NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

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

That it may be convincing proof of some who have followed my genealogical sketches of the old families, that they are not written at random at an idle hour, but that many of the them have taken months to complete as they are now. To those who have had an experience in hunting up their own ancestry I need not add anything to these facts.

We go abroad, frequently, to get the news from home, and in this way I have given skeleton lists, where it has been possible to get desired information, these have passed through many experts for additions and corrections, before given to the public.

My points of research have been to get copies from the original records that have been taken to the pioneer homes of the West, East, North and South. These people have been interested, they have been glad to give and receive any information regarding the old families, and with the consent of Mr. Samuel STICKLE, of Santa Barbara, Cal., I will give one of these letters as written at random, a few data may be given in parenthesis to complete. Mr. STICKLE left Rockaway nearly fifty years ago, but he still knows something of its history and its people and will be appreciated for many valuable historical incidents.

"In answer to your inquiry as to what I could give you in relation to the early history of the STICKLE family, I will state such traditions as were told me in my younger days by older members of our family.

"It was commonly understood that about the year 1700, that a youth by the name of STICKLE took passage on a vessel just ready to sail from the port of Amsterdam in Holland for New Amsterdam, America.

"Some stories had it that he paid a part of his passage money, another that he was a stowaway and another, and the one considered nearest the truth, was that he was kidnapped and brought on board the vessel and carried to New Amsterdam and sold for the price of his passage. All agree, however, that he was sold for the price of his passage as was the rule in those times, in regard to all persons indebted to the ship for carrying and not paying their ocean fares.

"What his given name was I never heard mentioned. There was some question raised as to the name STICKLE as it is now written. Some claimed that the name was spelled STEIKEL, others thought STECKLE, and others were of the opinion that STEIGEL was the proper name in the Dutch Vernacular.

"I never gave this point much thought. In traveling in Minnesota in the year 1867, I met a gentleman who was direct from Amsterdam who registered at the hotel where I was at the time, and wrote the name STICKLE just as we do. He was a man of intelligence and means and stated to me that his name had been spelled that way for many generations in his family, and that they were an old and numerous family in Holland at that date, 1867. I conclude from this circumstance that the name is STICKLE, and has been for two hundred years at least.

"I have before me a fragment of an old family record, which starts off just as I copy it, as follows:

"’February ,,. A. D., 1763, was Peter STICKLE married to Elizabeth PARLIAMAN. Elizabeth PARLIAMAN was born October 4, 1743. Aug. 3, A. D. 1763, was born their first son, George; May 10, was born their second son, Peter, 1765; March the 16, 1767, was born Edward, their third son; May 30, 1769, was born James, their fourth son; March 21, 1771, was born Jacob, their fifth son; November the 9^th, 1772, was born Ann, their first daughter; October 11^th, 1776, was born Elizabeth, their second daughter; March 21 1779, was born John, their sixth and last son.

"’Then follows the record of George STICKLE’s family: George and Sarah (BEAMAN) STICKLE, married the 2^nd day of March 1783. Sarah STICKLE, wife of George STICKLE, was born the 13^th day of July 1765. Their first son, Hubbard S. STICKLE, was born 4^th of Sept. 1783; their second son, George STICKLE, was born 11^th of March 1786; their third son, David STICKLE, was born March 28, 1788; Peter STICKLE, their fourth son, was born May the 16^th, 1790; Parliaman STICKLE, their fifth son, was born the 6^th day of May, 1792; April 10, 1794, was Beaman STICKLE, their sixth son, born; March 12^th, 1796, was Maria STICKLE, their first daughter, born; Nov. 21^st, 1798, was born their seventh and eight sons, Washington 1^st and Adams 2^nd; 1803, Feb. 3, was born their ninth son, named Mahlon. At this point the record ends. There were two children born later: Chileon (born Mar. 14, 1804), and Sarah, (born July 5, 1807.’

"It was always understood that the Peter STICKLE here first mentioned was one of three brothers, and that this Peter STICKLE settled in New Jersey, and that one brother settled in Eastern Pennsylvania and one in Central New York. This is undoubtedly true, as I have met personally and corresponded with others of the STICKLE family from both Central New York and Eastern Pennsylvania, and all agree uniformly they are one of the branches of three brothers.

"Peter STICKLE, the first mentioned, probably lived and died at what was once known as the TERHUNE place in the Rockaway Valley. The farm lying across the valley jutting on what used to be known as the Torn mountain on the southeast and against the hills across the valley on the north east. He and his wife are buried on this farm. Fifty years ago their graves were well kept, but had no monument. I do not know who owns the property at this time (Peter F. COOK). When I last visited this burying place the property was owned by Robert LASH who married a daughter of George STICKLE (Sarah).

"In relation to the STICKLE family at the present, I am certain they are pretty well scattered over the world. Three of George STICKLE’s brothers migrated to Vermont early in the last century. They were Peter, Edward and Jacob. I have met several of these, of this branch of the family. Some in Wisconsin, some in Minnesota, some in Illinois, and also in Iowa and Missouri.

"There was another member of the family named Nathaniel STICKLE, that I have always supposed was a brother of my grandfather, George STICKLE . He was an expert mill wright at Horse Pond, (near Hibernia). He migrated to the lake countries, or started to go there, and was lost sight of by all those living in Jersey.

"When I came to this state, (California), in 1888, I had a letter dropped in my P. O. Box, which I opened, supposedly it was for me, but in reading, I found it was for another STICKLE. I dropped it back in the post office with explanations, when a short time this gentleman called to see me and compare notes.

"He was a native of Rockland county, NY, and was not aware of the fact that there were any other STICKLEs in existence, and from their own family. Now this Nathaniel STICKLE when he migrated was a bachelor. He probably carried his kit of tools along, and in the counties of Rockland and Dutchess, NY, he saw nice running streams and good water power, and so he probably stopped, and began to follow his calling, and being an expert, he prospered and grew up in that country.

"There is quite a family of them in those counties all claiming to be the descendants of the expert mill wright, who married, and ended his days in that region, only leaving the small scrap of history that he came from New Jersey.

"In my travel’s I have seen members of our family in pretty much all classes and conditions. I suppose every northern state had one or members of this family in the Union army during the Rebellion, and have no doubt whatever about their being represented in the Confederate armies, although I never chanced to meet one.

"In civil life I have seen them occupying the judge’s bench, the lawyer’s place at the bar, the ministry and Physician’s calling, in the halls of Legislature, and not to be exclusive, I have seen them in felon’s cell. I find some engaged in mining, some in lumber, while trading seems natural to all the various clans.

"Of two of the brothers of my grandfather, James and John, I have no record of any kind. It may be, however, that one of them was the brother Nathaniel, the latter being a middle name, or an adopted name. I also have an indistinct recollection of one dying young.

"The daughters, Ann and Elizabeth, were both married. Ann married a man named (Daniel) LEWIS and migrated farther West. In the fifties this woman made herself known to my brother, (Charles Beaman), then living in Menasha, Wisconsin. She died near there about the year 1860. I have met several members of her family in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Of the other daughter, Elizabeth, I have no record. (She married Calvin ROSS, of Rockaway, Nov. 7, 1795).

"I do not vouch for the statements I have given as actual facts, I hope it may be the means of drawing out some history from others that may have had better opportunities than I have had.

"My grandfather, George STICKLE, kept a daily record of events running through about forty years. Had that been cared for, many facts and events happening in his time, would now have a record of no small value, that is lost to the community beyond recovery.

"Hoping that what I have written may at least fill out one missing link, I remain yours in F. C. & L. – Samuel STICKLE".

Before gathering up the fragmentary dates of the STICKLE family, it is due to Comrade STICKLE as a soldier, to mention that he has seen service with the boys of Company G, 11^th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment, from Sept. 4, 1861, to Jan. 6, 1865, and it is possible that he picked up a few "hard tacks" of information in this line of service, that would interest the comrades.

"Hut (as written) little is known of the birth of Peter STICKLE, some traditions say that he was a few years older than his wife Elizabeth, which would give 1740 not far from the record. The date of death of Peter and his wife are not found on the records. As both were members of the Rockaway Presbyterian church and on the books in 1794, we would place the date of death after that date, notwithstanding traditions to the contrary.

It is said that he and his neighbor TERHUNE dug a well on the dividing line between them and both families used from the well, which is still in use upon the lands of Peter F. COOK. It is also related that during his last sickness, he was unable to use the English language, which he had learned, but conversed entirely in German, which some of the family did not understand, and they were compelled to get a German interpreter, who remained with him until his death. He was buried on the farm, through which cemetery the canal passed and many of the dead were exhumed and reburied.

The story of the life of George STICKLE, Peter’s son, in detail is full of romance. Bound out, as was the custom, to learn the tailor’s trade at Franklin, ran away because of ill treatment, wandered away and found one of his father’s friends, who gave him an education, returned, taught school at Danville, and later at Rockaway. While at Rockaway he made his daily record of cutting and ranking a cord of wood on the White Meadow tract before school; taught ten hours of school and cut another cord of wood, returned to his home and attended to the chores.

In this way he earned his first $600, which he was obliged to take in notes of Israel CANFIELD, the owner of the White Meadow tract, who lived at Morris Plains. He finally made the notes his first payment of the whole tract at $12,000, with forge, and ore and charcoal in stock, but could not sell a pound of iron only to Israel CANFIELD. The price of iron went up, he learned the bloomer’s trade, and by hard work and good management, soon had the tract paid for much to the surprise of CANFIELD. He sold, bought and traded, and soon amassed a fortune in those days of $120,000. He married Sarah BEAMAN Mar. 2, 1783, a daughter of David and Mary (STANSBORROUGH) BEAMAN, of Rockaway, whom tradition relates as a very good and pious woman, but without much business faculty.

George STICKLE, it is related, taught night school and surveying in his early days, and from his writing in the old church records, was a first-class penman. He died Aug. 11, 1835. His wife was born July 13, 1765, died June 14, 1836. Both buried at Rockaway.

Children of George and Sarah (BEAMAN) STICKLE, dates of birth already given from the record: Hubbard Stansborrough, probably named from his mother’s father, married (1) Sarah, daughter of Francis and Charity (MILLER) McCARTY, Oct. 17, 1807; married (2) Gean McGRATH, widow of Isaiah W. He died at an advanced age June 18, 1881. His first wife was born Aug. 24, 1784, died Apr. 12, 1854. His second wife died Jan. 7, 1863. All buried at Rockaway. George Jr., married Anna, daughter of David CONGER, Mar. 16, 1809, died Sept. 21, 1829. His wife was born Aug. 23, 1788, died Feb. 10, 1877. Both buried at Rockaway. Peter, married Mary VREELAND, of Macopin, NJ, was private in Capt. John HINCHMAN’s Co. of Infantry, Lieut. Col. Joseph JACKSON’s Regiment, enrolled Sept. 17, 1812, discharged Nov. 30, 1812, died June 17, 1848, buried at Rockaway. His widow received a land warrant for his services in 1812 War. Parliaman, no records further than date of birth. Beaman, married (1) Phebe, daughter of Peter and Phebe (COE) VANDERVOORT, Mar. 28, 1817. See- VANDERVOORT family. Married (2) Mary, daughter of John and Ruhama (BEAMAN) STRONG, 1869. She was born at Rockaway, Aug. 18, 1801, went to Western New York in 1821, where she married Cornelius SPOOR Feb. 16, 1823, removed to Aztalon, territory of Wisconsin, in 1846. SPOOR died there in 1862. Beaman STICKLE died at Cottage Grove, Wis., July 5, 1844. First wife born Dec. 16, 1793, died Mar. 10, 1868. Second wife died Oct. 31, 1895. Beaman STICKLE enlisted in Capt. John BIGALOW’s Co. at Rockaway, but was never called in active service, in 1812 War. Maria, never married, died Dec. 24, 1889; Washington, (twin), married Jane, daughter of Capt. William VANDYNE, died Mar. 3, 1884; Chilion, married Harriet, daughter of Capt. David and Anna HILL, died Jan. 26, 1860. She was born Jan. 20, 1811, died Aug. 15, 1857. Sarah, married Robert LASH and removed to Missouri: two sons, twins, died in infancy. Twelve sons and two daughters.

Children of Hubbard S. and Sarah (McCARTY) STICKLE: Francis, born Nov. 12, 1808, married Eliza SMITH, died Aug. 30, 1896; George Parliaman, born Aug. 15, 1812, died Sept. 28, 1821; Edward Allen, born Oct. 7, 1815; Barnabas King, born Oct. 12, 1817, married Caroline TUTTLE, died Oct. 7, 1875. She was born July 20, 1820, died Jan. 4, 1891. John McDowell, born May 7, 1820, died Sept. 9, 1821; Harriet Newell, born Aug. 24, 1823, married James FULLER, who was born Nov. 28, 1815, died May 5, 1855.

Children of George, Jr., and Anna (CONGAR) STICKLE: Anna Elizabeth, born Mar. 4, 1810, married David KENNEDY, died Feb. 28, 1847; John (1), born Sept. 11, 1811, died May 21, 1812; Sarah Beaman, born Jan. 11, 1813, never married, died Jan. 4, 1892; John E., born Nov. 26, 1814, married (1) Louisa, daughter of William KIMBLE, of Oak Ridge, NJ, Jan. 7, 1841; married (2) Mrs. Elizabeth BROWN May 11, 1878. He died May 8, 1895. His first wife was born June 12, 1819, died Oct. 22, 1874. Both buried at Oak Ridge. Emily Congar, born Jan. 4, 1821, never married, died Jan. 5, 1892, one day after her elder sister, both buried at Rockaway. Israel, born about 1816, married Caroline McGEE, died Sept. 1895; Ahijah, date of birth and death unknown; Cyrus Hartwell, born Sept. 27, 1818, died Nov. 10, 1830; Augustus, born Jan. 26, 1826, died Jan. 10, 1851; Mary Frost, born 1827, never married, living at Rockaway; Electra King, born June 15, 1829, died Aug. 19, 1833.

Children of Beaman and Phebe (VANDERVOORT) STICKLE: Jacob Parliaman, born Jan. 10, 1819, married Minerva, daughter of Maj. Joseph and Emily (ABBOTT) HINCHMAN, Nov. 6, 1839, both living at Rockaway; George W., born Jan. 3, 1821, married Ruth H. VARS Nov. 18, 1847, died at Wrightstown, Wis., Jan. 23, 1891. His wife died 1889. Commodore Coe, born Mar. 1, 1824, married Mary ALLEN, July 26, 1855, both living at Los Angelos, Cal. Charles Beaman, born Nov. 17, 1827, married Mary A., daughter of Abner BLANCHARD, Nov. 18, 1852, removed to Cottage Grove, Wis., died there June 12, 1896. His wife was born Dec. 9, 1828. Had eleven children. Samuel Lewis Southard, modernized to Samuel, born Aug. 11, 1833, married Mary E. BELT May 18, 1857, living at Santa Barbara, Cal. To whom we are indebted for a part of this sketch of the STICKLE family.

Children of John E. and Louisa (KIMBLE) STICKLE: Cyrus Hartwell, born Jan. 3, 1842, married Harriet, daughter of Alanson LYON, of Stockholm, removed to Indiana, died there Apr. 8, 1875; Susan, born July 22, 1943 (as written), married Daniel, son of John VANORDEN, Jan. 1, 1867, living at Hamburgh, NJ; Lewis, born June 5, 1845, married Sarah BEDELL Mar. 1871, living at Hamburgh; William, born Mar. 2, 1848, married Josephine WILSON 1873; John, born Nov. 13, 1849, married Sarah ALLEN; Mary A., born Nov. 7, 1851, died Jan. 14, 1854, buried at Oak Ridge; Harriet, born Nov. 9, 1855, married Edward SIMMS, as his second wife, Aug. 21, 1880, living at Parsippanny; Sarah Ann, born May 22, 1858, married William IRTHUR, son of Ezra Halsey and Margaret (BOYD) DAY, Apr. 12, 1879, living at Boonton; Theodore, born Apr. 1, 1861, married Susan, daughter of William POST, May 3, 1885, living on the old homestead at Paradise.

Children of Chilion and Harriet (HILL) STICKLE, all buried at Rockaway: Peter, born Jan. 1, 1832, died July 27, 1858; Silas Hill, born June 10, 1834, died Apr. 5, 1859; Martha C., born May 7, 1836, died Nov. 7, 1854; Joseph V., born Feb. 9, 1838, died Apr. 15, 1848; Mary Ann, born Sept. 1, 1841, died Oct. 12, 1856; George, born Sept. 3, 1843, died Dec. 6, 1857; John W., born Sept. 3, 1846, died May 11, 1863.

Children of Peter and Mary (VREELAND) STICKLE: James H., born 1830, married (1) Margaret SHAWGER Aug. 24, 1848. She was born 1827, died Sept. 13, 1853. (2) Elizabeth ____, who was born Aug. 4, 1827, died Sept. 17, 1880. Both buried at Rockaway. (3) Elizabeth MINARD, who was born 1827, died Aug. 8, 1899, buried at Rockaway Valley. Eliza Ann, born Aug. 1, 1835, died Oct. 2, 1846; William N., born Sept. 10, 1837, died Dec. 3, 1863, buried at Rockaway. Perhaps others.

Children of James H. and wives Margaret and Elizabeth STICKLE: Jane, born 1850, died Sept. 27, 1853; George, born Aug. 24, 1855, died Sept. 3, 1855; Phebe A., born May 1, 1858, died Sept. 5, 1858; Irene E., born Aug. 12, 1861, died Oct. 2, 1861; Abraham Lincoln, born June 10, 1862, died Aug. 26, 1863; Mary Agnes, born Sept. 21, 1866, died Apr. 5, 1867. All buried at Rockaway.

Children of Mahlon and Dorothy V. (VANDYNE) STICKLE: Abraham M., born June 11, 1837, member of Co. D. 11^th NJ Inf., died at Trenton, NJ, Aug. 19, 1862. Mahlon J., born Aug. 17, 1840, member of Battery B, 2^nd NJ Light Artillery, died Sept. 1, 1862; a son, name, birth, and death unknown. All buried at Rockaway.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)

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