A review, by Donald Armstrong, of relationships suggested by the will of David Curtis and of the witnesses to her second marriage to Joseph Lawrence, suggest that Rachel Wright was the daughter of Samuel Curtis. [1] Rachel Wright has also been reported [2], to be the daughter of Thomas Wright [3], but we have seen no documentation to support this possibility. We seek further documentation concerning the parents of Rachel Wright, wife of David Curtis and Joseph Lawrence.
1663 David Curtis, son of John Curtis, was born on 5 of month 2 [April], based on records of the Chesterfield Monthly Meeting in Derbyshire, England and Chesterfield, New Jersey. [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]
1694 Thomas Curtis, of Ogston (son of John), and Elizabeth Ellis, of Burlington, daughter of Thomas, deceased, were married on November 21 in Burlington County, New Jersey. Witnessed by David Curtis and others. [9]
1697 Robert Hutcheson of Philadelphia, cordwainer, sold land to David Curtis of Mount Pleasant, Burlington County by deed dated April 15. The tract of 160 acres was at Onyanickon, between Richard Stockton and John Tomlinson, 10 acres thereof separated between John Dixson and John Tomlinson. [10] [11]
1697 David Curtis and Rachel Wright made their first declaration of intention to marry, to the women's meeting held on 5 of month 6 in Chesterfield, Burlington County. Sarah Bunting was to inquire aboiut the clearness of Rachel for marriage. [12] [13]
1697 David Curtis and Rachel Wright declared their intention to marry, to the monthly meeting held on 12 of month 6 in Chesterfield, Burlington County. John Bunting and Thomas Foulke were appointed to enquire about his (David Curtis) clearness for marriage. [14]
1697 David Curtis and Rachel Wright made their second declaration of intention to marry, to the women's meeting held on September 2 in Chesterfield, Burlington County. Rachels' mother was present and gave her consent. [15] [16] Married 2nd day, 7th month, 1697. [17] [18] [19]
1699 Mordecai Andrews to David Curtis, both of Mansfield Township, Burlington County, yeomen, for a plantation of 308 acres there, 145 acres of which he received from his father Samuel Andrews dec'd, as a gift, 30 acres were inherited from the father, 30 acres were given by the father to brother Peter and inherited by grantor, 16 acres of meadow were inherited from the father, 6 acres bo't of Michael Buffin, 55 and 24 of Wm. Biddle. The deed was dated March 24, 1698-9. [20]
1700 On 11 of month 11, David Curtis sold the land that he had purchased on 15 April 1697, to Caleb Shreve. [21]
1701 On 4 of month 7, Richard French, Thomas Curtis, and David Curtis signed a statement that they had been drawn in to a group that caused a riot breaking down the doors of the prison, but that they did not aid or abet or participate in the activity. [22]
1708 The will of David Curtis, dated 22 Mar 1707-8 in Mansfield Township, Burlington County, named Wife Rachell. Children--John, Thomas, Samuel, David, Anne. Real and personal estate. Wife sole executrix with brothers Thomas Curtis and Samuel Wright (? Rachel had no known brother Samuel) as supervisors. Witnesses--Elizabeth and Peter Frettwell, Mary Smith. Proved 09 Sep 1708. [23]
1708 Inventory of the estate on 25 May, viz., a plantation of 308 acres £250, personal £113; made by Jos. Newbould, Edward Rockhill and Michael Newbould. [24]
1711 Robert Wright and Elizabeth Hyerton were married on December 20 in Burlington. Witnessed by Rachel Curtis, and Samuel and Susanna Taylor, and others. [25]
1712 Joseph Lawrence and Rachel Curtis announced their intent to marry at the Chesterfield Men's meeting held on 6 of month 9. A committee was appointed to assist Rachel Curtis to settle her affairs relating to her children by her former husband. [26]
1712 Joseph Lawrence and widow Rachel [Wright] Curtis made their second declaration of intention to marry, as recorded in the Chesterfield, Burlington County, monthly meeting minutes, dated December 5. [27]
1712 Joseph Lawrence, of Monmouth county, and Rachel Curtis, of Burlington county, were married on the 18 of month 10 (December) at Chesterfield with the consent of parents and relatives. Witnesses: Elisha Lawrence, James Lawrence, Samuel Wright Sen, Jno Wright, Joseph Steward, Alice Steward, Mary Chappel, Hannah Lawrence, Elizabeth Lawrence, Martha Chapman, Thomas Folkes Sr., Samuel Bunting, Edw Rockhill, John Bunting Sen, Will Wood, Abraham Brown Sen, Rich Harrison, Jno Tantum, Jno Ness, Saml Taylor, Joseph Reckless, Mary Rockhill, Mary Abbott, Anne Abbott Jr, and Sarah Bunting. [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] Joseph Lawrence was of Shrewsburry, Monmouth County, New Jersey. She took her children to live with her.
1739 Joseph Lawrence, of Manasquan, in Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, yeoman, dated his will on June 23. The will named wife Rachel, son William, four youngest sons Joseph, James, Benjamin and Elisha, and a meadow on the beach this side the Great Hill against Matetakung river. Wife's sons, John and David Curtiss, part of lands at Barnegat beach. Propriety Right to eight children: Hannah, William, Faith, Joseph, James, Sarah, Benjamin and Elisha. Executors: wife, and sons Benjamin and Elisha. Witnesses: Elisha Stout, Isaac Herbert, Peter Parker, Henry Newport, William W'orth. Proved May 12, 1743. [33]
1743 An inventory of the estate, valued at £38.9.3, was made by Elisha Stout and Peter Parker on April 25. [34]
Research Notes:
[1] Donald G. Armstrong, New Jersey Pioneers: Twenty-Four Families (Marco Island, Florida: Penobscot Press, 2014), 32-34.
[2] Larry C. Wright, Wrights’ 400 Years (1984), 13, 22-23, [GoogleBooks].
[3] Janet and Robert Wolfe, Genealogy Page for Thomas Wright, married to Ann, [JRWolfeGenealogy].
[4] England & Wales, Quaker Birth, Marriage, and Death Registers, 1578-1837, Piece 1034, RG 6, Monthly Meeting of Chesterfield, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, England (1641-1775), 29, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[5] England & Wales, Quaker Birth, Marriage, and Death Registers, 1578-1837, Piece 1446, RG 6, Monthly Meeting of Chesterfield, Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, England (1641-1728), 5/6, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[6] Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington, New Jersey, Marriages, Births, Deaths, and Marriage Intentions (from the Minutes), Certificates of Removal 1684-1847 (NJ/B2F:L), [AncestryImage], [AncestryRecord].
[7] Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington, New Jersey, Births and Deaths, 1675-1750, Vol. K, Marriages, 1684-1724, 17, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[8] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Untitled: Chesterfield Births and Deaths, 20, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[9] Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington, New Jersey, Births and Deaths, 1675-1750, Vol. K, Marriages, 1684-1724, 45, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[10] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 21. (Patents and Deeds, 1664-1703) (1899), 494, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[11] U.S. Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Philadelphia Meeting; Call Number: C3.4, Minutes, 1823-1830, 52, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[12] U.S. Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Chesterfield Meeting, Minutes, 1688-1809, 22, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[13] Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Women's Minutes, [Burlington County, New Jersey,] 1794-1796, 72, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[14] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Book of Records, 1684-1756, 52, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[15] Lewis D. Cook, "Marriage Intentions, 1685-1730, Burlington County, New Jersey," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 53 (1965), 129-32, at 129.
[16] "Marriages at Chesterfield, New Jersey, 1685-1730," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 9 (1885), 347-352, at 347, [GoogleBooks].
[17] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Minutes, 1688-1809, 23, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[18] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Book of Records, 1684-1756, 52, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[19] Charlotte D. Meldrum, Early Church Records of Burlington County, New Jersey, Vol. 2 (1995), 42.
[20] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 21. (Patents and Deeds, 1664-1703) (1899), 512, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[21] U.S. Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Philadelphia Meeting; Call Number: C3.4, Minutes, 1823-1830, 52, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[22] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Book of Records, 1684-1756, 65, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[23] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 23. (Wills and Administrations 1, 1670-1730) (1901), 123, citing Lib. 1, p. 215, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[24] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 23. (Wills and Administrations 1, 1670-1730) (1901), 123, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[25] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Marriages, Births in Burlington Monthly Meeting (Rancocas and Burlington Monthly Meeting), 1711, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[26] Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935, Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Men's Minutes, 1684-1738, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[27] Lewis D. Cook, "Marriage Intentions, 1685-1730, Burlington County, New Jersey," National Genealogical Society Quarterly 53 (1965), 129-32, at 130.
[28] Chesterfield Monthly Meeting, Burlington, New Jersey, Births and Deaths, 1675-1750, Vol. K, Marriages, 1684-1724, [AncestryRecord], [AncestryImage].
[29] Charlotte D. Meldrum, Early Church Records of Burlington County, New Jersey, Vol. 2 (1995), 46.
[30] "Marriages at Chesterfield, New Jersey, 1685-1730," The Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography 9 (1885), 347-352, at 349, [GoogleBooks].
[31] William Nelson, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 22. (Marriage Records, 1665-1800) (1900), 662, [HathiTrust], [GoogleBooks], [InternetArchive].
[32] John E. Stillwell, Historical and Genealogical Miscellany, Vol. 3 (1914), 202, [InternetArchive].
[33] A. Van Doren Honeyman, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 30. (Wills and Administrations 2, 1730-1750) (1918), 291, citing Lib. D. p. 56, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].
[34] A. Van Doren Honeyman, Documents relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey. Archives Vol. 30. (Wills and Administrations 2, 1730-1750) (1918), 291, [GoogleBooks], [HathiTrust].
[35] Sarah Curtis Moss and Mary Gorrell Curtis, One Line of the Descendants of John Curtis of Ogston Burlington, New Jersey (Typewritten, undated), 2, [GoogleBooks].
[36] Larry C. Wright, Wrights’ 400 Years (1984), 22-23, [GoogleBooks].
[37] John E. Stillwell, Historical and Genealogical Miscellany, Vol. 3 (1914), 202, person 13, [InternetArchive].