The New York genealogical and biographical record (Volume 74) online

trust. He became a Friend and several of his family also joined that

*Correction. — We are indebted to Dr. J. E. Stillwell for correcting page 185 of
The Record (October, 1S95). On the fifteenth line from bottom, mother should read
'grandmother." Clement Cooke Clarke, he adds, was born May 17, 1752, and died in
the West Indies. He had children : Thomas B., Clement, Samuel, Mary, and Charity.
His mother, Mary Stillwell, was daughter of Richard and Mercy Sands, of Long Island.
This Richard Stillwell was son of Captain Richard and Freelove Cooke, and grand-
son of Lieut. Nicholas Stillwell, and on the maternal side of John Cooke the regicide
and Frances his wife.



1896.] and Us Earliest Alumni. 107

denomination. He hada large family. The sons were named: i., John ;
ii., Jonathan ; iii., Benjamin ; iv., Solomon ; v., Samuel ; vi., Thomas ;
vii., Nathaniel, and viii., Richard. These sons had families, some of
whom (Nathaniel and Richard) remained at Hempstead, Queens
County, some moved into Suffolk, others to Staten Island, New York
City, and up the Hudson. Some of the descendants of John, Jr.,
removed to Little Egg Harbor, N. J.; some of Jonathan to Virginia ;
some of Solomon to Maryland. There is a small genealogy printed
in the Long Island Genealogies, but no attempt has yet been made to
prepare a complete history of this family. At the beginning of the
Revolution nine of this name, resident at Hempstead, petitioned the
Provincial Congress, as supporters of the American cause, in conse-
quence of the driving off of their cattle. Samuel Seaman a few years later
was the captain in command of the militia there on the side of the king.
We do not know the story of the graduate's life ; I take him to be a son
of Jacob and Ann Seaman, born November 11, 1753. He was mod-
erate in his views at first, but in July, 1783, announced his intention to
remove to Nova Scotia; he petitioned for a grant of land there, and
emigrated, whereupon his property in New York was confiscated.
There were graduates of this name at Columbia in 1795, 1802, 1804-1805.
There was a Benjamin Seaman who was chairman of a committee of
correspondence when the war began. He was a descendant of the
first Benjamin Seaman.

Robert Troup was born in New York City in the year 1757. He
was a patriot, and soon found his place in the ranks of his country's
defenders. He was a lieutenant in the militia of New York City under
Lt.-Col. Andrew Stockholm, and did duty in 1775. In 1776 the seat of
war was transferred to this colony, where the English commander had
reason to expect less violent resistance than he had experienced at Bos-
ton, and where he hoped to cut off the east and overawe the centre,
when he knew he would have little to fear from the southern colonies.
In August Howe landed twenty thousand disciplined troops on Long
Island, to meet which Washington could send but eight thousand levies
and militia, mostly undrilled, inexperienced, poorly equipped and not
all armed. I mention these conditions not so much to show the dis-
parity as to call attention to the fact that where there is such disproportion
in numbers, the smaller force must be the more diligent, watchful, and
alert ; and withal there was not a battalion of cavalry in the Colonial
army. The sickness of General Greene was a calamity. Sullivan was
endeavoring to carry out the plans of that general, when Putnam's ar-
rival made another change in the commander. " Old Put " was true and
brave ; but never a competent campaign commander, bravery could not
supply the neglect of necessary details, one of which was guarding the
weak points and avenues of approach. The pass at Bedford, beyond
the American left, was unguarded, and General Sullivan, who saw the
impossibility of maintaining a solid line of defence for five miles with
so small a force, and no cavalry, sent four officers, among whom were
Robert Troup and his classmate Edward Dunscomb, to reconnoitre
the enemy. These young men were lieutenants in the First New York
Regiment, Colonel McDougall, some of which had been to Canada and
the attack on Quebec with Montgomery. They were volunteers now with
Sullivan, and in the attempt to perform the duty assigned them they



Io8 Notes. [April,

were captured at three o'clock on the morning of the 27th of August by
the advancing army, which immediately passed into the American lines,
almost unannounced, and the day was decided. If Washington had not
effected a masterly retreat during the following night in the fog, this
entire army might have been captured or destroyed, and who could say
that the Revolution would not have been ended that day, before the
Colonists won a single fight ? Troup was exchanged December 9, 1776.
He was afterward major and aide-de-camp to General Gates, October
4, 1777, and Secretary of the Board of War, February, 1778, and re-
signed February 8, 1780. He removed some years after to Geneva,
N. Y., as agent of Sir Wm. Pulteney's estates in western New York.
He married Janet, daughter of Peter Goelet. Two sons died unmarried ;
one daughter married James L. Brinckerhoff. There are descendants
of this graduate living in this city. Troup was a member of the New
York legislature, and in 1796 was appointed Judge of the United States
District Court for this district. He died in New York City, January
14, 1832, aged 75.

Edward Stevens, after graduation, studied medicine elsewhere, was
appointed Special Commissioner to San Domingo in 1793, and in 1794
was made Professor of the Practice of Medicine in Columbia College,
succeeding Samuel Nicoll, who graduated in this same class of 1774 in
medicine, became trustee in 1795, and died in 1796. Stevens retired
from his chair in 1795. I have not been able to trace him further.



NOTES.

Translation of a Record on the Flyleaf of an Old Dutch Bible, the
property of Capt. Henry Romeyn. U. S. A., Fort McPherson, Ga. By Mrs. C. F.
R. Matthews, Croton-on-Hudson, N. V., a great-granddaughter of Dirck Romine.

" Give Praise to God above all, lie all praise. In the year 1726 — the 3 rd May
have I Claes Romine, married with Elizabeth Outwater. and my son Tomas Romine
is born the Ig. of March in year 1729. and my wife Elizabeth died in the year 1732,
the 25 th September. I am again married with Rachel Vrelant, in the year 1733 14'
April, and my son Jan Romine is born the 22 d February in the year 1734. and my
daughter. Elizabeth Romine is born in the year 1739 the iStn December : and my
son Dirck Romine is born in the year 1741 — the 12 th January Lord God save them.
In the year 1761 the 10 th May, (new style) has my wife Rachel died, and was aged
56 years 10 mos. 10 days, and in the year 1763, on the 10' of March, (new style)
evening — Claes Romine deceased aged 63 years, 4 mos, and 15 days. Going before
their children." (This last clause evidently added by other hands.)

The Bible was in Dirck Romine's possession till his death. It came to my pos-
session from Mrs. Cortlandt of Van Cortlandt Manor at her death.

The ,L Thomas" mentioned in the record was my great-grandfather, prominent
in the Dutch Reformed Church, and as a patriot in the Mohawk Valley during the
war of the Revolution, and when settled as pastor at Caughwawanga (now Fonda),
A. D. 1763, was the most western settled pastor in the province.

henry romeyn, u. s. a.

Surrogate's Office, New York City. — These marriage licenses in this office :
Lib. 5, fol. 12 — Lycense Marriage granted unto William Davis of the one party
and Coleman of I he other party dated the 23 of Nov. 1693

Lye, &c, Robert Allison and Hannah Bray, 2g Nov 1693



.8 9 6.]



iVo/es.



109



Fol. 14 — John Harris & Abigail Berriman II Dec. 1693

60 — Benj Bill cV Geste Van ffort 5 Dec. 1694

Lib. 2, fol. 32S — Stephen de Lancy & Ann Cortlandt 17 Jan. 1697-1700

Mr. Anderson, the photographer, is grouping war-time portraits of the Seventh
Regiment men who entered the regular and volunteer force and navy of the United
States during the Civil War. This will be, when completed, an historic picture, dating
back more than a quarter of a century. Most of the men were identified with this
city, and many died, having honored the Seventh, the service, and the State.

Willetts FAMILY. — In an old Bible, recently found at Smithtown, Long Island-
is the following family record :

" Thomas Willets. Departed this Life on the 15th day of the 4th month in the year
1714, in the 65th year of his age.

'• Dinah, widow of the above named Thomas Willets. Departed this Life on the
lSth day of the loth month 1732, aged 81 years.

" Richard Wdlets and Deborah Coles was Joined in marr'ge the 16th day of the
7th month in the year 1706.

" Mary Coles was born ye nth day of the 2 nd month 1702.

" Sarah Willetts was born the 22d of the 4th month 1707.

" Thomas Willets was born the 24th of the nth month 1709-10.

" Richard Willetts was born the nth day of the 2 nd month 1712.

" Daniel and Jacob Willets was born the 14th day of the 8th month 1718.

" Phebe Willets was born the I2th day of the loth month 1722.

" Deborah wife to the above named Richard Willets departed this life the lSth
day of the 5th month .

" Jacob Wdlets deceased the 2 nd day of the 10th month 1716.

"Jacob Kerby was born the 23d day of the Sth month 1731.

"Willets and Mary Kerby were born the lSth of the Ilth month 1737-S."

WILLIAM s. PELLETREAU, Southampton, L. I.

Ulster's County Dutch Records. — Judge Clearwater, who was authorized by
the Board of Supervisors to have the old Dutch records of the county translated into
English, has employed Mr. Diedrich Versteig, the official translator of the Holland
Society, to do the work. Mr. Versteig is a native of Friesland, North Holland, and
received a liberal education in his native country. He is the author of the " Dutch
Colonization of Michigan," of the " History of the Dutch Church of Bergen, N. J.,"
has translated the records of the Huguenot church of New Paltz, this county, and the
records of the Dutch churches of Schraalenberg and Hackensack. He spent Tuesday
of this week in this city, classifying the Dutch records for translation, and says they
begin in 1661 and run down to 1746, filling about 3,000 pages. Much of the writing
is crabbed and indistinct, and difficult of translation, but he says the records can all
be translated with care. Mr. Versteig's opinion is that these records are among the
most valuable in this country, and he expressed his amazement that they were ever
stolen from the clerk's office. He says that in Holland records of this character are
kept under lock and key, and can only be examined in the presence of the public
official. He will begin at once the work of translation, and complete it as rapidly as
possible, transcribing the records so that hereafter the translation can be consulted
without handling the original volumes, which are twenty in number. — Kingston
Journal.

M R. FERNOW has recently completed a calendar of wills preserved among the State
archives at Albany. They number 2,000, and have been translated from Danish,
Dutch, English, French, and German for the Colonial Dames, by whom they will
soon be published. The abstracts are made by Mr. Fernow in the following manner,
and cannot fail to be of great value to the old families of this and other States.

Taylor, Edward, of New York City. Children : Mary, Edward, and Charles;
Mrs. Elizabeth Plumley, legatee. Real and personal estate (six silver forks, six ditto
spoons, six ditto porringers). Executors, William Nicoll, Ebenezer Wilson, and John
Hutchins. Witnesses, Dan. Bate, Rene Rezeau, Abraham Rezeau, and Roger Jones.
Codicil of September 16, 1701, makes William Nicoll, Ebenezer Wilson, Edward
Antill and Elizabeth Plumley heirs, in case the children should die without issue,



I IO Notes. [April,

and the first three named guardians and executors. Witnesses, Rene Rezeau and
William Dalton.

(When given in the will or certificate of proof, residence and occupations of ex-
ecutors and witnesses are mentioned, also short descriptions of real estate.)

Schuyler. — Mrs. Katherine Schuyler Baxter of Oswego, N. Y. , a granddaugh-
ter of Gen. Philip Schuyler, is preparing for speedy publication an elaborate genealogi-
cal history of Mr. Schuyler's ancestors, to be copiously illustrated.

ROLLO. — We gladly announce that this genealogy, by John Hall Rollo, of Wil-
mington, Del., which has been unavoidably delayed, will be issued very soon.

The Town Records of Smithtown, L. I., are now being copied and prepared
for the press. The descendants of Richard Smith, the patentee of Smithtown, and
popularly known as the " Bull Rider," are very numerous, and include many of the
best-known families in the State. The work will contain much genealogical and
historical information, and will be a valuable addition to Long Island history.
Persons who are descended from Richard Smith, or who feel an interest in the work,
are invited to communicate with the undersigned.

The following list of children of Nicoll Floyd, with dates of birth, I have never
seen in print :

Nicoll Floyd married Tabitha, daughter of Jonathan Smith 2 nd , of Smithtown.
Children :

Ruth, born Feb. 2, 1731 ; married Gen. Nathaniel Woodhull.

William, " Dec. 17, 1734 (Signer of Declaration).
Tabitha, " Jan. 12, 1735 ; married Daniel Smith.
Nicoll, " Dec. 25, 1736.

Charles, " Feb. 4, 1738.

Charity, " Jan. 20, 1739 ; married Ezra L'Homedieu.
Mary, " Dec. — , 1743 ; married Edmund Smith.

Catharine, " May g, 1745 ; married Gen. Thomas.
Anne, " Aug. I, 174S ; married Hugh Smith.

Nicoll Floyd died March 8, 1755, aged 50.
Tabitha Floyd " June 17, 1755, aged 51.

Copied from an old document now in possession of Mrs. William H. Wickham.
w. s. pelletreau, 225 W. Twentieth Street, New York.

Sherman. — We are indebted to our fellow member W. Watts Sherman, Esq.,
for a superbly bound copy of the diary of Philip Hone, Mayor of New York in
1S25-6, the value of which is enhanced by the introduction of a large number of steel
portraits, many of which are impressions from private plates.

The Munson Association has issued through its historian, Myron A. Munson.
M.A., the family history in two large volumes, 1,260 pages. More than a dozen
years of labor have been crowned with success. It will have a large sale, but no
more than it deserves.

Genealogical History Foli.ett-Dewey-Fassett-Safford — Wyoming Val
ley Massacre — Early Vermont. By a descendant. If interested, address (with
stamp) Major H. P. Ward, 15 E. Gay Street, Columbus, O.

The Genealogical Society of Utah has about 300 volumes in their library
which includes the " Register and Record " complete; Savage; Genealogist ; abou
seventy-five New England town histories and 150 family genealogies. The officers
are: Franklin D. Richards, President; James H. Anderson, Secretary; Amos M
Musser, Treasurer; John Jaques, Librarian. We favor these organizations, and urge
our friends to support them by contributions and otherwise. The field for genealogi-
cal research would not seem to be an easy one in Utah ; so much the more should the
promoters be encouraged.



i8 9 6.]



Queries.



QUERIES.



King Heraldry. — In the floor of St. George's
Church, Basseterre, on the Island of St. Kitts, West
Indies, is a gravestone with the following inscription :
" Here lies Interred the Body of Benjamin King, of this
Island, Esq'' who departed this Life ... of Dec,
Anno Domini, 17 . . in the Forty fifth Year of his
age." This stone bears a heraldic device which, though
much defaced by time and the fire that devastated Basse-
terre many years ago, may be easily deciphered as having
on the shield a lion rampant, between three crosses
crosslet ; the crest is a demi-ostrich rising out of a coronet.
The arms in question are those of King of Devonshire
and Torcester, County North, as given in Burke's "Gen-
eral Armory " — viz. : " Sable, a lion rampant or, crowned
argent, between three cross crosslets or. Crest, out of a
ducal coronet or, a demi-ostrich argent, wings endorsed,
beak of the first."

In the Register of St. George's Church are the fol-
owing entries : " Baptism, 1749, May 28, Benjamin,
,on of Joseph and Elizabeth King. Burial, 1760, Dec.
>3, Benjamin King, Esq." This is probably the record
of baptism and burial of Benjamin King who lies under
the heraldic gravestone, but nothing is known with
certainty. It is a fact, however, that Daniel King, Jr.,
Gent., of Lynn, Mass., born about 1636, was in 16S7 a
resident merchant on the Island of St. Kitts. He was the son of Mr. Daniel Kinge,
Sen'-' of Lynn, and grandson of Ralphe Kinge of Watford, Hertfordshire, England,
as set forth in the writer's published " Pedigree of King of Lynn."

1. Can any one throw any light on the ancestry of Benjamin King, who is buried
in St. George's Church, and his relationship, if any, to Daniel King, Jr.?

2. Is there evidence of the early use of the St. Kitts coat-of-arms by any family
of King in America ?

3. Were these arms borne by Peter King, the elder, of Shaston, Dorsetshire,
Gentleman, whose will in P. C. C, London, proved December 9, 165S, mentions
" my^brother Thomas King now dwelling in New England"?

RUFUS KING, Yonkers, N. Y.





whom is it owned?



Tuthill. — This illustration is an enlarged drawing from a
wax seal attached to the signature of Henry Tuthill, of Southold,
Suffolk County, N. Y. , Husbandman, on a Bill of Sale to Asa
King, of the same town, dated 13 Oct., 1757, and witnessed by
Jonathan Terry and Thomas Terry. The property conveyed is
about two acres of land in Oyster Ponds, upper neck, bounded
on the north by Thomas Terry's land and on the south and east
by the aforesaid Henry Tuthill's land. The wax impression is
five-eighths of an inch long and half an inch wide.

Is this seal heraldic, 'is it still in existence ; and, if so, by
RUFUS KING, Yonkers, N. Y.



Lester-Arnold. — Who was Mordacia Lester, whose daughter Margaret married
Joseph Hicks, 3 mo. 24, 1736-7? He moved to Dutchess County in 1760, and was
in someway connected with the "Nine Partners." Eliz Arnold, born 177S, died
1828, married Timothy Howland 1796. She was daughter of Joseph Arnold and
Eliz Hoag. Can any one give me the ancestors of the two last named?

frank B. hicks, Macedon Center, N. Y.



Warner. — Information wanted of the ancestry of William, who married Phebe
Berrien, born January 30, 1732, daughter of Sarah Hallett and Cornelius Berrien, of
Newtown, L. I. He is thought to have been born either in New York City or in
Westchester County, N. Y. All that is known of his family is that he had a brother



I 1 2 Queries. [April,

Charles and the following children : I. Jane, II. Elizabeth, III. Phebe, and IV.
James.

Could any one give me the surname or parentage of Elizabeth, born April 3,1720,
died May II, 1792, the wife of Cornelius Willett of West Farms, Westchester
County, N. V.? c. A. SAYRE, Utica, N. Y.

Truex, de Trieux. — Wanted information concerning the descendants of Philip
de Trieux, who came from Amsterdam to New Amsterdam probably in 162 1 ; also
any information of the Truex family. h. E. T., West Plains, Mo.

Joseph Merritt, son of Thomas, was one of the proprietors of Rye, N. Y., in
16S3 ; surveyor of lands, 1707 ; owned lot No. 34 in 1710; had a deed of land from
his father Thomas, August 5, 1714 ; ensign in Westchester County Militia, 1722 ;
on grand jury, 1717-22 ; signed a petition of Presbyterians, May II, 1727 ; sold thirty-
two acres to Gilbert Bloomer, December 16, 1740; made his will, March 27, 1752;

proved, June 6, 1754. His wife was Jane ; children: Joseph, Thomas,

Nehemiah, Elizabeth, Jane. I should like to know the dates of his birth and death,
name of his wife, and dates of births of children.

DOUGLAS merritt, Rhinebeck, N. Y.

Russell. — John Russell slain by English in Revolution, March 30, 17S0. Wife
Hannah died May 10, 17S9. Their son James, born October 7, 1752, in New
York City, died October 6, 1800 ; married December 1, 1772, Catherine, born
February 10, 1751 ; died, 1S32. in New York City ; daughter of Joseph and Cornelia
Bogart. Wanted to learn ancestry of above John Russell and circumstances of his
death. J. R. K.

Green, Barnstable, Mass. — The query on page 203 of the last volume suggests
the possibility that these may be of interest :

I. Isaac Green, of Barnstable, then of Falmouth, married, first, Sarah, married,
second Judith. He died January 1, 1739-40; supposed by some to be descended
from James, of Boston. His children were : Sarah, 1700 ; Jonathan, Elizabeth, Sarah,
Martha, Lemuel ; April 29, 1719 ; Abigail, January 21, 1722.

II. William Green, of the Barnstable Company raised for the Continental Army,
was employed with others guarding the prisoners captured with Burgoyne at Saratoga.
Sir Richard Brown, a distinguished officer, had disregarded orders; he was warned
and threatened if he did not halt he must take the consequences ; he proceeded, and
William Green fired and killed him, after which Green was tried by court-martial and
acquitted, as he was in the discharge of his duty. His brother Jonathan Green was
present at the firing and a witness before the court. Were these families connected ?
Were these Jonathans, either of them, the Jonathan who was captain in the militia at
Maiden, Mass., 1759?

Cornf.ll. — Wanted the parentage of Richard Cornell, Jr., and Elizabeth, both of
Oyster Bay, L. I., who were married by the Rector of St. George's Church, Hemp-
stead, December 31, 1731. They had : Sarah, Richardus, and Letitia, baptized 1734,
'39, and '42 respectively ; they subsequently removed to Dutchess Co., where he died
September 14, 1794. Any information will be gratefully received by (Miss) Helen
W. Reynolds, Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

Courtenay. — A branch of this family, of Devonshire, England, settled in Ireland
some time previous to 1736 (from what I can learn I believe that it was either Newry
or Belfast that they settled in). To the best of my knowledge there developed from
this branch of the family six sons and one daughter ; the names of the sons were
Hercules, Conway, Conrad, Henry, William, and Edward. The sister (name
unknown) was either the mother or mother-in-law of the British officer General Ross,
who was killed at the battle of North Point when the British were advancing on
Baltimore, Md. From the son Hercules I can trace down to the present day. What
I desire to know is : What was the name of the head of the family that settled in
Ireland, where did he settle, what relation was he to Hercules, Conway, Conrad, etc.,
and why did he emigrate from England? . M. F. v., Milwaukee.



1896. I Society Notice. 1 j 2

REPLIES.

Vail or VeALE. — (Vol. xxvii., r, p. 59.) An illustration of the arms of Veale
will be found in the " History of the Haviland Family of England " in the library of the
society. P. IS : "Argent on a Bend Sable, three calves trippant or." The family
in America has changed its name from Veale to Vail. In the Register's Office at
White Plains are to be found deeds in the name of Veale, as follows: Book A, p.
5. 16S4 : John Veale of East Chester died intestate. Widow Enis Veale made adminis-
trator. A, p. 10 : She gave Bond for £n§, November 20. 16S4. A, p. 74 : Thomas
Veale Senior of West Chester sold 10 acres of land to Josiah Hunt, April 10, 16S6.

A, p. 146 : The same person sold land to William Richardson for ,£30. August 2, 1687.

B, p. 97 : Thomas Veale Senior and wife Sarah sold land to Benjamin Taylor,
1 lecember 5, 1691. B, p. 345 : Joseph Veale of Huntington. L. I.. Suffolk County,
May 2S, 1697, sold land in East Chester to his brother Thomas Veale of East Ches-
ter ; the land formerly belonged to his brother John Veale of East Chester. The body
of this deed has the name spelled Veale, but the signatures at the bottom of the
brothers Joseph and Thomas are Vaill. " Sam Veal, of West Chester married 8th of
2d mo 1725 Sarah Farrington daughter of Matthew of Flushing." (Friends Rec.)
His will was proved August 13, 1733 (New York Surrogate's Office), and signed
Samuel Vail. FREDERICK HAVILAND, New Rochelle, N. Y.

Hance. — James Gibson, Salem. N. V., on page 195, Vol. xxiv. — Query. Answer :
The Timothy Hance and his wife Rebecca were of Shrewsbury. N. J. John Hance,
the first of the family, was of Dover, N. II., 1656-1065, and then went to Shrews-
Inuv, Monmouth County, N. J. He was a delegate to the New Jersey Assembly,
1680 ; also a magistrate. REV. WILLIAM WHITE HANCE, Palenville, N. Y.



SOCIETY NOTICE.



The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society. — The leading