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Full text of "The Vought family; being an account of the descendants of Simon and Christina Vought"
CS 71
.V972
1907
Copy 2
THE
VOUGHT FAMILY
By William Gordon Ver Planck
t«ll»ction ff^Uectir
THE
VOUGHT FAMILY
Being
An Account of the Descendants
of
Simon and Christina Vought
By William Gordon Ver Planck
< t
Edition of One Hundred Copies
New York
Press of Tobias A. Wright
1907
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CS7I
'2J
OONGHES:
£ivea
Copyright, 1907, by
WILLIAM GORDON VER PLANCK
)
Descendants of Simon and Christina Vought
On the 28th day of April, 1708, a small band of Lutherans
with the Rev. Joshua Kockerthal at their head, having left the
lower Palatinate in Germany, journeyed to England and pre-
sented to Queen Anne a petition showing that they had lost
all their property at the time of the ravages committed by the
French, and that they were in absolute want, and requesting
that they might be transferred to her Majesty's colonies in
America. They presented to the Queen testimonials which
they brought, duly authenticated by the magistrates of the
several towns in which they resided, showing that they were
of good character; and they made such a favorable impression
that Queen Anne granted their request and they were accord-
ingly sent to America in the year 1708.
On June 13, 17 10, a second immigration of Palatines arrived
at New York in the ship Lyon, which brought also General
Robert Hunter, the new governor of New York and New Jersey.
A large number of the immigrants died on the way over, and
many were sick and disabled when they arrived here, owing to
the poor food furnished them and the crowded condition of
the ships. The authorities of the City of New York, fearing
danger from infection if they were landed in the city, ordered
that the immigrants should be landed on Governors Island,
and directed that three doctors from the city should visit
them, and that huts should be built for their accommodation.
Among these German immigrants were Simon Vought and
Christina, his wife, from whom the members of the Vought
family in America are descended. In the official list of the
Palatines who came in this second immigration, appears the
name "Simon Vogdt," and it was stated that he was then
thirty years of age, and his wife twenty-six.
In 1 7 10, a large tract of land on the Hudson River, near
Newburgh, was bought by Governor Hunter from Robert
Livingston and there in October of that year most of the
Palatines were settled. A few of them remained behind at
New York City, and afterwards settled in New Jersey and
elsewhere.
Simon Vought and his wife were among those that re-
mained behind in New York. It is probable that he stayed in
New York City until the spring of 171 1, when most of the
remaining Palatines left the city.
Simon Vought settled in Western New Jersey in either
Middlesex or HunterdonCounty.
I. Simon' Vought was b. in Germany in the year 1680; he
m. there previous to 17 10 his wife Christina, who was b. in
4 Descendants of Simon and Christina Vought
1684. When he and his wife arrived in this country in 17 10
they were unaccompanied by any children; probably their
only children were those whose baptisms are recorded below.
Simon Vought was alive as late as 1749. In that year he
joined with seventy-seven other members of the Lutheran
Church in Western New Jersey in a call to the Rev. John Albert
Weygand. The names signed to the call are mostly German,
and the signatures are written as a rule in German, though
some are written partly in German and partly in English,
while a few are entirely in English. Among the latter is
Simon Vought's who wrote his name "Simon Vogt." In the
baptismal record of his children, made by the Rev. Justus
Falkner, Lutheran minister at New York, his name always
appears as " Vocht."
Children of Simon' and Christina Vought:
2 i. Johannes Christoffle,' b. Feb. 24, 17 14; bap. by Rev.
Justus Falkner, Aug. i, 17 14, "at the house of Ari
de Guinee on the Raritans, at our Christian Luth-
eran gathering." Sponsor: Johannes Wimmer.
ii. Margareta, b. Feb. 3, 1716; bap. "at Raritans," June
17, 1 7 16, by Rev. Justus Falkner. Sponsors:
"Johannes Wimmer, but in his place stood Ulrich
Simthinger and Margareta Langmansen."
iii. Johannes, b. at Middlebush, Feb. 17, 17 18; bap. "On
the Raritans Middlebosch," Aug. 17, 17 18, by Rev.
Justus Falkner. Sponsors: Johannes Wimmer
and Catharina Messnerin.
iv. Abraham, b. Jan. 22, 1720; bap. Aug. 7, 1720, "On
the Raritans," by Rev. Justus Falkner. Sponsors:
Hannes Wimmer and Catharina Messnerin.
SECOND GENERATION
2. John Christopher" Vought (Simon'), was b. in New Jer-
sey, Feb. 24, 1 7 14. He m. Cornelia Putnam (the widow of
Ralph Traphagen and daughter of David Putnam or Pootman.)
John Christopher Vought resided in 1735 on the West Jersey
Society's land in HunterdonCounty. Among his neighbors
at that time was Roeliff Traphagen, whose widow John Chris-
topher Vought afterwards married. Cornelia Putnam was b.
March 23, 1 7 1 1, and bap. in the DutchChurch at Freehold, April
29, 171 1. After the death of her first husband and before 1750,
Cornelia m. John Christopher Vought. Although bap. "John
Christopher" he was known as "Christopher," and the name
John does not appear to have been generally used by him. It
seems to have been a custom with these German families to
give to several of their children the same first Christian name,
the middle name only being different, and the child was then
known by the middle name only. This is no doubt the ex-
planation of the fact why John Christopher Vought was called
sometimes "John Christopher" and sometimes "Christopher."
Descendants of Simon and Christina Vought 5
In 1759 Christopher Vought bought from the executor of
James Alexander a farm of 285 acres in LebanonTownship,
Hunterdon Co., N. J., for;^7i2, io.f. Here he built a large
stone house, barn and other buildings. His son bought a farm
adjoining this in 1773.
At the breaking out of the Revolution, he with his son
John took the side of the British, becoming staunch loyalists.
He and his son John were at one time put in gaol and fined for
their loyalist activities, and in December, 1776, they joined the
British troops as the army under Sir William Howe marched
to Trenton. Christopher lived on Staten Island during the
war. After the surrender of Cornwallis he and his family were
forced to go to Nova Scotia, where in 1783, they settled at a
place called Parrsborough. He lived there with his son John
until the year 1792, when they all returned to New York and
settled at Duanesburgh, N. Y., on a part of a large tract of land
containing 2,000 acres, which he bought of John Leake, May
19, 1770.
Family tradition says that he received a grant of a large
tract of land in Canada, the present site of the City of Toronto,
and his son a pension of 365 crowns a year from the British
government.
Family tradition does not always agree with the facts as
reference to the record in regard to this matter discloses.
A Commission of Enquiry into the Losses and Services of the
American Loyalists, held under the Acts of Parliament of 23,
25, 26, 28 & 29, of George III., preserved amongst the Audit
Office Records in the Public Record Office of England, shows
that Christopher Vought and his son John made a claim for
their losses and services during the American Revolution
which was passed upon and partially allowed.
In a volume entitled American Loyalists, Audit Office
Transcripts, Volume 28, Determinations in Nova Scotia, etc.
On Claims for Various Provinces, at page 203, is to be found the
following:
"Jst Report Chris'. & John Vought, late of New Jersey.
Claim
Amount of Property, ^337i, 10, '•
Determination, ist April 1786.
Loyalty Christopher Vought is a Loyalist.
Losses
Real Estate 285 Acres with house and improvements ) jQ
in LebanonTownship, N. Jersey, \ 850
2000 Acres in Albany County, New York, 375 1225.
Confiscation & sale of property in N. Jersey proved.
Proof of Confiscation & sale of property in New
York required.
6 Descendants of Simon and Christina Vought
JOHN VOUGHT
°^f ^ The claimant is a Loyalist & Bore Arms,
services •'
Real Estate 203 Acres in LebanonTownship, ^£^1°
Persl. Estate Various Articles of Persl. Property, 226
Claims Disallowed
^496
The claim for crop in the ground under the
General Resolution.
Observation
The claimant enjoys half pay as Captain.
Confiscation proved.
The claimants reside at Parsborough.
The claim of Christopher and John Vought appears in
Volume 15, Examinations in Nova Scotia etc. and New Jersey,
Book /., Claimants, at page 283, and is as follows:
To THE Honorable the Commissioners appointed by Act
of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses and Services of
the American Loyalists.
The Memorial of Christopher Vought, late of Hunter-
don County, New Jersey, and of John Vought, his son,
Captain in the 2d Battalion of New Jersey Volunteers,
also late of the same County, but both now of the Province
of Nova Scotia, by their attorney Daniel Cox, being there-
to specially authorized,
Sheweth:
That your Memorialists in the Fall of 1776, as faithful sub-
jects, joined his Majesty's Army, under the command of Sir
William Howe on his advance in the Jersies to Trenton, and
by every active service in their power, endeavored to assist in
crushing the Rebellion then existing in that province.
That your Memorialist John Vought took up arms, raised a
Company, and was appointed a Captain in the 2nd Battalion of
the New Jersey Volunteers, and in that capacity has acted and
done Military Duty in various and severe services to the
Northward and Southward during the whole course of the War
in America.
That in consequence of the active loyalty, services and
attachment of your Memoralists to the British Government,
their Estate, Real and Personal, both in the late Provinces of
New Jersey and New York, have been confiscated, and sold by
the authority of the said States to the amount as in the
vSchedule thereto annexed and to which they beg leave to refer
for the amount of their joint losses.
Your Memoralists therefore pray that you will take this
case into your consideration in order that your Memor-
ialists may be enabled under your report to receive such
Descendants of Simon and Christina Vought
aid or relief as their losses and services may be found to
deserve.
(signed) Christopher Vought,
John Vought, by their attorney,
Daniel Cox.
Schedule and Valuation of the Real and Personal Estate
of Christopher Vought, Esqr., late of Hunterdon, New Jersey
and his son John Vought, Captain in the Second Battalion of
New Jersey Volunteers, late of the same place, but now both
of the Province of Nova Scotia, as confiscated and sold in the
States of New Jersey and New York on account of their
loyalty, services and attachment to the British Government, viz. :
Voucher A '
To a Plantation or Farm consisting
of 2 Tracts, one of 285 acres of
land, the other of 203 acres of
land, laying in the County of
Hunterdon, in the Township of
Ringwood near the Union Iron
Works, on the North Branch of
RarityRiver, containing in the
whole and forming one plan-
tation of 485 acres of land valued
at ;£s.io p. acre Proclamation
money or Dollars at 7/6 amounts
to
Voucher B
To the amount of the Personal
Effects and Property of John
Vought as sold by the Commis-
sioners of Forfeited Estates in
Jersey agreeable to the Inven-
tory thereof No. i in the above
voucher.
To ditto of No. 2 in the same Voucher,
Voucher C
To a plantation in the County of
Albany and Province of New
York, containing 2,000 acres of
land with three houses and im-
provements thereon belonging
to the said Christopher Vought
and purchased by him of Cap-
tain John Leake of New York,
valued at ;^2,ooo. New York
money at 8/- the dollar is in
New Jersey currency, /
£ Currency £ Sterling
2,684
1,610. 8
838.17. 6 503. 6. 6
223.16. 4
134- 5- 7
1,872.10
1,123.10.
;^4,6i9. 3.10 ;^3,37iio- I
8 Descendants of Simon and Christina Vought
Halifax, 31st March, 1786.
Evidence on the claim of Christopher and John
Vought, late of HunterdonCounty in the Province of
New Jersey.
Christopher Vought, the father, sworn:
Memorial read.
Says he is a native of America and at the commencement
of the troubles he lived in LebanonTownship, Hunterdon
County, on his own property.
He never took part with the Americans, but was imprisoned
by them for opposing them, and three more of his family were
likewise put in gaol and kept there for five days. They gave
_^2oo security to appear. They were afterwards tried for and
fined £100 for which they gave bond. Soon after they joined
the British Troops, and he has resided on Staten Island all the
War, and came here at the Evacuation. He now resides at
Parsborough.
His son John joined the army with him and was soon after
appointed a captain in Colonel Lawrence's Battalion, New
Jersey Volunteers.
Property 285 Acres with a large stone house, barn and
No. J outhouses in HunterdonCounty. Deed produced
dated in 1759 from Mary Alexander, Executrix to
the will of James Alexander to claimant, conveys
285 acres as above in consideration of ;^7i2.io
currency.
After he bought it he improved it and built the
house, thinks the house was worth ^500. The land
and house he thinks were worth ^2,000 currency.
He had paid for it and there was no incumbrance
on it.
No. 2 203 Acres adjoining the last, both No. i and 2 in
possession of his son. The claimant was old and
unable to cultivate them. Deed produced ist
August, 1775, from John Stevens and James Parker,
conveys 203 acres Society Lands in consideration of
^^407, Proclamation money, which sum he paid.
His son was in possession of it some time before
the War. He was offered ^100 for his bargain.
He had made considerable improvements on it.
Thinks it was worth ;£,!, p. acre.
Property 2,000 Acres in Albany County, New York
No, 3 Province. Deed produced from John Leake to
Claimant dated 19th May, 1770, in consideration of
^600, New York currency. Conveys 2,000 acres as
above and a receipt for ^55.8.4, New York currency
Quit Rent.
This wild uncultivated land he bought as a pro-
vision for his children and grandchildren. He
Descendants of Simon and Christina Vought 9
settled two tenants on it, 20 years free. They had
cleared some little. He values it at ^^2,000 New
York Currency.
All the stock, furniture, &c. were lost when they
joined the army.
John Vought, sworn:
He is son to Christopher Vought. He is the only son and
the only child; he had a sister who died in child bed leaving
one son George Young. The father George Young resides in
the States.
His father and he joined the British Troops in 1776 at New
Brunswick.
Before that he had signed an Association and attended the
training of the Militia, and says he durst not declare his senti-
ments.
The Company he belonged to were turned out to be drafted
to serve in the Militia, when to a man, they refused to turn out.
After this he was ill used, as they blamed him and Captain
Lee for the Company not serving.
He resisted and raised men, and returned the ill usage.
He was obliged to fly, but in consequence of the oppression
his father met with, he delivered himself up when he was ptit
in gaol for some days, was tried and fined ^100 currency.
In December following he joined the British Army with
85 inhabitants of HunterdonCounty. He soon after had a
Company given to him in the New Jersey Brigade and was En
Second in 1778. He now enjoys half pay and resides at Pars-
borough.
Produces Commission of Lieutenant from Sir William
Howe, December, 1776, and of Captain from Sir Henry Clinton,
July, 1778.
No. J There was a good house on it, the land was under
good cultivation, 165 acres were in tillage, 25 acres of
meadow, and the rest timber.
He thinks that the 285 acres with the houses and
buildings would have sold for ^7 currency p. acre.
No. 2 203 Acres adjoining was his property. He pur-
chased in the fall of 1773, he did not get his title
until the ist August 1775. Says he had paid the
whole price many months before he got his title.
He had cleared about ten acres, thinks it was
worth ;^4 p. acre in 1776. There were several acres
cleared besides the ten improved.
No. 3 He was on it with his father in 1770. He settled
three tenants on it. They were to sit free 10 years
and to pay ^10 p. annum afterwards.
Produced a lease to that purpose. He values
this at ;^2,ooo currency. Thinks he could have sold
it for _;^2,ooo.
lo Descendants of Simon and Christina Vought
Christopher Vought, the father, in consequence
of his old age, made over all his personal property to
the witness John Vought, his only son, which he
now claims:
Stock as p.
, account,
i^47o-
Furniture,
96.
Farming utensils.
10.
Grain and
Hay,
165.
Wheat gro
wing,
Curren
so-
icy;^79i.
His wife came to him on Staten Island in 1777 and told him
that the rebels carried off everything they had.
Produces a valuation of No. i and 2.
On oath sworn 14th October 1784, at New York City, by
William Rutherford and Philip Gradin (Grandin?), at ;2^s, losh.,
proclamation money p. acre.
And an Inventory of Effects the Property of John Vought
with a certificate to this being sold for ^1,062, Signed by John
Forster who signs himself Clerk to the Commissioners for the
sale of Confiscated Money.
Produces certificate of sale sworn to before Henry Trap-
hagen made by Peter Brunner, one of the Commissioners to
dispose of the Real and Personal Estate of Refugees.
By this certificate it appears that he sold No. i and No. 2