| Notes |
- RESEARCH_NOTES: 1. A Possible Solution for Two Wives and Thirteen Children for William Johnson, prepared by Kerry Petersen, kahunakerry@gmail.com , 20 Oct 2017, rev. #1 16 Dec. 2017:
The wives of William Johnson are somewhat tentative and even though additional proof would be helpful, we can tentatively construct this family.
William himself was not helpful since his will of 30 Dec. 1811 gives no mention of a surviving wife.
We have the following proposed listing of wives by Richard Kuntz of Allenwood, N.J. from his website http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3sbrn/Benjamin.htm accessed 19 Nov 2011, "Geneology [sic] Information - Applegates of Ocean County, New Jersey," (last updated - 11/2009):
“There is some question as to whether William had a wife before Jane Polhemos, since the 1850 Census has Jonathan's birth ca. 1778 which is 4 years before his marriage to Jane. Some notes located in the Monmouth County Historical Society have indicated that William was married three times. He married first Elizabeth Longstreet, second Sarah Aumack, and third Jane Polhemus. At this point, I have not found official documents that substantiate that inference.â€
Richard Kuntz adds: “A marriage license for Monmouth County is recorded in State Archives First Series Vol. XXII between William Johnston and Jane Polhemos dated 6/5/1782.â€
Confirming this last statement, I also found the following on FHL film 946271 "The Charles R. Hutchinson Collection," Family Records (series 4, Book F, "Records in the Office of the Secretary of State at Trenton, N.J.; Bonds for Licenses of Marriage, compilation p. 14, entry 1866. The compiler notes that between the years 1727 to 1791, the law required the filing of a bond to assure that there was no lawful impediment to potential marriage such as consanguinity, another marriage, etc. He notes that these bonds were found in a pile with many lost but many did survive and are now bound. The compiler includes a select few in his compilation including:
"June 5, 1782, William Johnston, William Hutchinson and William Montgomery, all of the County of Monmouth, &c, sureties for said William Johnston and Jane Polhemus. Witnessed by David Rhea, Michael Johnston."
This more detailed statement is critical in helping us to dismiss Jane Polhemus as one of the wives of our William Johnson. We have no Michael Johnston associated with our family, which means we have to look further off our normal track for him. From the book "History of the Old Tennent church..." by Frank Rosebrook Symmes, publ. 1904, we learn much about the people listed in the marriage bond. Michael Johnston was apparently the same man associated with the Old Tennent Presbyterian Church in Freehold, Monmouth co., NJ, who died 9 Sep 1785 at Freehold, and who had a son William Watson Johnston chr. 30 Sep 1759 at the same Tennent church. As of this writing, no one had proposed a marriage for William Watson Johnston who would have been of the right marriage age for the 1782 marriage. We also know that the Polhemus family was located in this same area and that Jane Polhemus' father Tobias was prominent in the same Presbyterian church. We also find that the other witness to the marriage bond, David Rhea, was baptized 11 May 1755 at the same Tennent Church. All of this leads us to a conclusion that it was Michael Johnston's son William Watson who married Tobias Polhemus' daughter Jane and not our William Johnson who was located near Toms River in Dover Township.
Now turning our attention to William’s wife Elizabeth Longstreet, family researcher Kim Matul in an email to me dated 24 Jul 2017 adds valuable information as follows:
"I can answer a lot of the names left blank on your site under Elizabeth Longstreet and can connect the dots on who most of them are. I have a copy of the original letter written in 1875 by William Johnson Ashton, Elizabeth (Longstreet) Johnson's grandson, son of Samuel Ashton and Hannah Johnson. His letter answers the request of his nephew Thomas Hutchinson Ashton, who is his brother James' son (not to be confused with the other Thomas Hutchinson Ashton, who was William and James' brother and my 4th great grandfather). William states: "I will now give you as much a description of my mother's family as I can -- my grandfather's name was William Johnson. He was born in Monmouth County New Jersey near Toms River, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War -- fought in battles of Monmouth Brandywine and White Plain. My grandmother's maiden name was Longstreth. She was born in Rhode Island. I have no knowledge of the date of her birth. They had a large family 12 children and all. Six girls and six boys -- the oldest were girls -- the oldest girls name was Neomi, Hannah, Lucretia, Elizabeth, Sarah & Lydia. The boys’ names were Jonathan, John, Samuel, Joseph, Joel & Thomas. I have now given you the most accurate account that I possess. I have now traced the family down to your father's recollection." (Note: The reference to “Rhode Island†is most likely a bad recollection for the Longstreet ancestral home of “Long Island,†N.Y. Even though the far eastern tip of Long Island [120 miles from Brooklyn] shares a maritime border with the western border of Rhode Island, there is no Longstreet history suggesting any presence there or in Rhode Island. I also searched databases of early Rhode Island records and not a single reference to any Longstreet or variant thereof was found.)
A second documentary witness for a wife named Elizabeth for our William is found in Family Search's "NJ Deaths and Burials" database from FHL Film #584577 with the death record of their daughter Naomi (Johnson) Carr. Page 268 for Dover Twp., Ocean County, NJ indicates a death of January 29, 1854 for “Naomy Carr, female, widdowed, age 80, occupation of weaver, died at Toms River, born "near Toms River", parents Wm. & Elizabeth Johnson, died from old age, recorded June 8, 1854.†This helps confirm that William Johnson had a wife named Elizabeth -- presumably Elizabeth Longstreet.
A third documentary witness for a wife named Elizabeth for our William is found in the Family Search database "New Jersey, Deaths, 1670-1988," (<https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FZP7-B54>) which gives the 27 Jul 1848 death record of William Johnson’s daughter Lydia Shermand [sic: Shumard] at Cabin Brook, Monmouth, New Jersey. It states her parents were William and Elizabeth Johnson, that she was age 68, and that she was born at Toms River, N.J. This again helps confirm that William Johnson had a wife named Elizabeth -- presumably again Elizabeth Longstreet.
The New Jersey records thus far have not provided us with a birth record for Elizabeth Longstreet. We may deduce her possible birthdate as being between 20 Apr 1755, when she is not mentioned in the will of her father Gisbert Longstreet (of Shrewsbury, Monmouth, N.J.), and 31 Aug 1757, when her father subsequently mentions her in a codicil to his will. Even though there is the possibility that she was born earlier assuming the father forgot to mention Elizabeth in the original will, it is more probable that she was born in this interval.
Elizabeth’s possible 1755 -1757 birth date causes some a problem with her being the mother of the earliest children of William Johnson, which might suggest William had an earlier wife than Elizabeth Longstreet. For example, William’s son Samuel is identified as being between 50 and 60 in the 1830 NJ census which calculates to a birth year between 1760 and 1770; this would be too early for Elizabeth to be the mother since she would have been age 5 to 15 in a best case or 3 to 13 in the worst case in this same time frame. Richard Kuntz, as quoted above, indicates there was a possible additional wife named Sarah Aumack for whom to date I cannot find any additional information. There were some Aumacks in the area, but I cannot find a link or a suitable Sarah. Considering the error in Richard Kuntz’s quoted source listing Jane Polhemus as a wife of our William, we should view Sarah Aumack, if she existed at all, with some trepidation. This Sarah (if she really even existed) may have been the earliest wife. There is also possibility of her being a subsequent wife to Elizabeth, but there is nothing to steer us one way or another. As a side note, William had daughters named both Sarah and Elizabeth, but none were named Jane - could they have been named for Sarah Aumack and Elizabeth Longstreet?
So our best solution for now is that William had potentially two wives with the first being an unknown Mrs. William Johnson and the second being Elizabeth Longstreet. We can dismiss Jane Polhemus and we should reserve judgment for a Sarah Aumack. His last wife, presumably Elizabeth, would have died before William made his will in 1811. He would have married Elizabeth Longstreet by no later than 1773 since their daughter Naomi was born sometime between 1767 and 1774 (see notes below) -- it was her birth reported in her death record which is our earliest calculated account of Elizabeth. On the other hand, there are occasions in this era in Monmouth County of much older men marrying younger girls of about 16 years of age (i.e. the third wife of Tobias Polhemus noted above as the father to Jane Polhemus).
Now let’s turn to sorting out the children. William’s grandson, William Johnson Ashton, in the above-referenced letter notes:
“My grandmother's maiden name was Longstreth … They had a large family 12 children and all. Six girls and six boys -- the oldest were girls -- the oldest girls name was Neomi, Hannah, Lucretia, Elizabeth, Sarah & Lydia. The boys’ names were Jonathan, John, Samuel, Joseph, Joel & Thomas.â€
This statement would seem to indicate that all of the children were from Elizabeth; however, William Johnson Ashton had some memory lapse in saying “Rhode Island†for “Long Island†and in naming only 12 of the 13 children that can be documented using William’s 1811 will. He may have had a more general memory of Elizabeth being the mother of all children since any first wife of William may have died so early as to have Elizabeth be the effective mother by taking over the raising of the oldest children when those children were very young.
As for the children, William’s 1811 will is invaluable in confirming the same 12 children as the letter plus one additional son William. Note also that the ordering of the children varies between William Johnson Ashton’s listing and that of the will. Perhaps neither source is fully chronological in listing the children by seniority as will be seen in the order I construct below. The abstract of William’s will is as follows:
“12/30/1811, William Johnston, Dover Twp., Monmouth Co., will of. Lands to be equally divided between 6 sons: Jonathan, Samuel, Joseph, John, William and James. Cedar swamp lying north of the road to go with and remain for use of the old place. Son, Joel, blacksmith tools, he having had his share of the land. To 6 daughters, Naomi Winner, Sarah Johnston, Hannah Ashton, Lucretia Smith, Elizabeth Smith and Lida Shumand, all moveable estate to be equally divided except 1 bed and bedding which is to be given to Elizabeth Phillips. Executors: Jonathan Johnston, John Johnston, Garret Irons [son of his wife's sister, Nelly]. Witnesses: Samuel Morris, William Phillips [son of Naomi by her first husband?]. Proved 4/2/1812. Inventory 4/1/1812 by Reuben Haines & Samuel Corlies. File 8959Mâ€
Even though he followed the same order as the will, Richard Kuntz gave us the following slightly deficient summary of only 12 children by unintentionally missing the child Elizabeth in the will:
-Jonathon (1778-1857); m. (1/24/1891) Charity Phillips (1781 - 8/24/1865)
-Samuel (ca. 1765-1830+); m. (11/22/1802) Elizabeth Coward (? - ?)
-Joseph (1780-1862); m. (1) Hannah Phillips (? - ?) (2) Sarah ? (? - ?)
-John (ca. 1770-1811+)
-William (ca. 1789-2/27/1866); m. (8/17/1806) Phebe Liming (1786 - 12/26/1877)
-James (ca. 1788-?); m. Euphemy Unknown (? - ?)
-Joel (ca. 1785-ca. 1836); m. (6/26/1806) Mary Byrd (ca. 1792 - 1/1862)
-Naomi (?-?); m. (1) Andrew Phillips (1772 - 1804) (2) Isaac Winner (? - ?) (3) Aaron Bennet (1750 - 1834) (4) Walter Kerr (? - ?)
-Sarah (?-?); m. (12/9/1791) Robbins Ayers (? - ?)
-Hannah (?-?); m. Samuel Ashton (? - ?)
-Lucretia (?-?); m. William Smith (? - ?)
-Lydia (11/12/1789-4/25/1848); m. Joseph Shummard (1787 - 1868)
Using some newer sources just to deal with the question of birth sequence, I believe we can improve on the order of children as follows and tentatively assign them the following placing. The first three listed children would be the candidates for children of the earlier unknown mother:
1. Samuel, b. from 1760 to 1766, say 1766. Samuel “Johnston†is identified as being between 50 and 60 in the 1830 NJ census for Dover which calculates to a birth year between 1760 and 1770. The same census shows in the immediately subsequent two entries the families of Barzillai Johnston (aged 40-50) and William Johnston (aged 30-40) with a note from the census taker “sons of Samuel.†If this is the same Samuel who married Elizabeth Coward in 1802, then Samuel had an earlier wife to account for these sons. Family Search has the following source attached to the son Barzillai: “Johnson/Hyers Family Bible: Bible Records from the Monmouth County Historical Association Library & Archives, Volume 4, Monmouth County Genealogy Society; Family History Library US/CAN Book 974.946 D2mc: Brazillar Johnson was born, Oct. 9th, 1788.†A gravestone image on Family Search shows the son William: “William S. Johnson died 4 Jul 1870 age 82.†We can assume an age of no less than 21 at time of marriage ca. 1787 which would leave us with an estimated birth date for Samuel of no later than 1766. The identity of Samuel’s wife is undetermined but she is shown in the 1830 census in the same age bracket as Samuel, i.e. 60-70. There is another Samuel Johnson (who may or may not be our Samuel in a second marriage) who married Elizabeth Coward 22 Nov 1802 in Monmouth co. The record <https://mcapps.co.monmouth.nj.us/Web/Archives/ArchivesRequest.aspx> indicates that the minister was Samuel Tapscott. He was a minister of the Old Yellow Baptist Church in Upper Freehold. Given the minister's location, it seems unlikely that he would have married a couple in Dover. On the other hand, Samuel’s sister Lucy married John Longstreet who was the son of Stoffel Longstreet and Abigail Woolley. Stoffel was the brother of Gisbert Longstreet, the father of our Elizabeth; this would make John and Elizabeth first cousins, but the relationship is perhaps not close enough to prove anything especially in light of Samuel probably being the son of William Johnson’s first unknown wife before William married Elizabeth Longstreet.
2. Sarah, b. bef. 1790, say 1768. This position could be filled by either of two daughters, Elizabeth or Sarah for whom we have poor sources for more precisely calculating a birth. The 1811 will does list Sarah earlier than Elizabeth, but we have already determined the will does not seem to be a good indicator of sibling seniority. For now, I place Sarah here in an available gap after placing all the other children who, with the exception of Elizabeth, fall into good sequencing up to 1790. Richard Kuntz reports a marriage date for Sarah of 9 Dec 1791 to Robbins Ayers, which if correct would give us an estimated birth date for Sarah before 1772 when she would have been 19. I cannot duplicate this finding and question its validity especially since her father calls her Sarah Johnston (not Ayers) in his 1711 will. New Jersey Marriages does report a marriage between Robbins Ayers and Sarah Jansen 28 Oct 1813 at Salem, Gloucester, N.J., but the location and the wife’s name does not seem pertinent to our family. We can at least say that she was not noted as a minor in the 1811 will meaning that she was most likely at least 21 or born before 1790.
3. John, b. 1770-1780, say 1770. John Johnson shows in the 1840 census for Dover in which his age is reported as 60-70 for a birth of 1770-1780. He has a wife who is age 40-50 and some children reported in the same census. Since the available birth spots from 1772 to 1780 are filled with other siblings, 1770 appears to be the best guess.
4. Naomi, b. from 1767 to 1774, say 1772. Naomi has several ages associated with her. One would give a birth year 1768 if we are to believe her age given in 1853 Rev. War pension application for her fourth and last husband Walter Karr. Another would give a birth year of 1774 per her death record as follows: January 29, 1854. Naomy Carr, female, widdowed, age 80, occupation of weaver, died at Toms River, born "near Toms River", parents Wm. & Elizabeth Johnson, died from old age, recorded June 8, 1854. Another would give a birth year of 1767 per the age 87 reported in Naomi's obituary. Her 1850 census has not been found to date and if found, it would give us yet another report. Assuming a birth of 1755 and an age of 16 for Elizabeth at marriage, Naomi would not be born before 1772.
5. Lucretia, b. 5 Dec 1773. Her 1850 census in Ohio confirms a birth of circa 1774. More specifically, Family Search has an image of her tombstone which states: “Lucretia, wife of William Smith, Sen. d. Jan. 17, 1855, 81y, 1m, 12 days. This calculates to 5 Dec 1773.
6. Hannah, b. 1775-1776, say 1776. In the same letter of William Johnson Ashton as referred to above is found: “My father’s name was Samuel Ashton. He was born February 1771 … born and raised in Bucks County … My father was married to Hannah Johnson October 14 1795 and emigrated to Fayette County [Western (?)] Pennsylvania in the fall of 1799 where he remained until the Spring of 1807 when he moved to Washington County. In the Spring of 1811 he emigrated to Clermont County Ohio where he endured the hardships of pioneer life.†From this account, we have a firm marriage date from which we can assume Hannah was at least 19 for a birth year no later than 1776 and probably no earlier than her husband’s in 1771. According to Ashton family researchers, her last child was Lucretia, b: bet 1815 and 1820 in Ohio (probably closer to 1815. This child before, John, was born 1813. Assuming a maximum age of 40 for child bearing, the birth date would probably be no earlier than about 1775.
7. Jonathan, b. from 1778 to 1779, say 1778. He married his wife 24 Jan 1801 in Monmouth co., N.J., which would mean he was born before 1780 to be a minimum of 21. Jonathan appears in the 1840 census for Dover Twp., NJ, aged 50-60, for a birth 1780-1790. He appears in the 1850 census for the same place as age 72 for a birth of 1778. FHL Film Number: 584577, page 287 for Dover Twp., Ocean County, NJ from the 1st of June 1856 to the 1st of June 1857 shows a death on April 12 for Johnathan Johnson, male, married, 78, farmer, died at White Oak Bottom (birth place, parents, cause of death not reported) which calculates a birth year of 1779. There is also an 1830 census for Jonathan Johnston in Dover showing him as 60 to 70 with a wife who is 40-50; this is obviously a clerical error for Jonathan. Interestingly, Jonathan’s widow Charity Johnson is reported in the 1860 census in Dover with a young Polhemus family living with her. One patron in Family Search indicates a birth date of 18 Feb 1778, but no authority for such a statement is given.
8. Lydia, b. 1780. Lydia’s death record shows a death 27 Jul 1848 at Cabin Brook, Monmouth, NJ, parents William and Elizabeth Johnson, b. Toms River, age 68. Birth calculates as 1780. Confirms mother as Elizabeth, thus her father was married to Elizabeth Longstreet prior to this time.
9. Joseph, b. 1780-1781, say 1781. Joseph Johnston shows in 1830 census for Dover Twp., Monmouth, New Jersey with his family and as age 40-50 for a birth year range of 1780 to 1790. His next door neighbor is his sister Naomi with her current husband Aaron Bennett. In the 1850 and 1860 censuses for the same place, “Joseph Johnson†shows respectively as age 70 and 79 for a birth year of 1780 and 1781. Joseph married his first wife Hannah Phillips 27 Mar 1803 at Monmouth co., NJ which makes a birth year as 1782 or earlier if he is 21 or older.
10. Joel, b. from 1782 to 1785, say 1783. Joel “Johnston†and his family was enumerated in the census of 1830 as a resident of Dover Township, age 40 to 50 for a birth from 1780 to 1790. Joel Johnson married Mary Bird on 26 Jun 1806. Allowing a minimum age of 21 and probably no more than 25, we have birth years 1781-1785. His preceding sibling Lydia has a fixed birth date of 1780 making Joel’s range more likely 1782-1785 with the earlier date more probable. One patron in Family Search indicates a birth date of 13 Aug 1783, but no authority for such a statement is given.
11. William, b. abt. or bef. 1785, say 1785. There are several William Johnson/Johnstons in Monmouth co., N.J. and so the following is speculative. One William that shows up in many Internet genealogies is William Johnson, b. 16 Nov 1788 in Silverton, N.J., and m. 1 Deborah Hulse 30 Jun 1802 at the Quaker Meeting in Brick Twp. and m. 2 Sarah Tilton 27 May 1810 at a unknown location. The birth information is supposedly from a family bible of his descendants. This birth date would make him only 13 at his first marriage and so I consider the information sketchy. Another William Johnson shows in two censuses both in Jackson Township, Monmouth, NJ, with his wife Phebe Leming. In 1850 he shows as “Johnston†age 58 and in 1860 as “Johnson†age 72, which gives birth years 1792 and 1788. “William Johnson, Jr.†married “Phebe Liming†in Monmouth co. 17 Aug 1806 making him born before 1785 assuming an age of 21 or older. Phebe’s death record gives her birth as 1791 and the gravestone in Casswell Cemetery in Jackson Twp., gives her birth as 1790-91, both being calculated from age. Which William I speculative, but currently I favor the second William who married Phebe for mainly one reason - his marriage record calls him “Jr.†meaning his father is likely William Sr.
12. James, b. abt 1788. James Johnson is a relatively common name and not much is known of him. In the 1840 US for Upper Freehold, Monmouth, NJ, we find Walter Karr, 1 male 80-90, 1 female 70-90. This is Samuel’s sister Naomi (Johnson) Karr. Directly next door we find “James I. Johnsonâ€, males: 3@5-10, 1@50-60; females: 1@50-60. This is most likely our Samuel and his birth calculates 1780-1790. In the 1850 census Jackson Twp., Monmouth, N.J. we find a household consisting of “James I. Johnson†(62), Euphemy (59). We then find this latter couple in the 1860 census of Hamilton Township, Mercer, New Jersey as “James I. Johnson†and Euphemia Johnson with his age as 72, occupation as a chair maker, and b. Pennsylvania (an obvious error). These two censuses give a consistent birth date of 1788. It is supposition that this is our James, but the 1840 census helps make better odds that this our Samuel.
13. Elizabeth, b. bef. 1790, say 1790. We have nothing to work from except her father’s will. We can at least say that she was not noted as a minor and that she had a married name of Smith in the 1811 will. This indicates that she was most likely at least 21 or born before 1790. One patron in Family Search indicates a death date of 5 Oct 1819, but no authority for such a statement is given nor can I reproduce the same result. Since her name is Elizabeth, she may have been named after Elizabeth Longstreet, her potential mother. The date of 1790 is arbitrary only and subject to change if any other sources for her can be found. See notes for child #3 Sarah for more on the placement of Sarah and Elizabeth.
2. Website http://mysite.verizon.net/vze3sbrn/Benjamin.htm accessed 19 Nov 2011, "Geneology Information - Applegates of Ocean County, New Jersey," prepared by Richard Kuntz, Allenwood, NJ (Updated - 1/2018); source abbreviations are explained on the website:
"William Johnson (Benjamin) Note: It is a suppostion that this William is the son of Benjamin. Proof required.
The following will abstract is found in NJAW: 1811, Dec 30. Johnston, William, of Dover Twsp., Monmouth Co.; will of: Lands to be equally divided between 6 sons, Jonathan, Samuel, Joseph, John, William, James. Cedar swamp lying north of road to go with and remain for use of the old place. Son Joel, blacksmith's tools, he having had his share of land. To 6 daughters, Naomi Winner, Sarah Johnston, Hannah Aston, Lucretia Smith, Elizabeth Smith, Lydia Shumard all moveable estate to be equally divided except one bed and bedding which I gave to Eliza Phillips. Executors, Jonathan Johnston, John Johnston (signed by mark), Garret Irons. Witnesses - Samuel Morris, William Phillips. Proved Apr. 2, 1812.
A marriage license for Monmouth County is recorded in State Archives First Series Vol. XXII between William Johnston and Jane Polhemos dated 6/5/1782.
Note: There is some question as to whether William had a wife before Jane Polhemos, since the 1850 Census has Jonathan's birth ca. 1778 which is 4 years before his marriage to Jane. Some notes located in the Monmouth County Historical Society have indicated that William was married three times. He married first Elizabeth Longstreet, second Sarah Aumack, and third Jane Polhemus. At this point, I have not found official documents that substantiate that inference.
William Johnson, b. ca. 1740, d. ca. 1811; m. (6/5/1782) Jane Polhemos b. ?, d. ?Issue:
-Jonathon (1778-1857); m. (1/24/1891) Charity Phillips (1781 - 8/24/1865)
-Samuel (ca. 1765-1830+); m. (11/22/1802) Elizabeth Coward (? - ?)
-Joseph (1780-1862); m. (1) Hannah Phillips (? - ?) (2) Sarah ? (? - ?)
-John (ca. 1770-1811+)
-William (ca. 1789-2/27/1866); m. (8/17/1806) Phebe Liming (1786 - 12/26/1877)
-James (ca. 1788-?); m. Euphemy Unknown (? - ?)
-Joel (ca. 1785-ca. 1836); m. (6/26/1806) Mary Byrd (ca. 1792 - 1/1862)
-Naomi (?-?); m. (1) Andrew Phillips (1772 - 1804) (2) Isaac Winner (? - ?) (3) Aaron Bennet (1750 - 1834) (4) Walter Kerr (? - ?)
-Sarah (?-?); m. (12/9/1791) Robbins Ayers (? - ?)
-Hannah (?-?); m. Samuel Ashton (? - ?)
-Lucretia (?-?); m. William Smith (? - ?)
-Lydia (11/12/1789-4/25/1848); m. Joseph Shummard (1787 - 1868)"
3. Mentioned in the 1757 codicil to father's will but not in the 1755 original will: NJ Archives, Calendar of Wills 1751-1760; pg. 204-5; made 20 Apr 1755; Inv taken 13 Nov 1758. "1755, Apr 20. Longstreet, Gisbert, of Shrewsbury, Monmouth Co. Wife, Rachel. Children - Garret, Gisbert (both under age), Moyca, Nelley, Jane and Rachel. Real and personal estate. Executors - James Irons, Sr, Garret Scanck and John Longstreet, Sr. Witnesses - Koert Schenck, Garret Schanck and Nelley Schanck. Codicil of August 31, 1757, provided that a part of the bequest, given to dec'd daughter Jane, alias Onicha, be give to grandson Guisberd Lake, mentions children of dec'd daughter Moica and a daughter Elizabeth. Witnesses - Moses Richards, Thomas Ellison and John Lake. Proved Nov 8, 1758. Lib G, p 4" "1758, Nov 13. Inventory, ₤1265.15.10, incl. bills, bonds, book debts and cash, ₤704.18.4; 320 bush. of Indian corn. ₤32; 3 Dutch books, 10s; others 12s; half a book called "the Confesions," ₤1; two looking glasses, 16s; 2 negroes, ₤100; made by Thomas Ellison, Ebenezer Cook and David Johnston, with James Irons, Jr, as clerk."
4. If Elizabeth Longstreet is in fact the correct Elizabeth who was married to William Johnson, then her genealogy back is extensive and readily available. More research needed.
Mike Morrissey who has researched the proposed progenitors of Elizabeth including a matrilineal descent clarifies what he has as of 29 Nov 2011: "The only thing I have on Elizabeth Longstreet's maiden name is family tradition. I have not been able to find any source, primary or otherwise. I tend to believe it, if only because many did not know she existed. She does not appear in her father's original will. She does appear in a codicil he wrote later, so it is pretty certain she was born between those two times. I have been able to confirm the ancestry of one of her sisters. A female descendant of Elizabeth would need to take the test to confirm that Elizabeth was in fact a Longstreet."
In follow up to the above email, Mike mentions: "Her sister, Moyca Longstreet, married John Lake. It was one of their descendants that tested positive. Below is my list of matrilinear descendants of Elizabeth Longstreet. I don't think I know of any who are currently living.
1 Elizabeth Longstreet b: BET 1755 and 1757 d: UNKNOWN
+ William Johnson b: ABT 1757 d: 1812
2 Naomi (M) Johnson b: BET 1770 and 1784 d: UNKNOWN
+ Andrew Phillips b: ABT 1772 d: BEF 1804
3 Elizabeth Phillips d: UNKNOWN
+ James Hayman d: UNKNOWN
+ Isaac Winner b: ABT 1758 d: BET 1819 and 1830
2 Lucretia Johnson b: 5 Dec 1773 d: 17 Jan 1855
+ William Smith b: 3 Jan 1772 d: 13 Jun 1864
3 Eleanor Smith b: 28 Nov 1795 d: 8 Sep 1875
+ William Johnson Ashton b: 29 Aug 1796 d: 13 Jul 1883
4 Lucretia Ashton b: 1819 d: 29 May 1898
+ William Doughty b: 1817 d: 1892
5 Mary A. (M) Doughty b: 1849 d: UNKNOWN
5 Susan Doughty b: 1852 d: UNKNOWN
+ Unknown Bryant d: UNKNOWN
6 Ida (M) Bryant b: BET 1870 and 1900 d: UNKNOWN
6 Lillian (M) Bryant b: BET 1870 and 1900 d: UNKNOWN
4 Maria (M) Ashton b: 1833 d: UNKNOWN
4 Sarah (M) Ashton b: 1838 d: UNKNOWN
3 Elizabeth (M) Smith b: 28 Mar 1799 d: UNKNOWN
+ Hadley Lewis d: UNKNOWN
3 Delia (M) Smith b: 2 Feb 1801 d: UNKNOWN
3 Deidaemia (M) Smith b: 2 Apr 1804 d: 8 Feb 1872
+ Aaron Hutchinson d: UNKNOWN
3 Hannah (M) Smith b: 11 May 1806 d: UNKNOWN
+ Noah Davis d: UNKNOWN
3 Mahala Smith b: 4 Mar 1810 d: UNKNOWN
+ Richard Stockton b: 1801 d: UNKNOWN
4 Angeline Stockton b: ABT 1834 d: 5 Apr 1891
+ William J. Ashton b: 1829 d: UNKNOWN
5 Emma C. Ashton b: 1859 d: UNKNOWN
+ John W. Walter b: 1840 d: UNKNOWN
6 Fannie (M) Walter b: 1875 d: UNKNOWN
6 Angeline (M) Walter b: Dec 1879 d: UNKNOWN
4 Catherine D. Stockton b: 1839 d: 1904
+ William Tipton b: 31 Dec 1830 d: UNKNOWN
5 Eva Anna Tipton b: 9 Feb 1863 d: UNKNOWN
+ Henry Howard Myers b: 31 Jan 1864 d: UNKNOWN
6 Edith Della Myers b: 12 Feb 1896 d: UNKNOWN
+ William O. Hayes d: UNKNOWN
7 Patricia (M) Hayes b: Private
5 Hanna (M) Tipton b: 1864 d: UNKNOWN
+ Joseph Cobbey b: 1865 d: UNKNOWN
5 Sarah Tipton b: 1866 d: UNKNOWN
+ Ed Myers d: UNKNOWN
6 Agnes (M) Collins b: BET 1888 and 1910 d: UNKNOWN
4 Maria Cornelia Stockton b: 1844 d: UNKNOWN
+ John Drummond b: 1850 d: UNKNOWN
5 Nora (M) Drummond b: Apr 1874 d: UNKNOWN
+ Charles Wardlow b: Apr 1864 d: UNKNOWN
4 Sarah Stockton b: 1857 d: UNKNOWN
+ Joseph Van Camp b: 1852 d: UNKNOWN
5 Emma (M) Van Camp b: 1876 d: UNKNOWN
5 Lillian (M) Van Camp b: Sep 1885 d: UNKNOWN
5 Bertha (M) Van Camp b: Jul 1888 d: UNKNOWN
5 Bessie (M) Van Camp b: Aug 1891 d: UNKNOWN
+ Ralph Tomlins b: 1882 d: UNKNOWN
3 Sarah Smith b: 5 Dec 1813 d: 6 Sep 1871
+ William C. WALKER b: ABT 1815 d: 6 Sep 1875
4 Emily Jane (M) WALKER b: 23 Mar 1840 d: UNKNOWN
4 Elizabeth (M) WALKER b: 30 Mar 1842 d: 1864
4 Tabitha (M) WALKER b: 29 Mar 1843 d: 23 Mar 1844
4 Mary Ellen WALKER b: 4 May 1852 d: 2 Dec 1929
+ Robert McIntyre b: 1843 d: UNKNOWN
5 Sarah Alice (M) McIntyre b: 1870 d: UNKNOWN
5 Nellie L. (M) McIntyre b: 1873 d: UNKNOWN
5 Carrie E. (M) McIntyre b: 1874 d: UNKNOWN
5 Cora A. (M) McIntyre b: 1880 d: UNKNOWN
3 Nancy Clark Smith b: 20 Sep 1817 d: 9 May 1856
+ Larson Tedrow b: 23 Mar 1817 d: 17 Feb 1863
4 Lucretia (M) Tedrow b: 28 Aug 1838 d: UNKNOWN
4 Eleanor (M) Tedrow b: 20 Oct 1841 d: UNKNOWN
4 Elvira Tedrow b: 9 Aug 1845 d: 1928
+ Benjamin N. McCallister b: ABT 1839 d: 16 Jul 1890
5 Rhoda McCallister b: ABT 1863 d: BET 1880 and 1900
5 Anna McCallister b: ABT 1865 d: BET 1880 and 1900
5 Addie M. McCallister b: 1880 d: BET 1880 and 1900
5 Cora McCallister b: 1885 d: AFT 1930
+ Edward Garner b: 1875 d: ABT 1930
4 Sarah Albatean (M) Tedrow b: 17 Sep 1847 d: UNKNOWN
4 Charlotte Tedrow b: 4 Oct 1849 d: UNKNOWN
+ Aaron James Reeder b: 1848 d: UNKNOWN
5 Annie (M) Reeder b: 1871 d: UNKNOWN
5 Mary Ella Reeder b: 21 Jul 1874 d: 17 Oct 1961
+ John Taylor McAllister b: 16 Mar 1871 d: 14 Sep 1956
6 Mary Edna McAllister b: 11 May 1901 d: 25 Feb 1966
+ Stanley FISHER b: 3 Aug 1896 d: 8 Jan 1952
7 Theresa Mae (M) FISHER b: 4 Jun 1920 d: 7 Apr 1987
+ James Ray Palmer d: 1980
7 Martha Pauline (M) FISHER b: 14 Sep 1921 d: 13 Aug 1986
+ Gerhardt Fritz WENZEL b: 19 Dec 1912 d: UNKNOWN
6 Alma Cora (M) McAllister b: 17 Jan 1906 d: 9 May 1975
+ Marcellus Dodge b: 22 Dec 1908 d: 31 Dec 1986
7 Mary Vena Dodge b: 11 May 1938 d: 18 Mar 2000
6 Alta Emma McAllister b: 17 Jan 1906 d: 12 Jun 1990
+ Evar KARLBERG b: Private
5 Adie (M) Reeder b: 1879 d: UNKNOWN
4 Mary Emma (M) Tedrow b: 12 Feb 1852 d: UNKNOWN
4 Diana (M) Tedrow b: 4 Jul 1855 d: UNKNOWN
3 Alonzo Smith b: 20 Aug 1819 d: WFT Est 1820-1909
2 Hannah Johnson b: 1774 d: 1810
+ Samuel Ashton b: Feb 1771 d: 1834
3 Rosanah Ashton b: 26 Nov 1804 d: 26 Feb 1857
+ Wright Sopars Curless b: 1 Jan 1802 d: 4 Jul 1870
4 Sarah (M) Curless b: 26 Jan 1825 d: 18 Dec 1853
+ Jacob Sipe b: 1821 d: UNKNOWN
4 Mahala Ann (M) Curless b: 3 Feb 1848 d: 1864
3 Hannah (M) Ashton b: ABT 1806 d: UNKNOWN
+ Unknown Brown d: UNKNOWN
+ Daniel Carr d: UNKNOWN
3 Lucretia (M) Ashton b: BET 1815 and 1820 d: UNKNOWN
2 Elizabeth (M) Johnson b: 1786 d: UNKNOWN
+ John? Smith d: UNKNOWN
2 Sarah (M) Johnson b: 1788 d: UNKNOWN
2 Lydia (M) Johnson b: 12 Nov 1789 d: 25 Jul 1848
+ Joseph W. Shumard b: 1789 d: 3 Jan 1868
5. Email for Kim Matul dated 24 Jul 2017. The letter to which she refers me to is most helpful; however, I had one problem and that is the statement that Elizabeth was of Rhode Island -- this bothered me until I realized that the grandson's memory most likely misstated Rhode Island for Long Island. I did a search of both Family Search's 1 billion+ database as well as the book "Genealogies of Rhode Island Families," by Robert Barnes, and I found no instance of the early name of Longstreet with its spelling variants. The email:
"I can answer a lot of the names left blank on your site under Elizabeth Longstreet and can connect the dots on who most of them are. I have a copy of the original letter written in 1875 by William Johnson Ashton, Elizabeth (Longstreet) Johnson's grandson, son of Samuel Ashton and Hannah Johnson. His letter answers the request of his nephew Thomas Hutchinson Ashton l, who is his brother James's son. Not to be confused with the other Thomas Hutchinson Ashton, who was William and James's brother and my 4th great grandfather. William states "I will now give you as much a description of my mother's family as I can -- my grandfather's name was William Johnson. He was born in Monmouth County New Jersey near Toms River, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War -- fought in battles of Monmouth Brandywine and White Plain. My grandmother's maiden name was Longstreth. She was born in Rhode Island. I have no knowledge of the date of her birth. They had a large family 12 children and all. Six girls and six boys -- the oldest were girls -- the oldest girls name was Neomi, Hannah, Lucretia, Eliazabeth, Sarah & Lydia. The boys names were Jonathan, John, Samuel, Joseph, Joel & Thomas. I have now given you the most accurate account that I possess. I have now traced the family down to your father's recollection."
He goes on to say "my father was married to Hannah Johnson October 14, 1795 and immigrated to Fayette county ___?____ Pennsylvania in the fall of 1799. Where he remained until the spring of 1807 when he moved to Washington County. In the spring of 1811 he immigrated to Claremont county Ohio where he injured the hardships of pioneer life." This is the end of this letter. The beginning talks about his father Samuel and briefly touches on he grandfather William Ashton and grandmother Phebe Hutchinson Ashton.
Longstreet is also spelled Longstreth and Langstraat in records. Langstraat being the oldest version of the name. Elizabeth Longstreet was the daughter of Gisbert Longstreet and Rachel Schenck. Gisbert the son of Stoffel Direksen Langstraat and Mayke Laanen. Stoffel the son of Dirck Stoffels Langstraat and Catherine Van Siddock.
The Langstraat's were Dutch. Unfortunately I don't have access to my tree program that has all my supporting documents on the family, only my Ancestry tree. I do have list of siblings etc. I do believe the older generations lived in the Flatlands, Long Island, New York. It was Stoffel Direksen Langstraat and wife Mayke that went to Monmouth, NJ."
6. Letter written by William Johnson Ashton (1796-1883) to Thomas Hutchinson Ashton (1841-1914) per https://www.werelate.org/images/3/3f/Wm_J._Ashton_letter_1875-09-08.pdf accessed 16 Oct 2017:
"Williamsburg, Clermont County, Ohio
September 8th, 1875
Mr. Thomas H. Ashton
Dear Sir
Your letter of the 28th of August is received though [by] accident as it was directed to Williamsburg, Brown County, instead of Clermont County which is my P.O. address.
When I received your letter my wife was at the point of death and died on the 3rd of September after three years of severe affliction.
I will begin the genealogy of my father as far back as my knowledge extends first my ancestors emigration from England under William Penn the founder and settler of Bucks County Pennsylvania.
My grandfather’s name was William Ashton the date of his birth I have no knowledge of.
My father’s name was Samuel Ashton. He was born February 1771. He had one sister older than himself who was burned to death when a young woman. They were born and raised in Bucks County. My grandmother’s maiden name was Hutchinson. She had one brother Thomas Hutchinson after whom my brother Thomas was named and one sister Rebecca Hutchinson who married Dr. Edward Chatman a physician who raised my
father as his father died when he was only three years old.
The Hutchinsons of Massachusetts that you refer to I have no knowledge of. My father had relatives by the name of Taylor. I have forgotten how they were related. All the families I have named were of the Quaker profession. [KM’s note: “In other renditions of this letter they say he used the word persuasion here, but now I can see it is profession as in "profession of faith."]
I will now give you as correct a description of my mother’s family as I can - My grandfather’s name was William Johnson, he was born in Monmouth Co, New Jersey near Toms River, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War & fought in battles in Monmouth, Brandywine, White Plains.
My grandmother’s name was Longstreth. She was born in [Rhode] Island. I have no knowledge of the date of their birth they had a large family twelve children in all six girls and six boys the oldest were girls. The oldest girl’s name was Neomy, Hannah, Lucretia, Elizabeth, Sarah and Lydia, the boys names were Jonathan, John, Samuel, Joseph, Joel and James.
I have now given you the most accurate account that I possess. I have now traced the family down to your [father’s] recollection. Perhaps he can give you some information that I have failed to give.
My father was married to Hannah Johnson October 14 1795 and emigrated to Fayette County [Western (?)] Pennsylvania in the fall of 1799 where he remained until the Spring of 1807 when he moved to Washington County. In the Spring of 1811 he emigrated to Clermont County Ohio where he endured the hardships of pioneer life.
This narrative is not what I should desire yet it is the best that I can accomplish out of the materials I possess.
This is from your true friend,
WJ Ashton
P.S. Enclosed is a letter to your father James Ashton. Please forward to him and oblige yours truly, WJA"
Notes from Kim Matul, November 2013: The original letter is in the collection at the library in the Mercer Museum in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, where Bucks County historical records are held ... This letter was transcribed by Rebekah Medaugh Carlisle and Kim Matul, November 3-4, 2013."
7. “A Longstreet Family History,†by Rupert James Longstreet (DeLand, Fla., 1960), available on FHL film 2056005 item 3 or online at :
“GISBERT (Variously spelled Guysbrecht, Gysbrecht, Guisbert, and finally Gilbert), b. ca. 1707, bp. 11-26-1710 (Old Brick Church), m. Rachel Schenck, dau. of Garret Reolofse and Neeltje Coerten (Van Vorhees) Schenck (The Rev. William Schenck: His Ancestors and His Descendants, By A.D. Schenck, 40). He was a resident of Shrewsbury Tp, in 'Squan, and is probably the Gllllytsbrecht Longstreet who was appointed a Justice in Monmouth County on 6-6-1751, and on 3-16-1756 (New Jersey Archives, 22:242). His will (#2301M), dated 4-20-1755, proved 11-8-1758, refers to his wife Rachel, sons Garret and Gilbert (minors), and to daughters Moyca, Molley, Jane and Rachel. The order of birth is not known:
-Garret -Gisbert -Moyca -Nelle -Jane -Rachel -Elizabethâ€
BIRTH:
1. Email from Mike Morrissey [mailto:mikemorr@hotmail.com], April 24, 2004: "Naomi's age (my reflections): The records indicate she was born sometime between 1767 and 1774. Naomi is the first daughter listed in her father's will. Though it is not clear that the children are listed by age, it might be. Lucretia and Hannah have good approximate birthdates (1773 and 1774), so they would be next in order. Naomi has often been listed as being born in the early 1780s, but I think that was because her presumed previous marriage to Andrew Phillips was not known. If Naomi was born in 1772, her mother would have been 15-16, young, but possible."
Update 15 Aug 2017 by myself:
Elizabeth Longstreet's father Gisbert added a daughter to his will by codicil 31 Aug 1757 (not in earlier will of 20 Apr 1755), so she was probably born in the interim. Perhaps she wasn't and father had just neglected to name her in earlier will. The problem is that Naomi Johnson, dau. of William and Elizabeth Johnson appears to have several ages associated with her.
One would give a birth year 1768 if we are to believe her age given in 1853 Rev. War pension application for her fourth and last husband Walter Karr.
Another would give a birth year of 1774 per her death record as follows: January 29, 1854. Naomy Carr, female, widdowed, age 80, occupation of weaver, died at Toms River, born "near Toms River", parents Wm. & Elizabeth Johnson, died from old age, recorded June 8, 1854.
Another would give a birth year of 1767 per the age 87 reported in Naomi's obituary.
Another would be per the 1850 census, but we have not yet located a census return for Naomi.
I am going to assume that 1774 would be more realistic making Elizabeth 17 to 19 years of age when she had Naomi, presumably her eldest child. If 1667/8 were correct, then Elizabeth would had been from age 10 to 13, which seems untenable.
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Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy
1757 - Bef 1811 (~ 56 years)