Ashal Enoch Thorne

Notes:

Headstone says "Ashal (Asahel)".

Listed in the 1850 census at "South Fork of the American River, El Dorado, California", as Ashel Thorn, born abt 1808, New York.

Departed Six Mile Grove (near Winter Quarters, Nebraska) 9 Jun 1853; arrived Salt Lake Valley 9 Sep 1853. (Pioneer Immigrants to Utah Territory, at ancestry.com)

From "A Biography of Asahel (Ashel) Thorn," credited as "written by a great-grandson Enoch Thorne 'in the first person'", reproduced on "Crapo-Hegsted Family Tree" on ancestry.com by tree owner "Jerrirud":

"In 1800, my father, RICHARD, and mother, MARY ANNER ARMSTRONG, with their 10 children migrated west to Pennsylvania. While there I married a beautiful young girl named SARAH LESTER. All of us, but my father, joined the Mormon Church and began to gather to Nauvoo, Illinois. Before we were driven from Nauvoo, 8 of us were endowed in the Nauvoo Temple. We were fortunate to escape with our lives and, as a family, pressed on to Pottawattamie, Iowa and camped at Six Mile Grove, about six miles west of Winter Quarters. I built a house there for Sarah, and I, now also, had ten children.

"At Pottawattamie, my eldest son, WILLIAM, and I decided to go to California to participate in the gold rush. While in California, I was called home because of the serious illness of my wife, SARAH, and I left by boat home, leaving my teams, wagons and son, WILLIAM, in California. My California venture was a financial aid to me for the rest of my life.

"At Pottawattamie, Iowa we organized a company of Saints and started for the Salt Lake Valley on June 9, 1853. We were part of a company consisting of 202 souls and 70 wagons with Daniel C. Miller and John W. Cooley in charge. My uncle JOSEPH THORN was one of the Captains of 50. While on the plains of Iowa my wife passed away, and I buried her while on the move to Zion. That day I shall never forget. The Company divided soon after leaving Elkhorn, and my children and I arrived in the Salt Lake Valley September 9, 1853 in the Captain Thorn Company."

Ashal married Sarah Lester on 3 Aug 1829 in Clinton, Dutchess, New York. Sarah (daughter of John Lester and Nancy Appleby) was born on 15 Jun 1809; died on 9 Aug 1853 in Pottawattamie, Iowa. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elizabeth Lucretia Thorne was born on 25 Mar 1832 in Moravia, Cayuga, New York; died on 28 Nov 1903 in Vernal, Uintah, Utah; was buried in Vernal Memorial Park, Vernal, Uintah, Utah.

Notes:

The tombstone at Santa Barbara depicted on his findagrave.com page says "RICHARD THORN / DIED / JUNE 1883 / AGED 97 YEARS." Which if correct, and if this is our Richard Thorn's grave, would mean he was born in 1776, not 1786. On the other hand, his age could well have been exaggerated at his death.

Richard married Mary Anner Armstrong on 6 Sep 1806 in Clinton, Dutchess, New York. Mary (daughter of Asahel Armstrong and Elizabeth Nelson) was born on 22 Sep 1784 in Dutchess, New York; died on 7 Mar 1856 in Salt Lake City, Salt Lake, Utah. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Mary Anner Armstrong is currently the earliest-born direct ancestor of TNH for whom we have a photograph, albeit an obviously-retouched one.

Family records say she was born in "Philipstown, New York." Which is currently adjacent to Dutchess county, but in Putnam county. Was it in Dutchess county in 1784?

The metadata attached to her portrait in the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers database at the Harold B. Lee Library at BYU says: "Mary Ann Armstrong Thorn was born 22 Sept 1785 at Poughkeepsie, Dutchess, New York. She married Richard Thorn 6 Sept 1806 at Clinton, Dutchess, New York and was the mother of ten children. They came to Utah 9 Sept 1853 with the Captain John Bigler Company. She died 7 Mar 1856 at Salt Lake City, Utah."

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 17 Sep 1741, Flushing, Queens, New York

Notes:

Also spelled Phillip.

Philip married Elizabeth Cheeseman on 18 Aug 1779 in St. George's Church, Hempstead, Long Island, New York. Elizabeth (daughter of Joseph Cheeseman and Sarah Badgeley) was born on 4 Jul 1746; died on 2 Sep 1798 in Flushing, Queens, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 6 Jul 1756, Cow's Neck, Hempstead, Nassau, Long Island, New York

Notes:

"According to the Curtiss genealogy, Asahel and Elizabeth Armstrong lived at Poughkeepsie, and Newburg, New York, followed by the City of New York." [Port Byron History]

Asahel married Elizabeth Nelson in 1765. Elizabeth (daughter of John Nelson and Elizabeth Davenport) was born in Jan 1747 in Poughkeepsie, Dutchess, New York; died on 2 Oct 1787. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 14 Apr 1718, Flushing, Queens, New York
• Alternate death: 5 Sep 1772
• Alternate death: 5 Sep 1778, Hempstead, Nassau, Long Island, New York

Notes:

"On April 7, 1732, Thomas Thorne was chosen as an overseer of highways, and on Aug. 6, 1754, he registered his earmark (Hempstead Town Rec. 4:98 & 425). His name appears occasionally in Hempstead as a witness to deeds and other legal papers. Although he died two years after the Declaration of Independence, nothing has been found regarding his political opinions. His will, executed Feb. 20, 1778, and proved Oct. 17, 1778, leaves to 'my dearly beloved Wife Mary' household furniture and plate; 'all my hogs, my riding chair, and my Negro wench Teen'; and during her widowhood the dwelling house and farm, together with 'Negro man Jack' while she occupies the farm; but if the farm is sold or rented out 'then I give the said Negroman Jack to my Sons Amos, Richard, and Thomas, equally to be divided among them.'" [Genealogies of Long Island Families]

Thomas married Mary Dodge on 2 Oct 1738 in St. George's Church, Hempstead, Long Island, New York. Mary (daughter of Thomas Dodge and Susannah Hutchings) was born on 8 Mar 1716 in Cow's Neck, Hempstead, Nassau, Long Island, New York; died after 1777. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: Aft 17 Oct 1778
• Alternate death: 1784

Notes:

He, his wife, and at least some of their children were baptised as adults into the Episcopalean church at St George's, Hempstead, 5 March 1762.

Abstract of the will of Joseph Cheesman, written 7 Apr 1772; proved 11 Jun 1772 (New-York Historical Society Collection 6:53):

His wills to his son, JOSEPH {...} and all the rest of his estate to his wife, Sarah, for the maintenance and bringing up of his children: witnesses: PHILIP THORNE and JAMES CORNELL.

Joseph married Sarah Badgeley on 20 Feb 1738. Sarah (daughter of Anthony Badgeley and Phoebe Haight) was born about 1723 in Flushing, Queens, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 1730, Flushing, Queens, New York

Notes:

Shown in Norwich town records as son of "Jofeph Armstrong & Lydea Worth".

Abner married Abiel Gross on 8 Oct 1741 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut. Abiel (daughter of Isaac Gross and Mary) was born on 16 Jun 1715 in Windham, Windham, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The Barbour Collection, citation details below: "GROSS, Abiel, d. Isaac & Mary". Norwich VR spells her name "Abial."

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: Abt 1719, Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York

Notes:

"He served on the grand jury of Dutchess County in May 1746; was overseer of Crum Elbow Precinct April 1749." ["Dirck Jansz Van der Vliet of Flatbush, New York"]

John married Elizabeth Davenport on 25 Dec 1739 in Fishkill, Dutchess, New York. Elizabeth (daughter of Thomas Davenport and Sarah Leggett) was born in Jun 1721 in Cold Spring, Putnam, New York; died on 10 Feb 1747 in Crom Elbow Precinct, Dutchess, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: 5 Sep 1772, Long Island, New York

Notes:

Warden or vestryman of St. George's Church in Hempstead, 1718-1727. Appointed Captain of Hempstead militia, 28 Jun 1722. Justice of the peace 1738, after which records refer to "Joseph Thorne, Esqr."

Joseph married Mrs. Catharine Smith about 1712. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was probably the widow of Richard Smith of Hempstead, d. bef 17 May 1711. [Genealogies of Long Island Families]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 9 Feb 1690
• Alternate death: 19 Jul 1755

Thomas married Susannah Hutchings. Susannah was born on 28 Dec 1690 in Hempstead, Nassau, Long Island, New York; died on 11 Apr 1778 in Cow's Neck, Hempstead, Nassau, Long Island, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Or Hutchins.

Possibly a daughter of Thomas Hutchins of Hempstead who died intestate, and whose "widow Susanna on 6 June 1698 applied for letters and was app. admx." [Amos Canfield, "Abstracts of Early Wills of Queens County, New York," New York Genealogical and Biographical Record 65:245, July 1934.]

Ephraim married Sarah Haight in 1714. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: Abt 1695, Flushing, Queens, New York

Notes:

He, his wife, and his father-in-law were very probably Quakers. He and his wife died within months of one another with children still young; his will left his children to the case of his "loving cousin Isaac Thorn", called by Loyalist Clarks, Badgleys, and Allied Families "Mrs. Badgley's nephew." Isaac Thorn moved to Dutchess County, taking the children with him, and became a prominent member of the Nine Partners Quaker meeting.

His will (Long Island Historical Society records, vol. 3, pp. 54-55), dated 26 Mar 1732, proved 8 Apr 1737, leaves to his daughter Sarah his "negro wench Ginney" and all his deceased wife's woollen clothes and apparel.

Anthony married Phoebe Haight on 12 Nov 1719 in Flushing, Queens, New York. Phoebe (daughter of Samuel Haight and Sarah) was born on 12 Nov 1701 in Flushing, Queens, New York; died on 20 Jan 1731 in Flushing, Queens, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: Bef 1698, Flushing, Queens, New York
• Alternate birth: Bef 1701, Flushing, Queens, New York
• Alternate death: 20 Jan 1732, Flushing, Queens, New York

Joseph married Lydia Worth on 15 Nov 1712 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut. Lydia (daughter of James Worth and Elizabeth) was born on 4 Apr 1695 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts; was christened on 7 Apr 1695 in Old South Church, Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Woolson-Fenno Ancestry (citation details below) gives her as "probably a daughter of John and Miriam (Gordon) Worth of Nantucket," presumably meaning John Worth and Miriam Gardner. We have found no evidence that this couple had a daughter named Lydia. Further, Joseph Armstrong's brother John married an Ann Worth just under two years earlier, and James and Elizabeth Worth of Boston had daughters named Ann and Lydia who were of entirely appropriate age to marry two of the Armstrong brothers.

Notes:

Savage says he was a cordwinder.

Isaac married Mary. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: 1761, Highlands, Dutchess, New York

Notes:

"Francis Nelson, youngest son of John and Hendrickje (Vander Vleet) Nelson, was born, probably in Mamaroneck, about 1691; died after 13 November, 1750. Until about 1 May 1716, he resided at Mamaroneck ('The Place of Rolling Stones'), at that time he purchased of Colonel Caleb Heathcote, lands in the Manor of Scarsdale, and shortly removed thereto. He was assessor of Scarsdale in 1723. He conveyed, by consent of his wife Ann, 8 October 1733, all his lands in Scarsdale, which he had purchased from Colonel Heathcote, to William Barker of Mamaroneck; and removed to the Highlands of Dutchess County, which had been accomplished by the 31 August. 1736. He purchased of his brother, Polycarpus, an interest in the Great or Lower Nine Partners, a certain tract of land (vide supra). Mr. Nelson was one of the first commissioners of roads for that part of Dutchess which is now Putnam County, 1744. In 1747 Francis Nelson's name disappears from the tax-list of the South Ward of Dutchess County, and in 1750 it last appears on the County Records." [The Nelson Family]

Francis married Anne. Anne was born about 1690. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"There is a strong tradition held by the different branches of this family that Francis' wife's name was Mary Skinner, and there may be some semblance of truth in their belief, but on the 8 October, 1733, if the instrument be correct drawn as entered on the county records, his wife was Ann. Francis may possibly have had two wives, surely there were children aplenty for any two women to mother (14), and as Ann's name does not appear until late in the life of Francis, it may be that the legendary Mary Skinner was the first, and Ann later." [The Nelson Family]

Notes:

"Of Philips Precinct, Dutchess County." [The Nelson Family]

Thomas married Sarah Leggett about 1711. Sarah (daughter of Gabriel Leggett and Elizabeth Richardson) was born about 1687 in West Farms, Westchester, New York; died about 1725. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 1649, Flushing, New Netherland
• Alternate death: May 1727, Flushing, Queens, New York
• Alternate death: Jun 1727
• Alternate death: Bef 27 Nov 1727, Flushing, Queens, New York

Joseph married Mary Bowne about 1679. Mary (daughter of John Bowne and Hannah Feake) was born on 6 Jan 1661 in Flushing, New Netherland; died in 1728 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate birth: 6 Jan 1660, Flushing, New Netherland
• Alternate death: Bef 20 Jun 1728, Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey
• Alternate death: Bef 12 Aug 1728, Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey

Notes:

Her Find a Grave page notwithstanding, we know of no evidence that she had a middle name, or that it was Johanna. Middle names are extremely rare in English-speaking North America before the nineteenth century.

A descent from Winthrops and Bownes to worthless aristocracy:

Mary Bowne (1661-1728) = Joseph Thorne (d. 1727)
Thomas Thorne (1693-1757) = Letitia Hinchman (d. 1794)
Hannah Thorn = Noah Haines (d. 1794)
Abigail Haines (1762-1847) = Nehemiah Haines (1755-1808)
Rachel Haines (1796-1877) = Samuel French Moore (1793-1827)
Bloomfield Haines Moore (1819-1878) = Clara Sophia Jessup (1824-1899)
Ella Carlton Moore (1843-1892) = Count Carl Gustaf von Rosen (1824-1909)
Count Eugène Erik Adalbert August von Rosen (1870-1950) = Eleonore Wijk (1880-1970)
Countess Elsa von Rosen (1904-1991) = HRH Prince Carl of Sweden, Prince Bernadotte (1911-2003)

Tristram married Dorcas Dickens on 7 Jan 1680 in New Shoreham, Washington, Rhode Island. Dorcas (daughter of Nathaniel Dickens and (Unknown second wife of Nathaniel Dickens)) was born in 1664 in Block Island, Washington, Rhode Island; died on 18 Feb 1737. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: Aft 1735

Thomas married Mary Margaret Valentine in 1670. Mary (daughter of Richard Valentine) was born about 1654 in Hempstead, Long Island, New Netherland. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Someone named Badgley, possibly Anthony, took the oath of allegiance in Brooklyn in 1687. This Anthony is known to have been living at Flushing in 1698 with wife Elizabeth and three children (Anthony Jr., George, and Phebe). The household also had one slave. In 1700 they are known to have a "plantation" at Flushing. They are listed in town records in the "Dutch" section, suggesting that perhaps Elizabeth was of Dutch origins.

1715 is merely the date of the last known record of his name; in that year he is listed as a sergeant in Capt. John Wright's militia company.

Anthony married Elizabeth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also called Samuel Hoyt, Horght, Hoight, etc.

Savage said that he died young and unmarried, but David W. Hoyt's 1871 A Genealogical History of the Hoyt, Haight, and Hight Families (citation details below), makes a convincing case that he was the same Samuel Hoyt/Haight who appears in Eastchester in 1672 and later, then as a leader among the Quakers of Flushing from 1683 until his death in Sep 1712.

Samuel married Sarah about 1668. Sarah was born about 1650. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"There is a written record stating that William Noble was the father-in-law of Samuel Haight. In the same record is a quote that states that William had no issue of his own body. This may have met that William had no male issue to inherit his lands. William's wife, Mary, may have been the mother of Sarah, making William Sarah's stepfather. It is also possible that she was adopted by the Nobles. If any of this is true, Sarah's maiden name could have been Noble. At present, Sarah's maiden name must remain unknown. There is definitely a relationship between Samuel and William even after his death as Samuel is in charge of the estate and is the one petitioning the court in matters relating to William's will." [Kathy McCurdy, Ancestral Lines of Our Family]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: 10 Jan 1718
• Alternate death: 10 Jan 1719, Norwich, New London, Connecticut

Notes:

One of the first planters of Windham, Connecticut, and also a patentee of Mansfield in 1703.

Common ancestors of TNH and of PNH's sister-in-law Laura (Wightman) Hayden:

Benjamin Armstrong (d. ~1717) = Rachael
John Armstrong (1678-1749) = Ann Worth (1791-1757)
Anna Armstrong (1717-1782) = Noah Woodard (1718-1792)
Noah Woodard (1744-1834) = Nancy Torrance (1747-1806)
Abiram Woodard (1766-1866) = Dinah Green (1783-1850)
Martha Woodard (1806-1878) = William Wightman (1796-1877)
Monroe Alphonso Wightman (1848-1910) = Sarah S. Chisman (1848-1918)
Frank Logan Wightman (1887-1959) = Iva Faye Covington (1894-1985)
John Stephen Wightman (1918-1990) = Alise Emma Evans (1918-1995)
Robert Alan Wightman (1941-2007) = Joyce Ann Marie Dixon (1941-1997)
Laura Marie Wightman (1962- ) = Benjamin Titus Hayden (1962- )

Benjamin married Rachael before 1674 in Norwich, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Possibly a son of Lionel Worth and Susanna Whipple, the latter a daughter of TNH ancestor the Rev. John Whipple (1596-1669). He is not mentioned in Lionel's will.

"He and wife Elizabeth were members of Boston's Brattle Square Church, on Boston tax list 1687 and 1691; after 1695 moved to Dorchester, then to Norwich, Connecticut, in area set off as Lebanon in 1700. James may have died ca. 1725. Elizabeth Worth is seen in Lebanon church records ca. 1716 to 1725." [A Genealogical History of the Clark and Worth Families, citation details below.]

Common ancestors of TNH and of PNH's sister-in-law Laura (Wightman) Hayden:

James Worth (d. 1725) = Elizabeth (d. >1725)
Ann Worth (1791-1757) = John Armstrong (1678-1749)
Anna Armstrong (1717-1782) = Noah Woodard (1718-1792)
Noah Woodard (1744-1834) = Nancy Torrance (1747-1806)
Abiram Woodard (1766-1866) = Dinah Green (1783-1850)
Martha Woodard (1806-1878) = William Wightman (1796-1877)
Monroe Alphonso Wightman (1848-1910) = Sarah S. Chisman (1848-1918)
Frank Logan Wightman (1887-1959) = Iva Faye Covington (1894-1985)
John Stephen Wightman (1918-1990) = Alise Emma Evans (1918-1995)
Robert Alan Wightman (1941-2007) = Joyce Ann Marie Dixon (1941-1997)
Laura Marie Wightman (1962- ) = Benjamin Titus Hayden (1962- )

James married Elizabeth. Elizabeth died after 1725 in Lebanon, New London, Connecticut. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Clement married Mary before 1647. Mary died before 1669. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Also known as "Jan Nelse", "Jan Elizen", "Jans Elsen", "Jan Nelsie", etc., all Dutchified versions of his English name. [The Nelson Family]

John and Hendrickje Nelson removed to Mamoroneck before 1683. ["Dirck Jansz Van der Vliet of Flatbush, New York"]

"John Nelson may have emigrated from Norfolk, England, between the years 1660 and 1665. A short time after his arrival in America, he settled in Flatlands. There, he married Hendrickje, the daughter of Dirck Jans van der Vliet. He moved to Mamaroneck before July 1697. There he served on the grand jury of Westchester County in 1699; was overseer of Mamaroneck in 1697; and constable in 1699. He died after 1713. Descendants lived in NY, NJ, OH, and elsewhere." ["Descendants of John Nelson and Hendrickje Van Der Vliet"]

"John Nelson, the ancestor of the Nelsons of Westchester, Dutchess and Putnam Counties, NY, was plaintiff in a suit against Thomas Sprey, of New Amsterdam, 17 January, 1670. (Court Minutes of New Amsterdam. V. 278). For a time, at least, he resided at Flatbush, but had removed to Mamaroneck, Westchester Co, before 27 July, 1683, on which date he purchased lands from John Richbell and Ann his wife (Westchester Deeds, A. 20) and he was an administrator, with James Mott and Ann Richbell, of the estate of John Richbell, the first patentee of what later became the manor of Scarsdale. John Nelson's home-lot adjoined the land of Robert Penoyer, and is so described in a deed from himself and wife Hendrica to William Pierce, 2 April, 1694. On 28 January, 1707, he conveyed to his 'eldest son,' Polycarpus, a house, lot of land, and orchard, in Mamaroneck, in consideration of which the son was to pay his 'nephew', Richard Rogers, (Ibid., D, 179, 180.) He served on the grand jury of Westchester Co, 1 August, 1688; as overseer of Mamaroneck in 1697, and as constable in 1699, and his name frequently appears in the records as a member of various town committees, and always with the prefix of 'Mr.,' a designation of some distinction at that period. He died after 28 March, 1713, at which time he was a witness to a deed of John Pell, Sr., brother of Thomas Pell, second lord of the manor of Pelham. A low hill in the town of his adoption perpetuates his name. It was made historically memorable during the Revolution for the surprise and defeat, by Colonel Smallwood, of a large body of the British stationed thereon under Major Rogers." ["Notes on the Nelson Family", appendix to The Journal of the Reverend Silas Constant, Pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Yorktown, New York by Emily Warren Roebling, edited by Josiah Granville Leach. Philidelphia: J. B. Lippincott, 1903.]

John Nelson named his eldest son Polycarpus; Polycarpus, in turn, gave a number of his own offspring names such as Absalom, Tamar and, most notably, Mahar-Shalal-Hash-Baz Nelson. About that, Cortez Nelson's The Nelson Family, published in the 1890s, passes on a family legend which probably need not be taken very seriously:

"Recalling a previous statement that the names in the [Nelson] family indicate its Puritan origin, it will not be amiss, at this time, to explain the origin of the name 'Polycarpus'. Tradition [has it] that John Nelson emigrated from the town of Norfolk, England, between the years of 1660 and 1665; and that the ship he embarqued in was driven by stress of weather upon the coast of France. The passengers were distributed among the peasant along the coast and in the smaller towns until such time as the ship could be repaired and proceed on her way. It appears, however, that John Nelson was given quarters in the family of a French physician, Polycarpus by name, and with him John stayed until the ship sailed. Agreeable to his Puritanic principles, John Nelson offered to reimburse Dr. Polycarpus for his kindness toward himself and others, but Polycarpus refused any payment whatever, but made this one request of John Nelson, that when he was married and settled in his American home, that John should name his first-born son, Polycarpus. How well John kept his word of promise will be seen later on; but no account remains by which we can ever know that John Nelson ever informed Dr. Polycarpus that he had given that name to his first-born son."

John married Hendrickje Van Der Vliet about 1670 in Flatbush, Long Island, New Netherland. Hendrickje (daughter of Dirck Jansen Van der Vliet and Lÿnke Aerts) was born before 3 Apr 1643 in Well, Gelderland, Netherlands; was christened on 3 Apr 1643 in Well, Gelderland, Netherlands; died after 2 Apr 1694. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: Aft 1707, Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York

Notes:

Or Herske; or Vander Vliet; or Hendrica Vander Vliet.

"[I]t is my belief that the name 'Hannah Reco', as shown on the 1713 (?) census is simply the census-taker's misunderstanding of the Dutch woman's pronunciation of 'Hendrickje'. The connecting of a Hannah Reco to an Indian chief, as shown in Bolton's History of Westchester County, (and quoted in Davis's Westchester Patriarchs) has no documentation at all, so far as I am aware." [Elizabeth Stuerke]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: Bef Jul 1700, West Farms, Westchester, New York

Notes:

"He was baptized at St. Mary's on May 2, 1637 (seven months before Oliver Cromwell and his wife Elizabeth had their daughter Frances baptized there). In 1657 Gabriel received twenty pounds by his father's will. No further mention of this Gabriel appears in the Ely records. After the Restoration of Charles II in 1661, many who had benefited from the Commonwealth and who were likely to be punished by the reinstated Bishop Wren sought greater economic opportunity in the American colonies. According to a handwritten note on the back of a portrait of Thomas Leggett (1755-1843), painted in 1843, Gabriel arrived in New York [New Amsterdam, until 1664] in 1661." [Leggett of Ely, Cambridgeshire, England and West Farms (Bronx), New York, citation details below]

From Archaeological/Historical Sensitivity Evaluation: Proposed Fish Market Relocation, Hunts Point, Bronx, New York by William I. Roberts and Paula M. Crowley, prepared for Urbitran, 71 West 23rd St, New York NY 10010, February 2000:

[Gabriel Leggett's father-in-law John] Richardson died leaving his property to his wife Martha to use during her lifetime and dispose of as she saw fit. Martha received all housing and the orchard, all moveables within and without, all livestock, all land, all the meadow on the planting neck and all the Long Neck running southward from Thomas Hunt's new house to the Sound. His son-in-law, Thomas Hadley received a pasture of three acres and a divided meadow above the planting neck. His three daughters each received 200 acres of land apiece. On October 17, 1687 Hadley conveyed to Thomas Williams, eight acres given to him by Richardson.

Martha [(Mead)] Richardson, around July 1683 married Captain [Thomas] Williams. Gabriel Leggett had married [Martha Mead and John] Richardson's daughter, Elizabeth. Richardson had built a grist mill and a saw mill on the Bronx River in 1671, and Leggett helped him run the saw mill. Williams had no use for a step-son-in-Iaw, and Leggett had no use for the new step-father-in-law. Leggett attempted to evict Williams from the Richardson house, and failed. Owning a mill was an important economic, social and political position during colonial times. As a result of owning one of two mills in southern Westchester County, Williams became a member of Lieutenant Governor Leisler's Council. When the French and the Indians attacked Schenectady in February 1690, Richard Ponton and Williams called upon the Westchester militia company for volunteers. Leggett spoke against this, Ponton told Leggett to shut up, and Leggett called Williams "the father of rogues". Leggett went further and stole a hog of Williams, and then later, when drunk, told Williams he was a thief, murderer, and a liar. Williams obtained a warrant against Leggett, and Leggett was hauled into court. Martha Richardson/Williams [Martha Mead] prevailed upon her husband and son-in-law to shake hands and settle the problem. Leggett did so, returning the hog, paying court costs and apologizing.

At this point in time, the Leisler Rebellion occurred, and was put down by the new English governor. In April 1691 the grand jury indicted Thomas Williams, along with others, for high treason. The grand jury found "that he had no property to their knowledge that could be confiscated", and sentenced him to be drawn and quartered. Leisler and his son-in-law were executed, while the new governor held off on the others. A new Assembly pardoned most of Leisler's people, excepting 30 individuals, including Williams. In April 1692, the Queen agreed to pardon Williams and his associates, if they asked for it. By September 1692, Williams was still in jail, refusing to petition. In 1693 King William ordered their release and a royal pardon was finally issued in March 1694, after the governor petitioned.

Gabriel Leggett did not sit still during those four years. In May 1691 Leggett sued Thomas Stratham, the sheriff who arrested him for the hog incident, for £200 for assault and false imprisonment. The Westchester Court decided that Stratham should pay Leggett £25. Ponton, of the militia, agreed to post bond. In October of 1692, Leggett still was not paid, and the Court of Sessions had to intervene in the quarrel between Leggett, Stratham and Ponton. Leggett went to the New York City Supreme Court, suing Ponton for £25. Ponton never showed at court and the court ordered Ponton to pay Leggett £50. Richard Ponton, in turn, sued Thomas Stratham in the Court of Common Pleas in Westchester County in order to pay Leggett. In December 1692, the court ordered Stratham to pay Ponton £40. Since Statham could not pay, he was jailed with the new sheriff to seize his land for sale. In 1695, Ponton still had not paid the debt, and Leggett sold Ponton's debt to Thomas White, who went the colony's Supreme Court, which ordered Ponton to pay in October 1695.

Thomas Williams, upon his release, forgot the handshake, and pressed criminal charges against Leggett. In December 1693, in Westchester court, Leggett freely admitted he stole the hog, but that the Legislature's act of May 1691, pardoning all New Yorkers for crimes committed during Leisler's Rebellion covered his act. The court respectfully disagreed, observing the hog incident occurred before Leisler's Rebellion. Leggett was sentenced to pay court charges, pay a year's security for his good behavior or go to jail. Leggett, irrepressible as usual, appealed to the New York colony's Supreme Court, insisting that there were errors in the trial. Since this august body had sentenced Williams to death in the first place, they ruled in Leggett's favor in October 1696.

From Early Settlers of West Farms, Westchester County, N.Y. (citation details below):

Old Gabriel had with his boldness evidently a violent spirit, certainly so according to the testimony of Capt. Williams in his petition to the Governor, which I will in place transcribe; but we may remember Capt. Williams was angry when he wrote it, and was himself no doubt extravagant in his allegations. The trouble between these two men arose partly from personal causes, but was chiefly on account of political differences.

After the death of her husband, Martha Richardson married Capt. Thos. Williams. Williams was by no means an inferior person, but was rather a prominent man in the community and in the Province. He was born in 1631; married Martha Richardson about 1784; died intestate and without living issue, 1798. Martha Richardson Williams died about 1694.

By John Richardson's will the bulk of his property was left to his wife during life without other conditions. She was a rich widow, and her marriage to Captain Williams was apparently a great trial to the heirs; but what seemed to exasperate Gabriel the most was that Capt. Williams would not vacate the house after Martha's death; as appears by his petition to Gov. Fletcher.

The chief cause of trouble was political however. The Province was rent, communities, families, nearest friends divided as Leislerians and anti-Leislerians. After the dethronement of James II, and before the official notice in the Province of the Proclama tion of William and Mary as Sovereigns had been received, Capt. Jacob Leisler seized the Government of the Province of New York and was appointed Commander-in-Chief by the Committee of Safety. There is no occasion to repeat this chapter of Colonial history, enough that on the arrival of Sloughter, duly commissioned Governor, the anti-Leislerians found their revenge by securing Leisler's sentence to death, and he was executed in New York, May 16, 1691.

Gabriel Leggett was a strong opponent of Leisler's claims and was by his nature, no doubt, an extreme partisan. When, therefore, Leisler called for volunteers to go to Canada against the French, he resisted the call, as appears by the following records of the Court: "June 6 & 7, 1693. The court orders that the Sherrife shall give notice to Capt. Ponton, Thos. Statham, and Gabriel Leggett, with what witnesses they have, to appear at the Courthouse at two o'clock to Indeavor to put a period to wht differences is amongst them." One witness testifies "after scurrelous words used by Gabriel Leggett to Capt. Williams, calling him a liar &c. Mrs. Williams spoke to him to interceed with her husband to pas by or putt up the difference between them for her daughter's sake &c." Williams himself, aged about 62 years, testifies : "The first ocation of this difference was a hogg took violently from me." Afterward Capt. Leisler sent an order to Capt. Ponton "to send him some men to goe to Albany for their assistance against the French, also the said Williams to assist in taking and sending the men, upon which the Town's Company was called together, and Capt. Ponton asked them who was willing to go volunteers for said expedition, and Gabriel Leggett answered they was fools if any of them did go, upon which Capt. Ponton commanded him to hold his peace, but he still continued abusing the deponent and said: 'here comes the father of rogues,' and many other scurrulous words, upon which I gott a warrent against him &c."

Edward Collier testified: "He writt ye warr" and Capt. Richard Ponton signed it, and Capt. Williams was the complaynant, and Thos. Stathem was the Sheriffe and served it; and after this at a court held at Thos. Baxter's house in the month of March, 1689, there was Gabriel Leggett and his wife, and Capt. Williams and his wife, and they were talking about making up the difference as I suppose, but what their agreement was I could not tell, nor upon what terms, but I heard yt Gabriel was to pay the fees, & that deponent turned his fees over to Thos. Statham, but never received any, neither do I know whether Statham reed any of Leggett; soe after Col. Sloughter was come over Governor in May following, the sd Gabriel took out a writt against Thos. Statham for an assault and false imprisonment to answer him at the next court of Sessions in June, and Capt. Ponton was Statham's baile, and some time afterwards William Chadderton came to my house and desired me to goe with him to Mr. Barnes to write a bond for his brother Stathem, for his brother Stathem and Gabriel were agreed, and Thos. Statham was to pay to Gabriel Leggatt £25, soe I went to Mr. Barnes with him, and writt part of one bond, and Gabriel made scruple about it, and would not take his own bond without further security, soe I writt another, and Capt. Ponton and Mr. Chadderton was bound with him jointly and severally, and they signed, sealed and delivered it." Samuel Hitchcock testifies "that Capt. Williams and Mrs. Williams was together, and Gabriel Leggett, and Mrs. Williams desired him to interceed with Mr. Williams to forgive and pass by the fault of Gabriel for her daughter and children's sake, upon wh deponent spoke to Capt. Williams, and also Mrs. Williams said, 'Good Gabriel, doe not goe to law,' and I said the same, and Gabriel seemed willing, and said he was sorry for it, and they let the action fall." Thos. Baxter, aged 39, testifies "when they came to the court they were talking about an agreement, and Mrs. Williams spoke to him to persuade her husband he should not take advantage of the law against Gabriel. I fetched a gallon of cider to drink with them, and to forward the agreement, and Gabriel Leggett did acknowledge he was sorry he had abused him in such words, as he said, for he did not know any such thing of him, and they did drink friends together in burnt wine and other drink, and the said Gabriel was to pay the clerk and sheriff their feese. Capt. Williams and he shook hands with one another, and did promise to live peaceably."

"Capt. Barnes upon his oath as a Justice of the peace saith that Capt. Williams and Gabriel Leggett being at his house was drinking together and he thinks Gabriel was a little overtaken in drink, but he called Capt. Williams thief, murderer & lyer, & he would prove it, and repeated over many times, upon which Williams being provoked got out a writt against him, and arrested Leggett, and several persuaded Leggett to get security, but he would not, soe went to prison, and there he remained till the next morning. Some time after I asked Leggett how he came on with Capt. Williams, and he told me they were agreed."

All this seems very small, as very bad, but Gabriel Leggett was not "tight" enough, nor such a fool as not to know what he was doing. He knew Leisler was ruling without authority; he believed that soon his rule would come to a disastrous end, that then all his acts, and those of his subordinates, would be declared illegal. He would not accept bail when illegally arrested and imprisoned for he was shrewd enough to know that bye and bye he could make his personal and political enemies "whistle for it" and that he did by heavy penalties for false imprisonment, as will presently appear by their petitions to Gov. Fletcher from in prison.

Meanwhile Capt. Williams in small revenge takes action by that matter of "a hogg took violently from me" as above mentioned. Later in the same year (1693) he has Gabriel Leggett indicted for taking "a barrow hogg." For reasons which will appear he would not deny the charge, and the court found the fact acknowledged was done and acted in the time "yt Sir Edmond Andros was Govr of the Province and before ye time of ye late disorders" (all offenses before these disorders had by general act been pardoned) therefore finds "that ye sd Gabriel Leggett for ye above offense shall pay ye charges of this court ocationed by the above indictment, and also before two of their Majties Justices of ye peace of this county give in sufficient security for his good behavior for one whole yeare and untill ye above costs be paid and security given as above ye sd Gabriel Leggett to remain a prisoner within Sheriff's custody."

Let there be no astonishment at these proceedings. The court records are full of them. As said, such constituted almost the only amusement and entertainment to be found, but Gabriel had a revengeful purpose, it is feared, in pleading to an offense he had not committed, for from the proceedings of Supreme Court, April 6, 1695, was "granted a writ of error in the case of Gabriel Leggett who was erroneously indicted for stealing a barrow hogg from Thos. Williams." It does not appear what use Gabriel Leggett made of this finding, but of his false imprisonment the use will soon be made evident. I must first, however, write out a very singular petition which I find on record addressed by Thos. Williams to Gov. Fletcher. Its representations of Gabriel Leggett are very unlovely, but we may remember that they were made by an angry adversary, and were no doubt intended to counteract influences in operation against himself, and arrest action the culmination of which will appear in the appeal following this.

"To his excellency Benjamin ffletcher Capt. Genl and Gov of the Province of New York, &c. The humbell pittn of Capt. Thos. Williams of the Town of Westchester &c. To the Excellency Showeth the Gov Pettr's wife be lately by God's Providence taken from him by which means he is left in a sad condition, and his trouble further ogmented by one Gabriel Legatt that liveth by him who dayle abuseth yr Pettr by his coming to his house in a violent manner cursing, and swearing, and with other exorable threatening to hold him out of his house he is now quietly possessed of both in right of his late wife deceased relict of John Richardson deceased and the State by will and due administration thereof settled. Now soe itt be may itt Please yr Excellence that said Gl Legat having married one of the daughters of sd Richardson may have a right in due court of law to some of the land, &c., butt that not contenting the said Gabriel Legatt he being a person of notories ill behaved & wicked maletious nature so that yr Pettr with his family (?) is in dayley feare of his being violently assaulted and abused by said Legatt as he daily threatens &c., and att present the Judge & judges is cautious of acorting anything &c. (incoherent here) yr pettr humbly craves yr power and order for the securing his person and estate yt noe violence be offered him as being in a weak condition. If any pretence agst Itt may be devised by due course of law, and for which he shall pray.

Thomas Williams."

This remarkable paper is inscribed "Oct. 31, 1695, The within petition is referred to the Judge & Justices of the County of Westchester p. order David Jamison, Jr."

Note: — Thos. Williams, with others, was condemned at a court of Oyer and Terminer, for treasonable and felonious crimes in establishing a recruiting office under Leisler, against which, as we have seen, Gabriel Leggett protested, and for which he was arrested, etc. His petition to Gov. Fletcher after 17 months imprisonment is contained in Doc. Hist., Vol. II, p. 413. I do find the petition of Thos. Statham, which is as follows: "To his Excellency, &c., &c. The humble petition of Thos. Statham of the Co. of Westchester. Showeth unto your Excellency that in the time of the late disorder by the importunity of Richd Ponton of Westr and others, your petitioner did take a commission under Jacob Leisler as Sheriff of sd county, not knowing otherwise but that the said Jacob Leisler had received letters patent from their Majesties, King William & Queen Mary, authorizing the said Jacob to do the same as by those which were conversant with him did report for undoubted truths. Whereupon the 24th day of Feb. in the 2d year of their Majs' reign, one Gabriel Legatt of sd County did abuse one Thomas Williams pretended councellor to the sd Jacob Leisler in a very gross manner whereby the sd Richd Ponton one of the Justices then made by the sd Leisler in sd county of Westchester took upon himself (upon the complaint of the sd Thomas Williams) to issue out a warrant of commitment directed to your poor petitioner, and commanding him as he would answer the contrary at his peril to Take the said Gabriel Legat into safe custody, which was done by yr Excellency's poor Petitioner, not knowing better. And the said Gabriel was under confinement about tenn hours, and then let out by order of the Justices. Whereupon a court of Sessions held at Westchester in March the next following the sd Gabriel Legatt appeared and did acknowledge his fault, and all was past by and forgiven. Yet nevertheless the said Gabriel Legatt in May after the arrival of Coll. Sloughter commenced an action against yr poor Petitioner for a Assault and false imprisonment done to him about the occasion aforesaid to the value of Two hundred pounds, which was executed by Benjamin Collier high Sheriff whereby he was in undoubted fear of being utterly undone, and being a prisoner, and having no friend to councell withall, did sign to an obligation to pay him twenty five pounds which was the demand of the sd Gabriel. Afterwards the sd Richard Ponton by his refractory language against the Government was by a special Warrent carried down to New York and there put under confinement in ye Citty Hall and there did remain some time after your Excellency's arrival, and then was released, upon which the said Gabriel commenced an action against the said Rd, by reason the sd Richard was bound with your pettitioner jointly and severally to sd Gabriel (wasn't he far seeing and sharp, if not benevolent?) for the payment of the aforesd sum of twenty five pounds. Whereupon the sd Gabriel obtained judgment against sd Richard for fifty pounds by default at the Supreme Court held at New York on October last past and execution thereupon the sd Richards estate. There upon the sd Richard commenced an action against your poor petitioner and obtained a judgment against him for forty pounds and costs at a court of common pleas held at Westchester on the 8th and 9th days of Dec. and still doth remain in Sheriff's custody and do expect daylie execution to be issued out against him. Therefore without remedy by order of the common law to the utter undoing of your poor petitioner, his wife and children, unless your Excel's gracious favour be to him shewed in this behalf to consider pemises, and accordingly to grant your petr such relief herein as to your Excellency may seem most agreeable to justice and equity. And your Petitioner as in duty he is bound will ever pray."

(Endorsed) "7th of April, 1693, referred to Col. Heathcote."

Gabriel married Elizabeth Richardson about 1676 in West Farms, Westchester, New York. Elizabeth (daughter of John Richardson and Martha Mead) was born about 1656; died between 9 Oct 1723 and 3 Jul 1725 in West Farms, Westchester, New York; was buried in Joseph Rodman Drake Park, Bronx, New York. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Alternate death: Abt 1724, West Farms, Westchester, New York

Notes:

She died between 9 Oct 1723, when she conveyed her rights of fishing, hunting, fowling &c., in the Patent of West Farms, to her son Gabriel Leggett, and 3 Jul 1725, when she is referred to as "deceased" in a document by which John Leggett sells certain property rights to his brother Gabriel.