"An Imperishable Fame" - Company B, 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers

While researching the life of Charles Bates, whose grave lies in obscurity on a sandy bank above the old Owego Turnpike in Dingman Township, I happened upon the following 1896 editorial  honoring the recruits of Company B, 151st Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry. Enrolled at Milford in the fall of 1862, this would be the only Company raised within Pike County during the Civil War.  The youngest enlistees gave their age as 18.  The eldest, John Cortright, stated he was 44 years old.  They were brothers, cousins, neighbors, friends and kin through marriage. Some were immigrants, others were descendants of the first settlers and militia men on the provincial frontier of New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania.

Editorial 
BRIEF HISTORY OF COMPANY B.
The official record of Company B, 151st Regiment, P. V. which was recruited from this county, and was mustered into service Oct. 20th, 1862 to serve nine months is as follows : Other companies were A. and C recruited in Susquehanna, F in Warren, D in Juniata E. G. H. K. and part of I in Berks and the remainder of I in Schuylkill. The regiment participated in the bloody battle of Gettysburg and history says of it:

"The heroism displayed by the One Hundred and Fifty-first in this battle, is unsurpassed. It went into the fight with twenty-one officers, and four hundred and sixty -six men. Of those, two officers and 66 men were killed, twelve officers and one hundred and eighty-seven men were wounded, and one hundred were missing, an aggregate loss of three hundred and sixty-seven, upwards of seventy -five per cent. At Gettysburg, says General Doubleday, who commanded the First Corps, they won, under the brave McFarland, an imperishable fame."

151st Pennsylvania Infantry Memorial, Co. B, Gettysburg, PA. Photo courtesy of Norman Gasbarro

The officers of Company B were :
Oscar H. [Harold] Mott, captain, discharged March 8, 1863.
Lafayette Westbrook, 1st lieutenant, promoted to captain, March 9, 1863. 
John H. Vincent, 2d lieutenant, promoted to 1st lieutenant, March 9, 1863.
Robert M. Kellogg, 1st sergeant, promoted to 2d lieutenant, March 9, 1863.
Herman Frank [var. Franke], promoted to 1st sergeant, March 9, 1863 ; wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863.
Stephen [Hazard], sergeant. 
Henry Cuddeback, sergeant.
William A. Salmon, sergeant, discharged by special order, Feb. 10, 1863.
[Thomas] M. Beardsley, sergeant, promoted from private, March 9, 1863, killed at Gettysburg.
Henry Smith, sergeant, promoted from corporal, Feb. 11, 1863, killed at Gettysburg.
William Sutton, corporal, captured at Gettysburg.
Ira Pellett, corporal.
George W. Kimble, corporal.
James [Hatton], corporal.
Nelson DeWitt, corporal. 
Wesley Watson, corporal, promoted Jan. 5th, 1863. 
Jacob C. Schorr, corporal, promoted Jan. 5th, 1863. 
Charles Bates, corporal, promoted Jan. 6th, 1863, wounded at Gettysburg. Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Francis E. Hazen, corporal, promoted Feb. 11th, 1863, died at Acquia Creek, Va., June 4th, 1863.
David Miller, corporal, deserted Nov. 18th, 1863.
James S. Smith, corporal, discharged on surgeon's certificate, April 14th, 1863. 

Privates:
Robert J. Andrews. 
Andrew J. Appleman.
[Edward] C. Appleman, died at Belle Plain, Va., April 15th, 1863.
Jesse R. Burrus. 
John Blackmore.
Simeon Brink. 
Benjamin C. Bonnell, captured at Gettvsburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
John Buckingham, captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, l863.
Joseph A. Buckley.
George Burrus, captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Charles Burrell [Jr], died at Union Mills, Va., Dec. 10th, 1862 buried in National Cemetery, Arlington Va.
Charles Blackmore, killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863.
Solomon B. Brink, killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Ira [Burrell] Case. 
David Canfield.
Janson Cole. 
John Cortright, Jr.
Wesley C. Cron.
Peter Cron, wounded and captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863.
James [Polk] Crone.
Cornelius Case, discharged on surgeon's certificate, April 13th, 1863.
Isaac S. Decker. 
George M. Decker.
Benjamin Degroat.
[Daniel Westbrook] Dingman [Jr.], captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. .
Adonijah [Brodhead] Drake.
Sealy S. Drake. 
William F. Fulkerson, captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Charles [Lewis] Frank, captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Nelson Garris.
Christian Grim [var. Grimm].
Conrad Happ.
Edward R. Hazen. 
John Henry.
Nicholas Hess. 
Valentine Hipsman.wounded with loss of arm, at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Michael Hissam, wounded at Chancellorsville. Va.. May 3d, 1863.
Rush K. [Killam, Jr.], wounded at Gettysburg. Pa.. July 1st. 1863. .
Robert [Augustus] Kayser, wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
[Jonas] Kettle.
John Kleinstuber. 
Levi Labar. 
Levi Losey, wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Casper Madden.
Enos B. Mapes.
Peter [Marger].
Abraham Masker, captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Warren Masker, captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
Mordecai M. Mott.  
James [A] Morrison, killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863.
Samuel McCormick, died at Philadelphia, Pa., August 3d, 1863
Charles M. [McCarter], wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863.
James Nyce, captured at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863. 
John L. Pearson [Pierson], wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863.
Burnham [Kimble] Pellett. 
Josiah Perry.
Michael B. Pitney. 
George W. Parr, killed at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863.
Nelson Reaser [var. Reser], wounded at Gettysburg, Pa., July 1st, 1863.
Francis Rolle. 
Silas Rosencrance. 
Randall D. Sayre. 
Charles D. Schmalzler [var. Schmazle, Schmalzle] 
Reuben [Sieg].
Gilbert Shaffer.
Edward Stidd.
Isaac Shearer.
Jacob C. Van Gordon, discharged on surgeon's certificate, Feb. 25th, 1863.
Amos Van Gordon, deserted Nov. 22d, 1862.
William M. Watson. 
Patrick White.
Ziba B Williams.
George G. [Gotlieb Worzel].
Henry P. [Worzel].
Joseph Zeimer [var. Zimer], died at Belle Plain, Va., April 1st, 1863.

The regiment was mustered out July 27, 1863, .... Of the 96 men composing Company B thirty-eight have gone over to the silent majority. Some rest in unknown graves, some are buried in National cemeteries and some sleep in our churchyards whose graves are yearly decked with flowers by the hands of their living comrades. Their names are enrolled on the Nation's page of honor, and their memories are revered for the noble sacrifice they made on the bloody field of battle. ~ May 15, 1896, Pike County Press, published by John Hixson Van Etten.

Charles Bates, 1812 - 1895

 Company B, 151st Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers

Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington VA - Charles Burrell, Jr., 1839 - 1862.
Bath National Cemetery, Bath NY - Silas Rosencrance, ? - 1907
Bloss Family Burying Ground, Blooming Grove PA - Charles Lewis Frank, 1840 - 1918.
Cashmere Cemetery, Cashmere, WA - Benjamin C. Bonnell, 1842 - 1897.
Clinton Center Cemetery, Wayne Co PA - Sealy S. Drake, 1845 - 1927.
Delaware Cemetery, Dingmans Ferry PA - James Polk Crone, 1844 - 1897; Daniel Westbrook Dingman, Jr., 1835 - 1900; James Nyce, 1842 - 1897; Michael B. Pitney, 1839 - 1911.
Dunmore Cemetery, Dunmore PA - Janson Cole, 1841-1921.
Evergreen Cemetery, Everett, Snohomish County, WA - Joseph A. Buckley, 1842 - 1906, also served in Co. A, 161st NY.
Fredericksburg National Cemetery, Fredericksburg, VA, Grave 5887 - Francis E. Hazen,  1840 -1863.
German Hill Cemetery aka Hipsman Farm Burying Ground, Shohola PA - Nicholas Hess, 1820 - 1899. Valentine Hipsman, 1840 - 1923.
Gettysburg National Cemetery, Gettysburg PA - Nelson Reaser, 1844 - 1863.
Greening Farm Burying Ground, Dingmans Township, PA - Charles Bates, 1812-1895.
Old Greentown Cemetery, Greentown PA - George Burrus, 1838-1863; Jesse R. Burrus 1833-1916.
Hopedale Moravian Cemetery, Pike County, PA - Reuben Sieg, 1844 - 1932.
Lakeville Cemetery, Lakeville PA - Benjamin Degroat, 1838 - 1909.
Milford Cemetery, Milford PA - Solomon B. Brink, 1834 - 1863; Ira Burrell Case, 1840 - 1917; Oscar Harold Mott, 1821 - 1864; Randal D. Sayre, 1840 - 1916; Jacob C. Schorr, 1838 - 1921; Wesley Watson, 1832 - 1910;  William M. Watson, 1834 - 1894.
Milton Junction Cemetery, Milton Junction WI - Ira Pellett, 1840-1916.
Mount Moriah Cemetery, Kimble PA - George W. Kimble; Josiah Perry, 1842 - 1922; John L. Pierson, 1841 -1921.
Oakland Cemetery, Keokuk IA - Robert Augustus Kayser 1842 - 1929.
Paupack Cemetery, Pike Co PA - John Buckingham, 1844 - 1917, also served with Co G, 213th Reg.; Rush K. Killam, Jr., 1844-1877; Abraham Masker, 1835 - 1912;  Warren Masker, - 1890; Burnham Kimble Pellett, 1842 - 1881.
Philadelphia National Cemetery, Philadelphia PA - James A Morrison, 1837 - 1863. 
Rowland Cemetery, Rowland PA - Nelson DeWitt, 1836 - 1923.
Sandhill Cemetery, Monroe Co PA - Levi Labar, 1823 -1910; Levi Losey, 1836 - 1897.
Stroudsburg Cemetery, Stroudsburg PA - Adonijah Brodhead Drake, 1821 - 1893; Lafayette Westbrook, 1824 - 1908.

Captain Lafayette Westbrook

Brothers:  Edward & Andrew Appleman, Charles & John Blackmore, Jesse & George Burrus, Isaac & George Decker (Dreese, 2000), Abraham & Warren Masker, Ira & Burnham Pellet, and Wesley & William Watson. 

*****

Sources, corrections and additions: 

Battle Unit Details, 151st Reg. PA Infantry, National Park Service. 

Cemeteries, Graveyards, and Burying Grounds in Pike County, PA, Gettysburg Chapter, Daughters of the Union, Victoria W. Fields, 1941. 

Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers, Library of Congress, Pike County Press, 1896.
Record of Deaths, Documents of the Assembly of the State of New York, (Google eBook) Vol 1, 1908. 

FamilySearch.com: 1850 Census (many transcription errors) and 1860 Census reports for Pike Pennsylvania.
Company B, 151st Regiment,, History of Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-5, Volume 4 by Samuel P Bates, 1869.

National Cemetery Fredericksburg Burial Roster pdf

National Graves Registration Database, SUVCW.
The 151st Pennsylvania Volunteers at Gettysburg: Like Ripe Apples in a Storm, Michael Dreese, McFarland, 2009.

Pennsylvania State Archives, 151st Regiment, Company B, pages 5 - 7.

US Census of Union Veterans and Widows of the Civil War, 1890 Pennsylvania > Pike, NARA microfilm publication M123. 
USVA Grave Site Locator.

24 letters written by Peter Cron, 1862-1863, sold at Cowan's Auctions in 2014.  "The final letter in the collection is from Wesley Cron.... I don’t know any thing more about Peter only the Doctor says he is in Baltimore Badly Wounded but he thinks he will get well... Peter Cron died on July 27."  Dreese does not list Peter Cron among those mortally wounded.

Special thanks for permission to use the photo of the 151st Pennsylvania Infantry Memorial at Gettysburg, (c) 2011, Norman Gasbarro, all rights reserved. 

151st Reg: P.V.

151st Regiment, Pennsylvania Infantry 

Overview:
Organized at Harrisburg October 18 to November 24, 1862. Moved to Washington, D. C., November 26. Attached to 3rd Brigade, Casey's Division, Defenses of Washington, to February, 1863. 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, 1st Army Corps, Army of the Potomac, to July, 1863.  Service:  Duty in the Defenses of Washington till February, 1863. Moved to Belle Plains, Va., and joined 1st Army Corps. Duty there till April 27. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations about Pollock's Mill Creek April 29-May 2. Battle of Chancellorsville May 2-5. Gettysburg (Pa.) Campaign June 11-July 24. Battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3. Pursuit of Lee July 5-24. Mustered out July 27, 1863. Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 67 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 53 Enlisted men by disease. Total 123.

Record of a Nine Months' Regiment at the Battle of Gettysburg

The Town Clerks of Minisink 1734 - 1782

While researching the Ennes family online some time ago an intriguing 1938 Parke-Bernet auction catalog preview for the Manuscript Record Book of the Town Clerk of Minisink appeared in a Google book search.  Recently, a North Carolina book seller kindly confirmed that Lot # 98 was included in the volume, Sale No. 40, which has since arrived:

Parke-Bernet Galleries, 1938, Vol. 40, p 26

HISTORY IN THE MAKING 1676 TO 1920; BOOKS AND AUTOGRAPHS: THE PROPERTY OF J. LAWRENCE BOGGS, NEWARK, N.J. Sale No.40. New York: Parke-Bernet Galleries, 1938. First edition. ... Public & Private Papers of Lewis Morris, Robert Hunter Morris, Robert Morris, William Paterson, Robert Boggs & allied families; relating to The settlement & progress of New Jersey, Franklin & the proprietors of Pennsylvania, French & Indian Wars, American Revolution, the Constitution, The First Supreme Court. -  American Book Exchange, 2013.

The auction, featuring a breathtaking collection of Americana relating to the early history of New Jersey, New York & Pennsylvania, was hailed as one seldom appearing at public sale.  The consignor, J. Lawrence Boggs, was related to many of the notables including Lewis Morris, Colonial Governor of NJ, Robert Hunter Morris, Chief Justice of NJ & Colonial Governor of PA during the French and Indian War, and Robert Morris, Chief Justice of NJ after the Revolution.

No less interesting was the early and unusual Record  Book of the Town Clerk of Minisink for the sheer number of ancestral lines gathered across time in the valley all rubbing file shoulders, as it were, with the Boggs library holdings on Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Marshall, Robert Hunter, William Paterson, and numerous members of the Continental Congress.

The Associated Friends of Rutgers University Library would publish The Boggs Sale, in their 1938 newsletter thanking financial contributors and detailing their acquisitions, presently housed among the Library's Special Collections and University Archives.  J. Lawrence Boggs would also gift papers to the New Jersey Historical Society, The Boggs Family Collection, 1737 - 1942.

Additional research led to an online gen group's discussion on a late 1990s discovery of the microfilm of the Minisink Ms at a Family History Center, FHC. Said discussion included an error filled excerpt of the previously published article "The Minisink Chronicles" by Gene Kuykendall, New Netherlands Connections, 1997, Vol 2, # 1.

A quick search of the online FHC catalog found the microfilm, which can be rented, $7.50, and viewed, printed or downloaded at any Family History Center: Town records, 1734-1782; Montague Township (New Jersey).Family History Library US/CAN Film 888797; FHC locator

The first page of the film:

MONTAGUE TOWNSHIP (SUSSEX COUNTY), N.J.
Town Book, 1734-1782

Contents: road returns, 1734-71; earmarks, 1736-82; annual lists of officers elected, 1739-82;

 register of estrays, 1757-76; miscellaneous entries, 1738-67. Until late 1750's, the records were entered as those of the precinct of Minisink [frequently Manisink or Manissink], Sussex County, N.J. (or, in several early entries, Orange County, N.Y.). Microfilmed May 18, 1959, by the Rutgers University Library, from the original volume owned by Charles A. Philhower (Westfield, N.J.), which he intends on presenting to a local historical society. This item was sold in the J. L. Boggs sale, Parke-Bernet Galleries, May 11, 1938. 

A selection of freeholders & officers as found in the Ms:

Joseph Barton, Jacob Bogart, Cornelus Brinck, Gerit Brink, Lambert Brinck, Mathewes Brinck, David Cole (also David Cool), William Cole, Daniel Cooley, Jr, Bastoaon (also Basteaen) Cortrecht, Hendrick H Cortrecht, Hendrick Jans Cortrecht, Jacobus Cuddeback, Pieter Cuykondal (also Cuykendal), Salomon Cuykondal, Salomon Davis, Andries Decker, Johannis Decker, Thomas Decker, William Ennes, Benjamin Forgeson, Uriah Forgeson, Eevert Hornbeck, Abraham Low, Joel Quick, Thomas Quik, Jan ? Rosa, Benjamin Sheppard, Abraham Simer, Jacobis Swartwout,  Benjamin Tomson, Abraham van Aken,  Anthony van Etten, John van Fliet (also Jan van Vliet), Harmen van Garden, Johannis van Gardon, Daniel Westfael, Jacob Westfael, Jurryan Westvael, Anthony Westbroek, Jacob Westbroek, Capt. Johannis Westbroek, Joseph Westbroek, Salomon Westbroek.

drawn  by Jacob Hoffman; engraved by John Scoles, New York Magazine, June, 1794, Library of Congress

Two fellow researchers brought to my attention the latest print issue of the Sandyston Journal excerpting a 1960s New Jersey Herald article by C. V. Crane ( then President of the Minisink Valley Historical Society MVHS) which quotes without corrections from the Minisink Ms:

... the following record of a town meeting held in 1740. ...For Constables, Jacobus Cuddeback and Eevert Hornbeck; Suprovisor, Capt. Jacobus Swartwout; Fens Vewers, Jacobus Decker and Lambert Brinck, Stalyon Vewrs, Jacobus Decker and Peter Cuykendal; Pathmasters, Anthony Westbroek and Thos Decker; Poor masters, Johannes Westbroek and Solomon Davis; Waggon Viewers, Cornelus Brinck and David Cool, to see that each wagon within ye p.cinct aforesd be in the inside of y rot four foot and ten Inches of Duch measure in ye penalty of twinty shillings of Currat lawful money of ye province of New York to be Recovered before any of his majesties Justic of y peace within said p.cinct of any Owner or owners of such wagon or wagons as shall be found insufficent :half of which money to y informer and y other half to ye poor of said p.cint, town Clark, William Ennes.

Coincidentally, another entry from the auction catalog adds a footnote on the jurisdiction of the locale:  Lot # 63 Hamilton, John, ... 2 pp., 4to, about 200 words, Amboy, July 6, 1741. To Lewis Morris.  Expressing the wishes of the Council of Proprietors of New Jersey that the Justices of Orange County exercise their authority until the boundary lines between New York and New Jersey were run.
 
Belatedly, a board member informed me that the Minisink Ms was held at the MVHS and will be made available to the general public as a large format scanned copy.  At least two copies of the Gene Kuykendall late 1990s edition of the transcription of the Ms exist - one at the Sussex Co Public Library & one at the MVHS.

Only one mystery remains:  How, when, and from whom did J. Lawrence Boggs acquire the Record Book of the Town Clerk of Minisink?

The Ulster County Migrants into the Minisink, 1716

It's always a treat to discover original document film available online, in this case references to the earliest immigration into the Minisink.  Herein eight pages of records with accompanying transcription of the residents, including the Neighborhood of the Neversink River valley (present day Orange County). Numerous family members of those found in the Ulster County records would settle as far south as the Flatbrook & Bushkill confluences with the Delaware River before 1737:

 Tax Assessment List for the County of Ulster, 1716/7

The Freeholders Inhabitants Resident and Sojourners in the County of Ulster theire Reale and Psonall Estates are rated and assessed by the assessor (on theire Oaths) Chosen for the same and that on the 23d day of January in the third yeare of his Majesties Reigne Anno Dom 1716/7 viz+. . . .

Neighbourhood of Wagachkemeck

Researchers will find Ulster Co heads of household listed in the villages along the roads from Kingston: Towne of Marbletown, includes Cornelia Ennis [Ennes] mother of William Ennes, town clerk of Minisink (Montague Township NJ).

1779 Sauthier Map of Provincial New York [including New Jersey]

Click to enlarge

See also:  Recording the Minisink 1701 - 1738.

Pennsylvania Settlers of the Minisink 1740 - 1751

The Bucks County Warrant Registers found at the Pennsylvania State Archives record an interesting overview of the colonial landowners on the West side of the Delaware River in present day Pike or Monroe Counties. These documents often named neighboring grant holders and additional lands held as well as features within the landscape. 

Note the Warrant Registers frequently refer to the location with the place name Minisink, Minisinks, or Minesincks, citing the original application and warrant, but this would rarely carry over onto the survey. The State's surveys were sometimes commissioned many years after the grant of land and may refer to the township and county of the later period. Present day townships may be jotted in the corner or noted on the reverse of the survey and are also found in the compilation of surveys in the Township Warrantee Maps.

Surname variants may appear on the Application, the Warrant and the Survey. Patentees which differ refer to a later sale or heir to the tract. Acreage listed in the Warrant may differ slightly after the more precise survey was conducted.

Click on the link to see the Register page or Survey.  Highlighted names will open a link to the Family Search Warrants 1734 - 1769 in the Pennsylvania Probate Records. The remaining warrants can be found on Ancestry.com (subscription) under Pennsylvania Land Warrants & Applications. Tract, actual warrant descriptions and place names as cited are in italics, the present day township as found on the Warrantee maps are in parentheses ( ):

10 April 1740, Register, John Van Campen, 100 acres,  Survey.  Note additional settlers on this Register page include:  John Van Etten (1750), Gilbert Vangarder (1750), Gilbert Vancamp (1750), Cornelius Vanakin (1750.)

2 October 1742, Register, Lenor ( ?) Cuykendall, 188 acres, Survey. Land situate below Walpack Ferry in Smithfield Township. 

24 May 1742,  Register, Samuel DePue, 100 acres, Survey, Minisink, situate on the Bushkill (Lehman Twp.) Note additional Minisink settlers on this Register page include:  Samuel DePuey [DePue] (1738), Moses DePue (1743), Andrew Dingman, (1744 - Delaware Twp), Christopher Denmark (1745 - Delaware Twp.)

30 Nov 1744  Register, Simon Westfall,  Survey  to Cornelius DeWytt [DeWitt] in right of Simon Westfall,122 acres, (Milford/Westfall Twp.)

12 June 1749 Register, Cornelius Dewytt, [Dewitt], 100 acres, Survey, Smithfield, (Westfall Twp.)

Westfall Township Warrantee Map for Cornelius DeWytt [DeWitt] tract of 1749.

4  Mar 1750  Register, Peter Robeson [Robinson], Survey 118 acres, Flemings Valley, Remmonds [Raymondskill] Creek, Minisinks. Peter Robinson,  adjoining Brewer Dacker [Broer Decker] and Guisbard [Guisbert or Gilbert] Van Camp (Dingman Twp).

11 Mar 1750  Register, Tunis Middagg, [Middaugh], Survey 91 acres, Upper Smithfield (Milford/Westfall Twp.)

11 Mar 1750  Register, Thomas Quick, Survey 103 acres, above the Minesinks (Milford Twp.)

11 Mar 1750  Register,  John Williams, Survey 63 acres, Upper Smithfield (Lehman Twp)

13 Dec 1750  Register, James McCarty, Survey, 50 acres, at the Minesincks (Milford Twp.)

20 Dec 1750  Register, Anthony Bunscotta, Survey, 45 acres, Minisink (Lehman Twp.)

20 Dec 1750  Register, Henry J Cortrach [Cortright], Survey, 12 acres, Upper Smithfield (Dingman Twp.)

20 Dec 1750  Register, Brewer [Broer] Decker, 100 acres, multiple surveys, Minisincks (Lehman/Delaware Twp.)

20 Dec 1750  Register, Andrew Dingman, 30 acres, Survey,  Minisincks (Delaware Twp.) 

20 Dec 1750  Register, Herman Rosencrans, Survey, 62 acres, Minisinks (Westfall Township)

21 May 1751 Register, Garret Brink, Survey, 54 acres, Brinks Creek, at the Minesinks (Delaware Twp.)         

The PA State Archives' Warrantees of Land in the Several Counties of the State of Pennsylvania, 1730-1898, edited by William Henry Egle, 1898, also lists Bucks County Warrants, arranged by first initial of the surname (variants), then date.

Each of the Surveys cited in this article can be found on the Warrantee Maps, present day townships:

Pike County Township Warrantee maps, Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission 

• Blooming Grove, Delaware, Dingman, Greene, Lackawaxen (North), Lackawaxen (South), Lehman, Milford, Palmyra, Porter, Shohola, Westfall.

Wayne County Township Warrantee maps, Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission 

• Berlin,  Buckingham, Canaan, Cherry Ridge, Clinton, Damascus, Dreher, Dyberry, Lake, Lebanon, Lehigh, Manchester, Mount Pleasant, Oregon, Palmyra, Paupack, Preston, Salem, Scott, South Canaan, Sterling, Texas.

Monroe County Township Warrantee maps, Pennsylvania Historic & Museum Commission

• Coolbaugh A  Index,  Coolbaugh B   Map

Bucks County was one of the original Pennsylvania counties formed on 10 March 1682; Northampton Co set off from Bucks County 14 October 1751; Wayne Co set off from Northampton Co 21 May 1798; Pike Co set off from Wayne Co 26 March 1814; Monroe Co set off from Pike and Northampton Counties 1 April 1836.

 See also MVG's collection Historical Maps of the Minisink 1755 - 1875.

UPDATE:  An automated, fully-word-searchable transcription of the Northampton County Warrant Register, transcribed by volunteer Marie Robinson, is now available online.

An excerpt from the quite useful Land Records Guide of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania:

 "...During William Penn’s proprietorship, much of the land settlement was never recorded formally so squatting on land was common practice. Land that had been settled under this policy was considered improved land. All other lands vacant were considered unimproved lands. In order to regulate the settling of their lands and to retrieve payment from squatters who settled before 1754, the Penns [heirs of William] further updated the application system, which consisted of a series of documents including application, warrant, survey, and patent...."

Disputes over Warrants may be found in Minutes of the Board of Property and Other References to Land in Pennsylvania including Proprietary (Old) Rights; Pennsylvania Archives, Vol II, Harrisburg, 1894.

1766 Applications for Warrant

Identified place names:
Deckers Creek - present day Hornsbeck Creek
Remmonds or Rimmonds Creek - present day Raymondskill Creek
Swartwood Creek or Swartwoods Mill Creek - present day Toms Creek

Unidentified place names:
Brink's Creek - ?

UPDATE:  Pennsylvania Residents have FREE access to PA Land Records on Ancestry providing they also have a free Ancestry account: Click the PA State Portal page for more information. 

Stone Cutter Peter Higgins

Willow & Urn ornament, Old Dimmick Cemetery, Milford PA, 1861

Among the stone cutters active in the Upper Delaware River Valley during the period 1860 -1870 was Peter Higgins, a native of Ireland. It is likely Higgins arrived in the US via Canada sometime in the late 1840s for the 1850 census finds the family in New York City.  By 1860 they've moved to Deerpark, and by 1870 Higgins had established his firm on Jersey Avenue in Port Jervis, NY.

for James Suiter, 1861

The above crisp example of his distinctive Willow and Urn ornament is from the James Suiter tombstone which is presently in storage, protected from the ravages of weather.

19th century marble and stone cutters advertised their wares with a signature on the tombstone, typically in the lower right hand corner.

1870 Census, Deerpark, Orange Co NY

The Evening Gazette, Port Jervis, NY, October 1, 1874

Peter's only known son, John F. Higgins, apprenticed with his father but would leave the trade after Peter died to attend St Francis Xavier College. He later returned to Port Jervis to practice medicine.

Shohola-Worzel Cemetery, Pike Co PA, 1862

 The Higgins' tombstone carvings are noted for the use of mixed fonts in the lettering, the distinctive shape of the upper portion of the stone, and the frequent use of the Willow or Willow & Urn ornament.

Eldred Cemetery, Sullivan Co NY, 1861

In Memory of
James Collard
Who Died Feb. 8, from
wounds received on the
N. Y. and E. R. R., Jan. 29, 1861
Aged 24 years
7 mo & 3 D's
None knew him but to love

Higgins, Port Jervis 

Willow & Urn ornament, Delaware Cemetery, Dingmans Ferry, Pike Co PA, 1866

The Joseph H Albright tombstone bears the signature of Higgins, Port Jervis in the lower right hand corner.

German Hill Cemetery, Pike Co PA, 1864

This Civil War veteran's tombstone by Higgins is unusual in the tri-state area for its depiction of a standing soldier.

John 

son of 

Francis & Christine Kreiter

of the 56th Regiment of the New York Volunteers

Died Aug. 21, 1864

N Beauford, South Carolina

Aged 21 years

& 7 months

Higgins

Port Jervis

Willow & Urn ornament, Van Tuyl Cemetery, Pond Eddy NY, 1861

The Higgins signature is visible on the lower portion of this broken stone for Levi Middaugh.

 

Higgins Tombstones

Parker, Charles M (signed)

b. July 12, 1836 d. Aug 12, 1864

Barryville Congregational Churchyard, Barryville, Sullivan Co NY 

Albright, Joseph H (signed)
b. Oct. 13, 1807 d. Jan. 27, 1866
Delaware Cemetery, Dingmans Ferry, Pike Co PA

Collard, James (signed)
b. Jul. 5, 1836 d. Feb. 8, 1861
Eldred Cemetery, Eldred, Sullivan Co NY

Mapes, Kezia Oakley 

b. 1792 d. Feb. 23, 1861
Eldred Cemetery, Eldred, Sullivan Co NY

Kreiler, John (signed)
d. Aug. 21, 1864    
German Hill Cemetery, Shohola, Pike Co PA

Meginnis, Joseph W (signed)

d. March 17, 1859

Laurel Grove Cemetery, Port Jervis, Orange Co NY

McCarty, Amanda (signed)
b. Nov. 28, 1833 d. Nov. 8, 1860
Milford Cemetery, Milford, Pike Co PA

Van Etten, Oliver P (Willow & Urn ornament)
b. Nov. 29, 1816 d. Dec. 18, 1864
Milford Cemetery, Milford, Pike Co PA

Suiter, James (signed)
b. Mar., 1781 d. May 2, 1861    
Old Dimmick Cemetery, Milford, Pike Co PA

Brink, Elizabeth (Willow & Urn ornament)
b. Jan. 18, 1837 d. Nov. 25, 1864
Rowlands Cemetery, Rowland, Pike Co PA

Terwilliger, Roxy S Brink (Willow & Urn ornament)
b. Feb. 8, 1834 d. Jul. 30, 1867
Rowlands Cemetery, Rowland, Pike Co PA

Hehn, Anna Maria (signed)
b. Apr. 13, 1862 d. Sep. 13, 1862
Shohola-Worzel Cemetery, Shohola, Pike Co PA

Covart, Sarah C. 

d. Oct. 16, 1864
Upper Mongaup Cemetery, Upper Mongaup, Sullivan Co NY

Middaugh, Levi (signed)

b. Jul. 7, 1786 d. Sep. 13, 1861
Van Tuyl Cemetery, Pond Eddy, Sullivan Co NY

Middaugh, Margaret Van Aken (Willow & Urn ornament)

(In the style of Peter Higgins, likely lettered after his death from stock on hand when the business was sold in 1874.)
b. Feb. 26, 1793 d. Oct. 11, 1876
Van Tuyl Cemetery, Pond Eddy, Sullivan Co NY

A virtual cemetery of Higgins tombstones, photos from various contributors.

Delaware & Upper Smithfield Townships 1772 Tax Records

The Pennsylvania Provincial tax records on Ancestry (subscription) are fascinating for the information not available online from the State Archives. In an effort to untangle the sometimes confusing index dates & townships from Ancestry for 1768 - 1801, please note the added text from the Proprietary, Supply, and State Tax Lists of the Counties of Northampton ... for the Years 1772 to 1787,  Google eBook, W. H. Egle, W.S. Ray, State Printer of Pennsylvania, 1897

Proprietary Tax, Northhampton, 1772  Delaware Township records appear to include the area just below the present day Egypt Mills north to just below Milford. The Upper Smithfield records include the area from Milford north to Matamoras. Both sets of records are termed Duplicates, from an unknown date.

Click here to enlarge

Note "Negros & Mulattos" as taxable commodities, i.e. slaves, for the following slave owners: John Brink, 2; Henry Cortright, 1; Benjamin Decker, 1; John Rosencrance, 2; Bernardus Swartwood, 1; Adam ?, 1; John Van Etten, 1; Eli? Vanauken, 1; David Vanauken, 1.

Andrew (Andries) Dingman is not listed, Broer Decker (Brewer Dacker) and Joseph Rider (Joseph Reder) are.  Records for all three of these settlers are scarce. Rider, in 1784, was granted the Patent to the Quick's Mill tract along the Vandermark Creek in present day Milford.

Abbreviations for the State Archives text

 

*Original data:
Tax & Exoneration Lists, 1762–1794. Series No. 4.61; Records of the Office of the Comptroller General, RG-4. Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Cornelius Cole's Debt to Daniel Ennis

While reading the first few pages of the Pennsylvania, Probate Records, Wayne Co, Wills 1798-1872 vol 1-2 (which included all of present day Pike County at that time) I happened upon a mystery:  Cornelius Cole, of Upper Smithfield, in his Last Will & Testament of 9 April 1800, admonishes his son and heir, Abraham, to pay all his debts as they come due with the exception of his debt to Daniel Ennis.  No other detail of this debt is revealed.

The only folks named Daniel Ennis/Ennes alive at the time are Daniel 1744 - 1838, son of William Ennes; and Daniel 1788 - 1862, his nephew and son of Joseph. The latter is too young, so it must be the former.  By 1810 this Daniel, along with wife Eleanor Hornbeck, were living in Cayuga Co NY.

UPDATE:  An interested reader kindly reminded me that this Daniel b 1744 is noted in Snell's History of Sussex & Warren Counties as:  The earliest host remembered in the township was Daniel Ennes, son of William Ennes, who chose a location in the northwest portion of the township, near the Delaware River, where he a tavern and blacksmith-shop and opened a store. This tavern was in its day a favorite resort, and the son of Mr. Ennes [Alexander] was no less renowned for hospitality than was his father, whom he succeeded. (Snell, p. 420)

Recording the Minisink 1701 - 1738

Using Bob Billard's wonderful search engine of translated Dutch Records for the keyword Minisink reveals a glimpse into colonial travel to the valley and 18th century surnames variants. 

Marriage Register of the Dutch Church at Kingston 
jm - young man
jd - young woman
wid - widow or widower

Husband; [semicolon] Wife
1701 21 Apr; Jurie Quick, jm, of Mombaccus; Rebecca Titsoort, jd, born Schenectady, live Minisink.
1702 18 Oct; Stephanus Titsoort, jm, born Schenectady, live Minisink; Sara Hoornbeek, jd, born Hurley, live Mombaccus.
1712 03 Feb; Jacob Van Kuykendaal, wid Ariaantjen Tietsoort; Zara Westvaal, jd, both live Minisink.
1714 05 Oct; Jacobus Swartwoud, jm, born Hurley, live Minisink; Gieletjen Nieuwkerk, jd, of Horly.
1715 27 Mar; Matheus Van Kuykendaal, jm, born Rochester; Jannetjen Westvaal, jd, born Kingstown, both live Minisink.
1716 20 Aug; Johannes Kwik, jm, born Rochester; Bregjen Middag, jd, born Nescotak, both live Minisink.
1716 20 Aug; Juriaan Westvaal, wid Styntjen van Kuykendaal; Marytjen Koddebek, jd, both born Kingstown; live Minisink.
1717 06 Feb; Frederick Schoonmaker, wid Annaatjen De Wit; Eva Swartwout, jd, live Minisink.
1717 25 Feb; Abel Westvaal, jm; Antjen Bogaart, jd, both live Minisink.
1717 19 Nov; Jacob Westvaal, jm, born Kingstown; Margrieta de Duyster, jd, born Hurley, both now live Minisink.
1718 27 Sep; Roeloff Brink, jm, born Hurley; Antjen Kuykendaal, jd, born Minisink.
1719 08 Jul; Pieter Kuykendaal, jm; Femmetjen Dekker, jd, both live Minisink.
1719 25 Sep; Manuel Consalisduk, jm, of Marbletown; Reymerig Kwik, jd, born Rochester, live Minisink.
1721 30 May; Jacobus Swartwoud, jm, born Hurley; Antjen Gomaar, jd, born Kingstown, both live Minisink.
1721 22 Sep; Salomon Freer, jm, born New Palz; Klaartjen Westvaal, jd, born Minisink, both now live Kingstown.
1722 13 Mar; Hendrik Dekker, jm, born Rochester; Hanna Titsoort, jd, born Minisink, both now live there.
1722 20 Jun; Gysbert Bogert, jm, born Minisink; Catrina Dekker, jd, born Rochester, both live Menissing.
1723 14 Mar; Cornelis Devoor, jm, born New York; Helena Westvaal, jd, born Minisink, both live there.
1724 18 Oct; Jacob Middag, jm, born Neschotah; Zara Van Kuykendaal, jd, born Minisink, both live Rochester.
1724 18 Nov; Jan Emans, wid Rachel Stout, born on L.I.; Neeltjen Van Aaken, jd, both live Minisink.
1724 14 Dec; Cornelis Brink, jm; Maria Kool, jd,both living Minisink.
1725 11 Mar; Jan Van Vlied, junior, jm, born Marbletown; Ezyntjen Swartwoud, jd, born Minisink.
1727 12 Feb; Lambartus Brink, jm; Rachel Van Garde, jd, both born Rochester, both now live Minisink.
1727 04 Jun; Thomas Dekker, jm; Janneken Van Nimmegen, jd, both of Minisink.
1727 11 Jun; Harmen Van Garden, jm, born Rochester; Elsjen Koddebek, jd, born Minisink, both live there.
1727 18 Jun; Jacobus Dekker, jm, born Rochester; Neeltjen Titsoort, jd, born Minisink, both live there.
1728 24 Apr; Johannes Elting, jm, born Kingston, live New Palz; Marytjen Gemaar, jd, born Kingstown, live Minisink.
1728 29 May; Jan Eduwaartsz, jm, born Albany liv Poughkeepsie; Marretjen Consalis Duk, jd, born Minisink live Kingston
1729 09 May; Ary Van Etten, jm, born Knightsfield, live Marbletown; Sytjen Kuykendaal, jd, born Minisink, live Kingstown.
1729 21 Nov; Willem Freer, jm, born New Palz; Margrieta Van Keuykendaal, jd, born Minisink, live Kingstown.
1731 22 Aug; Gerardus van Nimwegen, jm, of Minisink; Jannetjen De Wit, jd, of Rochester.
1732 27 May; Luer Kuykendaal, jm, of Minisink; Lena Consalisduk, jd, of Kingstown.
1733 02 May; Willem Koddebek, jm, born Minisink; Jacomyntjen Elting, jd, born Kingstown, live New Palz.
1738 07 May; Jacobus Westvaal, jm, of Minisink; Sofia Van Aaken, jd, of Kingstown.
1738 31 May; Abraham Louw, jm, live Rochester; Dina Koettebek, jd, live Minisink.

Thereafter most marriages would take place in one of the four churches established in 1737 in the valley as detailed in the 1738-1762 Marriage Records (pp 265 -272, those which note both birth and dwelling places) in the Minisink Valley Dutch Reformed Records. Variant:  Menissinck

Juxtaposing these records with the Interrogatories  & Exhibits presented to the 1769 Royal Commission to settle the provincial boundary between New Jersey & New York adds another layer of information to the landscape and early families of the Minisink.

The Answers of Jacobus Quick, age 53.

   

"The deponent [Jacobus Quick] saith that he knows the settlers at Mackhackamack, and has known them these forty years - that old Johannes Westfall, Nicholas Westfall, old Teunis Quick, old Cornelius Dedoucher [var. de Duyster], John Middagh, Antje Quick, old John Decker, Jacob Decker, Cornelius Bogart, Hendrick Kortright, Willem Provoost & Albertus Provoost, Cornelius Kuykendall, Stephanus Teetsworth, Solomon Davis & Jacob Kuykendall were settlers there when he first became acquainted with that Place..."

Exhibits &Interrogatories:

Document, 1697 May 20 - Columbia Digital Library Collections  - "Grants and confirms to Arent Schuyler, his heirs and assigns a certain tract of land in the Minnissincks Country...Grants and confirms to Arent Schuyler, his heirs and assigns a certain tract of land in the Minnissincks Country..."

Document, 1697 October 14 - Columbia Digital Library Collections  - Recorded for Jacob Codebec & Company - Grants & confirms land to "...our Loving Subjects Jacob Codebec, Thomas Swartwout, Anthony Swartwout, Bernardus Swartwout, Jan Tys, Peter Ginar, and David Jamison... at a Place called Waghaghkemeck being the quantity of twelve hundred acres..."

Document, 1714 August 12 - Columbia Digital Library Collections -  A Warrant from the Council of Proprietors for 2500 Acres of Land bearing the Date of 28th of February Anno 1712 ... there is surveyed these two Tracts of Land sent Johannis Westphalia, Claus Westphalia, Simon Westphalia, Tunis Quick, Remora Quick, Cornelius Douchor, lying upon a Branch of the Delaware called Machok Mack in the Western Division of the Province of New Jersey.

Document,  1721 August 14 - Columbia Digital Library Collections  - The Petition of Thomas Swartwood & Jacobus Swartwood, Junr. in Behalf of themselves & Others - "The petitioners having lived for about thirty years at a place called Mackaghkamack near the division between the provinces of New York and New Jersey, obtained in 1697 a royal patent from Governor Fletcher of New York for these lands as well as a title from the Proprietors of New Jersey, in case the lands should happen to fall in that province...."

Document,  1769 September 9 - Columbia Digital Library Collections  - "The Answers of Harmanus Rosenkrans..."

Document,  1769 September 12 - Columbia Digital Library Collections  - "The Answers of Daniel Cooley..."

See also: The Ulster County Migrants into the Minisink, 1716.