The Percy Family

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

The Percy Family

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

Some years ago I became interested in my western cousins, and a curiosity as to what had become of the party whose name had been given me from some cause best known to my parents. The hunting up of ones ancestry is sometimes pursued under great difficulties. These parties had removed from the border lands of Morris County in 1835, to the wilderness in Ohio, the western fever at that date was strangely epidemic. In those pioneer days but few letters were ever exchanged, a new life had commenced in earnest with them and the old lines were soon forgotten. After sixty years all traces of the family were lost. By chance I learned the address of one of the grandchildren, and from this party I was referred to others. The result is before you.

The PERCY family in England date back to the year 1100. Two brothers, William and Joseph, came over when quite young men. William settled at Paterson, NJ, learned the printers trade and went to Albany, NY, when all traces were lost. Joseph settled near the border land of Morris County. He was born in England July 7, 1801, married Abigail CRANE, daughter of John and Sophia (MYERS) CRANE, Dec. 1, 1825, removed to Franklin county, Ohio, in 1835, and to Preemption, Mercer county, Ill., in 1855, married Mary (GOFF) ADAMS Oct. 1, 1845. Abigail CRANE was born July 5, 1804, died Sept. 22, 1843, buried at Walnut Hill, about eight miles southeast of Columbus, Ohio. He died Dec. 26, 1856, buried three miles west of Preemption, Ill. Mary GOFF was born July 14, 1814.

Children: George W., born Oct. 29, 1826, married Kate HAWLEY; (2) Miss SCHELL, removed to Peoria county, Ill., 1854, died Nov. 12, 1895, buried at Glassford, Ill., had four children. William, born Nov. 16, 1827, never married, died Aug. 3, 1843, buried at Walnut Hill, Ohio. John, born Mar. 27, 1829, never married, died Feb. 14, 1849, buried at Walnut Hill. Charles, born Oct. 17, 1830, married Catharine BEATY, daughter of Samuel, Oct. 25, 1850. (2) Fanny HEALEY, had five children, removed to Hancock county, Ohio, 1854, thence to Kingston Mines, Peoria county, Ill., and from thence to Notaway county, MO, in 1871, died there July 14, 1876. Julia E., born Apr. 8, 1832, died Oct. 29, 1855, buried at Walnut Hill. Fanny J., born Mar. 12, 1834; James C., born in Ohio June 28, 1836, died June 7, 1871, buried at "The Dalles" Oregon. Israel, born Oct. 12, 1837, died Nov. 7, 1860, buried at Preemption, Ill. Jeremiah C., born Dec. 15, 1839, married Jennie C. LOWE, of Mercer county, Ill., living near Parnell City, MO, served four years in Co. E, 7th Iowa Infantry, was wounded at Resaca, GA, in "Sherman’s march to the sea." Samuel, born Aug. 19, 1841, married ____ ROHR, living at Columbus, Ohio. Frances Marion born Sept. 20, 1843, married, lived in Franklin county, Ohio, died Sept. 20, 1877. Martha Ellen, born Jan. 19, 1855, married Albert WHITAKER, have two children.

My informants also gave the names and dates of grandchildren, which are here omitted, also politics and religion of all the members.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)