Eft Families of Salem County, New Jersey - Ifft Family History Project

Ifft/Ift/Eft Family History Project


Eft Families of Salem County, New Jersey

Here is a family history page for my Eft family, beginning in 1764 in Salem County, NJ. You will note that these early records rely heavily on the translation of the records of the Friesburg Emanuel Church in Friesburg, NJ. Note also that the name Ifft appears in these early records. My records for the generations below 1.2 Johann "Friederich" Eft are pretty complete.

Contributed by Neil W. Eft [mailto:[email protected]]


1 John Efft

Birth: abt 1740
Death: 1798

We must be careful. There may be a Johannes Ifft and a John Efft, since there are two different wives, Anna Catharina and Maria Catharina.

The records of the Friesburg Emanuel Lutheran Church show that Johannes Ifft and his wife Anna Catharina were the godparents of Anna Catharina Hoeltzel, whose parents were Georg Fried: Hoeltzel and Elizabeth his wife. Born February 15th 1760, baptized June 25th 1760.

They also show that Friederich Hoeltzel and his wife, Elisabeth were godparents of Elisabeth Ifft, whose parents were Johannes Ifft & Catharina his wife. Born Jan 29th 1763, baptized August 7, 1765. The Revolutionary Census of New Jersey 1773-1774 shows on p. 36 Eft, John SaUA (Salem County Upper Alloways)

The book New Jersey in 1793 shows for Salem County, Upper Alloways Twp - Frederick Eff on p. 379 and John Eff on p. 381. These names are on the tax lists or ratables.

The Index of Wills in the office of the Secretary of State of the state of New Jersey lists "Eft, John - 2332Q - Inventory 1799 - by Adam Coutch and Dan Jarman. John Eft died intestate (without a will) Documents were signed by Sam Dick, Surrogate and Frederick Eft - but Frederick Eft's signature was signed only by an "X", indicating either that he was incapacitated or could not write his name. That would be unbelievable since everyone could write their name. Frederick had three more children after 1899, so he may not have been incapacitated either. John's estate was appraised by Frederick Eft, Sam Ray and George Haines, in January 1799, indicating that he died in 1798 and that his wife Marie Catharina had died before him.

GED file sent to LDS on 30 May, 1999 as Eft 5.0.ged

Spouse: Marie Catharina (Eft)
Birth: abt 1740
Death: bef 1797
Marr: bef 1763

Children: Elisabetha (1763-) Johann "Friederich" (1764-1806) Hanna (1771-)


1.1 Elisabetha Efft

Birth: 29 Jan 1763

We must be careful whether this child is the child of John and Maria Catharina Efft or Johannes and Anna Catharina Ifft.

Records of Friesburg Emanuel Lutheran Church, Friesburg, Salem County NJ - 1749-1851 - translated by the Reverend G. L. Drews for the Federal Historical Records Survey Project of the Works Progress Administration, Published by the Gloucester County Historical Society, Woodbury, NJ, 1984. Page 9-1/2 Anno 1763 on the 7th of August Again by His Eminency the Rev. Muehlenberg the following children were baptized: Names of Parents - Johannes Ifft & Catharina his wife. Children - Elisabeth - born January 29th 1763. Godfathers & Godmothers - Friederich Hoeltzel & Elisabeth his wife


1.2 Johann "Friederich" Eft

Birth: 9 Aug 1764
Death: 31 Jul 1806
Burial: Emanuel Luth. Ch. of Friesburg, NJ

Frederick Eff appears on p. 379 of the book "New Jersey in 1793" for Salem County Upper Alloways Twp. John Eff appears on p. 381. Index of Wills in the Office of the Secretary of State of New Jersey prior to 1901 lists Eft, Frederick 2871 Q - Inventory 1808 Frederick Eft was the administrator of his father's estate and signed papers along with Sam Dick, Surrogate in Salem, NJ on 16 Jan 1799. However, his signature was an "X" witnessed by Sam Dick.

Incapacitated? Or could not write his name? Neither one is believeable since he had 3 more children after 1799.

Records of Friesburg Emanuel Lutheran Church, Friesburg, Salem County, NJ 1749-1851 - Translated by The Reverend Herman G. L. Drews for the Federal Historical Records Survey Project of the Works Progress Administration. Published by The Gloucester County Historical Society, Woodbury, NJ 1984.

Page 11 - Anno 1764 October 14th Again by His Reverency the Mr. Parson Wicksell the following children were baptized: Names of Parents - John Efft & Maria Catharina. Children (baptized 1764) Johann Friederich August 9th 1764. Godfathers & Godmothers Joh: Fried: Pillgrim & Anna Maria, his wife.

Spouse: Susannah (Eft)
Birth: 1771
Death: 12 Apr 1858
Marr: 1793

Children:
James B. (Infant death) (1794-)
John (1797-1892)
Henry (No descend) (1799-1822)
Anna Maria (1801-1895)
Frederick (1804-1891)
Daniel H. (Need info) (1805->1882)


1.3 Hanna Eff

Birth: 1771

Records of the Friesburg Emanuel Lutheran Church, Friesburg, Salem County, NJ 1749-1851, translated by the Reverend Herman G. L. Drews for the Federal Historical Records Survey Project of the Works Progress Administration and Published by the Gloucester County Historical Society, Woodbury, NJ 1984. On Page 69 Hanna Eff is listed as confirmed in the church on July 30th, 1786 by Heinrich Helmuth - preacher in Phil:

Elisabetha Efft was confirmed at the age of 15. If we assume that 14 or 15 was the age at which children entered the church, then Hanna would have been born in about 1771.


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by Kay Starr Schaney