133 SAMUEL ELSTON. In the "Proceedings of the N. J. Hist. Soc.," Second Series IX, 51, among Condict Revolutionary Record Abstracts (1837), we find Record of Samuel Elston. "Charity Elston, widow; Name Quimby before marriage; now over 80. Lived near New Providence, where Jacob Potter lives; now lives 3-1/2 miles from Vealtown at John Masters'. Samuel was private in Capt. Potter's Co. and served by enlistment one year in Northern Campaign. Before War began he moved from Rahway to Turkey (now named New Providence) with his family, then of 2 or 3 ch. Was a shoemaker and weaver by trade, had red hair and wore a long tail of it hanging down his shoulders from which they called him 'Carrot.' After War he moved to Somerset, near Vealtown, where he died." He is listed in "New Jersey Men in the Revolutionary War." A letter in 1914 from the Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Pensions, said, "Samuel Elston enlisted Jan. 1776, service 1 yr., pvt., Capt. Samuel Potter, Col. Dayton and 1777 and served at various times, 11 mos. in all, Capt. Daniel S. Wood, Col. Jeremiah Smith, and Thomas and Jaques. Engaged in Expedition to Canada; Springfield. Residence at enlistment New Providence, Essex Co., N. J. Wife applied for pension July 25, 1837, allowed, residence Bernard Township, Somerset Co. She was born in Middlesex Co., N. J., 18 yrs. old in 1773. He was born in Rahway, married in Woodbridge Township Aug. 6, 1773, Charity Gray or Quimby, he died in Bernard Township, Feb. 14, 1812. She d. Apr. 22, 1838. Three ch. mentioned but not named."

A letter from the War Dept. Adj. Gen'l's office gives similar information, adding "first service in Cap't Samuel Potter's Co., Dayton's Battalion." His name first appears on the company muster rolls covering the period from Feb. 8 to Nov. 23, 1776, which shows that he enlisted Feb. 13, 17-, and it appears on the company muster roll covering the period from Nov. 24, 1776 to Feb. 23, 1777, with the following remark: "Sent sick to Albany. Jany. 30." A letter from the State of N. J. Adj. Gen'l. adds-'enlisted as Private Capt. Samuel Potter's Third Co., Third Reg't, N. J. Continental Line Jan. 1777 for one year; served in expedition to Canada; Private Capt. Daniel Smith Woods' Co., First Regt., Essex Co., N. J. Militia 1777-1780 at Battles of Acquacknonk, Sept. 27, 1778, Connecticut Farms, June 7, 1780; Springfield June 23, 1780." Charity is given in a list Feb 5, 1838 of widows of Revolutionary soldiers in "Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey," III, 160.

Samuel's will dated 25 Jan. 1812 of Bernard Twp., Somerset Co., mentions wife Charity, and ch. Caleb, Joseph, Eunice and Thomas. A deed of Sept. 3, 1825 seems to indicate that there may have been another dau., Mary: "William Van Deren of Twp. of Bernards, Co. of Somerset, of first part and i\'iary Chitester, wife of Andrew Chitester, Caleb Elston, Joseph Elston, Eunis, wife of John Masters and Thomas Elston of second part-land on the road that leads from Veal Town to Major McMurtry's." My notes are not too clear, but it appears that June 29, 1822 Charity by the tax collector sold land in Bernards-town on the road that leads from Veal Town to Major McMurtry's, as recorded in Morris Co. Thomas sold land to Andrew Chediston, Sept. 26, 1826, and Thomas and others to John Ballentin, Jan. 7, 1840, both in Bernardstown. Also Nov. 14, 1838 Joseph Elston and wile Sarah of Jefferson Twp., Caleb and wife Mary, John Martin (should be Masters) and wife Eunice, Thomas and wife Elizabeth and Jacob Beam and wife Mary sold land in Bernardstown to John Ballentine. Incidentally, all of these except the last two signed with their marks which may help explain why some descendants' names became spelled Elsen; There was also sale of land in the estate to Andrew Cedister, Sept. 26, 1826. Samuel is included in a list of freeholders in Bernards Twp., in 1790 in "First Things in Old Somerset," by A. MessIer.
The writer has had a feeling (but can't prove the relationship) that this Samuel was the great-grandson of Peter (3) and probably the grandson of Peter (13) referred to in the following abstracts of deeds. There was no other known Samuel of suitable age who could have performed the military service and had the family outlined previously. It appears that he moved from Rahway or Woodbridge to New Providence just after he sold his great-grandfather's estate. This move, knowledge of which we fortunately have, distinguishes him from the various descendants of Samuel who were already living in Essex Co. On the other hand we might argue that this Samuel was son of Abraham (56) because both moved near New Providence, Abraham in Morris Twp., Morris Co., N. J. Also it would have been logical for Abraham's son to have completed the settlement of Peter's (3) estate after Abraham's death.

"Connet Papers #34, Aug. 1, 1774," Deed, Samuel Elston, Jr., Wd. Twp., great grandson of Peter Elston of \Vd. to William Bunn. Peter Elston, by will of 12 May 1746, ordered land sold after the decease of his son Peter . . . (the proceeds to be divided among legatees)…and named son Benjamin Elston and friends John Skinner and William Britain executors. Executors are dead. Samuel Elston Jr. sells land in Wd. to William Bunn for £266-19-II:. Witnesses. Samuel Jones and Samuel Elston-Signature Samuel Elston by his mark.