180 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY
ENGELTIE OPDYCK.
(Daughter of Johannes, p. 154; Son of Louris, p. 136.)
Engeltie Opdyck and Joshua Anderson were "ingeschrieben " (inscribed) 22 June, and "getrouwt" (married) 23 June, 1695, in the N. Y. City Dutch church,-" Beide wonende tot Nieuwthuyn" (both living at Newtown). They brought their first-born, Joshua, to be baptised in the same church 18 March 1696. Again, Joshua Anderson and Engeltie Opdyck brought their daughter Anna to be baptised at Hopewell, N. J., by Rev. Paulus van Vleq in 1712, as stated in his record before mentioned. In both these Dutch baptisms the full maiden name of "Engeltie Opdyck" is given. Engeltie's husband Joshua himself had been baptised 30 Feb. 1667 by his father Jochem Andriesen in the N. Y. Dutch church, where also appear the baptisms of four brothers of Joshua,.Elias, Cornelis, Andries and Benjamin. Tryntie's husband Enoch must have been another brother of Joshua, for reasons already stated, and because he named his first son Jochem, the Dutch usually naming the eldest for the grandfather.
In 1697 Joshua with his wife and child joined in that patriarchal migration of Johannes Opdyck, his sons and daughters, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren, from Newtown on Long Island to the wilderness of Maidenhead in New Jersey, where they were soon followed by many of their old Newtown neighbors. The next year Joshua appears as one of the trustees of the Maidenhead 100 acre church-farm, with Johannes and Lawrence Opdyck, Enoch and Cornelius Anderson. In 1699 he signs the road survey through land of his father-in-law, and in 1703 he joins with his father-in-law in signing the land agreement at house of Ralph Hunt in Maidenhead. In 1709 he witnesses the deed from Johannes to Enoch for land on Assanpink, adjoining his own which he bought in 1707 out of the original Mahlon Stacy tract and sold in 1722 to his brother Enoch. In 1710 he is joined with Lawrence and Albert Opdyck, Enoch and Cornelius Anderson, as trustee of the Lawrenceville church-plot in Maidenhead. In 1712 he subscribes with Johannes and Lawrence Opdyck and Enoch Anderson at Maidenhead town-meeting to the expenses of setting off Hunter-
3D GENERATION; ENGELTIE OPDYCK. - 183
don County. Maidenhead township elected him in 1706 Overseer of Highways, in 1712 Overseer of the Poor and an auditor of the Treasurer's accounts, 1718 Assessor, 1722 Overseer of Highways, 1724-5 Collector, 1728-9 Town Clerk. He was Commissioner of Hunterdon in 1722-5; and was appointed Justice of Peace by George I. in 1725, the royal commission on heavy parchment with large seal being still preserved in the office of the County Clerk at Flemington. He continued to act as Justice until 172 when he was elected County Clerk. While he was sitting as Justice, there was brought before him an amusing indictment against Jacob and Isaac Anderson, doubtless his own sons, " for Stealing a Book in Tituled the New Testament, Belonging to John Titus ; " the defendants were duly tried by jury and acquitted.
In 1731 Joshua died in Maidenhead, leaving will on record, bequeathing to his wife " Anjell" (Engeltie) his dwelling house, plantation, and all personal property; to his sons Joshua and John 500 acres in Hopewell adjoining the Province Line on the east; to his sons, Benjamin, Isaac. Jacob, and Abraham, and to his daughters Catharine and Hannah, 100 Pounds each and his "cedar swamp in Maryland" to all the eight children.
Joshua's homestead must have long been the most central and prominent in Maidenhead, as the town meeting was held there in 1719, and from 1721 continuously until his death; thereafter it was " held at ye house of ye widow Angel Anderson " every year from 1733 to 1741. She also appears upon the Maidenhead town records in 1734 recording stock, and on the Hunterdon records in 1741 bringing suit as executrix of Joshua.
Of her sons, Joshua Anderson Jr. filled almost all of the township offices of Maidenhead from 1734 until 1756, and was Freeholder in 1752; John was Collector in 1727 and filled other offices at Maidenhead; Isaac and Benjamin voted from Hopewell in 1738; Jacob may have been the Jacob Anderson that became Sheriff of Hunterdon, Judge of Common Pleas, and Commissary with the rank of Captain in the Revolution.
Joshua Anderson, Jr. was concerned in an interesting episode related at length in Dr. Cooley's communications to the Trenton State Gazette for 1842-3, and in Snell's History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties. In 1744 he, Benjamin Stevens (son-in-law of Tryntie Opdyck and Enoch Andrus), and the Rev. William Tennent were away on a visit in Pennsylvania with the Rev. John Rowland, when the latter was personated by some vagrant, who took advantage of his striking resemblance to Rowland to commit theft and burglary. The reverend doctor was arrested on his return and was acquitted through the testimony of the companions of his journey. Public belief in the identity however was so strong that the witnesses were tried for perjury. Joshua was convicted, and sentenced to stand one hour on the steps of the Trenton Court House, with a placard on his breast,--- "This is for Willful Perjury;" while his companions were saved only by
184 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
the timely arrival of a farmer and his wife from Pennsylvania, with whom . they had all lodged the night of the burglary, and who had been warned in a dream to hasten to New Jersey to give testimony in the case.
ANNETIE OPDYCK.
(Daughter of Johannes, p. 154; Son of Louris, p. 136.)
Cornelius Anderson was baptised 26 Sept. 1670 in the N. Y. Dutch church, by his father Jochem Andriesen. On June 6, 1710, Cornelius Anderson and "Annetie Opdyck" brought their children, Abraham, Rebecca, Bartholomew, and Andrew to be baptised at Hopewell, N. J., by the Rev. Paulus van Vleq, who was pastor of a Dutch church in Bucks Co., Pa., and came occasionally over the Delaware to serve the Dutch residents of West Jersey. Cornelius was joined with Johannes, Lawrence, and Albert Opdyck, Enoch and Joshua Anderson, in the various conveyances of Maidenhead church and farm plots already mentioned. In 1721 he was Collector in Hopewell, and in 1722 owned a mill in the southwest corner of that township. In 1721 the "Draft of the Amwell Road" on the Hunterdon ; Court records, reads: "Beginning by ye Rarington path that leads from Mr. Reading's old plantation where John Reading now lives to the old Road that leads from George Green's old plantation to Cornelius Anderson;" the; description states that the road °° runs alongside of the school house," and is interesting as proving the early existence of a school house in this frontier district. Cornelius died in Hopewell in 1724, and letters of administration were granted to his widow "Annah " and eldest son Eliakim.
Annetie's son Eliakim Anderson was Constable of Hopewell in 1725, and was an executor of the will of his grandfather Johannes Opdyck in 1729 His signature as administrator of his father Cornelius is the same as that as executor of his grandfather; he appears as such executor upon the Hunterdon Court records, and as grand-jury-man from Hopewell in 1736. He other Andersons also appear as supporters and communicants in the oldest records extant of the Lawrenceville church, recently found and now in the hands of Mr. Charles Cook of Trenton.
Annetie had also a son John, who died in Bethlehem, Hunterdon, in 1746, bequeathing 325 acres in Bethlehem and " my share of plantation in Hopewell where my mother now lives " to his wife Hannah and his children, Cornelius, John, Andrew, Mary, and Martha, and grand daughter Anna More. This shows that Annetie Opdyck, daughter of Johannes, and wife of Cornelius Anderson, was living as late as 1746.
Andrew Anderson, a brother of the three Andersons that married the Opdyck girls, died in Hopewell in 1732, leaving a widow Elizabeth.
3D GENERATION; LAWRENCE UPDICK. - 185
LAWRENCE UPDICK.
(Son of Johannes, p. 154; son of Louris, p. 136.)
Born about 1675; died, 1748; married Agnes ......; was a planter in Maidenhead, N. J., near what is now Lawrenceville, between Princeton and Trenton.
The record of his baptism is doubtless among the missing registers of the early Dutch church on Long Island; he must have been born about 1675, as his father was born 1651, and Lawrence acted as trustee of the Maidenhead church farm in 1698. He and his wife baptised their son William, 1704, in the Dutch church of Raritan, N. J.; the pastor probably visited Maidenhead for the purpose, as the church building near Somerville was not erected until 1721, the same that was burned by the British during the Revolution. It is perhaps this record of baptism that led Dr. Messler, in his Cent. Hist. Somerset Co., to place Lawrence Opdyke among the heads of Dutch families from Long Island who settled along the Raritan; and this probably caused the error of the late Teunis G. Bergen, printed in a Somerville historical magazine in 1873, in stating that Lawrence was descended from Gysbert Opdykk.
Lawrence joined his father and brothers-in-law in subscribing at the Maidenhead town meeting in 1712 to the expenses of setting off Hunterdon County. The township elected him Overseer of the Poor in 1719, Overseer of Roads in 1719, and Commissioner in 1726, 1727, and 1729. The County Court records show him as Overseer of the Poor for Hopewell in 1725; this leads us to believe that his homestead may have been on the line between the two townships.
Lawrence appears to have been prosperous. His father and. sons were large land-holders, and there is reason to believe that he was also. He was the highest bidder at the Maidenhead town meeting in 1730 for the 100 acre town lot. The absence of recorded conveyances to or from him is explained by the fact that in those days deeds were not generally recorded, but were preserved in old chests.
Lawrence was the author of the Updike spelling in New Jersey, and was the ancestor of almost every New Jersey Updike, excepting the Virginia branch. The will of his father, Johannes Opdykk, appointing him one of the executors, spelled his name with an 0; upon the back of the will, where was written the executors oath, his name appears in a clear hand as "Lawrence Opdykk; " but he signed this oath, "Lowrance Updick." In his own will of 1745, his name and those of his three sons are spelled "Updike," and his descendants have ever since so written their names.
186 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
Lawrence in his will mentioned a possible defect in the title to some of his lands,-" So as to be taken away By Law By Cox or any other pearson." This doubtless refers to a long and famous litigation concerning the title to all the lands in Hopewell. In the division of West Jersey into one hundred parts among the Proprietors, the tract called the "30,000 acres above the Falls of the Delaware" fell to Thomas Sadler and Edward Billinge. They sold it in 1685 to Dr. Daniel Coxe of London. This was the original township of Hopewell. The region had been fairly purchased from the Indians for Dr. Coxe by treaty of 30 Mch. 1688, for 100 fathoms of wampum, 30 guns, 20 kettles, 20 shirts, 80 hatchets, 100 knives, 300 pipes, 300 needles, and various other articles. Coxe was governor of West Jersey from 1687 to 1690, but conducted his office by deputy. In 1691 he conveyed the government to the " West Jersey Society." In 1700, " on the petition. of some of the inhabitants above the Falls for a new township, to be called Hopewell," that township was set off, containing the 30,000 acres and also a 10,000 acre tract of the Society,-including what are now Ewing and Trenton townships. The West Jersey Society, through their agent Thos. Revell, had made various conveyances to settlers, when Coxe claimed that he had parted with onlythe jurisdiction and not the title of the land. We find that there was some agreement made in April 1703, between Coxe and those that had then purchased, which was ratified at the meeting at house of Ralph Hunt, 26 Aug. 1703, mentioned under Johannes Opdyck. Further difficulties arose, and in 1731 fifty Hopewell landholders signed an agreement binding themselves mutually to defend their rights against ejectment suits brought by Col. Coxe. The contest continued many years; the cases were removed, on account of alleged prejudice in favor of the occupants from Hunterdon to Burlington County, where they were tried by Chief Justice Hooper and a jury of Quakers, and a verdict was rendered for Coxe The defendants made an unsuccessful appeal to the Court of Errors. This litigation was the great event of the period; the records of the case may be found in the archives of the N. J. Supreme Court. Although successful Coxe seems to have finally compromised his claims, as most of the defendants remained on their farms, some of which are still held by their descendants.
Lawrence was however more identified with Maidenhead, where he is found almost continuously during fifty years, from 1698 until his death in 1748. Barber and Howe's Hist. Coll. N. J. states that Maidenhead was settled about 1700; the many records already quoted by us show that the Opdyck family and others were settled there several years earlier. The `Presbyterian church was established there in 1709, when the people of Maidenhead and Hopewell applied to the Presbytery of Philadelphia for pulpit supplies, and Mr. Smith was directed to preach in Maidenhead on his way to and from New England. Their first house of worship was erected at
3D GENERATION; LAWRENCE UPDICK. - 187
what is now Lawrenceville, where the earliest settlers were buried; on one stone in the churchyard can still be read 1713, but the names are mostly illegible. Rev. Jedediah Andrews administered baptism 1713-4; Robert Orr was ordained as pastor in 1715; Rev. Joseph Morgan was preaching there to the people of both townships from 1731 until 1736, when David Colwell was ordained. In 1769 Maidenhead and Hopewell were still served by one pastor, who divided his time between the church at Lawrenceville, the church at Trenton, and the old meeting-house at Ewing. There was a famous law-suit in 1778, when the trustees of the Maidenhead church successfully defended their title to the 100 acres conveyed in 1698 by the West Jersey Society to Johannes and Lawrence Opdyck, the Andersons and others, in trust for the inhabitants of Maidenhead "for ye Erecting of a Meeting House and for Burying grounds and School House." The church sold this farm in 1804; a few years later another 100 acres were devised to them by Jasper Smith for a parsonage farm, and this still serves for the residence and support of their pastor. The first Hunterdon County Court was held in Maidenhead in 1714, and from then until 1719 alternately there, and in Hopewell at a private house on what is now Front Street in Trenton. The court records at Flemington contain an entry, 5 June 1716, " Court adjourned to Meeting House, Maidenhead." The front of the present church at Lawrenceville, 45 ft. by 32 ft., was erected in 1764. Additions were built to its rear in 1833 and 1855, making the edifice as it now stands.
The growth of Maidenhead was very rapid from its first settlement till 1750, and it continually sent out settlers who colonized the northern Jersey wilderness. These pioneers are proudly claimed by their respective counties, without however the knowledge of their real place of origin. The old Maidenhead Town Book, rebound and labeled "Lawrence Town Records," has lately been deposited for safe keeping with the Mercer County Clerk at Trenton, and will be found a mine of genealogical information concerning families in all parts of the State. It has a still wider interest, for the stream of colonization in the early part of the last century seems to have flowed largely from New England and Long Island to New Jersey. The grandchildren of those that moved about 1700 to Maidenhead spread beyond the boundaries of New Jersey into the western part of New York, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; and their children and grandchildren, in turn, have settled in Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana.
Records.
1698, Mar. 18. Lawrence Updike joins with Johannes Louwrensen, Joshua Andrus, Enoch Andrus, Cornelius Andrus and other residents of Maidenhead in taking Deed for 100 acres in Maidenhead for church, burial and school purposes, as Trustees........ (West Jersey, B. 656, Trenton.)
1704, Apr. 20. " Lourans op dyck and vrou (wife) op dyck" baptise a son Wilhelmus............ (Records of Dutch Church of Raritan, N. J.)
188 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
1710, Jan. 8. Lawrence Opdike, Alburtus Opdike, Joshua, Cornelius, & Enoch Anderson and 30 others of Maidenhead, Burlington Co., "in province of Nova Cesaria" buy for 10 shillings "one certain messuage and tract of land " of Ralph Hunt and Benjamin Harding of Maidenhead "in the 10th year of the reign of our sovereign Lady Anna," 13 rods x 6 1/2 rods x 11 1/2 rods x * * * rods, in Maidenhead; probably lot for erecting Presbyterian Church. .(Recorded in 1801.
Flemington.)
1712, Jan. 1. "At a Town Meeting to endeavor for the promoting of a County in the upper part of the Province." The subscriptions ranged from 2 pounds down. Among them are
Joshua Anderson 1 pound 5 shillings.
Enoch Anderson 1 " 10 "
Lawrence Opdyke 15 "
Johannes Lawrenson 15 "
(Maidenhead Town Book.)
1714, May 5. Extract from the minutes of the Supreme Court held at Burlinton: " Dom Regin verss. Lawrence op Dike. Ordered that he be continued on his Recognizance till the next Court at Burlington." (Min. Supr. Ct. 1704-15, 139. Trenton.)
1714, Nov. 2. Same suit: " Ordered that unless he appeare dureing the Sitting of the Court his Recognizance be prosecuted ....... (Same, 140.)
1715, May 3. Same suit: " Process Ordered on his Recognizance.."(Same,143.)
1719. Town Meeting elects Lawrence Op Dyck Overseer of the Poor and also Overseer of the Roads.............. (Maidenhead Town Book.)
1724. Lowrance Obdikk indicted for assault and battery, (probably in resisting the running a road through land 6f his brother-in-law Enoch Andrus who was indicted at the same time for not removing a nuisance from a public highway when ordered.) Lowrance's case comes up for trial and his Counsel (Rex vs. Lowrance Obdikk) states " The Deft. will not contend with our Sovereign Lord the King and submits himself to the mercy of the Court." Fined 6 shillings, 8 pence. (Hunterdon Ct. I, 52, 5, 6. Flemington.)
1725, Mar. 10. Lowrance Obdikk, Overseer of the Poor for Hopewell. .. . . (Same, I, 63.)
1726. Lawrence Obdyke, Commissioner of Roads, Maidenhead. (Town Book.)
1727, Mar. Lawrence Obdyke, one of the two Road Commissioners for; Maidenhead.............. . . (Hunterdon Ct. I, 165. Flemington.)
1729, Feb. 12. Louerence opdike, a co-executor of the .will of his father Johannes Opdyck; as such, takes the oath of executorship, March 26, 1729; signature, "Lowrance Updick." .....(State Vaults, Trenton.)
1729, Mar. 10. Town Meeting elects Lawrence Updyck Commissioner.... (Maidenhead Town Book.)
1729, May. Lawrence Updike brings suit against Richard Hurd for pounds........................ (Hunterdon Ct. II. Flemington )
1729, Aug. Lawrence Ob Dike in suit with John Anderson for 30 pounds. Same suit later: "Lawrence Obdike Jun. as servant to his fath Lawrance Obdike Sen. and by his command" in appeal against Job Anderson. Case continued till next term. Same suit still late postponed to next term................ .............. (Same, II.)
1730. Lawrance Obdike in suit with Lewis Moore for 30 pounds. (Same, II.)
1730, Aug. " Law. Obdyke " brings suit against Enoch Andrews.... (Sam 11, 171.)
1730, Aug. Extracts from the court minutes: " Dom. rex vs. Lawn Obdike'' The def. being called on his recognizance appears." Same suit: the deft. being called appears and is ordered by the Ct. to be con-
3D GENERATION; LAWRENCE UPDICK. - 189
tinned on his recognizance * * * Being called to answer to his Indictment pleads not guilty.................... (Same, II, 172, 7.)
1730, Nov. 3. Suit in the Supreme Court at Burlington by " Lawrence Opdike & Eliakim Andrews Exrs. of Johannus Lawrenson agt. Enoch Andrews..................... (Min. Supr. Ct., 1716-21. Trenton.)
1730, Nov. 6. Maidenhead Town Meeting. "It is agreed by ye Inhabitants that ye Town Lot is to be sold to ye Highest Bidder by ye way of public vendue and ye purchaser to keep ye money in his band for Six months from ye date of ye sale without Interest; he giving Bond and Security if required under penalty of one Hundred Pounds Proclamation money, and ye price of ye S'd Lot to be laid out for a parsonage for ye use of ye town of Maidenhead. As a witness our hands this Sixth Day of Nov. 1730." (Signed) : Ralph Hunt, Joshua Anderson, Joshua Anderson Jr., John Anderson Jr., Samuel Hunt, Lowrance Opdyck, Lowrance Updike Jr., John Updike (autograph), Abram. Anderson, and others. "Lowrance Updike Sr., is the highest Bidder and has bought the Town Lot for 155 Pounds Current Money of America."
"Memorandum. The above was made void by ye Town in general because yt. the Buyer expected a good Title which the Town would not give, therefore it is avoid.................. (Town Book.) 1731, May. Lawrence Opdike in suit, for 30 pounds with Jno. Anderson. (Hunterdon Ct. II, 20, 2d pagination. Flemington.)
1731, May. Law. Updike is co-defendant with Eliakim Anderson, (probably as exctrs. of Johannes Opdyck), in a suit for 12 pounds brought by Jas. Price Jr.................................... (Same, 26.)
1731, Aug. Law: Opdike in suit with Jno. Anderson, "Case 30 pounds. Usual rule for the body.......................... (Same, Suit 440.)
1731, Aug. Law: Opdike v. Enoch Anderson........... (Same, Suit 456.)
1731, Aug. "Law: Obdyke & Eliakim Anderson Exctrs. &c. v. Enoch Anderson." (See this date under Johannes Opdyck.)
1731, Oct. Lawrence Opdike in suit with Johannes Anderson. At the Feb. term, 1732, this case was ordered for trial next term.... (Same, Suit 699 & 920.)
1733, May 17. Lawrence Opdike, appellant, v. Enoch Anderson, appellee: " Ptf. had no cause of action, therefore court orders that the Judgment given by Justice Bowes be set aside................... (Same.)
1733, May 17. Lawrence 0pdyick, Exec. in suit with Joseph Reed. (See same date under Johannes Opdyck.)
1735, May. Lawrence Opdike is defendant in a suit brought by Lawrence Williams to recover a debt of 20 pounds. At the Aug. term, 1736, a "non pros." was entered in this suit for want of a replication...... . ........... (Same, III, 187, 237, 291, 329. Flemington. )
1738. Lawrence Updike votes from Maidenbead for Rep. in N. J. Gen. Assembly ............................... (Flemington Records.)
1745, June 10. Will.
"In the name of God Amen the tenth Day of June and In the yeare of our Lord one thousand Seven hundrid and forty five I Lowrance Updike of maidenhead In the County of hunterdon farmor Being of parfict mind and memory thanks be Given to God therefore Cauling unto mind the mortalety of my Body and Knowing that It Is apoynted for all once to Dye Do make and order this my Last will and testament that Is to Say prinseplly and first of all I Give and Recommend my Soul Into the hands of God that gave It and for my Body I Recommend It to the Earth to Be Buried In a Christian Like mannor at the Discretion of my Executors nothing
190 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY,
Doubting But at the General Resurrection I Shall Receive the Same again By the mighty power of God and as touching Such worldly Estate wherewith It hes pleased God to Bless me In this Life I Give Devise and Dispose of the Same In the following manner and forme and first of all my will and Desyre Is that my Just Debts Should be paid out of my Estate - Imprimis I Give and Bequeath unto Agness my Dearly Beloved wife all my money that I have In the hands of Tunis post and Likewise a Living out of my other Estate and the Liborty of the Best Roome In my house and Liborty In the Seller and Liborty of two Cowes and one horse In the pasture and Eating appels In the Autcherd Durring hur Life time Item I Give to my well Beloved Son William Updike one third of my plantation and-meadowe Item I Give the one third of my plantation and one thurd of my meadow to my well Beloved Son John Updike Item I Give the other third of my plantation and meadow to my well Beloved Son Tunis Updike and three working horses Item I Give to my well Beloved Daughters Catharine Johnson and my daughter Rachel Price my other moveble Estate and to my daughter, Atheliah minor I Give the one Eight part of my mooveble Estate after my wife as above Said hes hur part out (Except my Land or meadow title Should proovf Defective) So as to be takon away By Law By Cox or any other pearson then my will Is that my Sons and my Daughters Shall Draw Equell In my moveble Estate Except my Daughter Atheliah minor She Shall Draw but the one Eighteenth part out of my moveble Estate In that Case: the above said Legeseas I Give to Each of my Children as above Said to them and their heirs Executors administrators and assigns and further I Do hereby make William Updike and John Updike and John Johnson my Executor ; of this my Last will and testament and Do hereby utterly Disallow Revoke and Disannul all and Every other formar testaments Wills Le ties and Executors by me In any ways before this time named wild and Bequeathed Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my Last will and testament In witness whereof I have here unto Set my hand and Seal the Day and yeare above writtne.
"Signed Sealed published pronounced Lowrance (x) Updike" and Declared By the Said Lawrence Updike as his Last will and testament In the preasents of us
John Price Joseph Phillips Houghton Mershon." : . . . . (State Vanlts, Trenton.)
1748, May 27. Will admitted to probate by Governor Belcher of N. J. The inventory of personal property amounted to 434 Pounds Sterling..................................................(Same.)
Children of Lawrence Updikk (Updike).
Birth. Death. Married. Residence. Occupation
Lawrence Jr. ................. Maidenhead, N. J. Farmer,
William. 1704. 1783. Ann Hutchinson. Windsor, Middlesex, N. J. Farmer.
John. 1708. 1783. Mary Bragaw. Montgomery, Somerset, N. J. Farmer.
Catharine. ..... ..... ... Johnson. Montgomery, Somerset, N. J. Farmer.
Rachel ..... ..... .... Price.
Tunis. ..... .....
Atheliah. .....
Lawrence Jr. died before his father. He appears on the records only in 1729, 1730, above. His father's will makes no mention of him or of any children of him.
3D GENERATION; ALBERT OPDYCK. - 191
Catharine is mentioned in Lawrence's will as Catharine Johnson. Her husband was probably John Johnson, one of the executors. Her daughter Naomi married William Updike, son of Catharine's brother John, whose daughter Mary also married David Johnson of the same family. Ann Updike, grand daughter of John Updike's son Peter, married William Johnson, also of this family. The graves of Mary and Ann (and also that of Jonathan S. Updike, a descendant of Tunis) are marked with headstones in the old graveyard on the Johnson farm on Stony Brook near Princeton. This farm has been in the possession of the Johnson family for eight generations, and some of the Johnsons now living possess documents showing their descent from Rutg Jansen, a Hollander who came from Long Island to New Jersey. Rutger Jansen owned land on the Easterly side of Flatbush in 1655, and is mentioned in the Flatbush records in 1661.
Rachel is mentioned in Lawrence's will as Rachel Price. Her husband was probably John Price, witness to the will. John Price was prominent in Maidenhead, whose town records show his election as Overseer of Poor, Constable, Collector, Freeholder, Surveyor, and also speak of him as Captain. The Lawrenceville Cemetery contains his tombstone, stating his death in 1773 at the age of 81.
For sketches of other children, see 4th Generation,- pages indicated in Chart 6.
ALBERT OPDYCK.
(Son of Johannes, p. 154; Son of Louris, p. 136.)
Born about 1685; died 1752; married Elizabeth ........ ; was a planter in Maidenhead and Hopewell, N. J., near Princeton.
As in the case of his brother'Lawrence, the record of Albert's baptism is not to be found, owing to the disappearance of early church registers on Long Island. He was undoubtedly too young in 1698 to be joined with his father, brother, and brothers-in-law, as trustee of the Maidenhead church and school farm. He gave the name of his father to his eldest son; that of his sister's husband Joshua to the second son; and to two of his daughters he gave the names of his mother and his sister. In 1710 he acted with the others of his family in taking the deed for the Presbyterian church lot at what is now Lawrenceville.
Albert however differed from his brothers and sisters in church belief. The first church edifice of Hopewell was upon two acres granted in 1703 by John Hutchinson to the inhabitants of that township for meeting-house
192 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
and burial purposes, and was occupied by the Episcopalians as St. Michael's church until they removed to Trenton in 1838. The second was "the old Hopewell church," built upon the land granted in 1709 by Alexander Lockhart to Enoch and Cornelius Anderson and others as trustees; a log-meeting house was built thereon in 1712, replaced by a frame building in 1726 on the site of the present Ewing brick church, and as we have seen was for many years under the same pastor as the church at Lawrenceville. The third, 1724-5, was the Presbyterian at what is now Pennington. The fourth was the present First Presbyterian church at Trenton, built 1727 upon the land granted by Enoch Anderson for the purpose, and long known as the "Anderson Meeting House." As early as 1715 a Baptist church was organized in Hopewell, at Columbia Village, being what is now known as the First Baptist Church of Hopewell in the present village of Hopewell. Its records are among the oldest in the country; the book of church minutes contains a history of the church, written in 1749 by Rev. Isaac Eaton, reciting that the church was constituted in 1715, and its pastoral work was performed until 1721 by monthly visits of various preachers; Rev. Thos. Simmons was then settled as its minister until he removed to Charlestown in 1724, when Mr. Eglefield preached once a month until 1728; from that date Joseph Eaton visited it monthly until 1742, when Rev. Thos. Davis came to Hopewell and lived there as pastor. Its first church building was erected in 1747. The constitution of the church was adopted in 1715, and; contains a strong expression of belief "in total depravity, original sin," etc. Among the first signers of these articles between the year 1715 and 1728, appears the name of "Albert Opdyck."' His faith was retained by at least one of his sons, Joshua, who was a founder of the Baptist church at Baptisttown. In 1750 the Rev. Isaac Eaton established at Hopewell the fi Baptist theological school in America; it was closed in 1767, but during i existence it educated many! students who afterward became eminent divines. Although he removed to Maidenhead before death, Albert no doubt, resided a great part of his life in Hopewell township; it is quite possible that his homestead farm lay across the line which divided the two townships. The old records of Hopewell, in which we should expect to fin him often mentioned, unfortunately cannot be found. Two of Albert's sons married daughters of Samuel Green, who was Daniel Coxe's surveyor, as such received a very large tract of land for his services, and must have been well acquainted with the claim of the Coxe ; family to land in Hopewell. There is therefore reason to. believe that Albert was not concerned in the litigation as to land titles in Hopewell, mentioned under Lawrence.
Albert appears twice in 1729 upon the Maidenhead Township Book, recording and selling a stray horse. He is found very often upon the records of Hunterdon Court, almost from the time of its first meeting at Trenton
3D GENERATION; ALBERT OPDYCK. - 193
until his death. The Hunterdon County court house was a two story building of gray sand-stone with a stucco front, built in 1720 at Trenton, where the court continued to meet until 1785, when the county seat was changed to Flemington.
Albert is of especial interest because he, alone of the immediate descendants of the original Opdykk settlers, retained the Opdykk spelling, which was changed by all the others to Updike. His four sons were in fact just what tradition makes them, the ancestors of all the Opdykes, Opdykes, and Opdykes in the United States.
The executors of Albert's will were his wife Elizabeth and youngest son Benjamin; among the witnesses were Benjamin Stevens and John Price, who married daughters of his brother Lawrence and sister Tryntie. The minute provisions of the will not only reveal deep affection for his wife, but give a glimpse of the simple primitive life of the period.
The whole region was still heavily wooded with oak, hickory, beech, and maple; the forests abounded with game; the streams were alive with fish; and the most delicious shad were caught high up the river branches before the mill-dams obstructed the waters. Wild beasts were still trouble some. In 1739 the Justices and Freeholders of Hunterdon voted 40 Pounds for killing wolves and panthers in the county. Their records show "cash paid for 72 grown wolves at one pound each, 19 young wolves at 5 shillings each, 16 grown panthers at 15 shillings each." The principal roads yet followed the old Indian trails that had led to and from the wigwams. In the vicinity of Albert's home there were still numerous villages of the Indians, who, having sold the larger part of their lands, continued to live under their chiefs,' but on the most friendly terms with the whites. The game becoming less plentiful as the country was settled, the aboriginees were constrained to subsist by making wooden ladles, bowls, trays, etc., which they exchanged with the farmers for food. They soon acquired a fondness for intoxicating liquors, and their growing helplessness resulted in a hatred against the whites, which culminated, just after Albert's death, in the Indian war of 1755, when a chain of forts and block-houses was built along the Jersey side of the Delaware, and Col. John Anderson of Sussex Co., with 400 men, protected the border.
There were few waggons in Albert's time. People went miles afoot to worship, wearing thick shoes, or none at all until near the church when they put on their Sunday footgear. It was common for men to sit in church without coats. For small offences whipping was the penalty, more often inflicted upon slaves than upon others. If found five miles from home, a slave was arrested and whipped by the constable, for which five shillings were paid by the master or mistress. The most lucrative business in America at that date was the slave trade, and we find the N. Y. Gazette for 1731 and 1734 full of advertisements for runaway "negro servants." Strong
194 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
Baptist though he was, Albert had at least one slave, as is shown by the inventory of his estate.
The Dutch settlers generally were persons of deep religious feeling, honesty, and thrift. They brought their children up to habits of industry, and almost every son was taught some mechanical art. The farmers tanned their own leather, often made their own shoes and boots, and did much of their own carpentering and wheel-wrighting. Their daughters presided at the spinning-wheel with as much grace and dignity as those of the present day do at the piano or organ, and the busy music of their spinning accompanied their most interesting conversations. Mothers took pride in showing to "company " the room in which were suspended on hooks large skeins of yarn, the results of their daughters' industry. The long distances of a thinly settled country necessarily made courtships short and decisive. Parental authority was more rigid than now, and was seldom questioned by the children of our ancestors. Such of the sons as were not: put to trades, demanded no pay for work performed while remaining with their parents, where they usually continued to labor until they were thirty years of age, and even longer if unmarried. The homestead was generally left to the eldest son, and so continued in the family for generations.
The earliest buildings of the settlers were commonly of logs, but were in time replaced by frame or stone dwellings, still of one long low story. The family living-room contained the bed occupied by the parents. The ceiling made of boards laid on broad heavy beams, formed the floor of the garret, which was divided into sleeping rooms for the children and visitors. Sometimes the roof projected beyond the building in front so as to cover a verandah, and descended near to the ground in the rear, furnishing a suitable, place for weaving and other employments. Often the fireplace was set with glazed tiles from Holland, ornamented with various biblical scenes, affording both instruction and amusement for the children. Carpets and parlors were then unknown. The floor was scrubbed as white as the table, and the white sand upon it was swept with a broom into waves or other figures. A small kitchen was attached to the main building, and the baking oven stood at a little distance in the open air.
This early period however is best described in the graphic sketches of colonial life in New Jersey, written by my friend Andrew D. Mellick, Jr., and soon to be published. From them I am allowed to glean the following.
When the brawny arms of the settler and his sons first drove back the forest from the meadows, the surrounding country was a broad expanse of woodland wilderness. For the first year the road traveled by the family to and from the new home, was little more than a wide path cut through the woods; the timber pressed close on either sides of the ruts and wheel tracks, the bark of the flanking oaks and hickories showing often the marks made by the hubs of passing vehicles. For miles it extended under the arching branches of giant trees,-monarchs of the forest that for centuries had
3D GENERATION ; ALBERT OPDYCK. - 195
towered over hill and dale, enriching the ground with their annual deposit of leaves and twigs.
In clearing New Jersey lands in colonial times the settlers began by felling the smaller trees, and cutting off the stronger branches of the greater ones. Next the oaks, the hickories, and other large trees were attacked. Well girdled by the axe, these were left to stand until the following year, by which time, having been robbed of their sap, they were dead and ready for the burning. Encircling fires at the base of their trunks were lighted; the trees fell, and by midsummer the sun began to operate on land that, being formed almost entirely of rotten vegetation, was rank with productiveness. Instead of rooting up the trees, many of the farmers, after burning the stumps, let them stand and decay. It gave the newly cleared land a very ugly appearance, but in four or five years the stumps would have rotted so that they could be beaten to pieces and ploughed under. By July of the second year the ground was ready for a crop, which was generally buckwheat. When harvested in the autumn the land was ploughed and sown with rye. Often, owing to the richness of the soil from the long drinking of the juices of decaying vegetation, the first year's crop all grew to straw and it was not uncommon for several seasons to go by before the ground had been sufficiently toned by cultivation to produce good yields of wheat.
Agriculture was but imperfectly understood by the new settlers and no knowledge seems to have been had of the value of the rotation of crops. Instances are given where new lands produced rye for ten years, and then for ten successive harvests yielded wheat. The virgin soil, having been fertilized by nature for centuries, was for several decades prolific, but in time became exhausted and the crops correspondingly poor.
Farmers who had exhausted the early strength of their fields were slow in appreciating the value of a plentiful use of lime and manure, and it was after the Revolution before impoverished lands began to be properly nourished and crops again to be abundant.
In the last century natural meadows supplied all the grass and grain for live stock; it was in the year 1800 that clover seed was introduced. The growing of grass on uplands inaugurated a new era in farming, and great benefit resulted to husbandmen and the country.
To one accustomed to the improved appliances that aid the agriculturist of this age, the tools and implements that our forefather had at his command would seem ill contrived for tilling the soil. The ploughs throughout the country at this time was rude and ineffective, and mostly home made. They were clumsily constructed of wood, the mould-board being fashioned from a block which had winding grain approximating to the curve required. Thomas Jefferson is said to have first suggested the proper shape and proportion of this part of a plough. It was 1776 before a wrought-iron, Plough share, some bolts and a clevis were introduced and the mouldboards, after that time, were often plated with strips of iron made from hammered. horseshoes. New Jersey has the honor of being the first State to adopt cast-iron ploughs, the useful invention of a farmer named Newbold. Their introduction was not general until the year 1797, the people being prejudiced against their use, and, it is said, they alleged that cast iron poisoned the soil and ruined the crop. The farmer sowed his seed by hand, and when harvest time came no cradler with glittering knife swung his graceful way through the golden grain, marking the fields with lines of even swath. Rye, wheat, and buckwheat were cut with the sickle; oats, like grass, fell under the scythe. The sickles then in use were long and narrow, and their sharp edges had close teeth on the inner side. This manner of harvesting continued until after the Revolution, when farmers
196 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
were delighted by the appearance of the cradle, which improvement created as much interest as did, in more modern times, the introduction of; the reaper.
He who in building a dwelling calls in the aid of architect and artisan, and himself supplies only the money wherewith to pay for design and work, knows but little of the true sweetness of creating a homestead. Our forefather must have felt to the full this supreme happiness, as, with his boys, he labored day after day furthering the preparations for the building. Stones were hauled and dressed in winter, a quarry having been opened on the property; materials were brought upon the ground; and round straight trees selected, and rough-hewed to the line, converting them into the stanch square floor timbers that to-day, exposed in the ceiling of the living room of some old Jersey homes still standing, show no sign of decay but are sound to the core. With the disappearance of frost the cellar was excavated, the foundations laid, and the building was fairly under way.
Building barns, making gardens, and raising crops are fair weather work. There was much that could be done on the old farm in tempest as well as in sunshine. On stormy days and during the long winter evenings the farmer and his sons were occupied with labor that would now be done at wheelwrights' shops, factories, and forges; but shops of all kinds were few then and at remote distances. Our forefathers cobbled their own shoes, repaired their own harness, extemporized carpenter and blacksmith shop made much of the household furniture and many of the kitchen utensils. The Baroness Riedesel, the companion in misfortune of her husband, the Hessian General captured with Burgoyne, made and published notes on the American Army; among them as follows: "Their generals who accompanied us were some of them shoemakers, and on the days we halted made boots for our officers or even mended the shoes of our men." The Baroness was in error: They were not shoemakers; but the custom of colonial times was for the men to know all about the working of leather, they being able to make their own harness, saddles and shoes,- just as it was for the women to spin and weave.
In the olden time there were few or no luxuries that would be recognized as such now. The industries of the families were of the most complete character, as within each homestead were produced, to large extent, the necessities of its members. In farming communities, upon the women of the household devolved not only the duties of cooking, washing, milking, and dairy work, as at present; in addition they made their own garments and much of the men's; they spun their own yarn, wove the family linen and woolen goods, smoked and cured meats, dipped tallow candles, brewed beer, and made soap. Their pleasures were limited, being confined principally to quilting frolics, apple-paring bees, huskings, and killing frolics. The last occurred when the men met at one another's houses to do the autumn hog-killing, the women coming in the late afternoon to join them at supper and have a dance in the evening. The "wood frolic" was also an institution which brought together most of the people of the congregations annually at the parsonages. While the men occupied themselves during the day, hauling the minister's year's supply of wood, the wives and daughters came in the late afternoon and prepared a bountiful supper, to which the tired wood-haulers doubtless brought excellent appetites. The spinning visit and the donation visit were both occasions for festivities. At the former it was the women who spent the day in work, the men coming at supper time to contribute to the pleasures of the evening.
On the ground floor was by far the most interesting room in the house, - the farm kitchen or living-room. There was also an outer kitchen whose steep, moss-patched roof rested against the house wall, in which was built the
3D GENERATION; ALBERT OPDYCK. - 197
great Dutch oven. The threshold to the farm kitchen, or living-room, was guarded by a double Dutch door; but the demon of improvement has replaced it with a more modern entrance. This room served for many purposes, and it was here that all the home-life centred. With the exception of what was baked in the Dutch oven in the outer kitchen, the cooking was done before or in the cavernous fireplace, around which hung warming pans, flatirons, skillets, teapots, and other necessaries; while from the "chimbley's " capacious throat depended cranes, hooks, pots, trammels and smoke jacks. This was before the time of tin roasting-jacks. Turkeys used to be suspended by twine before the fire, and kept revolving, while the basting gravy dripped to a pan below. The domestic conveniences of that age did not include closets; household articles were distributed about the walls of this farm-kitchen, hung on wooden pegs driven into the beams of the low studded ceiling. On a shelf could be seen the lights for this world and the next, an iron tinder-box with its attendant flint and steel, and the huge Dutch bible. On the dresser were rows of polished .pewter platters and vessels, standing cheek by jowl with well scoured wooden trenchers, while laid away on the shelves of the great walnut press were piles of the family's coarse linen. In the corner stood two small wooden mortars, in which were pounded and powdered the mustard and coffee. Pewter and copper were the materials from which many of the drinking vessels and utensils were made, china and glass being in but little use. The precious metals were not common, except among the very rich, although all well-to-do farmers carried a silver watch and snuff box, the latter being in frequent requisition. Tobacco was smoked in pipes; cigars were unknown on the farm; indeed, throughout the colony in that century, they were rarely seen outside of the large cities.
Much of the space of the chambers was occupied by mammoth fourposters, stuffed with thick feather beds that were covered by many colored quilts and counterpanes of calico, durant, and calamanco, whatever the last two may have been. Testers of cloth and curtains of chintz hung from above, while valances of dimity reached below to the floor. Much of the bed-room furniture was heavy, cumbersome, and home made; red cedar being the favorite wood, as it was considered vermin proof and indestructible. The upper rooms, like the one below, were destitute of closets. If you are curious to know in what manner of garments they were accustomed to array themselves, we may in fancy mount the poplar staircase to the garret, and there behold the treasures of clothing, of which women in the olden time had a great profusion. Hanging on pegs driven in the wall and depending from lines stretched from the eaves, were short-gowns, over-gowns, outer garments and petticoats. The number of the last would now seem excessive, but colonial women thought at least fifteen necessary, while the Germans and Dutch often had twice that number. They were generally of tow, flannel, and linsey-woolsey, and the young women of a household spent much of their girlhood in laying in a stock of petticoats for matronly uses. The short-gowns were of kersey, calamanco, and home-spun, but the frocks and outer garments were made of gay fabrics, the names of some of which are now obsolete; besides satins, silks and velvets, there were in use taffety, beaver, French tabby, lute string, milinet, moreen, groset, Holland linen, bombazine, and "boughten calico." The men of that time, even in farming communities, were not insensible to the picturesqueness of variety and color in their garb. For daily wear, buckskin, leather, homespun and worsted fabrics were common, but on Sundays and gala occasions prosperous yeomen were often clad in white, blue and crimson broadcloth coats, with short-clothes of plush, stockinett, yellow nankeen, and even velvet.
198 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
In the living-room or farm kitchen, the meals were eaten, friends entertained, and the spinning done; while just beyond the door, in the cellar on the same level, stood the clumsy loom, upon which the women banged away at odd times in making linen cloths and woolen goods for the family, clothing. Flax was a most important crop ; its treatment was largely within the province of the women of the household, from the pulling in the fields to the breaking, dressing, hatcheling, and spinning. This was before the days of cotton, and flax had many uses; in addition to being prepared for the loom, mats and cushions were made from the coarse " hock-tow ; " and the rope, or finer tow, was twisted by the hand into long strands of yarn, from which were manufactured the farm cords and ropes. Delicate girls would seem to have had no place in the social economy of colonial farm families. They must needs have had strong arms and stout hips to have been able to lug the big iron kettles, or to have hung them on the great swinging crane of the yawning fire-place. Strength was necessary to handle also the large sticks of hickory that kept the pot boiling, or the vast oven heated just to the point necessary for browning properly the batches of rye and wheaten loaves, the big pans of beans, and the cakes, puddings, and thick pies. Washing day must have been a sore affliction to the women-folk of the old farm. When Monday came, a roaring fire was built alongside the washhouse, on the bank of the brook, over which was suspended an iron pot in which the clothes were boiled. Even the corrugated washboard and the washtub were unknown. The stream furnished a generous tub, and stout arms did the wringing. When the dirt and grime of the coarse clothing had been loosened by the boiling, they were put in the pounding barrel, and well thumped by a wooden pounder until the dirt was eliminated.
In the old time there were many quaint customs and observances attendant upon weddings. They were not confined to the ceremony; the occasion of bringing the wife home-called the infare-was one of great festivity, often prolonged for several days, the kinsfolk and neighbors being bidden from far and near. The laws regarding marriage were strict at that time; it was necessary for contracting parties to have the banns published three times, or else to procure a license from the Governor of the Province. This would not be granted unless the bridegroom appeared in person before the Chief Magistrate, accompanied by two prominent citizens. These latter were obliged to testify that they knew of no lawful obstacles to the marriage, and to give a bond that they would be answerable for any damages that might arise because of any previous promise of marriage having been made, or for any complaints against the contracting parties by their relatives, guardians, or masters. All of the above preliminaries having been co plied with, the Governor delivered the license upon the receipt of twenty-five shillings, currency, which fees materially increased his annual income.
Horticulture was then in its infancy, or unknown. Old-fashioned gaardens contained little else than hollyhocks, snowballs, roses; pinks, tulips, sunflowers, morning-glories, and a few other primitive blossoms. As for fruit, no grapes were to be had, excepting the poor native fox variety ; and the improved kind of peaches, pears, plums, and melons had not yet been introduced. Pears, as well as apples, were plentiful ; but, no knowledge being had of nursing and grafting, they did not attain any thing like their present perfection and deliciousness. So with the small berries; though uncultivated, they were in great abundance, growing wild in the fields and woods.
The vegetables of that period were few in variety and poor in quality. Potatoes were a staple, as were, in their season, cabbages, beans, and Indian corn ; but tomatoes, cauliflower, and rhubarb, had not yet been heard of. It will thus be seen that living in the olden days was much simpler than
3D GENERATION; ALBERT OPDYCK. - 199
those of us found it who have been so fortunate as to gather about the well-spread farm board of later times. The table of our Jersey ancestor was well supplied with ham, bacon and smoked meats. Traditions smack the lips over the savoriness of the tender, juicy hams that hung in rows from the ceiling timbers in the cool cellar. Their rich and nutty flavor was gained from being cured in the fragrant smoke of burning hickory and oak, together with the fact of their having been carved from young pigs that had roamed the forest, fattening on acorns, hickory nuts, and aromatic herbage. Occasionally fresh meat was had, as it was the custom of farmers when they slaughtered a "critter" to distribute joints and pieces among their neighbors for miles around, relying for pay upon a return of courtesy. The table was abundantly set with solid, substantial food : poultry, eggs, cheese, and such farm diet of course ; hot breads were in vogue ; short-cakes, made with buttermilk and baked on a griddle, were in daily demand, and pies, doughnuts, and olekokes were features of the morning meal. Soupaan-(well salted Indian mush, eaten with milk and molasses)-was the standard Sunday supper, though occasionally a raised biscuit called zwieback, or twice baked, took the place of mush; this biscuit was made in large quantities, bushels at a time, and then dried in the oven until as hard as a rock; in a bowl of rich milk it made a toothsome dish.
As to beverages, a great favorite at that time was Madeira, though except on festive occasions it was rarely found save on the tables of the rich. Farmers were content with hard cider, beer, and Jamaica rum. A highly esteemed drink in winter was " flip," a mixture of rum, pumpkin-beer, and brown sugar, heated with a poker which the inn-keeper kept red hot for the purpose, awaiting the arrival of guests.
From other sources we learn that the most common article of export from the colonies were barrel-staves and hoops, and that the ships that carried them always brought back some of the barrels made therefrom filled with French claret. In the last century the habitual use of stimulating drinks was the custom of the civilized world. Letters from the colonists to their friends in the old country often described in detail how they filled the place of their old beverages with home-made substitutes of beer brewed from sassafras, spicewood, and other roots, and molasses; brandy distilled from peaches, cherries, plums, etc.; and added that the American springs were so clear that they were actually learning to like the taste of water. The Hunterdon County Court on March 5, 1722, issued an order, to be hung up in inns, fixing prices of " Madera wine, Caneroy Mamsey, Claret wine, Metheglin, Runic punch with Muskevado Shewgar, Syder," &c.; the price of a "Hott Dinor" was fixed at 7 1/2 pence; that of a cold dinner, breakfast or supper, was fixed at 4 1/2 pence.
Records.
1710, Jan. 8. Alburtus Opdike joins with Lawrence Opdike, Joshua Anderson, Enoch Anderson, Cornelius Anderson and 30 others in taking Deed for lot in Maidenhead, probably for Presbyterian Church. Recorded in 1801................................. (Flemington.)
1715-1728. Albert Opdyck joins the Baptist Church of Hopewell, N. J. This church is now located in the village of Hopewell. The Pastor claims that its records are among the oldest church records in Amer-
200 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
ica. Among the first signers of its articles, between the years 1715 and 1728, appears the name Albert Opdyck.
1726, Oct. 16. Alburtus Obdyke was defendant in a suit brought by Enoch Vreland; deft. not found. Upon service of the declaration it was ordered at the Dec. term, that the deft. plead within 20 days, "or judgment.".... . . . (Hunterdon Ct. Vol. I, 121, 6.... Flemington).
1727, Dec. Alburtus Ob Dyke is engaged in a suit with J. Bainbridge Sr. for 10 pounds, 2 shillings, and 10 pence .............. (Same, 239.)
1728, Mch. Alburtus Obdyke, defendant at suit of Ralph Hunt."An appeal being some time ago brought into Court, but now does not appear. Ordered that Judgment of Phillip Ringo Esq. be set aside,' `' which is done accordingly ........................... (Same. 268.)
1728, May. Alburtus Obdyke brings suit against Phillip Ringo. Former: judgment for ptf. is now set aside.................... (Same, 288.)
1728, May. Alburtus Obdyke is defendant in a suit for 6 pounds brought by Henry Vroome. Suit discontinued.... .......(Same, 284:)
1728, Aug. Alburtus Obdyke is engaged in a suit for 12 pounds with James Gould ...... (Same, 292.)
1728, May. "Alburtus Obdyke came into court and swore upon the Holley, Evangelist of Almighty God that the Hog that was in dispute between Ralph Hunt and himself was not his." Ordered by the Court that Ralph Hunt pay Alburtus Obdyke 15 shillings and 9 pence. (Same, 288.)
1729, Mar. 2. "Albert Updyck records a Gray Horse about 12 years old with a Wall Eye, four white feet, Marked with a Slit in ye upper side of ; ye Near Ear, branded with NB on ye off thigh with a short Dock. +3 (Maidenhead Town Book)
1729, Mar. 10. Albert Updyck sells above recorded horse on Town Meeting day, for 1 Pound 5 shillings............................. (Same)
1729, May. Albert Obdyke is engaged in a suit with Isaac Anderson for 14 pounds.................. (Hunterdon Ct., I, 340, Flemington.)
1730, Aug. Albert Opdike brings suit against Jacob Anderson. Judgment for ptf. for 8 pounds, 3 shillings, damages, and 6 pence, costs.... . (Same, Vol. II, 172, 4.)
1730. Albert Opdike in appeal brought by John Severns. Former judgment (in favor of Albert Opdyck) confirmed....... (Same, Vol II.)
1731, Feb. Albert Ubdike brings suit against Jno. Dagworthy, Sheriff; for debt on Escape of Jacob Anderson"... (Same, 12. 2d pagination.)
1732, May. Albert Opdike is defendant in a suit for 10 pounds brought by Joseph Reed. At the May term, 1733, judgment was given for ptf. for 4 pounds, 14 shillings, and 3 pence, "Proclamation money and 6 pence costs............................ (Same, suit 976, et seq )
1734, Feb. Albert Updike is engaged in a suit with Jno. Phillips for 48 pounds, with interest from Mch. 1, 1732........... (Same, III, 48.)
1739, May. Albert Opdike is engaged in a suit with Francis Costigin . (Same, IV, 119.)
1742, Oct. Albert Opdike is engaged in a suit. with Benj. Doughty for 11 pounds......................... (Same, "Long Book," 187, 194.)
1743, Apr. 13. Albert Opdike brings suit against Saml. Everitt Jr. Judgment for Ptf......................... (Same, 191, 192, 197, 206.)
1743. Albert Opdike brings suit against D. Rose Executor........ (Same.}
1748, Nov. 25. Albert Opdyke is engaged in a suit with Benj. Stevens et al. for 12 pounds. ................................ (Same, IV.)
1752, May 7. Will.
"In the Name God Amen I Albert Updicke of Maidehed in the County Hundon And province of West Jersey Being Weach and
3D GENERATION; ALBERT OPDYCK. - 201
Sickly though well in my mind And meromy thancks Be to God for it therefore Calling to mind the Uncertainty of my Life And knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die I make this my Last will. And testament, that is to Say first I Give And Recommend my Soule to God that gave it me And My Body to the Earth to Be Buried in A Desent maner At the Discression of my Heirs Excetors After mentioned nothing Doubting But At the Resurection I Shall Receive the Same Again By the mighty power of God And as for Suttch worldly Estate as it hath pleased God soe to Bless me with in this Life I Give and Dispose of in the following maner first I will And order that All my Lawfull Depts Be paide By my. Ecetors And that they Shall Make A publick Vendue And Sell all my Moveable Esstate And I desire my Children to 1st bye my place I Live on Amongst themselves And one of them for to take it for the Comfort of theire m other And that theay Be willing for to Allow her the Dwelling Roome that we Live in During her widowhood And A Riding. Beast two cowes two hodgs And Six Sheep And the third parts of the Appels that Growe in the orchard yearlly And the Garden And firewood And Broom Corne found her the Creatures for to Be kept on the place the Rest of my Esstate I give And Dispose of in, the following Manner that is to say All the money that Shall Arise from the Sailes of the Vendue one third part I will And freely Give unto my well Beloved wife Elisabeth Updike And the Intrust of the money that Shall A Rise from the Sailes of the Goods At the Vendue I give to my wife Elisabeth Updike for her Use During her widowhood And After to Be Divided And Given in the maner following first I give to my Son John Updike five pounds the Rest of my Esstat I give to my Seaven children m the following manner the whole for to Be Divided in Eleven Equal parks I Give to my Daughter Sarah two parts And to my Daughter Cathren one part And a half I give to my Son Joshua two parts I give to my Son Benjamin one part I give to my Son Willaim two parts to my Daughter franck one part I give to my Daughter hannah one part And A half My heirs and Extrs wbome I ordain And Appat to this my Last will And testament is my wel Beloved wife Elisabeth Updike And my Son Benj Updike And By this I Disanul, all former wils and testaments whereunto I have Set my hand unto Albort Opdykk
Alburt Updike with a Seal Signed
in the Presents of Benj Stevens
Noah Gates John Price" (State Vaults, Trenton.)
1752, Aug. Will admitted to probate. The inventory of personal property included one "Servant man" at 12 pounds Sterling and amounted to 165 pounds Sterling in all............... ............. (Same.)
1761, Dec. 16. (Albert's widow) Elizabeth Opdyke deceased,late of Maidenhead, Hunterdon Co. Letters of Administration granted to John Opdike by Governor Josiah Hardy................... (Same.)
Children of Albert Opdyck.
Birth. Death. Married. Residence. Occupation
John. 1710. 1777. Margaret Green. Amwell, Hunterdon, N. J. Merchant.
Joshua. 1713. 1789. Ann Green. Kingwood, Hunterdon, N. J. Farmer.
William 1715. (1785) Nancy Carpenter. Maidenhead, Hunterdon, N. J. Farmer.
Benjamin. 1721. 1807. Joanna.......... Bethlehem, Hunterdon, N. J. Farmer.
Sarah. 1724. 1804. Unmarried. Amwell, Hunterdon, N. J.
Catharine.
Frank.
Hannah
202 - AMERICAN DESCENDANTS OF THE HOLLAND FAMILY.
Sarah's tombstone is in the graveyard of her brother John Opdycke at Headquarters; "died 1804 aged 80."
For sketches of other children, see 4th Generation,-pages indicated in Chart 6.
THIRD SON,
of Johannes Opdyck, p. 154; Son of Louris, p. 136.
The existence of a third son is probable from the will of Johannes which divided his property among his " Eight Children now Living." We place this Third Son as the father of the John Updike who married at Bordentown, N. J., in 1744, and moved to Virginia where he became the ancestor of all the Virginia Updikes. One of the Virginia traditions makes the birthplace of John's father, Rhode Island; but this seems to have been a confusion for Long Island. His dying young from an accident, as known by his Virginia descendants, explains his absence from the New Jersey records. His death must have been about 1730. His children were:
John Updike; born 1718; died 1802; married, 1, Sarah Farnsworth, 2,Sarah Carker; resided in N. J., and Virginia. See page 236. William or Asa.
BARTHOLOMEW OPDYCK.
(Son of Johannes, p. 154; Son of Louris, p. 136.)
He may have been the ancestor of some of the "unknown" mentioned under Tunis Updike, on page 212. All that is known of him is contained in the following records:
1729, Aug. "Ball Ob Dike," in suit with Jas. Gould.. (Hunterdon Ct., II, Flemington.)
1746, Dec. 20. "Bartholomew obdike Records a Deep Red St ear with white face and Belly, and hind legs marked with a halfpenny, the underside of the off Ear, and a halfpenny the upper Side of the near Ear, one yeare old and advantage"....... (Maidenhead Town Book.)
WILLIAM UPDIKE.
(Son of Lawrence, p. 185; Son of Johannes, p. 154; Son of Louris, p. 136.).
Baptised April 20, 1704; married 2'd Ann Hutchinson; was farmer in Windsor, Middlesex (now Mercer) Co., N. J.; died 1783.