History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 7

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 7
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 7

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).

1 E. J. Records, i. 177; ii. 3, 22, 88, E. T. Bill, p. 105. Thompson's L. I , i. 409.

2 E. J. Records, i. 160; il. 19, 24. E. T. Bill, p. 105. Savage, iv. 350. Thompson's L. 1., i. 374, 386.

" The varieties of orthography at this period are shown by the fact that this name wne written in at least twenty-two different ways : Vanquelin,

more frequently but erroneously called Van Quellin, as if he had been a Dutchman and not a Frenchman. Jersey. the home of the Carteret family, was inhab- ited principally by Frenchmen, and there, most prob- ably, Vauquellin resided before his emigration. He accompanied Capt. Philip Carteret, January, 1665, to England, and Feb. 10, 1665, was appointed by Berkeley and Carteret surveyor-general of their new domain in America. The surveys recorded in the East Jersey Records from 1675 to 1681 all bear his signature, generally " Ro Vanquellin," and sometimes " La Prairie." He was appointed, Feb. 2, 1666, one of Carteret's Council, and adhered faithfully to the Governor's party and interests. Though admitted by the town as one of the eighty Associates, he had scarcely any interest in common with these sturdy Puritans.

He had a warrant for 300 acres of land " in Right of him and his wife that came with the Governor." chains, bounded east by Philip Carteret, Esq., and Richard Pewtinger, west by William Pardon, Joseph Meeker, Benjamin Meeker, and George Morris, south by a highway, and north by his own land; also 8 acres of upland or swamp, bounded by George Mor- ris, Richard Pewtinger, Henry Norris, and a high- way ; also 4 acres of upland " near the Gov' point, on the S. Side of Math. Hatfeilds Line ;" also 40 acres of upland, bounded by John Woodruff, Benja- min Parkhurst, Samuel Moore, George Morris, and a higbway; also 40 acres of upland "at Rawack," bounded by Simon Rouse, Samuel Marsh, Jr., un- surveyed land, a small brook, and "Rawack River ;"' also 40 acres of upland "at the two mile brook ;" also 27 acres of upland, bounded by Leonard Head- ley, Joseph Sayre, Isaac Whitehead, Joseph Meeker, unsurveyed land, and the Mill Creek ; also 4 acres of meadow on Elizabeth Town Creek, 4 acres on " Rawack River," and 12 aeres "on a small branch in Rawaek River,"-in all 191 aeres. A caveat or protest was entered by Benjamin Price against the four aeres adjoining Matthias Hatfield. He was naturalized March 8, 1669-70. Finding at length that the Puri- tanic townsmen with whom he was compelled to asso-

concluded to change his residence. In 1678 he had removed to Woodbridge. He obtained, Feb. 4, 1681, a warrant for 200 acres of land and meadow on the Raritan for himself, " in Right of two men Servants and one Woman, viz. : Elizabeth Hallard, Edward fox & Francis the Spaniard ;" also, shortly after, another warrant for 500 acres on the Raritan. He had obtained a patent for 175 acres in Woodbridge as early as Dec. 20, 1669. He received a warrant March 10, 1687, for 200 more aeres adjoining his own

Vunquellin. Vangnellin, Van Quellin, Vanquillin, Voclin (as pro- nounced), Vocian, Vorklain, La Prairie, La prairy, La prarij Laparary, La prerie, La Prie, La priere, Leprary, Liprary, Delaprary, Delepray, Deleprierre, Delapairs, and Delapierre.

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

land in Woodbridge. After this no further mention is made of him in the records.

Dennis White was from Southampton, L. I. John | East Town Creek,-in all 177} acres. His decease

White, the first settler of this name there, was at Lynn, Mass., in 1630, and at Southampton in 1647. Dennis was either his son or his brother. He had a house-lot containing nine acres, bounded east by Thomas Moore, Matthias Hatfield, and unsurveyed land, south-southeast by Jonas Wood, west and northwest by highways. He had also 90 acres of up- land adjoining Aaron Thompson, also 12 acres of meadow,-in all 101 acres. In 1675 this property had come into the possession of Governor Carteret. It is likely, therefore, that Dennis White had removed from the town previous to that date, as nothing more is heard of him. Robert White (his brother it is thought) was also numbered among the eighty Associates, and had come in at an early date. His house-lot con- tained 8 acres, bounded southwest by Roger Lambert, northeast by John Little, southeast by William Letts, and northwest by a highway. He had also 50 acres of upland, bounded " by a little brook & a highway that goes to Woodbridge," John Winans, his own land, unsurveyed land, and the mile brook ; also 34 acres of upland adjoining Jonas Wood; also 4 acres of swamp, and 12 acres of meadow,-in all 108 acres, granted him "in Right of himself, his wife, & Daughter." The latter, whose name was Ann, was old enough in March, 1676, to be married. His wife, Agatha, had become a widow in 1688.1

Isaac Whitehead was of the New Haven company of immigrants. He was the son of John, one of the founders of New Haven. Isaac was a planter there as early as 1643, and took the oath of fidelity March 7, 1648. He resided on the east side, next the sea, be- yond the Cove River. He came hither with a wife and seven children. He was chosen the first town clerk, and served as such until his death. He was appointed, March 22, 1680, captain of the military company ; also, March 28, 1683, one of the judges of small causes, also in 1686; also, Dec. 3, 1683, coroner of the county. He had a house-lot containing six acres, bounded southeast by Nathaniel Bonnell, northwest by his son Isaac, northeast by his own land, and southwest by a highway. He had also 18 acres of upland, bounded by his son Isaac, Benjamin Price, Jr., Nathaniel Bonnell, and his own house-lot; also 12 acres of upland "at the W. side of the plain," bounded by Robert Vauquellin, Samuel Hopkins, and Joseph Meeker; also 20 acres of upland on "the Long Neck," bounded by Robert Bond, Benjamin Price, Jr., Nicholas Carter, and Henry Lyon ; also 45 acres of upland adjoining Benjamin Meeker and Henry Lyon ; also 55 acres of upland "at the great pond," bounded by Rev. Jeremiah Peck, Henry Lyon, and "the Sinking Marsh ;" also 8 acres of meadow

on Woodruff's Creek; also 10 acres of meadow on " Arthur Cull's bay ;" also 3} acres of meadow on occurred in February, 1691.

His eldest son, Isaac, born at New Haven, Nov. 20, 1652, was bred a cordwainer, and early became one of the Associates. He, too, was held in much consider- ation ; he became, Nov. 4, 1693, captain of the militia ; was appointed, Sept. 16, 1692, sheriff of the town; also, Jan. 29, 1693, one of the judges of small causes ; also, April 1, 1693, coroner for the county ; and Ang. 22, 1695, a justice of the peace for Essex. He had a house-lot containing four acres, bounded east by his father, and on the other sides by highways; also another house-lot of six acres, bounded north and west by his father, east by Thomas Frice, and south by a highway ; also 64 acres of upland "on the East Side of the Mill Creek of Elizabeth Town," bounded by Jonathan Ogden, John Ogden, Jr., and Baltus De Hart; also 65 acres of upland "to the Northward of the Spring hill," bounded by Henry Lyon and Mar- garet Baker; also 35 acres of upland "on the North side of the Country road to Woodbridge," bounded by John Toe, James Hinds, Robert White, and Roger Lambert; also 6 acres of fresh meadow, adjoining John Woodruff; also 20 acres of meadow, a part " on Sloping Creek," and another part on "Oyster Creek," -in all 200 acres. He died July 1, 1724.2

John Winans ( Wynes, Waynes, Winons, Winnons, Wynons, Wynens, Wynans, Wynnings) was doubt- less of the company that came from the east end of Long Island. It is quite likely that he was of the same family with Barnabas Wines, their names being frequently spelt alike. He was bred a weaver, a handicraft in great request at that early day. He had a house-lot containing 5 acres, 10 by 5 chains, bounded N. by Jacob Melyen, W. by Humphrey Spinage, and S. and E. by highways. He had also 16 acres of upland " on the Neck," between Matthias Hatfield and Samuel Marsh, Sr .; also 120 acres of upland "on Peach Garden Brook," bounded by Robert Morse, Matthias Hatfield, Robert White, and unsurveyed land; also 40 acres of land on "the S. branch of Elizabeth Creek or River," bounded by Humphrey Spinage, Matthias Hatfield, and the plain ; also 4 acres of meadow "at Rawack," and 6 acres on Elizabeth Creek,-in all 200 aeres. When his next neighbor, Jacob Melyen, had removed to New York, Winans bought, Feb. 8, 1678, his house-lot, house, barn, orchard, etc. He died at the close of 1694. His estate was valued at £271 158. 8d.3

Barnabas Wines (Wynes, Winds) was from South- old, L. I. He was the son of Goodman Barnabas, who was made, May 6, 1635, a freeman of Water- town, Mass., sold out in 1642, and removed to South-

1 Savage, iv. 310. Thompson's L. I., i. 327. Howell, pp. 15, 89, 96, ! 286, 287. E. J. Records, i 166, o. e. 1; ii 3, 19, 51, 73; o. e. 4; B. 383, 384; C. C. 64. E. T. Bill, pp 106, 110.

2 N. 11. Col. Records, i. 94, 122, 125, 139, 4:34, 446, 459. Savage, iv, 516. E. J. Records, ii. 18, 94; o. e. 24; C. 13. 106, 150, 171, 233: E. 46, 117; L. 76; 0. 104, 108, 117. E. T. Bill, pp. 33, 34, 103.

9 E. J. Records, i. 108, 161 ; ii. 22, 37; D. 197. E. T. Bill, p. 105.

ORIGINAL PATENTEES AND ASSOCIATES OF ELIZABETH TOWN.

old, where Barnabas, Jr., was made a freeman in 1664. His brother Samuel remained with his father, but he himself joined the Achter Kull band of emi- grants and came here in 1665. His house-lot con- tained six acres, bounded N. by Aaron Thompson, S. by William Cramer, E. by the Mill River, and W. by a highway; also two acres of upland adjoin- ing Aaron Thompson ; also four acres of upland "at Luke Watson's point ;" also 30 acres of upland "in a Swamp between Richard Beach and William-Cra- mer ;" also 86 acres of upland, bounded hy Nicholas Carter, George Pack, Francis Barber, and unsurveyed land ; also 12 acres of upland "Joyning to the Calf pasture" and George Ross; also six acres of meadow at Thompson's Creek ; also six acres of meadow at the S. side of E. T. Creek, and 12 acres by "the boggish meadow,"-in all 164 acres.1

Peter Wolverson (Wolferzen, Wolphertsen) Van Couwenhoven was a genuine Hollander from New Amsterdam. He was born at Amersfoort, in Utrecht, Holland, and was a step-son of Wolfert Gerritsen, who emigrated to New Netherland in 1630 as over- seer of Kilian Van Rensselaer's colony at Rensse- laerwyck, near Fort Orange. Gerritsen in 1633 entered the company's service, and removed to New Amsterdam. Three years afterwards he took up his abode at New Amersfoort, or Flatlands, L. I., of which he was one of the founders. Young Wolter- zen, in 1639, or earlier, came to New Amsterdam, where at that time he contracted to build a house for Thomas Hall. The next year, Dec. 2, 1640, he married Hester Symons, a native of Amsterdam, but then of New York. His brother Jacob, also a resi- dent of New Amsterdam, erected in 1645 a brewery in Stone Street. Peter, too, became a brewer and a general trader, first in company with his brother, and then by himself, at the N. W. corner of Whitehall and Pearl Streets. He served one term of two years and four terms of a year each as one of the " Wor- shipful Schepens" of the city. In March, 1655, he was appointed city surveyor ; also, June 30, 1663, a lieutenant of the military company of which Martin Kregier was captain. As such be did good service in the Esopus war, in the latter part of 1663, of which Kregier published a detailed narrative.

After the English conquest, Wolferzen had some difficulty with the Court of Assizes, and concluded to unite with his friends, John Ogden and Capt. Baker, in founding their new colony. In November, 1665, his wife having died, he married Alice Sybrants, of French extraction, with whom he removed at once to his new home. She died the following year, in giv- ing birth to her son Peter, and was buried at New York. Her child was baptized in the Dutch Church, Feb. 27, 1669. In the list of Associates he is called " Peter Couenhoven." Having built a brewery, he

obtained from Governor Carteret a license "for the keeping of an Ordinary in Elizabetlı Towne, and for the selling and retailing of all sorts of drink and strong Liquors," for one year from Sept. 29, 1666. To meet his expenditures he borrowed, July 12, 1667, of the Governor, "2727 gilders 17 stivers," mort- gaging, as he says, " all my Land dwelling hows and out houses, Brewhows, Copper and all other appur- tenances thereunto belonging, together With all my goods and cattle moveable and unmoveable that I now have or may hereafter have in Elizabeth Towne." When the Dutch reconquered New York, Wolferzen returned to the city, and Carteret came, by fore- closure, into possession of the property. He is said to have been " well versed in the Indian language."

He was entitled to 480 acres, for which the Gov- ernor issued a warrant March 14, 1675, to himself. Of this amount 200 acres were surveyed April 14, 1677, as follows: The house-lot, " formerly belonging to Peter Woolverson," contained eight acres, " being a triangle piece" near John Woodruff's landing by a small creek; also 40 acres of upland on the neck, bounded S. W. "by the highway that goes to the point, and all round by Governor Philip Carteret's land;" also 152 acres of upland "towards the plaine," bounded by Daniel De Hart, Elizabeth Creek, Leonard Headley, and unsurveyed land ; also 3 acres of meadow, adjoining the house-lot on Elizabeth Creek ; also 6 acres of meadow on " the bay of Kill von Kull," and 15 acres of meadow on Oyster Creek and the great pond,-in all 224 acres.2

Jonas Wood and his wife Elizabeth were neigh- bors of John Ogden in 1652, at North Sea, or North- ampton, in the town of Southampton, L. I. Jonas and Edward Wood were members of the church at Watertown, Mass., in 1635, and with John Strickland and others, were dismissed May 29, 1635, to plant a colony on the Connecticut River, to which they gave the name of " Wethersfield." In 1640, Jonas, Ed- ward, Jeremiah, and Jonas, Jr., removed from Weth- er-field, and with others settled Rippowams (Stam- ford), Conn. Jonas and Edward are thought to have been brothers, and the other two their sons. In the spring of 1644 they joined the colony that crossed over to Long Island and settled Hempstead, Jonas being one of the patentees. Jonas and Jonas, Jr., subsequently settled at Huntington, L. I., and were both living there in 1675. The Jonas, therefore, who accompanied John Ogden to Northampton, and in 1665 to this town, must have been a son of Edward and a cousin of Jonas, Jr., supposing the latter, as is most natural, to have been the son of Jonas, Sr., there being three persons contemporaneous bearing the same name, and thus occasioning confusion in

2 Valentine's N. Y., pp. 89. 90. O'Callaghan's N. Neth., ii. 476, 479, 500. Brodhead's N. Y., i. 353, 548, 571, 712-14. Doc. His. of N. Y., iv. 47-89. Valentine's Man. for 1852, pp. 393-95. Alb. Recorda, i. 156, 223; ii. 4; iv. 193 ; x. 170. 393 ; xxiii. 227. E. J. Records, i 167; ii. 19, 50, 55; iii. 10, 11, E. T. Bill, p. 109. Riker's Newtown, pp. 55, 360, 361.

1 N. H Col. Records, i. 97, 292 400. Savage, iv. 593. Hinman's P. S. Conn., i. 198. E. J. Records, il. 22, 90; o c. 11.

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

tracing their genealogy. He appears to have been much respected by his townsmen here. He received license July 10, 1679, to keep an ordinary, and was chosen Nov. 3, 1693, and again in 1694, a deputy to represent the town in the Legislature.

He had a house-lot containing six acres, bounded northwest by Richard Mitchell, south west by William Letts, southeast by the highway, and northeast by Samuel Marsh, Sr. He had also nine acres of upland, bounded by William Oliver, Charles Tucker, Richard Clarke, and George Ross; also 3 acres of upland ad- joining Dennis White and the Common ; also 150 aeres of upland at " Rahawack," adjoining Jeffry Jones and Capt. John Baker; also 50 acres of up- land, "a Ridge of Land between two Swamps," ad- joining Robert White and the Common; also six acres of meadow on Elizabeth Creek, bounded by William Johnson, William Cramer, and Richard Clark; also 14 acres of meadow adjoining his upland at "Rahawack," and 10 acres of meadow on " Raha- wack River,"-in all 228 aeres. Several of these parcels he exchanged May 29, 1678, with Simon Rouse. In company with his son Samuel he pur- chased, June 24, 1686, several parcels of Robert Morse, and sold Aug. 25, 1686, a part of his patent ; also June 29, 1687, 100 acres to " Andrise Prise Gaer, of E. T. ; " and Oct. 17, 1688, the half of his house-lot to James Emott, Esq., a new-comer in 1683.1

John Woodruff ( Woodrofe ) was of the Southampton colony. He was the son of John Woodruff, who was living, 1657, on the E. side of the street, between Thomas Burnett and John Foster. The father died at Southampton in May, 1670. In his will, May 4, 1670, is this bequest : " I give unto my Eldest son John Woodruff of Elizabeth Town one halfe Crowne piece of Money in full of all portions & Patrimony whatsoever, to be expected from mee, or out of any part of my Estate." At the close of will he says, "I by this make my Wife Anne Woodruff and my youngest son John Woodruff joynt Executors of this my Last Will and Testament." Here are two sons of the same father named "John." Were they chil- dren of the same mother also ? Or was one of them an adopted son ?? His daughter Elizabeth was mar- ried to a son of Ralph Dayton (probably Robert), of East Hampton. His daughter Anne was married to a son of Robert Wooley. The emigrant son brought with him to this town his wife Mary, with "two men and a maid servant." His children were born after his arrival. He was appointed constable of the town Dec. 11, 1674, ensign July 15, 1675, and sheriff of the county Nov. 28, 1684.

His house-lot contained but 1} acres, bounded W.

by John Ogden, and on the other sides by highways. He had also "a Farme cont" Two Hundred Ninety two Acres," since known as " Woodruff's Farms," bounded N. and W. by a great swamp, E. by the common meadow, and S. by a small brook and John Parker; also 14 acres on the North Neck; also 5 acres bounded by the common pasture, his own land, a small brook, and Leonard Headiey; also 8 acres of upland, bounded by the Governor and Jonathan and Joseph Ogden's house-lots; also 6 acres of upland joining John Parker's house-lot "at the Farmes," bounded by John Parker, the common swamp, John Wilson, and his own land, "through which a way must be Left for John Parker to pass through to his Plantation ;" also 30 acres of meadow, joining the great island and his own land ; also 4 acres of meadow adjoining the above ; and 5} acres of meadow on Eliza- beth Town Creek,-in all 320 acres. Still later he oh- tained 120 aeres more,-an island or hammock in the great meadow, containing 36 acres ; also 22 acres by the brook in the swamp; also 30 acres of hassocks adjoin- ing George Morris; also 14 acres of hassoeks adjoin- ing John Parker; also 9 acres of meadow on Oyster Creek ; also five acres of meadow on the bay, and four acres on Forked Creek.3

Capt. Thomas Young and Christopher Young were from Southold, L. I. They were sons of the Rev. John Youngs, the first pastor of the Southold Church. The father was born in 1602, and Joan, his wife, in 1603. They married early, and had six children in 1637,-John, Thomas, Anne, Rachel, Mary, and Jo- seph. Christopher was born at a later date. John Young, in 1637, was the minister of "St. Margretts, Suff." in England. They sought, May 11th, " to passe fő Salam in New England to inhabitt ;" but leave was refused. Three years later they succeeded, and with some of their church came to New Haven, whence they crossed to Long Island and founded Southold. John and Thomas were both mariners in command of coasters. Thomas was born, 1627, in England, and married, at Southold, Rebecca, a daughter of Thomas Mapes. In 1654 he removed to Oyster Bay. His wife died, and he married, 1658, Sarah, a daughter of John Frost.

It is quite probable that it was in Capt. Thomas Young's vessel that the first colonists from the towns on the east end of Long Island removed to this place, and in the same way others afterwards came, encour- aged by the good reports brought them by Capt. Young of the new home so happily found by their old neighbors.

His name heads the list of those who took the oath of allegiance, February, 1666. On the 12th of the same month he was appointed one of the Governor's Council. Two days afterwards, John Day, cooper, of Elizabeth Town, binds himself as a servant to Capt.

1 Conn. Col. Records, i. 2, 172, 174, 190, 192, 276, 281. 283, 379, 380, 401. Chapin's Glastenbury, pp. 27, 47. Hlinman's P. S. of Conti., i. 18, 232, 465. Thompson's L. I., i. 330, 467: ji. 5, 6, 105. Howell, p. 305. E. J. Rec- ord«, i. 76, 109, 154; if. 21, 30; iii. 158 ; B. 46, 121, 132; D. 48. E. T. Bill, p. 103.

" A similar case is related in the Shattuck family of Saybrook, Conn., at this same period. Shattuck Memorial, p. 72.

3 N. Y. Book of Wille, i. 131. llowell, p. 306. E. J. Records, i. 150 ; il. 14, 25; iii. 20, 23, 105; A. 406; C. 87; L. 103, 104. E. T. Bill, p. 102.

ORIGINAL PATENTEES AND ASSOCIATES OF ELIZABETH TOWN.

Philip Carteret and Capt. Thomas Young, of Eliza- beth Town, for two years in the craft or trade of a cooper, to receive " competent meat Drink and house- room," and " the halfe pts of What Coopers Work he shall doe and earne." By indenture, March 25, 1672, Sewanam, a Long Island Indian, binds himself to "Thomas Young of Elizabeth Town, mariner," as his | servant for four years, "about the House or Family or abroad whether by Land or Water," on condition of being supplied " with sufficient Meat Drink and Clothes Washing and Lodging according to his Rank and Quality," to receive for his services a mare, and "after the first voyage to Europe or Barbados one suit of apparel." It thus appears that Capt. Young was in the European and West India trade, and quite a venturesome navigator for the times.

He had a warrant for 240 acres of land, of which only 112 acres are described : 100 acres at Young's Point, bounded on three sides by Sir George and Philip Carteret, a great pond, and unsurveyed land, and on the other side by meadow, one line running "along the meadow till it comes to a point of land near the Indian wigwam ;" also 12 acres of meadow contiguous to the above, the great pond, and the swampy meadows. The locality was chosen, doubt- less, because of his seafaring pursuits. It was at the junction of Achter Kull Sound and Newark Bay, a point of land then called " Thomas Young's Point," but in later years " De Hart's Point," about a mile north from the Governor's or "Old Point," where the Carterets had most of the land. A lot of land was laid out for him, in 1676, on the south side of Staten Island, northeast of "Seedar Poynte." His brother Christopher sold, Nov. 20, 1667, all his ac- commodations at Elizabeth Town, being a first lot- right and a house-lot of four acres, bounded south by George Pack, north by the Common, west "by the highway that goeth to Woodbridge," and east by another highway, to Dennis White for £10. On the 8th of June following White assigned it to Young again, by whom, not long afterwards, it was sold to John Little. Neither of the brothers became permanent residents here. Capt. Thomas returned to Oyster Bay, where he rested from his earthly pil- grimage in 1689. Christopher returned to the island, and settled at Southold, his former home, where he was living in 1675 and 1683.1

Benjamin Concklin came with his East Hampton neighbors, but for some unexplained cause soon after returned to his former home. Joseph and Joshua Concklin, of the same lineage, came here some forty years later, and founded the Concklin family of this town. They were probably children or grandchildren of the Benjamin here noticed." 2

Roderick Powell was a servant, and in the May following, having run away from his master, is de- scribed as "a pitiful fellow." A Richard Powell, of another lineage doubtless, was here only a few years later, to whom the Governor sold, January, 1678, his Woodbridge lands, taking Powell's Elizabeth Town house and lands in exchange, and selling the latter soon after to Henry Lyon.3

Jacob Clais, Zachary Graves, Moses Peterson, and Thomas Skillman, who all took the oath, were either transient persons, or were mere laborers, and not freeholders.

Three other names at least are to be added to the list of those who were settlers during the first year,- James Bollen, Robert Sealey, and Philip Carteret.

James Bollen came. over, it is thought, with the English fleet in 1664. As he was styled " captain," he may have been in command of one of the vessels. Col. Nicolls appointed him "Commissary of the Ammunition" at New York. He was one of those who were deputed by Nicolls to receive the surrender of the fort at New Amsterdam, Sept. 8, 1664. He re- mained at New York until August, 1665. In the court records for that year it appears that he fre- quently served as foreman of the jury, his name being written "Bullaine" and "Balline." When Capt. Carteret, on his first voyage to America, arrived at "Newportes newes, Virginia," he sent his dis- patches, June 13, 1665, "to Capt. James Bullaigne in New York," indicating previous acquaintanceship, probably in the island of Jersey, and quite likely a French extraction for Bollen. He attached himself to Governor Carteret on his arrival at New York, and as secretary of the new province accompanied him in August to Elizabeth town. He adhered most rigidly to the Governor through his troublesome administra- tion, and was rewarded with the entire confidence of his superior. He was appointed justice of the peace, Jan. 20, 1666, and as such officiated in almost every instance in the marriage services of the period. He presided at the town-meeting when the oath of alle- giance was administered in February. He kept the records of the proprietary government, and several of the early volumes are the work of his fingers. Becoming exceedingly obnoxious to the town by his readiness to do all the Governor's bidding in opposi- tion to the people, he exchanged properties, Sept. 30, 1673, with John Martin, of Woodbridge, and thence- forward ceased to reside here. His house-lot adjoined Abraham Shotwell's on the east. Martin sold the property, Nov. 6, 1674, to Henry Lyon, who resold it May 1, 1675, " together with the Cow Yard Orchard or Garden," to Carteret for £30. He died intestate in March, 1683, having survived his friend Carteret but a few weeks.4

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 7

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224