The original information for this line came from Patria Donegan

SOURCE: Abstract for Jonathan Stevens will:

Jonathan Stevens of Cornwall Liber A,p269

will made 28 Dec 1794 Probated Jan 14 1795

Wife Jemima

Sons: Joseph, David, Jonathan, Elisha, Adam, Justus

Daughters: Dorothy, Rebekah,Mary, Amey wife of William Trickey

Executor: Elisha

Witness: Jonathan Hallock, Elizabeth Hallock, John McKelvey

SOURCE: David Stevens

BIOGRAPHY

The parents of Jonathan is the "weak link" in my efforts to trace the STEVENS family history. The genealogical trail from current times back to Jonathan is documented by solid evidence. Jonathan's origins however are based on circumstantial evidence and perhaps even wishful thinking on the part of previous researchers interested in tracing the STEVENS line.

There are two "schools of thought" regarding the origins of Jonathan. An early supposition based on data obtained by Caroline Emily Stevens Bernicker, who worked hard in her later years trying to piece together this family's origins, said that Jonathan came to America with his two brothers from England. This theory is found in numerous places; Linda Irene Stevens McSparin found a letter with this data in the old family bible owned by Sarah Jane Howell (first wife of her Great Grandfather James Harvey Stevens). Mrs. Helen Roe Predmore, another STEVENS descendant also did a lot of work on this line and left all of her files and research data to the Orange County Genealogical Society. Her files contain a letter dated Sept. 10, 1942 from Julia F. Stevens which has the same information. (Julia F. Stevens is descended from Jonathan (d 1794/5); Elisha (1759-1814); Elisha (1812-1884); Herbert (b. ca 1850); Julia F. Stevens). Julia's letter reads; "Jonathan Stevens settled in Orange Co. (Then called New Cornwall) early in 1700. He came with two brothers from England - David settled in Conn. and William at Hoboken, N.J. (founder of Stevens Tech.) Jonathan sailed up the Hudson as far as New Cornwall and settled in Sugar Loaf Village on the old homestead where he was buried. Julia cited no references regarding the origins of her data. In her letter she mentions that her father was still alive and he may very well have been the source of the data from handed down stories; usually not a bad source of data. The only proven flaw in her statement comes in the origins of Stevens Tech., an excellent engineering school in Hoboken, NJ. There was no William Stevens involved in its founding.

Stevens Institute of Technology, as it is known today, owes it's existence to Colonel John Stevens. Colonel Stevens was the grandson of John Stevens the elder, who came to America in 1699, studied law and became a prominent lawyer. This John Stevens, the elder, had a son John who was a prominent figure in the early building of the new United States of America. He was a member of the Continental Congress and worked in creation of the Constitution. He had a son John, who became known as Colonel John Stevens. Colonel John Stevens gained fame in development of steam engines and became embroiled in a long drawn out legal battle with Robert Fulton as to who owned the rights to the application of steam power to boats. This Colonel John Stevens, grandson of immigrant John Stevens the elder, went on to found the Stevens Institute of Technology. There is no mention of John Stevens the elder having a brother named Jonathan and it is known that the founder of Stevens Tech is descended from the two John Stevens' mentioned above and not a William as claimed by Julia F. Stevens in her letter.

The other "school of thought" has Jonathan originating in Stamford, CT, the son of Ephraim Stevens. Susannah Whitcomb and Helen Predmore, both have done extensive research into the STEVENS family, and both believe this is the proper line. This is the line that I will use although there is some doubt in my mind in this case too. If this is the Jonathan who was born in 1721 in Stamford, he had what I believe to be his first child (David) when he was 35 years old and continued to father children well into his fifties. Not impossible but not practical for that time in our history. Recorded in the Stamford Town Records is the birth of a Jonathan Stevens, born Jan. 21, 1721, son of Ephraim Stevens and Hannah Clark. Susannah Stevens Whitcomb, in her extensive study of the STEVENS family concludes that this Jonathan, son of Ephraim and Hannah Clark Stevens, is the progenitor of the Orange County, NY Stevens family. She claims to have done extensive research in England and Scotland and has "proven" that Jonathan was America born. She cites no references however to substantiate this data. Mrs. Whitcomb also has hired genealogists in Connecticut to perform searches for her and she says their data also supports this claim. I have not been able to prove or disprove her data. The search continues. Using Mrs. Whitcomb's data, which at this time is the most credible, we can give what we know about the life of Jonathan Stevens.

The Stamford, CT tax lists of 1728 - 1779 reveal an entry for Jonathan Stevens in 1744, for property assessed at 23 Pounds. There is no record of Jonathan marrying or dying in CT and therefore genealogists conclude that he had left the state and married and died somewhere else. It was not unusual for that time in our history for people to emigrate from Stamford and even out of Connecticut; especially younger children in a family who may have had little or no inheritance. Many emigrated to eastern New York State.

There is a will recorded in Westchester County for a Mr. Jeremiah Drake who bequeathed to his four sons to be equally divided, a farm he claimed to have bought from Jonathan Stevens. He did not mention when he bought the farm from Jonathan but his will was recorded January 2, 1783. Jonathan's son David was born in Westchester County at Peekskill in 1755 as found in David's Revolutionary War Pension files which proves that Jonathan did, at one time, live in Westchester County.

There is a mortgage from Arthur Yeomans to Jonathan Stevens , both of Cornwall Precinct, dated April 12, 1771 for a parcel of land in Woodberry Clove, Cornwall Precinct, Orange County, NY. The mortgage was for 100 Pounds Current money; a lot of money in those days. This parcel of land (70 acres) was in what is now Highland Mills, NY. Jonathan is also listed as a member of the Old School Baptist Church in that area in 1774. When George Washington had the Hudson Valley surveyed in 1778/79, Jonathan is shown living on the farm near Sugar Loaf where most of his proven history is recorded.

There are two other deeds executed in Orange County that bear the name of Jonathan Stevens. Both of these were executed on the same day and passed land owned by a William Smith, by his son and trustee, to Jonathan Stevens, who on the same day to a John Taylor. There is no further explanation of this transaction.

Exactly when Jonathan and his family moved to Orange County, New York is unknown. He built his home east of Bellvale Mountain in an area called Dutch Hollow or Salem (near Salem Church) in the tract called the Cheesecock Patent. He owned several hundred acres of property between Walton Lake and Wickham Lake. He is said to have been a very religious man and walked where ever he and his family went. As stated above, he was a member of the "Old School Baptist Church in Warwick in 1774. The family bible of his son Elisha contained an entry that said Jonathan and Jemima were married "about 1750"; probably in Westchester County. Unfortunately, many of the Westchester County records were destroyed by the British during the Revolution and this has not been proven.

Jonathan was a Path-Master in New Cornwall Precinct in 1775 and signed the Articles of Association for the Committee of Safety and Observation in Sept. 1775. The signing of this document was a way for citizens of the troubled colonies to show support for the Continental Congress who, made up of citizens as well, were openly defying the government of England in their handling of colonial affairs. Most of the citizens signed the document; many refused, and some were exempt because of age. Our family had people in each group. The signing of this document is recognized by the Daughters of the American Revolution as service in the revolution. There is no evidence that Jonathan joined some of his sons in serving in the Orange County Militia during the fighting.

There are several stories about Jonathan. One told by Donald Barrell states that one afternoon one of Jonathan's boys was herding cows from the mountain pasture when he was confronted by the infamous Tory Claudius Smith, who said "Sonny, whose boy are you?" The boy responded " I'm Jonathan Stevens' boy." To this Smith said "Well, tell your father, Claudius Smith needs these cows." With that, he stole the Stevens cows. Claudius Smith was later caught and hung for his crimes in support of the British.

SOURCE: Will of Jonathan Stevens

Jonathan's will dated December 12, 1794 and Probated January, 14, 1795

reads; "In the name of God, Amen, I, Jonathan Stevens of the Town of New Cornwall, Orange County, State of New York, considering the uncertainty of the mortal life, and being of sound mind and memory, thanks to the almighty God for the same, publish this to be my Last Will and Testament in the manner following, that is to say, I recommend my soul unto almighty God who gave it and my body to the earth from whence it came, there to be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors, and as to the worldly estate with which it has pleased God to bless me, I leave and bequeath to my wife, Jemima, one good cow such as she may make choice of out of the cows that I may own at my decease, one good feather bed and bedding and so much household furniture of every kind as may be reasonably thought necessary for her to keep house with, also a comfortable maintenance out of my estate during her natural life time in manner hereafter mentioned. I give and bequeath to my son, Joseph, a certain small piece of land he now has in possession on which lies adjoining his farm on the north side of the road leading from the end of the pond commonly known as Long Pond to Sugar Loaf Valley.

I give and bequeath to my son, David, twenty shillings.

I give and bequeath to my son, Jonathan, fifteen acres of land south side of the lot which I now own, commonly the Pond lot.

I give and bequeath to my son, Elisha, fifteen acres of land adjoining the first mentioned fifteen acres on said Pond lot.

I give to my sons Adam and Justus all my wearing apparel to be equally divided between them.

I give and bequeath to my sons, Joseph, David, Adam and Justus all the residue and remaining parts of said Pond lot to be equally divided amongst them.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Dorothy, one cow, and bequeath to my daughter, Rebecca one cow.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary, one cow, one iron kettle, one coverlid blanket, one iron trammel (hook for hanging a kettle), all the new pewter I am now or may be owner of at my decease, one hive of bees, one chest and one round folding billstead table, also free liberty to take off all the property she now claims that is on my premises, that is to say, one cow, six sheep, one bed and bedding with all her clothing and as to the residue or remaining part of all the household goods and furniture that I may be in possession of at my decease.

I give and bequeath to my said daughters Dorothy, Rebeckah and Amey Truskey (wife of William Truskey) to be equally divided amongst the three and lastly I give and bequeath to my said sons, Jonathan and Elisha all the rest, residue and remaining parts of my lands, goods and chattels which is not above given or bequeathed that I may be in possession of at my decease in consideration of which the said Jonathan and Elisha are to and shall pay my funeral charges, all my debts and build a comfortable house for my said wife, Jemima, to live in, on any spot of ground which she may choose, convenient to either of the said Jonathan or Elisha dwelling houses, furnish her with a sufficiency of fire in said house, also sufficient and comfortable victuals, drinks, and clothing during her natural life time and I do hereby appoint my trusty friend Patrick Cassedy and my son, Elisha sole executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills made by me.

In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the twenty

eighth day of December one thousand seven hundred and ninety four in the

presence of Jonathan Hallock, Elizabeth Hallock and John McShelley.

Jonathan, his mark (X) Stevens L.S.

The 1880 census shows Jemima still alive and living with her son Elisha and his family.

He was buried with his wife, Jemima and several of his children and their families in a burial plot on the Stevens property. The burial plot was on a knoll just north of the homesite. The burial plot remained intact until early in the twentieth century the land was purchased by the Long Island Knights of Columbus, who built cabins there and the headstones became scattered. There was a considerable task undertaken by Myrtle Edwards (also a Stevens descendant) and others to catalog all of the graves of the various cemeteries of Chester New York and they published the results of this effort in a book available through the Orange County New York Genealogical Society. Their book contained information on the people buried in this plot. No stones or memorials exist today for Jonathan or Jemima. The headstones for David and Eleanor Fulton Stevens were found in 1944 near the home of the late Seely Stevens and for many years they were kept by Rutherford Stevens, great-great-grandson of Jonathan. Since Rutherford's death they have been kept by Mrs. Myrtle Edwards who moved them to her back yard where they are today.

BIBLIOGRAPHY;

THE NEW YORK GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD, Vol. XV, No. 4, New York, October, 1884 found at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

HISTORY OF STAMFORD CONNECTICUT 1641-1868, Rev. E. B. Huntington, A. M. 1979, found at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., F104.S8F43 1979

STEVENS - DESCENDANTS OF JOHN STEVENS OF STAMFORD CT, Susanna Stevens

Whitcomb, Corning NY D.A.R., 1973, found at the Orange County Genealogical Society, Goshen, NY

WILL OF JEREMIAH DRAKE, Manor of Cortlandt, Westchester County, Volume 12, Libre 37, Page 7, Westchester County Records.

WILL OF JONATHAN STEVENS, Libre a, page 269, Surrogates Office, Goshen, Orange County, NY

THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT, 1641 - 1700, Jeanne Majdalany, published by Heritage Books, Bowie, MD, 1990, Copy on file.

STAMFORD TOWN RECORDS

CEMETERIES OF CHESTER, NEW YORK, Orange County Genealogical Society, Goshen, NY, 1977, Copy on file

HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK, WITH ILLUSTRATIONS AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF MANY OF THE PIONEERS AND PROMINENT MEN, Compiled by E. M. Ruttenber and L. H. Clark, Philadelphia, PA, 1881, Copy on file

ALONG THE WAWAYANDA PATH, OLD GREYCOURT TO CHESTER TO SUGAR LOAF, Donald M. Barrell, Middletown, NY, 1975, Copy on file

SOURCE: "The Gleaner" by Helen Roe Predmore. THE INDEPENDENT REPUBLICAN 11 Dec 1947

Jonathan Stevens took up land near Long Pond, now Walton Lake, in Sugar Loaf Valley, then in the Precinct of New Cornwall.  His homesite was on one of the most important Indian trails in that part of the country, part of what is now mapped from Maine to Georgia as the Appalachian Trail. Jonathan probably trekked inland from Hudson's River over that trail, which for the most part follows the crests of the uplands.

Without doubt Jonathan's first house on the property was a crude log hut at the base of the most northern elevation of the range, now called the Greenwood Lake-Bellvale mountains.  It looked southerly into a narrow valley, the region later known as Salem, which merged into Dutch Hollow, beyond which was the Mombasha elevation.  There is nothing in the public records about Jonathan's purchase, but that is not extraordinary. (Continued next week)

18 Dec 1947: An old writing whose author is unknown states that in 1789 John Stevens, James Parker and Walter Rutherford obtained a grant of 5,000 acres in the Ramapo Patent, made up of many patents and located in many places.  If the three owners shared equally, then Jonathan Stevens had about 1,600 acres.  His tract is said to have extended from Long Pond to the village of Sugar Loaf; and elsewhere it is said that it lay from Long Pond to Perry's Pond, now Wickham Lake.  However, the Sugar Loaf village referred to probably was an Indian settlement on the south side of Sugar Loaf Mountain near the burying ground for Indian sagamores or sachems on the farm now owned by Joseph Nozskiwski.  When Charles Clinton surveyed the Cheesecocks Patent soon after 1739 he noted in his Field Book, which is deposited in the County Clerk's files, that he lodged in Wigwams near Sugar Loaf, that there was a road from Goshen to Stirling, and that he crossed a branch of the Dutch Hollow Brook by the Indian settlement at Sugar Loaf Mountain.  The road mentioned was an Indian trail which can still be traced from Route 17, near Chester, over the southerly end of Goosepond Mountain into Sugar Loaf Valley, thence through Dutch Hollow to Greenwood Lake.

It is probable that Jonathan Stevens came to Salem much earlier that 1789; perhaps he had been there a generation by the time the land purchase was completed.  In 1775 Jonathan Stevens signed for the committee for Observation and Safety in Cornwall Precinct.  His four oldest sons, all of whom were 18 years or older, were signers under date of September 14, 1775.  That same year he was pathmaster for District 30 of Cornwall Precinct.  These records are cited in the History of Orange County by Ruttenber and Clark.  Jonathan's will was dated December 12, 1794.  It names as heirs his wife Jemina; his sons, Joseph, David, Jonathan, Elisha, Adam and Justus; and his daughters, Dorothy, Rebeckah, Mary and Amey, wife of William Friskey or Triskey.  The executors were Patrick Cassidy and the son Elisha.  Witnesses were Jonathan Hallock, John McChelsey (?) and Elizabeth Hallock.  The will was probated January 14, 1795.

SOURCE: Jerry Masker

I previously had entered b. date as 1/21/1721, which FTM took to mean 1/21/1720-21. After much consternation about the closeness of the birthdate of his older sister Ruth, and after careful consideration, I find that the Barbour records simply say 1721, which I am going to interpret as 1721-22. This is justified in that the Barbour records would simply reflect dates using the calendar which was in effect at the time of the event. Similarly Marjorie VanDuzer's published info only lists 1721. However, she lists Jonathan's Brother's b'day as February 04, 1725/26 (note the dual year - if here, why not there?).

Died between 12/28/1797 & 1/14/1795 (Will)

SOURCE: Arlene Gable

1) Huntington, Stamford Registration of Births deaths, Marriages ...from the first record down to 1825. LDS Film 5592, p 109

2)Predmore states" Jonathan Stevens was married in Westchester County, NY. He resided at Salem, Town of Chester, NY. Whitcomb states that Jonathan Stevens named his farm Salem meaning peace.

3) Whyte, Donald, A Dictionary of Scottish Emigrants to USA, Baltimore, Magna charte Book Co. 1972 (RI Historical Society Library)

#5800 STEVENS ,Jonathan. d. 1795. to NY before 1755. Children: 1) David, 15 Feb 1755; Joseph 27 Nov 1757; Jonathan 27 Nov 1757; Elisha 1759; Adam 1760; Justus 1762; Dorothy,; Rebecca; Mary; Amey.

SOURCE: Predmore Papers from Arlene Gable

Jonathan Stevens was a son of Ephraim Stevens and Hannah Clark of Stamford, Conn. He was a member of the Old School Baptist Church, Warwick, NY is 1774..

Justus Stevens seems to have sometimes been known as Jesse Stevens.

Amy Stevens was married to William Trickey

Jemima Stevens married 1751 (in Goshen) Jeremiah Trickey of Monroe, NY

 1. David Trickey m Margaret Rhodes daughter of Hope Rhodes and Mary Jennings.

 2. Margaret Trickey

³These are to certify that ___ him, Jonathan Stevens have this eighth day of February 1772 received of within named, Arthur Yeomans, one hundred and twenty pounds in full discharge of the within mortgage and witness my hand and seal Monday and year above. Witness Jona Thompson Acknowledged before Michael Jackson February 29, 1773.

Jonathan Stevens was married in Westchester Co. NY. He resided at Salem, Town of Chester, NY. He was buried in the Stevens plot in Dutch Hollow Cemetery, Chester, NY.

Jonathan Stevens signed the Association Lists in Cornwall Precinct 1775 (See p. 13 Vol 1 Calendar of Historical Manuscripts. He was also pathmaster in 1775 (See page 758, History of Orange County by Rutten. and Clark. Jonathan Stevens¹ will is on record at Goshen NY Surrogates Office.

SOURCE: OCGS Bulletin, Vol 5, Issue4,p. 25, LDS fiche# 6048733

Article by Helen Roe Predmore "Stevens in the Town of Chester"

sometime before the Revolutionary War the first pioneering ancestors of the Stevens Families of the Town Of Chester, orange county, New York, acquired several hundred acres of property lying between Walton Lake and Wickam Lake. These lakes were then known as Little Long Lake and Perry's Pond. The one Lake borders the town of Chester, at the Monroe town line, the other lake does likewise at the Town of Warwick towline.

Living on this tract Jonathan Stevens, who died in 1797, and his grown sons were active in the War for Independence. How many generations prior to the Revolutionary War era the Stephens Families had occupied these lands is not recorded, but when Jonathan Stevens son David Stevens, established a family about 1780 with Eleanor Fulton, as his wife, he had received the state Bounty Lands in payment for his military service...a generation later David Stevens had settled his six sons on individual farms along the present Gibson Hill Road, which was then called Stevens Road...

SOURCE: Letter copy received from OCGS - to Miss Horton, Nov 30 1968, from Susannah E Whitcomb

...Ephraims son Jonathon born Jan 21, 1721 they believe may have been my Jonathon. They have no marriage for Jonathon or his brother Ebeneezer & they say their records show they removed from Stamford Conn about 1754...