- ence, although it passed through periods of financial depression and discouragement. The winter of 1875-76 was an eventful period in the history of the church under Mr. Hedden. A great revival took place at that time which resulted in a large addition to the church mem- bership. In 1880 the number of active mem- bers as shown by the church rolls was one hundred and seventy-three. In 1881 the new church building was started and the corner- stone laid by the wife of Dr. Hedden.
Dr. Hedden's great faith, patience and perse- verance, as well as his ability and diligence in pastoral work and preaching, were demanded and called forth in sustaining and developing the weak band under the overshadowing influ- ence of Presbyterianism, while a flood of Bap- tists swept by. it or from it to newer churches. On February 1, 1882, Dr. Hedden resigned his pastorate, and on March 29th preached his farewell sermon and left a united church, financially and spiritually strong. On the fol- lowing May the twenty-fifth anniversary of his pastorate was celebrated in a manner befitting the occasion, and at the same time a floating debt of six hundred dollars was lifted. The following year he rested from his labors, and in February, 1883, took the pastorate of the First Baptist Church of Peekskill, New York. Here he labored zealously for seven years until April, 1890, when from failing health he was compelled to resign. The church, hoping that God in His providence might see fit to spare him to them, delayed accepting his resignation till the need of another pastor compelled them to accept his resignation, offered again to take effect June 1, 1890. He labored earnestly for this church, and in building it up spiritually he increased its material prosperity. Debts and interest vanished together before his earnest- ness, determination and simple trust in God. Finding them in debt and discouraged, he left them freed from all financial burdens, a ready, united and enthusiastic people for the cause of Christ. Having removed to his Orange home the last day of February, 1890, he there lingered until December 24 of that year, when he died among those who loved him best. The last years of his life were years of acute suffer- ing, but his strong will and intense earnestness enabled him to go about his duties until com- pelled to give up.
His fine poetic sense and love of the beauti- ful brought to him many cherished and lovable thoughts, and what he said and did were in
accordance with the true christian spirit of the inner man. His love of literature made him a deep student, and he was an adept with his pen. He was the author of "Sunshine Among the Clouds," a truly spiritual uplift, a story of christian faith bringing forth the fruits of righteousness under most trying ordeals. An- other of his books was "Bridal Days." Dr. Hedden was a loving and lovable man. His love to his friends was like that of Jonathan to David, self-sacrificing and enduring. While a wise and judicious parent, he was a most affectionate father and husband. Such was his love for his brethren in the ministry, that the churches he served never heard him speak evil of any of them. If called upon to rebuke an error or sin, he did it in such a loving spirit and manner as to quite surely win back the sinner ; as he was so gentle, affectionate and considerate towards them they could not be jealous of or bitterly criticize him, but were constrained to love him in return. No one was more beloved by his ministerial acquaint- ances. The following was said by the Meth- odist divine of Peekskill: "Mr. Hedden was a Baptist, but he did not belong to them. He belonged to humanity, for their sorrow was his sorrow." He was a peacemaker in his Lord's vineyard. Discord and angry strife could scarcely exist in his loving presence, and when the sea of passion was deeply stirred and threw up mire and dirt, his wise and gentle councils were generally as oil on the raging billows. As a pastor and preacher he was drawing and winning, not to himself-he was too modest and unassuming-but to Christ and holiness. While he was sometimes scholarly, literary and even poetical, his sermons were remarkable for their -winning and attractive representations of Christ. It was his holding up his Master in his sermons and his daily life that drew men to Christ and from sin to holi- ness. He was steadfast, persevering and faith- ful to his high calling to the end. When others fainted or grew weary he, trusting in the Lord and his brethren, held on until the end. He built slowly and substantially.
He married, at Orange, New Jersey, August 3, 1853, Rachel Hatt, born at Redding, Berk- shire county, England, November 5, 1828, daughter of Joel and Rachel (Wells) Hatt. Joel Hatt, eldest son of John and Ann (Church) Hatt, was born at Redding, Berkshire county, England. He was engaged in the boot and shoemaking business in New York City and East Orange, and was one of the founders of the First Baptist Church of Orange, as were
II35
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
also his father and brother. John Hatt, father of Joel Hatt, emigrated to this country in 1831 and settled at East Orange, New Jersey, and became the first deacon of the new First Bap- tist Church, and during the first two or three years frequently supplied the pulpit, having been regularly licensed a Baptist preacher in the old country. He became a man of great influence in the community. Of his grand- daughter, Rachel (Hatt) Hedden, may be truly said: "She openeth her mouth with wisdom and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. Her children arise up and called her blessed ; her husband also praiseth her." At the age of fourteen she became teacher of the infant class in the Sun- day.school of the church of which Rev. William Hedden was pastor; the Sunday school was organized in 1837. As a teacher, and later as the life companion of Dr. Hedden, she was one of the most efficient helpers and godly sup- porters the church ever had. Children : I. Harriet Isabelle, born March 31, 1855, died April 5, 1892; married Lewis Adam Moring- stern ; children : Charles Gurney, born Janu- ary 27, 1877; Rachel, January 16, 1879; Anna Belle, April 2, 1889. 2. William Gurney, re- ferred to below.
(VIII) William Gurney, son of Rev. Dr. William and Rachel (Hatt) Hedden, was born on Maple avenue, south of New street, East Orange, New Jersey, January 22, 1858. He attended the public schools of his native town up to seventeen years of age, subsequently entering the employ of Colgate & Company, New York City, where he was a clerk for a year. In 1885 he was engaged in important work, and later for a time was in the employ of Ford, Howard & Hurburt, of New York, in the sale of their "Lights of History," a popular publication at that time. In 1888 he entered into a fire and life insurance business on his own behalf, but made a specialty of fire insurance. Mr. Hedden has been eminently successful as agent for many of the most repre- sentative companies, and enjoys a large trade in East Orange and vicinity. He is the local representative of the Liverpool, London and Globe Continental of New York City, Com- mercial Union of London, and National Fire Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut. In politics he is a Republican of the true type. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of East Orange, having been admitted in full communion when twelve years of age in No-
vember, 1870. For seven years he was a mem- ber of the Peekskill Baptist Church, but May 17, 1883, became affiliated with his former church at East Orange. Mr. Hedden is un- married.
(The Peck Line).
The name Pek, Peck, Pecke, Peke, Peak, or Peake are supposed to have been originally the same. During a portion of the fifteenth century many by the name added the "e" to their names, but to-day this is extinct. The name is of very ancient origin and great an- tiquity, found seated in England, Belton, York- shire, at a very early date. The arms found in the British Museum, with the pedigree certified to by the heralds, are as follows : Arms : argent. on a chevron, engrailed gules, three crosses fornice, of the first. Crest : a cubit arm erect habited azure, cuff argent, hand proper, hold- ing on one stalk enfiled with a scroll, three roses gules leaves vert.
(V) Judge John, third son of Joseph (3) (q. v.) and Jemima (Linsley) Peck, was born in that part of Newark now known as East Orange, 1732, died there December 28, 1811. The old homestead where he lived was built of stone, and stood on the southeast corner of what is now Main street and Maple avenue. This was torn down in 1813 and a part of the stone used in the construction of the First Presbyterian Church. He was an active and uncompromis- ing patriot in the revolution. "On December 7, 1774, he was one of twenty-three representa- tive citizens chosen as a 'committee of observa- tion' for the town of Newark to watch and re- port any inhabitant of the colony found to be disloyal to the congress, so that he be held up to public notice as unfriendly to the liberties of his country, and all dealings with him or her be thenceforward forever broken off." John Peck was conspicuous in all local events that preceded the revolution, and when afterwards the British army was encamped in the locality. he made himself especially obnoxious to them and was frequently obliged to flee to the moun- tains to escape their vengeance. After the close of the war he became judge of the court of common pleas, and although unlettered he was a man of good judgment and sound com- mon sense but rather eccentric. He was ex- tremely lenient towards his old neighbors who. because of their adherence to the crown during the war were obliged to flee to Nova Scotia. and who after the war desired to return to take advantage of the act of the New Jersey legislature passed June 5, 1777, and it is said
II36
STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
that he sometimes stretched a point to assist them in saving their property from confisca- tion. He was elected an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in 1784. Judge Peck's house was the first house west of Great Meadow Brook. This old stone house faced the east and was under the hill end towards the road. It was attacked by a company of British soldiers ; a shot was fired through the house, killing a woman, one of the party of the British who had just stepped into the room. Joseph, a son of Judge Peck, was struck by the butt of a musket in the skirmish, and his jaw broken and teeth knocked out. He ran to the top of the hill and shouted, "Come on, boys, we can take them now." Scared by this arti- fice, the enemy fled, leaving the dead body of the woman. Judge Peck was always a lead- ing man. He served as captain of the militia and was an assemblyman.
He married (first) January 26, 1757, Eliza- beth Dodd, born 1737, died 1761, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Lampson) Dodd. Chil- dren: I. Joseph, born November 27, 1758; married Mary Hedden; children : Phebe, Bet- sey, Lydia, Mary Ann, Aaron, Sarah, Fanny, Deborah. 2. Stephen, born 1760; father of Deacon Peter Peck, of South Orange. Judge John Hedden married (second) Mary, daugh- ter of Joseph and Martha (Sargent) Harrison. Children : 3. Rhoda, died September 29, 1832; married Caleb Hedden; children: i. Mary, born August 21, 1798; ii. Rebecca, February 1, 1800; iii. Jotham, born June 18, 1802, died December 6, 1877; iv. Lewis, born October 4, 1804; v. Eliza, December 17, 1807. 4. Betsey, married Ezekiel Ball. 5. Sarah, married Ste- phen Hedden. 6. Aaron, born 1771 : married Esther Canfield ; children : Lewis and Nancy. 7. John, born November 28, 1773; married Phebe Matthews; children: i. Mary, born 1795 ; ii. Stephen M., 1801 ; iii. John, 1805; iv. Nancy, 1808; v. Lydia, 1811; vi. Phebe M., 1815. 8. Jared, killed in revolutionary army.
HEDDEN (V) Jotham Hedden, son of Jonathan Hedden (q. v.), was born in that part of Newark now East Orange, 1769 (about), and died October 12, 1803. He was a farmer in that part of East Orange in the vicinity of North Grave street, then known as Whiskey Lane. Besides the occupation of farming he did shoemaking, as was the custom in those days. He was a man of prominence in his commu- nity, served his town as constable for a short period, and was prominent in the First Church,
he and his wife Mary being members. Aaron Peck and Miranda Peck for f1oo sell to Jo- tham Hedden a tract of land on the north side of Newark and Mt. Pleasant turnpike, west of Whiskey Lane, bounded by lands of Daniel Munn, Henry Ball and John Orr, together with houses, buildings, trees, ways, waters, profits, privileges and advantages. Jotham and Mary Hedden, March 15, 1802, for $1,000 sell to Alexander Dean, of Orange, parcel of land bounded by land of Isaac Jones on north side of main road from Orange to Newark and northwesterly by land of Silas Condit and southerly by roadway, containing - acres, also all estate rights (Abial and Caleb Hedden, witnesses). Jotham Hedden and John Peck were witnesses to a deed from Daniel Hedden and wife to Jabez Giger for £170, a certain tract of land which Joseph Hedden (deceased) left to the heirs of Jonathan Hedden, eight acres, bounded west by lands of Simon Hed- den and Joseph Rogers, easterly by Abial Can- field and David Hedden's lands. Application made to the court by Cyrus Jones, one of the administrators of all and singular the goods, chattels, rights and credits which were of Jo- tham Hedden for the order of the court on Daniel Hedden to administration with said Cyrus Jones which have come into the hands of said Daniel Hedden, said Daniel to give separate security. Jotham Hedden's debts ex- ceeded his personal property and the court order his real estate be sold to pay his just debts. On full examination the court do find that the personal estate of the said deceased is insufficient to pay his said debts. Therefore the court do order and direct the said adminis- trators to sell six acres of land situate in the township of Newark, bounded east by land of Caleb Hedden, west by Abial Hedden, south by lands of Joseph Munn Sr., and north by land of said estate of Jotham Hedden.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.