Gaston
Family Lines Of Somerset Page 125 [Continued from Page 45] CHILDREN OF WILLIAM GASTON (46) AND NAOMI TEEPLE: 62. JOHN W., b. Sept. 26, 1783; d. June 20, 1859; m., Oct. 17, 1805, Sarah Castner (dau. of Daniel Castner and Mary Thompson), who was b. Oct. 26, 1782, and d. Apr. 8, 1859. He was brought up to the harness maker's trade, but became later a farmer, and was probably a resident of Pluckemin until 1808, when he removed to Somerville. In 1809 he purchased a lot next to the Academy lot, near the corner of Main and Bridge streets, Somerville, having sold his Pluckemin residence in 1808 to James Harriot. In 1812, or before, he seems to have again settled near Pluckemin. On Dec. 10, 1816, he purchased a farm of 141 acres from Dennis Stryker. This farm adjoined those of Tunis Van Derveer and Abraham Quick, and has been known, during the whole century since, as the "Gaston Homestead of North Branch." When an effort was made to build the Presbyterian church at Pluckemin he was so deeply interested that he volunteered to mortgage his farm to raise money for building the edifice. At the organization of this church in 1851 he was one of its founders. His wife met an unfortunate death by fire. During the absence of a maid, while busy with the cooking, her clothing took fire from a spark from the stove, burning her so severely that she died the same day. (For ch., see infra). 63. WILLIAM, b. Sept. 26, 1785; d. Sept. 12, 1837; unm. This William was given a liberal education and, in November, 1805, established himself as a cotton merchant in Savannah, Ga., with a branch office in New York City, where he employed his nephew, William Ker Gaston, as his assistant. While he was in his New York office, conversing with this nephew, he became suddenly ill and died in a few hours. The late Dr. A. W. McDowell, writing of him in 1873, in "Our Home," says of him (but making an error as to his education): "He was a self-made man. As a merchant he built up a character for probity, energy and success, of which any man might be proud. With but limited means of education he was forced to learn lessons of wisdom by his own experience. Under all these disadvantages he was a most successful merchant; his name to this day is always mentioned in Savannah, or Georgia, with the highest respect and consideration. . . . He was a bachelor living in handsome style and was fond of entertaining his friends and lavishing his hospitality. The father of the writer [the Rev. Dr. William A. McDowell], while residing in Charleston, had occasion to visit Savannah. He met a select party of gentlemen at William's house. He remarked to me he had never seen a handsomer Page 125 Page 126 entertainment at the South. . . . In one of [its] wide old streets, under the shade of lofty evergreens, is the old Savannah cemetery. Here, in a handsome vault, erected at the expense of $1,500, masoned up with a marble door, reposes all that is mortal of William Gaston." The following was published as a "broadside" in Savannah in 1837: "At a meeting of merchants and citizens generally, held (in pursuance of a public notice) at the Exchange, in the city of Savannah, on Thursday, September 21st, 1837, for the purpose of testifying their respects for the memory of the late William Gaston, Esq., and their deep sense of the loss sustained by this community by his decease. "Joseph Cumming, Esq., was called to the chair, and William P. Hunter was appointed Secretary. "The following preamble and resolutions were offered by George Schley, Esq., and unanimously adopted, viz.: "'William Gaston, for many years conspicuous as one of our most eminent merchants and respectable citizens, having been through the wise dispensations of Providence removed from us by death, and this sad event having occurred when at a distance from this, the place of his home, so that his fellow-citizens were denied the melancholy satisfaction of individually offering to his remains the last rites of respect and affection, they deem it proper publicly to commune on this occasion, and to express their deep regret for a bereavement which cannot but touch the sympathies, not only of this community, but of thousands far away, for the strangers' friend will not be unwept, while gratitude yields to worth the just tribute of a tear. "'It is therefore Resolved, as the sentiment of this meeting, that Mr. Gaston as a merchant was distinguished for his intelligence, industry and integrity--for his promptness, frankness and liberality. That, as a citizen, he was patriotic, public-spirited and munificent--and in the contribution of private charity, of unsurpassed benevolence. That he was the patron of merit in every form and emphatically the friend of the stranger, dispensing with a liberal hand the avails of his honorable and successful enterprise. That in the intercourse of domestic life his friends can, through long years, remember his cheerful welcome and kind hospitality--his glowing genius, refined intelligence and accomplished manners--his generous and confiding spirit. That Mr. Gaston in his character as a man and a citizen, combined a rare assemblage of virtues which no time can efface from our memory--and although they are extensively known and appreciated, we choose the melancholy pleasure of repeating them, as a salutary contemplation and attractive example; and for their commemoration be it further "'Resolved, That under the superintendence of a Committee to be appointed for that purpose, there shall be erected in the Old Cemetery a vault for the interment of strangers, which shall bear the name of the Gaston Vault, as a monument to perpetuate the living kindness of the strangers' friend, and teaching posterity a lesson of universal philanthropy.' "A committee of seven was then appointed by the chair as the Page 126 Page 127 committee to erect the vault, and the following resolutions were then offered and adopted: "'Resolved, That the chairman in behalf of this meeting, be requested to address Mr. Wm. K. Gaston a letter requesting him, if it meets his approbation, to have the remains of his late uncle, William Gaston, Esq., brought to this city, it being in the opinion of this meeting the most proper place for their repose. "'Resolved, That a copy of the proceedings of this meeting be forwarded to the relatives of the late William Gaston, and that they also be published.'" 64. WALTER, b. Oct. 10, 1787; d. Nov. 8, 1787. 65. MARGARET, b. Oct. 30, 1789; d. Nov. 3, 1827; m., Mar. 30, 1819, John Mehelm McEowen (son of William McEowen, Esq., and Martha Mehelm), who was b. about 1784 and d. Nov. 7, 1820, in his 33rd year. They resided in Pluckemin. No children. 66. JOSEPH, b. Feb. 13, 1792; d. Apr. 5, 1814; unm. 67. OLIVER, b. Jan. 8, 1795; d. June 10, 1821; unm. By his will of Aug. 8, 1818, he gave all his estate to his brother William, of Savannah. He signed his name "Oliver B." in his will (presumably Berton). William was made executor, but renounced in favor of Sheriff John I. Gaston (73). 68. JAMES (twin with Oliver), b. Jan. 8, 1795; d. 1860; m., Mar., 1820, but name of wife is unknown. He settled in Huntington, Ala., and had children; names unknown. He and a son Oliver visited their friends in N. J. in 1858, when he came to New York to witness the first laying of the Atlantic cable. 69. ABRAHAM, b. Apr. 25, 1797; d. Jan., 1823; unm. 70. HUGH, b. Aug. 27, 1800; d. Mar. 30, 1821; unm. At the time of his decease he was about to enter college. CHILDREN OF JOSEPH GASTON (47) AND IDA VAN ARSDALEN: 71. ELIZA, of Pluckemin, N. J., b. Nov. 17, 1782; d. Nov. 11, 1857; m. (???) Annin. She resided, when a widow, with her sister Sarah E. [A correspondent states that she m. (2nd?) John Collyer, who d. Jan. 5, 1865.--EDITOR]. 72. ISAAC VAN ARSDALEN, of Pluckemin, N. J., b. Sept. 9, 1784; d. Feb. 11, 1811; m. Mar. 15, 1810, Jane Van Arsdale. He was a farmer and also saddler. If ch., names unknown. 73. JOHN I., known as "Sheriff" Gaston, b. Feb. 14, 1787; d. Mar. 23, 1846; m. (1) Catherine Annin, who was b. Jan. 22, 1787, and d. Aug. 30, 1834; (2), May 14, 1835, Elizabeth Van Veghten (widow of General John Frelinghuysen), who d. in 1867, and by whom no ch. (Her will names her children by her first husband). John I. seems to have resided Page 127 Page 128 in Bernards twsp., in 1813, when he and his wife Catherine, of that twsp., conveyed land there to Dr. Samuel Swan. In 1814 he was of "Bridge-water twsp.," and sold 2 1/2 acres of land at Pluckemin. He was an auctioneer in 1821, perhaps living then at Pluckemin. He was afterward a prominent citizen of Somerville during most of his life. He was sheriff of the County 1826-'28, and again from 1832-'34. In 1836 he was one of those who projected the Raritan water power. He served on the Committee which built the original Second Reformed church at Somerville in 1834, and was elder of that church in 1836 and 1845. By his will of Mar. 2, 1846, he mentions his daughter Eliza Sergeant, deceased, son Joseph A. Gaston, and son-in-law, George H. Brown. (For ch., see infra). 74. MARGARET B., b. Feb. 21, 1789; d. July 9, 1804. 75. WILLIAM B., b. Aug. 9, 1791; d. Mar. 9, 1859; m. (1) Elizabeth Vail (widow of Alexander Vail and dau. of Alexander Kirkpatrick and Sarah Carle), who was b. Sept. 21, 1789, and d. Jan. 28, 1837; (2); Martha Demun, who was b. July 19, 1805, and d. Oct. 19, 1863. He was a merchant at Basking Ridge during the early part of his life, but removed to Somerville about 1824, and kept a grocery store opposite the Courthouse, besides becoming the owner of considerable real estate. He became an elder of the Second Ref. church, Somerville, in 1837. He served three terms as Justice of the Peace, dating in 1827, 1837 and 1842, and was appointed one of the lay Judges of the county in 1827, 1832, and again in 1842. In 1847 he was one of the organizers of the Somerset County Bible Society. By his will of Dec. 1, 1855, he mentions his wife Martha and his sons John, William, Alexander K., Joseph and Hugh M. (For ch., see infra). 76. SARAH E., b. Dec. 9, 1793; d. 1885; m. Garret Conover of Pluckemin, a shoemaker, who was some twenty-five years younger than his wife. She was an educated lady, and a teacher in her younger years. They lived nearly opposite the Presbyterian ch. in Pluckemin. Garret's shop was in the second story of his house, and this was, says a correspondent, "quite a rendezvous for those who liked to hear him tell good stories." No ch. 77. LYDIA, b. 1795; d. 1800. CHILDREN OF STEPHEN GASTON (49) AND HANNAH WRIGHT: 77a. ELIZABETH, b. Oct. 1, 1808. 77b. SARAH, b. Jan. 24, 1810. 77c. MINERVA, b. Feb. 14, 1812. 77d. JULIA, b. Feb. 26, 1815. 77e. OGDEN, b. Mar. 5, 1822; m. Elizabeth Ann Simpson (dau. of Page 128 Page 129 John Simpson of Cambridge, N. Y.). They removed to Andersonville, Michigan, in 1852, and later to Detroit. Children: (1) CHARLES HENRY, b. at Troy, N. Y., May 15, 1850; m. first, June, 1873, Mary Beatrice Warren (dau. of Rev. Square Warren, a pioneer Methodist clergyman of Michigan), who d. Aug., 1903; second, a Mrs. Billard, of Connecticut. He has been in the American News Co. employ for forty years, and for twenty years of that period has been manager of the New York Blank Book Co., a branch of the former-named Company. Ch. (by M. B. W.): (a) CHARLES ROBERT, Ph.D., b. Sept. 6, 1874; President of the New York Association of Teachers of English, and head of the English department of the Richmond Hill High School, New York City. He is also the editor of thirteen volumes of "English Classics." (b) ALICE ELIZABETH, b. June 6, 1876. (c) HOMER WARREN, b. Aug. 11, 1877; d. 1895. (d) JOHN OGDEN, b. Jan. 10, 1879; a physician of Rochester, Mich. (e) MARY BEATRICE, b. Jan. 6, 1888. (By Mrs. B.); (f) MARGARET. (2) MARIETTA, b. Sept. 24, 1854. (3) FREMONT, b. Oct. 31, 1857; d. by drowning, in 1876. (4) THEODORE WILLIAM, b. Mar. 7, 1860. (5) ORRA MARIA, b. Nov. 16, 1862. (6) GEORGE TIFFANY, b. Mar. 28, 1867. He was city clerk of Detroit, Mich., two terms and was sheriff of Wayne county, two terms. CHILDREN OF JOHN W. GASTON AND SARAH CASTNER: 78. WILLIAM KER, b. July 23, 1806; d. Dec. 24, 1885; m., Nov. 10, 1846, Aletta Margaret Tunison (dau. of Abram Tunison of Burnt Mills), who was b. Aug. 5, 1821, and d. Dec. 12, 1890. He was employed by his uncle, William Gaston (63), the Savannah merchant, in the branch office in New York City. After his uncle's death he owned a stock farm at Bound Brook; then removed to Somerville, where he resided until his death. (For ch., see infra). 79. DANIEL CASTNER, b. Oct. 14, 1807; d. Aug. 2, 1888; m., Jan. 28, 1830, Ida Ann Vliet (dau. of William Vliet and Catherine Van Dyke), who was b. July 9, 1811, and d. Feb. 29, 1880. Mr. Gaston was a farmer, owning a farm originally near Burnt Mills, Somerset County. In 1855 he sold this farm to Frederick H. Lane, which is at present occupied by Archibald B. Vanderbeek. Between 1856 and 1875 he resided on a small farm near Pluckemin, previously owned by his brother, Hugh (87), on which the latter had built a fine new house, and now in possession of William B. Powelson. The southern half of his farm embraced the tract on which the well-known Bryan Lefferty house, of Revolutionary fame, stood, which was torn down about 1879 by the then owner, Alvin T. Peck. Page 129 Page 130 In the latter year he removed to Somerville, where he resided on Bridge street until his death. (For ch., see infra). 80. SAMUEL BRANT, b. Dec. 14, 1809; d. Nov. 1, 1870; m., June 15, 1833, Jane Maria Van Derveer (dau. of Tunis Van Derveer and Sarah Van Arsdale), who was b. Oct. 4, 1815, and d. June 28, 1891. He became a New York merchant dealing in dry goods, and later removed to Trenton where he was engaged in selling general clothing, and tailoring. (For ch., see infra). 81. MARGARET, b. Nov. 29, 1811; d. Oct. 31, 1869; m. Dr. Thomas Blackwell, who d. Feb. 12, 1876. Dr. Blackwell first practiced medicine at Kingston, N. J., and then removed to the farm of his father near Burnt Mills, where, retired from practice, he spent the remainder of his life. Children: (1) Sarah, b. 1738; d. Feb. 4, 1853. (2) John Gaston, b. Sept. 9, 1839; d. Dec. 18, 1857. (3) Margaret, deceased. 82. ROBERT, b. Dec. 15, 1813; d. Feb. 17, 1890; m., Feb. 4, 1839, Martha Eliza Lane (dau. of Job Lane and Susanna Nevius), who was b. Nov. 28, 1813, and d. Aug. 10, 1878. Like his brother Daniel he owned a farm at Burnt Mills, which he sold to William E. Paulison, and then removed to Pluckemin where he made his home until the death of his wife in 1878, when he removed to Somerville, and thereafter resided with his brother Hugh. He was a successful business man, and at his death, having no children, it was found that his will made bequests to the Reformed church at Bedminster of $2,000 and a similar bequest to the American Bible Society and the Boards of Domestic Mission and Education of the Reformed church in America, while the residue (about $35,000) was willed to the Board of Foreign Missions of the same denomination. The last bequest was contested by his relatives and a compromise effected. No ch. 83. JOSEPH, b. Apr. 12, 1816; d. Dec. 3, 1832. 84. JOHN, of North Branch, N. J., b. Aug. 31, 1818; d. Feb. 3, 1888; m., Nov. 17, 1842, Rebecca Ann Wortman (dau. of Capt. John Duryea Wortman and Catherine Van Nest), who was b. Oct. 2, 1816, and d. Dec. 15, 1902. The farm of 160 acres owned by his father was deeded to him June 16, 1857, and he resided thereon until his death. Capt. Wortman, who was named for Rev. John Duryea, of Bedminster, was b. 1790 and d. 1860; was Captain of local militia. (For ch., see infra). 85. OLIVER BERTON, b. Jan. 14, 1821; d. Jan. 8, 1894; m., Oct. 8, 1840, Sarah Aletta Wortman (sister to his brother John's wife), who was b. Apr. 5, 1821, and d. at Baltimore, Md., Aug. 30, 1903. After marriage he resided about two years in New Brunswick; from about 1842 Page 130 Page 131 to 1852 farmed a small farm between Pluckemin and North Branch; then returned to New Brunswick and engaged in the clothing and tailoring business, and was choir master of the Second Reformed church of that city He subsequently resided at Plainfield, Brooklyn, L I. and Glen Head, L. I., where he died. (For ch., see infra). 86. NAOMI (twin with Oliver), b. Jan. 14, 1821; d. Oct. 17, 1897; m. Isaac Farley Stephens (son of Joseph Stephens and Margaret Farley). Mr. Stephens was a farmer at Peapack, Somerset Co., but afterward removed to Canton, Ill., where he d. Oct. 17, 1900. Children: (1) George; (2) Augustus; (3) Annie. (There were perhaps, two more). 87. HUGH, b. Apr. 23, 1823; d. Mar. 28, 1899; m., Nov. 2, 1844, Jane Vanderveer Garretson (dau. of Peter Garretson and Catherine Wilson), who was b. Sept. 29, 1828, and is living in Somerville. Mr. Gaston was a farmer near Pluckemin until he sold the farm in 1856 to his brother Daniel; then was a merchant in that place, and, later, went to Plainfield. In 1869 he removed to a farm north of Readington, Hunterdon co., and during his stay in that vicinity was the chorister of Readington Ref. church. Removing later to North Branch, he became prominent as a member of the Board of Chosen Freeholders from 1876-'80, being one of the reform members of that board, and doing much to stop county "graft." Becoming county collector he removed to Somerville in 1884, and resided there until his death. When he resided at Pluckemin he was chairman of the Building Committee which erected the Presbyterian church in 1851, and of that church he was both trustee and chorister. (For ch., see infra). 88. ISAAC, b. July 23, 1825; d. 1900; m. (1) Catherine Cornelia Sutphen, who d. in Plainfield, Jan., 1869; and (2) Catherine E. Sutphen (cousin to his first wife), who d. at Newark, Jan., 1915, aged 82 years. He entered Columbia College in 1839, but did not stay to graduate. He was a merchant in Pluckemin, the firm being Gaston & Willets, and was active in the building of the Presbyterian ch. there in 1851. He subsequently removed to Plainfield, and then to Newark, where he was cashier of a National Bank, and where he resided at the time of his death. (For ch., see infra). CHILDREN OF JOHN I. GASTON (73) AND CATHERINE ANNIN: 89. JOSEPH ANNIN, b. July 14, 1807; d. June 20, 1853; m., Mar. 2, 1836, Mary Collings, of Frankfort, Pa., who d. Nov. 2, 1892, in her 84th yr. He taught school at one time in Somerville, was a commissioner of deeds and executor of his father's estate. In 1848 he was a justice of the peace, and the same year was appointed one of the lay Judges of the County. The place of his death is unknown to the writer; his wife was buried at Somerville. (For ch., see infra). Page 131 Page 132 90. IDA MARIA, b. Mar. 19, 1810; d. Sept. 7, 1887. 91. SARAH ELIZABETH, b. July 15, 1814; d. July 19, 1842; m. May 3, 1831, Albert Sergeant. (For ch., see infra). 91a. JOANNA BROWN, b. May 30, 1815; d. Feb. 20, 1869; m., Mar. 10, 1841, Hon. George Houston Brown, who was b. Feb. 12, 1810, and d. Aug. 1, 1865. Judge Brown was the son of Rev. Isaac V. Brown, of Lawrenceville, N. J., long the head of the Classical Academy at that place, and of his wife, Mary Houston. Judge Brown graduated at Princeton in 1828, and was a student in the Law department of Yale College. He became attorney at the February Term of the New Jersey Supreme Court, 1835, and counselor in November, 1838. He practiced law at Somerville; was State Senator in 1845 and Member of Congress from 1851-'53; in 1861 was made an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, serving until his death in 1865. "An honest man and an honest lawyer, and had always the confidence of Court and jury; of brilliant genius and generally respected by all." (For ch., see infra). 91b. WILLIAM, b. Oct. 4, 1817; d. Jan. 18, 1847. 91c. EVELINA BELMONT LINN, b. Dec. 15, 1820; d. June 23, 1838; m., Sept. 25, 1834, John Reynolds. 91d. SAMUEL SWAN, b. Aug. 2, 1823; d. Feb. 2, 1876; m., Nov. 19, 1846, Margaret Ellen Whitenack, who was b. Nov. 18, 1826, and d. Jan. 24, 1895. (For ch., see infra). 91e. ALLETTA SWAN, b. July 3, 1825; d. Oct. 16, 1909; m., Sept. 4, 1845, William Stewart of Pennsylvania. (For ch., see infra). 91f. ISAAC, b. Sept. 14, 1828; d. Mar., 1901; m., Sept. 24, 1851, Mary E. Burnet. They resided in Newark. (For ch., see infra). 91g. CATHERINE, b. Feb. 1, 1831; d. Apr. 20, 1865. [Most of the names and dates of above children of John I. were received too late to pursue further inquiries for this article; some other facts may appear in the July number]. CHILDREN OF WILLIAM B. GASTON (75) AND ELIZABETH VAIL: 92. ALEXANDER KIRKPATRICK, physician, of Brandywine Manor, Pa., b. Jan. 25, 1814; m., June 23, 1836, Elizabeth Dennie. Children: EMMA; EUGENE; ELIZABETH; IDA. 93. JOSEPH, physician, of Honeybrook, Pa., b. Nov. 6, 1816; m., Nov. 12, 1846, Agnes Greenbank. Children: MARY; FRED; FANNIE; JOSEPH; AGNES; CARRIE; JOHN (deceased); LILLIAN; EDWARD; HELEN. 94. HUGH M., lawyer, of Somerville, b. in Bernards township, Somerset county, Nov. 29, 1818; d. Apr. 21, 1892; m., May 24, 1849, Frances Mallet-Prevost (dau. of Louis Mallet-Prevost, of French descent), who was b. July 4, 1822, and d. May 3, 1914, aged ninety-one years. Mr. Gaston was long the respected leader of the Bar of Somerset Page 132 Page 133 County. He studied law with Judge George H. Brown, of Somerville, and was admitted as an attorney in September, 1840, and as counselor in November, 1848. The only important office he was willing to hold was the appointive one of Prosecutor of the Pleas, which he held from 1857 to 1867, He was one of the chief organizers of the Raritan Water Power Co. in 1863; President of the Somerville Cemetery Association from its formation in 1879; and a Republican Presidential Elector in 1873. In 1880, owing to his gratuitous services rendered to the County in prosecuting civil actions against officials who had diverted public funds to their own use, he was presented by leading citizens with a silver pitcher and salver of elegant design. He was a lawyer of unyielding integrity and high sense of honor. (For ch., see infra). 95. FREDERICK, physician, b. Jan. 5, 1821; d. Feb. 2, 1847. He settled in 1846 at Woodville, Somerset County, but, his health failing, soon went to Somerville, and there d. at the early age of twenty-six. He was unmarried. 96. REV. JOHN, D. D., b. at Somerville, Nov. 12, 1825; d. Dec. 1, 1901; m., Nov. 12, 1852, Anna Terhune. He graduated at Rutgers College in 1849, and the New Brunswick Seminary in 1854. His charges (of Reformed churches) were: Pompton, N. J., 1852-'62; Saugerties, N. Y., 1862-'9; Aquackanonck, N. J., 1869-'95, when he retired as a pastor emeritus. He was trustee of Rutgers College from 1876 until his death, and received the degree of D. D. from that College in 1872. He was also, for some 36 years, a member of the Board of Education of the Reformed church, and from 1880 until the time of his death the President of that Board. He was a most successful minister and pastor, and a strong preacher, possessed of a delightful personality. (For ch., see infra). 97. WILLIAM, of Newark, N. J., b. Sept. 14, 1828; d. Jan. 5, 1907, m., July 23, 1856, Anna Conklin. Ch.: BENNETT J., who m., Oct. 7, 1896, Luella Pereau, and is an insurance broker of 257 N. Seventh St., Newark. No ch. 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