T H E
A T K I N S O N S ,
N E W E R S E Y J ,
F R O M
T HE R ECOR DS O F F R EN DS M EET N S I I G ,
AND F RO M
F E F E R I N THE TATE O F IC S O R CO D S .
T w o . 3 .
8 0 ON A U G U ST 1 1 . E A R LI NGT , , 9
i t /144 0 g $ .
C E L E B R A T B D T H E $$ G O L DEN W E DDI N G F EB R U R Y 1 a 1 8 0 [ A 5 . 9
NT T N I RODUC IO .
T HE G W celebration of the olden edding of my father and mother,
- G E O . T . E LI ZA B ETH B . AT KINSON M H ill N ew F e b and , of ullica , Jersey,
ar h 1 8 0 r u t . H v y s , 9 , created a desire to know more of the family a ing in my possession the Quaker certificates of the marriages of fi ve genera -
A v ffi tions of tkinsons, it was not ery di cult to go back another generation W I LLI A M ATKIN SO N E LI ZA BET H CU RTI S B to , who married , in urlington ,
M 1 686 . the ninth of arch ,
I OHN CLE M E NT H fi N ew am indebted to J , of addon eld, j ersey, for
n v most of the information contai ed in this sketch , and ha e p rinted his
x c te t entire , only adding to it the sket h of my branch of the family, from
I LLI A M A T KIN N W SO to the present day .
HA F R E CH P - C S . S . N , of hiladelphia, aided me with information col lected during many years of interested work in this branch of history .
M A TK IN SON S N ew any of the , of Jersey, were staunch Quakers in the early day , and many of their descendants are still strong in the faith . Should additional facts be known of the family by a reader of the following sketch , it is possible a new edition may be printed and such facts be gladly included , if in my p ossession . I N O . . A K J B T N SON .
LI N GT N Kr 0 1 8 0 . EAR O , j uly 3 . 9
ATKIN ON THE S S.
h $
N Y one standing on the wharf near the Blue Anchor
Tavern , and where Dock Creek falls into the Delaware
R Pa 2 d iver, in Philadelphia , . , on the 3 day of the Eighth
D 1 6 8 I month , A . . , might have noticed two young men among the passengers of the ship Antelope , just arrived from Belfast , a Ireland , with emigrants to America . They were tall , st lwart l Scotchmen , and , although wearing the same p ain Quaker
- garb as the most of those around them , showed energy , char acter and perseverence , which betrayed their nationality and early education .
- They stood alone on the shore , and but for the acquaint
- ance made on ship board , knew no one on this side of the
’ $ broad Atlantic . They could see that William Penn s brave
$ town was in embryo , and but for the few houses in the forest
the cave , and , dwellings in the bank facing the river there was but little to attract attention or please the eye .
Barnes anb Ehomas atkins on .
A M E S These young men were j (who , one account says , a T M S A K S c me from Drogheda) , and HO A T IN ON , who had left their parents and home , with but little save brave hearts
THE ATKINSONS . OF NEW JERSEY .
- and a determined purpose . They had these elements of suc
cess , coupled with industry , economy and sobriety , about
- them , derived from precept and example at the old home
of stead . They now breathed the air political and religious
freedom , guaranteed to them by the founder of the Colony ,
r W and felt that their ights as men ere enlarged , and that the
r - p ivileges of law abiding citizens were assured . They were
d res on- to be participants in the government , and realize the p
s b i s h i ilit e t us cast upon them .
They had read the chartered rights , as put before the
his world by William Penn , for Colony , and had studied the
as grants and concessions , published by the Commissioners
for New Jersey , inviting settlers within its borders , and could see that their persons and estates would be secure as against
the abuse of power and the tyranny of fanatics that individ -
- ual privileges could not be questioned , nor their property de spoiled by persons with pretended authority that they were R citizens of a epublic with no one to make them afraid . The time of their arrival must not be computed as under
the present calendar, for the eighth month under the old s tyle meant October , and not August ; hence they landed in the autumn after the frosts had colored the foliage and winter was approaching . Much confusion has occurred in historical and geneological matters from not properly regarding the h change of the calendar, which was settled by an act of Britis
THE ATKINSONS , OF NEW JERSEY .
1 1 - Parliament in 7 5 , and between the time of the first emigra tions to Pennsylvania and New Jersey and the present . These young men probably remained for a time where
o they landed , finding employment am ng the emigrants , and occasionally prospecting for land on either side of the river . — They wandered through the grand Old fores ts took boat and — passed along the beautiful s tream s s om etim es following the natives to their villages and partaking of their simple hos -
italit p y . Mutual confidence existed , for the dealings of the new comers with the Indians were in good faith , and nothing was taken except for an equivalent .
s marriage of 3ame .
I n these wanderings James met with Hannah Newbie , — widow of Mark N ewb ie no doubt a bright and attractive — wom an who drew his attention away from land and timber
a - for the time being , for they were married at her house ccord
the 1 68 o ing to good order of Friends in 4 . and he to k up his residence there , which was in Newton township , Gloucester county , New Jersey .
o f This place is deserving some notice , for here the first
’ Friends meeting in Gloucester county was held . and to this
$ place William C ooper and family of Pyne Point resorted .
Also in this house Mark Newbie had his bank , probably the
THE ATKINSONS , OF NEW JERSEY .
first institution of that character in America . It stood upon
o the farm now owned and occupied by Charles C oper , about
two miles from Camden City , and near the north branch of
Newton Creek . Why this marriage was not solemnized at H the Newton Meeting ouse , which stood but a Short distance ’ l from the bride s home , has never been exp ained .
as a member of the Society of St ienes .
James Atkinson was an active and influential member Of
the Newton meeting . He was a representative to the Salem Y Quarterly Meeting . and attended the early Meeting when
1 68 held at the same place in 9 . At the Quarterly Meeting at Salem he was appointed a representative on the part of the Y Newton meeting to attend the next early Meeting . which was held at Philadelphia . He was , no doubt . present at the
Y 1 6 early Meeting at Salem in 9 3, when a committee of Friends from the Burlington meeting was there to off er pro -
os als f p to end the dif erences among them , caused by George
’ Keith s departure from the original doctrines of Friends , as
- laid down by George Fox . Nothing was accomplished . how
e influen- ev r , and the breach widened until many of the most
E n - tial families left the Society . George Keith returned to g
Church land , joined the Established , and was sent to the I n 6 Colonies to propagate its doctrines . I 9 I notice was taken
N OF NEW THE ATKINSO S , JERSEY
as s e e 1 6 2 mbl d in 9 , no protest was entered as to this action of the o fi a - inhabitants of Gloucester c unty , but of cers were p
had e pointed , as if the proceedings be n regular .
a e a e J mes Atkinson dealt but little in real st t . and the records only show one tract of land of 300 acres he purchased
R 1 688 of of William oydon , in , lying between the head the
e She anees North branch of Timber Cr ek and g Run . a short
o distance west from Kirkwo d , in Camden county , New Jersey .
This he conveyed to Stephen Newbie , son of his wife by
s h F r 1 00 ea ne . her fir t usband . and who sold it to Henry in 7
e the After num rous conveyances , Esaias Hunt purchased
1 8 1 2 s ame tract in 7 7 and 79 , and it is now owned by Esaias
his s on . a . E Hunt , and occupied by Edw rd On part of this tract of land the Indians had a settlement known as She -
’ ce gan s Field , and through which passed the old King s road , m going fro Philadelphia to Salem . To the present generation this appears like a circuitous
e e s rout betwe n these two places , but it mu t be remembered that the Indian trails were followed , our ancestors not having
an me s to build bridges , but crossed the streams near their
W e sources , and h re they could find easy fording places .
ea m D th of 3a es anb Hannah atkins on .
James and Hannah Atkinson in after years removed to
THE ATKINSONS , OF N EW JERSEY .
h died — am es 1 1 1 Philadelphia , w ere they both J in 7 , and
1 1 m arried — firs t Hannah in 7 3. Hannah was three times to
John Day , and their children were Sarah , who married John
a Pleadwell D rbow , and Grace , who married Edward . The issue of the marriage with Mark Newbie was one son , Edward ,
- and by her last marriage two sons , Thomas and John Atkin son . This is somewhat speculative , being gathered partly from the wills of James and Hannah , of record in the proper f o fice in Philadelphia .
Ehomas atkins on .
Thomas Atkinson probably remained in Philadelphia for
1 6 1 a o - a few years , but in 9 he is found to be resident of M unt n well , in Newton tow ship , Gloucester county , New Jersey .
M ountwell was the residence of Francis Collins , and included
Haddonfield what is now part of , New Jersey . The house n stood upon the hill , south of the town , now ow ed by the Riley
Brothers . This appears in a deed from Francis Collins to
I s t 1 6 1 Thomas Atkinson , dated Fourth month , 9 , for land
’ o r on the north side of the south branch of C ope s Creek ,
. M ountwell about one mile south from , and in that deed
- Thomas is called a brick layer. Two years after he sold this land to Edward Burrough , who built a house thereon and m ade it his home .
THE ATKINSONS , OF NEW JERSEY .
Thomas Atkinson dealt considerably in timber lands and
s aw 1 0 - mills . In 74 he bought one third of a saw mill of — Ephraim Tom lins on one other third belonging to Means
Southwick , and one other third being owned by Thomas id Webster . This was on the south s e of the north branch of
r Timber Creek , and where he afte wards bought land of the
1 2 executors of Joshua Wright , deceased , in 74 , and the same
1 - he sold to Joseph Hillman , in 745 . In the last named con
veyance Thomas Atkinson is mentioned as living in Haddon -
field , New Jersey .
1 In 743he purchased a tract of land of Joseph Hilliard ,
- s aw s and one half of a mill . On part of this tract now stand
- the town of Gibbsboro , and the old saw mill site is occupied by the extensive paint works of John Lucas Co located — there by reason of the purity of the water m uch used in
manufacturing colors . There is the best of evidence to Show that Thomas Atkinson was a practical mechanic and a useful
A s citizen . a bricklayer , he had learned the art and mystery of plastering and laying stone as well . When he first came
M ountwell to , he found an Indian trail where the main street
Haddonfield is - of now , and part of the path going from Bur
u Perr web b lingto to Salem . Thomas y had his house and
blacksmith shop by the side of the narrow road , and where
M ountwell the s the lane from came into ame , about where
’ Braddock s hardware store now stands . Sarah Norris had
THE ATKINSONS , OF NEW JERSEY .
w - side of Newton Creek , and west of the Black ood and Cam den turnpike road .
1 an i 30 m b Qbr s tOpber atkins on .
rd 7 6 On the 3 day of the Second month (April) , 99 . there
s o al landed at the same wharf in Philadelphia two other men ,
o f . middle age , and the heads of families They came from the agricultural districts of Lancashire , one of the northern co u nties of England , and bringing with them all their worldly
oo . g ds They were Friends , as was shown by their apparel and - manner of speech , and were met by some of their rela tives m on the shore , who had preceeded the to this wilderness
o c untry .
The town had assumed some shape , and lines of marked tree s showed where the streets were to be opened . The cave
e l dw l ers were moving into much better residences , and there was oa - considerable activity along the river , caused by the l d ing and unloading of vessels laying in the stream . These m en were John Atkinson and Christopher Atkinson , who had n h landed with their wives and children , seeki g a ome either in Pennsylvania or New Jersey . Letters sent them from those already here , encouraged their removal , giving
fl o orid acc unts of the climate , the fertility of the soil , and ,
m and above all , the liberality of the govern ent , tempted them
THE ATKINSONS , OF NEW JERSEY .
- to leave the old hearthstones in their native land . How try — ing was the breaking of these ties of bidding adieu to old
r s ufi erin - f iends and familiar associations . Although g for opin ions sake had weakened the b onds of friendship and home
— - attach m e nts and bitter memories would rise up from indi
we r — et vidual wrong , and the abuse of po y there were many
regrets that held them back and filled their hearts with sor -
row . Neighbors , in all the word implies , were with them at
b les s in their embarkation , and with tears gave them their gp while those in whose veins coursed the same blood as their
own , bade them a last farewell . never to look upon them
again forever .
F w $ w e are ell A ord that must be . and hath b en .
a es A sound th t mak us linger . yet , farewell
william atkins on . William Atkinson appears to have settled in or near
1 6 8 Burlington about 3, for in that year he located fifty acres
A s s is cunk of land on the west Side of the Creek , and built h imself a house . From whence he came , and the exact date of his arrival , nothing is left of record to Show . It may be that he was a creditor of Edward Byllynge and accepted land in the Colony in discharge of his debt , as many had already
s o Y - done . If , he probably came from London or from ork
e f shire , where nearly all of thos who had su fered by Edward
THE ATKINSONS , OF NEW JERSEY .
' B ll n e s y y g failure in business , then resided . Many of the
was deeds Show that land taken for a claim against him , which induced the owners to break up their homes and cross h the sea to occupy their own broad acres , w ich never could
be done in England .
There the tenure was for a term of years ; here the holder had the fee and could perpetuate the title to the soil to
those of his own blood in such manner as pleased him best .
That he w as there appears by his acting as a grandjuror in
1 686 - in Burlington County . In that unique and most inter
1 6 8 1 esting record of that Court , commencing in , may be n found this entry , surrou ded by scraps of history that will
settle many doubtful questions among families and antiqua -
rians . There are the facts and incidents of trials before the — — Court curious in themselves and entered in full S0 that the
reader has it before him , even to the sentence of the convicted
’ person . This , in certain cases , was whipping at the cart s
tail , in the public street , from the Court House to the Wharf
and back . It must have been a strange spectacle to see our
s - Quaker ancestors , dres ed in their plain coats and broad
- brimmed hats , executing these sentences , or standing as wit nesses of the severe punishment .
Th e civil list is not absent . for those who sat highest in
THE ATKINSONS . OF NEW JERSEY .
w l am u s n il i B g i a b . William Atkinson purchased a town lot in Burlington in
1 6 94 , and afterwards removed into Springfield Township ,
h 1 6 8 where he boug t land of Daniel Leeds , in 9 , and of John
1 1 1 . 1 1 Harvey and John Day , in 7 Here he died in 7 4 . His
- children were Joseph , John , Mary , Michael , William , Eliza
beth and Isaac , part of whom were minors at the time of his
1 1 death . By will , dated October , 7 4 , William left to his son
h e in - Joseph the farm on which lived Springfield , Joseph hav
- ing the farm re surveyed .
1 60 Joseph Atkinson died in Springfield Township in 7 .
the v : - Sarah , his wife , and following children sur ived him Wil
liam , Aaron , Mary , (wife of Jacob Powell . ) Sarah , Elizabeth , n Lovi ia . and John He left the farm received from his father ,
William , to his sons William and Aaron , who had the farm
- 1 8 re surveyed in 7 9 .
Michael , the third son of William , married Hope Shinn .
1 6 He died in Springfield in 74 , leaving the following children
Jonathan , Levi , Job , Elizabeth , Mary , and Rachel .
marriage of j ohn .
dau h - John , the second son of William , married Hannah , g te r m m - of Ja es Shi , in Springfield Township , West New Jer
- 2 1 1 1 6 . sey , October , 7 The original certificate of this mar ria e c g . according to the Order of the So iety of Friends , is now
THE ATKINSONS . OF NEW JERSEY .
- uo. . in the possession of J B Atkinson , of Earlington , Ken
- - reat reat reat rands on . tucky , the g g g g of William Atkinson
of - The following are the names , the witnesses to this interest ing document
JOHN ATKINSON ,
HANNAH ATKINSON .
JAMES WILLS , JOHN SHINN , JAMES SHINN .
JOHN YARD , HENRY BURR , ABIGAIL SHINN .
JOHN BUDD . RICHARD RIDGEWAY , RESTORE LIPPINCOTT . ’
TON KI N S R I C H D R . JOHN . RIDGEWAY , J , HANNAH LIPPINCOTT . W M JAMES BUDD . . PANCOAST , JAMES LIPPINCOTT . F $ 01 4 RANCIS ATKINSON , JOHN BUTCHER , ZACHARY N . 2 W ’ M R . SPENCER JONES , BUDD . J , SAM L LIPPINCOTT .
JOSEPH BURR , JOHN DAY , JOSIAH GASKILL . M ARY RIDGEWAY, MARMADUKE COATS , MARTHA OWEN ,
DAVID LIVEZEY , SAMUEL COATS , ANN LIPPINCOTT . F N RANCES ATKINSON , HOPE SHINN , JOSEPH ATKINSO . M N JOSHUA OWEN , ARY ATKI SON , MARY CATTELL , N s C . REBECCA GASKILL, a LIPPI COTT . R ACH E L - 4 4 M m s . $ ARY LIPPINCOTT .
ELIZABETH BURR , THOMAS BUTCHER , ZO R UBAB E L ANNA COATS , GASKILL ,
MARY COATS , KATHARINE CHAMPION , N M . ARY BUTCHER , SAMUEL ATKI SON On the back of this certificate are written the names of
: the children . born of this marriage , as follows
N N 1 1 E LI zA BET H d 1 1 1 HA AH . born 4th month 7 . 7 9 , born 3 month st , 7 3
6 1 1 T I C 1 M U EL 1 2 N th . SA . born 4th month , 7 . PA E E , born 4 month , 7 33 S th H N n8 d 1 M E 2 0 1 2 . 2 JA . born 4 month . 7 4 JO , bor th month , 7 35 ,
I I th 2 d 1 B I G 1 0th m 2 d 1 2 6 V D . L 2 . A A , born onth . 7 DA , born 7 month , 7 37
d th 1 S ES . MO , born 3 month 9 . 7 39
1 6 John Atkinson died in Springfield Township in 7 9 .
Hannah , his wife , and all the children , except John and
fift - th r ee e . David , survived him . A married life of y y ars
THE ATKINSONS . OF N EW JERSEY .
E Esther Atkinson died , and Samuel married lizabeth T w Conrow . he follo ing were the children by this second marriage
KE zI A H d B S I r r E , (marrie enj Atkinson) , I A AH , (ma ried Sa ah ldridge) , M Y r o LI Z BET a T s AR , (mar ied John Atkins n) , E A H . (m rried Salathiel own end) . E v d P R A N N a . HO , (married Clement ockhill) , , (ne er m rrie ) The Benjamin and John Atkinson mentioned as marrying the sisters , Keziah and Mary , were brothers , and not nearly related to the sisters they married .
A u - The third son of Samuel and Esther was John , born
1 s t 1 6 gust , 7 5 .
marriage of Bohn .
n - John Atki son , son of Samuel and Esther , and great li grandson of Wil am , married Elizabeth Borton , at Evesham ,
B 1 th 1 8 urlington County , March s , 79 . The certificate of this
- marriage is in the possession of John B . Atkinson , (his grand of son) , Earlington , Ky . m John purchased a far near Mullica Hill , in Gloucester h 8 h t 1 . County , on w ich he resided until his death , June s , 37
e was 10th 1 6 8 His wif , Elizabeth , born August , 7 , and died
2 th 1 8 The July 4 , 35. children by this marriage who reached maturity were
ST s t th 1 m H i a E HER , born Augu s , 799 , ( arried Jonathan er t ge) . E LI zA BET H nA u us t 1 6 1 800 m i W m H F r . . c , bor g th , . ( arr ed en h) , T O 2 1 8 G G . 6 th 1 0. EOR E . born ctober . N o r 1 8th 1 8 1 m rr n e ts one livin—F rancinia JOH , b rn Ma ch , 4, ( a ied An e Alb r on ; child g ) .
O r . THE ATKINSONS . NEW JERSEY
e 1 th 1 8 1 Esth r died February s , 7 ; Elizabeth died October
d 1 86 1 1 88 3 , 4 ; John died , in Colorado , January 3th , 9 .
a a m rri ge of George C.
George Tatem Atkinson . son of John and Elizabeth , and
reat - reat - rands on b g g g of William , married Eliza eth Bond , h 8 t 1 0. daughter of Jesse Bond , of Salem County , February 5 , 4 The children by this marriage were :
b v b 1 1 h 1 8 0 N B . m t JOH . orn No e er , 4 ,
YDI T F 1 8 ; e R m . L A born ebruary 5 , 43 marri d obt Co ly
W NS EN D o 1 th v ; 26 th . 1 8 0 . TO , b rn September s . ne er married died April 9 L D 6 1 8 d I N B . F f s s s e s R F . m 1 m . O c CA O E . born ece ber th , 47 ; arrie N arren , Ma a hu tt . died d 1 88 September 3 . 5 . 8 i O G E 1 1 2 a F n W . GE R C born May 5 , 5 ; m rried an e Miller 8 8 N b F 2 1 6 . WARRE , orn ebruary , 5
George T . and Elizabeth B . Atkinson celebrated their
- Golden Wedding on the homestead , near Mullica Hill , Feb
ruar th 1 8 0 and y s , 9 , are enjoying good health at this writing .
a a m rri ge of BohnB .
John B . Atkinson , son of George and Elizabeth , and
- - - r n s n reat reat reat a d o . g g g g of William , married Sarah A Black , m daughter of Willia and Ann Black , of Mount Holly , New
2 d 1 86 Jersey , May 3 , 7 . — There were two children by this m arriage JohnB born
2 th 1 868 e e e April 9 , died at Swarthmor Coll g , Pa October
1 s t 1 886 Ma th 1 86 3 , ; Mary Newbold , born y 9 , 9 ; now living with her parents at Earlington , Kentucky .
THE ATKINSONS . OF NEW JERSEY .
( Dther IDilliam atkins ons .
Two William Atkinsons afterwards died in Burlington
1 - County , one of Northampton Township , in 7 54. His chil
: e dren were Ann , wife of Scott , Elizabeth and Hop ,
minors . His wife Mary (Shinn) also survived him .
And another William , of Springfield Township died in
1 6 . : . 7 7 His children were William , Hannah and Aden In 1 747 Thomas Atkinson purchased of James Lippincott
a interest and in 1 748 he purchased of Abraham Griffi th
e a int rest in the grist or corn mill at Mount Holly , he
- thereby owning more than one half of the mill , the water
power and improvements . A short sketch of the place may
not be uninteresting :
8 1 John Ridges, of London , made a survey of 7 acres in
Northampton Township , Burlington County , fronting on the
North side of Rancocas Creek , and upon which the principal
1 0 1 attor - part of the town stands . In 7 Samuel Jennings , as
ney of John Ridges , sold the same to Joshua Southwick and
Edward Gaskill , who built a dam across the creek and erected
1 2 0 a grist or corn mill there . In 7 they made a division of
the property and the mills were assigned to Edward Gaskill ,
1 2 un- who in 7 3sold the same to Thomas Bryant . He sold
was 2 8 divided interests to various persons , among which
Lai e 1 part to Ebenezer g , in 7 37 , who added a bolting mill ,
THE ATKINSONS . OF N EW JERSEY .
It is difficult to place the several Thomas Atkinsons
named in the ancient records , at this late day , so as to show their relation to each other and trace the line of either or all
to . e the present This would be desirable , but the abs nce of ffi su cient data prevents it .
1 6 1 M ountwell In 9 Thomas Atkinson was a resident of ,
Haddonfield 1 afterwards , and where he remained until 745
- 1 0th 1 6 A t - he is called a brick layer . April , 9 3, Thomas kinson was grantee in a deed for land in Burlington County .
th 1 6 o March 5 , 9 5 , Thomas Atkins n was grantee for a lot in
is Burlington , and where he then lived ; he called a mason .
1 1 th 1 6 was And January , 9 5 , Thomas Atkinson grantee in a
’ deed for a lot of land in Burlington , and where he then lived ;
is - he called a brick layer .
There was also Thomas Atkinson , the son , and Thomas
A tkins on the al - f father , owners of the mill at Mount Holly , ready referred to , who may be added , but will not aid in the
o s lution of the present inquiry .
1 n In 7 39 one of these Thomas Atkinsons , of Northampto
his Township , died , leaving a will in which he named wife ,
Sarah , sons , Francis , John and Thomas , and daughters ,
Christianna Wilson , Jean Jones and Sarah Harris .
1 - In 7 57 another of these Thomas Atkinsons , of North ampton Township , died , leaving a will , and named his wife ,
ATK S S lN ON . THE , OF NEW JERSEY
s on and Hannah , , Thomas , and daughters . Rebecca . Esther
Hannah . Adjoining to the Southwick and Gaskill purchase on the
00 West was a survey of 3 acres , made to John Cripps , and
upon which part of the town now stands . Daniel Wills , the
o Surveyor General , made the l cation , and as he stood on the
i 1 8 field - b ook - Mount (Apr l , he wrote in his the follow
ing Within which tract is a mountain to which the Prov -
ince East , South , West and North sends a beautiful aspect ,
and named by the owner thereof Mount Holly .
On the Northeast side of the Mount , Nathaniel Cripps ,
son of John , built himself a house , and where he lived . It stood by the road going from the Northern part of Burlington
- County to the ferry over Rancocas Creek , and where Free
dom Lippincott had his blacksmith Shop . Near by Nathaniel
’ ’ - - Cripps house was the Friends meeting house and grave yard .
’ - The Mount was known as Cripps Mount , the place of wor
’ ' - r ship as Cripps meeting house , and the burial place as C ipps
- grave yard .
To this log building the Friends in that section came for
religious worship twice in each week , and where they were frequently visited by preachers from foreign parts traveling in
- America . Here the philanthropist , John Woolman , wor m shipped regularly, and where he proclai ed the doctrines of
THE ATKINSONS . OF NEW JERSEY .
his sect to the assembled listeners , and where his voice was the
—- first raised in opposition to s lavery thenso general among those
of his own belief and practice . In this primitive building often
s at Robert Dimsdale , Francis Collins , (who had removed from M ountwell to Northampton Township) , Benjamin Bryant ,
Edward Gaskill , Joshua Southwick , and others . Here , also , came Thomas Atkinson (father and son) with their families
as - and others of the name , and sometimes their Slaves , coach
men and attendants .
- Here sometimes would a marriage be solemnized , bring ing the young people from the whole country side and filling
the house to its utmost capacity . The wedding party , on
- dis - horse back , with colored servants , also mounted , made a
n in- play , however plai the dresses , and on their return be creased by other guests , invited to partake of the feast of good things awaiting them at home .
Here , too , would occasionally be assembled in the burial place many friends and neighbors to inter the remains of some
one — e rchance deceased p the head of a family, or possibly
off - some one just coming to mature age , or cut in the joyous ness of youth to be laid away and seen of those present no
more .
The old meeting - house is gone and nothing left to mark
- its place . Of the grave yard no evidence remains to show its
EW ERSE THE K S S OF N J Y. AT IN ON .
e s e are um e a e a a e ee ne e e and J r y inn r bl th t h v b n gl ct d , in many
s a es es e e Ve m a the e a s in t nc , d rt d . ry ny of privat y rd h ave been ploughed over and nothing left even to s how their
a e m a e s s e a e are - loc lity , whil ny oth r , u d by n ighborhood , with
e e the s es e e a a and n out f nc . ton brok n or carri d w y , overgrow
s es and a a e m O e s $ with bu h h rbor for v r in . th r have only a tra
ditional ex s e e and e e la s m e the e i t nc . wh r y o of b st people of their generation and whos e rem ain s are s hrouded with the
o s of the m e a e em ro t ti b r now growing bov th .
A s the s e e s n e s e es e e e the Ram ttl r i cr a d , bridg w r built ov r
as at $ The s and the e B e n coc Mill , titl of ridg ton was give
the a e s am e e m a e s at pl c . Thi n h ld good for ny y ar , but last
gave way to that as s ign ed to it in1 68 1 by John Cripps as he
$ s o his s e the the m a far to d with urv yor on top of ount in , not
s a and am e i e the end m e di t nt , which n will cont nu to of ti .
i Samuel atlt ns on.
Sam e A s n s e e e e - u l tkin o ttl d in Ch st r Township . Burling ton New e s e e s 1 1 a e County . J r y , pr viou to 7 9 , for in th t y ar he
as e a a e a an m as A am s s on purch d l rg tr ct of l d of Tho d , ( of
the s s e e a his and e e he n John , fir t ttl r) , djoining own , wh r the
e s a is at the E as e nd s liv d . Thi tr ct t rly e of Moore town (then
’ Rodm antown and es on s es the n s R a ex$ ) li both id of Ki g o d , ten m a em B r n as a in1 68 1 His ding fro S l to u lingto , l id out .
THE TK S NEW ER E A INSON . OF J S Y.
dwelling was a stately mansion for the day in which it was
am was m an s e es e and his built , for S uel a of con iderabl tat ,
e a a good wife . Ruth , a daught r of M hlon St cy , had brought
a e s his him larg inheritance. He wa a m an of influence in
as e the m e he was con- neighborhood , w ll in e ting. of which a
s m em e as the m em ens the m es istent b r , in political ov t of ti
a a the e the then git ting peopl of Colony .
his s e e is s s and is at s Part of old re id nc till tanding. thi
i n his e B Z e E s . a e wr ti g occupi d by Clayton . ill y , q . who tr c d title to the land through the Dudleys and the younger branches
i s e a n m e of the Atk nsons to the fir t own r of th t a .
e a e a am Pe and His father cam to Phil d lphi with Willi nn .
e e s s s is s in am e A - r nder d him ome ervice. Thi hown S u l tkin
’ s on s will where he m ention s that William Pennprom is ed to rem unerate his father b y deeding him a lot of land in Phila-
e his e e e the ee was c $ delphia . The d ath of fath r b for d d d liv e e led s m e am e a s e r d to o doubt , but S u l took p in to discov r the and onex m n a an the - truth , a ini g pl of city found that Wil
’ his s nam e ons a a liam Pennhad written father in a lot id pl n .
By this he felt as s ured the deed was inexis tence and gave the
s his lot to his two daughter by will .
’ ‘ ' Hol m es m ap of Philadelphia and E nvirons began in
m th n m e 1 68 1 s hows two lots of land arked with e a of J .
k ns one B s u on es s e Nes ham - At i on , in uck Co nty . the w t id of
NEW THE ATKINSONS . OF JERSEY .
an and h y Creek , anot er on the east side of Dublin Creek , a s s is e hort di tance from the river . This probably the p rson named by Samuel Atkins on in his will and who was also the — owner of the lots within the city lim its a gift from the Pa- troon . It is unfortunate that Samuel Atkinson did not mention
' his e e and father s nam . for by this a link would be establish d connect reliably some of the later branches of the family with on e of the first com ers of the nam e to this region of country .
ia - Light may be thrown upon this matter , however , by that
Shourds e defatigable antiquarian , Thomas , of Sal m County ,
N ew 0 2 and Jersey , in his history of Fenwick Colony , pages 5
0 e s 5 3. Th re he shows ome of the accounts of James Newell ,
o - as att rney of William Penn , in which James Atkinson is cred ited with furnis hing beef and pork to Governor Penn and other
a 1 68 1 688 items . These accounts d te in 5 and and leave a very strong inference that Jam es Atkinson there named was the he was father of Samuel , and that a butcher and resided in Philadelphia at that time . He (Samuel) was the owner of
a s - m ny slaves , and in his will howed his anxiety for their wel fare . He gave them to his children and requested that they be learned to read the Scriptures and be set free at the age of
hirt - fiv t e . r th 1 1 6 y years His will bea s date 4 month 3th , 7 9 ,
1 1 but not admitted to probate until April 3th , 7 7 5 , in which
H s - h e . i : Su year died children were Thomas , who married
S S ATKlN ON . THE . OF N EW JERSEY
A tkins onit Of Mahlon Stacy , father of Ruth , may be said Y that he come to West New Jersey from orkshire , England ,
in 1 6 8 on the ship Shield 7 , with his wife , children and several
servants . He was a brother of Robert Stacy , one of the
and . Commissioners , a man of considerable estate He settled at the Falls where Trenton now stands and erected a grain mill there and soon became prominent in the affairs of the
his colony . His letters written to friends in England after arrival here and as printed in Samuel Smith ’ s history of New
Jersey , giving his views of the country , are interesting reading .
1 0 He owned much other land in the Colony . He died in 7 3,
leaving a widow , Rebecca , and the following named children
M l nwh o ah o , ; , married Sarah Bainbridge (no issue) Elizabeth , V who married Abel Jenny , of irginia ; Ruth , who married
chrildren— Sarah William Beaks (three , Stacy and Nathan) ,
Samuel Atkinson Mary , who married Reuben Pownall
Rebecca , who married Joshua Wright and Thomas Potts , and
r Sarah , who married Joseph Kirkb ide .
Others of the name of Atkinson , residents of West New
and Jersey , doubtless connected with those herein before
written of , should be mentioned here . John Atkinson lived in Hunterdon County and died in
1 0 r 7 5 . His wife Martha and children not named su vived him .
’ I nthe Surveyor - General s office in Trenton is found that
Thomas Atkinson located land in Burlington County in 1 694 .
THE ATKINSONS , OF NEW JERSEY
William Atkinson located l and in B urlington County in
Samuel Atkinson located land in Burlington County in
Records of Middletown monthly meeting (opposite Tren -
Pa ton) show that Isaac Atkinson , of Bristol , . , married Sarah
2 d 1 08 b orn 1 Hough , April 3 . 7 . Samuel Atkinson , mi y 7th ,
1 68 and 5 , the son of Thomas Jane . Thomas Atkinson died
I s 1 6 8 688 t 2 d 1 . September , 7 . John Atkinson died March ,
th 1 6 A thins on Hannah Atkinson died August 9 , 99 . John born
h 1 an 1 8t 1 8 d . June , 7 , the son of John Mary Chesterfield monthly meeting records Show certificate of
removal of Samuel Atkinson and wife to Newton (near Had -
l d 1 1 donfie d . ) October 3 , 7 9 n The same records Show certificate of Joseph Atki son , of
and Burlington , to marry Mary Arenson , daughter of John
th 1 2 1 Mary , July 7 , 7 .
Samuel Atkinson , of Falls meeting (opposite Trenton)
2' 2 d 1 1 M W W . K arrie Ruth Beaks July , 7 4
Pa William Atkinson . of Falls Township , . , married Mary
6 th 1 0 Hough , daughter of Richard , February , 7 4 .
’ 1 8 - Bowden s History of Friends , 54 , tells of Aaron Atkin son and William E ills (preachers) who visited the Colonies in
1 6 8 America in 9 . Aaron came from Cumberland , and was at the time of the visit about 33years of age . He had been
THE ATKINSONS , OF NEW JERSEY .
2 educated a Presbyterian , but at the age of 9 was convinced
’ of Friends principles by the preaching of Thomas Story . He i and his fr end landed in Maryland , and in the sixth month of that year attended the yearly meeting of ministers at Samuel
’ anne s a a J y house , in Burlington , and fterw rds went to New
England .
- Rachel Atkinson , a widow , who lived in Chester Town
1 8 ship , died in 7 5 . She was a sister of Thomas Wallace , and
: a A b - in her will named the following children Lydi , Susan ,
i ai and l . g John , all minors
Joseph Atkinson , of Springfield Township , in his will
mentioned his wife , Sarah . and children , William , Aaron ,
a a a Mary (wife of J cob Powell) , S rah , Elizabeth , Lavini and
1 60 John . He died in 7 .
Hope Atkinson , a widow , died in Springfield Township
s he a a 1 6 1 . a in 7 In her will n mes a d ughter, Hannah , and
son . Michael . In the Township last named died Michael Atkinson in
1 2 7 7 . He had no children . but named in his will his brothers
Pan- Job and Amos and his sister Hannah , wife of Shaddock
coast .
ia decendants Except the case of the of William Atkinson ,
no attempt has been made to trace any particular line of this family , the purpose being to fix a starting point for such as are interested in and desirous of knowing of his or her ances -
I . THE ATK NSONS , OF NEW JERSEY
. as C T . Atkinson , of Bardstown , Kentucky , h the family
a Bible of Joseph Atkinson , the son of Thom s (printed in The following is a copy of the records in‘ th is Bible
s on Thomas Atkinson , of Timothy , was born in the
1 0 2 0 . year 7 3, May
- Hannah Doddridge , daughter of Philip , born at Wood
1 08 M a 2 2 i bridge , 7 , y , and joined in marr age to the above
1 2 8 1 as Thomas Atkinson , 7 , October 7 . Age of our children followeth
1 2 1 r 1 0 1 ANN . born 7 9 , August 4 JOHN . bo n 7 4 , January
1 2 2 8 o 1 2 1 TIMOTHY , born 7 3 , April . ASHER , b rn 7 4 , August
F 1 1 6 1 1 RANCES , born 7 34 , March JOSEPH . born 744 , July
1 6 F 10 1 8 PHILIP , born 7 3 , ebruary HANNAH . born 7 4 , June 9 .
M o rn1 1 1 0 1 THO AS , b 7 37 , May 3 . ENOCH . born 7 5 , January
Taken from the original and transcribed by Joseph A t -
1 1 2 kinson , 7 7 5 , November .
‘ was e r - Joseph Atkinson had three wives . The first J c
M One child , Asher , the result of this marriage ,
2 1 r im ah 1 8 0 . e e m born April 9 . 7 7 J died July 3, 7 3.
1 8 On June 7 , 7 7 , Joseph married Susannah Rakestraw , a
child ren— E liz ab eth widow , and by her had two , or Betsy ,
i 1 88 and 2 0 Atk nson , born March 9 , 7 . James , born February ,
1 1 7 9 .
a - After the death of Susann h . Joseph married Sarah Alex
e s a a ander . The childr n of thi m rri ge were
RS THE ATKINSONS . OF NEW JE EY .
2 1 Pears on; Sarah , born April 4 , 794 ; married M n
1 888 children—A lex died , leaving two Pearson (unmarried) ,
V Ad - of ineland , New Jersey , and Elizabeth , wife of the late
ff . miral De Kra , residing in Wilmington , Delaware
1 . Mary , born November 7 , 79 5 ; died in infancy
0 1 2 2 John , born September 3 , 79 7 ; married , November ,
1 8 8 4 , Ella Whitney (widow) at Quincy , Illinois ; now living at —— Benton Harbor , Michigan ; three children by this marriage
E d - Sarah (Winans) , now a widow , with sons Charles A . and ward ; Mary (Newcomb) , with two children , David B . and
Mary (of Henderson , Kentucky) ; Chas . T of Bardstown , t ff C F lori-i : and . Kentucky , with three hildren , Alma . Allen
The following marriages of Friends are from the Pe nn -
sylvania archives :
M D W N M N H Y M N G I DLETO O T L E ETI .
t s s s . JANE ATKINSON to WILLIAM BILES
1 :1 M 7 . MARGARET ATKINSON to SA UEL I I I LLBO R N . 1 7 1 6 MARY ATKINSON to CEPHUS CI-I I LD M 1 7 17 . JOHN ATKINSON to M ARY S ITH
F S O N H Y M E ETI N O ALL M T L . WILLIAM ATKINSON to M A RY HOUGH
ISAAC ATKINSON to SARAH HOUGH . W' ILLIAM ATKI N SON to M ARGARET BAKER RACHEL ATKINSON to THO M AS STAPLER
B U K A C INGH M MONTHLY MEETING .
D D CHRISTOPHER ATKINSON to LY IA CON Y .
THE ATKINSONS . OF NEW JERSEY .
8 8 . 1 7 JOSEPH ATKINSON to RACHEL CHILD . M 1 799 . THO AS ATKINSON to SARAH SMITH .
W R I GHTSTO VVN M H Y E ONT L ME TING .
WILLIAM ATKINSON to M ARY TOMLINSON THOM AS ATKINSON to M ARY WILDMAN M M M ARY ATKINSON to JA ES OORE . M ARY ATKINSON to JOHN ROSE .
JANE ATKINSON to CHARLES REEDER . P HtE B E ATKINSON to WILLIAM NEELD .
T K R M N. JOHN A INSON . J to ARY ATKINSO
JOHN ATKINSON to ELIZABETH HAR DING . JONATHAN ATKINSON to ESTHER SM ITH
TI M OTHY ATKINSON to DEBORAH SMITH .
. 1 1 8 2 In the Pennsylvania Colonial Records , vol , page ,
n - at a meeti g of the Councill , in the Councill Room , in Phil
’ 1 d n 1 6 86 adelphia , ye 7 th of ye 3 mo th , , James Atkinson s
was complaint against Henry Stretcher and Charles Hames ,
Doein ffi Read , setting forth their abuse to him in his g his o ce , $ h viz : gathering ye Proprietors quitt rents . Stretc er was a
- member of the Assembly , and at the next meeting of Coun
$
ff . cill , the O ense was proved
William Atkinson was elected Coroner of Bucks County fi 1 2 1 1 0 . in 7 , and remained in of ce until 74
In $ an account of the Lands in Pennsylvania Granted by Willi am Penn to several Purchasers within the Kingdom