1675 Hypolyte Lafetre a French Hugenot and John Pledger had purchased land from John Fenwick and arrived in New Jersey on the ship "Joseph and Benjamin" captained by Matthew Paine. Richard Johnson of Surrey, England, was also on the ship. The land was at Mannington and included Quaker Neck near Alloway Creek.
1676-1690 Fenwick puchased a "tenth" in New Jersey, but when he arrived, some land was already settled by Finns and Swedes, who had purchased land from the Indian chiefs. They acknowledged Fenwick's ownership and payed quit rents to him to gain deed to the land. Those who had purchased land of Fenwick were excused from the quit rent. Among them was one in Salem Town from Thomas Johnson for 10 acres for 1 pence. [1]
1682 Richard Johnson married Mary Grover at Salem Town in 1682. Richard's cousin, Thomas Johnson, signed the marriage certificate. [2]
1685 Thomas Johnson of New Salem, carpenter, bought 10 acres on the south side of the road to Allaways Creek between Roger Smith, Roger Milton, and John Smith of Amwelbury. [3] [4]
1693 Richard Johnson was a burgess of Salem Town after it was incorporated in 1693.
1694 On 12 June, Thomas Johnson, carpenter, bought 200 acres in Hedgefield, Salem Town at the landing of Manneton Creek adjoining Joseph North and Rowland Ickhoot. [5]
1696 The will of Thomas Johnson, dated 07 Sep 1696 in Manneton Creek, Salem Co. names Children--Thomas, placed in charge of brother Richard Johnson, and Sarah, given to Wm. Rumsey, both children under age. Real and personal estate. Executors--said Richard Johnson and Wm. Rumsey. Witnesses--Mary Johnson and Annes Hill. Recorded 13 Oct 1696. [6]
1696 Inventory of Thomas Johnson's estate on 15 Oct of the personal estate, £49.11.5; made by Benjamin Acton and Danell Rumsey. [7]
1703 Richard Johnson of Salem Town, carpenter, bought lots, one next to Thomas Johnson (likely son of Thomas) and another lot on the East side of the creek next to Roger Milton. [8]
1719 Brother Richard Johnson's (Esquire) will was dated 18 Jan 1719-20 at Salem. Named son Robert, daughter Elizabeth Pearson, granddaughters Elizabeth Pearson and Mary Johnson; Eddea Scoals receives among other bequests "the Bible, which was her father's;" legacies to "cousins" Thomas Johnson and Sarah Ivins. A lot of 250 acres at Manington. Personal property (his late wife's Bible). Son Robert sole executor. Witnesses: Wm. Grifin, Jno. Goodwin, Joseph Elly. Proved 02 Feb 1719-20. [9] [10]
Research Notes:
Another Thomas Johnson was prominent in the history of Newark, NJ. Thomas Johnson, relation unknown, was a ship captain in New worke (sic). [11] [12]
1682/83 On 1 March, "At the General Assembly begun and holded at Elizabeth Town, in the Province of East New Jersey, ... that in and throughout this Province, all necessary highways, bridges, passages, landings, and ferries, fit and apt for travelling passages, landing of goods, shall be set, laid out and appointed in and throughout every county within this Province, by the respective persons, herein after mentioned, ' that is to say, in and for the county of Essex. ... Thomas Johnston" [13]
[1] Thomas Shourds, History and Genealogy of Fenwick's Colony, New Jersey (Bridgeton, New Jersey: 1876), 104, [GoogleBooks].
[2] Thomas Shourds, History and Genealogy of Fenwick's Colony, New Jersey (Bridgeton, New Jersey: 1876), 104, [GoogleBooks].
[3] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 21. (Patents and Deeds, 1664-1703) (1899), 343, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[4] Thomas Shourds, History and Genealogy of Fenwick's Colony, New Jersey (Bridgeton, New Jersey: 1876), 495, 499, [GoogleBooks].
[5] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 21. (Patents and Deeds, 1664-1703) (1899), 606, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[6] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 23. (Wills and Administrations 1, 1670-1730) (1901), 265, citing Salem wills, A-195, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[7] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 23. (Wills and Administrations 1, 1670-1730) (1901), 265, citing Salem wills, A-195, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[8] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 21. (Patents and Deeds, 1664-1703) (1899), 637, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[9] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 23. (Wills and Administrations 1, 1670-1730) (1901), 264, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[10] Lewis D. Cook, "Ivins of Falls Township, Bucks County, Penna.," Pennsylvania Genealogical Magazine 20 (1956), 183-185, at 184, footnote.
[11] William A. Whitehead, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 1. (Administration 1631-1687) (1880), 142, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[12] William A. Whitehead, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 1. (Administration 1631-1687) (1880), 177, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks].
[13] Aaron Leaming and Jacob Spicer, The Grants, Concessions, and original constitutions of the province of New Jersey (1881), 257, 275, [HathiTrust], [InternetArchive].