New for 2008

·                 Was George Eggers in Morris County, New Jersey?

·                 New Jersey Supreme Court – Laird versus George Eggers

·                 George Eggers' 1755 Deed in Middlesex County, New Jersey

·                 Children on 1775 Orange County, New York Loyalty Pledge

·                 More Information on Avis Eggers and the Baird Link  

 

George Eggers

Born: date and location unknown, possibly in Scotland

      Marriage bond to “Avis Beard” on 4 July 1749 at Monmouth County, New Jersey (NJ State Archives Record). 

      Died after 1766, probably in Orange County, New York.

   Parents - unknown

   Occupation: Blacksmith

      Immigration date unknown; before 1745.

 

Avis (Bowne?) Beard.   Her marriage name "Beard" (Baird) was from her marriage record to George Eggers which states she was a widow.  Avis married 1st to John Baird, Jr. (born 27 January 1706/07 and died 6 February 1747.*)   Maiden name Bowne is very speculative at this time. 

Born - date unknown.  Speculation might suggest ~1710 – 1715+.    

      Died - date unknown.          

Parents - unknown. 

                        * date of death from Old Tennent Church record

 

2nd Edition, Morphew/Murphy Story – J.R. Murphy; Last Revision 2 April 2008

               

This account is written to help descendants know more about their Eggers ancestors.  

 

 

(I). Locations That George and Avis Eggers Lived in America

 

1. Monmouth County, New Jersey from mid 1740’s to about 1766.

2. Near Goshen, Orange County, New York

3. Date of deaths and location are unknown   

 

(II). Thoughts on origins of George Eggers

 

“George’s parents are still unknown, although (Scotland’s) Thomas Edgar (sometimes, spelled Egger, Ager) holds some promise (either as close relative or grand-ancestor).”   One researcher (Karen Ard) found another “Thomas Eggers of Switzerland married to Jeannette Landrine, of England.”  (From Cindy Lowe, e-mail 8/31/01)

 

Another thought surfaces.  There was an Eager clan in Orange County, New York who was from Ireland.   The very first deed for George Eggers' son, Daniel Eggers, in 1779 North Carolina was spelled and signed "Eagers."  An "Eagers" spelling variation has not been checked on various records.

 

(III). Possible Relatives in Early New Jersey   

 

            This Thomas Eggers may or may not be the “Thomas Edgar (brother-in-law) and his son Alexander who are listed in the 1726 will of Thomas Brown. 

 

 

Thomas Eggers was born 19 October 1681 in Edinburgh, Scotland, and died 16 June 1759 in Woodbridge, Middlesex County, New Jersey.  He is listed as a freeholder in 1752 Middlesex County, with one undated list stating the town of Woodbridge.  Thomas married Jennet Knox (daughter of William Knox and Annabel Gordon) and had 7 known children, but no child by the name of George.  An 1728 New Jersey will of Agnuas Watson mentioned “worthy friend Thomas Ageor (Ager), merchant” of the town of Woodbridge, Middlesex County, and nominated Thomas Ager and Robert Hude to be executors

(Will of Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey, dated May 14, 1728 and probated April 16, 1729, from Cindy Lowe, e-mail 8/13/01 and 5/1/02)

 

(IV). Thoughts on Avis Eggers' Origins

Maiden Name - Bowne - ???

 

Speculation exists on Avis' maiden name, which could be Bowne, a surname pronounced as one syllable – "Bone."  Proof is lacking.   The source of the Bowne surname may be Peter Bowne, who is a witness to two John Baird, Jr. records.  Peter might be the son of Andrew Bowne (~1671) + Anna Seabrook, but proof is lacking.    

 

There were many early Bowne entries in Monmouth and Middlesex County, New Jersey, some living in the Middletown, Monmouth County area as early as 1684.  A Librarian at the Swarthmore College Quaker Historical Library stated that Colonial Bownes from New York were Quaker while Monmouth County, New Jersey Bownes were not (2006).  

 

Baird/Beard  

 

  The Beard surname of George Eggers' wife comes from Monmouth County marriage record: "George Egger" to "Avis Beard" on 4 July 1749.  The marriage document states that Avis was widow.

 

            The rare first name of "Avis" appears as a wife to John Baird, Jr. which is found in Baird's will of 1747.  Note that Baird's will was proved or probated one day after George married Avis. 

 

 

Additional information about John Baird, Jr. is found in the following deed:

 

 

Comment:  Topanemus Brook begins near today's Marlboro and empties into the Matchaponix Brook between Englishtown and Tennent, Monmouth County, New Jersey

 

Names of John and Avis Baird, Jr.'s children are not fully known, with the total reported to be 6 to 8 children.  This writer (J. Murphy) thinks our understanding of Avis may change.  For instance, Avis had two sons by the first name of William – William Baird and William Eggers.  This might this suggest one of her husbands had an earlier wife.  

 

(1) William Baird was identified as the eldest son in John Baird Jr.'s will of 1747.   Possibly, he married in 1758 to Margaret O'Riley (O'Rilley) or Riley and died 1794.  He is easily confused with William Baird, son of John Baird, Senior. 

 

(2) Mary Baird.  The "History of Westmoreland County Pennsylvania" states Mary Baird was a daughter of John and Avis Baird and lists her as a sister to Major William Baird and Captain John Baird, all of Monmouth County, New Jersey.  Mary Baird of Freehold, Monmouth County married on 18 November 1762 to Joseph Bullman of Monmouth County, a son of Thomas Bullman and Anna Walling.  Bullman was an ensign with Captain Carter and Colonel Hathaway, and moved to Loyalhanna Township, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. 

From "History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania" by John N. Boucher, Volume One and "New Jersey Marriages, Colonial Era, 1665-1800," courtesy of Cindy Lowe, email of 18 March 2008.

 

(3) John Baird

 

(4) Andrew Baird (28 January 1736/37 to >1787) married Hannah Green (born 1746 Hunterdon County, New Jersey and died 1811 Rowan County, North Carolina, buried at the Jersey Baptist Church in today's Davison County).  Hannah was the daughter of Jeremiah Green and Joanna Hunt.  Baird sources at the Monmouth County Historical Society suggest an earlier 1727 birth date for Andrew Baird, son of Avis + John Baird, Jr.  On 9 November 1785, an Andrew "Beard" purchased Swearing Creek land in Rowan County, North Carolina from Landrine Eggers (see Landrine Eggers's deed). Andrew and Hannah Baird had 8 children and named a daughter "Avis" (1766 – 1840) who married John Wood.  This Avis connection permitted North Carolina's Andrew Baird to be identified as a son of John Baird, Jr. (1707-1747) of Monmouth County, New Jersey. 

Sources for Andrew + Hannah Baird and Zebulon Baird:  "Immigrants to America Before 1750," compiled by F.A Virkus; "This Old Monmouth of Ours," by William Hornor, as found in "Outline of descendants taken from Baird Book," by L. Baird Chamblis, located in Baird and Eggers files at Monmouth County Historical Society.  Andrew and Zebulon Baird's birth dates are from website sources and should be considered suspect.       

 

(5) Zebulon Baird (28 January 1743/44) married on 11 April 1765 in Monmouth County to Lidy (Lydia) Heldrege (NJ State Archives).  They moved to North Carolina.  In 1779 Rowan County (now Davison County), North Carolina, Daniel Eggers was granted land on Swearing Creek adjacent to Zebulon Bard (Baird).  In 1787, the names of Zebulon and Andrew Baird were recorded in Wilkes County, North Carolina (from State Census of N.C. 1784-1787).  Later they moved to Wilson County, Tennessee.  Zebulon provided shoe leather, skins and shoes for Revolutionary War soldiers.  

 

Other names for children of John and Avis Baird, Jr. appear speculative.  L. Baird Chambliss in his "Outline of Baird Descendants" added Alexander and Elizabeth with no source nor dates given.     

 

The only Bairds in Orange County 1st Presbyterian Church, Goshen, New York records are (1) a 1794 record of marriage for William Baird to Elizabeth Vail, and (2) a 24 September 1780 marriage for Elizabeth Byard to James Kid.  

 

(V). Monmouth and Morris County, New Jersey – before 1745 to about 1766

 

            George Eggers' son, Landrine Eggers, age 75, requested a pension in Ashe County, North Carolina on 10 November 1832 for his services as a soldier in the American Revolution.  He was a private and stated:  “He was born in New Jersey near the Valley of Freehold, and when he was nine years old, his father removed to the Highlands of New York, in the neighborhood of Goshen." 

 

George is found on records at the Old Tennent Church (founded by Scotsmen) in Monmouth County, New Jersey.   This church still exists and has an address of 448 Tennent Road, Monmouth County, Manalapan, New Jersey.  This is on State Highway 3, slightly northeast of the crossroads to Tennent.  The church's website is http://oldtennentchurch.org/

 

4 September 1745:  List of Communicant Members (included) "George Edger"

 

15 July 1746: Will abstract of George Walker of Freehold, Monmouth County, yeoman:  Wife – Gertrude, Son – George. Lands bought of Richard Clark and Thomas Millige's heirs.  Children: Elizabeth, Rachel, Ester, James and Ann Clark Walker, last three minors.  Executors – David Rhe and William Hankinson.  Witnesses: George Eggers, William Norcross, John Henderson.  Proved 27 April 1748.

            (Calendar of New Jersey Wills II, Monmouth County Liber E, Page 176)

 

1748 Monmouth County List of Freeholders:  George Eggers is NOT listed.

 

16 March 1749/50:  List of Subscribers to the building of the present Old Tennant Meeting House, with amounts included "George Eggers – 0.15.0 and Felix Maguire – 1.0.-.

 

4 July 1749:  "George Egger" married "Avis Beard," both of Monmouth County, New Jersey.  Avis was named a widow.  (NJ State Archives Record)

 

6 May 1750 Old Tennant Church: "George Eagger" baptized (his son) William (on this day)

 

28 August 1750 Monmouth County: Samuel Rogers, cordwainer (shoemaker), and George Egger, yeoman, of the County of Monmouth...(bound to)...Jonathan Belcher, Governour...500 pounds...Samuel Rogers...obtained a License of Marriage for himself...and for Sarah Lefetra, widow, of same county...(witnesses) Wm Madock, Jr., Wm. Madock. 

            (Courtesy of Cindy Lowe, email of 23 October 2007). 

 

26 April 1752 Old Tennant Church: "George Eagger" baptized (his son) Daniel (on this day), both of which "the mother not joining."  

(From "History of the Old Tennent Church," by Rev. Frank R. Symmes, 1904) 

 

22 September 1752 – Will of Henry Perrine of Cranberry, Middlesex County named Wife, Martha and children: Henry, Anthony, Nancey, John, William, Joseph, Martha, and James.  Executors were his wife, John Perrine, and Peter Perrine.  Witnesses were John Davison, George Eggers, James Farrill.  Proved 6 March 1753.  Inventory on 3 March 1753 included a farm of 80 acres in Upper Freehold, Monmouth County, a farm of 80 acres and another 96 acres in Middlesex County. 

            (Courtesy of Cindy Lowe, email of 1 March 2007)

 

9 July 1755 – Probate of William Collard: Know all Men by these presents that We, Elijah Collard of Sussex County, yeoman, and George Eggers of Morris County, yeoman, are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq, Captain General of Governor in Chief of New Jersey in the sum of five hundred pounds, proclamation money, to be paid to the said Jonathan Belcher, Esq....dated the ninth day of July, 1755...that Elijah Collard, administrator of all and singular goods, chattels and credits of William Collard, late of Freehold in Monmouth County, Co__ deceased.  Sealed and Delivered in the Presence of Thos, Barrow.  Signed by Elijah Collard and George Eggers.

 

On 12 July 1755, an inventory was entered stating "a true inventory (was) taken of the Goods and Chatels, Bills and Bonds of William Collard, Co-wainer deceased in the county of Monmouth, signed Timothy Loyd, Garit Wachef, and Elijah Colard – Administrator.  Entered 24 March 1756.  On another page, Elijah Collard was named a son of William Collard.  

(Filed at New State Archives, William Collard, Monmouth County, N.J., Intestate #2057-2058M, 1755)

 

            Comment.  On this William Collard probate is an excellent signature by "George Eggers" and is similar to his signature in 174/50 at the Old Tennant Church.  "George Eggers of Morris County" is not understood.  An earlier 31 August 1752 list of Freeholders of Morris County, New Jersey had no Eggers entries. 

(From Colonial and Revolutionary Morris County," by Theodore Thayers, 1975).  Also, he does not appear on the 13 July 1753 Somerset County, New Jersey list of freeholders.           

 

            1755:  The following is the transcription of the New Jersey Supreme County.

 

 

            Debt of George Eggers was rapidly resolved, as noted in the following deed: 

 

 

            Comment: This very same described land was earlier sold to Matthew Perrine, a weaver, on 1 July 1737 by John Garrison.  But where was the land?  The words, land "being in the Corporation of the City of Perth Amboy" is confusing.  The Manalapan River does not run through the City of Perth Amboy, the Capitol of East New Jersey Province.   By tracking Matthew Perrine, Henry Perrine, and Vincent Fountain in deeds, a location of Cranberry Meadows (not Cranbury) on or near Manalapan River in Middlesex County is derived.  Cranberry Meadows cannot be found, so far.  Less clear is an indirect mention of Matchiponx Neck, which may be a westward bow of land on the Manalapan River where the Matchiponx Brook empties near today's Spotswood, New Jersey.         

 

1755 Monmouth County List of Freeholders: George Eggers is NOT listed.  

 

 11 March 1757:  Their son Landrine Eggers was "born in New Jersey near the Valley of Freehold." 

(From pension papers of Landrine Eggers, for services as a soldier in the American Revolution.    

 

            1 April 1758: Gauen McCoy of Baskinridge in Somerset County, farmer, and George Eggers of Monmouth County, yeoman...bound to...John Reading Esq'r, Commander in Chief...500 pounds...3 April 1758...Gauen McCoy...obtained license of marriage for himself and for Susanna Kinnan of Morris County, spinster...  These are to certifie all persons for whom it may concern that we Thomas & Mary Kannan of Baskinridge are willing & freely give our consent that our daughter may be joyned to Gauin (surname smeared and unreadable) in holy matrimony...April 1, 1758, (signed) Thomas Kannan, Mary Kannan.

 

            Comment from Cindy Lowe: Joseph Kinnan signed the marriage bond for George Eggers in 1749.  Gavin McCoy and Susannah Kinnan are buried in the Basking Ridge Presbyterian Church yard.  (Courtesy of Cindy Lowe, email of 1 October 2007.)

 

            The 1758 is the last known entry for George Eggers.  However, his son Landrine Eggers stated he left New Jersey about the year 1766.

 

(VI). Orange County, New York

 

            At this time, we lose the Eggers for 17 years from 1758 until 1775, when three children surface in two Orange County documents:       

 

 

            There was no Samuel Rogers, no Thomas or William Eager, no Riders, no George Eggers on the pledge.  That there is no George Eggers here suggests to me that he was dead or not living in this county.            

           

 

            The authors on page 676 do admit that District #10 also included a portion of the present territory of Goshen (Township).   Wawayanda was relatively unpopulated until the Revolution.  

 

(VII). Children of George and Avis Eggers

 

            Other names mentioned include Mary Eggers, and Hugh Eggers, but nothing known about them at this time.

 

 

            William appears on the 1775 Orange County, New York, tax list assessment rolls with Daniel Eggers, both in District 10.  This would be near Goshen or areas north and northeast of Greenville.  In 1778, William and Daniel “Agers” are listed on the Rowan County, North Carolina tithables.  

 

Augusta County Tithables for the year 1777 still exist and include the following individuals:  "William Eggars," "Daniel Eggars," and "Landrine Eggars" on lines adjacent each other, tithes taken by Daniel Smith. 

 

            What is known about William Eggers in the American Revolution is this: There was a William Eggers, who was a guard, on 21 September 1778, in the Salisbury District (North Carolina) gaol.

 

William “Ager” appears on the 1800 U. S. Census of Ashe County, with a wife and two daughters (see census at end of Daniel Eggers write-up).  In January 5, 1802, in either Ashe or Wilkes County, North Carolina, the inventory of the estate of Richard Brown, deceased, lists debts to William Eggers, Ephraim Norris (husband of Mary Morphew ~1759-1810), and James Morphew.  This is his last known entry while living.  

 

Children of William Eggers are not understood, and it is not known if he had any sons.  One of at least two daughters is said to be named Thankful Eggers, at the age of 16, who was apprenticed to Moses Hull.   At one point in time, Landrine Eggers, or someone else, accused Moses Hull of mishandling funds left for the care of the children.   Moses then sued Landrine for the allegation of stealing these funds.  

 

 

 

 

            Mrs. Crawford Long in 1985 listed a George Eggers as a son of George Eggers of Monmouth County, New Jersey.  Her letter is to be found at the Monmouth County Historical Society.  This baptismal or birth date comes from Long, but her source was not given.  

 

            Also noted is a "George Egers" who served in Van Rensselaer's New York Regiment. 

From "Index to Revolutionary War Service Records, Volume II, E-K," transcribed by Virgil D. White, 1995, page 849:

 

 

 

 

 

             "May 5 AD 1779 married Samuel Rogers and Jane Agur, (page 11)"

From "The Records of the First Presbyterian Church at Goshen, New York From 1767-1885," compiled by Charles C. Coleman, Goshen, N.Y.   Note that this church is the only one in Orange County with records surviving before 1800. 

           

            28 November 1785, the estate of James Rogers, Jr. of the Precinct of Wallkill, Orange County, yeoman was administered (probated).  Samuel Rogers was noted to be the oldest surviving brother of deceased.  Bond – Samuel Rogers and John Eager, yeoman, and John Hillhouse, weaver, all of Precinct of Wallkill.  Witnesses – Israel Wells, Thomas Eager. 

"Genealogical Data from Administration Papers from the NY State Court of Appeals in Albany," abstracted by Dr. Kenneth Scott, 1972, page 267.

           

           

            Signers of the (Loyalty) Pledge in Goshen, Orange County, 1775 included Landrine Eggers, Elijah Egars, William Eggers, and Daniel Egger, all on the same page and same column of names. 

 

            "Elijah Egers" or Elijah Eggers served as a private in the 2nd New York Regiment."    A report exists stating Elijah died at the Battle of Yorktown.