USA > New Jersey > Historical and genealogical miscellany : early settlers of New Jersey and their descendants, Vol. III > Part 6
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Gershom Bowne and wife Elizabeth Lement had
Issue
Phoebe, baptized, Nov. 23, 1740, at Freehold, N. J. Dutch Church. Annetje, baptized, Sept. 18, 1743, at Freehold, N. J. Dutch Church.
1747, June 28. Gershom Bowne and wife Elizabeth had a "son" William baptized in Christ Church, Shrewsbury, N. J., I year and 5 months old, and later on, 1750, Mch. 7, Will- iam, son of "Mr. Bowne" was baptized there. The "Mr." Bowne was doubtless the same person as Gershom and this was probably a second son given the same name, William, which taken with his own suggests strongly the line of his ancestry.
1737-8, Jan. 21. Gershom Bowne appears in a Middletown, N. J. Account Book.
1748. Gershom Bowne, Dr. To I pair of Shoes for your son. From Obadiah Holmes', his book.
1773, April 28. Administration was granted to Samuel Forman on the estate of Gershom Bowne. Denise Denise was on the bond.
1773, July Term. Johannes Bennet, agent, sued Samuel Forman, administrator of Gershom Bowne, in an action for debt.
Freehold, N. J., Court Minutes.
William Bowne, son of Gershom Bowne, I, may be confused with William Bowne, son of John Bowne, son of James Bowne, 1, or if Samuel Bowne, son of James Bowne, I, had a son William, he might be confused with him.
7 BOWNE, daughter of William Bowne, I, married Mott.
While the name of this daughter is unknown, yet the following quotation establishes, beyond dubiety, her existence:
"Gershom moot soon of ye deseased John Bowne sister."
This memorandum occurs twice among the Mott papers, at Cherry Hall, Matawan, N. J., in old documents dated 1684 and 1686, relating to the settlement of the estate of John Bowne,
43
BOWNE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
2. It would seem from the fact that Gershom Mott was taken into the family of his uncle, John Bowne, and treated in his will with the same liberality as his child, that his mother had died while he was still young, and probably left no other issue. She was doubtless the second of the three wives of Adam Mott, of Hempstead, L. I.
Issue
19 Gershom Mott. See Mott Family
8 THE SECOND CAPT. JOHN BOWNE, son of John Bowne, 2, was born. at Graves- end, Long Island, Apr. 1, 1664, where the record of his birth is recorded in the Town Book. He was a minor when his father died, in 1684, but shortly came of age and assumed a role in the community like unto that of his late distinguished parent. He became, through inher- itance, by proprietary grants and extensive purchases, the possessor of a great landed estate within the bounds of Monmouth County, and held, among others, the following tracts of land, mostly derived from the Proprietors :*
1685, Feb. 11. Five hundred acres, at a place called Nechyes, in Monmouth County, in right of his deceased father.
1685, Mch. 6. A tract of five hundred acres, in Middletown, with an allowance for barren ground, swamps, and highways.
1685, Mch. 10. Five hundred acres, in Middletown, bounded S. W. by Wicketonnes, (also Warketones), land; N. W. by Dirck Tunison's claim; N. E. by Richard Stout's land, and S. E. by Jonathan Holmes' land.
1685, Aug. 14. Five hundred acres at Manasquan; confirmed Nov. 14.
1686-7,. Mch. 10. The date of the patent; date of issue, June 20; two hundred acres adjoining his own land, at Chingaroras, bounded by Lupakitonge Creek on the W., and Chin- garoras Creek on the N. and E.
On June 4, of this year, he located two hundred and forty acres on this site, of which forty acres was claimed in right of a patent to his father, John Bowne, bearing date May 10, 1677.
It is possible these last two grants are the same.
1686, May 4. Two hundred acres, at a fresh meadow, about two miles from his house on the road leading to Amboy.
1700, July 16. He took up one hundred and twenty acres at Chingaroras.
1714, Feb. 20. John Bowne bought of Robert Barclay, yeoman, of Freehold, land on the N. S. of Wemakoake Brook; other boundaries were William Davidson's land and John Kerr's land, for £85. 15, 0.
1715, Oct. I. Thomas Williams, of Freehold, yeoman, sold, to Capt. John Bowne, land bounded by John Frazier's land and David Clayton's line, reserving one half an acre where John Clayton and his wife are buried.
In other records it appears that, with his mother, in right of his father, he had nine hun- dred and forty acres, in seventeen parcels of land, at the "Neversinks," of which he conveyed six hundred and seventy-nine acres to his brother Obadiah.
1685, 26, 4 mo. He sold land, on Gisbert's Island, in the town of Gravesend, to William Goulding; also in the same year, twenty acres, in Gravesend, which formerly belonged to his father, to William Goulding and Daniel Lake. ·
1694, June 27. John Bowne, of Monmouth County, sold fifteen acres, in Gravesend, to John Poland.
*[Note. Additional wealth was obtained by John Bonne as a trader; his business was widespread. In 1697, he had dealings with Andrew Belcher. of Boston; in 1705, with Abraham De Ducend, (Merdecay Gomez a witness to the bond), and to the Haines, of Barbadocs, he was in lebted for varying sems in the ordinary ways of business ]
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY
In 1685, Mch. 20. He recorded his cattle-mark. In the following year, 1686, under the title of Capt. John Bowne, he was appointed one of the Commissioners to lay out roads.
In 1691, Mch. 14. Secretary Clarkson addressed a letter to Col. Townley, Capt. Bowne and Capt. Jackson, requesting them to repair to New York, with their men, by virtue of their military office.
In addition to the title of Captain, which he carried for many years, he is frequently spoken of, as Gentleman, and especially, as Merchant. If the frequency with which this last appellation occurs, is any guide, we may justly infer that he had abandoned his vexatious political life, and applied himself during the latter years of his existence solely to commerce. Later generations of this family, it will appear, had their careers shaped by this business affilia- tion.
1687, July 2. He was High Sheriff of Monmouth County.
In 1693, he was a member of the House of Deputies.
1701, Mch. 25. He was commissioned Receiver General for the Proprietors of East Jersey. In 1703, he, Richard Saltar, William Lawrence, Jr., and others unsuccessfully contested the seats of Col. Townley, Mr. John Reid and others in the First Assembly.
In 1704, however, Capt. John Bowne, his brother, Obadiah Bowne, and brother-in-law. Richard Saltar, were all successfully elected to seats in the Assembly-a remarkable showing for one family.
In 1707, John Bowne, was again returned to the Assembly, but subsequently for reasons later to be mentioned, was expelled.
In 1702, he was suggested as a desirable person to fill a position in the Governor's Council. Likewise, in 1708, Lord Cornbury recommended him for a member of his Council, and after stating Capt. Andrew Bowne had recently died, says:
"I should be glad if your Lordships please that Capt. John Bowne may supply the place of Capt. Andrew Bowne."
In 1711, it was stated that "Capt. Bowne is out in Monmouth and Col. Morris first Judge in his stead."
Later in the same year, Gov. Hunter recommended him as "an honest man" to fill a va- cancy in the Council, which no doubt was balm to his wounded pride and a compliment such as would reinstate him in the good opinion of his associates.
It was part of Gov. Hunter's policy to reconcile factions and heal divisions which had long existed among the people, but he was too astute to attempt to do so by any means except honorable ones, which alone could be lasting, and in his recommendation, we see a reversal of the partisan opinion which for some years clouded the good name of John Bowne. The po- litical life of John Bowne was of a tempestuous character. IIe for many years filled prom- inent positions to the satisfaction of his towns people, but devising a policy at once novel and aggressive, he provoked enmities which resulted in his downfall. His expulsion from the Third Assembly, in 1707, was simply an expression of the dissensions which for many years had been distracting the colony and wherein personal animosities and church differences played no small part. The question of quit-rents, between the Proprietors and early settlers, was still upper- most and its final adjustment simply a possibility of the future. Another, and perhaps greater grievance, fretted the colonists-The Scotch had immigrated in large numbers, and backed by powerful influence, had wrested from the English many important offices, and in their official relations gave hearty support to the Proprietors. The natural antipathy of English to Scotch, added to jealousies, brought about strained relations and finally violent ruptures.
In the height of this discord, John Bowne, backed by Richard Saltar and the greater por- tion of the Monmouth settlers, decided to rout the enemy by what, perhaps, viewed from our
45
.
BOWNE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
later day standpoint, might be considered doubtful tactics. Lord Cornbury, the ruler of the joint provinces of New York and New Jersey, was a purchasable man, and Bowne, with his coadjutors, determined to use him in their own interests. They accordingly established a fund, which it is believed was to be given to Cornbury for deposing their enemies, and especailly for dismissing the First Assembly, one inimical to their interests, and to which Bowne, Saltar and William Lawrence, Jr., had unsuccessfully sought election. That Cornbury dismissed this Assembly, on slight provocation, and in a manner more summary than polite, lends color to the statement that its dissolution was effected by purchase.
To the Assembly that followed, as already mentioned, John Bowne, Richard Saltar. Obadiah Bowne, as well as Richard Hartshorne, were elected among the representatives of East New Jersey. Everything proceeded most lovingly in this session. The Governor, Council and Assembly acted in perfect harmony. In the meanwhi'e, the opposition had been active. When the Third Assembly was called, in 1707, John Bowne was returned as a representative of Monmouth, but with him. from various sections of the country, came those who were thoroughly opposed to him, led by Samuel Jennings, and the wily Lewis Morris. They began an investigation of rumors relative to the dissolution of the First Assembly. John Pike, of Woodbridge, gave them the desired opportunity, by forwarding to the House, a petition "complaining of undue measures in raising money." It was read and referred to a Committee on Grievances, of which Lewis Morris was chairman. Capt. John Bowne, being the mark at which the shafts were directed, desired a copy of the said petition, but it was denied him by vote of the house. Petitions of like nature multiplied rapidly, setting forth that money was raised privately for the pretended public good. Capt. Richard Saltar and Mr. George Allen, as coadjutors, were sent for, by the Sergeant at Arms, to give testimony on the subject, but apparently were not secured. The prejudices of the house were easy to be seen, and a strong indication of their intensity lay in the fact that the chairmanship of the investigating com- mittee was given to Bowne's arch enemy. Lewis Morris. In matters of religion, statecraft and personal ambition, they had long been at extreme variance with one another. Of Bowne was demanded information relative to the distribution of the so called Fund, which, recogniz- ing as he did, that he was the subject of a prejudiced inquiry, he declined to give. His contin- uous silence was construed into contempt of the House, and the dignity of the affronted mem- bers was only satisfied when his expulsion was accomplished. Men's actions have oft-times to be justified and. perhaps, this one of John Bowne's needs explanation. He was looked up to by the great mass of settlers as a leader, and felt constrained to abate an existing out- rage. When he went forth with his lieutenants, he made no secret of his intentions other than to act with circumspection. To detail the lines of his policy would have been simply to defeat it. It met with success and approval and it was only in after years, when he desired the sums of money advanced by him, on the promises and notes of many of the settlers, that trouble commenced to brew. Those who had received the benefit of his tactics would now repudiate their acts to escape taxation, and when he publicly sued to recover what he had advanced for them, they took refuge in subterfuge, claiming they did not understand the nature of the assessment and its application. No advantages accrued to John Bowne. No money was diverted into his coffers. It was simply his earnest effort to protect his constituents by means the situation demanded. His act was not dishonest, though as a political expedient, the propriety of it may be questioned. It involved him in great pecuniary loss and imposed, even upon his executors, years later, much trouble in the settlement of his estate. The testi- mony of Gov. Hunter to his worth now proves of marked value in correcting the effect of the harsh expressions applied to John Bowne. And when it is recalled that like expressions of harshness were applied without stint to every eminent man, to Pike, Morris, Saltar, Hart-
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HISTORICAL MISCELLANY
shorne, Cornbury, Hunter, Jennings and scores of others, it suggests that one shoukl, in this day, accept cum grano salis contemporaneous testimony reflecting upon the purity of these individuals and be shy in forming harsh judgments. Indeed the dignified attitude of Capt. Bowne in this bitter altercation invests him with reputation of a political martyr. As a great tree overshadows a small one, so did the second Capt. John Bowne suffer for years in com- parison with his father, the mild and lovable Capt. John Bowne, the first. The son possessed sterner qualities, which, at first, appear as a detraction, but they were the creation of trying situations. He was intrepid, resolute, tenacious and discerning, but never wanting in goodness of heart wherein he approached. if not equalled, his father.
He married Dec. 26, 1692, at the house of John Tatham, Esq., of West Jersey, France. Bowman, (of Burlington). Among the witnesses were:
Obadiah Bowne James Bowne Gershom Mott
Deborah Bowne Elizabeth Tatham
Antho: Elton
Mary Hunloke Elizabeth Elton
Peter Regnier Tho: Peachee
Embling Duglass Rachel Regnier
Capt. John Bowne, died MIch. 13, 1715-16, aged 52 years, and was buried in the old Presbyterian churchyard, at Middletown. His will, dated, at Matawan, Middletown, Mon- mouth County, Merchant, Sept. 14, 1714, proved Apr. 11, 1716, included the following be- quests:
to wife Frances £400.
to his sister, Saralı Saltar, all his plate.
to Gershom Mott for the use of his children £200.
to Joseph Dennis and Jeremiah White, each £120.
to Thomas and John Saltar, Hannah Lincon and William Hartshorne's three children £250 each.
to his brothers, Obadiah Bowne and Richard Saltar, the residue of his estate.
His wife, Frances Bowne, survived him but a short time, and dying intestate, letters of administration upon her estate were granted Feb. 17, 1716-17, to Thomas Hunlock, * her nephew. upon the petition of Martha Huddy, Margaret Newman and Mary Clayton, daughters of Frances Bowne's sister.
The inventory of her personal estate amounted to £1,685-14-6, and included two Japan dressing boxes, silver plate, etc.
She was beyond doubt a member of the Society of Friends. She seemingly was a spend- thrift, and her extravagance gave her worthy husband some concern, as appears from the following interesting memorandum:
"as Capt Bowne and tice & I were going upon the water Carying him from Clarks point downe the Creek to Matawan gorge Said he to me I have had more trouble about my wife then of all ye world besides for she is Such an Imprudent woman that if she had all my Estate she would waste it in a Little time. But sayes he She shall have it by the yeare. This is the truth of wt I can Say to the best of my Knowledge Gershom mott"
Cherry Hall Papers.
The settlement of John Bowne's affairs was entrusted to his residuary legatees, Obadiah Bowne and Richard Saltar, and was accomplished, as we have intimated, with much difficulty. There were outstanding debts of large size; some, perhaps, the result of the Cornbury Fund imbroglio, and others the result of his mercantile relations. Disputes arose between the executors as to methods of procedure, personal liabilities, etc., which they seemingly could
,
47
BOWNE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
not adjust, and which resulted in their differences being carried to court. This legal joust met with little success and it became necessary to invoke the aid of the Assembly to settle his estate. This body, Apr. 8, 1719, gave to Obadiah Bowne a moiety of the property with responsibility for its debts and bound him to a proper discharge of his duties in the sum of £10,000. Like many similar contests, it long outlived its promoters and became a legacy to their heirs-at-law.
Capt. John Bowne, the second, left no children.
9 OBADIAH BOWNE, son of John Bowne, 2, was born, at Gravesend, Long Island, July 18, 1666, and moved to Middletown with his father, while still a child.
In 1695, be recorded his cattle-mark on the Town Book, and commenced to assume minor responsibilities in the public service. These soon increased in importance, till finally they became an uninterrupted line of important offices which were honorably and competently filled up to the date of his decease.
In 1696-7, he was one of the tax assessors. Later, one of the Commissioners to lay out roads.
In 1701, he was suggested as a suitable person for Governor.
In 1702, he was mentioned as a desirable person for member of the Governor's Council.
In 1703 and 1704, he was chosen a member of the First and Second Assemblies, and again, in 1707, represented the eastern division of New Jersey in that body. He was violently op- posed to the Proprietors and, in 1701, rose, with many others, against them and treated their
*Edward Hunlock or IFunloke, merchant, of Burlington, N. J., made his will June 4, 1702; proved Aug. 8, 1702, and mentioned:
Son Thomas Hunloke
Daughter Martha, wife of Hugh Huddy.
Daughter Margrett £200.
Daughter Mary £200.
Daughter Sarah £ 200.
Sister-in-law, Elizabeth Dell. £3.
Sister-in-law. Hannah Basnett, 40 shillings.
Executors: son-in-law Hugh Huddy, daughter, Margrett, and Robert Wheeler.
Inventory of his estate amounted to £1313-9-512
Hugh Huddy and Margrett Hunloke qualified as executors July 10, 1702, but Feb. 7, 1703/4, Margrett Hunloke resigned. Mr. Edward Hunloke was a Justice, in Burlington. for many years.
He married, first, Margaret Bowman, who died July 13, 1690. Ile married, second, Nov. 10, 1601, Mrs. Mary Bassnet. Richard Basnett, a Justice, was present at the marriage.
Issue
Thomas Hunloke, born Feb. 12, 1688-9.
Martha Ilunloke was married, May 6, 1701, at ye Assembly House, in Burlington, by Governor Col. Andrew Hamilton, to Hugh Huddy. There was a great time.
Margaret Hunloke; married Mr. Newman.
Mary Hunloke; married Mr. Clayton.
Sarah Hunloke, born Aug. 6, 1694.
Edward Hunloke, born July 4, 1696; evidently died young.
Bowman had
Issue
Thomas Bowman. 1692, Dec. 25. He made his will. at the Falls of Delaware River, leaving his sister, Frances Bowman, and friends legatees. His estate was administered, in 1702, by Margaret Hunlock and Martha Huddy. Frances Bowman; married, Dec. 26. 1692, John Bowne. She died intestate, 1716-17.
Margaret Bowman; married Edward Hunloke.
Isabella Bowman; married 30, 8 mo., 1686, John Langford.
Henry Bowman, of Gravesend, in a "bill obligatory," dated Dec. 31, 1677, for £32, to Thomas Wright, then of Burlington, to deliver "in ye broad street or nrkett place of Burlington," three cows, two mares, four years and under, three calves, one colt. etc. Hle married, Mary, a daughter of John Tilton. In 1678, the Court confirmed his title to land, in Gravesend. In 1679, he was .i domestic cattle trader at the South T. G Bergen. F'sq.
1088. Henry Bowman of Shrewsbury yeoman, received lands from Carteret. at Long Branch.
,
48
HISTORICAL MISCELLANY
representatives in a manner more forceful than courteous. For this they were subsequently indicted, but went unpunished, the official arm being paralyzed. The greater and better portion of the community was arrayed against the bench whose officers could receive, but were powerless to enforce the court's orders. Obadiah Bowne was a man of education, cour- age and ability, and stood high in the esteem of his fellow men., His name appears frequently in the county and state records in property transactions.
1697, Nov. II. He sold a tract of land, at Shepakamek, in Middletown, to Gershon Mott and, in 1700, parted with a portion of six hundred and seventy-nine acres, of which he had become the owner by a deed of gift, dated Apr. 15. 1697, from his brother, Capt. John Bowne, who had title to the same from his father, Capt. John Bowne, the first, in whose patent for twelve hundred and nineteen acres, from the Proprietors, it had been included.
In all these transactions, the title of gentleman or Esquire, is conferred upon him. In the settlement of his brother's estate, he appeared frequently in the courts, as the following items will show from "Book No. 1, Court Minutes, Monmouth Co., 1688-1721."
Feb. 1716 Obadiah Bowne, adm. Mordecay Lincoln VS
Debt. £140
Plaintiff has twenty days to file declaration and defendant twenty days to give special bail and plead as law directs. The plaintiff in the suit was non-suited for want of power of attorney.
Feb. 1716
Obadiah Bowne, adm. John Salter
VS . Case Damages. £12
Same result as above by same ruling. Obadiah Bowne, adm. Feb. 1716 VS Debt. £140 Richard Salter
Same rule and same result.
Obadiah Bowne, adm. / Feb. 1716 VS ( Richard Salter Case. £25 Same rule and same result. Obadiah Bowne, adm. Mordecai Lincoln VS Debt. £140 . May 13, 1717 3
At a court held May 13, 1717, Obadiah Bowne made another effort against Lincoln and the Saltars:
. After hearing Mr. Vernon for the plaintiff and Mr. Gordon for the defendant, the court allows a "Non Pros." Plaintiff again defeated.
Obadiah Bowne, adm. ) May 13, 1717 VS Case. £12
John Salter
Same result.
Obadiah Bowne, adm.
May 13, 1717 VS Debt. £140
Same result. 1
Richard Salter j
.
49
BOWNE OF MONMOUTH COUNTY
May 13, 1717
Obadiah Bowne, adm. Richard Salter
VS Case. £25
Same result. L Obadiah Bowne, adm.
Debt. £140 1719 VS Mordecai Linckton
"Non Est." This means the sheriff could not find him to serve a writ, and he did not appear.
Obadiah Bowne, adm.
VS
1720 Mordecai Lincon Richard Salter
Debt. £140
Ordered that the non-suit in the action be set aside: That Lincon have twenty days to give special bail and that each of them have twenty days to plead. Mr. Kinsey to declare against Lincon in the same time. Upon payment of costs by Mr. Salter the action against Lincon is withdrawn by consent of plaintiff. Four years persistent litigation, and perhaps more, proves Obadiah Bowne the owner of tenacious qualities, seldom equalled and of great resolution.
Ann and Lydia Bowne to John Bowne.
Ann and Lydia Bowne, the two eldest daughters of Obadiah Bowne of Middletown, send greeting, etc .:
Whereas Capt. Andrew Bowne, of Middletown, aforesaid did in and by his last will and testament give and devise all his plantation, called Mattawan, unto the children of his daughter Elizabeth, namely John Bowne and the above named Lydia and Ann Bowne, equally, and whereas the said John Bowne having purchased one-sixth part of his sisters' share and his own third part entitles him to a right unto the one-half of said plantation.
When Obadiah Bowne lost his wife, Elizabeth Bowne, he probably took his three infant children to the home of his uncle and father-in-law, Capt. Andrew Bowne. His wife's demise probably occurred prior to her father's, for in his will, in 1707, she is not mentioned.
He was Judge of Court of Sessions, in 1704.
Obadiah Bowne married twice. The late James G. Crawford stated that one of his wives was a Lippit, but this is an error. The first wife was his first cousin, daughter of Capt. Andrew Bowne. His second wife was, beyond dubiety, Elizabeth Longfield. She was the daughter of Cornelius Longfield, Gent., of Raritan, Middlesex, East Jersey, who made his will Feb. 5, 1733; probated Dec. 24, 1734, and recorded at Trenton, N. J. By this instrument it appears that he had a wife, Mary Longfield, to whom he gave his lands at Amboy; a son Henry, who is the father of a son by name of Thomas Longfield; a daughter Rachel, who married Thomas Law- rence, of Philadelphia. and who has a son Thomas Lawrence; a daughter Catharine, who married William Cox, and who has a son John Cox; and lastly, a daughter Elizabeth, deceased, the wife of his late son-in-law, Obadiah Bowne, who left issue, viz: Cornelis, Obadiah, Mary and Thomas Bowne, the youngest child. Witnesses: Peter Sonmans, Sarah Sonmans and Thomas Stilwell.
Cornelius Longfield was Deputy to the General Assembly, from Piscataway. in 1696, 1697 and 1698; Member of the Colonial Assembly, in 1710, and was suggested for the Council as
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