try. Capt. Jacob Powelson is recorded as having
arrived from Holland in the ship "Fredenberg" on
Jan. 24, 1640. Nicholas Powelson came from Dit-
marsen in the ship " Gilded Otter" in 1657, and Gom-
men Paulison from Antwerp in the ship " St. John
the Baptist" in 1661. From these the family in
America are supposed to have descended.
Johannes Powelson, born April, 1719, the great-
grandfather of the subject of this sketch, purchased
a large tract of land in Bedminster township, Somer-
set Co., on May 1, 1767, and about that time he took
up his residence in that section. A portion of the
house which he erected in 1768 is still standing, and,
with an addition built in 1786, constitutes the resi-
dence of his great-grandson J. V. D. Powelson. The
children of Johannes Powelson were John, born Oct.
24, 1746 ; Cornelius, born May 29, 1748 ; Jeane, born
Jan. 17, 1750 ; Catharine, wife of Peter Doughty, born
Sept. 11, 1751 ; Anne, wife of William Chevris, born
May 3, 1753 ; Abraham, born Feb. 9, ±755 ; Paul, born
Dec. 5, 1756; Hendrick, born Oct. 7, 1758; Sarah,
wife of Christopher Frazer, born Aug. 7, 1760 ; and
Manah, born June 29, 1762. Johannes Powelson
died in July, 1788.
Abraham Powelson was born on the date mentioned
above, and came to Bedminster township at the age
of twelve. He married Lamatjee Messier and had
eleven children (including two pair of twins), most
of whom lived and died in Bedminster township.
Some of these children were John A., Abraham,
Cornelius, Peter, Maria, who married Martin Beek-
man ; Sarah, wife of Philip Clarkson ; Lanah, wife of
Jacob Van Dorn ; and Arian, who married Francis
Hastings. Abraham Powelson died in 1807, and his
wife in 1836.
John A. Powelson was born July 27, 1780. He
married Aletta, daughter of William Van Dorn, of
Millstone, on April 27, 1815, and had children, — Abram
J. and J. V. D. Powelson, and Catharine M., who
married Jerome Van Nest. He passed his life as a
farmer on the old homestead in Bedminster, and died
in 1854, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.
Abram J. Powelson, the subject of this sketch, was
born on the old Powelson place in Bedminster town-
BRIDGE WATER.
697
ship on May 2o, IKlli, where lie |>:i I [lie early years
of his life, enjoying a common-school education. On
Nov. 5, 1840, lie was united in marriage to Sarah
Ann, daughter of John A. Van Neat (she was, born
April 14, 1 8 1 : 5 1 , ami on December 15th of the same
year he removed to the farm v. hich he now owns and
occupies in Bridgewater town-hip, which he pur-
chased in 1854. Here he has since resided engaged
in agricultural pursuits, lie is a Republican in pol-
ities, thougl seeker alter office, lie wa- for rly
a member Of the Reformed Church of l.edminster,
but upon the organization of the Presbyterian Church
of Fluckamin he became identified with that body,
and has been an elder of the church for over twenty
years. He is known as a man of strict integrity, con-
scientious ami de\oled lo principle, and a representa-
tive agriculturist. His children are Abraham V. V,
B lawyer al Middletown, \. Y : Catharine Adeline,
wife of John L Eageman, of South Branch] and
John A., living at home.
GEORGE Mi BRIDE,
The McEnds family i of Scotch origin though
the branch of it to which the subject of this memoir
belonged Bettled al an early period in Ireland. His
pal. anal grandfather was George McBride, whose
place of residence was near the city of Armagh, [re
land. There he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and
in the manufacture of linen. Bis wife was Elizabeth
4.".
Waugh, and the children were Adam, Robert, James,
George, and Martha. Be died in 1798 in Kill y! in,
Ireland, aged about sixty year-. Mi- wife died ten
year- later. Hi- son James emigrated to America
near the close of the last century and located in N'ew
<r<r>-^\.
^-^Z/^iL^C^
York City, where he became a successful merchant.
lb- died about 1855. Two of his daughters still reside
in that city, — viz., Ann. widow of Hon. .lane- \.
Mei 'leiiahan. ami Eleanor, widow of Judge Aaron
Vanderpoel.
Robert was the second son of George McBride, and
passed his life as a farmer and bleacher of linen near
Alistragh, Ireland. Be married Alice Cardwcll, and
had children,— Eliza, George, Jemima, Matilda, Wil-
liam 0., John Robert, and Mary Ann. lie died iii
1841, aged seventy- three year-, and his wife in 1889,
aged about >i\ty. Of his children, Eliza died on-
married; Jemima married Dr. Davis, of Newry, Ire-
land, and has -even children, lis e of wh re prom-
inent physician- in Ireland and India; Matilda is
unmarried and resides in Newry; Mary Ann i- the
wife of Rev. 0. B. Smith, of New York Oityj and
John Robert died in Mobile, Ala., in 1889, at the age
of twenty-two.
George McBride came to this country in the year
1 882, and SUC led Iii- uncle .lame- in the mercantile
business in New York City, where he was associated
with Samuel SI, .an in trade. He continued in that
pur-nit until the year 1862, when he purchased the
Peter 0. Blmendorf farm, near Somerville, N. .'..
698
SOMERSET COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
comprising two hundred and eighty-six acres, and
resided there until his death in 1878, at the age of
seventy-three. His wife was Annette, daughter of
Charles Moran, of New York City, who died in 1858,
leaving no issue.
William C. McBride was born at Alistragh, County
Armagh, Ireland, on Sept. 24, 1810, and emigrated to
this country in 1857. Previous to this time, on March
27, 1S45, he married Mary Jane, daughter of Charles
Magee, of County Cavan. She was born in 1823, and
her brothers and sisters were James, William, Charles,
Eliza, and Margaret. Eliza married William Doug-
lass, and resides in Tully, Ireland ; Margaret is the
widow of Capt. James Berry, and lives near Dublin ;
James resides near Somerville, N. J. The remainder
are dead.
After his emigration to this country, William C.
McBride resided in Somerville until the demise of his
brother George. He now lives in retirement upon
his brother's beautiful estate, where he has a pleasant
and happy home. He is a worthy and substantial
citizen, and has been actively identified with all
movements tending to improve and benefit the com-
munity in which he lives. He is a member of the
Second Reformed Church of Somerville, and has been
officially connected with that body as elder. He is
the inventor of a patent flax-scutching machine, for
which he received a first isremium at the American
Institute, N. Y., in October, 1870. His seven children,
who reside with him, are Lizzie Henrietta, Robert,
Charles Magee, Alice M., James and George, and
William. Mrs. McBride is still living.
WILLIAM HOWIE.
William Hodge was a son of James Hodge, who
resided at an early day on a small tract of land in
Bridgewater township. He came from Ireland. His
wife's name was Sarah Runyon, and his children were
Elizabeth, Rachel, Ann, Sarah, William, Peter, James,
and Isaac. Elizabeth married John Van Nostrand,
Rachel and Sarah married James Cain, and Ann,
Thomas Smith. Peter died in 1851. James resides
at Bloomington, Somerset Co., and Isaac in the West.
James Hodge died in 1827, aged eighty-seven, and his
wife in 1840, over seventy years of age.
William Hodge was born on Feb. 28, 1794. He
grew up on his father's farm, attending the district
school of his locality. Soon after 1830, in conjunc-
tion with his brother James, he purchased three hun-
dred acres of land in Bridgewater township, a part of
this tract constituting his late farm residence, where
he passed his days as a farmer. Mr. Hodge married
on Sept. 17, 1825, Mary, daughter of Henry and Sarah
(Castner) Tunison. She was born June 23, 1806.
Her father removed to Whitehall, 111., about 1835,
near which place he purchased a handsome farm,
and where he died in 1864. His son Henry now
occupies the place.
The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hodge have been
Henrietta, wife of John Kipsey, of Bridgewater town-
ship ; James, who is a builder in New York City ; and
Sarah E., wife of William H. Callard, of Piscataway.
WILLIAM HODGE.
Mr. Hodge passed away on June 15, 1878, in the
eighty-fifth year of his age. For five years prior to
his demise he was totally blind. He was a Democrat
in politics, though no office-seeker ; was a liberal con-
tributor to the various benevolent and philanthropic
enterprises of his day, of good character, and a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church of Bound Brook.
His wife survives him.
GEORGE LANE.
George Lane is a descendant of the old Lane family
that located very early in Bedminster township, where
it is still represented. Derrick, son of Matthias, was
born in that township in 1753, and emigrating to
Troy, N. Y., founded an influential branch of the
family at that point.
Cornelius, grandfather of the subject of this me-
moir, came from Monmouth County to Bedminster
township before the Revolutionary war, and took up
his residence where Peter Lane lives. There he lived,
engaged in agricultural pursuits, until his demise.
He served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. His
HENRY B. STAATS.
The Staats family is one of the oldest in the
county, and its representatives were among the pioneer
settlers of Albany, Rensselaer, and Columbia Cos.,
N. Y., where they occupy a prominent place at the
present day.
John Staats, the grandfather of the subject of this
sketch, was an early resident of the township of
Hillsborough, where Rynier Staats lately resided.
He was a farmer by occupation, and owned quite a
large tract of land. His wife was Gertrude Quick,
and his children were Peter, John, Abraham, James,
Rynier, Phebe, and Maria.
James Staats was born on Aug. 12, 1780, in Hills-
borough township. On Dec. 4, 1803, he married
Elizabeth, daughter of Henry Brokaw, of Hills-
borough, who was born Feb. 19, 1785, and in 1810
he purchased a tract of land in Bridgewater township,
where Cornelius Ammerman lives, and where he
passed his life engaged in agricultural pursuits. He
was formerly a member of the Reformed Church at
Somerville, and later one of the organizing members
of the church at North Branch, of which he was sub-
sequently a deacon and elder.
At his death, on Aug. 20, 1860, he divided his
farm between his two sons, Henry B. and Peter,
giving to each one hundred and ten acres. His wife
died June 11, 1856. Their children were Gertrude,
born Dec. 19, 1804, married Peter Wortman, Nov.
7, 1822, died Oct, 21, 1834 ; Henry B. ; John, bum
May 17, 1810, died Sept. 20, 181:; ; and Peter, born
March 4, 1813, residing at Middlebush, Franklin
township.
Henry B. Staats was born in Hillsborough township
on March 21, 1807. At the age of three years he re-
moved with his parents to their home in Bridgewater
township. He passed his earlier years on his father's
farm, and received only a common-school education.
On Dec. 27, 1832, he married Hannah, daughter of
Richard H. Field, of Bedminster township. She
was born Oct. 10, 1811. When about twenty-six
years of age he worked the farm of his uncle, Peter
Wortman, near Weston, on shares, and after three
years erected his present residence in Bridgewater
township, where he has since resided as a farmer.
He is known as a man of integrity and uprightness,
and in the ripe old age which he has attained enjoys
the confidence and esteem of many friends. He has
been no seeker after office. He is a member of the
North Branch Beformed Church, with which he has
been officially connected both as deacon and elder.
His children have been Gertrude Elizabeth, married
James Garretson, Dec. 11, 1853, and who resides in
Middlesex County; Sarah, who married Henry S. Van
Nuys, of Millstone, Nov. 26, 1856 ; James, who mar-
ried Gertrude P. Conover, Feb. 10, 1866, and who
lives in Henderson Co., 111. ; Margaretta, died Sept.
19, 1859 ; Anna Maria, who married A. V. Nevius,
Feb. 10, 1864, and who resides in Bridgewater town-
ship ; and Richard Field, who married Jennie Claw-
son, Dec. 11, 1872, and who is working the home-farm.
&.&JC.
David P. Kenton- is a descendant in the fourth
generation of James Kenyon, whose father was one of
three brothers who curly emigrated from England, and
took up o residence in the New World. James Kenyon
moved from Long Island to Dutchess Co., N. Y.. early
in the eighteenth century, and passed liis days as a far-
mer, and in subduing, lor the purposes of civilization,
the wild -cction of country in which he had established
a home.
Samuel, son of James Kenyon, was born in Dutchess
County, on July 16, \T-V>. He married a Miss Seman,
and bad children: I.ydin. Abigail, John, Mumford,
Sarah, Seman, Jeremiah, Samuel, and .lames. He en-
gaged mostly in agricultural pursuits in Dutchess County
throughout his life. Some of the descendants of Samuel
settled in the West, and h'-cam - the progenitors of the
family of the name in that BCCtion.
James Kenyon, father of our subject, was born on
Sept. 8, I77!i! Hi- wile was Susannah, daughter of
David Palmer, formerly of Dutchess County, ami lat-
terly of Columhia Co., N. Y. The children of this
union were David I'.; Maranda (who died in infancy);
Samuel; Martha, wife of Obadiab Griffin, of Hi
Susan, wife of Samuel Kill', id' Bradford (',,., pa.;
I.ydia, wife of Charles Waldo, of the same place;
Jni residing in Bradford Co., Pa.; A.ngelino, late
wife of ( iiriu 1 tales, Bame place ; Lucinda, wife of < 'lark
Gritlin, same place; and Leland, of Delaware Co., N. Y.
James Kenyan was one of the pioi r settlers of Dela-
ware <'o., N. Y . and carved out of the wilderness, in
1804, It fertile farm Of one hundred and forty acres.
There he closed bis days, passing away on No\ 1 1.
is:,::. His wife died on Julj 22, 1861, aged about Bixty-
six year-.
David 1'. Kenvon unshorn at Nine Partners, Dutchess
Co., N. S\,on Dec. 27, 1808. The year following his
birth lie was carried by hi- parent- into tl
Delaware County, where, until lie attained the age of
twenty one \ ear- and four months, he endured with them
the privation- of a pioneer lite, and performed hi- part
manfully in clearing up the wild tract upon which his
father had settled.
Soon after attaining his majority Mr. Kenyon ap-
ed himself to Kliphalet Miller to learn tin- trade
of a millwright. In 1 x '-' s he became a journeyman in
the business, and on .In in- 21sl of that year he was united
in marriage to Elizabeth Tow nicy, daughter of Nathaniel
Crane, of Elizabeth, N. J. She was born Sept 1,1804.
In 1880, Mr. Kenyon started in business himself, and
followed the occupation of a millwright in various
counties o| New .Jersey and Pennsylvania until tin-
year 1840, and erected and established a large number
of mills in that time. In 1N3!I he engaged in the iron
foundry business at Belvidere, Warren Co., N. J., where
he remained until 1844, when he took up a permanent
re-id-ncc at Itaritan, Somerset I 'o., then known a- " the
water-power." Here he founded the Kenyon Iron-
Work-, which lie successfully operated until 1868, when
he retired from business life, handing the enterpr:
to his sons, Job C. and Daniel B, Kenyon, bj whom they
carried on under the firm-name of Kenyon
Brothers.
Mr. Kenyon was one of tl iidentaof what
is now the prosperous village of Raritan. When
tied but three ' here; his own followed soon
after. He has been actively identified with the growth
and development of the place for many years, and i- one
of the best known and most highly respected of it.- citi-
M now the last of the old substantial res
..f the village, and represents the industry, integrity,
and energy of a past generation of workers. Be has
been associated with several building and loan associa-
tions at Raritan, and acted as president of the most sue-
In politics Mr. Kenyon is a Democrat, though
be hold aloof from public office, and filled only the
minor ones that were pressed up-n him. Be wa- one
of the founders of the Third Reformed Church of Hnri-
tan. and was one of its tir.-t elders, holding that offii •■at
the pr nt writing 11880 .
\| : - Kci :â– â– '.: died "11 March 12, 1877. His children
arc James Henry, w i Plainfleld, V J.;
Sarah C . wifo of William A. Pembrook, of EC!
N.I : Job C and David R, manufacturers at Baritan
and Charles S., of Toronto, Canada.
Alexander H. Brokaw is a great-grandson of John
Brokaw, who emigrated from Fiance at an early period,
and located in Hillsborough township at the point
which has since become the family homestead. A
brother by the name of Burgun came at the same time
and settled at Roycefield, becoming the ancestor of the
family in that section. Both performed active service
in the Revolutionary war. John was a captain, and
offered up his life on the altar of his country in that
memorable struggle for liberty. His wife's name was
Maria Van Derveer, and their children were John,
Henry, Michael, Ferdinand, and Mary. The latter be-
came the wife of Dr. Bogart, of Hillsborough township,
and after the death of her husband removed to the "lake
country" of the State of New York.
Henry, son of John Brokaw, was born on the old
homestead in Hillsborough, where ho subsequently ac-
quired over three hundred acres of land, and where he
passed his life as a farmer. He also served in the Revo-
lutionary war. His wife's name was Elizabeth Balrd,
daughter of Maj. John Baird, of Griggstown, N. J.,
and the children of the union were John, Henry, Alex-
ander, Abraham, Phebe, Ann, Elsie, Elizabeth, and
Mary. He was a man of great energy and enterprise,
and took an active interest in matters around him. He
was in many respects a public character. His counsel
and as-sislanee wore sought by all classes of citizens, and
he filled important offices in township and county. He
died about 1832, and his wife a lew years later.
Henry, son of Henry Brokaw, was born on the home-
farm, and passed all of his days as a farmer either on
or near that locality. He occupied for the greater por-
tion of his life a part of the old homestead. He married
Magdalene, daughter of Rynier Staals, and his children
were John H., Peter H., Henry H., Alexander H., and
Sarah M., who married Abraham Hoagland. Mr.
Brokaw was actively identified with the various public
enterprises of his day, was a member of the Old- Line
Whig party, and filled various township and county
offices. He was a member of the Reformed Dutch
Church of Harlingen, with which he was officially con-
nected as deacon and elder. Ho died in 1852, aged fifty-
seven.
Alexander H. Brokaw was born in Hillsborough town-
ship, Aug. 26, 1828. His earlier years were passed upon
his father's farm, and his educational advantages were
such as the farmers' sons of his day enjoyed. Four years
after his father's decease, in 1856, he married Margaret
Ann, only child of Dr. Jeremiah W. Whitenack, of
Raritan. He purchased his father's farm and resided in
Hillsborough for a time, and in 1858 bought his present
farm in Bridgewater township, known as the old Patter-
son farm and comprising one hundred and ten acres.
Here ho has since resided. He is a Republican in
politics, and, although never an aspirant after place, is
a member of the township committee and of the board of
health. He is a member of the Third Reformed Church
of Raritan, and has held the office of both deacon and
elder.
Mr. Brokaw is ranked among the representative agri-
culturists of the county in which he resides, is a man
of strict integrity and correct habits, and possessed of
those sterling qualities that make up the useful citizen.
His second daughter, Julia, died on March 9, 1876, in
the seventeenth year of her age. His other children aro
Aletta and Jerome W. lirokaw.
r^%^,
John WhtfenaGK, son of Cornelius C. and
Catherine (Skillman) Whitenack, was born
August 2 1, is 13, at Blawenburg, Somerset
Co.
The family of Whitenack in Somerset is de-
scended from four brothers who came from
Long Island and settled in New Jersey. His
grand lather was Cornelius Whitenack. His
father and grandfather were both tanners in the
township of Montgomery.
He spent his time on his father's farm until
sixteen years of age; then weni t" learn the trade
of a wheelwright in Somerville with Bergen
Hull', where he remained for live year-. U]
reaching his majority he remained with his em-
ployer as journeyman for a few years, during
which time, on March â– '>, 1S:',7, lie married Ann
B., daughter of John and Anna (Tunison)
Fisher, of Somerville, whose anee-tors were
early residents of Somerset County. She wa-
born Dee. 27, 1808, and resides in Somerville
in 1880.
In 1812, Mr. Whitenack established himself
in business as a wheelwright and carriage-
maker, in partnership with Richard Provost;
but alter one year, upon the withdrawal of Mr.
Provost from the firm, lie continued hi- business,
which increased with the increasing demands of
trade, and never relaxed his energy a- a suc-
cessful business and enterprising man until his
death, which occurred May 12. 1870.
2*^
Mr. Whitenack was a man of strict integrity
in all his business relations, and highly esteemed
by all who knew him either in a social or busi-
ness capacity. lie was never a member of any
church, but always took an interest in church
and kindred relations, and contributed liberally
in support of all worthy local objects. He took
ie> active part in politics, although he was un-
swervingly a member of the Democratic party,
and was often tendered official position. His
life was almost wholly devoted to business, and
by strict attention to it, although unassisted
pecuniarily when starting out in life for him-
self, he became the possessor of a fair compe-
tency by his ,,wn industry and judiciou- manage-
ment. His only child and daughter, ( 'atalena,
became the wit'e of Nathaniel ( '. Morris, who
for some five years was a leading doctor of
dental surgery in Somerville. lb- received his
degree of Master of Dental Surgery from the
board of censors of New York, and his diploma
was dated at Albany, N. V., on the 30th day of
dune 1870. He was known a- a man of cornet
habits, and a- a member, first, of the Pres-
byterian Church at Liberty < 'orners. and after
his settlement in Somerville as a member of
the Firsl Reformed Church of this place, he
bore an exemplary Christian character. He
died on Nov. 1, 1X71, aged twenty-eight years
and I'oui- months, leaving an only son,— I •
P.. Morris.
BEDMIXSTh'K.
699
children by his second marriage were Mary, Sabiah,
Nelly, and Job.
Q./>*typs*& /
£&
cz^-t/i
The latter was burn on Oct. 6, 1769, on bis father's
Gum in Bedminster. Eis wife was Susannah Nevius,
who was born on May lis, 17;::, The issue of the
marriage were Cornelius, born Aug. 21, 17!':!; Maria,
born Jan. 28, 1796; John X., born Dec. 3, L797;
Eleanor, born Feb. 17, 1800; George, l><>rn Aug. 17.
lMii'; Sophia, born .June ::. IMiif, ; Martin and Gilbert,
born Oct. 10, 1807; Peter, born Jan. ::. 1811; and
Martha E., born Xo\. 28, L81 I. Of these, Cornelius,
Eleanor, Martin, Gilbert, ami John x. are dead. Job
Lane was an enterprising and worth] citizen, and tor
a number of years lillccl the offiee of justice of the
peace. He was a member of the Reformed Church
of Bedminster, and was officially conueeted with that
body a- deacon and elder. He died on March 1,1843,
and his wife on Aug. 4, 1S.V..
George Lane was born in Bedminster township on
the date above mentioned. He passed the earlier
years of his life on his father's farm, and on Jan. 4,
1S2G, married Catharine Van Nest, who was born
Sept. 11,1804. In 1832, Mr. Lane purchased the farm
that he now occupies in liridgewater township, and a
few years later erected his present residence. Here
he has continued, engaged in agricultural pursuits,
ever since. Mr. Lane ha- now reached the decline of
life, but is well preserved for a gentleman of his ad-
vanced years. His life has been a quiel and unosten-
tatious one, and he has quietly and worthily per-
formed lii- pari as a citizen. He is a Democrat in
politics, but lias never sought nor held public office.
He is a member of the Reformed 1 'hurcli of Bedmin-
ster.
Of the three children of .Mr. Lane, John V. X.
alone survives, and occupies the home farm with his
parents.
-HofloH— — -
BEDMINSTE E.
GEOGRAPHICAL, Bto.
This is one of the townships lying on the northern
border of Somerset, adjoining Morris County. In
eastern boundary is the township of Bernard; its
southern i- formed bj Branchburg and Bridgewater,