Source: J. Percy Crayon, Rockaway Records of Morris County, N. J. Families, (Rockaway, N.J., Rockaway Publishing Co., 1902) The story of the Fichter family may not be of as much interest in the great outside world as in the former iron manufacturing and mining towns and villages in the immediate vicinity of Rockaway. But few of the name are beyond the limits of Morris county. Frederick FICHTER was born in the small iron manufacturing town of Elscoe, Germany, near the border line of France. His father was Nicholas and his mother Rosina. It was here he learned his trade and married at an early age. He and his wife Mary Ann soon after emigrated to America and landed in New York City about 1773. Also a sister, who married Baltus Good and removed to Pennsylvania. John Jacob FAESCH, who was in search of skilled iron workers for the furnace at Mt. Hope, N.J., went to New York and found, as it proved afterward, the very man he wanted in Fichter. They came with Faesch to Mt. Hope and Fichter was placed in charge of the furnace. Here they lived happily for a time, until his wife one day went to the spring to get a pail of water and found a large snake nearby, which so entirely upset her nervous system that she declared she would no longer live in the land of snakes, hence they removed to Rockaway, while Fichter countinued to work at Mt. Hope. the severe nervous shock proved too much for her delicate nerves, she was taken soon after from the effects with fever, died and was buried at Rockaway. This event so disheartened Fichter that he sold out his household belongings, and resolved to go back to Germany. Faesch induced him by an advance in his wages to stay three months until he could find some one to take his place at the furnace. He consented, at the end of the three months. In the meantime he attended a party with other Germans at Bloomingdale, N.J. It was here that he first saw Mary WITTY, but she could not or would not talk German to an entire stranger. The trip was made on horseback, the custom of that day. The charms of Mary WITTY had induced him to make another trip soon after, when he chanced to meet Mary attending a toll gate, her father was gate keeper, and found that she could talk German to the satisfaction that another trip to the toll gate was soon made and she consented to become his wife, so that within a year from the death of his first wife arrangements were made and they were married in the parlor of the FAESCH mansion at Mt. Hope, where a large number of the first families were invited. This event took place in 1788, as near as the records can be accountable. After a few months she complained that she had nothing to do and begged that a flax wheel and fifty pounds of flax should be purchased, after which in due time, Ellenor was presented to them and she did not have to make another complaint of nothing to do. On the first day of June 1792, John came to the household at Mt. Hope, when soon after they removed to Old Boonton, N.J., in the iron interest of FAESCH, where Catharine Sophia made her appearance. They continued to live in Old Boonton when Gabriel came to that town Nov. 25, 1796. Then followed William in 1799, next Elizabeth Margaret, Mary Ann, named for his first wife June 22, 1804; Frederick, named for himself; then Adelia, when they removed to Berkshire Valley, N.J., here came Eliza and Jacob Losey. They lived on the Lot Berry farm between Berkshire Valley and Lower Longwood, N.J. They removed to Upper Longwood where Frederick FICHTER died about 1850 aged about 90 years, he was buried by the side of his first wife Mary Ann at Rockaway. As no monument marks the spot the precise location has been forgotten. His wife went to live with her son William at Russia, near Milton, N.J., where he owned a forge and saw mill, she died there Nov. 6, 1857, aged 85 years, and was buried at Oak Ridge (N.J.) Cemetery. Children: - Ellen, married Garrett WELCHER and lived about two miles below Montville, N.J. Had children:
- Adelia, who married Daniel JACOBUS and lived at Montville;
- Garrett and
- David died young;
- Mary, married (1) Robert SCOIK, lived in Brooklin, N.Y. where he was accidentally shot, and his widow married (2) Frank SAGE and removed to California. They had a son
- Julius and three daughters
- Phebe, married (1) Jacob QUIMBY; (2) Jacob SHARP;
- Elizabeth, married Abraham WARP, lived in Bergen county.
- John, born June 1, 1792, married Naomi GORDON, daughter of David, of Rockaway, Oct. 9, 1813. She was born June 29, 1793, died May 1, 1869. They lived at rockaway and at Upper Longwood where he died Nov. 17, 1870. Both buried at Berkshire Valley. Children:
- Frederick, born at Rockaway June 1, 1815, married Malinda BOWEN Sept. 20, 1838, by Rev. F.A. Morrell. She was born May 19, 1817. Both buried at Berkshire Valley.
Children of Frederick FICHTER and wife Malinda: - John A., born Oct. 12, 1840, married Mary Elizabeth, daughter of Maurice CHAMBERLAIN, May 14, 1864.
Children: - David,
- Ida, married George E. BUNNELL;
- Ada, died Jan. 17, 1881, aged 10;
- Fred, married Edith YOUMANS.
- Mary Elizabeth, born Apr. 8, 1843;
- David Edwin, born Oct. 22, 1845;
- Elijah, Sept. 2, 1849, buried at Berkshire Valley;
- Thomas Scott, born Aug. 8, 1852, married Hannah HAMMEL Nov. 15, 1874. She was born Dec. 19, 1856, living at Upper Longwood.
Children: - Malinda, born Aug. 9, 1875, married Charles EDGE of Newark, Oct. 19, 1898;
- John Frederick, born May 20, 1878, died Jan. 17, 1895;
- Elijah Bruen, born May 21, 1883.
- Twins, (no name) born May 23, 1855, died May 24, 1855.
- David Gordon, born July 1817, married Maria, daughter of David and Charity (CANINE) LUDLOW, died Nov. 30, 1865. She died Apr. 12, 1872. Both buried at Hurdtown, N.J.
- David G., born Sept. 1853
Children of David G. FICHTER, son of David, (born Sept. 1853) and wife Alice E. (born Dec. 25, 1868): - Roy W., born Mar. 28, 1876;
Children of Roy W. FICHTER, born Mar. 28, 1876, and wife Elizabeth, born Apr. 10, 1874: - LeRoy, born Mar. 23, 1899;
- Esther, born Apr. 10, 1900.
- Frank L., born Apr. 9, 1878;
- Maria M., born Dec. 22, 1881;
- Herman P., born June 23, 1890;
- David G., born May 21, 1899.
- Mary, born at Rockaway Aug. 1819, married John Freeman STEVENS, removed to California.
Children of John F. STEPHENS and wife Mary: - Joshua S.,
- Henry Mains,
- Edwin, died in infancy, buried at Oak Ridge;
- Naomi,
- Caroline,
- John F.,
- Absolem B.,
- Eliza Ann, died in infancy, buried at Oak Ridge.
- John Gordon, born at Upper Longwood Sept. 2, 1821, married Sarah Ann, daughter of David and Sabina (AYRES) COOPER, Mar. 28, 1849, by Rev. Joseph F. Tuttle, living at Franklin, N.J. She was born Mar. 1, 1829.
Children of John G. FICHTER and wife Sarah Ann: - Daniel Cooper, born Mar. 27, 1850, married Martha Jane DAVIS Feb. 2, 1875. She was born July 7, 1855.
Children of Daniel C. FICHTER and wife Martha J.: - Sarah Ann, born Aug. 17, 1875;
- Martha Jane, born May 1, 1879;
- John Davis, born Nov. 4, 1881, died Feb. 20, 1883, buried at Berkshire Valley;
- David, born July 27, 1883;
- Wallace Waer, born Sept. 17, 1885;
- Robert Wicks, born Jan. 31, 1888;
- Anna Sabina, born Mar. 22, 1890;
- Daniel Ayres, born July 14, 1892;
- William, born Oct. 2, 1894
- Naomi Gordon, born Dec. 12, 1851, died Dec. 23, 1854, buried at Rockaway;
- John Witty, born Jan. 1, 1854, died Jan. 15, 1855, buried at Rockaway;
- David Cooper, born Feb. 13, 1856, married Lydia Ann STALTER Sept. 5, 1880. She was born June 10, 1863;
Children of David C. FICHTER and wife Lydia A.; - Jane, born Sept. 9, 1882,
- John Gordon, born May 28, 1884;
- Sarah Ann, born Mar. 26, 1886;
- Naomi, born Feb. 7, 1888;
- Mary, born Sept. 2, 1890;
- Abraham, born Mar. 30, 1893;
- Lewis, born Nov. 10, 1895;
- Isaac, born June 16, 1899.
- Lewis Ayres, born Feb. 2, 1859, married Agnes HOPLER Sept. 23, 1883;
Children of Lewis A. FICHTER and wife Agnes: - Harriet, born Dec. 22, 1883,
- Louisa and
- Berthia (twins) born Apr. 18, 1886;
- Charles H., born July 14, 1888;
- Amy, born Nov. 25, 1890;
- Stella, born July 31, 1892;
- Irene Gordon, born May 2, 1894, died Aug 23, 1899,
- Alanson Merritt, born Apr. 28, 1897.
- Charles McFarlan, born Nov. 17, 1861, died Sept. 28, 1870, buried at Berkshire Valley;
- George Wiggins, born may 5, 1864, married Mary A. ROE, May 10, 1885.
Children of George W. FICHTER and wife Mary A.: - Lulu May, born Sept. 3, 1885;
- John Roe, born Apr. 3, 1887, died Apr. 8, 1888;
- Loretta, born May 26, 1889;
- Olive, born June 17, 1891.
- Margaret Elizabeth, born Sept. 17, 1825, married Elijah C. NICHOLS, living at Upper Longwood.
Children of Elijah C. NICHOLS and wife Margaret E.: - Sarah Cordelia,
- Joseph H.,
- Alexander,
- William F.,
- Susan,
- John F., died young;
- Caleb H.,
- Mary E.,
- George W.,
- Phebe,
- Frederick, died young.
- Sarah Ann, (twin) born Sept. 17, 1825, married (1) Alexander Armstrong MERRITT; (2) _____ WILSON.
Children of Alex. A. MERRITT and wife Sarah Ann: - Salina Ann,
- Alanson A., born Mar. 1, 1848;
- William F.,
- Seymour S.,
- Eliza Jane, married Dr. BRIGHT, of Woodport;
- Theodore,
- Emmonds J.,
- Chester,
- Harlow Page,
- Newton,
- no name.
- William, died young;
- William, (2) born Jan. 6, 1830, married Charlotte, daughter of Richard and Jane (NORMAN) DAVENPORT, Sept. 20, 1856, living at Upper Longwood.
Children of William FICHTER and wife Charlotte: - Theodore Dayton, born Apr. 11, 1857, died 1870;
- Richard D., born June 11, 1858;
- Fanny Jane, born June 25, 1860;
- Alfred Hinds, born Mar. 14, 1869
- Susan, married William LYON as second wife. Had children:
- Irene, died young;
- Naomi,
- Sarah and
- Augusta.
- Belinda, born Feb. 18, 1837, married Manning Force NICHOLS Feb. 24, 1855, by Rev. John L. Hays at Longwood
Children of Manning F. NICHOLS and wife Belinda: - Ziba, born Jan. 12, 1856, died Nov. 1856;
- Margaret, born Sept. 1857;
- Caroline H.,
- John F.,
- Anna,
- Sarah Ann,
- Jediah,
- Ziba (2),
- William F.,
- Elijah Jacob,
- Mary,
- Charles.
- Catharine Sophia, married Dr. David REEVE, of Bloomingdale, N.Y. He had discovered a treatment for hydrophobia, and was wonderfully successful with a large number of patients. Children:
- Abraham, died aged 4 years;
- William, married Sofronia HENION;
- Elizabeth, married Richard SLOAN;
- Israel, maried Fanny WOODWARD;
- Margaret, married Peter DeBAUM.
- Gabriel, born Nov. 25, 1796, married (1) Eliza WARE. She was born Mar. 13, 1804, died June 1, 1843. Had ten children. (2) Betty WARD, had nine children. He died May 5, 1864, buried at Berkshire Valley. Children:
- Elizabeth Ann, married Wesley DOTY, son of Aaron;
- Joseph, married Nancy HENDERSON, daughter of John;
- Caroline, married Gilbert LUDLOW;
- Hila Maria, died young;
- Margaret, married (1) Rhinehart DAVIS, (2) George JOHNSON;
- William, married Lida SHIPMAN, buried at Berkshire Valley;
- Jacob, married Phebe Ann FAIRCHILD;
- Nancy, married _____ DAVIS;
- Ellen, died young;
- Mary Jane, married John C. GORDON, of Berkshire Valley;
- Eliza Catharine, married James WESTEVELT;
- John Gabriel, married Elizabeth GORDON;
- Martha Ellen, married (1) Lewis GORDON, (2) Mark HELMIS, had one child;
- Dennis, living on the old homestead at Berkshire Valley;
- Phebe, married Abner LOWERY;
- Apha, married Joseph MATHEW;
- Sophia, married Charles BRIANT.
- Elizabeth Margaret, married Samuel P. LOSEY, died at Longwood. Both buried at Berkshire Valley.
Children: - Timothy, maried (1) Jane OCKERBOCK, (2) Mary FICHTER;
- William, married Hester UMANS;
- Margaret Sophia, married Thomas COOMAN.
- Mary Ann, born June 22, 1804, married John Harvey GORDON Dec. 25, 1830, died Aug. 5, 1875. He was born Oct. 26, 1805, died Oct. 4, 1855. Both buried at Rockaway Valley, N.J. Children—See Gordon family.
- Frederick, married Mary, daughter of Moses BOUNTING, of Berkshire Valley. Children:
- Harriet, married (1), William FREDERICKS, (2) Nicholas SMITH;
- Mary Ann, married Peter DOLAN;
- Martha, died young;
- Eliza, married Daniel MATHEW;
- Catharine Sophia, married Nicholas SMITH;
- Moses, married Emily, daughter of David and Jane (DICKERSON) ALLEN;
- John Jacob, married Elizabeth, daughter of William and Maria (LAWRENCE) BOUNTING, had one child;
- Phebe, married William HAGGERTY;
- Caroline, married Page, son of William MINTON, lived at Brooklin;
- Sarah Jane, married (1) George PHILIPS, (2) William SPICER;
- William Henry, married Cornelia, daughter of Eleazer and Elizabeth (SEWARD) LAMSON;
- Emma, married William SMITH, of Brooklin, N.Y.
- Adelia, married (1) John WILLIAMS, lived at Longwood. John WILLIAMS, was son of Samuel of Shongom, N.J. He had brothers: Foster and Moses in Captain Josiah Hall's Company, of Denville.
(2) John MANGER, buried at Berkshire Valley.
Children by WILLIAMS: - Ruth, married (1) Charles CASTIMORE, had five children. He was soldier in the Civil War, and killed in the army. (2) William BREESE; (3) George TAYLOR.
- Eliza D., died aged 16, buried at Berkshire Valley.
- Hezekiah, died aged 3 weeks.
- John Gordon, never married, died aged 40, buried at Dover.
- Jacob F., went to California.
- Rachel Ellen, married (1) Henry WHITE; (2) Samuel GREEN; (3) John, son of John Dudley WOOD.
- Samuel L., died aged 2 years.
- Nancy Elizabeth, died aged 16, buried at Berkshire Valley.
- Sarah Eliza, married Sidney, son of John Dudley WOOD, buried at Dover.
- Phebe Sophia, died aged 4 years, buried at Berkshire Valley.
- Eliza, married Lewis G. WIGGINS, died Apr. 10, 1896. He was born Nov. 26, 1843, died June 14, 1866. Both buried at Rockaway. Children—see Wiggins family.
- Jacob Losey, born 1825, married (1) Elizabeth, daughter of David ESTIL, of Oak Ridge. She was buried at Oak Ridge. (2) Mary STRAIT, of Milton, daughter of Stephen. He died 1874 at Hibernia, buried at Rockaway.
Children: - Mary Elizabeth, married Joseph KELSO, died in California;
- Sarah Ann, died aged 1 year;
- James Edward, married Helen, daughte of Samuel BEACH, of Rockaway;
- David, died young;
- Whitfield, died young;
- Harry, died young;
- Anna Belle,
- Frank and
- Ella Christiana, are in New York City.
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