History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men, Part 87

Author: Woodward, E. M. (Evan Morrison) cn; Hageman, John Frelinghuysen
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1096

USA > New Jersey > Burlington County > Burlington > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 87
USA > New Jersey > Mercer County > History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men > Part 87

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John Hammall

SAMLESB.COLEMAN

811

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

nelius Shepherd, M.D. ; Surgeons in Charge, Richard R. Rogers, M.D., T. H. Mackenzie, M.D .; Physicians . a time he served as a elerk in the Bank of England. in Charge, Charles H. Dunham, Cornelius Shepherd, M.D .; Secretary of Medical and Surgical Staff, T. H. penses across the ocean, he landed in Boston, and soon Mackenzie, M.D .; Sr. Servant in Charge, Sister Mary Hyacintha ; Solicitor, James S. Aitkin, Esq .; Phy- sician and Surgeon-in-Chief, John Woolverton, M.D.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.

DAVID T. HENDRICKSON.

Daniel Hendrickson, of Holland extraction, born Feb. 14, 1737, married Ann Stewart, born March 28, 1748, and settled about 177S on the present Hendrick- son homestead, then having only six acres of cleared land. Hewasa Revolutionary soldier, and died Sept. 19, 1812; his wife, Feb. 4, 1831, leaving children,-David, Joseph, and Daniel, all of whom married and settled in New Jersey. Daniel succeeded to the homestead, served in the war of 1812, and died Dec. 1, 1863, at an advanced age. His wife, Mary, daughter of Jehu Lippincott, of Crosswicks, Burlington Co., N. J., born Nov. 9, 1788, bore hint nine children-Jehu, born Sept. 25, 1809, died March 9, 1874; Achsah L., born July 7, 1812, was first the wife of Daniel Wright, and after his death of Aaron Satterthwait; Enoch L., born Sept. 20, 1815, died Feb. 22, 1862; Hannah, born Dec. 24, 1818, became the wife of Joseph Taylor, and settled in New York : Henry, born Dec. 17, 1821, died Feb. 25, 1876; David T., born Feb. 14, 1824; Daniel, born Sept. 10, 1826, remained unmarried, was a bricklayer in Philadelphia, and died at the old home Dec. 9, 1880; Mary Ann, born Sept. 10, 1826, became the wife of Thomas Wright, of Princeton, and after : his death of Stacy Taylor, and resides in 1882 at Crosswicks; James, born - 23, 1830, settled near Crosswicks.

Of these children, David T. Hendrickson, subject of this sketch, married Susan MI., daughter of Samuel and Mary (Tilton) Stewart, of Burlington County. He succeeded to and owns the original Hendrickson homestead, which has been in the family over one hundred years, and is a representative farmer. The Hendricksons were formerly members of the old Whig party, and latterly of the Republican party. Mr. Hendrickson has never been solicitous of any public ; preferment, but has felt it his duty at times to share ; the burdens of local office. He has the confidence of his fellow-men and friends, and has been chosen as the guardian of many valuable legacies in trust. He has no children.

EDWARD DAVIES.

Edward Davies was born at Wexham, Wales, March 14, 1800. He received a college education, and was prepared for the profession of the law, but concluded

to lead a business instead of a professional life. For

In 1820, with only money enough to defray his ex- after found his way to Trenton, where he engaged in the vicinity of the city as a teacher, and during his earlier years here he engaged in surveying. He pur- chased a farm where Whitehead Brothers' mills are, which he carried on for a while and then sold. and about 1830 purchased twelve acres of land lying on the creek, dug clay from the land, which he burned in a tin-plate iron stove, thus manufacturing fire-brick, and in one year's time sold enough to complete the purchase of the farm of sixty-five acres which re- mained his homestead the balance of his life. This was the founding in a small way of the fire-brick manufacturing interest in Trenton. Mr. Davies grad- ually increased his facilities for making fire-brick, and afterward established the business where the Trenton Tron Company's works are, and subsequently in 1846 he purchased property and established the Trenton Terra-Cotta Works, which he successfully car- ried on until 1867, when he sold out the business to O. O. Bowman & Co., proprietors of the Terra-Cotta Works in 1882. Mr. Davies died May 10, 1870. Edward Davies was a man of enterprise, publie spirit, and fixed purpose in life, and while he may be regarded as the founder of the terra-cotta interest in Trenton, and brought that interest to rank favorably with other manufacturing interests in the State. He was a man of great resolution, and whatever he turned his atten- tion to he carried forward to a successful issue. He was liberal, generous, and kind-hearted, and sought to fulfill the full duties of the citizen. Although a member of no church, he was a supporter of religious and kindred interests, and an attendant of St. Paul's Church, Trenton.

His wife, Mary Evans, a sister of Evan Evans, a prominent lawyer of Trenton, died in 1857, aged sixty-nine years, leaving an only child, Mary Evans Davies, who became the wife of William J. Boyd, of Trenton, and died Aug. 4, 1872, having been born March 23, 1835. The children of William and Mary Evans Boyd are Mary Evans, Anna Davies and Ellen Eliza (twins), Edward Davies, and William Wolver- ton Boyd. Of these children. Edward Davies Boyd succeeded to the Davies homestead by inheritance. and places the portrait of his grandfather in this work.

JOIIN HAMMELL.

John Hammell was born in what is now Hamilton township, Mercer County, on Jan. 1, 1813, and is the oldest son of William and Hope Hammell. His father died when he was five years old; his mother in 1863. The family are descended from the first -et- tlers of New Jersey. The Hammells were carly -et- tlers of Middlesex County, and the family records back to near the year 1700 are preserved. Mr.

S12

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

Hammell's maternal grandfather was William West, . who was for several years a tailor, and later a farmer a descendant of the settlers of Monmouth County. in Ewing. William West saw service in the Revolution, and his James B. Coleman, born at Baker's Basin, July 11. 1808, in early boyhood learned the lessons of industry and economy. He obtained very little education by home assistance, and recollects that the result of his first day at school was the advice that he be sent no more; but in after-years he became a popular and efficient teacher at the same place. Through the wife was Anna Stout, who was a great-grandchild of Penelope and Richard Stout, whose history is familiar to all students of New Jersey history. The records of the Stouts have been collected and preserved, and eover a period of more than two hundred and fifty years.

Cubberleys married into the Rulon family. Both are descended from the early French settlers. The Cub- berleys came to these parts from the neighborhood of New York in the early part of the last century, and records of them have been collected back to about the year 1700.

His paternal grandmother was a Cubberley. The kindness of John Brearly, a neighbor, young Cole- man was furnished board and sent to the English school at Lawrence, then taught by the eminent teacher, Roswell Howe, where his progress was rapid, . and he became proficient in English, mathematics. and surveying. At the age of eighteen he began teaching in Mercer County, and for twenty years fol- lowing he pursued his chosen vocation most of the time. As soon as possible, and through the aid of Edward Davies, he obtained a compass, and during his teaching days followed surveying. In this he became so well established that he made it his prin- cipal business most of his active life, and his name is familiar throughout Mercer County as the "Old Surveyor."

Mr. Hammell learned the mason's trade and worked at it for nearly twenty years. He married Elizabeth Hulze, and resided at Hightstown for several years. He has had six children, three of them now living.

In 1846 he was elected sheriff of Mercer County by the Whig party, his opponent being Budd Vander- veer. After his term of office expired he settled near Hamilton Square, and for some time during the war was collector of taxes for Hamilton township. Dur- ing the late Rebellion he was zealous in the Union cause, and was employed to secure two quotas. being invested with power to employ such assistance as he needed. In 1870 he was appointed lay judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Mercer County, and com- pleted the term for which he was chosen.

In 1880 he retired from farming business, deeding his farms to his children for a nominal sum, and moved into the village of Hamilton Square. Mr. Hammell is treasurer of the Trenton and Allentown turnpike.

In 1881 his wife, Elizabeth, died lamented by all who knew her. Their children are Julia A., de- ceased, William, Sarah, deceased, Charles, Theo- dosia, deceased, and John. Mr. Hammell is yet of Washington township; Christiana, wife of John hale and hearty, and generally cheerful. He was recently married to Mrs. Hetty Lee, widow of An- drew Lee.

JAMES B. COLEMAN.

His grandparents, Timothy and Hannah Coleman, resided in Lawrence township, at Baker's Basin, Mercer County (then Hunterdon), where he owned a farm of fifty acres and reared his children. By an agreement dated in 1803, John Coleman and his mother, Hannah, before mentioned, bought the interest of the other heirs in the homestead, and on this he resided and died at the age of eighty-seven years. His wife, Mary Brearmore, survived him, and died at the age ! of ninety-five, having borne him the following chil- dren,-James B., subject of this sketch; Nathaniel, deceased, was a shoemaker at Ewingville; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of Charles Waters; and Lewis,

Mr. Coleman married, in 1828, Theodosia, daughter of Capt. Amos Hutchinson, of Hamilton Square, who was born in 1810. In 1833 he purchased a small place near Sandtown, in Hamilton township, built his present residence, and has made it his home since, a period of nearly fifty years. Mr. Coleman is a man of sterling integrity, plain in his way-, judicious in business, and by his industry has a com- peteney. The public, trusting his ability, have kept him in the office of justice of the peace for some fifteen years, and as commissioner of deeds, convey- aneer, and master in chancery he has done public business for many years.

His children are Mary, wife of Samuel Bennett, of Cranbury; Elizabeth, wife of Randolph B. Tutten. F. Robbins, of Clarksville; John H., a surveyor and commissioner of deeds; and Sarah Jane, wife of George A. Morris, of Hamilton Square.

SHIPLEY W. HAINES.

His grandparents, Stacy and Susan Haines, resided in Evesham township, Burlington Co., N. J., and had children,-Asa, David, Simeon, Ezra, Joseph, Na- than, Mary (became the wife of Amos Hewlings), and Susan (the wife of David Rogers). Of these only Simeon and Ezra survive in 1882. Stacy Haines was a farmer, and with his family were members of the Mount Laurel Friends' Meeting.

Simeon, father of our subject, born about 1795. spent his life in his native county, and was an indus- trious and thrifty farmer. His first wife, Mary Austin, bore him children,-David, Franklin B., William D., Emeline S. (wife of Asa C. Hancock), and Shipley

Linnet Santos

813

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

W. The mother died in 1861. Ilis second wife is Rebecca Bowker, whom he married Sept. 30, 1869. Simeon Haines and his family have been also identi- fied with the Friends' Meeting at Mount Laurel.

Shipley W. Haines, born Jan. 1, 1835, in Evesham township, remained at home until 1861, when he re- moved to Columbus, in the same county, where he worked at his trade, that of a mason, until his re- moval to Hamilton township in 1869, where his gen- eral business has been farming. Ile was clerk of Mansfield township while a resident there, and is a member of the Baptist Church where he resides. Ile married, Nov. 24, 1859, Susan, daughter of Richard and Letitia (Conover) White, of Hamilton township. Their children are Richard Ellsworth and Walter S. Haines.

KINNETH SCOBY.

His father, Timothy, born Dee. 3, 1780, married Jane Thomas, who was born May 16. 1784, and bore him children, -- William and Kinneth, deceased, and Eleanor, wife of Samuel Coxe. The mother died Jan. 15, 1850. Timothy Scoby was a farmer in Bur- lington County most of his active business life, was a thoroughgoing business man, a supporter of the Friends' Meeting, and died Oct. 13, 1836.

Kinneth, second son, and subject of this sketch, . property to the Hightstown Church in 1788. Abram born on the homestead in Burlington County, re- moved with his parents and settled in 1826 upon the farm now owned and occupied by Timothy Scoby, his son, to which he succeeded upon the death of his father, partly by inheritance and partly by purchase, and which he carried on the remainder of his life. He was industrious, prudent, and possessed strong personal characteristics. He supported church and kindred interests, and worshiped at the Methodist Robert Douglas was a son of John and Rachel Douglas, of Lamberton. Rachel's maiden name was Pearson, daughter of the second Robert Pearson, and she was born in 1714. Robert Douglas died when Lydia was young, and she lived with her uncle, Alex- ander Douglas, who was a captain in Washington's army. It was at his house on Broad Street, Trenton. that the council of war was held the night before the battle of Princeton. Episcopal Church at Hamilton Square. He was public-spirited and interested in local matters, and he was a stanch member of the Republican party after its formation. He died March 7, 1863. His wife was Sarah, daughter of John W. Pearson and Nancy Gordon. John W. Pearson, born July 16, 1767, in Hamilton township, was a lineal descendant from Robert Pearson, who came from Yorkshire, England, in 1680, and settled at South Hill, Burling- ton Co., N. J., and died March 27, 1704. Robert, only son of Robert Pearson, born in 1680, by two marriages had eighteen children, and died May 21, · 1753. He was a principal contributor to St. Michael's Church in Trenton when first erected in 1751. His son was Robert, who died January, 1820, aged eighty- one years, and who had a son, John W. Pearson, before mentioned.

The children of Kinneth and Sarah Scoby are John Wesley, Joseph (deceased), Timothy, Ann Eliza- beth (deceased ), and Jane ( wife of M. C. Stryker). Of these children, Timothy was born March 10, 1842, ! dren are Obadiah W., Ann Amanda (deceased), and and upon the death of his father succeeded to the ' Adcline D.

homestead. He is a representative farmer, and has been honored by his townsmen with positions of trust. He was a member of the township committee for some time, and has held the office of collector for three consecutive years.

ALEXANDER ELDRIDGE.

The Eldridge family were among the first settlers of West New Jersey from England. One, John El- dridge. was concerned with William Penn in the par- tition of New Jersey in 1676.

In 1678 a ship from London brought over one Jona- than Eldridge, who settled in Burlington County, and in 1695 he owned land north of Trenton.

The subject of this sketch is descended from one Abram Eldridge, who owned a very large tract ot land lying to the northeast of the village of Hamil- ton Square, and extending over the province line into East Jersey. The tract was nearly a mile square, and included some of the land now covered by the north- east part of the village. The homestead house stood in the centre of the farm now owned by James C. Robbins. Abram Eldridge was one of the founders of the Hamilton Square Baptist Church, which was built in 1785. He gave the lot to the church upon which the first building was erected, and deeded the Eldridge had several children, among whom were John, Obadiah, and Wilson. Wilson was the young- est, and was born in 1787. His father died when he was young, and the old tract was divided, Wilson re- ceiving the northern part of it. Wilson Eldridge married Lydia Douglas, daughter of Robert Douglas. of Trenton, and died Sept. 4, 1872. Ilis wife died Nov. 6, 1875, aged eighty-six years.

Wilson and Lydia Eldridge had thirteen children, and all except two are yet living. Alexander El- dridge, the subject of this sketch, is the second son, and was named after his mother's uncie, Capt. Alexander Douglas. He was born at Lamberton, Mercer County, Ang. 26, 1811, and soon after removed with his parents to the farin he now occupies. Outside of farming pursuits, Mr. Eldridge has dealt in stocks, negotiable paper, etc. He is recognized in the community as an honest and upright citizen. He married Hannah S .. daughter of Thomas N. Holmes and And Silvers, of West Windsor township, Dec. 24, 1838. Their chil-

S14

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

ISAAC DE COU.

The De Cou family in New Jersey trace their origin to the French Huguenots who fled their country at the time of the persecution of Protestants following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, and found homes in Holland, England, and subsequently in America. The progenitor of the family here was Isaac De Cou, who sailed from England in the ship "Shields," and settled at Burlington, N. J., over two hundred years ago.

The earliest reeord is taken from the Friends' Meet-

DARAN Delow

ing records: "The twelfth day of eighth mo., 1692, Francis Davenport and Rebecea De Cou, widow of Isaac De Cou, were married at Burlington."

A deed for one hundred and ninety-two acres of land in Mansfield township, made by Hugh Hutchins to Jacob De Cou, bearing date 1696, the farm being occupied in 1882 by Joseph De Camp. Jacob De Cou had a brother Isaac, who settled at Burlington, and was at one time surveyor-general of New Jersey.

The marriage certificate between Jacob De Cou and Elizabeth Newbold is dated Dec. 21, 1699. Their ehil- dren were Susanna and Rebeeea, born Feb. 23, 1703; Isaac; Esther, born March 22, 1705; Elizabeth, born Dec. 19, 1708; Jacob, Feb. 19, 1710; Eber, Feb. 6, 1712; Abi, May 24, 1714. .

Isaac De Cou is the ancestor of our subject, and had one daughter named Hannah by his first marriage, who married David Antrim in 1766, and by his second marriage, to a Mrs. Crips, whose maiden name was Eaves, one daughter, who married Samuel Satter- thwaite.

Deeds and other papers in possession of the subject of this sketeh show that one Isaac De Cou owned lands in Freehold, N. J., in 1722, and that the family have been residents mostly of Burlington, Monmouth, and Mercer Counties. His grandfather, Isaae De Cou, resided in Mansfield township, Burlington County. and was a farmer. His will was dated July 18, 1761. Ili- children were Stacy, who died in Mercer County, was clerk of the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting of the So- ciety of Friends for many years, and at the time, in 1827, when that society was divided, sinee being known as Orthodox and Hieksites; Daniel lived and died in Burlington County ; Isaae resided in Mercer County ; Achsah married and settled in Burlington County; aud Nathan, father of our subject, spent most of his active business life in Hamilton township, Mercer County, was a representative farmer, accumu- lated quite a large property by his own industry. and died in 1850, aged about fifty-five years. Nathan De Cou's wife was Deborah, daughter of Nathaniel Cole- man, who died in 1854, aged about fifty years. Their children are Mary, deceased; Samuel C., of Burlington County ; Nathan, deceased; Isaac; Frank. of Ham- ilton township. The De Cous have always been iden- tified with the Society of Friends, good citizens, and known as industrious and thrifty agriculturists.

Isaac, son of Nathan and Deborah De Cou, born in Hamilton township, Jan. 15, 1840, spent his boyhood at home, and during his minority received a liberal education in the Friends' school at Providence, R. I., and in the private school of William Ivans, near Trenton. In 1866 he purchased the property he now occupies in his native township of two hundred and twenty-six acres, ealled the Lee farm, and has been engaged mainly since in dairying, berry-, fruit-, and vegetable-raising, finding a home market for most of his products.

He married, in 1867, Sarah T., daughter of Joseph Satterthwaite and Mary C. Taylor, of Burlington County. Their children are Samuel S., Joseph, and Lilly S.

The Satterthwaits were among the early settlers of Burlington County, and records in possession of Isaac De Cou show that His Excellency William Franklin, Esquire, Captain-General, Governor, and Commander- in-Chief over His Majesty's province of New Jersey, appointed Robert Burchan surrogate of the county, before whom the will of Samuel Satterthwaite was proved on Aug. 23, 1773, and that this Samuel mar- ried, in 1745, Susanna Forsyth.

The De Cous have never been identified to any ex- tent with official place, but have been stanch mem-

Jacob De Cou's will. dated 1735, gave his son Jacob five Inindred acres of land in Sussex County, N. J., his sou Eber two hundred acres, it being the home- stead, Isaac having had his share previously. This ' bers of the Whig and Republican parties.

Alexander Elbridge

Major Voorhees

815

HAMILTON TOWNSHIP.

MAJOR VOORHIES.

Coert, grandfather of our subject, was born Aug. 21, 1735, in Holland, eame to this country when a young man, and settled at Dutch Neck, where he spent the remainder of his life iu farming. He was a member and deacon of the Presbyterian Church at Duteh Neek, was a Whig in polities, held slaves, and par- tieipated in the war for the independence of the colo- nies. He died in 1817. His wife, Catharine Hutehin- son, bore him several children, one of whom, Coert, was father of Major Voorhies, was born Feb. 28, 1756, at Duteh Neck, where he spent his entire life a farmer, ard died March 9, 1821. He did serviee in the Revo- lutionary war also, and was closely identified with the Presbyterian Church where he lived. His wife, Ann Hutchinson, born Mareh 3, 1760, whom he mar- ried May 27, 1779, bore him eleven children, who grew to maturity,-Catharine, wife of William Con- over; William ; Cornelius; Ann became the wife of William Tindall; Elizabeth, wife of Elijah Cub- berley ; Mary, wife of David M. Cubberley ; John C .; Major; Elijah ; Joseph ; Ellen, wife of Henry Hutch- inson. The mother, devoted to her family and to her many friends, died July 13, 1845.

Major Voorhies, boru May 12, 1798, in the town- ship of his ancestors, spent his youth at home, and while quite young went to Cranbury, N. J., where he learned the tanner's trade. He afterwards carried on the tanning business at Sampink, now Edinburg, N. J., for a few years, and then settled at Hamilton Square, where he carried on agricultural pursuits the remainder of his life. Mr. Voorhies was a stanch member of the old Whig party, later of the Republi- can party, and for several years served as one of the committeemen of his township. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church, and took an active interest in educational matters. He married, Jan. 8, 1820, Athaliah, daughter of David and Elizabeth (Mount) Cubberley, who was born Aug. 7, 1799, and who has been for fifty years an active member of the Presby- terian Church, and a contributor to all worthy local objeets presented to her notice. Although she never had any children of her own, she has remembered the needy, and given homes to and reared three adopted ones,-Allison E. Nutt, Voorhies Cubberley, and Amanda Cubberley. Mrs. Voorhies survives in 1882, now in the eighty-third year of her age, and retains remarkably well strength of body and a well-balanced .mind.

SAMUEL T. DUFFELL.

Samuel T. Duff'ell, son of Rev. David Duffell, was born at Danbury, Conn., Feb. 5, 1821, and removed with his parents to Camden, N. J., in 1822. From 1834 to 1840 he resided in Haddonfield, and attended the classical seminary at Mount Holly, conducted by William Brown and Connelly Plotts, and further

prosecuted his studies until 1843, when he entered the sophomore class of the College of New Jersey, at Princeton, from which he was graduated in 1846. In 1838 he was licensed to preach the gospel, which he has done on an average of once every Sabbath since, and during this time he has been an able teacher of vonth in the natural sciences and classical literature. In 1861, Mr. Duffell purchased a residence at Yard- ville, upon which he has since resided.

Samuel. J. Duffelt

He was united in marriage in 1848 to Sarah B. Stiles, a member of a well-known Welsh and French family. They have four daughters, viz. : Ella E., wife of William H. White, of Newton, N. J., an ar- tist; Irene Julia, wife of Capt. George Cathcart ; Annie J., authoress of " In the Meshes" and other tales that have been favorably received by the public ; and Lucretta, authoress of acrostie on Garfield.

David Duffell, a native of England, with his three brothers came to America about 1700. The paternal grandfather of our subject resided in Camden, N. J. Rev. David Duffell, father of Samuel T. Duffell, was a Methodist minister and member of the New Jersey Conference for fifty years, and is now superannuated.

Dr. Charles Duffell, a brother of Samuel T., is a practicing physician at Clayton, Gloucester Co., N. J., and was a surgeon in the Army of Tennessee during the Rebellion.

816

HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.

WILLIAM H. WHITE.

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History of Burlington and Mercer counties, New Jersey : with biographical sketches of many of their pioneers and prominent men, Part 87

Author: Woodward, E. M. (Evan Morrison) cn; Hageman, John Frelinghuysen Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck Number of Pages: 1096

Author: Woodward, E. M. (Evan Morrison) cn; Hageman, John Frelinghuysen
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Everts & Peck
Number of Pages: 1096