USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > Newton in Gloucester County > Sketches of the first emigrant settlers in Newton Township, old Gloucester County, West New Jersey > Part 14
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The subject of this sketch and the person named by Proud cannot be the same, although the name is frequently spelled differently, which sometimes leads to doubt.
John Kay became the owner of many tracts of land near his first purchase, some of which he located, and some of which he bought of the settlers. One of the old deeds calls him a clothier, which implies he was a manufacturer of, or a dealer in 'cloth. Whether this had reference to his calling before or after his settlement here, does not appear.
The coloring matter for his goods was not one of the troubles in manufacturing, for our Quaker ancestors were careful to avoid anything in dress that pertained to style or pretension. Of the few changes that have made any inroads upon the practices of primitive Friends, this is the most radical. In England, the members of this sect cannot be distinguished by their dress, and such may soon be the case in America.
In 1710, John Kay purchased the Lovejoy survey, partly covered by the village of Haddonfield, which purchase included the mansion house and corn mill built by Thomas Kendall in 1697, now part of the estate of Josiah B. Evans, deceased ; both of which buildings stood on the south side of the creek, and within the bounds of Newton township. To this place John Kay removed, and he there resided until his death.1º
This "corn mill," in the days of our ancestors known as the "Free Lodge mill," as then constructed, would be a curiosity to the mechanics of the present time.11 The driving of one run of stone was, perhaps, all that was desired, the machinery being so heavily and clumsily made that it would contrast
10 Basse's Book, 237.
11 Basse's Book, 62.
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strangely with the perfect application of power, the avoidance of friction, and the nice adjustment secured by experience and ingenuity to the same uses at the present day.
The mill stood some distance below the dam, at the end of the race-way cut in the bank, which secured additional head and fall without increasing the expense. The remains of this race-way may yet be seen, but the site of the mill is entirely obliterated. That it literally was a corn mill there can be no question, as no other kind of grain was raised here for many years after its erection, nor was bolting apparatus introduced after other cereals were cultivated, but our fore- fathers ate their bread made of the dark flour, taken up with the bran still remaining therein; which, although it detracted from the appearance, yet aided materially in the digestion.
A story is still extant, much to the scandal of our worthy ancestors, that, in going with a "grist" to the mill, they alway's put a stone in one end of the sack, the better to balance the grain in the other, when hung across the horse or ox that - carried it, not understanding that, with grain in place of the stone, a double portion could be thus transported. If this be true, then the improvement in the mode of getting a grist to and from the mill is quite as discoverable as the advantage derived from modern well adjusted machinery. This was prob- ably the first grain mill in Gloucester county, and, if it stood now as in the days of its usefulness, many would be the visitors to examine its arrangement and inspect its odd construction.
In 1685, John Kay was elected a member of the Assembly of the province of West New Jersey, and, in 1703 and 1704, again filled the same position.12 During this time he was also appointed one of the justices of Gloucester county, which, , under the laws of the State, then existing, made him one of the judges of the several courts of the same. He held several local offices, and discharged their duties to the satisfaction of the community.
In 1710, he was again elected one of the members of the Provincial Assembly from Gloucester county, which was part of the fourth session of the Legislature after the surrender
12 Minutes of Assembly, State Library, Trenton.
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made to Queen Anne, and in the ninth year of her reign. Upon the meeting of this body at Burlington, he was chosen speaker, which appointment at that time was sufficient to mark him as a man of more than ordinary ability. Robert Hunter was governor, holding his commission from the Queen, and, by her instructions and authority, striving to settle the diffi- culties then existing between the colonies, but now united under his administration. Much depended on the discretion and good judgment of the Legislature in making the surrender acceptable to the people, and John Kay was a prominent man during all these difficulties. He was continued speaker through the sessions of 1711-12 and 1713.
Upon the meeting of the Legislature in 1716, Daniel Coxe was returned as a member of the Assembly in place of John Kay, and was chosen speaker. The proceedings of that body, however, show in what way this occurred; for William Harri- son, sheriff of Gloucester county, was arrested and brought to the bar of the House by the sergeant-at-arms, and repri- manded "for adjourning the election poll from the "great field" near John Kay's house, to William Cooper's, several miles distant, without the consent of the candidates, which was contrary to law." 13 By this transaction, the defeat of John Kay was brought about, which led to the censure of the principal executive officer of the county. What sheriff Har- rison's explanation or apology was, does not appear upon the record, yet it is evident that he was in sympathy with Dr. Coxe, and enlarged his authority to carry out his wishes. John Kay at that time resided at the corn mill, and the "great field" was part of John Haddon's estate, bounded by the King's road and part of the village of Haddonfield.
Although several years had passed away since the assumption of the government by Queen Anne, yet the participants in the political troubles previous to that had not forgotten their ani- mosities, as was evidenced in the foregoing transaction. Daniel Coxe made himself obnoxious to Governor Hunter, and, at the next session, absented himself from the Assembly, at which time John Kinsey was elected speaker in his stead. Coxe was afterward reprimanded and expelled from that body.
13 Minutes of Assembly, State Library, Trenton.
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Another peculiarity about this election was the returning of Daniel Coxe for the counties of Salem and Gloucester; so, upon the organization of the Assembly, he was called upon to decide which of the two counties he would represent. After much controversy, in which he manifested considerable ill feel- ing, as well as his ignorance of the laws, he concluded to serve for Gloucester, considering doubtless that the influence of John Kay would hinder the consummation of his plans, if sitting as a member at that time. This made it necessary that a warrant should issue for a new election in Salem; upon its return it was found that William Clews was elected; but delay was caused in his taking his seat by reason of his scruples in regard to the necessary oath. After considerable explanation, this trouble was overcome, and the hindrance caused by a factious and unprincipled man removed.
Among the colonial records in the state paper office in London, England, notice of his election is entered; it is there imputed to the "inundation of the Swedes,14 reference being had to such of that nationality as were inhabitants of Salem and Gloucester counties.
Daniel Coxe was the son of Dr. Daniel Coxe of London, who became the owner of twenty-two whole shares of propriety in West New Jersey, and was governor of the province from 1687 to 1690. In 1691, a number of persons, residents of London, formed themselves into what they called the "West New Jersey Society," and purchased, of him the above named shares, he reserving, however, surveys already made, being large tracts in Salem county, then including both Cumberland and Cape May. This deed also contained grants for two hundred thousand acres, called the "Merrisinbes Province," contiguous to West Jersey; two shares of propriety in East Jersey; three whole shares in Merrimack, New England; ten thousand acres in Pennsylvania; a dwelling house and pottery house with all the tools, in Burlington; town-lots at Perth Amboy, and Town-lots at Gloucester and Egg Harbor. The society consisted of forty-eight persons having a common seal, with, perhaps, a charter from the King. Many large surveys
14 Publications of the New Jersey Historical Society, Vol. 5, 93.
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were made and sold, realizing considerable money to the associa- tion ; but the troubles with their agents here, and the dissensions among themselves at home, finally reduced the number of persons to but few, who eventually sold the entire estate to Benjamin B. Cooper, of Gloucester county, N. J. Even at this date large sums of money are held by the treasurer, waiting the lawful owners; who may have some trouble in making the legal con- nection, after such a lapse of time, with those who constituted the original society.
Daniel Coxe (the son) was bred to the law, and was a man of good education and many redeeming traits of character, but of an erratic and impetuous temperament, which was continually getting him into difficulty with those in authority. He was a member of Lord Cornbury's council, and sympathized with him in many of his arbitrary and illegal acts done under the color of law; this rendered him especially unpopular with the Quakers of the province.
In the year 1734, he was appointed one of the associate justices of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, and discharged his duties with much satisfaction to the people; age and exper- ience having tempered his composition and made him a valuable and exemplary member of society. He remained on the bench until his death, which occurred in 1739. Judge Field, in his History of the Provincial Courts of New Jersey, says of him :
"His early career in New Jersey was clouded by his con- nection with Lord Cornbury, and his difference with Governor Hunter, but he lived to enjoy the confidence and respect of the community, and his judicial duties appear to have been dis- charged with ability and integrity."
At the election which occurred in November, 1716, John Kay was again returned as a member of the Assembly and, although not elected speaker, he took a prominent part in all the proceedings of that branch of the government. Among other matters of importance, he was chairman of the committee to procure the settlement of the boundary line between New York and New Jersey, then a subject of much controversy and ill feeling.
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He was also chairman of the committee to prepare a law to fix the partition line between East and West Jersey, -a matter that interested the council of proprietors of each division; that has found its way into every tribunal in the State, and that remains to this day a subject of trouble and litigation. At this session he also procured the passage of an act to make per- petual an act entitled, "An act that the solemn affirmation of the people called Quakers shall be accepted instead of an oath in the usual form, and for qualifying and enabling the said people to serve as jurors and to execute any place of trust in the province." From this may be dated the law that relieved Friends from the many difficulties that grew out of a legal formality, and which had been a source of annoyance to them since the surrender of the government to Queen Anne, and, particularly, since the arrival of Lord Cornbury, her first execu- tive officer. He was in advance of his times in discerning the necessities of the people and the interests of the province. He grew up with the emigrants, had knowledge of all the political difficulties through which they passed, shared all their priva- tions, was participant and assisted in the settlement of all the leading questions of the day in which he lived, and enjoyed the confidence of his constituency until the last. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and one of the trustees of the Newton meeting from 1708 until his death.
As one of the members of the Council of Proprietors of West New Jersey, he was also a prominent man, sought out many abuses incident to the location of land, and had the same corrected during his continuance in that office. It does not appear that he was a practical surveyor, yet his thorough busi- ness qualifications placed him on an even footing with the deputies; by which means he understood the whole manner of procedure in the laying on of rights according to the rules, and, sometimes, to the discomfiture of that class of men.
John Kay died in 1742, a wealthy man, leaving a widow (Sarah), who survived him several years. Their children were John, who married Sarah Langstone in 1707; Sarah, who mar- ried James Norris; Mary, who married Benjamin Wood in 1707; Isaac, who married Mary Ann Gregory in 1738; Josiah,
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who married Rebecca Davenport in 1713, a daughter of Francis, one of the first settlers at Burlington, N. J., who came from Whittington, Derbyshire, England ; Benjamin who deceased, single, in 1732 ; and Joseph, who died in 1721, leaving a widow, Elizabeth, and children.
At the time of his death, John Kay owned all the land on the east side of the main street in Haddonfield, extending from Cooper's creek to Ellis street (excepting a few lots which he had sold) ; also land lying between the two branches of Cooper's creek, extending some two miles up each branch, and a large tract on the north side of the north branch, beside surveys in other parts of Gloucester county. In 1727, he conveyed to his son Josiah, the one hundred acres which he purchased of Francis Collins, upon which Josiah settled, who, in 1745, conveyed the same to his son Francis.13 It is probable that this tract of land remained in the family and name for many years after the last conveyance, but, at this writing, it has lost its identity therewith.
In the same year ( 1727), John Kay conveyed to his son Isaac several tracts of land, the whole containing seven hundred and thirty-four acres, situated on both branches of Cooper's creek. 16 In this deed, the grantor is called " John Kay of the Grist Mill, at the head of Cooper's creek, in Newton township, Gloucester county, New Jersey," his residence and occupation at that time thus being proved beyond a question. The only part of the original landed estate that has remained in the family and name from the location to the present time, is the farm now owned by Joseph Kay, of Haddonfield, and situated on the south side of the north branch of Cooper's creek in Delaware township. This tract has descended continuously through the blood and name for nearly two hundred years, never having passed by a deed from one owner to another in that time. Excepting a small portion of the land occupied by Sarah Norris, the son John possessed all the land owned by the father on the east side of the main street in Haddonfield, extending nearly to Ellis street. His children were Isaac, who married Hope French; John, who married Rebecca Hartley; Mathias; William, who marrried
15 Lib. S6, 338, O. S. G.
16 Lib. DD, 175.
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Barbary Smith; Rebecca; Hope, who died before her father, single; Ann, who married Joshua Evans; and Mary, who mar- ried Abraham Heulings.
James Norris, a shipwright, who married Sarah, built one of the first houses in Haddonfield, on land then owned by her father, where he, during his life, and his widow, after his death, kept a store. James Norris deceased in 1742 intestate, leaving one child, Elizabeth, who married Isaac Smith in 1739, and John Hinchman in 1747.17
Sarah Norris died in 1755, leaving a will.18 She gave Jona- than Axford two horses and the use of her house, set her slaves free, and bequeathed a sum of money to the Newton Meeting. 19 The inventory of her personal property amounted to nearly four hundred pounds. She continued her store until her death, dealing in all the various commodities incident to the trade of a country merchant. Of such of her customers who were slow to pay, she would hand over the accounts to the officers of the law, to secure the debt already in danger, and as a terror to all others in like manner offending. Her property accumulated under her management, showing that she had good business qualifications. Her daughter Elizabeth had two children by her first husband (daughters), but none by the last. She died about the year 1804, surviving John Hinchman several years. Her children were Sarah, who married Joseph Hugg in 1761, and Mary, who married Jacob Jennings in the same year.
Mary (the wife of Benjamin Wood), deceased before her father, leaving four children, namely: Abigail, who married Robert Hunt; Mary, who married Joseph Cole and Richard Matlack; Elizabeth, who married Elias Toy; and Hannah, who married Joseph Heulings.20
Isaac (to whom his father had conveyed land in 1727) had his residence on what is generally known as the "Fotteral Farm," now owned by Hannah, the widow of Josiah B. Evans, deceased. In the year 1791, most of the land owned by Isaac was re-sur- veyed by his son Joseph, and the boundaries settled.21
17 Lib. No. 4, 376.
20 Lib. S, 61.
18 Gloucester Files, 1758.
19 Lib. No. 7, 390.
21 Lib W, 190, O. S. G.
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JOHN KAY.
Isaac Kay died in 1757, leaving the following children : Isaac; Joseph; Sarah, who married Abraham Bryant; Eliza- beth, who married Isaac Horner; and one child not born at the time of his decease.22 This part of the estate has not been in the name for many years.
As before stated, Josiah lived on the old homestead, where he died in 1771. His children were Francis, who married Jemima French; Joseph, who married Ann Thompson (and who, dying before his father, left children); Isaac; and Elizabeth, who married Parker. This family increased rapidly. There is some doubt as to the correctness of its genealogy as here given.
Although the sons of the first settlers remained on the pater- nal estate, yet the second generation soon spread far beyond the limits of New Jersey, and the name may now be found in all sections of the Union.
The descendants of Mary have multiplied largely; they would find some trouble in tracing their line of blood to its source, so tortuous and so diluted has it now become.
At this day, it is probable that the family of Sarah Norris has no existence. The second generation from her was limited to two females, and, if from them it has been enlarged, no knowl- edge of the fact is possessed in this region of country.
22 Lib. No. 8, 330.
SIMEON ELLIS.
S AMUEL SMITH, in his History of New Jersey, says, "Thomas Ellis came to Burlington, New Jersey, in 1677." He came from Burlington, in Yorkshire, England, as one of the servants of George Hutchinson, who was a distiller. In reference to this class of persons, a note is appended, which says: "Many that came servants succeeded better than some that bought estates. The first, inured to industry and the ways of the country, became wealthy, while others were obliged to spend what they had in the difficulties of the improvements. And others, living too much on their original stock, for want of sufficient care to improve their estates, have in many instances dwindled to indigency and want." Thomas Gordon, in his history of this State, copied after Smith, and mentions another Thomas Ellis, who arrived a few years later; but the same person is probably meant, as, by some oversight, the name may have been repeated.
He settled on a town lot located to him in Burlington, in 16So, and died two years after, leaving a daughter Elizabeth, who was apprenticed to John Brown the same year. This was done by the judges of the court, and appears among its proceedings.1
William Ellis also came to Burlington county in 1683, and made a location of a considerable tract of land in Springfield
I Revel's Book, 04.
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township. He was from Tunstall, in Holderness, Yorkshire, England, and, in all probability, was of the same family as Thomas.2
Of the nativity, or of the arrival of Simeon Ellis in New Jersey, nothing is known; and it may, perhaps, always remain a doubtful question, for the reason that very many of the emigrants of that day had no entry made of their names upon the ship's books, and also because many of these books have been destroyed through the carelessness of the owners, or of those into whose possession they may have fallen.
It is probable, however, that he was not among the first that landed here, as he did not purchase any real estate until 1691; at which date many settlements had been made in Burlington and Gloucester counties, and the city of Philadelphia had come to be quite a thrifty village.3 This purchase consisted of two hundred acres of land conveyed to him by Francis Collins, and was part of a survey of eight hundred acres made by him, bounded by the north side of the north branch of Cooper's creek.+ The two hundred acres lay on both sides of the King's highway, as the same had been but a short time before laid out by the commissioners appointed for that purpose.
Simeon built his log cabin near the stream, and but a short distance from the road; here he always after lived, and here were all his children born. As was the custom in those days, his place had to be designated by some title, and he adopted that of "Springwell;" but, like the position of the first habi- tation, it has long since been forgotten. This practice was brought by our forefathers from England, where every gentle- man's "seat " had a particular name, which name is tenaciously adhered to from generation to generation by the family. The constant change of the title to land in New Jersey, and the disposition of many families to remove from the ancestral acres, are reasons why so few estates at the present day retain the names by which they were christened at the first settlement. Some, however, may so be found; also, in possession of the owners, may be seen the original title to the estate, coming
2 Lib. B1, 121.
3 Lib, G2, 127.
4 Lib. P, 238.
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down through the same blood, with the pride of family always apparent.
In 1695, Simeon bought four hundred acres of land of Elias and Margaret Hugg, adjoining his first purchase. This Margaret was a daughter of Francis Collins, who had conveyed the said four hundred acres to Samuel Jennings and Robert Dimsdale, as trustees, in 1687-part of the eight hundred acres survey before named.ª
These first purchases of Simeon Ellis, as described by present localities, include the village of Ellisburg. in Delaware town- ship; they are almost equally divided by the Camden and Marlton turnpike, and the Moorestown and Haddonfield road. But few of the original boundaries are left, excepting the water .: course, as the purchase, sale and division of land, in the space of one hundred years, obliterate very many ancient land marks.
Several other purchases were made, some of which lay on the south side of the north branch, now included in the farms of John Ballinger and of others adjoining.6 A part of this estate is now owned by Joseph Ellis and the heirs of Josiah Ellis, deceased, lineal descendants of the first settlers. All the remainder has passed out of the name many years since.
Simeon Ellis was not a participant in the political troubles of the times in which he lived, and does not appear as an office holder upon any of the records. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and among those who made up the little assemblage at John Kay's house, a short distance from his own ; where he met the few of the same sect that came from Evesham.
Simeon Ellis died in 1715, dividing his property by will among his children. His personal effects, by appraisement, amounted to two hundred and fifty-three pounds, sterling, and he, doubtless, was considered a "well-to-do" farmer by his neighbors, for his estate ranged much above the average of that time. His wife, who survived him, was Sarah, a daughter of William Bates, to whom he was married, according to the order of Friends, in 1692, at the old Newton meeting house, then a short distance from the home of the bride.
5 Lib. G3, 71.
6 Basse's Book, 29.
7 Lib. No. 2, 05.
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Sarah, the widow of Simeon Ellis, dealt somewhat in real estate after the death of her husband, as, in 1717. she bought some four hundred acres in Newton township, fronting on Cooper's creek, and extending to the main branch of Newton creek.8 This she purchased of Isaac Hollingsham, and, the next year, her son Thomas conveyed her an adjoining tract, making her at that time one of the largest land holders in the township.
Portions of this property remained in the family and name for many years after the death of the widow, following the collateral branches to the present generation ; but they are now divided into lots and farms, parts being owned by Edward C. Knight, William P. Tatem, John C. De Costa, and others.
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