Edward (Eduard) JONES (c. 1685 – 1749) was Alex’s 8th Great Grandfather; one of 512 in this generation of the Miller line

Edward Jones was born about 1685 in New York state.  He was possibly the son of Thomas JOANES of Jamaica, Long Island.  (Not the famous pirate Thomas Jones of Jones Beach fame.)  See below for a discussion possible origins. He married Catherine DECKER about 1715 in Staten Island.  Edward died between 1735 and 1749 in Staten Island, New York.

Catherine Decker (Cathalintje Dekkers) was born about 1689 in Staten Island.  Her parents were Matthew De DECKERS and Aefte Eve MESSECAR.  Catherine died after 1750 in Staten Island, New York.

Children of Edward and Catherine:

Edward Jones’ origins are an enigma.  He has no known connection with anyone of this surname in New York outside of Staten Island.  He may be the Edward mentioned in Jamaica, New York records in the 1720’s, but this is not proven. The naming patterns in his children gives us no additional clues to his identity.

All the records of Staten Island indicate that an Edward Jones owned land in Staten Island by about 1680. Obviously this could not be the same man, for our Edward was born after this date.  This could be the Edward Jones, who married Jane Cone of Woodbridge, New Jersey, just across the Kill from Staten Island. However, it is known that a man named Thomas Joanes owned land in Staten Island in 1676 as shown in the New York Endorsed Land records. Whether this Thomas was the father of our Edward is not known. He never appears in Staten Island records again, and Edward, and his known ancestors never named one of their sons Thomas.   Possible fathers for our Edward Jones of Staten Island include this Thomas,  and an Edward Jones (Johnes) who lived in Easthampton, and Southampton, Long Island.  That Edward did have a son named Edward who was born ca. 1690 or so.

That Edward Jones was related to John Jones of Staten Island is also in question, but it seems very logical that they were related, probably brothers, for they both attended the same church at the same time, and they owned farms next to each other, and witnesses to baptisms in both families were known to each family. It is possible, given the fact that no land transactions exist for either of these men, that they may have inherited the land which they occupied from their father, who may have been the Thomas Joanes who owned land in this area in 1676, but again this is not known for sure.

Edward Jones first appears in Staten Island records in the year of 1717 or so. Edward, and John Jones were the only men of this surname who lived in the area during the early 1700’s. At one time it was also thought by this author that the Edward Jones of Staten Island was the son of Edward Jones, and Jane Cone of Woodbridge, Middlesex county, New Jersey. This couple had a son born 26 Dec., 1697 in that town. However, this Edward appears in Woodbridge records after 1725, and our Edward was firmed established now in Staten Island, which could only mean that our Edward was now living in Staten Island, and only appeared as a witness to events in Woodbridge. Also our Edward was older than this Edward, by at least 10 years. Also the Woodbridge Jones family, which descended from a Jefferey Jones of CT., and Southhold, Long Island, had no dealings with Staten Island, and no land was owned in Staten Island by this family.

Our Edward married Cathalintje Decker ca. 1716 probably in Staten Island, for her family came from this area. No marriage record exists for this couple, either in Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, or Staten Island. The family had close ties to the Port Richmond Dutch Reformed church, where many of their children were baptized. Edward worked as a Weaver, and a farmer on his property in Staten Island.

The most likely theory is that our Edward Jones of Staten Island was the son of Thomas Joanes of Jamaica, Long Island. Edward and his brother John moved to this location when they arrived of age, and married and settled on this property. Edward Jones appears as a witness to the will of Timothy Denton of Jamaica, Long Island on 21 March, 1729, and also as a witness to the will of Solomon Denton of Jamaica on 19 May, 1727. A relationship to these men have not been discovered as of yet. Edward Jones, and Eva Dekker were witness to the baptism of Maria Dekker, the daughter of Pieter Dekker, and Susanna Hetfeel on 21 Sept., 1718 in the Port Richmond Dutch Reformed church. Both Edward, and Catharina were witness to the baptism of Catharina du Puy, the daughter of Nicholas du Puy, and Neeltje Dekker in this same church on 06 April, 1724. Nothing else is known about our Edward Jones of Staten Island.

Sibling

John (Jan) Jones was born Abt. 1702 in New York State, and died in Staten Island, New York. He married  about 1729 in New York to Rachel Van Engelen (bapt. 22 Oct 1708 New York Dutch Reformed Church – d. Staten Island, New York)    Her parents were Ahasuerus Van Engelen and Mary Corbet.

Children of John Jones and Rachel Van Engelen are:

i. Maria Jones, b. 7 Jun 1730 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church. She married John Van Pelt. Witness to Maria’s baptism were Jan and Lena Van Pelt. Maria and Jan had at least one child, Susanna (b. 1755 in Port Richmond)

ii. Elizabeth (Elisabet) Jones, b. 10 Apr 1732 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church.

iii. Johannes Jones, b. 9 Mar 1734/35 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church. Witness to the baptism were John Merrill Jr., and Elisabeth Macklein.

iv. Rachel Jones, b. 18 Sep 1737 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church.

v. Lucretia Jones, b. 30 Mar 1740 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church.

vi. [__?__] Jones, b. 6 May 1745 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church.

vii. Isaac Jones, b. 22 Apr 1747 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church. Isaac was listed as a freeman in Manhattan on 27 Sept., 1769, and he worked as a cooper.

Children

1.  Susannah Jones

Susannah’s husband Zegar Decker was about 1709 in Staten Island NY. He was Catherine’s brother and his parents were also Matthew De DECKERS and Aefte Eve MESSECAR. He first married Elizabeth Depuy (b ~. 1712 in Staten Island, New York – d. 1733.) and had one child Eva (b. 1730 – d. bef. 1733).  Elizabeth’s parents were Johannes De Puy (1655 – 1732) and Petroneltje Swaim (1686 – 1725)

Susannah was a witness to a baptism on 07 April, 1735 of Pieter Decker and Susanna Hatfield’s son Abraham in the Port Richmond DRC. She was a witness to the baptism of Johannes Decker, son of Johannes Decker, and Nence Merrel in the Port Richmond DRC on 19 April, 1743.

Child of Susannah Jones and Zeger Decker:

i. Eva Decker, b. 8 Apr 1733 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church.

Port Richmond baptism of child of Zeger Dekker & Susanna Jones 1733

2. Abigail Jones (See Jean PERLIER III‘s page)

It seems to me Eduard and Catherine’s Abigail really was born in 1722 and was too young to marry Jean Perlier in 1734. His Abigail Jones born 22 Apr 1702 Staten Island, New York must be someone else. This Abigail’s marriage to Samuel De Hart in 1750 Staten island must be her first.

3. Edward Jones

The first named Edward may have died young. Witness to his baptism were Barent Symonsz, and Eva Messeker.

4. Mattheus Jones

Mattheus (Mateus ) wife Margritje Gowen was born about 1721 in Staten Island, New York.  Her parents were William Gowin and Margarita Daniels.

Mateus and Margritje married Mar 1741 in New York Dutch Reformed church..

Witness to Mattheus’ baptism were Pieter and Neeltyke Deckers.

Children of Mattheus Jones and Margritje Gowen:

i. Catrina Jones, b. 7 Jun 1743 in Port Richmond Dutch Reformed Church.

ii. Elizabeth Jones, b. 15 Jun 1750 in Staten Island, New York. Elizabeth was baptized on 03 July, 1768 as an adult in the Port Richmond Dutch Reformed church

5. Edward Jones

Edward’s first wife Phebe Gould (Gold)  was born about 1721.   Her parents were Severus Gould (1695 – ) and Phebe Talmage (1699 – 1740). They were married 5 Nov 1741 by Rev. Nathaniel Huntting, East Hampton, LI, NY  Phebe died 22 Jul 1743 after only a couple years of marriage.

It’s possible that the Edward Jones who married Phebe Gould was the son of Edward Jones (1678 – 1745) and Hannah Talmage  (1653 -1 728) who was born in 1697 and died 1754.

Edward’s second wife Martha [__?__] was born about 1738 in Staten Island, New York. Edward Jones married Martha Abt. 1769 in Staten Island, New York. Martha died after 1779 in Staten Island, New York.

Witness to Edward’s baptism was Zeger Dekker.

Children of Edward and Phebe:

i. Talmage Jones, b. Abt 1742, East Hampton, Suffolk Co., LI, NY

ii. Phebe Jones, b. Abt 1743, East Hampton, Suffolk Co., LI, NY

Children of Edward Jones and Martha:

iii. Barnet Jones, b. 5 Mar 1770 in St. Andrews Church, Staten Island, New York;

The Barnet Jones who was married 16 Dec 1835 Staten Island to Sarah Hatfield was born about 1811 and died in 1894. He was an oyster dealer from Mariner’s Harbor, Staten Island. who also maintained a residence on the York River in James City, Virginia. His parents were Daniel Jones and Elizabeth Christopher.   Per a will written in 1891, Barnett Jones described the location of his Mariner’s Harbor home as “the house and lots on the southerly side of the Shore Road, bounded on the north by the estate of my brother Cornelius C. Jones, deceased, on the south by land formerly of John H. ?, and on the west by land of S.H. St. John and others”. Other Staten Island properties owned by Capt. Jones are described in the will.   The will was dated 6 Nov 1891 and witnessed by Cornelius C.  Jones, William L. Decker, and Calouie(?) D. Van Name, all residing at Erastina, Staten Island.

iv. Abraham Jones, b. 31 Mar 1772 in St. Andrews Church, Staten Island, New York; m1.  11 May 1791 in St. Andrews Church, Staten Island to his second cousin Ann Decker (b.  in Staten Island, New York; Her parents were Jacob de Decker (1741 – 1824) and Sarah Simonson (1737 – 1827) Her grandparents were Pieter Decker and Susanna Hatfield and her great grandparents were Mattheus (Matthew) De DECKERS and Aefte (Eve) MESSECAR 

m2. 28 Nov 1802 in Staten Island, New York to  Elsje de Pugh

v.  Margaret Jones, b. 9 Feb 1774 in St. Andrews Church, Staten Island, New York; died in Staten Island, New York; m. 7 Aug 1791 Port Richmond Dutch Reformed church, Staten Island, New York to Isaac Decker (b. 30 Aug 1765 in Staten Island, New York – d. 21 Nov 1853 in Staten Island, New York).  His parents were Jacob Decker (1741 – 1824) and Sarah Simonson (1737 – 1827) His grandparents were Pieter De Decker (1697 – 1772) and Susanna Hatfield (1697 – 1755) and his great grandparents were  Mattheus (Matthew) De DECKERS and Aefte (Eve) MESSECAR 

iv. Daniel Jones, b. 14 May 1778 in St. Andrews Church, Staten Island, New York.

7. Eva Jones

Eva’s husband Thomas Merrill was born  19 Apr  1732 in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York.  His parents were Thomas Merrill and [__?__].  Thomas died 12 Mar 1798 in Staten Island, New York.

While no baptism was located for Eva Aeltie, or Aefje Jones,, after an extensive search of records for Staten Island, Brooklyn, Jamaica, Queens, and Long Island, there is a pre-ponderance of evidence, especially with the naming patterns of the children, including a son named Matthew, after his maternal grandfather Matthew Decker. Eva no doubt was named in honor of her maternal grandmother Eva Messeker.

Thomas Merrill was mentioned in his father’s will in 1773, and in his brother John’s will in that same year. He married Eva Jones, whose last name was sometimes written as Jouns, and Yoons, or Yonge.

Thomas Merrill jr., posted his will on 31 Dec., 1791 on Staten Island. It was proved 30 April, 1803 in that county. Thomas was a farmer by trade, and from 1758-1762 he was listed as an Indian fighter in New York records. In 1790 he was listed in the Northfield, Staten Island census, with 3 males over 16, and he lived next door to his son Thomas Merrill. On 05 July, 1793 he granted a deed on Staten Island to Matthias, and Sarah Vroom, and Abraham, and James Woods, all of Staten Island (Liber F. p.209-213). His wife Eva Jones died after 1803, for she was listed in his will.

Thomas and Eva Jones had a daughter baptized October 31, 1756. This Thomas made his will December 31, 1791, proved April 30, 1803, in which he mentions his wife Eva and his sons John, Thomas and Matthew. John, son of Thomas and Eva (known in the family as Honnis), was born in 1742, and died December 19, 1826. His wife’s name was Charity. Thomas (known as “Sawmill Thomas”), son of John and Eva, had a son John, baptized August 17, 1788.

Children of Eva Jones and Thomas Merrill:

i. John “Hoonis”  Merrill, b. Abt. 1751 in Staten Island, New York;  d, 19 Dec 1826 in Staten Island, New York; m. in Staten Island to Charity [__?__]; (b. ~ 1752 in New York State – d. 31 Dec 1794 in Staten Island, New York)

John was a farmer, and rancher on Staten Island, and he was mentioned in his father’s will in 1803. John was also involved in Stagecoaches in the late 1780’s.

ii. Annetye Merrill, b. 31 Oct 1756 in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York; died Bef. 1791.  Annetye was baptized in the Port Richmond Dutch church, and she was not mentioned in her father’s will. Her mother’s name was written as Eva Joons, and her father as Tammas Merel in her baptism record.

iii. Matthew Merrill, b. ~  1758 in Staten Island, New York. No baptism has been found for Matthew, but he was mentioned in his father’s will in 1803.

iv. Thomas Merrill, b. 26 Aug 1759 in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York; m. Magadlena Decker (b. ~ 1761 in Staten Island, New York). Thomas and Magadlena had at least four children born between 1788 and 1794.

Thomas was baptized in the Port Richmond Dutch church. Thomas went under the alias name of Sawmill Thomas, for he owned a very large Sawmill on Staten Island. In 1790 he was listed in the Northfield, Staten Island census, living next door to his father Thomas. His wife, and one boy under 16 were listed in his household (1790 Richmond County, New York Census). He deeded land in Staten Island on 20 June, 1815 to his son John Merrill. Thomas was a man of some influence on Staten Island during the 1790’s. He was baptized as Tammes Merel, and his father was so mentioned, and his mother was listed as Eva Yoons.

v. William Merrill, b. ~ 1760 in Port Richmond, Staten Island, New York; m. 4 Aug 1776  in St. Andrews church, Richmond, Staten Island, New York to Ann Merrill.

No baptism papers were found for William, but he was mentioned in his father’s will in 1803 (Richmond wills A. p.91).

vi. Elizabeth Merrill, b. 26 Apr 1763 in Staten Island, New York; d. 9 Jun 1847 in Staten Island, New York; m.  Apr 1782 in Staten Island, New York to John LaTourette (b. 7 Jul  1762 in Northfield, Staten Island, New York – d. 7 Feb 1826 in Northfield) His parents were Paul LaTourette (1738 – 1827) and Sarah Merrill (1743 – 1818) Elizabeth and John had eight children born between 1783 and 1807.

Elizabeth’s baptism records are missing, but the date of her birth was received from two sources. The first was the Cemetery records in the Woodrow Church in Staten Island, where she was buried, and the second was the Isiah Merrill Lock Box Bible records held in the Manuscript collection in the New York Genealogical, and Biographical Society Library in New York City.

Elizabeth was for some reason not mentioned in her father’s will, so this has led some historians of this family to conclude that she may not be a daughter of this Thomas at all. All written records, including the family bible in possession of the La Tourette family, lists her father as Thomas Merrill of Staten Island, and the only Thomas Merrill in Staten Island at this time was Thomas, and Eva.

All known La Tourette, and Merrill family letters also mention this connection. So while there is no positive proof, except for the family bibles, it is this author’s belief that she was indeed the daughter of this couple, and so placed. Some historians however, believe that her real maiden name could have been Tyson, without proof however.

She was most likely related to a woman named Hannah B. Barger who was buried next to her in the Dutch Reformed church Cemetery in Port Richmond.

John owned his own wholesale Oyster business in Staten Island, and he was also a boatman. He spent his entire life performing this trade. During the American Revolution John worked as a boatman, and Oysterman, and he did not partake in the action. John’s parents owned a Plantation in Northfield, Staten Island in 1790, and both he, and his parents were found in the census in this location.

He was also found in the 1800, and 1810 Northfield census. John La Tourette was baptized in the Port Richmond Dutch Reformed church, and he lived his entire life on his farm in Staten Island.

The dates of the birth of his children were found in the Isiah Merrill Lock box Bible records housed in the New York Genealogical, and Biographical Library in New York city. This bible record also lists the name of John’s wife as being Elizabeth Merrill, as being the daughter of Thomas of Staten Island. This is the only record which lists her last name.

Sources:

http://www.barney.org/family/wga31.html#I5496

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/o/o/Dennis-J-Moore/BOOK-0001/0010-0001.html

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/a/c/Ellsworth-J-La-coste-/BOOK-0001/0040-0003.html#CHILD11

http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/l/a/c/Dr-ellsworth-J-La-coste/BOOK-0001/0103-0001.html

History of Richmond County (Staten Island), New York from its discovery to the present time. By Mather Bayles. (page 37 of 72)