10


THE FOURTH GENERATION
(33 - 64)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Harmen Rosenkrans (12)

Alexander Rosenkrans (33) Catharine Rosenkrans (34)
Anna Rosenkrans (35) Joseph Rosenkrans (36)

Colonel John Rosenkrans (16)

John Rosenkrans (37) Captain Jacob Rosenkrans (38)
Orianna Rosenkrans (39) Orianna Rosenkrans, 2nd (40)
Alexander Rosenkrans (41) Catharine Rosenkrans (42)
Charick DeWitt Rosenkrans (43) Dr. Elijah RoseGrant (44)
Levi Rosenkrans (45) Joseph Rosenkrans (46)
Major Benjamin Rosenkrans (47) Simeon Rosenkrans (48)
Dr. Simeon Rosenkrans (49) Polly Rosenkrans (50)

Herman Rosenkrans (27)

Dirk Rosenkrans (51)

Catrina Rosenkrans (52)
Petrus Rosenkrans (53) Arreantie Rosenkrans (54)
Jacobus Rosenkrans (55) Benjamin Rosenkrans (56)
Jacobus Rosenkrans (28)
Helena Rosenkrans (57) Blandina Rosenkrans (58)
Captain Daniel Rosenkrans (59) Gertje Rosenkrans (60)
Salamon Rosenkrans (61) John Rosenkrans (62)
Alida Rosenkrans (63) Saloman Rosenkrans (64)

 


 

Harmen Rosenkrans (12)

HARMEN ROSEKRANS and Anna Stout had four children.

33 - 36.  ALEXANDER ROSENKRANS, son of Harmen (12), was born in Walpack, 1744; CATHARINE ROSENKRANS, 1748, ANNA ROSENKRANS, 1750 and JOSEPH ROSENKRANS, 1753. Since which time nothing is known of them.

Colonel John Rosenkrans (16)

Colonel JOHN ROSENKRANS and Margaret DeWitt had fourteen children.

37.  JOHN ROSENKRANS, eldest Son of Colonel John, was born at Shappanack, Walpack, New Jersey, July 6, 1752. He was a farmer and married Elizabeth VanNest, about 1777. She was probably a daughter of Isaac VanNest, of Walpack Center, mentioned in the deed of Harmen Rosenkrans to Colonel John, 1769. John lived on the Flat Brook farm of the Nevill tract, recently known as the Timothy E. Shay farm, on which he lived when his father died, 1786. In the division of his fathers lands, 1797, he retained the farm, and died there. John, with Jacob and Alexander, acted as Executor of his fathers estate, and by the will, as noticed elsewhere, he received the Negro boy "Cuff" as a birthright gift. In 1800, he purchased of Gertrude Parker 78 acres of land adjoining his own farm, and, 1809, sold 81 acres to his son Isaac, who by his wife inherited a portion of the Brink farm adjoining. In 1822, John sold his farm of 235 acres to his son Asa, and being seventy years of age, retired from active life, and he and his wife lived with Asa on the farm. In 1827 he was still living, as we learn from the will of his daughter Catharine. Mrs. Jennie R. Hawes (154), of Elgin, Illinois, daughter of Asa, says that her parents both died on the farm prior to her father’s leaving it . 1833. Their burial place is not positively known to the writer, but was undoubtedly at the Shappanack burial ground. John had eight children: John, Isaac, Alexander, Asa, Lucy, Elijah Catharine and Garrett.

38.  CAPTAIN JACOB ROSENCRANS, second son of Colonel John, was born April 29, 1754. Like his father, he was a soldier of the Revolution and served during most of the war. According to Adjutant Stryker’s report pp. 36 and 87, Jacob was Captain of Company 8, 3rd Battalion, New Jersey Volunteers, and resigned November 29, 1776. In 1777 he had re-entered the army and was second lieutenant in Captain Manuel Hover’s County, third Battalion and promoted 1781. According to an act of the Continental Congress an additional Company was raised in Sussex county 1781, and its officers appointed were James Bonnell, Captain; Jacob Rosencrans, Lieutenant, and John Willing, Ensign. (pp. 328 and 431). After his father’s death, 1786, Captain Jacob as an Executor with his brothers, John and Alexander, signed a receipt still in the hands of George E. Rosenkrans (199), which read as follows:

"We do hereby certify that the sum of sixteen pounds due from Elijah Rosenkranse for rent on the plantation in Pennsylvania hath been charged and paid by Alexander Rosekranse."

As we learn from Colonel John’s will this payment was the annual rent for the two farms in Pennsylvania, then in possession of Elijah. The receipt has no date to it, but must have been given between 1786 - 1795, the dates of Colonel John’s death and the sale of the lands. In this receipt Jacob spells his name Rosecrans, but in his last signature, found in his letter of 1818 and elsewhere it is written Rosencrans. In the county records Jacob appears as a Freeholder from Walpack 1788 - 1795. In the division of his father’s lands, 1797, Jacob and Simeon received 318 acres, including the homestead and church grounds which they sold the same year to their uncle, Nicholas DePue, of Pennsylvania, for £2,100. He was then unmarried, as we discover from his signature in the deed which stands alone. In a letter to his brother Levi, from Ohio, 1818, we have the first record of his being married, and having children, and that is the last record we have of him. This letter and the above, receipt with a bill of sale of a Negro boy, "Tom," to Levi were photographed and sent to me by O.L.R., (190), of Milwaukee, and the originals in possession of George E.R. (199) of Hammondsport, were also furnished by his sister, Mrs. A.E. White.

Jacob’s Letter:

State of Ohio, Hamilton, Nov. 22, 1818.

Dear Brother: — I once more take my pen in hand to write you a few lines as I have learned nothing from any of you since Benjamin VanGorden came, who brought me some letters along, the best one I think from you. I expect you have heard of the death of Elizabeth. She departed this life the 22nd of last January. I sent a letter some time after to Abraham VanCamp, but have received no answer, whether he received it or not I cannot tell. Myself and children who live here are generally in health. The season has been very healthy. Robert or Cyrus I have not heard from since some time in June. They live near Urbana, near one hundred miles from where I am now making my home, and expect to continue until next spring. I live with Poly, about six miles below Hamilton, near the Great Miami, about twelve miles from where I did live, and from where B.V. lives, at Princetown, I received a letter from brother Elijah lately, who still appears to have a desire to move to this country, and desired my opinion on the propriety. I just finished a letter to him on the subject — advised him to move to this place with his family so as to be ready to buy lands at government price for his sons on White River, or on the Wabash, a tract of country bought from the Indians at the late treaty held in October last, and will not be sold under three years, as the Indians are not to give up until then. It is only sixty or seventy miles from this place to the northwest, a good climate for people from your part of the country.

If you were disposed for coming to this country, if half a dozen of your neighbors were to sell out and form a company you might make a fortune for your children after you, but I would not advise people that are old and well off to quit their homes if they are contented where they are. I send by this packet a letter to William Martin who will spend the winter at Mount Bethel, where he is married, direction to pay you on sister Poly note one hundred and ten dollars, money that I advanced for him when he left us here. The balance I shall make arrangement to pay the winter or spring following. Write me a letter. Let me know how Poly is, and with whom she now lives, and which of the brothers have paid, however she may need the money when she grows old more than she does at present. Give my compliments to your wife, to William and the rest of our family, and to our connection in general. Salute Isaac VanCamp. Tell him the morning of life with him and me are past — the evening shades appear. May God Almighty take you all into his holy care and keeping, and conduct us safe through this world of sorrow and trouble. Farewell.

JACOB ROSENCRANS.

Robert and Cyrus were probably his sons, while the names of his other children are unknown. William was the son of his brother Levi, and Isaac VanCamp was his cousin, son of Isaac VanCampen, deceased. From this letter we learn that his wife’s name was Elizabeth, and that, like Jacob of old, he trusted in the Lord.

39.  ORIANNA ROSENKRANS, born December 25, 1755, died in infancy.

40.  ORIANNA ROSENKRANS, 2nd, daughter of Colonel John, was born September 19, 1757, and married Abraham VanCampen, son of Isaac, whose record has been partially given. We have found no date of her marriage or of the births of her children, but the names of those living are mentioned in their grandfather’s will, 1801. January 15, 1797, Abraham VanCampen, husband of Orianna, purchased of his father 111 acres of land below the Shappanack tract, which the latter had purchased of J. Stout, adjoining lands of Cornelius Ennis, on the Delaware. May 2, 1808, Abraham purchased of the heirs of Nicholas Depue 318 acres of land, including the homestead, of the upper farm received from Jacob and Simeon. For this property he paid £2,100 (Liber 7 p. 4.) May 23, 1809, he as an Executor of his father Isaac, with the other heirs, his brother Isaac and his daughter Catharine, sold his father’s farm of 364 acres, to Henry DeWitt, of Kingston (Book S. pp. 4 & 405.) October 13, 1809, Abraham and his wife Rowena, sold 100 acres of the Shappanack farm to their daughter Catharine, wife of John I. Rosenkrans, and soon after sold the remainder of the farm to Henry DeWitt, Jr. who subsequently purchases the 100 acres of John I. Rosenkrans and wife, and thus became the owner of the two Shappanack farms, the original Alexander Rosenkrans tract of 962 acres, including the 62 acres thrown in for public roads, etc. These farms he sold to his son John H. DeWitt, father of Peter, now of Somerville, New Jersey, who subsequently owned and occupied them. Of the deaths of Abraham and Rowena (also written Orianna and Arreantie) we have no record. Their children were Catharine, wife of John I. Rosenkrans; Abram, Mary and Lanah, the three latter, according to the will of their grandfather Isaac VanCampen, were "impotent," and especially provided for in his will.

41.  ALEXANDER ROSENKRANS, third son of Colonel John, was born in Walpack, New Jersey, January 26, 1759. He was also a soldier of the Revolution, as we learn from Adjutant Stryker’s report, p. 378, and from Everett & Peck’s History of Sussex. As an executor of his father’s estate, his name appears on the receipt spoken of concerning Jacob, and again with Charick and Elijah in the quit claim given to their brothers, 1793. We have found no record of Alexander’s marriage, but from these land records we learn that he was married between 1793 - 1795 as his wife Mary signed the deed with him the first time 1795. From the Raritan church records, Somerset County , where he lived 1795, we learn that his wife’s name was Mary Mortman. Alexander Rosenkrans and Mary Mortman, his wife, had children baptized there as follows: Anson Peter, baptized March 3rd, 1795; Catharine VanNest, March 4th, 1798, and Ann, July 6, 1800. Alexander had purchased a farm of 152 acres at Bridgewater, on which he lived and which he sold to R. Blair, April 1, 1801. (Book H. p. 634.) Since this sale by Alexander no public record has been found of him or his family, though much sought after in central New York, where Charick lived 1795, and where Joseph had gone still earlier. However Selim B. R. (193) reports that Alexander after leaving New Jersey settled near Havana, Schuyler County, New York, and died there. He says in a letter, March 10, 1897, that prior to 1849, he with his parents of Hammondsport, visited Alexander’s family in Schuyler County, three miles north of Havana; that his daughter "Caty" married a Mr. Voorhes, whom they also visited near there, and that Caty Voorhes had a son John, who subsequently taught school in Hammondsport. He further says that Voorhes afterward went and settled near Beaver Dam, Dodge County, Wisconsin, where he visited them in the fall of 49, and that John Voorhes was subsequently killed by a "yoke of cattle." As Alexander’s daughter Catharine married a Voorhes in central New York and went to Wisconsin, her brother and sister probably went there also as we have no further account of them.

42.  CATHARINE ROSENKRANS, third daughter of Colonel John, was born February 25, 1761, and from her father’s will, 1786, we learn that she was then a widow Woodard. She afterward married John Pelton, perhaps prior to 1793, as at that date his name appears as a witness on the quit claim deed given by Alexander, Charick and Elijah to their brothers. In 1796, John Pelton and Catharine sold land in Hopewell, New Jersey, and subsequently settled in Newark, where he died after the birth and baptism of several children, among whom were Robert, John and Elijah Rosenkrans Pelton, baptized April 10, 1800. Elijah R. married a Freeman, of Branchville, New Jersey, and 1819 - 1821 was in the coal business in New York, where Catharine Pelton, then a widow, also lived, as we learn from the city directories of those dates. Report says that she afterward married a Mr. Silver, and went to Staten Island. These latter facts we have learned from Mr. J.M. Pelton, New York, genealogist of the Pelton family, for whom the writer furnished an account of Catharine Rosenkrans’ ancestors.

43.  CHARICK DEWITT ROSENKRANS, son of Colonel John, was baptized November 26, 1764, and according to the church record married March 2, 1788, Catrina VanGarden, probably of Walpack, as the VanGardens then lived there. Charick, in company with his brothers, Alexander and Elijah, received the Pennsylvania lands left by their father, the last of which they sold 1795. Charick probably lost his wife prior to this, and married again, as in the land sale his wife’s name appears as Sarah. He was then living in Tioga, County, New York, and is the first of the Rosenkrans name found to have settled in central New York, the future home of many of the family. His family has not been found in New York, but he probably lived in the vicinity of Havana, where Alexander subsequently settled, and when Alexander’s family went to Wisconsin, he with his family went there also. That he was afterward living there is confirmed by Selim B. Rosenkrans, of Webster City, Iowa, who says in a letter, 1893, that "several years ago I received a letter from a lady, if I recollect right, at Delivan, Wisconsin who informed me that she was living with her father Charick Rosenkrans, a very old man. I think she informed me who he was, but it has passed from my recollection. We corresponded for some time. I afterwards heard some particulars of the family from a family who moved here from there. As this Charick Rosenkrans was a very old man, he was probably the son of Colonel John, born 1764, as we know of no other Charick who could have lived there as an old man at such a time.

44.  DR. ELIJAH ROSEGRANT, son of Colonel John Rosenkrans, was born in Walpack, New Jersey, August 28, 1776. At the first division of his father’s lands, 1793, he and Alexander and Charick quit claimed to their brother’s the lands in New Jersey, and, as elsewhere stated, received for themselves the 275 acres in Pennsylvania, the last of which they sold in 1795. Dr. Elijah continued his residence in Walpack during these times and immediately before the sale of the lands had charge over them, paying the rent to the three executors, as seen in the receipt mentioned concerning Jacob (38). As the other two brothers had married and moved away, one to Somerset County, New Jersey, and the other to Tioga County, New York, he probably brought about the sale of the lands, but was meanwhile pursuing his studies at home or elsewhere, in attaining the literary position which he afterwards occupied as a college graduate, clergyman and physician. He graduated from Ruthers college 1791. The record there says he was "Elijah Rosekrantz R.D., Clergyman, Paramus, New Jersey" He was the first Rosenkrans known to have graduated in this country. August 11, 1794, he received from Peter Studdiford a certificate that he had studied theology with him sixteen months and, October 3, 1794, received from the Synod of the Reformed Dutch Church of America a license declaring that he was qualified and authorized to preach as a candidate of that church. September 13, 1799, he received from two physicians, Moses Scott and Charles Smith, a certificate declaring that he was qualified to practice as a physician and surgeon, and October 1, 1799, he received from two judges of the Supreme Court, Alexander Kirkpatrick and Elisha Boudinot, a license to practice as a physician and surgeon in the State of New Jersey. These documents are in the possession of his grandson, W.D. Rosencrantz, of Hohokus, New Jersey

About the year 1800, Dr. Elijah RoseGrant, as he seems to have written his name since that date, settled at Hohokus and commenced the practice of his profession. Another document in the hands of W.D. R. (176), dated December 26, 1803, shows that Dr. Elijah was appointed by Major W.M. Bell Surgeon’s Mate of the 2nd Regiment of Bergen County Brigade of Militia, which appointment was confirmed by Governor Joseph Bloomfield, Captain General of the State Militia. He, as the records show, purchased, 1804, the ancient stone residence at Hohokus called the "Hermitage," previously owned by "Madam Provost," who was there courted and married by Aaron Burr. The Doctor purchased the property the same year that Hamilton and Burr fought a duel at Weehawken, on the Hudson, in which the former was killed. June 14, 1807, Doctor Elijah married Cornelia Suffern, daughter of John Suffern, and took up his residence at the "Hermitage." In 1808 the names of Elijah RoseGrant and Cornelia RoseGrant were signed as witnesses to the sale of a Negro boy to his brother Levi, of which purchase a bill of sale is recorded in connection with Levi’s name. This is the first instance found where he wrote his name in this manner. His name and that of his wife also appear in the Tioga County records as purchasers of some real estate of her father, John Suffern, of Rockland County, New York, June 4, 1828, and again in the sale of the same land to Isaac Carter, Jr., February 1, 1830. Dr. Elijah died at Hohokus August 29, 1832, and Cornelia his wife died April 30, 1859. Their children were John, George Suffern, Elijah and Andrew.

45.  LEVI ROSENKRANS, son of Colonel John, was born in Walpack, New Jersey, April 23, 1768. In the division of his father’s lands he and Benjamin received 671 acres, mostly of the Nevill tract, on the northeast, which, in 1800 they divided, Benjamin taking his portion on the extreme northeast, while Levi’s was situated between that and the Shappanack tract, and extended from the Delaware over the ridge to beyond Flat Brook, but be must have added to his tract later as he afterwards sold about 560 acres. In 1801 he sold to Andrew Snable a farm of 175 acres, on Flat Brook, now owned by Isaac S. Rundle. Levi’s house was a frame building, well known by the writer, of fair appearance with a porch along the entire front, facing the road southeast. It stood on a plateau about six or seven rods west of the Samuel Sheets building, now standing on the premises. Levi married Polly Hankinson, of Stillwater, 1797, and there on the Delaware within one fourth of a mile of my grandfather Benjamin’s house, he reared his six sons. He was a farmer, business man and school teacher, having taught at Walpack Center two miles south of his home, near Flat Brook, where his son William afterwards taught. In 1827, he acted as Executor of the estate of Catharine Rosenkrans, daughter of his brother John.

In 1808, he purchased a slave boy called "Tom," perhaps in Bergen County, as his brother Elijah and wife who lived there were witnesses to the purchase of the slave, but whether "Tom" was most useful in scaring away the Indians, or in hoeing the corn on the sandy river flats, or what became of him we have never learned. The following is the bill of sale of the Negro boy "Tom" to Levi: "Know all men by these Presents, that I, Henry VanEmburghs in consideration of the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars to me in hand paid by Levi Rosenkrans, of the County of Sussex, in the State of New Jersey, the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, have granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto the said Levi Rosenkrans a certain Negro boy named Tom about sixteen years of age, to have and to hold the said Negro boy to the said Levi Rosenkrans, his executors and administrators and assigns forever and I, the said Henry VanEmburghs, do for myself, my heirs, executors and administrators covenant and agree with the said Levi Rosenkrans, his executors, administrators and assigns, to have and to hold the said Negro boy to the said Levi Rosenkrans, his executors, administrators and assigns, against the lawful claims and demands of all and every person and persons whatsoever. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of January, in the year of one thousand eight hundred and eight. Sealed and delivered in the presence of us."

ELIJAH ROSEGRANT,
CORNELIA ROSEGRANT.

HENRY VANEMBURGS.

As Levi’s brother Joseph and two sons, William and Aaron, had gone to Steuben County, New York, Levi sold out and went there also, selling four acres of land to Harry and Titus West, 1827; 105 acres to Henry Berk, 1831; 20 acres to Mrs. Cornelia DeWitt, 1832, and the balance of 150 acres to Henry Berk, May 10, 1832. When he left New Jersey he purchased a farm near Wayland, where he lived for many years, but eventually sold his farm and moved to Hammondsport, near the residence of his son Aaron. A romantic story of Levi’s early courtship was told me by my grandfather, John Layton Esq. , about 1847 or 1848. Polly Hankinson, from across the Blue Ridge, had once visited at the house of John Layton’s father and he afterward visited her in return at her fathers house, when she related to him the following incident:

Sometime prior to this visit she had attended some public gathering on horseback. After starting for her home, a young man, also on horseback, came riding up behind her with the apparent intention of approaching by her side, when deeming his action somewhat presumptuous she put spurs to her horse and left him in the distance to turn about or pursue his onward journey chagrined and alone. The young man on horseback was Levi Rosenkrans. After consideration, Polly concluded that she had been somewhat hasty in thus leaving him, and regretted having done so. John Layton, being a friend of both, tendered his services in the way of an apology, or explanation to Levi. Levi renewed his attentions with good success, and they were eventually married at Stillwater, as the church records show. The following record is found there: "Married at the home of her father, in Stillwater, Polly Hankinson to Levi Rosenkrans, of Walpack." (Polly’s name is also found written Mary and Maria.)

Though not a church member, Levi was a practical Christian, I am told, and confessed the Saviour at the family table. Mary, as usually called, is said to have been a motherly woman, a Christian and a church worker. Levi became blind in his old age, and died in Hammondsport, 1844. About two years later Mary was married again to an old friend of her youthful days, and after whom she seems to have named one of her children, a Mr. Egbert then living near Ithaca, New York. She went and lived there until his death, 1850, after which she returned to Steuben County and died at the home of her son William Rosenkrans, in Wayland, New York, 1868, aged eighty-nine years. The children of Levi Rosenkrans and Polly Hankinson were William, Aaron, Levi DeWitt, Cyrus Egbert, Joseph and James.

46.  JOSEPH ROSENKRANS, son of Colonel John and twin brother of Benjamin, was born in Walpack, New Jersey, December 31, 1770. He married September 7, 1790, Jemima Emins, of Walpack, daughter of John Emins, baptized 1746. John was the son of Nicholas Emins, and Catrina Rosenkrans, sister to Colonel John. He settled on the Walpack Ridge, near Shappanack, 1754, and was undoubtedly the son of John Emins, who settled on the Delaware 1729. John Emins, the father-in-law of Joseph Rosenkrans, was one of the first to go from Sussex to Tioga County, New York, where he died prior to 1798. David Whittaker, a Yankee school teacher from Connecticut, as his grandson, Reverend D.W. Rosenkrans (181) informs me, married Lanah Emmans, a sister to Jemima, and settled at Savona, Luzerne County, New York, as a merchant and lumber dealer, and Joseph went there also previous to 1798, as the land records show that October 29, 1798, Joseph sold to John Emmons, Jr., his interest in the estate of John Emmons, deceased, for "five shillings" (Book 2, p. 344.)

The date of Joseph Rosenkrans’ first purchase of land in Tioga County is not found in the records there, but may he recorded at Albany. His sales and purchases found there are as follows: He sold real estate to Ezra Smith, 1799; to Taylor &, Barnes, 1804. He purchased of Taylor & Barnes, 1805, and of Samuel Fountain 1808. June 10, 1810, Joseph was living at Elmira, and sold land to James and D. Gorden. Elmira was then in Tioga County, as Chemung, of which it is the shire town, was not taken from Tioga till 1836. July 20, 1811, Joseph was living in Owego, and sold his last real estate in the county to Wait Smith, prior to his removal to Steuben county, where he purchased, as the first Rosenkrans settler in Steuben County. His purchase there was from Nicholas Low, who sold also to Elijah Rosenkrans, son of John (37), 1817, and to one Jacob, perhaps the brother of Joseph, 1821. Joseph remained near Hammondsport till 1827, when he purchased a farm at Avoca, near Wallace, where he died May 24, 1837. His wife died June 24, 1832. His farm, near Wallace, came into the possession of his son Joseph, and after his death into that of his son Aubert D. Rosenkrans, who still lives thereon.

As before stated, Joseph was the first of the family to go to Steuben County, New York, where many of his kindred followed him. Like Joseph of old, he was probably led Providentially into a strange but a good land for the benefit of himself and his kindred, though perhaps to him, as to the other Joseph going to Egypt, the hand of Providence was unrecognized at the time. Joseph, like Joseph of old, also drew after him some of his brethren and kindred, though Benjamin, his younger brother, remained in the land of his fathers, whose descendants became numerous. Joseph’s children were David, Levi, John, Abram, Aaron, Cynthia, Elijah and Joseph.

47.  MAJOR BENJAMIN ROSENKRANS, twin brother of Joseph, and son of Colonel John (16), was born December 31, 1770, on the upper farm of the Rosenkrans tract of land on the Delaware purchased by his grandfather Alexander, 1729. He married October 27, 1790, Margaret Schoonover, born in Walpack November 16, 1774, daughter of Nicholas, grandson of Nicholas Schoonhoven, who in company with his brother-in-law Thomas Brink, purchased 1,210 acres of land at Lower Walpack, just above the river bend October 10, 1725, and donated and deeded 1737, to the "Christian people" of that community the church and burial grounds for the First Walpack Church, near the bend. The original deed for these grounds, in its quaint form and spelling, as found in Everett & Peck’s History, p. 329, is herewith presented:

"To all Christian people to whom these prances Shall Com Know ye that we Thomas Brink and Nicklas Schoonhovan of Wallpack in the County of Hunterdon Yeoman Know yea that we Do Send greten Know yea that we Thomas Brink and Nicklas Schoonhovan that we have and do this Give gran and by these prances do give grant for the Love good will and afexshans which we do Bair towards the inhabts of Wallpack and the near inhabitons thar a bout an we do give and grant unto the inhabitons abov Riten all and Sigeler that Lot or parsal of Land Lying an Sittu and beinge in Wallpack Buting Bounding at follngs Beging at the northwess Corner of the Buring yard at a Red oak tree markt with three notches on the sides Running from the fence Souerle to a wite oak tree mark with three noches, Runing along to a Black oak tree markt with three notches a corner tre then Runing easterle to a corner a Black oak markited with three notches from thence Northerle to a Black oak Corner tree market on two sides with three notches from thence to the foust Stashon Containing about fore ackers moreso or Les to Gether with all the Rites, titls intrest clames and Demands what so ever we now have and which any or ever of our heirs Executors Administrators or a Signs may hear after have of or to the Said Granted Premises or any part there of have and to hold the Said Pece or Lot of Land unto the above Written inhabtines them their ares asines Execters admini without any maner of Conditions we the said thomas Brink an nickles Schoonhovan have fully freely and absolutely and forever own accord Set and Put in furder testimony in witness whareof we have hear unto Set our hands and Seales this first day of febery in this tenth year of his magesty King George an anodomney one thousand Seven hundred and thirty Seven Sined Sealed Witness in the presnece of us

his

"PETE VANAUKEN THOMAS (X) BRINK (L. S.)

mark

"ADAM DINGMANSE

his

"BENJN SMITH NICKLAS (X) SCHOONHOVAN (L. S.)

mark

Nicholas Schoonhoven above mentioned, married Neeltie Vander Schuyven, 1706, 2nd Weyntjen Kwik, and had sons, Thomas and William. He was a brother of Rudolph Schoonhoven baptized at Kingston, September 27, 1705, who settled in Smithfield, Pennsylvania, and a son of Hendrick Claasz Schoonhoven, whose wife was Cornelia Swartwout, daughter of Roeloff, the first Sheriff of Ulster County, New York,. The father of Hendrick Claas was "Claas Hendrickse VanSchoonhoven" who came from Utrecht, Holland, to Fort Orange (Albany) 1654, a carpenter who dealt in real estate, and died there, March 1, 1661. As noticed in formation of names the Van in this name has been dropped and Schoonhoven has been changed to Schoonover. The original Schoonhoven farm on which was built the first Walpack church and on which Margaret Schoonover was born is now owned and occupied by Daniel S. Smith, who married Amanda Rosenkrans (236), granddaughter of Margaret. The old church stood on the west side of the "Old Mine Road" about 20 or 25 rods northeastward of where the farmhouse now stands. As previously stated, Levi and Benjamin 1797 received 671 acres of the North Eastern portion of their father’s lands, and in 1800 they divided their tract, Benjamin taking 378 acres on the extreme northeast extending over the east and west Jersey line, and from the river to his brother John’s farm along Flat Brook. In 1809 Benjamin purchased at sheriff’s sale 45 acres adjoining his land on the northeast, and the lands of John Brink and George Coss. This was deeded to him by Sheriff James Gustin. (Book V. p. 294.) Benjamin settled on the western portion of his lands at the river and sold farms from his tract to three of his sons, John B., Nicholas and Elijah. Major Benjamin’s house was built southeast of the river road one-fourth of a mile up the Delaware from Levi’s. About twenty-five or thirty rods above the house, was a large and ever flowing spring of excellent water, running by his door, across the road and to the river. His house was originally built of hewn logs, but before the writer’s time had been enlarged by a frame building attached to it, with a stone chimney and fire place as all dwellings had in those days.

West of the road and opposite the house was an orchard of summer, fall and winter apples of splendid varieties, while around the house was the largest and finest yearly supply of large English red cherries that the writer ever beheld. All those he generously shared with his children and grandchildren, as the writer well knows from many and happy experiences. To his honor and that of his family it may be added, that of himself and his six sons who grew to manhood, and raised families, being accustomed "to drink of the ever flowing water near the door, preferred it to whiskey, none of whom were ever known to be intoxicated though liquor was kept by all farmers in those days and used in the hay and harvest fields. The most notable thing recollected concerning his grandmother Margaret — the writer having been but twelve years of age when she died, was to see her standing in front of the old open fire place with a long handled frying pan in her hands baking wheat cakes, called thin pancakes, each one covering the bottom of the pan, and to see her flop them over safe and sound without a turner. But the most enjoyable thing connected with it was to eat of those large brown cakes, well covered with butter and maple syrup.

Margaret, wife of Major Benjamin Rosenkrans, died February 1st, 1842, and was buried at Peter’s Valley Reformed Dutch Church, erected 1838. Major Benjamin served in the war of 1812, in "the 2nd Regiment of Detailed Militia, Colonel John Seward, commanding from September 5, to December 9, 1814," (Adjutant Stryker’s Report.) He ranked as Colonel, and was ever called Colonel Rosenkrans in his own neighborhood and the county, where he was known. He was a man of modest and unassuming character, and universally respected. He acted as Colonel and officer of the day at the general trainings in Walpack, which were continued till about 1840. He was a large man and noted for his commanding appearance on horseback on those occasions. In 1840 a Democratic political meeting was held at Tattles Corner, in Sandyston, at which Walpack was represented by a wagon drawn by thirty-seven pairs of horses, one for each state, and on each near horse sat a boy rider, the writer being one of them. In the wagon were some conspicuous men of Wallpack, and the one whom the people "most delighted to honor," bearing aloft the cap of liberty, was Colonel Benjamin Rosenkrans.

After the death of his wife, 1842, though more than seventy years of age he married Jane Brokaw, widow of Aaron Decker, a very fine old lady, who outlived him several years. Jane Brokaw was a daughter of Abram Brokaw, who lived on the Brink, or John Layton, Jr. , farm, on Flat Brook, and kept slaves before the Revolution. Colonel Benjamin, like his brother Levi was a strictly moral man, and religiously invoked a blessing at the family table, though not a church member. He died December 30, 1848, and was buried beside his wife Margaret, at Peter’s Valley (Bevans P.O.) where suitable headstones mark their graves. Like his father, Colonel John, he had fourteen children, thirteen of whom lived to marry and raise families, showing a list of 116 grandchildren, and more descendants than any of the sons of Colonel John. His children were: Rachael, John B., Roanna, Nicholas, Avert, Levi, Maria, Abram, Elijah, Sallie, Amanda, Lucinda, Anson, who died young, and Margaret.

48.  SIMEON ROSENKRANS, son of Colonel John, born May 6, 1772, died in infancy.

49.  DR. SIMEON ROSENKRANS, second of the name, and youngest son of Colonel John, was born in Walpack, March 6, 1775. He was but eleven years of age when his father died, whose will required that his lands should not be disposed of till Simeon became of age, then to be divided among his sons, nine of whom were living when he died. At the division, 1797, Jacob and Simeon as before mentioned, received 318 acres including the homestead buildings, and church property, which they sold the same year to Nicholas Depue, of Smithfield, Pennsylvania. Simeon married 1799, Sarah Shoemaker born 1780, and according to report lived with and kept house a year or two for, his brother, Dr. Elijah, at Hohokus, New Jersey, where he evidently studied medicine with him. Sarah was probably a daughter of Henry Shoemaker, (now Pahaquarry), whose sons Daniel and John settled in Walpack.

On May 8, 1800, Simeon purchased of Jacob Cole a farm of 185 acres below Walpack Centre, now known as the Richard Stoll farm, recently purchased by the wife of Stewart Layton, of Branchville. Simeon probably built the stone house still standing on the premises. In 1811 he purchased 29 acres adjoining lands of Asa Rosenkrans and Isaac VanNest, which he sold to Asa 1815. Prior to 1836, Dr. Simeon’s son John kept a small store in the house where his father lived, which store he removed to the village above (Peters Valley,) and which he lost by fire, 1836. Dr. Simeon farmed and practiced medicine in Walpack for nearly forty years and raised a family of twelve children, none of whose descendants are now known to live in Sussex County. He purchased real estate in Steuben County, New York, 1839, where his brothers, Joseph and Levi had gone before him and settled at Cohocton, where he died August 22, 1841. His wife, Sarah died there May 25, 1853. Their children were: Belinda, Oliver, James Oliver, Dr. Henry S., Simeon, John, Charick, Samuel S., Margaret DeWitt, Julia Maria, Charles Jayne and Ann Catharine. His descendants are very much scattered from New York to Montana and Indian Territory.

50.  POLLY ROSENKRANS, youngest child of Colonel John, was born July 6, 1777, the year that her father was made Colonel in the war of the Revolution. She never married and died in the county where she was born.

Herman Rosenkrans (27)

HERMAN ROSENKRANS and Arreantie Oosterhout had six children.

51.  DIRK ROSENKRANS, son of Herman (27), was baptized at Kingston, New York, July 6, 1726. While living with his parents at Rosetown, Pennsylvania, he married, August 21, 1747, Catrina VanAuken, of Port Jervis, daughter of Abraham VanAuken baptized 1699. Abraham was son of Marinus VanAken. from Aken, France, the home of Charlemagne. Marinus VanAken’s wife was Preternelle desPrez. Catharine VanAuken, wife of Dirk Rosenkrans, according to church records was received into the Port Jervis church, August 15, 1764, since which no report of the family has appeared in the Church Life nor been found by the writer.

52.  CATRINA ROSENKRANS, daughter of Herman (27), was born in Rochester, Ulster County, New York, and baptized June 16, 1728. She married December 1, 1748, Abram Cornelus VanAuken, who was also born in Ulster County, and then living in Montague, New Jersey. He was baptized 1728, son of Cornelus baptized May 25, 1690, son of Marinus from Aken. Abram C. VanAuken came with his parents to the Minisink region about 1738, and after marriage united with the Machackemeh, or Port Jervis Church, and was a Deacon of the Church 1762 - 1768. The children of Abram C. VanAuken and Catrina were: Lydia, baptized October 22, 1752; Sara, baptized July 25, 1767; Thomas, July 25, 1757; Cornelus, April 22, 1766; Abraham, April 11, 1772. Nothing further is known of this family by the writer though undoubtedly a portion of the VanAuken family, which is numerous, are descended from him.

53.  PETRUS ROSENKRANS, son of Herman (27), was baptized December 25, 1732, since which time no record is known of him by the writer.

54.  ARREANTIE ROSENKRANS, daughter of Herman (27), and Arreantie Oosterhout, was baptized at "Minissink" May 18,1736, which record shows that her parents had recently settled at Rosetown, Pennsylvania. She married about 1769 Jacobus (James) Brink, of Montague, and was the maternal great grandmother of the writer. Jacobus Brink was baptized at Hurley, Ulster County, New York, July 5, 1747, son of Mattheus, baptized at Kingston January 9, 1695, whose wife was Abigal Bell. He was received into the church April 16, 1747, and elected an official 1748. He was a son of Peter Lamberts Brink, baptized June 26, 1670, and married Geertrury Mathewssen. The parents of Peter Lamberts Brink were Lambert Huybertsen and Hendrickje Cornelis, who came from Wageningen, Holland, 1659. Peter Lamberts, son of Lambert Huybertsen was the first to take the family name of Brink, and for what cause is unknown. Others of the family took the name of Brink, and some did not. Peter Lamberts Brink, as we learn from "Church Life" came from Hurley, Ulster County, at an early date and settled on a tract of land near the village of the Brick House (Montague), which tract included the Abram Shimer property, with the river flats, where his son Mattheus was raised and his son Jacobus also.

Jacobus, after marrying Arreantie Rosenkrans, of Rosetown, lived on the Pennsylvania side of the Delaware till 1790, when he purchased the Abram Brokaw farm, on Flat Brook, in lower Sandyston, where he died 1812, and was probably buried in the family burial ground on the farm. After his death, the Brink farm was purchased of his heirs by John Layton, Esq. , who married his daughter, Abigal. This farm was afterwards owned by John Layton’s son William, and is now owned by his son John Layton, Jr. The children of Jacobus Brink and Arreantie Rosenkrans were thirteen in number, a significant one — the number of the children of the Patriarch Jacob. They were John, Lidia, James, Derick, Abigal, Helena, Mary, who married John Ager, and was the mother of Mrs. Aaron Rosenkrans, of Hammondsport, New York, and secondly married Isaac Rosenkrans, of Stillwater, New Jersey, Matthew Ester, Jennetje, who married Colonel Peter Young, of Sandyston, father of Glorvina, wife of A.P. Rosenkrans (243), Susanna, Andrew Dingman and Elizabeth, who married Jonathan Emery, of Sandyston, New Jersey.

55.  JACOBUS ROSENKRANS, son of Herman (27), of Rosetown, Pennsylvania, was baptized April 21, 1745, and married April 19, 1770, Maria Hornbeck, formerly written Hoornbeek. He lived at Rosetown, Pennsylvania, and it was at his house, says the historian, W.H. Nearpass, that the noted Indian slayer, Tom Quick, died, after slaying his "ninety and nine." In 1790 Jacobus Rosenkrans name was on the list of contributors toward paying the salary of the Reverend Elias Van Benscoten, at the Port Jervis church. His children were Betsy, Lena and Catharine.

56.  BENJAMIN ROSENKRANS, youngest son of Herman (27), was baptized July 17, 1748, and married October 27, 1785, Hannah Travis. The exact place of Benjamin’s residence is unknown by the writer, but as his name also appears on the list of church contributors at Port Jervis 1790, he probably lived within the vicinity of the Port Jervis church. Nothing is known of his children.

Jacobus Rosenkrans (28)

JACOBUS ROSENKRANS and Sara Dekkr had six children, and by Catharine Cole he had two children.

57.  HELENA ROSENKRANS, daughter of Jacobus (28) was baptized at Port Jervis May 11, 1729. Her father then lived at Huguenot, and was the first Rosenkrans settler in Orange County, having come from Ulster and located there prior to this baptism. Helena, as a widow, married George More, at Port Jervis, as reported in "Church Life," since which nothing of her is known.

58.  BLANDINA ROSENKRANS, daughter of Jacobus, was baptized July 4, 1733, and married Abraham Westbrook, of Nomianock, near Minisink, New Jersey, March 6, 1752. He was born at Wawarsink, Ulster County, New York, and baptized July 23, 1732, son of Dirk, the son of Johannis, son of Antoni (Anthony) who was probably the son of Cornelis Tennison Van Westbroek, who came from Holland to Albany 1630. Cornelis, as his name indicates, was the son of Tennis, from Westbroek. This family, like some others from Holland, dropped the "Van," which signifies from, and are now called Westbrook. . This family is said to be the most numerous one of the Delaware Valley and its vicinity. Blandina’s family is not known by the writer.

59.  CAPTAIN DANIEL ROSENKRANS, son of Jacobus (28) was born at Huguenot, near Port Jervis, New York, and baptized at the Reformed Dutch Church of Port Jervis, August 24, 1737. About 1765, he married "Catrina Cool" (Catharina Cole), widow of Martinus (Martin) Koykendal. She was baptized May 30, 1738, and married Martin Koykendal, about 1757, her daughter Kazio having been baptized June 2, 1758, and her son Harmanus November 27, 1759. In 1762, she was received as a widow into the church at Port Jervis, and married Daniel Rosenkrans, 1765. Captain Daniel and Catharine, the great grandparents of General William Stark Rosecrans had some romantic experiences at the beginning of the Revolution, when according to authentic records, he was made a Captain in the Wyoming Valley of Pennsylvania, but was surprised and captured by the Indians. A narrative of the event is given in the "History of the Newton Baptist Church of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania," written by Reverend C. Sherwood, and published by Ira D. Rosenkrans, of Wilkes-Barre, a great grandson of the Captain, who kindly presented the writer with a copy, 1893. The account written from tradition, while correct in the main, is erroneous in several points, among which are the name of James, the date of his capture, and the church denomination to which he belonged in New Jersey, and at which it is said he officiated. The following is the narrative:

"Rosenkrans Family — 1775, James Rosenkrans, the grandfather of Deacon Benjamin Rosenkrans, now of Newton Baptist Church, came in from New Jersey and settled in Wyoming, and from here a long line of Baptist descendants of the Rosenkrans stock may be traced down to the present period. At the time of the Wyoming massacre, in 1778, James Rosenkrans was taken prisoner by the Indians, and taken off up the Susquehanna to their settlement on the East side of Senaca Lake, in the State of New York. He saw them practice the most horrible cruelties upon their prisoners while on the way. While there, and while most of the Indians were out on a hunting expedition, he feigned sickness and made his escape, and by traveling through the wilderness by day, and through lonely by-paths by night, he returned to his friends in New Jersey in safety, where he was agreeably surprised in finding his family whom he had left on that memorable day of cruelty in the valley, supposing that they had fallen victims with others by the tomahawk, or by torture. His wife had succeeded in making her escape from the valley after the massacre with her six children, supposing that her husband had been slain in battle. She had five boys and one girl who fled with her almost naked and barefooted through the shades of death, over rocks and through dismal swamps without food except the berries found along the way. They crossed the Delaware in abject wretchedness, and finally made their way back to their friends in New Jersey.

Miner’s History says that a Mrs. Courtright, then a young girl flying with her father’s family from the valley, saw sitting by the roadside a woman who had heard that her husband was slain, six children were on the ground near her, the group the very image of despair, for they were without food. Just at that moment a man was seen riding rapidly toward them from the settlement. It was Mr. Hollenback. Foreseeing the probable destitution, he had loaded his horse with bread, and was hastening back to their relief. He gave a morsel to each and hastened on to the relief of others. Deacon James Rosenkrans, the father of Deacon Benjamin Rosenkrans, was one of the sons of the elder Deacon James Rosenkrans, who passed through the wilderness in 1778, and who, when grown to manhood, returned to the valley and lived for a time on the Rosenkrans farm. The property afterward passed into the hands of Mr. Pettibone, when Mr. Rosenkrans again returned to New Jersey, where he was soon after ordained Deacon of the Baptist church."

In July, 1893, the writer conversed with Mrs. Susan M. Rosenkrans, of Scranton, widow of Deacon Benjamin, above mentioned, at the house of her daughter, Mrs. Julia A. Casterline, (631) who admitted that as the above narrative was merely traditional, there might be mistakes in it, especially as to the Captain’s name, which I informed her was Daniel, instead of James. I subsequently corresponded with Mrs. Amanda Joslyn, of Batavia, New York, and her sister, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Fish, of Daws, New York, daughters of John D. Rosenkrans, the second son of the captive, who gave their tradition received from their father, in substance, as follows: That Daniel returned from the Wyoming valley at the beginning of the Revolution , that there were seven children, and that Catharine took two horses, and fastening a feather bed on each horse, took some of the children on one horse with herself and put the others on the other horse, and thus came through the forests to New Jersey. As to Daniel’s capture they had but a faint idea. The Minisink Reform Dutch church records show that Catharine Cole, widow of Martin Koykendal married Daniel Rosenkrans, not James, and that Daniel and Catharine Rosenkrans had a son Jacobus baptized there November 25, 1766, and a son Jacob baptized there June 1, 1777, and no others between these dates. This record, which is authentic, renders it very probable that Daniel and Catharine went to the Wyoming valley soon after the birth, and baptism of James, in 1766; that John, Josiah, Daniel and Catharine were born in Pennsylvania, and that as Mrs. Joslyn states, they returned to New Jersey about 1776 before the birth of Jacob, the youngest child, baptized 1777. It is also probable that Catharine had seven children when she returned as stated by Mrs. Joslyn, since she had two by her first husband, Martin Koykendal and five by her second, Daniel Rosenkrans. The church at which Daniel’s children were baptized, James before he left New Jersey, and Jacob after his return, and at which Daniel may have officiated, was the Reformed Dutch Church at Minisink, in the Delaware Valley. No Baptist church existed in the valley in Captain Daniel’s time.

The Luzerne county records do not show the date of Captain Daniel’s purchase, as the county was not formed till 1787, but Mr. O.J. Harvey, historian of the Nesbitt family, mentioned in "sources of family information," reports that the historical society’s records of Wilkes-Barre, which antedate that of the county show that an appraisement was made on the estate of "Captain Daniel Rosecrants" dated Westmoreland, 19 October, 1782. He died sometime prior to 1782 near the state line, in Wantage, New Jersey, where his widow afterwards lived and died, having made a will. Captain Daniel was apparently the first Rosenkrans settler in the Wyoming Valley, the village of Wyoming being located on his farm. The Sherwood narrative is elsewhere confirmed in the statement that after the captive’s death, and the close of the Revolutionary war, Catharine with her family returned to the Wyoming Valley, disposed of the farm, and then returned to Sussex County, New Jersey, where she died. Her will recorded in Newton, is as follows:

Will of "Catherin Rosecrants," of Wantage, Sussex County, New Jersey, 1803:

"In the name of God amen — Whereas I Catherin Rosecrants, am sick in body, but sound in mind, do hereby make this my last will and testament, for the division of all my earthly property of whatever kind, in the way and manner hereinafter mentioned, and I do hereby nominate, and appoint my beloved sons, James and Jacob Rosecrants my proper executors of this my will and testament. In the first place, my doctor, or physician bill or bills, and my funeral expenses must be paid before anyone hereinafter mentioned shall receive any part of the sum herein mentioned in their behalf. Secondly — daughter Kazeo Kerkendall otherwise Stuart (whom I had by my first husband Martin Kerkendall), shall have fifty pounds current money of the State of New York, to be paid unto my aforesaid daughter out of my property, or in money aforesaid before any person hereinafter mentioned shall have any. My beloved son Harmanus Kerkendall by my first husband aforesaid, shall have thirty dollars paid unto him out of my estate. To my beloved grandchildren, Catherin and Daniel Rosecrants, son and daughter of my son, John Rosecrants, by my second husband, I allow, or bequeath, ten dollars each out of my estate. To my beloved grandson, Daniel Rosecrants, son of my son Daniel Rosecrants, I allow or bequeath him ten dollars. To my well beloved daughter, Catherin Rosecrants, otherwise Stark, I allow or bequeath my saddle, wearing apparel and bed and bedding. Thirdly — After the sums, etc. , hereinbefore mentioned are paid off, I allow the residue to be divided equally among my six children whom I had by my second husband, share and share alike of the said residue, namely, my five sons. James, John, Josiah, Daniel and Jacob Rosecrants, and my daughter Catherin Rosecrants, otherwise Stark — these my beloved children to have each an equal sum of said residue. Fourthly — My beloved son Jacob Rosecrants hath in keeping for me eight notes of one hundred dollars each, which I received of my beloved son-in-law Paul Stark for value given to him by me for said notes, one of said notes is paid, and seven remain unpaid, which unpaid notes are to be paid in cattle, etc. I order my executors to turn the same to cash without delay after they become due for paying off the sums hereinbefore mentioned. I sincerely request that if any difference arise by anything that may appear dark in this my will and testament, that it be settled without the course of law; the specified sums are to be paid in cash in the same order as they stand in this writing. In witness that the foregoing is my real will and testament, I have hereto set my hand this seventh of October in the year of our Lord 1803.

In the presence of —

JOHN CLARK, CATHERIN ROSECRANTS"

HENRY REEMER,

THOMAS PATTERSON.

(This will was proved 1808. At the time it was written, all her sons except James and Jacob had left the county and located elsewhere.)

60 - 61.  GERTJE ROSENKRANS and SALAMON ROSENKRANS, children of Jacobus (28), both died unmarried.

62.  JOHN ROSENKRANS, son of Jacobus (28), was born at Huguenot, and baptized at Port Jervis December 23, 1744. He married November 30, 1777, Maria Roosa, or Rosa, baptized at Port Jervis March 20, 1749. Maria was a daughter of Jan Alderse Roosa, and Catharine VanEtten. He was baptized at Hurley, New York, January 29, 1712, son of Jan, the son Albert Heymanse Roosa and Wintje Allerd, from Harwynen, Gelderland, who came to Kingston 1660.  — "Church Life." The other children of Jan Alderse Roosa were Rebecca, Isaiah and Jacob. Johannis, or John, was evidently a scripture man and a Christian, as were the early settlers generally, and gave scripture names to all his children. He lived in Orange County, New York, during the Revolution, and his great granddaughter, Mrs. C.E. Trotter (576), of Marshalltown, Iowa, informs me that he was a soldier under a Captain Rosa, perhaps his father-in-law. John Rosenkrans and all his sons, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and John, went to the Wyoming Valley, Pennsylvania, where his brother, Captain Daniel had first gone, and still later they went to Delaware County, Ohio.

Mr. O.J. Harvey, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, reports the following concerning him: "John Rosencrants was admitted February, 1800, to Lodge No. 1, F. & A. M.., at Wilkes-Barre, 11 March, 1800, B. Sweetland, for £500, conveys to John Rosecrants, Secord Island, 300 acres, Putnam township, Luzerne County. In July, 1802, John Rosencrants bought two lots in Nanticoke, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania." These purchases were near Tunkhannock, Luzerne County, now Wyoming, Pennsylvania. John went on to Delaware County, Ohio, and purchased land there, as the records show, 1810, being the first Rosenkrans found on the land records there. The records of the Rosenkrans Family in Delaware County, Ohio, including the spellings of their names has been reported by Mr. J.P. Wintermute, of Delaware, Ohio, historian of the Wintermute family. Concerning John Rosencrants’ settlement in Ohio, his granddaughter, Mrs. Permelia Stockwell, of Sunbury, Ohio, seventy-two years of age (386), in a letter November 20, 1893, writes as follows:

"My father’s name was Jacob Rosecrans, and my grandfather’s name was John. He had one daughter named Rebecca and four sons named Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and John, all scripture names. My grandmother’s name was Mariah. They came from Pennsylvania when the country was all a wilderness, and underwent the hardships of a new country life. The Rosecranses were called a very honest, industrious people." Of the death of John and Mariah we have no account, but they have many descendants in the west, especially through their son Isaac, who exceeds all the members of the family, as far is we have discovered, in the number of his progeny. As already mentioned, the names of John’s children were, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, John, and Rebecca.

63.  ALIDA ROSENKRANS, daughter of Jacobus (28), and Catharine Cole, his second wife, was born about 1749, since which time nothing is known of her.

64.  SALOMAN ROSENKRANS, son of Jacobus (28), and the second of the name, was born about 1751, and also disappeared from the records.


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