Hunterdon County Query

Surname: BEST/BODINE
I am searching for Michael Best, born May 2, 1764, quite possibly in Hunterdon/ possible son of James Best. His wife's name was Anna, born February 27, 1757. Michael and Anna had four children. There is information on the internet stating that the three youngest were christened at the Dutch Reform Church in Lebanon. The children's names and birth dates and christening dates are as follows: Jain Best b. July 2, 1785 James Best b. July 6, 1789; ch. August 9, 1789 Mary Best b. December 2, 1790; ch. January 2, 1791 Henry Best b. January 15, 1793; ch. April 13, 1794 These facts (except for the christening dates and places are in James Best Bible concerning his parents and siblings. One curious note: James spelled his sibling's name Jain and his daughter's name Jane and this information was written at the same time. Were there two usual spellings for this name at this time? Michael was proported to be a teacher, I believe this family was literate. Also, His capital "J" and capital "T" look very much alike so it could be "Tain". Nothing more is known about this sibling, not even gender. If anyone has any knowledge concerning "Jain" I'd like to hear. I live in Hawaii so it is not easy for me to get to the records themselves. I would very much like a lookup of the Christening records at the Dutch Reform Church in Lebanon. The dates for the youngest three are listed above. If you are looking could you look for "Jain" also. Her/His birthdate is given and they appear to have christened their children within a few months of birth. At some point this family moved to Jerseytown, PA. In 1811 James and Mary moved to Elgin Co. Onterio where they lived out their lives. I am descended from James. From family memories James, his wife Amy Bodine, and his sister, Mary, traveled with a large group of people taking advantage of available land. I do not believe their parents, Michael and Anna Best moved with them. They may have been dead by 1811. Since they had at least three children in the Lebanon area between 1789 and 1794 Michael and Anna were not just passing through. Perhaps there is a marriage record or death records at this church also. Would very much like to know Anna's maiden name. James wife was Amy Bodine. Her relative of about the same age, probably a brother, Abraham married to Zellah Taylor, also moved with the group to Canada from Jerseytown, and probably moved from Hunterdon to Jerseytown before that. The stay in Jersetown, PA was apparently a short one. I know there are a lot of Bodines in New Jersey, including Hunterdon so if you know of a family with Amy and Abraham in it or of a Bodine family that move to Jerseytown, PA please let me know. Thanks for any help offered.
Posted by: Joan Best	Date Posted: June 07, 2002