EARLY SETTLERS OF SALEM COUNTY, NEW JERSEY Information located at http://www.rootsweb.com/~njsalem/ On a USGenWeb/NJGenWeb Web site TRANSCRIBED BY JANICE BROWN, County Coordinator in 2007 Please see the web site for my email contact. ---------------------------------- Copyright 2007 Janice Brown The original source of this information is in the public domain, however use of this text file, other than for personal use, is restricted without written permission from the transcriber (who has edited, compiled and added new copyrighted text to same). ======================================================== SOURCE: History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland, New Jersey: with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens by Thomas Cushing; Philadelphia: Everts & Peck, 1883 **EARLY SETTLERS (BEFORE 1700) OF SALEM COUNTY, NEW JERSEY** Pioneer Settlements--It has already been stated that Swedish settlers came here as early as 1638, and settled in Elsinboro and Penn's Neck. The titles to their lands of these settlers whom Fenwick found here were at once confirmed, and when the authorities at New York aroused some dissatisfaction among the Swedes, Finns and Dutch as to their titles, Fenwick invited them to his house in Salem, and effected an adjustment of the matter, by the terms of which they agreed to pay an annual quit-rent, which, though nominal, was a recognition of the validity of his title and his right to convey. They had previously purchased these lands from the Indians. From a list of those who paid quit-rents, made by Samue Hedge, in 1690, and from other sources, the following names of the settlers, mainly in Penn's Neck, who were here when Fenwick arrived, and prior to 1700 are gleaned: The Sinnickson family, that had many distinguished representatives here, descended from Andrew Seneca Jr. (originally Cinca or Sinaker), who settled in Obisquahasit, now Penn's Neck, about thirty years prior to the advent of Fenwick with his colony, and purchased a large tract from the Indians. The names are also found of Eric Yearnes and Henry Neilson, who came about 1640, and purchased each one thousand acres at Finn's Pint: Matthew Gill, Michael Lescor, Fopp Johnson, Gille Joanson, Mat. Neilson, Abram Vanhyest, Fopp Neilson, Peter Onson, Stephen Yearnens, Stacy Hendrickson, Matthias Spacklemon, Evick Yearnens, John Yearnens, Matt. Joanson, Andrew Anderson, Stacy Cornellinson, Ann Hendricks, Hance Shershell, Clans Joanson, Jones Scoggin, Woley Woolson, Barre Jacobson, Peter Halter, A.C. Bronson, Thomas Wattson, James Vickery, Peter Wilkinson, Andorcas Barleyson, Renler Vanhoyst, John Cullin, Barnard Webb, John Perkins, George Garret, Isaac Laroy, Isaac Peterson, John Hendrickson, Wooley Jonson, James Seangin, John Erigson, Powell Lawson, Henry Jeans, Joshua Gillet, William Hughes, William Fowler, Thomas Nulsllar, Hance Oulsop, William White, Martin Sahara, Hance Sahara, Richard Wilkinson, William Handley, Henry Ivans, Dirk Albertson, Richard Masey, John Jacobson, Peter Jacobson, Martin Shere, Garret Vanneman, Harmenus Alricks, William Philpot, Eric Shere, John Urison, William Mecum, Daniel Bilderback, Thomas Miles, John Eaton, John Grice, John Vanjining, Lucas Johnson, Yenllix Gill Johnson, Garret Vanjining, William Gill Johnson, John Lecroy, Lucas Peterson, Joseph Erigson, Powell Powelson, Isaac Savoy, Richard Pitman, Wolly Wagmon, Edward Godwin, The Wolverson,s Jagettes, Wolleysons, Engsons, Vanculans, Shonons, and others. JOHN ADAMS--Of those who came within the first twenty-five years after the arrival of Fenwick, John Adams was the son-in-law of the Proprietor, and with his wife, Elizabeth, and their children,--Elizabeth, Fenwick and Mary--came with him on the "Griffith." He was from Reading, Berkshire, and his trade was that of a weaver. Not long after their arrival he built a house, near to that of his father-in-law on Ivy POint. He also became the owner of two thousand acres of land elsewhere. It does not appear that John Adams had the confidence of his father-in-law. Both he and his wife died at their house on Ivy Point prior to 1700. GEORGE ABBOTT and wife and his sister, Mary Abbott, came from England and in 1696 he purchased from Joseph Nicholson one hundred and thirty-six acres in Elsinboro, on the north side of Alloways Creek. BENJAMIN ACTON probably came to Salem in the ship "Kent" in 1677. He was a surveyor and a tanner and currier. He purchased a lot of sixteen acres on Fenwick Street, built on it and resided there during the remainder of his life. He was a prominent man and was the first recorder after the incorporation of the town. JOHN ALLEN, THOMAS BUCKEL, and WILLIAM GROON came as servants with EDWARD BRADWAY, in the ship Kent in 1677. JANE ALLEN and THOMAS BRINTON came in the "Griffith" in 1675 as servants of Christopher White. HANNAH ASHBURY came in 1681. JOEL BAILEY purchased land in 1687. GERVAS BYWATER came as a servant of Fenwick. He afterwards acquired two hundred acres in Penn's neck. CHARLES ANGELO had a lot on Nevill Street in 1684. Jonathan Beere was a magistrate in 1697. EDWARD BRADWAY, his wife (Mary) and their children,--Mary, William and Susannah,--came in the "Kent" in 1677. He had, before coming, purchased of Fenwick a town-lot of sixteen acres, and one thousand acres besides. His town-lot was located on Wharf Street, near Salem River. On this, in 1691 he built a brick house, which is still standing. The name of Wharf Street was changed to Bradway (now Broadway) Street in honor of him. JOHN BRICK came from England previous to 1680, and about 1690 purchased a large tract of land on Gravelly Run. WILLIAM BASSETT migrated from Massachusetts in 1691 and settled near Salem. THOMAS BALDWIN and wife came here from England in 1683. They soon removed elsewhere. JOHN BUTCHER came prior to 1682. JOSEPH BERKSTEAD was here in 1691. THOMAS BUBB purchased five hundred acres of land in 1697. CHARLES BAYALY and THOMAS BONSON were subscribers towards building the first meeting-house. EDWARD CHAMPLEYS, who was a joiner in England, was the husband of Priscilla, oldest daughter of John Fenwick. They were married in 1671, at Reading, England, and came to Salem with Fenwick, in the "Griffith." He built a dwelling near to that of his father-in-law, and called th eplace Blandford Grove. There he followed the business of "barber and chirugeon," having left his old trade and adopted the profession of shaving and phlebotomy. It is evident from the will of Fenwick, either that he was not on good terms with Champleys, or that he lacked confidence in him, for he gave him no charge of his children's estates. Priscilla died before 1683, and Edward in 1706. NATHANIEL CHAMBLESS (originally Chamness) and his son NATHANIEL came in the "Griffith," as the servants of Edward Wade. Their industry and integrity brought them wealth and a high character in the colony. In 1680 the senior purchased from his former employer two hundred and fifty acres of land, and to this, in 1681, he added two hundred and fifty acres, the whole comprising a large part of Alloways Creek Neck. THOMAS CARNEY was a large landholder in Penn's Neck. The COLSON family were among the earliest inhabitants of Pilesgrove. WILLIAM COOPER, from England, settled in Salem in 1678, and followed the trade of blacksmith. To his wife three hundred acres of land were given by her father, on a large branch of Alloways Creek, and the stream was named Cooper's Creek. The Cooper family of Camden descended from him. CRONELIUS COPNER was one of the active English citizens of Penn's Neck as early as 1695, and a prominent citizen until his death in 1731. GEORGE DEACON was here in 1679, but removed to Burlington in 1690. THOMAS DANIELS built a house near Stow Creek previous to 1700. RICHARD DARKIN came from England in 1683 and located in Elsinboro. He married the only daughter of Robert Windham. JOHN DAVIS with his sons JOhn, Isaac, Malachi, and David migrated hither from Long Island. David was a prominent citizen. JAMeS DENN married Elizabeth, daughter of JOhn Maddox. He was a member of Alloways Creek Meeting. JOHN DENN Lived at Salem. THOMAS DUNN purchased land in Penn's Neck as early as 1689. MICHAEL EATON came as a servant of John Fenwick in 1675. JOSEPH FOREST was a subscriber toward the erection of the first Friends' meeting-house in Salem. WILL FLOWERS was an early resident. JOSHUA GILLET purchased land in 1689. EDWARD GOODWIN was a subscriber toward the erection of a meeting-house in Salem in 1698. RICHARD GUY and his wife Bridget were among the first immigrants here. He had been a cheese-monger in London. In 1676 he purchased for his friend, Thomas Pyle, ten thousand acres of land in Pilesgrove. His house was one of the first places of meeting for the Friends' Society in 1679. RICHARD HANCOCK came in the "Griffith," with the Proprietor in 1675. He succeeded Richard Noble as surveyor, but was, in 1680, succeeded by Richard Tindal. WILLIAM HANCOCK emigrated from England to this country in 1677, with his wife, Isabella and two sons, John and William. He became the possessor of one thousand acres of land on the south side of Alloways Creek. John became the owner of five hundred acres of this, and Hancock's Bridge bears his name. William purchased five hundred acres in Elsinboro. He was, during many years, a justice in Salem County. WILLIAM HALL came as the servant of John Thompson, and at the end of his term of service became a merchant at Salem. He married the daughter of THomas Pyle, became a large landholder, a judge, and one of the most important men in the colony. JOHN HARDING purchased sixteen acres on Nevill Street in Salem in 1685. GEORGE HAZELWOOD owned land in Elsinboro. SAMUEL HEDGE came in the "Griffith," with Fenwick in 1675, and in the spring of 1676 he married Ann, the youngest daughter of the proprietor. He became Fenwick's favorite, and so continued until the death of the latter, and was his executor. A tract of two thousand acres in Mannington, adjoining six thousand acres called Fenwick's Grove, was laid off to Hedge and his wife, and the place was long known as Hedgefield. Many of his descendants in the female line are residents here. WILLIAM HEWES was among the first English purchasers of land on Oldman's Creek. JOHN HOLME purchased a large tract of land near Alloways Creek in 1690. He was the grandfather of Benjamin Holme, of Revolutionary memory. ROGER HUSKINS was a landholder in this county in 1692. ROBERT AND THOMAS HUTCHINSON owned land here at the same time. HENRY JENNINGS and his wife came in the "Kent" from England in 1677 and in 1682 purchased from John Adams two hundred acres of land. He removed to Philadelphia in 1700. A Swedish family named JONASON located in Penn's Neck in 1640, and the name soon came to be JOHNSON. The first English immigrants (of this name) were Richard, and his cousin, Thomas, who came a few months prior to Fenwick, and located in his tenth. In 1686 Thomas purchased ten acres in the town of Salem. EDWARD KEASBY came from England about 1694, and settled in the town of Salem. He was an active member of the society of Friends. THOMAS KENT became, in 1695, the owner of ten acres of ground in Nevill (now Kent) Street. REV. THOMAS KILLINGSWORTH, the first Baptist clergyman who located in South Jersey, settled in Fenwick's colony about 1683. He owned a tract of land near Salem, and was the first judge of the Salem courts, a position which he filled long and honorably. JOHN KYLETT purchased ten acres in the town of Salem in 1685. THOMAS LAMSON and his wife Ann, came to America and located at Penn's Neck in 1690. HYPOLITE LEFEVRE was a French Hugeunot who had left his native land and gone to England, from which country he, with John Pledger and their families came to West New Jersey a few months before the Proprietor. They had purchased six thousand acres of land, which was located in the township of Mannington, though they lived and died in Salem. ELTON LEWIS was an early resident of Salem. RICHARD LIPPINCOTT, the progenitor of the numerous Lippincott family here, came from England to Dorchester, New England, between 1636 and 1640, and to Shrewsbury, NJ in 1669. In 1683 he purchased one thousand acres of land in Salem tenth. JOHN MADDOW, his wife, their daughters and son-in-law, Richard Durham, and three servants, Thomas Oder, Thomas Hoaton and Mary Stafford, came from London in the ship, "Surrey," in 1678. In 1682, John purchased five hundred acres of land near Hancock's Bridge. JOSEPH MADDOX was an early resident of Salem. WILLIAM MALSTIFF was, in 1676, the owner of land on the south side of Alloways Creek. STRICKLY MARSHALL owned land in Salem in 1687. JOHN MASON emigrated from England in 1683 and soon came to Salem where he purchased sixteen acres on the south side of Broadway. He purchased five thousand acres in 1686 and in 1690 a tract of one thousand acres in Elsinboro, where in 1695 he went to live. He was a prominent and influential citizen. THOMAS MASON came from England to West Jersey at about the same time his brother John came. He first resided in Salem, but after the death of Fenwick he purchased five hundred acres in Mannington, and lived there till his death. ALLEN MATTHIAS arrived in Salem from England in 1681. HUGH MIDDLETON who was a prominent citizen, came in the same vessel with Matthias. REDROE MORRIS became a resident of Elsinboro in 1683. At the time of his death in 1701, he was the owner of thirteen hundred acres of land in that township. JAMES NEVILL was one of those who came in the "Griffith" with the Proprietor. He was a lawyer, a man of more than ordinary talent, and of strict integrity. He was William Penn's agent for the sale of the lands which he purchased of Fenwick, and Penn reposed implicit confidence in him. He resided in Salem, where in 1685 he purchased twenty-nine acres of land. He died about 1703. SAMUEL NICHOLSON was one of the wealthiest of those who arrived with John Fenwick. He brought with him his wife Ann, and five children. Soon after their arrival, he purchased a sixteen acre lot on Wharf Street (now Broadway) and a tract of two thousand acres in Elsinboro. At his house, the first Society of Friends was organized in 1676. His sons, Samuel and Abel, became useful citizens. RICHARD NOBLE was the first surveyor-general appointed by the Proprietor, and by him Broadway, in Salem, was laid out. He died soon after the settlement of the colony. CHARLES AND WADE OAKFORD, nephews of Edward Wade, came about 1695. Charles purchased from his uncle a large tract. ROGER PEDRICK purchased of the Proprietor, early in 1676, one thousand acres on Oldman's Creek. Pedricktown took its name from him. WILLIAM PENN became the purchaser, March 23, 1682, of all Fenwick's remainder of land in West Jersey, except one hundred and fifty thousand acres, and grants were made by him, through James Nevill, subsequent to that date. ABNER PENTON was one of the first immigrants. JOHN PLEDGER, who was a ship-carpenter in England, bore an active part in affairs here at an early period. He, with his wife, Elizabeth, and his son, Joseph, came with Fenwick in the "Griffith." THOMAS PYLE, from London, was the purchaser of ten thousand acres in what was named, from him, Pilesgrove township. He probably died prior to 1690. TOBIAS QUINTON came from England and purchased land on the south side of Alloways Creek where now is located the village of Quinton. The names of JOHN REMINGTON, RICHARD ROBINSON, and WILLIAM RUMSEY appear on subscriptions for the erection of Friends' meeting-houses in Salem before 1700. Among the servants who came with Fenwick was MARK REEVE, a man of high mental and moral endowments. In 1685 he purchased sixteen acres in Salem, but he soon removed to a tract which he purchased on Cohansey Creek. JAMES ROLPH, shortly before 1700, became a citizen of Salem, and a landholder in Mannington. JOHN SHALES and WILLIAM SAVAGE were subscribers for the erection of a Friends' meeting-house at Salem in 1698. In 1681 and at different times afterward, ANTHONY SHARP purchased large quantities of land in West New Jersey, though he never migrated thither. His descendant, ISAAC SHARP, became a prominent citizen of this county. JAMES SHERRON became a landholder in Mannington township in the latter part of the seventeenth century. He was murdered in 1777, as elsewhere related. CORNELIUS SHOVERDE, the progenitor of the SHOURDS family, came from Holland in 1684. ISAAC SMART was one of the crew of the "Griffith" in 1675. He was then a young man. He loctaed on a tract of five hundred acres in Elsinboro, and in 1696 built a brick mansion there. His son, Nathaniel's name appears on the first subscription for a Friends' meeting-house. JOHN SMITH, his wife, and their children, were of the company that came to Salem in the "Griffith," in 1675. He purchased of Fenwick two thousand acres, extending from the head of Alemsbury Creek to Alloways Creek. He was called John Smith of Alemsbury. His son, Daniel, bought one thousand acres on Alloways Creek, near Quinton. Daniel became a baptist. JOHN SMITH (of Smithfield) came to America in the ship "Ariel," in 1685. He soon came to Salem, and purchased one-half of the Hedgefield tract in Mannington, from Samuel Hedge and wife, and from that time the place was known as Smithfield. He was endowed with more than ordinary intellect and business capacity, and was one of Fenwick's executors. In 1685, ROGER SMITH purchased ten acres in Salem. JOSEPH STRETCH emigrated from England to this country in 1695 and settled on a tract of nine hundred acres on Stoe Neck [or Stow], south from Alloways Creek. JOE SNOOKS purchased ten acres in Salem in 1685. WILLIAM SUMMERILL was a landowner in Penn's Neck. In 1677 ANDREW and JOHN THOMPSON emigrated from Ireland (they were of English parentage) in the ship "Mary," and arrived at Elsinboro the same year; and about 1680 they bought one-half of Richard Guy's tract in that township. The descendants of John removed to Delaware. Andrew was the progenitor of the numerous family of the name in Salem County. His son William purchased a large tract of land near Allowaystown, and settled there. RICHARD TINDAL came hither in 1678 and soon afterwards purchased five hundred acres of land in Penn's Neck. In 1680 he was made surveyor-general of the colony, with John Warlidge as deputy. They were continued in office after the death of Fenwick, and were likewise employed by William Penn after his purchase. GEORGE TRENCHARD was an early resident of Monmouth precinct. ROBERT TUERNER was one of the servants who came with Fenwick. WILLIAM TYLOR came to West Jersey about 1688, and purchased a tract of land on the north wide of Alloways Creek. RANIER VAN HIRST (whose name is variously spelled) purchased four hundred acres of land near Cranberry Point, in Mannington in 1684. WILLIAM WADDINGTON, who was a French Huguenot, came to this country about 1690, and purchased one thousand acres on the south side of Alloways Creek. EDWARD, ROBERT AND SAMUEL WADE were of the party that the "Griffith" brought, in 1675. In 1678 Robert went to Upland, now Chester. Edward had purchased one thousand acres, which was located at Alloway's Creek. He also purchased a lot on Market Street, Salem, built a house on it, and resided there until his death. Samuel established his residence at Alloways Creek, where he ended his days. JOSEPH WARE was a servant of Edward Wade when they came in 1675, but soon became the purchaser to five hundred acres of land on Alloways Creek. He became an influential man among his fellow citizens. RICHARD WHITACAR (afterwards spelled Whitaker) came in the "Griffith," and was the attorney of William Hancock, who had purchased land here. He was made one of Fenwick's Council of Proprietors, which position he held from 1676 to 1702. CHRISTOPHER WHITE, his wife and two children, landed at Salem in 1677. He had purchased a lot in the town, and one thousand acres besides. In 1682 he removed to this land, which was allocated on Alloways Creek, and erected the largest and most substantial brick house that had been built in the colony. His energy and high moral tone of character were transmitted to his descendants, through several generations. He died in 1698. His son, Josiah, is mentioned in the records of the Friends at Salem in 1698. JOSEPH WHITE arrived at Elsinboro, with HUGH MIDDLETON and others in 1681. He located on land in that township, where he died in 1703. He was active in civil affairs in the colony and an influential member of the Salem Monthly Meeting. JAMES WHITTAN purchased land in Mannington in the latter part of the seventeenth century. WILLIAM WILKINSON came with Fenwick as a servant. In 1685 he purchased a ten-acre lot in Salem. ROBERT WINDHAM, who came in the "Griffith," purchased from the Proprietor one thousand acres, where the New Haven colony had partially cleared the land more than thirty years before, this land having Salem Creek for its western boundary. He resided on this land till he and his wife died, about 1686, leaving a daughter, who became the wife of Richard Darkin. RICHARD WOODNUT came from England in 1690, and in 1695 settled in Salem. He was a bricklayer. In 1696 he came in possession of a large tract of land in Mannington. THOMAS WOODRUFF and his wife, Edith, came to Salem on the ship "Surrey," in 1679. In 1682 he was sheriff of the county. BARTHOLOMEW WYATT, from Worcestershire England, became a citizen of Salem about 1690. He purchased twelve hundred acres of land in Mannington. He was prominent in civil affairs, and an active member of the Society of Friends. THOMAS YORKE, from England, settled in Salem as early as 1685. He became the owner, in 1687 of five hundred acres on Necomis Run, a part of Fenwick's Grove, in Mannington, then known as White's Vineyard. ROBERT ZANE purchased from the Proprietor a sixteen-acre lot in Salem, and in his house the Friends held meetings. He removed to Newton Creek in 1790, and there he died. (end)