FIRST HOME OF DR. SAMUEL DICK & SARAH (SINNICKSON) DICK

(Courtesy of Salem County Historical Society, Salem, New Jersey)
In 1771, after passing through several hands, this house was deeded to Dr. Samuel Dick, at which time our interest in it begins. Dr. Samuel Dick, built quite a large extension, remodeled it, and fitting it up brought there his bride, Miss Sarah Sinnickson. The main part of the house was one story and a half hipped roof. Just about this time the war cloud, that was soon to break over the land, was beginning to gather.

Dr. Dick who had served as a surgeon in the Colonial army, (having been present at the taking of Quebec and Fort Ticonderoga) ranged himself on the side of the patriots, and we can easily picture the anxious times through these young people passed while the hearts of both were stirred by the thought of possible freedom from tyranny and the determination to give all, if necessary to the cause of Liberty. Later they parted, and the young mother was left with her babes, to mind the home and the loved garden, while the father was called to the service of his Country; refusing as he did to consider for one moment the offers made to him by the British of an exalted position, if only he would remain true to the Mother Country (and by the way, when he returned, the silver and the negro had both disappeared never to be recovered).

Soon Dr. Dick was called from the army to serve his Country in its council chambers; and now dark days came upon the little household. A detachment of British soldiers was sent over by Lord Howe, to destroy the source of supplies which had so loyally been sent across the river to the patriots starving at Valley Forge. Col. Mawhood, the commander of the troops, with his officers took possession of the Dick homestead, and banished Mrs. Dick to the upper floor, and short were the rations allowed her. It is told that on one occasion, she was reduced to a quart of Indian flour. The Mecum Building occupies the site where this old house stood.

NOTE: Sarah Sinnickson born November 29, 1756, died May 3, 1827, daughter of Andrew Sinnickson and Sarah Gill Johnson, married October 13, 1773 to Dr. Samuel Dick, born November 14, 1743, died November 16, 1812. Dr. Dick's parents were Isabella Stewart & John Dick.

Children born to the marital union of Sarah Sinnickson and Dr. Samuel Dick, are as follows:
Rebecca (said to be born before October 10, 1774 and shown as 1st child in Bible records)
Mary born September 4, 1775 and died November 17, 1821
John born November 14, 1779 and died January 26, 1780
Samuel Jr born January 27, 1780 and died June 7, 1781
Sarah born January 27, 1780 and died June 7, 1781
Andrew born February 1782 and died February 11, 1782
Isabella born February 15, 1783 and died February 1861. She married Josiah Harrison and they had the following children:
a. Maria
b. Henrietta
c. Julia
d. Lydia Ann
Anna born December 27, 1787 and died about 1861
Samuel Stewart born November 22, 1790
William born October 17, 1793
Maria born December 24, 1796 and died April 21, 1872

Clement Hall Sinnickson

Clement Hall Sinnickson was born September 16, 1834 to John Sinnickson and his second wife Rebecca Kay Hall, daughter of Clement Hall and Rebecca Kay, in Salem, New Jersey. He had two known siblings, John Howard Sinnickson and Mary Elizabeth Sinnickson. Through his father's first marriage to Mary Clarissa Howell, he had three-half brothers Robert Johnson Sinnickson, Thomas Sinnickson, William Henry Sinnickson, and one-half sister, Harriett Howell Sinnickson.

Having acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Salem, he attended Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, and in 1855 graduated at Union College with degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Civil Engineer. He studied law with Andrew Sinnickson of Salem, and afterwards a student in the office of William L. Dayton of Trenton. In 1858 he was admitted to the bar as an attorney, and in 1864 as a counselor. In 1896 he was appointed by Governor Griggs to the position of Judge of the common-pleas court of Salem county.

On June 20, 1862 Clement Hall Sinnickson was united in marriage to Miss Sarah M. Smith, daughter of Lewis P. Smith and the former Henrietta Hancock, at St. John's Church in Salem. They had two children, both dying in infancy.

The Judge was a member and secretary of the vestry of the Episcopal church. He also held membership in John Post, No. 69, G.A.R., at Salem, by reason of his three months' service in the civil war. He was commissioned first lieutenant and promoted to the captaincy of Company I of the Fourth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers. In politics he was always a staunch Republican. He represented his district in congress for two terms, from 1875 until 1879. He was a member of the Republican state committee in 1880.

Ann Sinnickson Blackwood Simpson
(courtesy of Michael Maiden)

Ann Sinnickson was born September 17, 1793 to Andrew Sinnickson (son of Andrew Sinnickson & Sarah Gill Johnson) and Sarah Copner (daughter of Joseph Copner & Jane (nee ?) and died April 01, 1872. Ann Sinnickson married (1) Sheppard Blackwood on February 10, 1813 in Salem, New Jersey and to this union was born the following, namely:

a. Joseph S. Blackwood born November 03, 1819 in Salem, New Jersey before codicil to mother's will September 27, 1870. He married Sarah K. Sheppard. Sarah was born October 02, 1822 in Salem, New Jersey, and died about 1898 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

b. Eliza Blackwood whose date of birth is unknown had died before mother's will written. Eliza was married to Thomas Bradway, son of Thomas and wife Isabella (nee ?) Bradway.

c. Jane C. Blackwood whose date of birth is unknown died December 18, 1877. Jane married Benjamin Acton, Jr. on April 02, 1839, rites performed by Rev. Mr. Blythe. Benjamin Acton Jr was born about 1814 to Benjamin Acton and Sarah Miller. He died September 23, 1881.

d. Margaret C. Blackwood whose date of birth and date of death is unknown married Charles Casserius Clark. He was born about 1818 and died about 1865.
After the death of Sheppard Blackwood, Ann Sinnickson Blackwood married John Simpson, son of James Simpson.

Thomas Sinnickson was born to Andrew Sinnickson Esq., and his second wife Margaret Johnson on December 13, 1786 in Salem, Salem County, New Jersey. He married Elizabeth Jacobs, daughter of John Jacobs & Mary Brinton. She was born August 03, 1786 in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and died August 19, 1849. He completed prefatory studies; engaged in mercantile pursuits; judge of the court of errors and appeals of New Jersey; member of the State general assembly; judge of the court of common pleas for twenty years; elected to the Twentieth Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Hedge Thompson and served from December 1, 1828, to March 3, 1829 and died in Salem, Salem County, N.J., February 17, 1873 with interment in St. John?s Episcopal Cemetery. Children born to the union of Thomas Sinnickson and Elizabeth Jacobs are as follows:
1. John Jacobs Sinnickson born September 11, 1811 and died January 11, 1889. From the History of Salem, the following has been noted:
History of Salem:
A distinguished citizen of Salem participated in the rebellion of Texas against Mexico. His name was Doctor John Jacobs Sinnickson. He was born in Salem, September 11, 1811 and at the time of his death, January 11,1889, in his seventy-eighth year, was the eldest descendant of the Swedish immigrant who settled on the east shore of the Delaware.
He spent his childhood in Salem, studied at Salem Academy. In 1832, he graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia. Having practiced medicine for one year in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, he moved to Washington, Texas, where he resided and practiced for several years. When Texas rebelled against Mexico, Dr. Sinnickson joined the Texan army immediately after the battle of San Jacinto. He was detailed as guard over Generals Santa Anna (the same Santa Anna who commanded the Mexicans against the Americans in the war of 1846-47) and Ampudio, prisoners of war.
At the battle of Mier, Dr. Sinnickson was captured by the Mexicans, and after a terrible march to the City of Mexico, was imprisoned in the Castle of Perote. During this ordeal he received severe wounds which disabled him to the end of his life. He was unwilling to talk of the horrors of his imprisonment even to his best friends.
Dr. Sinnickson's brother-in-law, T. Jones Yorke, then a member of Congress; Waddy Thompson, U.S. Minister to Mexico; Daniel Webster; Prescott, the historian, a conciliatory intermediary with Calderon, Minister from Spain, and Madam Calderon; Senator Critendon, the father of his comrade and fellow prisoner, George Critendon, all united in their efforts for his release. They were successful only after almost insuperable difficulties and delays. Having been given his parole, with the understanding that he leave Texas, Dr. Sinnickson sailed from Vera Cruz for New Orleans on a dilapidated steamer, finally returning to his father's house in Salem.
He was in business with his brother Charles in Philadelphia for a few years, until 1867 when he moved to Salem, where he died in 1889.
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DR. SINNICKSON'S STATEMENT ABOUT THE "WHITE FLAG" AT THE BATTLE OF MIER.
When I was taken prisoner (at the Battle of Mier), I was immediately conveyed to General Ampudia, the commander-in-chief of the Mexican army then there, who, after interrogating me, through the medium of an interpreter, respecting the numbers of the Texian force, and the name of their commanding officer, ordered that I should bear a flag to Colonel Fisher, demanding an immediate surrender. Perceiving that I gave no reply, and evinced no disposition to obey such an order, he said that it was useless for me to refuse, as I should be compelled to do it. He seized me by the shoulder, while Colonel Carasco laid hold upon the other, and forced me to the corner of a street leading in the direction of our troops, dictating at the time the following message to me, to be delivered to the Texan commander, viz: "Say to Colonel Fisher that he must surrender with his whole force in five minutes, or I will cause them all to be put to the sword, and give no quarter - to accomplish this, I have 1700 regular troops, and look every moment for a re-enforcement of 800 - and that, if he will cause his troops to lay down their arms, and surrender in that time, their lives shall be spared, and they shall be treated with all the humanity and deference due them as prisoners of war; and, furthermore, I will exercise my influence with the supreme government to prevent their being marched to the city of Mexico, but to have them retained east of the mountains until they are released or exchanged."
Accompanied by a Mexican soldier, as I entered our lines I discovered Colonel Fisher, who, when he perceived me, advanced a short distance to a low stone wall. When we met, I informed him that I had been compelled to bear a flag with a verbal message to him, and while relating the purport of it, the incessant discharge of musketry prevented him from hearing: motioning for me to remain silent, he gave orders for the firing to cease. So soon as it had discontinued, he turned to me and inquired, "What does this flag mean?" I then repeated what has been stated above. After concluding, I watched closely and eagerly for a reply. Without saying a word, he cast his eyes upon the ground as if undetermined, and endeavoring to decide upon what course he should pursue. Meditating in this position for a brief period, he at length came to some conclusion, when he leaped the wall and advanced to the position occupied by Cameron and Ryan's companies particularly, without taking any farther notice of me, either by word or sign. I instantly followed to [475] await his instructions. He called together a council of his officers, at which time the Mexican officers took the opportunity to venture within our lines. What occurred from this time you had an opportunity of becoming as well acquainted with as myself.
The preceding, sir, is a brief statement of facts, as they transpired between the colonel and myself. I do not wish to increase the length of this paper so as to become wearisome to the reader, yet I cannot conclude without mentioning some circumstances relative to this matter that, I trust, will enable the reader to arrive at a just and impartial opinion. I presume it is well known that during an action, when an order is given by an officer to his inferiors in rank, and the obedience of which is necessary in securing the safety and success of a body of men, that a disobedience most frequently is considered as a direct violation of the regulations of the military code, and renders the offender liable to the severest punishment that can be inflicted upon him, instantaneously, and that without the convening of a military court. Had I voluntarily disobeyed any order that Colonel Fisher states he gave me, why did he not enforce upon me the penalty as the results of its violation? He held a pistol in his hand at the time, and would have been held justifiable in making immediate use of it upon me.
Again: Does it not appear improbable that he should have commanded me to return with the flag without having any knowledge of the object for which it was sent, as he could know nothing of its errand excepting from conjecture? He had as much right to suppose, as otherwise, that the enemy wished to enter into some terms with him for their own safety, as well as that of their wounded, and the town with its inhabitants; for he is well aware that a commander will always, whenever within his power, after he is defeated, make the best stipulations he can with his victor.
You will recollect I had an interview with the colonel in the morning of Friday, the 30th December, a short time previous to our men being marched off to Matamoras. In the conversation I then held with him, he never intimated, in the slightest degree, that he had given me such an order, but, on the contrary, when the subject of my bearing the flag was introduced, he assured me that himself nor any other person had or could attach any censure to me for the course I was compelled to pursue. Moreover, I do most positively assert, that during my imprisonment I had frequent conversations with the men, as well as the officers, in relation to our capitulation, and not one of them ever mentioned to me of having heard of such an order being given, or ever passed a word of condemnation upon me for my conduct during any period of that engagement.
Having already extended this communication to a much greater length [476] than I intended, I shall add nothing more than a sincere desire that your publication may have an extensive circulation, and that it may be written both justly and impartially.
Most respectfully yours,
/s/ John J. Sinnickson
To General Thomas J. Green
2. Margaret Johnson Sinnickson was born June 26, 1814 and died January 9, 1900. She married Thomas Jones Yorke on November 28, 1838 in Salem, New Jersey. He was born at Hancocks Bridge, Salem County, New Jersey on March 25, 1801, to Louis Yorke and Mary Jones. Thomas Jones Yorke was a Representative from New Jersey; attended the common schools and the Salem Academy; during the War of 1812 he served as a scout for the United States forces; studied law, but did not practice; engaged in mercantile pursuits at Salem; county collector of Salem County in 1830; judge of the Salem County court of common pleas in 1833, 1834, and 1845-1854 and for a portion of the latter term was presiding judge; member of the State general assembly in 1835; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-fifth Congress (March 4, 1837-March 3, 1839); presented credentials as a Member-elect to the Twenty-sixth Congress, but the House declined to seat him; elected to the Twenty-seventh Congress (March 4, 1841-March 3, 1843); chairman, Committee on Expenditures in the Department of the Navy (Twenty-seventh Congress); director of the West Jersey Railroad Co., serving as secretary and treasurer in 1853 and as president 1866-1875; also president of the Cape May & Millville Railroad Co.; served as director at various times of the Swedesborough Railroad Co., Salem Railroad Co., Camden & Philadelphia Ferry Co., and West Jersey Marl & Transportation Co.; died in Salem, N.J., April 4, 1882; interment in St. John?s Episcopal Cemetery. Children born to Margaret Johnson Sinnickson and Thomas Jones Yorke are as follows: Mary A. Yorke who married Dr. DeWitt Clinton Clement; Elizabeth S. Yorke; Thomas J. Yorke; Margaret J. Yorke who married J. B. Parker, MD and Caroline P. Yorke who married William F. Allen.
3. Charles Sinnickson was born November 11, 1815 and died March 7, 1876. He was married October 13, 1841 by the Rev. Thos. F. Bishop, Rector, St. John's Church, Salem, New Jersey to Caroline Elizabeth Perry, daughter of Charles Perry and Sarah Hufty. Charles Sinnickson was at one time connected with the Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore and the Tennessee Railroads in the capacity of civil engineer. About 1840 he embarked in the coal business in Philadelphia, shipping to various points. He was a member of the firm of Rogers, Sinnickson & Company. Children born to the union of Charles Sinnickson and Caroline Perry are as follows: Charles Perry Sinnickson who married Emma Sophia Rosengarten; Thomas Sinnickson who married Frances Forman Sinnickson; Elizabeth Sinnickson and Margaret Sinnickson.
4. Andrew Sinnickson was born October 27, 1817 and died December 2, 1902. He was married to Louise Earl Booth, daughter of Ephraim Booth and Anna VanHorne. Children born to the union of Andrew Sinnickson and Louise Booth are as follows: Elizabeth Jacobs "Bessie" Sinnickson; Andrew Sinnickson and Louisa B. Sinnickson

Residence of George Rosengarten Sinnickson & Mary Louise (Lippet) Sinnickson (son of Charles Perry Sinnickson & Emma Sophia Rosengarten).