Simon's Family History
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Simon's Family History |
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William STITES was born on 3 Apr 1676 in Hempstead, Long Island, NY, USA. He died on 13 May 1727 in Springfield, N.J., USA.
The settlement (Springfield) dates from 1717, when the Briant (or
Bryant) family of Hackensack located here. The Whitehead, Van Winkle, Stites and
Denam families soon followed, and many others moved up from Connecticut Farms.
['History of Union County, New Jersey, 1664-1923' publ. Lewis
Historical Pub. Co. 1923.]
The Springfield Cemetery :-
The old Springfield Cemetery, which, for a number of years past, has been know
as the "Revolutionary Burying Ground", dates back to the settlement of
Springfield, in 1717. It is situated on a high elevation known as the
"Hill", about 100 yards south of Morris avenue. West of the cemetery,
and within fifty feet, is Van Winkle's creek. To the northeast and within a
stone's throw is the old Presbyterian church.
As nearly as can be ascertained William Stites, who came from Hempstead, Long
Island, to Springfield when the village was first settled, in 1717, purchased
the land. His property consisted of seven hundred acres west on the Rahway
River. He settled there with his family. Three acres were cleared of woodland
and set off as a family burying ground. The first person interred there was Mary
Stites, four years old, who died about 1720. Her grave was obliterated when a
street was cut through the tract in later years. The second burial was that of
Richard, the twelve year old son of William Stites, who died May 5, 1727. Eight
days later, May 13, 1727, William, the father, died, and on August 21, 1728, one
year later, the mother followed, and was buried by the side of her husband. A
double stone now marks the spot, on which are the following inscriptions :
"Here lies ye body of William Stites, died May ye 13th, 1727, aged 51
years"; "Here lies ye body of Mary, wife of Mr. William Stites, died
August ye 21, 1728, aged 51 years."..................
There is also a stone marking the resting place of Hazel Stites, aged twenty
years, who died February 11, 1728. She was the daughter of the first William.
Five small children survived their parents, and the property was sold by the
administrator. Although the cemetery plot went with the rest of the property,
the living descendants of the Stites family stoutly maintain that the graveyard
was never alienated from the family and that old records will prove
it...............
During the Revolution the population of the little graveyard was increased to
almost full capacity. ...............
At one time the cemetery covered a space of three acres, but at present only
twenty-two stones are standing. Part of the yard was used at one time as a
base-ball field, and some of the stones were broken off and used for bases. A
lawn-tennis court also occupied part of the field. The monuments yet standing
are of old brown sandstone, and from two to three feet in height ......... Most
of the stones are moss-grown and weather-stained, and it is with difficulty they
are read.
['History of Union County, New Jersey, 1664-1923' publ. Lewis
Historical Pub. Co. 1923. Extracts from pg's 490- 492]
"Removed to a 700 acre tract on the south side of the road and west of
the Rahway River, in the section of Elizabethtown, which is now the Township of
Springfield, Union Co., New Jersey.
['Woodruff Chronicles' by Ceylon Newton Woodruff, Vol 1, pg's
128-134]
Probate - New Jersey Wills, Vol 1, 1670-1730
:-
William Stites / Stits, Hempsted, Long Island, N.Y. - dated 5 May 1727, Proved
14 Sep 1727
now residing in Elizabeth Town; will of. Wife Mary and son John heirs and
executors of real and personal estate.
Witnesses - John Blanchard, William Denman, Simon Searing.
Mary HALL died on 21 Aug 1728 in New Jersey, USA., aged 51 years.
Probate
- New Jersey Wills, Vol II 1730-1750 :-
Mary Stites, Elizabeth Town, Essex Co. N.J. - dated Oct 1729.
Int. Inventory, £344.04.08; made by William Lines and John Littell.
Administration granted to John Stites 29 Jan 1729, Lib B, p.358.
Children were:
i.
John STITES [sen.] born 5 May 1705.
ii Rebecca STITES born
6 Jan 1707.
iii Hazel STIES, born
ca. 1708, died 11 Feb 1728.
iv Hezekiah
STITES born 4 Jan 1709.
v Richard STITES
born 19 Nov 1715.
vi Sarah STITES born 19
Nov 1715.
vii Mary STITES born ca. 1716, died ca. 1720.
viii William STITES
born 2 Dec 1719.
ix Elijah STITES born
7 Jul 1721.
x Benjamin STITES
born 9 Feb 1725.
Names and births of the children of William Stites of L.I.
[Rec:27:166], as copied from the "Old Family Bible" of Johannes
Stites.
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Copyright © Simon Parker-Galbreath |
