USA > New Jersey > Genealogical and memorial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume III > Part 78
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were buried in the old burial-ground in Orange. He was one of the overseers of highways, elect- ed in 1812. He died May 18, 1829. He mar- ried Naomi Williams, born 1759, died April 19, 1838, daughter of Eleazer and Mary ( Ball) Williams. Children : I. Joanna, born 1785, died 1870 ; married Daniel Williams ; children : Amanda, Mary, Archibald, John Crane, Char- lotte, Ann, Cardine and Henry Justus. 2. Hiram, born 1787, died 1825; married Mary Dodd; children: Malon and Mehitable.
Nancy, born 1789, died 1857; married Hiram 3 Quimby. 4. Mehitable, born 1791, died 1860; married Edwin Gray ; children : Mary, Naomi, Henrietta, Edward and Mehitable. 5. Am- brose, born 1793; married Sarah Plum; chil- dren: Joseph and Marcus. 6. Eleazer, born 1796, died 1870; married Sybel Howell; chil- dren: Horace Eugene, Maria Louise, James Howell and Sarah Eliza. 7. John, born De- cember 3, 1798 (q. v.). 8. Zenas Jr., born 1801, died 1880; married Sarah Williams ; children : Phebe, Zenas (3), Thomas and Sarah Alethia. 9. Daniel Edmund, mentioned below.
(VI) Daniel Edmund, son of Zenas Will- iams, was born at Tory Corner, West Orange, New Jersey, May 15, 1804, died February 21, 1880. He was reared on his father's farm, acquiring the common school education of a farmer's son at that period. As a young man he was apprenticed to the trade of hatter. which he followed many years. He married Harriet, adopted daughter of John Gardner. Both went to live with the old folks in 1843. In consideration of taking the farm and caring for them during their declining years, John Gardner willed the property to Daniel E. Will- iams, and after his decease to go to his sons, John N. and Charles P. Williams. Daniel E. Williams engaged in farming and was successful in raising the common crops. It is said that he could raise the finest crops of corn in the region. It was said of him one year that he had a very fine piece of corn which he was very proud of, and he remarked to Anthony Thompson, a colored man of high repute in the neighborhood, "An- thony, I am going to have the finest crop of corn in Essex county ;" Anthony remarked, "If the Lord wills, Mr. Williams ;" Williams re- plied "I am going to have it anyway." In a few days a terrible hailstorm entirely destroyed the crop. Anthony, meeting him after the storm, remarked, "How about the corn, Mr. Williams." "Well, Anthony, I spoke too quick." Mr. Williams lived the simple life, was honest, industrious and frugal, and greatly beloved by all for his kindness of heart. He
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was a devoted member of the First Presby- terian Church. He was an ardent Whig, tak- ing much interest in the early politics of the day, and later a Republican. He married, Oc- tober 7, 1835, Harriet Gardner, born Novem- ber 22, 1812, died December 10, 1873, adopted daughter of John Gardner. Children: 1. John Newton, born June 29, 1836. 2. Henry Justin, born February 7, 1838, died October 30, 1849. 3. Charles Payson, mentioned below. 4. Anna Matilda, born January 5, 1843, died July 6, 1860. 5. Edward Harrison, born January 6, 1845, died February 4, 1898; married (first) September 30, 1868, Caroline A. Bacron ; child, Grace, born December 24, 1872, died Septem- ber 24, 1884; married (second) Laura Stager. 6. Daniel Watson, born January 18, 1848, un- married.
(VII) John Newton Williams, son of Dan- iel Edmund Williams, was born June 29, 1836, at the corner of Prince and South Main streets, Orange, New Jersey, died on Eagle Rock ave- nue (at his home), March 5, 1906. When seven years of age he removed with his parents to the Tory Corner district, where he spent the remainder of his life. He attended the nearby district school and a private school in Orange up to sixteen years of age, assisting his father on the farm. He was early apprenticed to Jones & Doremus to learn the trade of car- penter and later worked as a journeyman for them. He also worked for Smith & Williams, contractors, during their stay in business. After they dissolved and the firm of Williams & Woodruff was formed, Mr. Williams became their foreman. His strict attention to business and his reliability made him a valued man to those he was associated with. In 1892 he erected his residence at No. 170 Eagle Rock avenue, West Orange. Mr. Williams was a man of retiring disposition, of the upright and honorable type. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church nearly fifty years, and his wife was also a member. He was a con- stant attendant and contributed liberally to its support. He was a Republican in politics, but never accepted public office in the gift of his fellow citizens, feeling like many others that to attend to the affairs of his own family was the first duty of a citizen. He loved his home. He was a deep reader of books and the current news of the day, being well versed on the topics of the world at large.
He married (first ) December 16, 1863, Mar- garet Matilda Condit, born January 12, 1838, died May 27, 1866, daughter of Ira and Re- becca (Condit) Condit, the former of whom
was a farmer. Child, Mary Condit, born May 6, 1866. He married (second) April 4, 1888, at Nicholson, Pennsylvania, Antoinette Ames Williams, born May 1, 1840, daughter of Her- vey Dwight and Matilda (Condit) Williams, the former of whom was a farmer and lumber merchant, and held important town offices. No issue.
(VII) Charles Payson, son of Daniel Ed- inund Williams, was born in the homestead of his father, at the corner of Prince and South Main streets, Orange, New Jersey, December 22, 1840, died at St. Barnabas Hospital, New- ark, January 6, 1879. He received his edu- cation in the nearby district school, assisting his father on the farm. In early manhood he learned the trade of gold plater, working for a time at Bridgeport, Connecticut. Later he entered into partnership with John C. Will- iams, under the firm name of C. P. & J. C. Williams, dealers in hats, caps and gents' fur- nishings, buying out the stock of Leander Will- iams. The partners conducted the business for over a year, when Mr. Williams purchased the interest of J. C. Williams. The store was situated on the present site of the post-office at Orange. William Lattimer was later ad- mitted to partnership with Mr. Williams, under the firm name of Lattimer & Williams, con- tinuing a few years, and then became em- barrassed. He then engaged in selling sewing machines and spring beds, and subsequently entered into the grocery business on Valley Road, near the present site of the Washington school building, opposite the present Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. He conducted this store at the time of his death. He was pos- sessed of many natural talents, having a taste for music and being an accomplished organist. He was well respected by his townsmen and had a host of friends. He was a Presbyterian in faith, his wife being a member of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. He was a Republican in politics, but never held any public office. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity, be- lenging to Union Lodge, Orange Chapter, and was organist in both these bodies. He mar- ried, February 4, 1869, Julia Ida Condit, born August 11, 1841, died January 27, 1907, daugh- ter of Ira and Rebecca (Condit) Condit, the former a farmer and captain of the militia. Children: I. Harriet Elizabeth, born May I. 1870; married, August 4, 1908, Cyril George Croot. 2. Ida Matilda, born May 22, 1872; married, September 7, 1898, Walter Frank Ed- wards ; child, Harold Gardner, born June 24, 1904. 3. Rebecca Antoinette, born March 7,
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1875. 4. Charles Edmund, born October 20, 1876. 5. Alvin Marcus, mentioned below.
(VIII) Alvin Marcus, son of Charles Pay- son Williams, was born on Eagle Rock avenue, West Orange, New Jersey, April 18, 1878. He attended the public schools, graduating from the West Orange high school in 1895. He sub- sequently entered the wholesale importing woolen house of O. C. Wheeler & Company, New York City, where he was clerk three years. He was later three years clerk and bookkeeper in the commission firm of J. H. Krenrich & Company, Harrison street, New York City, subsequently entering the employ of Baker & Company, Newark, gold, silver and platinum refiners, as clerk, and at the present time ( 1909) is serving as assistant office man- ager. The concern is located at New Jersey Rail- road avenue and Murray street. Mr. Williams resides at No. 3 High street, West Orange. He is an enthusiastic autoist. He is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Orange. In politics he strictly adheres to the principles of the Republican party. He married, April 26, 1905, Gertrude Amelia Smith, born September 7, 1879, daughter of Henry and Matilda (Zuck- schwert) Smith, the former of whom was a carriage maker by trade. Child, Kenneth Smith, born September 18, 1907, died October 6, 1907.
WILLIAMS (V) Jonathan Williams, son of Samuel Williams (IV-q. v.), was born on his father's
homestead at West Orange, June, 1747, died November 15, 1838, in the family homestead now owned by his great-grandson, Orlando Williams. He was a farmer all his life and own- ed considerable property in the valley, as shown in his will dated May 22, 1818: To his son Nathan and grandson Jonathan Squire Will- iams all his lands and real estate except his lot of twenty acres adjoining the lands of Rich- ard Harrison and Jonathan Force in the town- ship of Livingston, subject to right of dower in name of Polly, his wife. Later he em- powers his executors (Nathan and Jonathan S.) to sell his lot of land in Livingston and divide proceeds equally between his five daugh- ters. He served in the revolution, a private in Captain Craig's company of state troops, also a private in Captain Thomas Williams' com- pany, Colonel Phillip Van Cortland's Second (Essex county) regiment, Heard's brigade, quartered in the Orange Valley. There was much dissension and discontent among the troops, and not a few were fined for insubordi- nation, among whom was Jonathan Williams.
an account of which will be found in Wick's "History of the Oranges," p. 308. This was no disgrace, as many of the soldiers, fearing their families were in dire need and possibly starving, left their regiment to administer to the needs of their household. Jonathan Will- iams married Mary Squier, who was said to have been a most estimable and capable woman. Children : Phebe, married Richard Harrison ; Catherine, married Moses De Camp; Martha, married. Elijah Pierson; Hannah, married David Dobbins; Mary; Nathan, mentioned below.
(VI) Nathan, son of Jonathan Williams, was born at West Orange, New Jersey, Octo- ber 12, 1774, died there in the Williams' home- stead, December II, 1861. He was reared a farmer, and in early days learned the trade of shoemaker. He followed farming throughout his lifetime, was prosperous in the affairs of his farm, and acquired much property in the vicinity of Mt. Pleasant street, West Orange Valley. He was a member of the First Pres- byterian Church at Orange. He was a Whig in politics but took no active part in the affairs of his township. He was elected in 1812 one of the overseers of highways, and in 1815 a member of the township committee. He was a representative of the South Orange or Camp- town district. He and his wife Catherine are buried side by side in the Scotland street burial- ground, appropriate stones marking their last resting place. He married Catherine Wade, born December 30, 1779, died August 5, 184I .. Children : 1. Jonathan Squier, mentioned below. 2. Abigail, married Joseph Dobbins. 3. Electa, married Henry Beach. 4. Albert, graduate of Princeton College and a clergyman in Cali- fornia; married Mary P. Havens; children : Henry W., and Henrietta Mulford, married Dr. J. C. Barron.
(VII) Jonathan Squier, son of Nathan Williams, was born on the old Williams home- stead, in West Orange Valley, February II, 1801, died there August 5, 1875. He was: brought up on his father's farm, acquiring the usual common school education of a farmer's son at that period. During the early manhood years he learned the trade of hatter, and during the winter months was engaged in traffic, sell- ing the products of the farm, such as honey, butter and fowl, doing his own teaming and finding a ready market in New York, Newark, Paterson, and other nearby towns. He invested® ir property later, buying a portion of the old C'ondit estate, which he later sold to the hat firm of William Bodwell and Nathaniel Stevens,
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who erected a shop. Mr. Williams was at that time following the trade of hatter. He later associated himself with Mr. Stevens in the manufacture of hats, and after the death of Mr. Stevens continued in business under his own name for a number of years. His shop, situated on the main road, near the Rahway river (west branch), was destroyed by fire. Mr. Williams then gave up the business and devoted the remainder of his years to farming, which he continued until his death. He was a justice of the peace, and had the settlement of many estates. He was chairman of the town committee, and devoted much time to the inter- ests of the business of the town. During his latter years he was an invalid, yet directed his work with the best results. He was honest, industrious and frugal, deeply religious, being an elder of the First Presbyterian Church since 1834. He was a Whig in politics, later a Dem- ocrat. He served in the early military com- pany of Orange. He was a man of great will power, and strong character. He was tall, light complexioned, with blue eyes. He was known for his christian character. He acquired a tract of land where the present city of Detroit, Michigan, now stands, but this was lost through the dishonesty of his agent, who was a lawyer. He married, at West Orange, December 22, 1822, Phoebe Perry, born in West Orange, October 18, 1802, died there August 8, 1882, daughter of William Samuel and Rachel Perry, the former of whom was a farmer and black- smith. Children : 1. Samuel Augustus, born Sep- tember 3, 1824 (q.v.). 2. Rachel Catharine, born November 23, 1825, died December 27, 1906; married, November 28, 1849, Albert Condit. who died August 4, 1899 ; children : i. Orlando Emmons, born March 20, 1853, married, Octo- ber 16, 1878, Elizabeth R. Mulford ; children : a. Helen Louise, born December 12, 1879 ; mar- ried, October 16, 1903, Fred Rutherford Hood ; children : Elizabeth Mulford, born September 15, 1905; Alan Condit, August 16, 1907 ; Fred Rutherford, November 6, 1908 ; b. Albert Em- mons, born February 26, 1882; c. Timothy Mulford, born March 25, 1884; ii. Alice Cary, born August 23, 1857 ; iii. William Elmer, born March 6, 1861 ; iv. Bertha Catherine, born July 24, 1865. 3. William Nathan, born Septem- ber 15, 1829 (q. v.). 4. Orlando, mentioned below. 5. Albert Squier, born January 2, 1834. 6. Jotham Edgar, born October 27, 1836 (q. v.). 7. Sarah Amelia, born May 3, 1844: married, August 18, 1863, Herman Woodruff ; children : i. Ernest Herbert, born June 10, 1866; married September 21, 1892, Ada Belle Coddington ;
child, Velma Antoinette, born June 20, 1893 ; ii. Clarence Orlando, born July 12, 1879; mar- ried, March 12, 1901, Florence Belle Crane ; children : a. Viola Antoinette, born July 15, 1902; b. Herman Everett. born January 23, 1906; iii. Maud Ethelyn, born March 2, 1882, died January 1I, 1905 ; married, September 10. 1897, Edward Conklin; children : a. Ada Amelia, born January 23, 1900; b. Dorothy Ethelyn, born February 28, 1903.
(VIII) Orlando, son of Jonathan S. Will- iams, was born at West Orange. New Jersey, October 30, 1831. His educational training was limited to the district school in the nearby neighborhood up to sixteen, during the long winter months, working at other seasons on the farm. About the age of seventeen years he learned the trade of hatter with his father, with whom he worked- a short time, after which he devoted a few years to the trade of shoemaker, working for different ones in the neighborhood. The custom in those days was to take unfinished stock from nearby factories and manufacture the same at home, returning the finished product to the manufacturers. Owing to close application to this trade his health failed, and he was compelled to take up the work of the farm, thinking work in the open air would be a benefit to his health. This proved beneficial from the start, and Mr. Williams has made this pursuit his chosen occupation. His farm, comprising upwards of fifty-five acres, is situated in the West Orange Valley, over First Mountain, on Mt. Pleasant Place. It has descended to him through his father, grand- father and great-grandfather, is composed of part tillage and part woodland. Mr. Williams has successfully conducted this farm, and for nearly thirty-eight years, until within two years, devoted his energies to the production of milk, which he supplied to the neighboring dealers, having had an average of twenty head of the best stock. His labors have been well- directed, and his success has been the result of careful management, enterprise and indus- try. He believed in the improved ideas of agriculture, and liis farm compares favorably with the best in the valley. He has practically retired from active work of the farm, yet superintends its management. Mr. Williams and family attends the St. Cloud Presbyterian Church, contributing to its support. His polit- ical support is given to no one party, believing that the independent voter will do the most good to every community. He has never sought public office, but was elected to the office of chairman of town committee. and is a member
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of the committee on the division of back taxes, supervising and collecting. He is a member of Orange Chapter, Sons of Revolution, and also of the state chapter. He served as captain of an early military company.
He married, April 27, 1871, at Roseland, Miss Hannah Condit, born October 9, 1839, daughter of Ira Harrison and Phebe (Far- rand) Condit, the former of whom was a farmer and freeholder. Their only child is Marie Antoinette, born July 12, 1872.
(VIII) Jotham Edgar Williams, son of Jonathan Squier Williams, was born October 27, 1836. He received his education in the district school near the homestead. . When quite young he was apprenticed to Durand & Company, of Newark, watch case makers, where he learned the trade of watch case fin- ishing, and worked for a time as journeyman at his trade. He was subsequently engaged for a time in connection with the shoe manu- facturing business, and was in the employ of Benedict Hall & Company, New York City, and later with Andrew Brittan and Joseph A. Condit, of West Orange. In 1864 he removed to Verona, Essex county, New Jersey, where he formed a partnership with his father-in- law, Charles Smith, under the firm name of Smith & Williams, and were engaged in the handling of dry goods and paper stock. About 1868 the partners dissolved their relations, each carrying on a portion of the business in his own behalf, the senior member of the firm taking the paper stock and Mr. Williams the dry goods. In 1869 he suffered a fire loss, but soon rebuilt and continued in the business. In 1878 he embarked in the business of selling remnants, continuing in this alone to about January 1, 1891, when Anson A. Voorhees, his son-in-law, and Charles A. Williams were admitted to partnership under the firm name of J. E. Williams & Company. He died No- vember 24, 1902, in the sixty-sixth year of his age. Mr. Williams was a generous, public- spirited citizen, possessing the qualities of true manhood. His social and jovial nature, with his fondness for jokes at all times, gained him many true and lasting friends. He became an expert domino player and there were few who could get the advantage of his skill. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Verona, and was one of the organizers of that society, giving the land that the church was built on, serving on the building and standing committees and as one of the trus- tees. Mr. Williams was a director in the Montclair National Bank, and one of the man-
agers of the Montclair Savings Bank. He was president of the Verona (Social) Club. He affiliated with Montclair Lodge of Odd Fel- lows. In early manhood he held a commission in the Newark military company. "In politics he was identified with the Democratic party ; he served two years as committeeman of Cald- well township, and for four years was a mem- ber of the board of chosen freeholders of Essex county. When Verona was set off from Caldwell, he was made chairman of the first town committee. He married, October 4, 1860, Martha Ellen Smith, born May 3, 1839, died December II, 1895, daughter of Charles and Martha Ellen (Hardham) Smith. Mrs. Wil- liams was a devout member of Dr. Bradford's church at Montclair for over eighteen years. She was a devoted christian woman, of beauti- ful mind, and known for her philanthropic nature. "She lived respected and died regretted." Children: 1. Anna Virginia, born September 15, 1864; married, February 13, 1889, Anson Augustus Voorhees, born Octo- ber 22, 1862, son of Judah B. and Matilda (Oaks) Voorhees; children : i. Judah Edgar, born January 21, 1890 ; ii. Anson Willard, born June 12, 1895. 2. Jay Edgar, born July 13, 1878, died May 7, 1881.
WILLIAMS (VIII) William Nathan Will- iams, son of Jonathan Squier Williams (q. v.), was born
September 15, 1829, on the old family home- stead in the West Orange Valley, died April 15, 1907. At an early age he went to live with an aunt, Electa (Williams) Beach, attending the district school in the valley. About the age of fourteen he went to the Clinton ( New York) Seminary, where for two years he was under the tutelage of his uncle, Rev. Albert Williams, subsequently attending a course of instruction in Albert Pierson's private school in Orange, New Jersey. In the spring of 1846 he went to New York, where he entered the employ of H. V. Sigler, a cabinet maker, to learn the trade, with whom he was for three years engaged in the manufacture of picture and mirror frames. Mr. Williams subsequently removed to Chicago, Illinois, where he was a clerk two years, but soon returned to his native town to assist in the conduct of the farm with his father. From this time on he made farming his chosen occu- pation. He was industrious, practical and pro- gressive ; he adopted improved ideas of agricul- ture, and kept his farm in a model way so that it compared favorably with the best in the region and was made to yield a handsome year-
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ly income. Mr. Williams was a man univer- sally beloved and respected, and while some- what outspoken in manner, his frankness and zeal was always in evidence and he possessed qualities that went to make the true man. He followed in the footsteps of his ancestors, ac- cepting their religious views, which had re- mained unchanged through a long period of years. He was a member of the St. Cloud Presbyterian Church, served as clerk of the session, and succeeded General George B. Mc- Clellan as a ruling elder. Mr. Williams was always a pronounced Democrat in his political principles. When the borough of Fairmount, then a part of West Orange and Livingston, was made, he was selected as assessor of taxes. He became one of the first freeholders of West Orange, serving for twenty-two years up to 1887, when he was elected to serve as collector of taxes, which office he held up to two years before his death. He was a member of Union Lodge, No. 11, A. F. and A. M., and of Union Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M. He was a director in the Half Dime Savings Bank at Orange from its organization until his death, and a director of New Jersey Plate Glass Insurance Company for a number of years. He married (first) December 20, 1854, Phebe Ann Under- hill, born March 2, 1835, died March 30, 1893, daughter of Gilbert and Sarah (Omberson) Underhill. Children: 1. John Francis, men- tioned below. 2. Lillian Electa, born August 10, 1865; married, December 23, 1885, Harry Camp Hedden, son of James S. and Elma R. (Camp) Hedden ; children : i. Elma Williams, born April 12, 1887; ii. Lillian Electa, born May 27, 1889, died April 4, 1892; iii. Phebe Ethel, born October 22, 1893 ; iv. Julia Bertha, born October 20, 1894. Mr. Williams married (second) May 25, 1894, Sarah A. King, born September 2, 1837, daughter of Charles R. and Eliza M. King, both of Morristown, New Jer- sey.
(IX) John Francis, son of William Nathan Williams, was born on the old Williams home- stead on Mount Pleasant Place, West Orange, New Jersey, November 28, 1859. He attend- ed the district school on the hill up to about thirteen years of age, when he came to Orange high school, coming and going over the West Orange mountains daily during the school sea- sons until he graduated in 1878. He then entered the University of the City of New York, graduating in 1882, in the department of arts and sciences, with the A. B. degree. He subsequently became deputy warden of the Essex County Insane Asylum at Newark, re-
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