1783 Earthquake

The most powerful earthquake to strike New Jersey was the one that occurred at 9:00 PM on 29 November 1783. It measured 5.3 on the Richter scale, and VII on the Mercalli intensity scale. It was felt from New Hampshire to Pennsylvania.

In Philadelphia, it was reported that items were thrown off shelves and sleeping people were woken up.

Maryland Gazette, 11 Dec 1783, page 2

References
Damaging Earthquakes Felt in NJ
Historic Earthquakes: New Jersey 1783 11 30 03:50 UTC (Local 11/29)
"Philadelphia, December 2." Maryland Gazette, 11 December 1783, p. 2.
1783 New Jersey earthquake
Weather trivia: The day New Jersey shook like no other

Job Lucas

Job Lucas was born 259 years ago today, on 2 November 1757 in Virginia. He was the son of my 7th-great-grandparents Edward Lucas and Elizabeth Corn.

From May 1776 to October 1777, he served as a private in the 8th Virginia Regiment. He was a waggoner.

Compiled Service Records of Soldiers who Served in the American Army during the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783. NARA microfilm publication M881, roll 1047. Virginia, Eighth Regiment. The National Archives at Washington, D.C. Available from Fold3.

In 1778, he served as a private in the 4th Virginia Regiment. He died at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania on 15 May 1778.

Compiled Service Records of Soldiers who Served in the American Army during the Revolutionary War, 1775-1783. NARA microfilm publication M881, roll 975. Virginia, Fourth Regiment. The National Archives at Washington, D.C. Available from Fold3.

According to family Bible records, the cause of death was smallpox.

Wednesday's Child: Frank Shargo

Pennsylvania Department of Health. Bureau of Vital Statistics. Death certificate no. 33712, Frank Shargo, 1938. Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, Death Certificates, 1906-1963 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

My aunt's younger brother, Frank Shargo, was born in 1938. He was the son of Karl Shargo and Olga Goldstein. He was only thirty-nine days old when he died on 9 April 1938 at the Philadelphia Hospital for Contagious Diseases, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was born premature and had contracted mumps.

Pennsylvania Charter

Pennsylvania Charter to William Penn, 4 March 1681. PHMC Our Documentary Heritage.

On 24 June 1680, William Penn, a member of the Society of Friends (Quakers), asked King Charles II for a charter of land. He wanted to found a colony where Quakers would be free to practice their religion. A large tract of land was available west of New Jersey and north of Maryland. King Charles II signed the charter on 4 March 1681, and Pennsylvania was founded.

My Lucas and Scott ancestors were Quakers. My 8th-great-grandfather Edward Lucas came to North America with his family in 1679. They settled in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. In 1700, Edward married Bridget Scott, who lived in Burlington County, West Jersey. After their marriage, the couple lived in Falls Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

References
History of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Charter to William Penn, March 4, 1681
William Penn

Military Monday: Encampment at Valley Forge

Encampment at Valley Forge, 1778. Steel engraving by George W. Boynton, 1830. In Sparkes, Jared. The Life of George Washington. Boston: Tappen & Dennet, 1843. Available from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Encampment_at_Valley_Forge_1778.jpg

Since today is George Washington's birthday, it seemed an appropriate time to post this map of the encampment at Valley Forge, 1778. My 5th-great-grandfather Stephen Mayo and his brother Benjamin Mayo were at Valley Forge with George Washington. The Mayo brothers were in the 14th Virginia Regiment, which was part of Weedon's Brigade. Their encampment is shown on the lower left side of the map, second from the bottom. Washington was located on the other side of the encampment.

Family Friends Friday: Malachi Reed

Malachi Reed was in a relationship with my aunt for many years. They were together while I was growing up. If they had been married, he would have been my uncle. Even if he technically was not a family member, he is definitely part of the family history.

Malachi was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 17 February 1948. He later lived in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. He worked as a teacher at Lincoln Technical Institute and Camden City High School. He died on 21 November 2005.

Mappy Monday: Route of the Erie & Western Transportation Co. (Anchor Line)

Route of the Erie & Western Transportation Co. (Anchor Line) and connecting railroad and steamer lines, showing summer excursion tours. Traveler's Official Guide of the Railway and Steam Navigation Lines in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. New York: National Railway Publication Co. 32nd year, no. 10. March 1900. Page 462. Available from Google Books.

This map shows the route of the Erie & Western Transportation Co. (Anchor Line), as well as connecting lines (both railroad and steamer). Passengers could travel from Buffalo, New York; Erie, Pennsylvania; Cleveland, Ohio; and Detroit, Michigan to the summer resorts. They could connect at Mackinac Island and then take steamer lines.

I found this map interesting because it gave me an idea of how my ancestors John and Ann (Walker) Winters and their daughter Elizabeth may have traveled from Tonawanda, New York to Chicago, Illinois.

52 Ancestors: Week 18 "Where There's a Will": Edward Lucas Disinherits His Son Edward Lucas

My 8th-great-grandparents Edward Lucas and Bridget Scott were Quakers. Their son Edward, my 7th-great-grandfather. married out of unity and was eventually disowned by the Falls Monthly Meeting, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. He left Falls Township, Pennsylvania and settled in Frederick County, Virginia (now West Virginia.)

When my 8th-great-grandfather Edward Lucas wrote his will, he originally intended to provide for my 7th-great-grandfather Edward.

Will of Edward Lucas
I Edward Lucas of the Falls Township in the County of Bucks and province of Pennsylvania being of health in body & sound mind and good memory but calling to my rememberance of the uncertainty of this Life do make this my last Will & Testament touching the disposal of what temporal estate  I have herebt revoking & annulling all other & former Will or Wills Whatsoever heretofore by me made and this only to be taken for my Last Will & Testament and none other. First I do Will that my body be decently buryed according to the Discretion of my Executors heretoafter named. Secondly I do Will that my just Debts & funeral Charges be duly paid. Thirdly I Give Devise & bequeath unto my well beloved wife Bridget Lucas my best bed & all the furniture thereunto belonging. Fourthly I Give and Bequeath unto my two Daughters Ann & Elizabeth each of them a Bed & furniture and that Ann have the next best to my Wifes & Elizabeth the next best. Fifthly all & Singular the Tract of Land where I now live with the Appurtenences I give & Bequeath unto my son John Lucas & his Heirs for ever excepting & reserving unto my Wife the Room in the new House where we Lodge & free egress & regress to & from the same from time to time as her occasion shall or may require so long as she may remain unmarried. And  _ _ also that he do keep for her [?] Cows and a Horse both Winter & Somer every year as afs. and also do reserve her what Celler room and Wood for firewood she shall need so long as she shall remain unmarried as afores.  Also I do reserve the old House where my son John now lives for a home for any of my Children ti retire unto while they are unmarried or if any of my Daughters Husbands should dye and thereby they stand in need of a home then the said House to be for them also. Sixthly my Land that lyes between William Paresons and the Widow Darks Land that was formerly my Brother Johns with all & singular the Improvements with the stock & corn on the ground I give & bequeath unto my son Robert Lucas his Heirs and Assigns hr paying unto my sister Rebecca Lucas and I do will that my said son Robert do take care of my brother Giles & provide for him sufficient of Meat Drink Washing & Lodging and Apparel of all sorts during his natural Life. Also I give and bequeath unto my said son Robert Lucas and his Heirs and Assigns all of the Right Title and Interest which I now have or which my Heirs Executors or Adms. shall or ought to have hereafter of in & unto the Tract of Land Joyning on the Tract last mentioned being the Tract which my Brother Giles afores. made some improvement on. And also I do give to my said son Robert all accounts all accounts which I have against my said Brother Giles for keeping and maintaining him heretofore I do also give & to my said son Robert all my house hold goods & Husbandry utensils that is on the plantation herein bequeathed to him. Seventhly I do give my Daughters Mercy Mary & Margaret each of them twenty shillings. Eighthly I do Will that my son John afores, his Heirs Exs or Adms do pay unti my son Edward the sum of five pounds yearly for the space of six years after my decease. Ninthly all the remaining part of my personal Estate whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my Wife my Daughter Ann and my Daughter Elizabeth to be equally divided amongst them into three equal parts or shares. Lastly I do make nominate and appoint my Dear and welbeloved wife aforesaid and my son John Lucas aforesaid to be my Executors to see this my last Will and Testament performed. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal Dated the twenty third Day of the Eleventh Month Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred and thirty seven.
                                                                                          Edward Lucas     1737
Sealed Pronounced & Declared by the Said Edward Lucas to be his Last Will and Testament
in the presence of
Saml Harker
Joseph Atkinson
Wm Atkinson

Bucks [?] June of  2d 1740 Then personally appeared Samuel Harker and on the Sixth of the same June personally appeared William Atkinson two of the Witnesses to the within written will and on their solemn affermation did declare that they were personally present and saw the Testator Edward Lucas Sign Seal publish & Declare the within writing as his last Will and Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of Sound mind memory and understanding to the best of their knowledge -
                                                                                       Coram W Hall Dep Regr


After he wrote his will, my 8th-great-grandfather Edward changed his mind about providing for his son Edward.

Codicil
Be it known unto all Men by these presents that of Edward Lucas of the Falls Township in the County of Bucks & Province of Pennsylvania Yeoman have made and declared my Last Will & Testament in Writing bearing Date the twenty third Day of the eleventh month Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred & thirty seven and the said Edward Lucas do by the presents Codicil confirm and ratifie my said Last Will only excepting that I do make the alteration therein as followeth That is to say First I do will and by these presents order that my son John and my son Robert do pay what I owe to my sister Rebecca equally between them. Secondly I do will that my son John don't pay my son Edward any thing. Thirdly I do give Devise and Bequeath unto my son in law Thomas Bayley his Heirs and Assigns a certain piece of Land for a Conveniency of water to be taken off at the back part of my Tract of Land where I now live viz. to begin at my back Corner next the great Road leading to Philadelphia & to run Six Rod (?) Wide to the Water. And my Will & meaning is that this Codicil or Shedule be adjudged to be as part of my Said Will & testament & that all things herein contained be faithfully performed as in full & ample manner as if the same were set down and declared in my Said Will. In Witness whereof the Said Edward Lucas have hereunto Set my Hand & Seal this Sixth Day of the Twelfth Month Anno Dom. one thousand seven hundred and thirty nine - 1739/40
                                                                                                  Edward Lucas
Sealed Pronounced & Declared by
the Said Edward Lucas in the presence of
MWatson
Jos. White
Wm Atkinson

Bucks [?] June of 2nd 1740 Then personally appeared Mark Watson and Joseph White and on the Sixth of the Same June personally appeased William Atkinson the three Witnesses to the above Writing and on their solemn affermation did declare that they were personally present and saw the Testator Edward Lucas Sign Seal Publish and Declare the above writing as a Codicil to his Last Will & Testament and that at the doing thereof he was of sound mind memory & understanding to the best of their knowledge-
                                                                                        Coram W Hall Dep. Regr.

My 7th-great-grandfather Edward was disinherited! Perhaps my 8th-great-grandfather Edward was still angry about his son's disownment by the Falls Monthly Meeting.

Will of Edward Lucas. Bucks County, Pennsylvania Wills 1713-1759 vol. 1-2. Image 187. Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994. FamilySearch. County courthouses, Pennsylvania.

Will of Edward Lucas. Bucks County, Pennsylvania Wills 1713-1759 vol. 1-2. Image 187. Pennsylvania, Probate Records, 1683-1994. FamilySearch. County courthouses, Pennsylvania.

Workday Wednesday: Scranton Coal

In 1866, my 4th-great-grandfather Hugh Winters was a cartman. He drove a coal wagon for the Scranton Coal Co., located at Furman St., near State St., Brooklyn, New York.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 23 November 1866

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 30 April 1866

The coal was delivered from northeastern Pennsylvania to New York by way of the Delaware & Hudson Canal and the Gravity Railroad.

Coal had many uses. It was a source of fuel for steamships and railroads, and it was also used in stoves. There was a monthly public coal sale in Brooklyn, New York.

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 23 March 1866

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 21 December 1866

Available from  Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal, BEDT, East River Terminal Railroad & Palmers Dock

Coal wagon. One of a series of designs for various types of horse-drawn transport by J & C Cooper, 1904.  Coachbuilders and Wheelwrights' Art Journal. Available from Wikimedia Commons.

Portion of map of Brooklyn and vicinity, from Rand McNally's Atlas of the World, 1897. Scanned by David Rumsey Collection. Available from Wikimedia Commons. This is the area where Hugh Winters lived and worked in 1866.

52 Ancestors: Week 9 "Close to Home": Bridget Scott

I was born and raised in New Jersey, but most of my ancestors were from elsewhere. My parents and grandparents moved to New Jersey in the 1950s. I do have an ancestor who grew up in New Jersey, though: my 8th-great-grandmother Bridget Scott.

Bridget's parents, Benjamin Scott and Margaret Woodley, were from Widdington, Essex, England. They were Quakers, and Bridget's birth on the 16th day of the 4th month (16 June) 1679 was recorded in the records of the Monthly Meeting of Thaxted.

Monthly Meeting of Thaxted, 1679. General Register Office: Society of Friends' Registers, Notes and Certificates of Births, Marriages and Burials. Records of the General Register Office, Government Social Survey Department, and Office of Population Censuses and Surveys, RG 6. The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England. Ancestry.com. England & Wales, Quaker Birth, Marriage, and Death Registers, 1578-1837 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013.

In 1681, the Scott family sailed from England to West Jersey on the Henry and Ann. Bridget's younger sister Elizabeth was born on the ship. Within a few years, Bridget lost both her parents. her mother Margaret died on the 26th of the 10th month (26 December) 1682. Her father Benjamin married Hannah (Chaffon) Kemball on the 12th of the 12th month (12 February) 1683. In April 1685, Hannah was granted letters of administration on Benjamin's estate.

Bridget's widowed aunt Bridget (Woodley) Bingham and her family had come to West Jersey with the Scotts. She married William Watson in 1687. Perhaps Bridget and William Watson raised Bridget Scott and her siblings.

Bridget married Edward Lucas at the house of Thomas Lambert in Burlington, New Jersey. Thomas was the husband of Bridget's sister Margaret. Elizabeth Lucas, Giles Lucas, Robert Lucas, John Scott, and 49 others were witnesses.

Marriage of Edward Lucas and Bridget Scott. 3rd day of 7th month 1700. Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Minutes, 1682-1847. Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Swarthmore, Quaker Meeting Records. Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

After their marriage, Bridget and Edward lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, which is very close to Burlington, New Jersey. Their children were Mercy, born 4th of the 1st month (4 March) 1702; John, born 21st of the 11th month (21 January) 1703; Mary, born 1st of the 1st month (1 March) 1705; Margaret, born 16th of the 4th month (16 June) 1708; Edward (my 7th-great-grandfather), born 24 December 1710; Ann, born 3rd of the 3rd month (3 May) 1713; Elizabeth, born 23rd of the 7th month (23 September) 1716; Robert, born 22nd of the 12th month (22 February) 1718; and Benjamin, born 19th of the 8th month (19 October) 1724.

Bridget's husband Edward died in 1740. He appointed Bridget and their son John executors of his will.

Bridget died in Bucks County, Pennsylvania on the 21st of the 6th month (21 August) 1748. Her son John and John's wife Isabel had died earlier that month. It would be interesting to know what the causes of death were; since all three deaths occurred within less than two weeks, they may be related.

Falls Monthly Meeting, 1748.Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Continental Army Enters Valley Forge

The Encampment at Valley Forge, PA. Lossing, Benson John. Field Book of the Revolution. Vol. 2. New York: Harper Brothers, 1855. Page 128. Available from Wikipedia.

On 19 December 1777, George Washington and his Continental Army entered their winter quarters at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. 12,000 men marched in from their encampment at White Marsh (now Fort Washington State Park). They began constructing huts; the first one was completed in three days.

By the end of the winter, more than 2,500 soldiers had died from diseases such as dysentery, influenza, pneumonia, typhoid fever, typhus, and smallpox.

My 5th-great-grandfather Stephen Mayo was at Valley Forge. He was in Weedon's Brigade, 14th Virginia Regiment.The muster roll shows that he was sick in the winter. Fortunately, he survived. 163 men from his brigade died at Valley Forge.

Every December 19 at Valley Forge National Historical Park, there is a march in to commemorate the arrival of the Continental Army.

References
Annual March In of the Continental Army Commemoration
Continental Army enters winter camp at Valley Forge
The Encampment 
History & Culture - Valley Forge National Historical Park
Valley Forge
Valley Forge Legacy: The Muster Roll Project
Washington leads troops into winter quarters at Valley Forge

Church Record Sunday: Marriage of Edward Lucas and Bridget Scott

My 8th-great-grandparents Edward Lucas and Bridget Scott married in 1700. They were Quakers, so they first had to declare their intentions. Bridget belonged to the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting in Burlington Co., New Jersey, where Edward declared his intentions on the 4th day of the 5th month 1700 (4 July 1700).

Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Minutes, 1688-1809. 4th day of 5th month 1700. Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Haverford, Quaker Meeting Records. Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania.

Edward and Bridget declared their intentions again at the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting on the 1st day of the 6th month 1700 (1 August 1700). Edward brought a certificate from the meeting he belonged to, the Falls Monthly Meeting in Bucks Co, Pennsylvania.

Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Minutes, 1688-1809. 1st day of 6th month 1700. Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Haverford, Quaker Meeting Records. Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania.

 

Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Book of Records, 1684-1756. 1st day of 6th month 1700. Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Haverford, Quaker Meeting Records. Haverford College, Haverford, Pennsylvania.

Edward and Bridget married on the 3rd day of the 7th month 1700 (3 September 1700) at the house of Thomas Lambert (the husband of Bridget's sister Margaret) in New Jersey.

  

Marriage of Edward Lucas and Bridget Scott. 3rd day of 7th month 1700. Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington Co., New Jersey. Minutes, 1682-1847. Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Swarthmore, Quaker Meeting Records. Friends Historical Library, Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, Pennsylvania.

Church Record Sunday: Disownment of Edward Lucas

Ancestry.com recently added Quaker records from the late 1600s-late 1900s to their collection. I have some Quaker ancestors, so this was exciting news to me. Among the records, I found these items referring to my 7th-great-grandfather Edward Lucas:

Falls Monthly Meeting, Bucks Co,, Pennsylvania, 4th of 11 mo. 1737. Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: MR-Ph 177.

Falls Monthly Meeting, Bucks Co,, Pennsylvania, 7th of 5 mo. 1760. Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: MR-Ph 177.

Falls Monthly Meeting, Bucks Co., Pennsylvania, 4th of 6 mo. 1760. Ancestry.com. U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1994 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. Original data: Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Minutes; Call Number: MR-Ph 177.

Edward Lucas married out of unity, and long before 1760, he left Bucks County, Pennsylvania and settled in Virginia (now West Virginia). But in 1760, he was disowned. It can be worthwhile to look at records in an ancestor's former place of residence, even if the person left the area long ago; you still might find something!