NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Isaac Quinby GURNEE, one of the long time substantial business men of Morris county, was born March 3, 1865, in Parsippany, Morris county, the son of William Zachary GURNEE, and descended through both parents from ancient American ancestors. On the paternal line of the family is traced back to 1685, the year of the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. Because of this act of folly and tyranny, multitudes of the ablest artisans and capable citizens of France left their native land, never to return. Among these was Isaac GARNIER, who settles at New Rochelle, New York. His will, dated July 7, 1727, mentions his wife Elizabeth and children: Francois, Isaac, Mary and Elizabeth. Soon after the death of the father, the elder son, Francois, removed to Haverstraw, and purchased lot No. 6 in Conkling Range of the Kakiat patent. This tract embraced a large section including parts of Haverstraw and Clarkstown, and the present town of Ramapo. Francois GARNIER was among the most extensive land owners in that region. In his time or soon after, the family name was modified by the usage of the English speaking community, to the form of GURNEE, which is that still used by the major portion of the descendents. It is also found as GURNEY, but the latter form is most employed by the descendents of an English family from New England. For generations this family continued to be prominent and influential in what is now Rockland county, and among the descendants may be mentioned General Benjamin GURNEE; Abraham GURNEE, a member of assembly from 1818 to 1825; and afterwards state senator; Colonel William GURNEE, and Hon. Walter S. GURNEE, who was mayor of Chicago in 1851, Francois, son of Francois GURNEE, died about 1825, leaving two children – Anna, the mother of ex-Mayor Hewitt of New York and William. The latter resided on the homestead of his paternal grandfather, near the town of Haverstraw, at the junction of several highways, the pace being known from very early times as GURNEE’s Corners. William GURNEE married Elizabeth DRUMMOND, and their children were: Francis, James, Jessie, William, Elizabeth, John, Edward and Mary. Francis GURNEE, son of William and Elizabeth (DRUMMOND) GURNEE, was born near the site of the first settlement of Haverstraw, and there passed the larger portion of his life, during his early years a schoolmaster, and later a merchant. He married (first) Leah, daughter of John DEMAREST, and (second) Margaret E., MEAD. His children were: William Z., Eleanor, Elizabeth, Frank, Harry, Anna, and Myra.

William Z. GURNEE, eldest child of Francis and Leah (DEMAREST) GURNEE, was for many years a successful merchant at Parsippany. In 1860 he married Marianna QUINBY, whose family is among the most ancient of the United States, and is traced several centuries in England, previous to its coming to America. The name seems to have originated at Quarmby or Quermby, near Hotherfield, in Yorkshire, the first on record being Hugh De QUARMBY, in the reign of King Edward III (1341). Branches of the family are found at Farnham Surry, near London, and in the old church there is a tablet commemorating Robert QUYNBE, one of the first bailiffs of Farnham. His death occurred September, 1570. Tradition states that the QUINBYS were early settled at Stratford-on-Avon. The records of the parish church at Farnham show christenings, marriages and burials from 1551 to 1582. The arms of the QUINBY family are: Argent, two bars sable in chief a proper Cornish chough. Crest: A Cornish chough in arms. The recent researches of Henry Cole QUINBY Esq., of New York City, have untangled many perplexing snarls regarding the ancestry of this family. There is no discoverable authority for the statement that Thomas QUINBY was the founder of the family in America. There is ground for a reasonable supposition that Robert and William QUINBY, who settled about the same time in New England, the former in Norfolk county, Massachusetts, the latter in Connecticut, were related, probably brothers, but nothing has thus far been found to establish any relationship between them. Robert QUINBY of Amesbury, Massachusetts, left a very numerous posterity, and members of the family are found in many localities of the United States, especially in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. William QUINBY, who undoubtedly came from England, was probably advanced in life when he came to the American shores. A persistent tradition of the family says that he and his son John were connected with Cromwell’s army, and were forced to flee from their native land to escape political wrath. William QUINBY was one of the first proprietors of Stratford, Connecticut, and in 1652 possessed there a home lot, two pieces in the "new field" and three acres on the Neck. He sold these possessions April 1, 1657, and about that time removed to the town of Westchester, in the present county of Westchester, New York, then under the jurisdiction of Connecticut. In 1664 he and his sons John and Thomas were residents of Westchester, and he and John were members of the First Congregational church there. Nothing can be discovered about his wife, but he is known to have had children: John, Thomas, Ann, and Martha. John, son of William, was probably born in England before 1630, and accompanied his father to Stratford and Westchester. He was an inhabitant of Westchester in 1664, and was one of the patentees of land there in 1667. In 1665 he was one of the delegates appointed to represent Westchester in a meeting of representatives from that region and Long Island held in Hempstead. He was a member of the First Congregational church at Westchester, and served on a committee on schools, and one to provide a minister. In 1662 he was appointed a magistrate by Governor STUYVESANT, with local jurisdiction only, his commission specifying that he should have no power in "momentous affairs, and especially in witchcraft." His wife’s name was Deborah. Some authorities say she was Deborah HAIGHT, but this is disputed by others. His children were: John, Charles, Josiah, Mary and probably David. Josiah, son of John and Deborah QUINBY, was born at Westchester, presumably before 1670, and died in 1728. In 1720 he purchased 320 acres of land known as the Great Middle Neck in Marmaroneck. This land jutted out in Long Island Sound, and he was unsuccessful in holding all he had because of defective title. In 1686 a monthly meeting of Quakers was organized at Marmaroneck, and Josiah QUINBY and his wife became members, the meeting being frequently held at his house. His descendants still adhere to this sect. He married, June 17, 1689, Mary MOLYNEUX, daughter of a neighbor and French Huguenot, who came from northern Ireland, and settled at Marmaroneck. She died in June, 1728. Children: Dorcas, Josiah, Jonathan and Samuel (twins), a son died unnamed in 1699, Ephraim, Aaron, Moses, Martha, Daniel, Phebe and Isaiah. Josiah (2), eldest son of Josiah (1) and Mary (MOLYNEUX) QUINBY, was born in 1692, and married Hannah CORNELL. There is an old record which was in the possession of the late Charles QUINBY, of Orange, New Jersey, which states that Josiah (3), born in 1726 was the son of John QUINBY, of Wampus Pond, Westchester county, New York, who was twice married, his second wife being a LAWRENCE. John was the son of John and Annie KIERSTEAD, and he the son of John QUINBY and Deborah TOUNLEY, and he the son of William QUINBY, from England. The above record without doubt is correct, as it was taken from manuscripts in the possession of Josiah’s (3d) descendants. Josiah (3d) settled in Orange, New Jersey, about 1746. He was lieutenant of the Third Battalion of the first establishment of the New Jersey line in 1776, in Captain POTTER’s company. He owned a large farm in the region of Lewellan Park, and died about 1805, the date of his will. In 1747 he married Martha HARRISON, and they had a large family, including Aaron, Moses, Joseph, John, Josias, Patty, Jemima, Sarah, Phoebe and Hannah. The third son was a physician in Westfield, New Jersey, the fourth a Revolutionary soldier, wounded at the battle of Brandywine. Josias (4), the fifth son, moved to Troy Hills, New Jersey, about 1796, and died there in 1835. He was born 1762, and married Phoebe HARRISON, of Orange. Children: Isaac, James, Dr. Josias, Phoebe, Martha, Rachel, Jemima, David, and Moses. Isaac, eldest son of Josias (4) and Phoebe (HARRISON) QUINBY, was born 1788 in Orange, and died 1865 at Parsippany. He moved to the latter place from Troy Hills, was a well-to-do farmer, served as judge from 1829 to 1836, and a member of the state legislature in 1844. His children were: Phoebe, William, Alonzo, Isaac, Dewitt, Eugene, George A., Sarah, Emma and Marianna. The last named was the wife of William Z. GURNEE, and the mother of Isaac Q. GURNEE. Isaac, son of Isaac QUINBY, was appointed a cadet to West Point, and became a room mate and classmate of General GRANT, graduating sixth in his class. He served with distinction in the artillery service under Generals SCOTT and TAYLOR, in the Mexican War. He was appointed colonel of the Thirteenth New York Volunteers, and latter promoted to brigadier-general, and was engaged at the siege of Vicksburg.

Isaac Q. GURNEE received his education at the public schools, and developed an especial faculty for mathematics. He also showed an early inclination towards mechanics, and left school at the age of fourteen years to enter upon a business career, which has proved most successful and praiseworthy. He became office boy for the Rubber Comb and Jewelry Company of Butler, New Jersey, and later was assigned to the turning room, where he had charge of the clerical work. His knowledge of mechanics and skill in mathematics were here brought into play, to the advantage of his employees, and promoted to his own advancement. In 1882, at the age of eighteen years, Mr. GURNEE had mastered the duties and many details of the work in his department, and on the reorganization of the company, in 1898, when it became known as the American Hard Rubber Company, he was given full charge as department superintendent. He was subsequently appointed by Supt. William KIEL as his principal assistant in the sundry departments. Mr. GURNEE has become interested in various interests of his home town, and was one of the organizers of the First National Bank, and proprietor of the Pequanock Coal & Lumber Company. His long continued service with one employer has demonstrated his ability and faithfulness, and he justly enjoys the esteem and confidence of many acquaintances and associates.

He married, May 30, 1885, in Newark, Margaret, daughter of John SEVALD, a veteran of the Civil War, and for many years a shoe dealer of Butler, New Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. GURNEE have two sons: Eugene C. and Charles Quinby.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)

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