NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: J. Percy Crayon, Rockaway Records of Morris County, N. J. Families, (Rockaway, N.J., Rockaway Publishing Co., 1902)

To those who remember the "good doctor AYRES" and his kindly aids to the poor, and more particularly to those who have always spoken a good word in all his life trials and afflictions, seen and unseen, this sketch is dedicated.

Obadiah AYRES came from Aberdeen, Scotland, and settled at or near Hackettstown, NJ, about 1720. He had a son Ezekiel, who was born 1729, died Aug. 5, 1796. Ezekiel married Annethe ______ who was born 1731 and died Nov. 27, 1778. Both buried at Hackettstown. Ezekiel and Annethe had son Ezekiel born Jan. 16, 1755, married Lena EICH(?), died Aug. 21, 1835. Ezekiel and Lena had children: Robert, born Nov. 8, 1788, died Mar. 13, 1864. He married Catharine OLIVER who was born June 10, 1790, died Dec. 16, 1847. William, Abraham, John, Ezekiel, Mary and Sarah.

Robert and Catherine had children: Ezekiel, Daniel S., born Feb. 16, 1812, married Jan. 21, 1836, Pennon VLIET, daughter of Jacob, who was born Jan. 14, 1814, died May 12, 1873. Robert, born Feb. 25, 1814, married Malinda CUMMINS and had twelve children. Archibald, James and Catharine.

Daniel S. and Penina came to Rockaway in the ‘60’s – children: John V., born Mar. 12, 18389, married Henry ATEN; Robert, born Feb. 13, 1840, married Mary R. HANCE, daughter of James M., Aug. 29, 1863; Catherine E., born Feb. 13, 1842, married Samuel E. STEVENS; Lucy A., born Jan. 21, 1843, married Isaac L. Howell. Daniel Stuart, born June &, 1845, died Dec. 2, 1887, married Sarah S. FULLER, daughter of James. She was born May 24, 1847, died Apr. 27, 1872. Both buried at Rockaway. Penina, born Mar. 23, 1847, married Wm. A. HARRIS’ Charity A., born May 17, 1849, married A. C. WINTERMUTE, died Mar. 12, 1872; Anna M. born May 9, 1851, died Aug. 16, 1851; Wm. E., born Sept. 23, 1852, died Jan. 22, 1862; Austin S., born Apr. 2, 1854, died Oct. 27, 1873; Katurah, born Aug. 15, 1855, died Aug. 26, 1855.

I do not find any traces of relationship of this AYRES family with the AYRES family who came from Woodbridge, NJ, though many of the names are similar. Ezekiel, brother of Obadiah, settled at Basking Ridge, NJ, and William near Belvidere.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)

Based on the information that I found concerning the Ayres family mentioned by Mr. Crayon, Obadiah Ayres did not come from Aberdeen, Scotland but from Woodbridge, New Jersey and moved to Sussex County, New Jersey.

The following information is from my own research into the Ayers/Ayres Family. [BKB]

115.  Obadiah Ayers (John-3, Obadiah-2, John-1) was born in 1695 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey.^1,4 He died  between 7 May 1779 and 2 Dec 1780 at the age of 84.^1,5 He signed a will on 7 May 1779 in Hardwick, Sussex, New Jersey.^4,5
AYERS/AYRES, Obadiah of Hardwick. 291S - W. 7 May 1779; Filed 2 Dec 1780. Wife: Deborah. Son: Ezekiel. Daughters: Catrine BLOOM and Rhode BELL. Others: Grsn, Obadiah and grsn Ezekiel TROTIN. Executors: Samuel LANDON, Samuel CHIDISTER and Richard STEPHENS. Witnesses: Isaac BELL and Edmond BOWMAN. [from Tremain Family]

1779, May 7. Ayers, Obadiah, of Hardwick, Sussex Co., yeoman; will of.
Son, Ezekiel, £5. Wife, Deborah Ayers, £60, and she is to be supported by my grandson, Abadiah Ayers. Daughter, Patience Bloom, and my daughter, Rehodi Bell, and my grandson, Ezekel Troter, rest of moveable estate. Grandson, Abadiah Ayers, my plantation.
Executors — Samuel Landon and Samuel Chidester. Witnesses —Isaac Bell, Edmond Bowman. Proved Dec. 2, 1780.
1780, Dec. 1. Inventory, £74.17.6, made by Isaac Bell and James McCracken. Lib. 22, p. 306. Obadiah had his estate probated on 2 Dec 1780 in Sussex, New Jersey.^4,5 The Early Germans of New Jersey states that Obadiah removed to Warren Co., (then Sussex); one of Justices of the Peace at organization of the county, 20 Nov., 1753; will "Hardwick," 1 May 1779, prob. Dec 2 1780, names wife Debora and three ch.; deeds land to Pres. Ch. near Helms Mills, (Hackettstown), 8 March, 1764.

Tremain history has the following information. "He purchased there [Basking Ridge] in 1728 one hundred and fifty-three acres of James Alexander, and in 1731 his father conveyed to him as one of the seven trustees of Basking Ridge Presbyterian congregation land for church purposes. He removed to Warren Co., then Sussex Co., N. J. He was one of the Justices of the Peace at the organization of the county, Nov. 20, 1753. He deeds land to Presbyterian Church at Helm's Mills (Hackettstown), N.J., March 8, 1764."

Obadiah Ayers and Elizabeth Compton were married on 15 Feb 1716/7 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey.³ Woodbridge records state: Obediah Ayers Jur was Married to Elizabeth Compton February ye 15th 1716. By Thomas Pike - Justice of the Peace. Elizabeth Compton³, daughter of John Compton, was born in Basking Ridge, Somerset, New Jersey.⁴ She died  before 1730.⁴

Obadiah Ayers and Elizabeth Compton had the following children:

        200          i.   Patience Ayers was born on 10 Dec 1717 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey.^3,6

        201          ii.   Elizabeth Ayers was born on 28 Oct 1720 in Woodbridge, Middlesex, New Jersey.^3,6 She died on 5 Jul 1750 at the age of 29 in NJ.⁶

Obadiah Ayers and Debora [Ayers] were married before 7 May 1779.^1,5 Debora [Ayers] not further traced.

Obadiah Ayers and Debora [Ayers] had the following child:

     +202          i.   Ezekiel Ayers, born 23 Feb 1730, Hackettstown, Hunterdon Co. (now Warren Co), New Jersey; married Anna Stark, 25 Jan 1751, Independence Twp, Sussex, New Jersey; married Euphemia VanWyne, 16 Mar 1780, probably Hardwick, New Jersey; died 5 Aug 1796, Hackettstown, Sussex (now Warren Co.), New Jersey.

~~~~~

202.  Ezekiel Ayers⁷ (Obadiah-4, John-3, Obadiah-2, John-1) was born on 23 Feb 1730 in Hackettstown, Hunterdon Co. (now Warren Co), New Jersey.^1,4,7–9 He died  on 5 Aug 1796 at the age of 66 in Hackettstown, Sussex (now Warren Co.), New Jersey.^1,8 He signed a will on 18 Aug 1796 in Independence Twp, Sussex, New Jersey.¹⁰ 1796, Aug. 18. Ayers, Ezekiel, (Sr.), of Independence, Sussex Co. Int.  Adm'rs— Ezekiel Ayers, of said Co. and Daniel Stuart of Morris Co. Fellowbondsmen— William Helms and James Little; both of said Co. (Lib. 36, p. 382).
1796, Aug. 12. Inventory, £549.17.3; made by William Helms and Peter Valentine. (File 670S).
Ezekiel was buried in - Hackettstown Union Cemetery, Hackettstown, Warren, New Jersey.⁷ Headstone reads: Ayers, Ezekiel, b. Feb. 23, 1730, D. Aug. 5, 1796, "son of Obadiah" Notes: Freeman Book⁹

Ezekiel Ayers and Anna Stark^9,11 were married on 25 Jan 1751 in Independence Twp, Sussex, New Jersey.^2,9 Anna Stark was born on 25 Jan 1731.^2,8 She died on 27 Nov 1778 at the age of 47 in Warren County, New Jersey.^2,8 She was buried in - Hackettstown Union Cemetery, Hackettstown, Warren, New Jersey.⁷ Headstone reads: wife (1) Annethe Stark, b. Jan. 25, 1731, d. Nov. 27, 1778, in 47th yr. (on stone with Ezekiel Ayers).

Ezekiel Ayers and Anna Stark had the following children:

       288          i.   Obadiah Ayers was born on 10 Mar 1753.^2,9

     +289          ii.   Ezekiel Ayers 2d, born 25 Nov 1754, Hackettstown, Warren, New Jersey; married Elenor Pike, Dec 1787, Independence Twp., Warren, New Jersey; died 21 Aug 1835, Independence Twp., Warren, New Jersey.

     +290         iii.   Sarah Ayers, born 9 Mar 1757; married Mr. Ogden.

       291         iv.   Amos Ayers was born on 1 Jan 1761.²

     +292         v.   Margretta Ayers, born 2 Oct 1763; married Daniel Stuart; died 1842.

     +293         vi.   Aaron Ayers, born 1 Aug 1767, Hackettstown, Warren, New Jersey; married Mary Huffman, abt 1792, Hackettstown, Warren, New Jersey; died 29 Sep 1829.

     +294        vii.   Anna Ayers, born 4 Apr 1773; married Mr. Price.

Ezekiel married a second time after the death of his wife Annethe Stark.

Ezekiel Ayers and Euphemia "Effie" VanWyne⁹ were married on 16 Mar 1780 in probably Hardwick, New Jersey.^2,9
The following is from the genealogy of the Freeman family and identifies Ezekiel Ayers.

Two division deeds confirm the genealogy given in Chambers and are abstracted thus: "Whereas Ezekiel Ayers of Hackettstown, N.J. . . . . on the fifth day of August 1796 died intestate leaving lawful joint heirs, five sons and three daughters, that is Obadiah, Ezekiel, Amos, Aaron, Archibald, Margretta Stuart, Sarah Ogden and Anna Price. . . ." The Bible records for this family published in Pioneer Families gives dates which are consistent with both deeds and Chambers. Euphemia Ayers' will was proved Hackettstown, N.J., 3 Nov 1803 and names her son Archibald Ayers and none of the other children of Ezekiel Ayers.
   Ezekiel was a Private in the Sussex County Militia during the Revolutionary War. His son, Ezekiel Jr., was also in the Revolution. (DAR 724402.)
      1796, Aug. 18. Ayers, Ezekiel, Sr., of Independence, Sussex Co., Int. Adm'rs - Ezekiel Ayers, of said Co. and Daniel Stuart of Morris Co. Fellowbondsmen - William Helms and James Little; both of said Co. Inventory, £549.17.3, made 12 Aug 1796. (N.J. Arch., 38:18.)
      1801, Nov. 3. Ayers, Euphemia, of Hackettstown, Sussex Co. (relict of Ezekial Ayers, late of Independence, said Co., dec'd), will of. Son, Archibald Ayers, the bed on which I die, also $533.30 with interest, when 21. Granddaughter, Sarah Andrews, large blue chest, my satin cloak, muslin shawl and best homespun bedspread; also $133.30 with interest, when 21. Son, Aaron Longstreet, $40. Daughter, Lydia Landon, large looking-glass, 1/3 of residue of moveables and 1/2 of residue. Granddaughter, Lydia Longstreet (dau of my son, Christopher), a breakfast table. Grandson, Archibald Drake (son of daughter, Euphemia Drake), $40, when of age. Daughter, Euphemia Drake, 1/3 of residue of moveables. Son, Christopher Longstreet, 1/3 of moveables and 1/2 of residue. Executor - Montgomery Reading. Witnesses - Mary Hunt, Phebe Wilmot, William Helms. Proved 29 May 1802. Inventory, $1,050.51, made 1 Mar 1802. (N.J.Arch., 39:18-19.)
 Euphemia "Effie" VanWyne² died  between 3 Nov 1801 and 29 May 1802.¹² She signed a will on 3 Nov 1801 in Hackettstown, Sussex (now Warren Co.), New Jersey.¹²
1801, Nov. 3. Ayers, Euphemia, of Hackettstown, Sussex Co. (relict of Ezekiel Ayers, late of Independence, said Co., dec'd); will of. Son, Archibald Ayers, the bed on which I die; also $533.30 with interest, when 21. Granddaughter, Sarah Andrews, large blue chest, my satin cloak, muslin shawl and best homespun bedspread; also $133.30 with interest, when 21. Son, Aaron Longstreet, $40. Daughter, Lydia Landon, large looking-glass, 1/3 of residue of moveables and ½ of residue. Granddaughter, Lydia Longstreet (son of my son, Christopher), a breakfast table. Grandson, Archibald Drake (son of daughter, Euphemia Drake), $40, when of age. Daughter, Euphemia Drake, 1/3 of residue of moveables. Son, Christopher Longstreet, 1/3 of moveable and ½ of residue. Executor—Montgomery Reading. Witnesses—Mary Hunt, Phebe Wilmot, William Helms. Proves May 29, 1802.              Lib. 40, p. 41.

1802, Mar. 1. Inventory, $1,050.51; made by Jacob Sharp and Thomas Shields.    File 915 S.
She had her estate probated on 29 May 1802 in Hackettstown, Sussex (now Warren Co.), New Jersey.¹²

 Ezekiel Ayers and Euphemia VanWyne had the following child:

      +295          i.   Archibald Ayers, born 16 May 1781, Independence Twp., Warren, New Jersey; married Elisabeth Sutton.

Sources:

1. Chambers, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Early Germans of New Jersey; Their History, Churches and Genealogies (Dover, NJ: 1895), p244.

2. Chambers, Theodore Frelinghuysen, Early Germans of New Jersey; Their History, Churches and Genealogies, p245.

3. Dally, Rev. Joseph W., Vital Records of Woodbridge, New Jersey, p8.

4. Treman, History of the Treman, Tremaine, Truman Family in America, Vol. 2.

5. A. Van Doren Honeyman, editor, Archives of the State of New Jersey; First Servies Vol. XXIV; Vol. V of Calendar of Wills 1771-1780  (Trenton, N.J.:  MacCrellish & Quigley Co., Printers, 1931), p25 -  Will of Obadiah Ayers.

6. States, James Noyes, Genealogy of the Ayres Family of Fairfield County, Conn., p66.

7. Helen P. Alleman, "Ayers Family along the Delaware," The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey 41:02 (May 1966): 60-61.

8. Crayon, J. Percy, Rockaway Records of Morris County, N.J. Families; Cemetery Records, Church History, Military Records, Local History, Genealogies of Old Families and Cemetery Transcriptions for Rockaway Presbyterian Church. (Rockaway Publishing Co., Rockaway, NJ, 1902), p125-126.

9. Patty Barthall Myers, Ancestors and Descendants of Lewis Ross Freeman with related families; Based partially on the work of Freeman Worth Gardner and Willis Freeman (Rockport, Maine: Penobscot Press, 1995), p455.

10. Elmer T. Hutchinson, editor, Archives of the State of New Jersey; First Series Vol. XXXVIII; Vol. IX of Calendar of Wills 1796-1800 (Newark, N.J.: New Jersey Law Journal, 1944), p18.

11. Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, Micropublication M804, 2,670 rolls (Washington, D.C.: National Archives; Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15, ), Roll: 98, Ezekiel Ayers, [ServiceData].

12. Hutchinson, Archives of the State of New Jersey; First Series Vol. XXXIX; Vol. X of Calendar of Wills 1801-1805, p18-19.

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