BARKALOW, BARKELO- Derick Barkelo and Janeke Van Arsdale, his w., were members Marlborough Brick Church 1711. Derick Barkelo, weaver, Freehold, bought land 1719 of Thos. Foreman and Mary, his wife. This Derick was b. in Flatlands. L.I., and named in assessments there 1676; m. Sept. 17, 1709. Jannetze Van Arsdalen of Flatlands. Dirk or Derick Barkelo was a son of Wm. Janse Van Barkelo, who came to this country 1657 from the town of Borculo or Borkeloo, in the earldom of Zutphen in the province of Guilderland. William Janse Van Barkelo resided for a time in New Amsterdam and afterwards at Flatlands, L.I., at which place he was assessed 1676 and '83. The will of Derick Barkalow of Freehold, dated July, 1794, proved Aug., 1744, mentions wife; sons Daniel, William and Cornelius; daughters Helena, Jennet and Mary; grand-daughters Elizabeth and Jane Suydam; sister Aeltee Wyckoff. In 1758 William Barcalow was taxed in Upper Freehold for 245 acres. Among taxpayers in Freehold 1776 were Cornelius, Daniel, Stephen and Samuel Barkelo or Barkaloo.
BAIRD- John Baird of Freehold executed a release to John Nismuth 1714. The Brick Church Memorial states that John Baird came to Monmouth about 1680, and it gives the following amusing story: "The Bairds endeavored, but without success, to introduce a new mode of courtship. The first of that name was John, and tradition declares that one day he met Mary Hall, whom he afterwards married, in the woods. As both were bashful, they halted at some distance from each other under a tree. It was love at first sight, and in a short time John, who was a Quaker, broke the silence by saying: 'If thou wilt marry me, say yea; if thou wilt not, say nay.' Mary said 'yea' and proved a noble wife and mother." In Freehold 1776. among taxpayers were Barzillai, Jonathan, Obadiah, Zebulon and David Baird. Caroline E. Herbert, d. of Joseph, b. July 8, 1821, m. Zebulon Baird, and they settled in Southern Illinois. The following marriage licenses are recorded at Trenton: Zebulon Baird of Monmouth, to Ann Smith, Feb. 1, 1749; David Baird to Sarah Compton, Oct 27, 1744. Samuel Baird to Susannah Rogers, 1762; Andrew Baird to Sarah -----, Oct. 27, 1762; Zebulon Baird to Lidy Hildreth, 1765. In Topanemus graveyard are following inscriptions on tombstones: John Baird, who came from Scotland 1683, d. April, 1755, a. about 90 yrs, and of honest character. John Baird, Jr., d. Feb. 6, 1747, a. 40 yrs., 10 days. Zebulon Baird, d. Jan. 28, 1804, a. 83 yrs., 3 mos., 15 dys. Anna, w. of Zebulon Baird, d. Dec 28, 1794, a. 63 yrs., 4 mos., 11 dys.
BASHAN- In 1678 Mrs. Mieall or Micha Spicer, of Gravesend, gave a deed for land in Monmouth to Henry Bowman, excepting a small tract for Bashan, a negro man, to live on. Possibly he was the "Bash Shamgungoe" named in Perth Amboy records and in N.J. Archives, vol. I., among those who took the oath of allegiance 1668. Mrs. Spicer owned lands on Long Island, in West Chester county, N.Y., and in Monmouth. She was the mother of Samuel Spicer. Her deed to Bowman except "so much of same as one Bashan, a negro that was sometime my servant, shall in one place choose to make use of for his lifetime." Dated 4th mo., 24, 1678, and witnessed by John Tilton, Sr., and Thomas Morgan.
BARNES- Thomas Barnes, for self and w. Mary and maid servant, received a grant of 180 acres of land 1676. He is named as juror same year. He died, and in 1682 a grant was made to Mary Barnes and her children of 146 acres in right of her late husband, Thomas Barnes, of Shrewsbury, lands adjoining Abiah Edwards, Lewis Mattox, John Williams and others. It seems the family subsequently removed to New York, as in 1679 Susannah and Sarah Barnes, both of city of New York, deeded lands of "their loving father, Thomas Barnes, late of Shrewsbury," to John Stuart. Wm. Barnes is named 1656 at Gravesend, L.I. Some of the persons persecuted in Massachusetts left there and went to Rhode Island, from whence some came to Old Monmouth. A Thomas Barnes was for a time a resident of Rhode Island, and he may have been the one who subsequently came to Monmouth.
BARCLAY- John Barclay is named as a Grand Juror, 1690. It is not probable that he was long a resident of Monmouth. He was a brother of Governor Robert Barclay. He came to America about 1682 and returned to England the following year. A year or two after, he returned and first took up his residence at Elizabethtown, then at Plainfield, and about 1688 at Amboy. In January, 1689, he was appointed Deputy Surveyor of East Jersey, under George Keith. He subsequently held other positions and in 1704 he represented Amboy in the Assembly. He died in the Spring of 1731 at an advanced age, leaving a son, John, who was living in 1768. In 1701 a deed recorded at Trenton was from Robert Barclay, of Ury, Scotland, one of the proprietors, to his father, Robert Barclay - land in Manalapan.
BAILEY, BALEY- Nathaniel and Elias Baley were taxed 1761, in Middletown.
BAYLIS- Elizabeth Baylis, of Middletown, deeded, 1718, to Thomas Applegate, blacksmith, lands formerly belonging to John Baylis. There was a John Baylis at Jamaica. L.I, 1660, and Elizabeth Baylis, who, in 1664, m. at Gravesend, James Hubbard, ancestor of Hubbards of N.J.
BEAKES- Edmund Beakes, of Burlington Co., was a witness to Friend's marriage, Shrewsbury, 1720, and in 1733 purchased land in Sonman's Patent, in what is now Ocean Co., and built a sawmill. His sawmill was frequently referred to in subsequent years. In 1745 it is referred to as an N.E. side of North Branch Toms River, and as opposite Poll Bridge Branch. In 1758 William and David Beakes were taxed in Upper Freehold.
BEDLE, BEEDLE, BIDDLE- In Topanemus graveyard is a tombstone erected to Jeremiah Bedle, who d. in 1732, a. 79 years. Benajah Bedle, of Middletown, was licensed to m. Sarah Orchard, of Middletown, July 21, 1750. In the Revolutionary Army were Joel and Thomas Beedle. Israel Bedell, a tory, of Staten Island, in 1779, had property in Monmouth which was confiscated. Joel Beadle bought, Oct, 2, 1772, property of John and Thomas Walling, executors of Thomas Walling. His name is spelled both Beadle and Beddle. In 1794 Elijah Beddle and w.. Elizabeth, deeded land to Cornelius Covenhoven. In 1796 Thomas Beddle and Amy Beddle deeded land to Thomas Smith. In 1801 Thomas Beddle of Middletown, bought land of Hendrick Van Dorne. In 1807 Thomas Beddle bought land of executors of John Wall. The same year he and w., Amy, sold to Gilbert Lane, and he signed his name Bedle; in 1809 Thomas and Amy Beedle sold land to Richard Beedle In 1810, John Bedle and w. Ann. are named. Oct 12, 1800, Joel Beadle was m. to Mary Willett by Benjamin Bennett V.D.M. Thomas I. Bedle settled at Middletown Point in 1826, and m. Hannah Dorsett and had two sons, Joseph D., b. 1831, who became Governor of New Jersey. Richard Bedle died near Mattawan, Sept. 7, 1872, a. 63 years. The name of the noted Biddle family of West Jersey, to which belonged Commodore Biddle and also Nicholas Biddle of United States bank fame, was sometimes spelled in ancient records Bedle. In 1686 William Bedle took up 270 acres of land in West Jersey and was the ancestor of the Biddle family of West Jersey. In 1826 Elijah Bedle was murdered by a negro slave named Tony, belonging to Joseph Dorsett, of Bethany, near Keyport. Tony was executed on the old race course about a mile from Freehold Court House by Sheriff John J. Ely, who was in office 1825 to 1828. James Bedle, a brother of Elijah, had a son named James Madison Bedle, who was murdered in Calvert Co., Md., by a negro named Albert Saundas, in 1873. Young Bedle was of a roving disposition and left home in 1858 and for some reason had assumed the name of Eugene Archie Burdell.
BENNETT- Isaac Bennett was one of a company to whom was granted whale fishing privileges, 1679. Arian is named in court proceedings 1700. William Bennett is named among founders of the Presbyterian Church, Freehold, 1705. Thomas Bennett, of Shrewsbury, made will dated Oct. 17, 1717. In tax list of Middletown. 1761, Hendrick Bennett, John Bennett, Winance Bennett, William Bennett. Sr., William Bennett, son of John, and William Bennett, C.M., are named. In tax list of Shrewsbury, 1763, William Bennett and Thomas Bennett are named. Rev. Benjamin Bennett, born 1762, was a Baptist minister and Representative in Congress 1815-19. He died at Middletown, Oct. 8, 1840. In what is now Ocean Co. Moses Bennett was m. to Patience Imlay Aug. 26, 1806, by Gabriel Woodmansee. About the close of last century David Bennett m. Polly Holmes, d. of John Holmes, of Forked River. Some of the first of the Bennetts in Monmouth descend from William Adrianse Bennett who with Jaques Benton, both Englishmen, bought of the Indians in 1636, a tract of 900 acres of land at Gowanus, on New York bay. The following m. licenses are recorded at Trenton: Edward Bennett, of Monmouth, to Ann Bolesberry, Oct., 1767. Jacob Bennett to Euphame Davis, Aug., 1764. Jeremiah Bennett to Ann Randolph. Sept., 1780.
BEERE. BEERS- In Freehold records is a copy of a power of attorney from Thomas Clifton and his d. Patience Beere, authorizing John Hance to collect balances due from Abraham Brown for lands, goods and chattels. It is dated at Newport, R.I., April 14, 1675, and recorded June 26, 1688. Thomas Clifton was one of the original purchasers 1667, but did not settle in Monmouth. He had been a victim of Puritan persecution in Massachusetts because of his Quakerism, and his d. Hope Clifton was banished from that province 1658, not to return under pain of death for her zeal in her faith. His other daughter, Patience, m. John Beere. There was a John Beere, shipwright, at Newport 1712-18, possibly a son. In West Jersey, Jonathan Beere was member of provincial assembly 1697-1701. Nathan Beers of Middletown, was licensed to marry Sarah Warne of Perth Amboy, Nov. 25, 1749. He is among taxpayers 1761. John Beers and Ann, his w., are named in Monmouth about close of last century.
BERRY- Henry Berry of Freehold, 1736, sold land to James Newell, Perth Amboy. He was probably son of Henry Berry of Perth Amboy, named in city charter 1718, who had son Henry.
BIBBY, BIBBE- In 1719 John Bibby, of Northampton Co.. Va., planter, eldest son of Esther Bibbe, of said colony, widow of Thomas Leonard, of Shrewsbury, is named in a deed recorded at Freehold. Thomas Bibb and Sarah Kettle, of Burlington, were m. July 27, 1693.
BICKLEY- William Bickley, of New York, had d. Sarah, who m. Thomas Potter, of Monmouth; he had also a son, Abraham Bickley, who settled in Burlington Co. In 1696 Abraham Bickley and Elizabeth, his w., deeded land to Thomas Potter. In 1704 Sarah Potter deeds land to her father, William Bickley, of New York. In 1707 Wm. Bickley, of New York, deeds lands in Monmouth to Nath'l Milner.
BIGELOW- Samuel Bigelow in 1773 lived near Wrangle Brook, above Randolph's saw mill on Davenport branch of Toms River. He is named among the adventurous privateers who sailed out from old Cranberry Inlet, in the Revolutionary war, and was called Capt. Bigelow, and he seems to have commanded in some expeditions. In the roster of officers and men of the Revolution he was rated as "mariner."
BILLS- Thomas Bills of Burlington, bought lands in Monmouth of John Starkey of Middletown, 1697. In 1703 he bought land of Richard Hartshorne, and same year he and w. Johannah sold half the land he occupied to his son-in-law, Divid Killie. Joanna Bills m. George Williams, 1708, 27th of 11th mo. The following marriage licenses are recorded at Trenton: Silvanus Bills to Rachel Lippencott, 1744; Richard Bills to Hannah Rennels, 1753; Gershom Bills to Margaret Chamberlain, 1755. Thomas Bills, probably second of the name, of Shrewsbury; Gershom and Richard Bills were among taxpayers 1764 in old Shrewsbury township.
BIRD- John Bird was among the original settlers at Portland Point, near the Highlands, and had assigned to him town lot No. 6 in 1670. The Bird family was prominent among early settlers of Connecticut. Thomas Bird settled at Hartford and left sons Joseph and James. John Bird was taxed 1764 in Shrewsbury, probably in that part now in Ocean county. Members of the family lived along Toms River during the Revolution. Catharine Bird m. John Johnson March 7, 1796. In 1805 "John Bird's old road" is named in Thomas Parker's deed on North Branch Forked River.
BLACKMAN- Bryan Blackman was an early settler; letters of administration on his estate were issued to Samuel Leonard 1687. His place was referred to in 1693 in a road survey.
BOELS, BOELL- The will of Thomas Boell of Freehold was dated March 20, 1709, and proved Feb. 28, 1710. Thomas Boel, first of the name, was surveyor of highways 1694. Garret Bowles is named 1700-1, in troubles between the settlers and proprietors. The first named Thomas Bowels was originally a Quaker, but followed George Keith into the Episcopal Church. On Jan. 1, 1703, Keith preached at his house and baptized all his children - two sons and three daughters, and preached there subsequently. The ground on which stands St. Peter's Church, Freehold, was the gift of Thos. Boels.
BODINE- The Bodine family, in the southern part of Ocean county, are of French Huguenot descent. The first members originally came to Staten Island, and from thence descendants came to this county. Mr. Clute says the first known member of the family in America was John Bodine, who purchased land on Staten Island in 1701. John Bodine and his wife Hester are mentioned in Staten Island records in 1736-7. He had a son Francois, who m. Marie Dey, and they had a son, Jean or John, who m. Dorcas _____, and had children, John, b. Feb., 1753, and James. b. Dec. 17, 1758. The last named John died March, 1835, aged about 82yrs.; James d. May 13, 1838, in his 80th year. John m. Catharine Britton and had children: John, Jacob and Edmund, and perhaps others. Of the sons of James Bodine, two came to what is now Ocean county in 1816, namely, Tunis and James. They originally located at Manahawken, and entered into the mercantile business. William Bodine, son of James and Margaret Bodine, who m. Rosanna Willets, had children: George James who m. Emeline Williams, William Oakley, Margaret, who m. Edwin Salter, and Abraham.
BOLLEN- James Bollen of Middletown, was m. to Elizabeth Godfrey, of New York, Feb. 24, 1689, and the marriage recorded in Freehold. He was clerk of the county 1700 and thereabouts.
BOORAEM, BOOREM, BORUM- Arian Boorum and Sarah, his wife, of Freehold, sold land to Samuel Hoffmire 1705. He was overseer of poor in Freehold 1707. Himself and wife were members Brick Church, Marlborough. This family descends from Willem Jacobse Van Boernm, b. 1617, who came with his sons from Amsterdam in 1649, and settled in Flatbush, L.I. He had sons, Hendrick Willemre and others. Hendrick Willemre Van Boerum, b. 1642, m. about 1663 Maria Ariaens and had children, Hendrick, b. about 1665. Arie or Adriaen (of Freehold), b. 1666, m. Sarah Smock, dau. of Hendrick Matthys Smock; Louise, baptized Oct. 24, 1680; Hendrick, baptized July 22, 1683.
BORDEN, BURDEN- Richard, Benjamin and Francis Borden were the first of this family named in Freehold records. The first two were among the original purchasers of the land 1667. They had ten children. The Freehold records make frequent mention of Francis and Benjamin Borden and of members of their families. The courts were occasionally held at the house of Francis in Shrewsbury Township. Descendants of the Borden family went with other Jerseymen to the Valley of Virginia about 1734 and subsequently. Most of the Holmes family of Old Monmouth, have Richard Borden for an ancestor as Sarah Borden, sister of Francis and Benjamin, m. Jonathan Holmes, and their descendants are very numerous in Monmouth and elsewhere.
BOWER, BOWERS- William Bower was taxed in Upper Freehold in 1758. In 1767 John Bower and Elizabeth, his w., formerly w. of Wm. Hoffmire, deeded land to John Covenhoven of Middletown. Joseph Bower of Monmouth, had license to m. Sarah Mayple, June 15, 1769.
BOWNE- William Bowne, ancestor of the Bownes of Monmouth, settled at Salem, Mass., some four years before the arrival there of Obadiah Holmes. In 1636 he was granted forty acres of land at Jeffries Creek. His eldest son, John Bowne, was subsequently named in the Monmouth Patent. This John Bowne was a friend of the first settlers of Monmouth, and paid for a share of land bought of the Indians, though he did not settle in the county. William Bowne, the father, probably d. about 1677.
BOWKER, BOWGAR- William Bowgar had 250 acres of land in New Hanover township, Burlington county, in 1724. Among marriage licenses recorded in Trenton during last century there were a dozen or so persons of this family in Burlington county. In what is now Ocean county, Michael Bowker was m. to Lucratea Applegate, Nov. 17, 1805, by Esquire Benjamin Laurence. Samuel Bowker bought land near Waretown in 1814 of Eli Soper and w. Abigail. A brother named Michael Bowker, probably the one who m. Lucratea Applegate, was among first emigrants from what is now Ocean county, to Ohio. His sister Abigail m. Samuel Woodmansee, b. 1797, and they moved to Highland county, Ohio, about 1818, and had several children. She was living at New Lexington, Ohio, in 1887, in her 87th year.
BOUDE, BOWDE- John Boude, or Bowde of Freehold, carpenter, sold lands 1701 to Richard James, and bought land of John Reed and Eve, his wife, all of Freehold, 1717. He also bought land of John Emans 1718. The name is spelled both Boude and Bowde in Freehold records.
BOYD- Rev. John Boyd was first pastor of the Scotch Presbyterian Church, organized about 1705. He was qualified as preacher by the court May 29, 1706, and d. in 1708.
BOYS, BUYS- Johannes Buys or Boys, bought land 1718 of John Romine and w. Gertrude; Boys or Buys said to be "late of Middletown, now of Freehold."
BRAY- John Bray had warrant for 50 acres on Hop River, May 29, 1686. He is named as a Grand Juror 1695 and 1699, and in the troubles of 1700 and 1701, between the settlers and the proprietors, he was quite active on the side of the settlers. John Bray holds an honorable place in the history of the Baptist Societies of New Jersey, as he gave the land, four and one-third acres, on which to build the old Baptist Church Middletown and for parsonage and burial ground. The church was long known as Bray's Meetinghouse. It is said that he was a "man of gifts" and a preacher, but possibly not ordained. In the year 1711 an unfortunate difference arose in the church and one party excommunicated the other and imposed silence on John Bray and John Okison. The church difficulty was referred to a council which met May 12, 1712. The advice of the council was "to bury the proceedings in oblivion and erase the records of them" and to sign a covenant relative to future conduct. Accordingly, 42 signed it and 26 refused. This record shows that the number of members in 1711-12 was 68. Andrew Bray and Daniel Bray are called brothers by Nehemiah Bowne in his will 1736. In 1739 Andrew Bray of Freehold, bought 50 acres of land of James Rochead. In 1761 John Bray and Samuel Bray were assessed in Middletown. In 1760 Daniel Bray bought land near Toms River. In 1713 John Bray had 500 acres in new Indian purchase above Falls of Delaware.
BREESE- Sidney Breese was taxed 1764 in Shrewsbury. Samuel Breese bought land of Peter Van Brock Livingston, who m. Mary Alexander, in 1772; Samuel S. Breese was for many years a Justice of the Peace, and Judge, and held other positions. Joseph Breese was a settler at Goodluck in the early part of the present century. His dau. Sarah married Captain Benjamin Stout; his daughter Jane was married to John Lane, Aug. 3, 1806. Sidney Breese, the first of the name, was born in Shrewsbury, England, in 1709 and died in New York in 1767. He was a Jacobite. He came to New York in 1756 where he m. Elizabeth Pinkerman. He was an eccentric character and wrote the following epitaph over his grave in Trinity Church yard:
He had been an officer in the British Navy. He was a merchant in New York, but owned property in Shrewsbury. The only son of Sidney Breese was Samuel, who came to Shrewsbury about 1767. He m., first wife, Rebecca, dau. of Rev. Dr. Samuel Finley. Their dau. Elizabeth Ann was born Sept. 29, 1766, and baptized in First Presbyterian Church, New York, Nov. 9, 1766. It is said that this dau. subsequently m. Rev. Jedediah Morse, author of early school geographies, and father of Prof. Samuel Finley Breese Morse of telegraph fame. In regard to Elizabeth, the second wife of Samuel Breese, she is said to have been the dau. of John Garland; by others that she was dau. of Rev. James Anderson. Samuel Breeze was appointed Colonel of the 3d Regiment of Monmouth militia, but resigned in July, 1776, on account, as he stated, of the great backwardness of the people. It was ordered that his resignation be accepted. Col. Breese was early active in the patriot cause.
BRINLEY, BRINDLEY- The first of this name mentioned in Freehold records was Francis Brinley of Rhode Island, who paid for a share of land bought of the Indians 1667-70. He did not, however, come here. He was a prominent citizen of R.I. - Governor's assistant, leading Judge, etc. He was named at Newport, R.I., 1652, and was son of Thomas Brinley, who was auditor of the revenues of King Charles I, and b. 1591. A descendant of Francis Brinley named Edward, m. Janet Parker of the Perth Amboy Parker family, and their son was Francis W. Brinley, the well-remembered surveyor in Ocean and Monmouth counties thirty years ago. The first of this family who settled in Monmouth was William, son of William Brinley of Rhode Island. He m. a dau. of William and Sarah Reape. The son William is named in Monmouth in 1697. In 1704 he m. Elizabeth, dau. of George Corlies who refers to them in his will, and the will of Sarah Reape refers to him as her grandson. In 1742-3 and thereabouts William Brinley took up much land in what is now Brick township and vicinity. In 1750 William Brinley, Esq., and his son John, deeded land at Potapeek Neck to Joseph Wardell, son of Samuel. Joseph Wardell was a son-in-law of William Brinley. Thomas Brinley, son of Samuel, m. Elizabeth, dau. of John Woodmansee and had children Leonard W., Hannah and Eliza. He moved to Ohio about 1832, where his children married.
BRITTAIN, BRITTON- John Brittain and w. Elizabeth were named 17l8 as living in old Shrewsbury township, in a deed to Jeremiah Stillwell. It is probable that he was related to the Stillwells, who at one time lived at Gravesend, L.I., where Nathaniel Brittain is named 1660 as a son-in-law of the noted Capt. Nicholas Stillwell, ancestor of the Stillwells of Monmouth and elsewhere. In Burlington county, N.J., Joseph Britten owned 255 acres in Nottingham, 1724. In Upper Freehold among taxpayers 1758 were Abram and Richard Britton. In Freehold 1776 Israel Brittain was taxed. Joseph Britton, named frequently as a town official in old Dover Town Books.
BROWN- Nicholas Brown of Rhode Island was among the original purchasers of land in Monmouth 1667; Abraham Brown and Nicholas were among the first settlers, and took the oath of allegiance in Middletown 1668. He d. 1694 and left will. His children were Nicholas, Abraham, Jane and William. The first two are supposed to be the ones named among first settlers of Monmouth. Nicholas Brown m. Katherine Almy West, widow of Bartholomew West, about 1673 or '4. It seems possible that he was twice married, as one Nicholas Brown, an extensive land owner, m. Mary, dau. of John Chambers; she was b. about 1675. In 1711 Nicholas and Mary Brown deeded land to Gawen Drummond. In the Revolutionary war there was a noted patriot named Samuel Brown, who lived on the south branch of Forked River in Ocean county. After the war he removed to Manahawken. In 1793 he bought land in Stafford township of Thomas Letts. The descendants of this Samuel are quite numerous and widely scattered. Clayton and Thizza Brown had several children, one son, Thos. Brown, b. 1800, living at Dayton 1885. Most of this family went West, some about 1813 and others about 1820. Some remain in Ohio and others are scattered in Indiana, Illinois, San Francisco, Taconia, Pugets Sound, etc. The following marriages are recorded at Freehold: Elizabeth Brown was m. to John Crane March 23, 1811; Mary Brown to Ephraim Predmore, Feb. 10, 1810; Catrine Brown to Kenneth Hankinson, July 12, 1797; Nancy Brown to Samuel Malsby, Sept. 1, 1803; Mary Brown to Nathan Cranmer, Jan. 12, 1795. In Mount Holly records it is stated that Samuel B. Brown m. Ann Kempton July 22, 1797. The will of Joseph Brown of Chesterfield, Burlington county, was proved 1811. The will of Thomas Brown was made 1806, and names w. Sarah and sisters Elizabeth Coalman and Theodosia Blew. No children named.
BROWER, BREWER- The founder of the Brower family was Adam Brouwer Berckhoven (so styled), born at Ceulen (Cologne) and came to this country about 1642 and settled in New Amsterdam, now New York, house of lot of Hendrick Jansen. In 1656 he lived on Long Island. The son, Jacob Brower, m. Anna Borgardus. He died 1733 and his son Adam came to Monmouth. Adam Brouwer, b. in Brooklyn, March 29, 1696, came to Monmouth and it is said, settled in vicinity of Farmingdale. His wife was Deborah, dau. of George and Elizabeth Allen. He d. 1769. In old Shrewsbury Township 1764, among taxpayers were George Brower and George, Jacob, Lazarus, William, William, Jr., Samuel and Adam Brewer.
BRYAN- Isaac Bryan for self, wife, four children and eight servants, received a warrant in 1679 for 840 acres of land at Poplar Swamp, Shrewsbury. In 1683 Morgan Bryan is named in a bill of sale to Richard Gardiner.
BRYER- Joseph Bryer was among original purchasers of land in Monmouth 1667. He did not settle in the county, but his right was transferred to Sarah Reape, who took up 120 acres of land in his right.
BUCKALEW- In 1773 John Buckalew of Middlesex bought land in Monmouth. A tradition states that the first of this family came to America in the noted ship Caledonia on her last trip about 1715. The date is evidently erroneous, as the first of the family came some time before. Peter Buckalew of Middlesex bought land in 1688 and in 1711. He probaby d. in 1718. In 1704 Frederick Buckalew of Perth Amboy, bought land at Cheesequakes. He was constable 1718. In 1741 Peter Buckalew had lands at Cheesequakes. The well-remembered James Buckalew, for whom Jamesburg was named, d. May 30, 1869, in the 68th year of his age. He was of Scottish descent. The family settled about a mile and a half from what is now known as Jamesburg, on the road leading to Half Acre. Mr. Buckalew was b. Aug. 13, 1801. He was m. December, 1829, to Miss Margaret D. Snedeker of Cranbury, who survived him. Six children were b. to them. He took up his residence at the place which appropriately bears his name, in 1832, and here his long, active life was passed. He took an active interest in the Camden and Amboy Railroad, which came into existence during his residence at Jamesburg. He was also closely connected with the Delaware and Raritan Canal, having had exclusive charge of the towing business until within four or five years of his decease. He was one of the original projectors of the Freehold and Jamesburg Railroad, and likewise of the branch to Farmingdale. His son, Hon. John D. Buckalew, was a member of the Legislature from Middlesex and Sheriff of the county. Another son, Colonel Isaac S. Buckalew, was known as one of the most accomplished railroad superintendents in the country.
BUNNELL, BONNELL- In Monmouth county John Bunnell is named at Wequatunk, 1737. This family is said to be of Huguenot origin, and about the first members named in this country were Nathaniel, William and John and Benjamin, who took the oath of allegiance 1657. Edward Bonnell's cedar swamp on North branch of Forked River is named in surveys 1750, and frequently referred to in other surveys subsequently. The late Capt. Samuel R. Bunnell of Bayville said his grandfather was named Joseph Bunnell, who m. a Pittenger from Arneytown. Joseph Bunnell, Sr., lived about 1800-10 by Forked River millpond, and Samuel R., when a child, lived with him.
BURROWS- Steven, John and Thomas Burrows are called sons by Mary Oakley of Monmouth, in her will dated 1712. The name of Burrows occurs early at Providence, R.I, where William was freeman 1655. At Newtown, L.I., Joseph Burrows, of English birth, was progenitor of those who spell their names Burroughs; he was at Salem. Mass., 1635, and went thence to Newtown, L.I., where he became a leading man. During the Revolution the house of John Burrowes at Middletown Point, was attacked by Refugees, principally for the purpose of trying to make prisoner his son John, Jr., who was a major in the Continental army. They were unsuccessful in that particular object but took the father prisoner, who, however, was soon exchanged. John Burrowes was Sheriff of Monmouth 1781-5. Among persons taxed in Middletown in 1761 were John and Edward Burrowes. Rev. John Burrowes became pastor of the Middletown Baptist church in 1738, and d. there Nov. 24, 1785. He was never married. Many of the old members of the Burrowes family were buried at the old Mount Pleasant graveyard.
BURTIS- This family, it is said, descends from Peter Cesar Albertus, a Venetian who came from Italy to New York at least as early as 1639. A deed March 26, 1806, from Samuel and John Burtis, executors of William Burtis, their father, to their brother William for 253 acres, speaks of the tract as being the same conveyed by Richard Burtis to his son William by deed, dated March 23, 1767. This land was situated westward of Hornerstown, near Crosswicks Creek, and is now owned by descendants. The will of William Burtis of Upper Freehold was executed April, 1804. The will of James Burtis of Upper Freehold, who d. June 11, 1874, was dated Nov. 21, 1861. Executors, sons John W. and Richard W.
BUCK- John Buck is named in a suit with James Johnson 1686. Aaron Buck, in 1764, sold land in Toms River. He d. about 1787, as in that year an inventory on his property was taken by George Cook and Abiel Akins, appraisers. It is said he committed suicide. He m. ______ Dillon and left two dau., one of whom, Catharine, m. Judge Ebenezer Tucker, for whom Tuckerton was named; the other dau. m. John Rogers, father of the late Samuel and James D. Rogers. When Toms River was burned in 1783, Aaron Buck's house was one of the two spared. It is supposed that this was because his w. was a niece of the Refugee pilot Dillon. In 1804 Rhoda Imlay, widow of Dr. William E. Imlay, of Toms River, signed release of dower to Margaret Buck.
BURDGE- In 1758 Jonathan Burdg and w. Mary, sold land to William Whitlock for £503.10. They signed their name "Burdg." Among taxpayers in Middletown, 1761, were David, John Patience and Uriah Burdge. In Shrewsbury 1764 were Joseph Burdge and Widow Mary Burdge. In 1762 Samuel Burdge and w. deeded land to Wm. Cox and they are named in other deeds. In 1742 Samuel Burdge of Philadelphia, gentleman, was an administrator of an estate in West Jersey. The name of this family appears early in West Jersey. In 1705 William Burdge in right of his w. and her sisters had 570 acres in Gloucester Co. He is named in land grants also 1715 and other dates. William Burge is also named in Morris County 1715. It is possible that the Monmouth family may be descended from Jonathan Burdg (or Borge) Hempstead, L.I., 1683.
BUTCHER- John Butcher and Barzillai Burr bought the forge at what is now Burrville, some sixty or seventy years ago, and it was long known as Butcher's Forge. The Butcher family is an ancient one in West Jersey. The first who came over were John and William Butcher who arrived about 1678. John soon died and his w. Margaret, married George Haselwood; his dau. Frances m., 1682, John Antrim. Members of the family early settled in Burlington. In 1724 John Butcher had house and lot in Burlington and Samuel owned 144 acres in Springfield Township. In 1733 John Butcher owned farm in Springfield.