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John of Rye
Revision: 12/05/1997
JOHN FALKINBURGE
John was the oldest son of Jacob Falkinburg, Sr., John may be the most interesting. He appears to have been the son with the best prospects. The initial impression of John is that he was a farmer. He was really a businessman. The terms of merchant, trader, and smuggler were used to describe men of business in those days. Farming appears to have been just one part of his overall business enterprises. It was an industrial family. Each family member was an integral part within the structure of the total enterprise. John was the manager. Each child worked within the family unit and learned to perform many tasks. The boys all appear to have been trained at a particular trade to complement their general knowledge. Had John not succumbed prematurely, it is conceivable he would have been a major factor in the development of the Juniata Valley.
John Falkinburge, son of Jacob Falkinburge, Sr. was born at Little Egg Harbor Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, November 9, 1739. He married Mary Somers, daughter of Edmund Somers, Sr. and Mary Steelman. Edmund Somers, Sr. was of Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County (now Atlantic County). Mary Somers had sisters Hannah and Judith, and a brother Edmund, Jr. Mary Somers was born December 28, 1742 at Great Egg Harbor.
(pg. 139)At a Monthly Meeting held at Egg Harbour for Egg Harbour and Cape May the 3rd of the 11th month 1760...At this meeting also John Falkenburgh of Little Egg Harbour and Mary Somers of this place declared their intention of marriage with each other and he was also informed that a Certificate would be expected at their next appearance and his father being present give his consent, and signified that his wife was also consenting.
John “Folkenburg” and Nathan Bartlett were granted certificates to marry, on November 13, 1760 by the Little Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting.
(pg. 193) At a Monthly Meeting held at Egg Harbour for Egg Harbour and Cape May the 1st day of the 12th month 1760... At this meeting John Falkenberry and Mary Somers appeared and signified the Continuation of their Intentions of Marriage with each other and said John produced a Certificate from Little Egg Harbour Monthly Meeting to our satisfaction and Friends finding nothing to obstruct leaves them at liberty to consummate their marriage According to the good order used among us and appoints Peter Steelman and Noah Smith to see the marriage orderly accomplished and report thereof to our next monthly meeting.
In the minutes of the monthly meeting for Egg Harbour-Cape May held January 5, 1761, “...At this meeting Noah Smith and Peter Steelman reports that they saw the Marriages of Nathan Bartlett and Judith Somers, and John Falkenberry and Mary Somers orderly accomplished.” By the following month both Judith Bartlett and Mary Falkinburge removed to Little Egg Harbor Township to live and joined the Little Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting at Clamtown (now Tuckerton). Mary’s certificate was received by Little Egg Harbor M.M. on May 14, 1761.
Nine children were born to this marriage. Some knowledge exists about all of these children except Judith. The children of John and Mary Falkinburge were:
Edmund b. November 20, 1762 Hannah b. March 19, 1771
Samuel b. September 28, 1764 Talitha b. May 16, 1774
John b. December 28, 1767 Judith b. September 16, 1777
Joseph b. April 24, 1769 Susanna b. November 12, 1779
Somers b. 1780-85
All of the above births are recorded in the records of the Little Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting except Somers, who is not recorded anywhere. Joseph was born in that portion of Gloucester County that is now Atlantic County, New Jersey. Although amply documented elsewhere, no record of Somers Falkinburg’s birth is known to exist. Falkinburge was a farmer.
He possessed real estate in both Gloucester (now Atlantic) County and Burlington (now Ocean) County. According to Leah Blackman, John Falkinburge lived on the 150 acre farm in the neighborhood of Down Shore, whereon his grandfather Henry Jacobs Falkinburge erected a mansion house and lived until his death. Henry Jacobs Falkinburge devised this farm in his will to his son Jacob Falkinburge, Sr., who conveyed it, and two meadows, to his son John, on January 1, 1775. In Book A-M, page 312 of West Jersey conveyances, Jacob Falkinburge conveyed to Falkinburge...yeoman son of the said Jacob Falkinburge... for and in consideration of the Natural Love and affection which he hath and Bearith unto the said John Falkinburge and for the Better maintenance and Livelihood of him the said John Falkinburge...All that messuage or Tenement Situate Lyeth joining to James Belangees Plantation containing one hundred and fifty acres...the above said place Bounding on the middle of Henry Jacobs six Hundred Acres survey...Jacob also conveyed two tracts of meadow joining the lower end of the farm. One meadow contained fifty acres and twenty acres in the other. All were a part of the original 600 acres surveyed to Henry Jacobs Falkinburge by his Deed of Right from Jeremiah Basse and Thomas Revell and dated January 13th 1698.
There were probably more than one house on the property. The main house (erected by Henry Jacobs Falkinburge) was situated about three rods west of the property line as it ran from a corner of John Ridgway’s line at the southeast corner of Hickory Island and then north the 102 chains to a pine. The doors of this house are said to have been solid mahogany. The old house burned down about the year 1800 when Samuel Willits held the property. The deed from Jacob to John refers to orchards, feedings, woods, woods pastures and common pasture. When the Falkinburges were in possession of the farm, they set out a large number of red or pie cherry trees. The trees produced abundantly, and people used to go there and gather what they wanted without money or price. On this farm John Falkinburge kept about 21 head of cattle.
During the Revolutionary War this farm and its surroundings may have been the scene of activity. According to Leah Blackman, “the house where Giberson sought refuge, when Bates was seeking him, was on a small lot below Tuckerton, between the farms of James Downs and Dr. T. T. Price, and that he had a rude hideout in the center of a thicket, called Oak Swamp, in the neighborhood of Down Shore.” Saltar says that tradition places the location of Giberson’s shooting as being “just below Tuckerton on a place occupied by a branch of the Falkinburgh family.”
John Falkinburge was assessed for 100 acres of unimproved land in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County from 1780-1784. His Gloucester County holdings came through his marriage to Mary Somers. There were five tracts in the estate. The first being a 100 acre tract of land and swamp adjacent to lands of Richard Somers. The second tract was 26 acres of land and or swamp adjacent to the first tract along and adjoining to lands of Daniel Ingersoll and James Somers. Both tracts had been surveyed to Edmond Somers on his right of proprietary. The third tract was a small tract of maple swamp along lines formerly surveyed to James Somers containing 21 acres. The fourth was a small tract of land and swamp laying in the fork of Maple Branches on a northerly branch of Mill Creek containing 9 1/2 acres, granted by James Somers to Edmond Somers by deed of conveyance on July 5, 1733 and being one half of 19 acres surveyed to James Somers by proprietary right. The fifth was a tract of 70 acres at a place called Newbold Swamp in the forks of Mill Run. Joseph Mapes bought out the two undivided thirds of Judith and Hannah. The Newbold Swamp tract was surveyed and divided between Mapes and Falkinburge and Mapes conveyed a one equal third part to Falkinburge on May 25, 1785 and contained about 74 1/2 acres. This resurveying and division was in anticipation of John Falkinburge’s removal from New Jersey. Mapes retained the house and plantation on the northeast side and Falkinburge retained the one third on the southwest side. Three days later John Falkinburge & Mary his wife sold their resurveyed one third to Nathan Bartlett of Stafford Township for L300 hard money.
About the year 1783 John Falkinburge sent his two sons John and Joseph out to central Pennsylvania. His reasons for this are not known. They went to Rye Township, Cumberland County. Rye Township and the townships that have since been erected from it are now a part of Perry County. The boys served as members of the 2nd Battalion, Cumberland County Militia.
Family moves to Pennsylvania
A business opportunity appeared for John Falkinburge out of the situation at Rye Township. David English, a miller, held extensive property throughout present day Perry County. He held numerous land warrants and ossessed several mills. Two of these mills were purchased by John Falkinburge. His motivation to enter the mill business is not known. He is not known to have had any prior experience in that industry. Nor have any records come to light in New Jersey that indicate his involvement with such enterprises. It isn’t likely he would have entered into such an endeavor without some prior knowledge of the business. John’s brother David purchased Richard Wescoat’s mills at Gloucester County and there may have been a connection there.
John went on ahead and in January made a deposit of L160 on the properties. At the February 2nd 1785 meeting of the Little Egg Harbor M.M. a certificate of withdraw was granted to Mary Falkinburg and all children to Redlands M.M. at York County, Pa., excepting Samuel and Edmund. We believe they headed west shortly thereafter. It was Edmund’s intent to join them in August or September. Samuel either preceded, or left with the family, because he was there in March as a witness to the Articles of Agreement. In Articles of Agreement dated March 14, 1785, David English of Rye Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, sold to John Falkingburge of Little Egg harbour, County of Burlington & State of West Jersey, for the sum of L3,700 in Pennsylvania money, a grinding mill and plantation containing 200 acres more or less, and a saw mill plantation of 300 acres. Samuel Falkinburge and David English, Jr. were witnesses. The Rye Township mills were located on two separate plantations.
John and Mary Falkinburge returned to New Jersey to settle his affairs and liquidate his real estate in April. On May 25, 1785, John and Mary Falkinburge of Little Egg Harbour Township conveyed to Henry Willets, farmer of the same place, for a consideration of the sum of L1,000 gold and silver, their Little Egg Harbor Township house and plantation of 150 acres together with two other separate tracts of meadow situate and lying joining the corner end of the 150 acre tract and containing 50 acres in the one, and 20 acres in the other. Along with the aforementioned lands, Willets received the equal one half part of a cedar swamp lying up Shourd’s Mill Branch that he had purchased of Nehemiah Andrews and containing seven acres; and a piece of cedar swamp on a branch of Bass River containing five and one half acres Falkinburge had purchased of Nathan Bartlett. This conveyance was witnessed by Jeremiah Willets and Hannah Falkinburge.
On the following day, May 26th 1785, John Falkinburge and Mary his wife of Little Egg Harbor Township conveyed to Catherine Carr of Great Egg Harbour Township, Gloucester County, for and in consideration of L100 hard money, their equal undivided one-third of the four Great Egg Harbor Township tracts containing mostly swamp and the Newbold Swamp acreage, all held by them as heirs-at-law of Edmond Somers.
John and Mary Falkinburge remained in New Jersey at least through the end of June 1785. They removed to Rye Township, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, shortly after. Leah Blackman erroneously stated that the family removed to Warrington, York County, Pennsylvania.
For the balance of 1785, the Falkinburges operated the saw and grist mills and farmed 385 acres of land with their 4 horses and 2 head of cattle. There were numerous grist and saw mills at Rye Township during this period and the precise locations of Falkinburge’s mills have not been determined. One factor obstructing research in locating the mills is the fact that Rye Township has been split several times to create other townships, and those townships in turn have been split to create still more of the same. Another factor making it difficult to determine the mill sites is that lot descriptions are not available for either mill. Had John Falkinburge lived long enough to take clear title and have a recorded Deed, a determination would be simpler. David English owned numerous mills in that area and an exact determinatin of location is not possible without a better description. However, when Reading Howell’s MAP OF PENNSYLVANIA (1792) showing existing mills in Cumberland County, and when comparing data from local histories, one or both of the mills are believed to have been situated along Big Buffaloe Creek at Oliver and Juniata Townships. One possibility is a site referred to as the old “English Mill” in a 1787 act designating the mill, “late the property of Daniel English” as the polling place for the Sixth District of Rye and Greenwood Townships. The mill was located along Big Buffalo Creek, out in present-day Juniata Township, about one and one half miles west of Newport. The old mill was razed when a forge was built below the road Reaves & Company. A mill is plainly marked on Howell’s map where the road from Geoghans Gap (now Sterretts Gap) runs northerly across Big Buffalo Creek and on up to where Raccoon Creek empties into Juniata River.
The saw mill conveyance contained a reservation whereby David English retained possession and use of the mill until July 1,1785, and that for a term of four years beginning from the date of the articles, David English, Jr. be allowed the use the mill for four weeks every year. And it was also stipulated that David English, Jr., be responsible for all repairs to the mill if he were to break anything from other than reasonable wear. Reserved out of the saw mill plantation by English was a fishery where his son David English,Jr. resided and located opposite David English, Jr.’s upper field. However, Falkinburge was entitled to enjoy the benefits of that fishery. Also included in the agreement was the pine timber from a tract of land adjoining lands of Roger Brown, John Jones, Patrick Cree, and the road leading from Samuel Shad’s heirs to John Cain’s likewise east by Purgatory Run.
Death of John Falkinburg
The decision to leave New Jersey proved to be a disastrous one for the family. Tragedy struck when John Falkinburge died around the end of January 1786. He was forty-six years old. His cause of death has not been discovered. Was it pneumonia or some winter weather influenza? Was it an accident at one of the mills? Perhaps he was kicked by, or thrown from a horse. The cause of death will probably never be known. It doesn’t matter. What matters was that the family circle was broken and the Falkinburges were stranded at a far away place with the burden of operating two mills and the plantation.
Mary Falkinburge declined to act as administratrix in favor of her son Samuel and Letters of Administration were granted on February 13th. Samuel remained in New Jersey while William Richardson, a Pennsylvania attorney, acted on Samuel’s behalf. It appears that John’s financial affairs were entangled with him owing monies and the same being owed to him. The Final Accounting for the Estate of John Falkinburge reveals a tangled financial web. He held bonds of others but there were attachments, notes, and bonds against him. Among the outstandings were six bonds upon Henry Willets valued at L 600, three bonds upon Reuben Tucker valued at L150, two bonds from Nathan Barkles worth L116, and one bond from James Steelman for a balance of L32..0..3. The administrators ordered a public sale of the goods and chattels of John Falkinburge. John Hunter was the crier at the auction held February 27, 1786. Samuel Falkinburge came up from New Jersey and purchased most of the property so it is reasonable to assume that he returned them to his mother. Operation of the mill was discontinued by the Falkinburges and it was rented out toward the end of 1786 and continued at least through to early May of 1788. Expenses for repairs of the grist mill during this period amounted to L 30, 4Sh. The family maintained its interest in the mills, and after he married Mary Falkinburge, Roger Brown had the taxes assessed to him for one mill and 1,600 acres.
Mary Falkinburge renewed her connection with the Society of Friends and joined the Warrington Meeting. Mary and seven children presented a certificate from Egg Harbor to the Warrington Monthly Meeting on September 8, 1787. The Warrington Friends Monthly Meeting house was erected in 1745. A new building made of gray stone was erected on the site of the original in 1769. It was enlarged to it present size in 1782. The building remains preserved in its early state and is used to this day for regular meetings. John, Joseph, and Susanna Falkinburge are recorded as having attended meetings there on January 10, 1788 and June 7, 1788. Somers was also recorded in attendance at the last meeting.
Roger Brown had been a neighbor and associate of John Falkinburge. Brown had a plantation of 100 acres along Big Buffalo Creek that he inherited from his father’s estate. Roger Brown married first to Tabitha Morrison in 1767. The children of that marriage were Robert, William (died unmarried), Francis (who grabbed his rifle and headed for Kentucky, and who was never heard from), Ellen (who died unmarried), Martha (married William Wallis a blacksmith), and Elizabeth (who married Anthony Brandt).
Mary Falkinburge married Roger Brown in 1787. Roger Brown was not a Quaker however, and Warrington Meeting refused to acknowledge the union and would not accept the family’s certificate from Little Egg Harbor because of it. In December 1787, Little Egg Harbor Meeting received the returned certificate with a letter from Warrington Meeting informing them that Mary had married to a man out of unity and not of membership in the Society. Mary Falkinburg, now Mary Brown, was subsequently disowned by Little Egg Harbor at its January 10, 1788 meeting for marrying contrary to the Friends precept. However, John, Joseph, Susannah, and Summers Falkinburge, were all granted a new certificate at that meeting to join Warrington Monthly Meeting, York County, Pa. Mary’s marriage was reported as having taken place before the April 12, 1788 gathering at Warrington Monthly Meeting.
In 1790 the household of Roger Brown had the following composition:
males aged males below white females including
16 yrs & over age 16 heads of households
2 2 4
Source: U.S. Federal Census Populaton Schedule of Pennsylvania, 1790
In the first category we can account for Roger Brown and John Falkinburge,Jr. (Joseph and Samuel having returned to New Jersey). In the second category the only male under the age of 16 years would have been Somers Falkinburge. The identity and age of the second child has not been determined. That child could have been by Roger Brown’s first marriage, a child by his marriage to Mary Falkinburge, or someone else’s child. Among the females we can discern Mary and three daughters. The question here is which three? Nothing is known of Judith after she went to Warrington with her mother in 1787.
The Last Will and Testament of Roger Brown written April 23, 1810, and proved April 10, 1813. He named and provided for his children by his first marriage. He also made provision for his second wife, Mary, “...and whereas there is an agreement between my son Robert and me bearing date the ninth day of March one thousand eight hundred and three providing a living for my wife Mary after my decease and in addition to what is therein mentioned in the article, I give and bequeath to my said wife one cow her saddle and all the iron pots and kettles and all the other kitchen furniture that hath been used as such and her spinning wheels both for linen and wooling and bed and all the beads and beading if she will accept of this foregoing for her dowery if not then these are to cease and she must abide by what the law allows her and it agreed in the aforesaid article that my wife Mary is to have the dwelling house and the orchard and the garden and one cow and two sheep wintered while she lives but it is my will that if my wife will not live on the premises then these shall cease but while she lives on the premises they are to stand good as mentioned in the said article... Brown goes on to say, “... and as my wife Mary may have money which she has got by her going abroad it is my will that all the cash she has or all indebted to her for her service in the line of a midwife shall be her own ....” No further mention of Mary Brown has come to light in the records of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. It is believed that upon Roger Brown’s death she returned to New Jersey. Mary Brown, relict John Falkinburge and Roger Brown, died August 9, 1825. She is buried at Union Cemetery, S. Dennis, Cape May County, New Jersey.
The Children of John & Mary Falkinburge
Edmund, born November 20, 1762. Oldest child of John and Mary Falkinburge. In the Miscellaneous Book of the Cumberland County, Pennsylvania Registrar of Deeds can be found a Bill of Sale from John Falkinburge to Edmund Falkinburge dated April 29th 1785. In this instrument witnessed by John’s other sons, Samuel and John, he sells to Edmund “one wagon & two Harses three Beads & Beading & Chist & Clothing & all the
fourniture that is in his hands & custody of the said Edmund Falkinburge.” It appears from that document that Edmund Falkinburge, then twenty-two years of age, left home and set out his own. he was given a certifacte from the Little Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting He may have gone west.
Samuel, born September 28, 1764, New Jersey. Died February 9, 1839. Buried at Oak Hill Cemetery, Seneca Falls. Reputed to have married first Alice Mathis of Little Egg Harbor Twp., N.J., daughter of Nehemiah Mathis, Sr. Married second to first cousin Penelope Buffin, born Mansfield, New Jersey about March 16, 1774 and died October 3, 1846. About the year 1800 he removed to Seneca County, New York where he farmed 240 acres along the west bank of Cayuga Lake. The children of Samuel and Penelope Falkinburg were, Richard, Joseph, Mary “Polly”, Avesta, Mandany, Abigail, Alzina and Harriet. There may have been two sons born between 1791 and 1800. One is believed to have died before 1810. The other was born about 1794 and was still living with his father in 1820. They are not mentioned in Samuel Falkinburge’s will and no other records of them have come to light. Therefore, if those individuals were his sons, they must have predeceased their father without issue.
John, was born December 12, 1767 and died intestate in March 1832 at Woodcock Township, Crawford County, Pennsylvania. John Falkinburge married Catherine Hatfield of Middle Paxton Township, Dauphin County, between 1794 and May 1799. Catherine Falkinburg died in 1837. They removed to Crawford County, Pennsylvania, where they were among the early pioneers of Woodcock Township during the first decade of the nineteenth century or earlier. John and Catherine Falkinburg are known to have had four children. The identified children were John, Joseph, Jay J., Samuel, and Catherine. Joseph, born at Gloucester County on April 24,1769. He was trained to be a tailor, however he was well versed in running a business which he learned from his father, and became one of the wealthiest men in South Jersey by the time of his death in 1846. He returned to New Jersey about 1790, where he went into business at Dennis Creek village, Cape May County. He married Abigail Ludlam. She died after giving birth to their only child, also named Abigail. He married second to his first wife’s sister, Sarah Ludlam. Their was no issue by this marriage. Hannah, born March 12, 1771, and married May 8, 1792, at Rye Twp., Cumberland (now Perry) County, to Joseph Hare. Joseph Haire may have come from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. They were very likely married about the year 1788. Joseph Hare was born about 1754 and died April 7, 1834 at Spring Township, Centre County, Pennsylvania. Hannah is believed to have died in 1825. As best as can be determined Joseph and Hannah were the parents of at least five sons and two daughters. Among them are believed to be Joseph, James born about 1810 and Samuel, and possibly Hannah.
Talitha, born May 16, 1774 and died about 1851 at Dennis Twp., Cape May County, New Jersey. Married November 26, 1798 to Enoch Stephenson of Dennis Township, Cape May County, New Jersey. Enoch Stephenson born about 1771 at Dennis Creek and died October 6, 1863. His parents were Richard and Rebecca Stephenson. Stephenson was a woodcutter, saw mill owner and farmer. His homestead and plantation of 161 acres was located along the Johnson Mill Pond at Dennisville. Enoch and Talitha Stephenson are believed to have been the parents of at least six children. They were Joseph, Richard, Somers, Enoch, Talitha, and Falkinburge. The Stephensons may also have parented three other children. Those children were a girl born between 1801 and 1810, a male born 1801-1820, and a another male born 1820-1825. Judith was present at Warrington Monthly Meeting in September 1787 when Mary Falkinburge presented a certificate from Little Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting. No further references to her are recorded. She may have married about the year 1788.
Susanna married Jesse Williams of Centre County, Pennsylvania. Susanna Williams born November 12, 1779 and died August 27, 1831. Jesse Williams born August 10, 1778 and died August 15, 1864. He was a farmer at Huston Township and was active in local politics as a Whig. Their known children were Mark J., George, John Falkenburg, Susan, Joseph F., Sarah, Jane,and Jesse.
Somers was John Falkinburge’s youngest son. No record of his birth can be located however he is believed to have been born between 1780 and 1785. He joined his brother at Dennis Creek in early 1806. He married Elizabeth Sullivan of Cumberland County, New Jersey on April 23, 1809. They had four sons and three daughters. This entire family packed up went West in 1837.
APPENDIX A
Vendue List of the Goods & Chattels of theEstate of John Falkinburge Decd. June 28th 1788 An Account of the goods sold at publick vendue Febery the 27 1786 By Samuel Falkenburge & Wm Richardson
Saml Falkenburge
To 4 swine Mary Falkinburge to An Iron Tea kettell
To a spoted Heifer Calf George Dickson to A Candle Stick
to do with white face Saml Falkinburge to A Log Chain
to do to A Walnut Table
To a cow to 3 Chairs
To a cow to A _____ing Axe
To a Large Wagon John Mcknighton to A Spade
To 4 swine Saml Falkinburge to A Broad ax
To Do to 11 Spoons
To Do Saml Falkinburge to 3 Caskes
To six small piggs Mary Falkinburge to A Bead & Clothing & Stead
To A Mare Saml Falkinburge to A Small Bead
To A Horse Mary Falkinburge to a poplar chest
To A cuting knife & Box to a Cubbard
to a grind stone to A Suit of Apparil
to 2 Augers Saml Falkinburge to 3 piggs
to 2 Leather Collers
to 2 Blind halters
To 2 pare of Roap geers
to 2 Sickels
to a iron pot
to A Chain
to A pare of Steel yards
to 1 tub & Bucket
to 3 pails & Can
to a pail & Cooler
to 12 pewter plates
to 4 pewter Dishes
to A candle Mold
APPENDIX B
Articles of Agreement Between David English and John Falkingbury
Know all Men by these Presents that I David English of the Township of Rie County of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania Miller am held and firmly bound to John Falkingbury of Little Egg harbour County of Burlington State of West Jersey in the full and just Sum of thirty Seven hundred Pounds good and Lawful Money of Pennsylvania to be paid to the said John Falkingbury his Certain Money his Heir Executor and admrs or assigns for which payment well and truly to be made and Done I Bind my self my Heirs Executors and admrs firmly by these presents Sealed with my Seal and Dated this fourteenth Day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred & Eighty five
The Condition of the above obligation is such that the said David English hath sold to the said John Falkingbury his Grinding Mill with the Plantation belonging to the Mill and all the Benefits of said place & mill to be Delivered to the said John Falkingbury his Heirs and assigns at the time the said Falkingbury Makes the first payment Agreeable to the Bond for said payment also the Saw Mill and plantation which said Saw Mill Stands on for and in consideration of the Sum of Eighteen hundred and fifty Pounds Lawful Money of Pennsylvania to be paid to the sd David English as the Bonds More fully Doth Shew, said David English Reserves the Saw Mill to his own use till the first of July next Ensuing the Date hereof as also said English Reserves the use of said Mill four weeks in Every year for and During the Term of four years from the Date hereof for the use of David English Juner the said four weeks to be taken Yearly as it Shall be agreed on between said John Falkingbury & the said David English Junr to and with their convenience said English to Repair the said Mill if he Brakes of himself said Mill otherwise than Reasonable ware
Now Know Ye that if the said David English his Executors or AdministratorsDo Deliver up said Grinding Mill in good working Repair and make a proper Conveyance of said plantation Containing two hundred Acres of Land be the Same more or less and Mill to the said John Falkingbury his Heirs Executors and Admrs or assigns at the time Afore Mentioned him the said John Falkenbury his Heirs Executors or admrs to give the said David English his Heirs or Exrs Sufficient Security for the payments as also said David English to make Likewise A proper Conveyance of the said plantation whereon the said Saw Mill Stands on and Mill Containing three hundred Acres be the same more or less
Agreeable to the foregoing Conditions as also the Benefits of a Fishery that sd David English Reserved from the plantation that David English Junr lives on Marked for that purpose opposet to said English Junrs upper field as also said David English to make as good a Title to the said John Falkingbury his Heirs Execrs or admrs as he the said English hath to the same of all the pine timber on a Certain Tract of Land Ajoining Lands of Roger Brown John Jones Patrick Cree & the road Leading from Saml Shaws heirs to John Cains Likewise East by purgatory Run the said David English his Heirs Executors or admrs performing this Condition then his obligation to be void and of none Effect but if not to be in full force and virtue in Law NB said English is bound as above to Rinder up the saw Mill the said first of July in good working Repair
in the presence of us Signed Sealed and Delivered
David English Junier David English seal
Samuel Falkinburge
Cumberland County SS This sixth Day of December A.D. 1785 Before me John
Agnew Esqr. one of the Justices of the Peace and the Court of Common Pleas in and for said County Came Samuel Falkinburge and on his Solemn oath Declared that he was present and Saw the within named David English Sign Seal and as his Act and Deed Deliver the within Instrument of writing and that he Subscribed his name as a witness thereto and Saw David English Junr the other witness Subscribe his name as a witness thereto In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand & Seal the Day and year aforesaid John Agnew seal
Recorded December 6th A.D. 1785 & Compared William Lyon Recdr
APPENDIX C
Exracts from Minutes of Little Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting , Tuckerton, N.J.
13th da, 1st mo, 1785. David Falkinburg disowned.
9th da, 2nd mo, 1785. Mary Falkinburg, wife of John, and children, John,
Joseph, Hannah, Tabitha, Judith, Susannah, and Summers, granted a
certificate to the Monthly Meeting held in Redlands in York county, or
thereaway. (Samuel not among them.)
11th da, 8th mo, 1785. Edmund Falkinburge, a certificate granted to the
Monthly Meeting of friends held at Redland, in York county, Pa.
13th da, 9th mo, 1786. Samuel Falkinburge disowned.
13th da, 12th mo, 1787. The certificate for Mary Falkinburg, her seven
children which was given this meeting dated 8/12/1785 to Warrington is
returned with a letter informing us that before the certificate came to
them she was married out of unity to a man not of membership and three of
her children were returned to us and the other four children yet remaining
in that part.
10th da, 1st mo, 1788. Mary Brown late Falkinburge disowned for marrying
contrary to friends. John, Joseph, Susannah, and Summers Falkinburge,
granted a certificate to Warrenton Monthly Meeting, Pa.
10th da, 1st mo, 1788. certificate of removal for John, Joseph, Susanna, Summers Falkenburge, children John and Mary Falkenburge, from Little Eggharbor
Monthly Meeting to Warrington, York, Pa.
APPENDIX D.
Extracts from Minutes of Warrington Monthly Meeting Warrington Twp, York Co., Pa.
1787, Sept. 8, Mary Falkinburge and seven children presented certificate from Egg Harbor.
1788, January 10 Received John, Joseph, Susanna Falkinburge.
1788, April 12 before, Mary Falkinburge from Little Egg Harbor married R. Brown.
1788, June 7 John, Joseph, Susanna & Somers Falkinburge received from Little Egg Harbor.
Hewlett, Joseph M., Jr., B.S., M.A., M.S., COMDR USNR (RET). The Somers Family of South Jersey. 1972. pg. 182.
Atlantic County Historical Society, Year Book with Historical & Genealogical Journal. Oct. 1961. Vol. 4, No. 2. Atlantic County Historical Society, Somers Point, NJ. Minutes of the Egg Harbor- Cape May M.M.
Atlantic County Historical Society, Year Book with Historical & Genealogical Journal. Oct. 1961. Vol. 4, No. 2. Atlantic County Historical Society, Somers Point, NJ. Minutes of the Egg Harbor- Cape May M.M.
Men’s Minutes of the Egg Harbor- Cape May M.M. of Friends 1726-1843, Vol. I., pg. 141. Property of Atlantic County Historical Society, Somers Point, N. J.
Atlantic County Historical Society, Year Book with Historical & Genealogical Journal. Oct. 1961. Vol. 4, No. 2. Atlantic County Historical Society, Somers Point, NJ. Minutes of the Egg Harbor- Cape May M.M.
Blackman, Leah. History of Little Egg Harbor Township, N. J. , pg. 246.
Gloucester Coouty Tax Rata bles. Great Egg Harbour Township, 1780, 1782, and 1784.
Gloucester County Deeds. Book AA, pg. 32.
Pennsylvania Archives, Sixth Series, Vol. V., Harrisburg, Pa., pg. 185. “Roll of the Second Battalion of Cumberland County Militia between the Ages of Eighteen and Forty-five Years taken from the Returns made to me on Oath by the Officers Cammanding Companies July 4, 1783. “ No. 267 John Falkenburgh and No. 268 Joseph Falkenburgh. John Falkenburge, Sr. would have been 42 years of age; John, Jr.., 15 years; and Joseph, 16 years.
Cumberland County Deeds. Misc. Book 1-H, pg. 145. Recorded December 6th, 1785, Samuel Falkinburge swore his oath as witness to the Articles of Agreement.
Colonial Conveyances. Burlington County Deeds Bk. A-N, pg. 447. Note that this conveyance was witnessed by Hannah Falkinburg. This Hannah Falkinburg cannot be identified. John’s sister was already married by then and his daughter, Hannah, was too young to witness a legal document. She may have been Jacob’s daughter. See also, Book A-N, pg. 450 of Colonial Conveyances. John Falkinburge to Nathan Bartleet, May 28, 1785.
Pennsylvania Archives, Third Series, Vol. XX. Harrisburg, Pa., 1898, pg. 750. Tax List of Rye Township. John Falkenburger was assessed for 385 acres of land, 4 horses, and 2 head of cattle.
Haim, H.H. History of Perry County, Pennsylvania.Hain-Moore Company. Harrisburg, Pa., 1922, pg.1039.
Howell, Reading. Map of Pennsylvania 1792. This map shows four mills along the creek. Robinson’s and Linn’s were in Tyrone Township, and the fourth was along the southerly side of the creek near where it empties into Juniata River.
For reference purposes it would be helpful if Purgatory Run could be located.
l document. She may have been Jacob’s daughter. See also, Book A-N, pg. 450 of
