Robert Howey and the Howey Family Origins

Richard McMurtry

July 2009

Thanks for Barbara Howey Parks and Robert T. Howey for their internet postings of most of the information below.

Robert Howey was one of the five co-purchasors of the 1250 acre tract along the Delaware River in northwestern New Jersey in 1750 along with Joseph, Thomas and Robert McMurtrie and James Hanna. McMurtrie/McMurtry family historians have assumed this business arrangement implied that Robert Howey had married a McMurtrie sister, but no evidence to support this conjecture has ever been found.

The only significant clues to the Howeys comes from the wills of Robert Howey and his nephew Abraham Howey in 1782 and 1773/1778 respectively and from later court actions to resolve land claims related to the wills.

Most important was the statement of Elizabeth Howey McConnell in 1804/1816 (Abraham’s daughter) who said that Robert and his nephew Abraham (her father) came to New Jersey from Ireland. However, this doesn’t tell us anything about potential relationship to the McMurtries. We note that Robert’s will does not mention McMurtries, though he did make a bequest to Clark Lowery, husband of Mary McMurtrie, daughter of Joseph McMurtrie d 1762; but Robert made bequests to Clark’s brothers Matthew and John (with whom Clark was in business) and a Martha Beer, daughter of William and Mary Beer . Mary was identified in an undocumented internet source as a Lowry. If Mary was a Lowry, then Robert Howey’s will makes bequests to just two families: Howey and Lowry, suggesting that his wife Martha was Lowry, not a McMurtrie.

Both Martha Beer and two grandchildren of Joseph McMurtrie – Mary and Joseph, children of John McMurtrie 1738-1792 – married into the Aten family, originally of Hunterdon County 1750s but later of Mt Bethel, Northampton County, PA, just northwest and across the Delaware River from Belvedere, NJ, where the McMurtrie land holdings lay.

The family structure was:

Isaac Howey

Abraham d 1778

Abraham d 1784

Abraham

Joseph b abt 1750 md Lydia McConnell

Joseph 1785 md Lydia Montague d 1821 Hardin Co KY

Robert b abt 1780 d after 1824, lived Shamokin, Northumberland

Co, PA, sold Oxford Land 1824 to Robert Butz

Jesse d w/o issue, d 1829

Mary md 1773 Jacob Butts/Butz

Elizabeth md McConnell (could this be Elizabeth wife of James

McConnell who sold 121 acres in 1820?)

Issaac (died at Dutch Creek in Virginia)

Robert d 1782 wife Martha

Daniel

William

Robert

Jonah b ca 1725

Robert b 1760->Lincoln Twp, Ontario prior to 1798 d 1809 md Jane Mandeville

Martha

Land

Abraham had 500 acres:

Jesse: 150 acres, adjoining Mr Cox, where Jacob Albright lives including the dwelling house (Jesse died without issue)

Joseph: 100 acres adjoining Jesse, not including lot where William Bailly lives, nor orchard on south side of Great Road from Oxford Furnace to the River

Mary & Eliz: all the remainder

Below are some of the various references to the Howeys:

William Howey sold property in Hardwick, Sussex Co., New Jersey to an unknown person on 24 November 1801; suit seeks to eject William from about 600 acres of land.9

S268] Unknown author, New Jersey Supreme Court Case, Case file 36263* Lawsuit seeks ejectment of William Howey from land in Hardwick, Sussex Co.

The case brought by the grandson of Robert Howey's nephew Abraham Howey on 12 Apr 1804 appears to prove that the Robert Howey who purchased land on the Pequest on 15 Nov 1750 was, in fact, the same Robert Howey of Hardwick who died in 1782 without issue. The land is described in this case as situated in the Township of Oxford, County of Sussex and State of New Jersey, bounded Northerly by Lands of Belvidere Estate, Easterly by Lands of Joseph McKey, Southerly by Lands of Abraham McMurtrie and Westerly by the River Delaware, containing 300 acres more or less.13

13.[S167] Unknown short title: 12 Apr 1804. Indenture. Abraham Howey now of Philadelphia. Robert Howey, uncle of said Abraham Howey, and brother to Abraham Howey hereinafter mentioned died seized of lands. Said Robert Howey died without issue* and without disposing of his lands by his will dated 6 May 1773. The land descended to Abraham Howey, father of the aforesaid Abraham Howey afterwards died intestate**, whereby the lands descended to Abraham Howey, his son and heir-at-law. Land sold , 300 acres, to Charles Croxall for $500. Land bounds Delaware River. *One of our theories was that Robert died without issue since no children were mentioned in his will. This clears this up. ** Abraham did have a will (Sept 1773) but Robert died afterward and left Abraham his land. Abraham therefore, didn't include Robert's land in his will. There was no directive on this land. Sussex Co, NJ Deed Book L, p. 146-148, unknown repository.

14.[S268] Unknown author, New Jersey Supreme Court Case, Deposition of Elizabeth Howey McConnell to William Kennedy, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas,

Sussex County, New Jersey In the case of Abraham Howey vs. Frederick Searle 1804 New Jersey Supreme Court Papers Case # 17921

She remembers well of said Robert Howey being the owner of the Land in which the Defendant in the above cause now lives and said Howey lived on it when she first knew him Further says that said Howey never had any children but one Daughter and that died when it was a child.

Robert Howey was a witness to property sold; Robert Huwe, James Hannah, Robert McMurtrie, Thomas McMurtrie sign a quitclaim deed for land purchased on 15 Nov 1750. The land now belongs solely to Joseph McMurtrie. Recorded 3 Feb 1810.

Sussex County Deed, book T, pp. 488-498, 1810.

Robert’s will:

Will of Robert Howey of Hardwick Twp., Sussex Co., 6 May 1773. Wife, Martha, 1/2 of movable estate, Brother Daniel, 20 shillings, Brother William 10 pounds. Nephew Abraham, 5 pounds. To Joseph, son of my nephew Abraham Howey, 5 pounds. Brother Jonah 5 pounds. To Robert Howey, son of my brother Jonah, 5 pounds. To Robert Howey, son of my brother William, 10 pounds. Also bequeasts to John Lowrey, Matthew Lowrey, Clark Lowrey, Martha Beer (daughter of William and Mary Beer). Wife Martha to have use of the land and after her death the use of the land to go to Jane Beer, daughter of William and Mary Beer and if she die, then to William Beer, son of William and Mary Beer. Executors friends Thomas Vanhorn and Matthew Lowrey. Witnesses George Allan, Andrew McLaney, Richard Shackleton. Proved May 18, 1782.³

Will of Robert Howey

Of Sussex 1782

In the Name of God Amen, I Robert Howey in the Township of Hardwick, County of

Sussex and in the West Division of the Province of New Jersey, being weak of

body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be to Almighty God, And knowing the

uncertainty of this mortal life do make this my Last Will and Testament,

Imprimis, I resign my soul into the hands of my Heavenly Father that gave it me,

as for my body I do order and request my Executors hereafter named to bury it in

a Christian Like manner, and as it Pleased Almighty God to bestow on me some of

the good things of this life, after my just debts and funeral charges be paid---

Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Martha Howey all her apparel

and ________?________horse and side saddle and a cow and furniture for a room,

and one half of the remaining part of my moveable estate, Item I give and

bequeath unto my brother Daniel Howey the sum of twenty shillings, Item I give

and bequeath unto my brother William Howey the sum of ten pounds, Item I give

and bequeath unto my nephew, Abraham Howey the sum of five pounds, Item I give

and bequeath unto Joseph Howey (son of my nephew Abraham Howey) the sum of five

pounds,. Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Jonah Howey the sum of five

pounds and suit of white clothes, Item I give and bequeath unto Robert Howey

(the son of my brother Jonah Howey) the sum of five pounds, Item I give and

bequeath unto Robert Howey (the son of my brother William Howey) the sum of ten

pounds and my brown suit of cloths, Item I give and bequeath unto John Lowrey

the sum of ten pounds, Item I give and bequeath unto Matthew Lowrey the sum of

ten pounds and also four acres of bogg meadow that lays in my plantation in

Hardwick, Item I give and bequeath unto Clark Lowrey the sum of ten pounds, Item

I give and bequeath unto Martha Beer (the daughter of William & Mary Beer) the

sum of five pounds, Item I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Martha

Howey (the use and benefit of the Plantation we now live on as long as she

lives) and after her decease, I give and bequeath the same benefit of said

Plantation unto Martha Beer (the daughter of William and Mary Beer) as long as

she lives, but if she should have any children the said Plantation is to be for

the use and benefit of said children but if she should die without issue then

William Beer the son of William and Mary Beer shall have the benefit of said

Plantation to him and his heirs forever, Item I do constitute and appoint my

trusty friends Thomas Vanhorn Esq. And Matthew Lowrey my Executors to see this

my last Will and Testament be duly executed, and I do revoke and disannul all

other Wills or former Testaments by me made to be void and of no effect and this

only is my last Will and Testament As witness my hand and seal this sixth day of

May one thousand seven hundred and seventy three…________________1773

Robert Houey (his signature) & Seal

(along the edge is written)

Signed Sealed Pronounced and Declared in the presence of us to be his last Will

and Testament and we each of us set our hands as endorsed and in the presence of

one the other… A Shackleton

George Allen )

Andrew W Laney) their signatures

On this 18 day of May AD 1782 Richard Shackleton one of the Witnesses to the

within Will being duly sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God did depose

and say that he saw Robert Houey the Testator therein named sign and seal the

same and hear him publish pronounce and declare this within writing to be his

last Will and Testament, and that at the hour thereof the said Testator of sound

and deposing mind and memory as far as this deponent knows and as he truly

believes and that George Allen and Andrew Laney the other subscribing ____?___

were present at the same time and signed their names as witnesses to the said

Will together with the Deponent in the presence of the said Testator

A Shackleton

Taken before me

The date above at Greenwich Forge

H W Hughes Surrogate

Matthew Lowery surviving Executor in the written Testament named being truly

sworn on the Holy Evangelists of Almighty God did depose and say that the Will

and Testament contains the true last Will and Testament of Robert Houey the

Testator therein named so far as he knows and as he verily believes, that he

will well and truly perform the same by paying for the debts of the said

deceased and then the legacies in the said Testament specified so far as the

goods chattels and credits of the said deceased can thereunto extend, and that

he will make and ___?___ into the Prerogative Office at Burlington a true and

perfect Inventory of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of the said

deceased that have or shall come to his knowledge or ___?___ or into the ___?___

of any other person or persons for his use and render a just and true account

when thereunto lawfully required… Mathew Lowery

Sworn at Greenwich Forge

The 18th May 1782

Before me

H W Hughes Surrogate.

Daniel Howey

Will of Abaham

Unknown author, Will of Abraham Howey, Lib. 20, p. 292. Will 262S, Will of Abraham Howey (Hovey/Hooey) of Oxford, Sussex Co., 2 Sept. 1773. Grandson, Abraham Howey, the only son of my eldest son Isaac, five pounds when he reaches the age of 21. Son Abraham 5 pounds. My youngest children, Joseph, Jesse, Mary (now Mary Butts), and Elizabeth Howey, all real estate (about 500 acres). Joseph's present wife, Lydia McConnell (now Lydia Howey) to have no dowry in his share. Wife, Elizabeth, household goods. Grandson Abraham Howey 5 pounds. Executors- wife Elizabeth and John Axford. Witnesses - Stephen Jervis, John Howey, Tomezin Jervis, Daniel Jervis. Proved Aug. 31, 1778. 31 Aug. 1778 Adm'r Joseph Howey. Fellow bondsmen William Loder; both of Oxford, said. Co. The wife died before the proving of the will and the other Executor renounced. Inventory by William Loder and John Kinney 29 Aug. 1778 - value in pounds 584.9.6.

F, b. circa 1750

Elizabeth Howey|b. c 1750|p160.htm#i4467|Abraham Howey|b. c 1721\nd. c Aug 1778|p154.htm#i1868|Elizabeth (?)|b. c 1720\nd. bt 2 Sep 1773 - 31 Aug 1778|p4.htm#i4463|Isaac Howey||p163.htm#i5714||||||||||

Father Abraham Howey1 b. c 1721, d. c Aug 1778

Mother Elizabeth (?)1 b. c 1720, d. bt 2 Sep 1773 - 31 Aug 1778

Birth* circa 1750 Elizabeth Howey was born circa 1750.

She was the daughter of Abraham Howey and Elizabeth (?).1

Marriage* circa 1770 Elizabeth Howey married (?) McConnell circa 1770.2

Married Name Her married name was (?).2

Married Name circa 1770 As of circa 1770,her married name was McConnell.2

(Witness) Will 2 September 1773 Elizabeth Howey is mentioned in the will of Abraham Howey on 2 September 1773 at Oxford, Sussex Co., New Jersey.3,4

Note* 1804 Deposition of Elizabeth Howey McConnell

to

William Kennedy, Judge of the Court of Common Pleas,

Sussex County, New Jersey

In the case of Abraham Howey vs.

Frederick Searle

1804

New Jersey Supreme Court Papers

Case # 17921

(Transcribed by Barbara Howey Park Dec. 2002 with additional transcription added by Bob Howey)

John Den ex dem (?)

Abraham Howey In Ejectment for Lands in Sussex County

vs Sussex County /Personally appears

Frederick Searle before me, William Kennedy, one of the

Judges of the Court of Common Pleas in and for the County

of Sussex, Elizabeth McConnell Who being duly sworn a-

ccording to Law Deposeth and Saith that She was well

acquainted with Robert Howey from She was a child

until She arrived to the age of twenty years at Least.

Said Howey formerly lived in the township of Hard

wick in said County and she thinks in the year one

thousand seven hundred and seventy seven six or

seven he departed this life in said township___

She remembers well of said Robert Howey being

the owner of the Land in which the Defendant in

the above cause now lives and said Howey lived

on it when she first knew him Further says that said

Howey never had any children but one Daughter

and that died when it was a child. But said

Howey three had four Brothers to wit Isaac, Daniel, William,

and Jonas. Isaac Howey was the next oldest Brother to the said

Robert Howey. The said Isaac Howey had a son called

Abraham who came into this country from Ireland

with the said Robert Howey, his uncle , which this

Deponent has often heard the said Robert Howey ackn

-oledge. The said Abraham Howey had two sons, Isaac

and Abraham which were twins. Isaac got Drowned

at a place called Duck (Dutch?) Creek in Virginney in and

the said Abraham is the father of Abraham Howey

who is the plaintif in this suit in the above suit and the only son of his father now living. her

Sworn and Subscribed Elizabeth X McConnell

At the House of James mark

McConnell in the town

Ship of Oxford in said

County on the 26th

Day of March 1816(?)

Before Wm Kennedy

The said Elizabeth in further Examination

States that the said Robert Howey was a very

Saving close man and she thinks he was

Not any in debt and that he was possessed

Of a considerable personal property which

Mathew Lowrey she thinks made a vendue(?) and

soald(?) of as he was the Executor after the Death of

the said Robert Howey - and further this Depon(ent?)

says not. her

Elizabeth X McConnell

mark

Sworn and subscribed

As before stated Before

Wm Kennedy

Adjournd until 10 a.m. tomorrow morning at same pl(ace?)

27th March 1816(?) The aforesaid witness, Elizabeth McConnell

being further examined on the above cause says that

Abraham Howey the nephew of Robert Howey who came to this

country with (Unreadable strike through)said Robert Howey his uncle, as Stated and Deposeth before written, was the father of this Deponent and the said Abraham Howey Departed this life in the year Seventeen

Hundred and Seventy eight and left a son called

Abraham Howey who died in the year Seventeen Hundred and Eighty Four who left a son Abraham Howey who is the

plaintif in the aforesaid suit and further says that

the said plaintif (unreadable strike through) Witness thinks to the best of her

Knowledge was born in the year Seventeen hundred and

Seventy four _ and further says not. Her

Elizabeth X McConnell mark

Before Wm Kennedy Judge of

The Court of Common

Pleas.5

Will, Administration Bond and Inventory of Abraham Hooey
Sussex-1778
Will dated 21 Aug 1773
Transcribed by Barbara Howey Parks
January 25, 2002
 
In the Name of God Amen. I, Abraham Hooey of Oxford in the County of Sussex and 
in the West Division of the Province of New Jersey; being in perfect Health and 
sound Mind and Memory Thanks be given to God for the Same; and Calling to mind 
the Uncertainty of the Transitory Life and knowing that it is Appointed for all 
men once to die, do make, publish, and declare this my last Will and Testament. 
(That is to Say) Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into 
the Hands of Almighty God that give it, and my Body I Commit to the Earth to be 
buried in a Decent and Christian Burial, at the Discretion of my Executors 
Hereafter Named, not Doubting but at the General Resurrection to Receive the 
same again by the Mighty power of God. And as to such Worldly Estate wherewith 
it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life I give Demise and Dispose of 
in the following Maner…
 
IMPRIMIS I give and Bequeth to my grandson Abraham Hooey the Only son of my 
eldest son Isaac Hooey five pounds Proclamation Money to be paid him when he 
Arives at the age of Twenty one years, with the Lawful Interest for the same 
from three Months after my Diseas, but in case my Grandson Aforesd die before he 
Arives at age as Aforesd. and that without Ishue, then my will is that the Heir 
of my son Abraham Hooey shall have the above said five pounds with all the 
Interest as Aforesd. … 
Item I give and Bequeth to my son Abraham Hooey or his Heirs five pounds 
Proclamation Money Together with all my wearing Apparel…
Item I give and Bequeth to my four youngest childrine, To wit Joseph Hooey, 
Jesse Hooey, Mary Hooey (now Mary Butts) and Elisabeth Hooey all my Real Estate 
Containing About Five Hundred Acres of Land, with all the Houses, Orchards, 
Woods, Waters and all the Appurtenances thereunto belonging, as in the Deeds of 
Conveyances may more fully Appear, Situate in Oxford Township, County and 
Province Aforesd. to them the sd. Joseph Hooey, Jesse Hooey, Mary Hooey, and 
Elisabeth Hooey to them and their Heirs forever the same in the following Manner 
divided…
And first my will is that my son Jesse Hooey Aforesd. shall have one Hundred and 
fifty Acres to be taken Squair of that End joining Mr. Cocks Land where Jacob 
Albright now lives, Including the Dwelling House I now live in with all the 
Office Houses Orchards & Meadows, Woods and Waters Thereon; to him the said 
Jesse Hooey his heirs forever…
Item I give and Bequeth to my son Joseph Hooey Aforesd. one Hundred Acres 
joining my son Jesse’s Aforesd. to be taken squair of (that is from one side to 
the other) Including the House and Orchard Thereon
Thereon now in sd. Joseph’s possession, but shall not go over the spring run by 
the Lot where William Baily now lives nor any of the cleared land on sd. lot, 
Nor yet take any of the Orchard on the South side of the great road leading from 
Oxford Furnace to the River Nor any House or Houses Erected or that may be 
Erected on that side of said road. To him the sd. Joseph Hooey, his Heirs 
forever in the following way & Manner, That is in case sd. Joseph Hooey, shall 
Die before his present wife, Lydia McConnel (now Lydia Hooey) that she, the sd. 
Lydia shall have no Right to the Aforesd. Land nor any part thereof or any Dowry 
of or from any prophits Arising or Acruing therefrom, and likewise Aforesd. 
Joseph Hooey shall pay Yearly and Every year five pounds Proclamation Money to 
my Wife Elisabeth (Hereafter Named) during her Natural Life…
Item I give and Bequeth to my Daughter Mary Hooey and my Daughter Elisabeth 
Hooey Aforesd. all the Remainder of the Aforesd, five Hundred Acres of Land with 
all the Woods Waters Orchards or Houses or any Improvement made or that 
Hereafter may be made thereon to be Equally Divided Between them According to 
Quantity and Quality to them and their Heirs forever; But in Case any of my 
Aforesd. childrine, To wit, Joseph Hooey, Jesse Hooey, Mary Hooey and Elisabeth 
Hooey shall Die without Ishue, then my Will is that the Survivor or Survivors of 
them Shall share Equally and to have & Hold the same, in the Same way and Manner 
as they Hold their particular Bequethments Aforesd.
Item I give and Bequeth to Elisabeth my dearly beloved Wife all her Cloaths, her 
Bed and Beding to her and Assigns forever, also I give and Bequeth to her All 
the Rents or Profits Arising or Acruing from all that part of the Land willed 
and Bequethed to my two Daughters, Mary and Elisabeth Aforesd. with the five 
pounds a year Mentioned Aforesd. to be paid by my son Joseph Hooey Aforesd. And 
also one Room in the house we now live in and the Keeping of one Cow and 
firewood found and provided for her by my son Jesse Aforesd. and his heirs all 
this during her Natural Life and also the profits of the Negro Boy, Harry until 
he be free to her & Jesse Aforesd. 
Item it is my further Will and pleasure that after my Just Debts, Funeral 
Charges and the Legacys Above Bequethed to my Grandson Abraham Hooey, and my son 
Abraham Hooey be Duly Paid and Discharged or provided for, that the Remainder of 
my Personal Estate be Equally Divided Between my Aforesd. Wife and Childrine To 
wit, Jesse Hooey and Elisabeth Hooey, but in Case any of them Die before this my 
will come in force it is to be Divided among the Survivors of them…
And I do Hereby Nominate my Beloved Wife Elisabeth Aforesd Executrix and my 
trusty friend John Axford of Oxford Township Aforesd. Senior Executor of this my 
Last Will and Testament and I do Hereby Revoke Disalow and Disanull, all other 
Wills and Testaments, Legacys and bequethments by me at any time formerly made. 
Willed and Bequethed 
(Ratifying)
Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In 
Witness whereof I have Hereunto Set my Hand and Seal this Second Day of 
September Anno Domini one Thousand seven Hundred and Seventy Three. 1773.
Signed Sealed Published & Declared 
( signed)
by the Above Named Abraham Hooey 
Abraham Hooey
 as & for his Last Will and Testament 
in the Presents of us who Have Hereunto 
Subscribed our Names as Witnesses 
Made in the Presents of the Testator 
and in the presents of Each other
 
Stephen Jervis (signature)
 her
Tomezin X Jervis
 mark
John Howey (signature)
 his
 Daniel X Jervis
 mark
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Stephen Jervis & Daniel Jervis, two of the Witnesses to the forgoing Will being 
duly sworn on the holy Evangelists of Almighty God, did & formally depose that 
they saw Abraham Hooey the testator above named Sign Seal the same and heard him 
publish pronounce and declare the foregoing Instrument to be his last Will & 
Testament and that at the doing thereof the sd Testator was of Sound and 
Disposing Mind & Memory as far as these Deponents know & they truly believe and 
that Tomezin Jervis, John Hoey the other Subscribing Witnesses were present & 
Signed their Names as Witnesses to Aforesd Will together with Aforesd Deponents 
in the presence of Aforesd Testator.
 Stephen Jervis
  his
Sworn at Newtown   Daniel X Jervis
31st of August 1778, before me  
mark
ThomS: Anderson, Justice(?)
 
 
Know all Men by these presents, that we Joseph Hooey & William Lodor both of 
Oxford in the County of Sussex & State of New Jersey, Yeomen, are held and 
firmly bound unto his Excellency William Livingston Esquire, Governor of the 
State Afsd. in the just & full sum of one thousand two hundred & two pounds nine 
shillings, to be paid to Aforesd Wm. Livingston Esqr. His Successors or Assigns, 
to which payment well & truly to be made we do bind ourselves, our Exr.r and 
admr. jointly __?__ firmly by these presents, sealed wth. our seals & dated the 
Thirty First Day of August in the Year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred 
and Seventy Eight.________1778 
 
Whereas Abraham Hooey by his last Will and Testament and writing duly published, 
Constituted his wife Elizabeth Hooey Ex.r. & John Axford Esqr. _?_ Thereof, & 
the sd. Executrix died before the probate of the sd. Will and the sd. Exr. John 
Axford, deposed(?) to Intermeddle with the Executorship of the Aforesd. will, 
and whereas the above bondsman Joseph Hooey is Appointed administrator of all & 
singular the Goods, Chattels, Rights and Credits of the sd. Abraham Hooey with 
the Will Annexed. Now the Condition of the above Obligations is such that of the 
sd. Execr. Joseph Hooey do and shall well & truly administer the same Goods and 
Chattels Rights & Credits which were of the sd. Abraham Hooey the Testator above 
Named, to the Uses in the sd. Testament Expressed & Mentioned and make and 
Exhibit unto the Prerogative Office, a true and perfect Inventory of all & 
singular the named Goods and Chattels Rights & Credits that have or shall come 
to his knowledge or Possession, or to the Possession of any Person or Persons 
for his use on or before the First Day of Octb. next, & Render a Just & True 
Account of the administration when Hereunto Required; __?__ above Obligation to 
be paid otherwise to be and remain in full force and __?___.
 Joseph Howey
Sealed and Delivered  
In presence of (seal) 
William Lodor
 his
Daniel X Jervis
 Mark 
 
 Thoms Anderson
Joseph Hooey the Admr. above named being duly sworn and deposed, that he will 
well & truly Administer all and Singular the Goods, Chattels, Rights, & Credits 
of the above named Abraham Hooey decd. which have or shall come to his 
Possession or to the Possession of other person or persons for his use; and that 
he will make a Well & Perfect Inventory of the Goods & Chattels Rights & Credits 
& Exhibit the same into the Prerogative Office & render a Just & true Account of 
his Administration when thereunto lawfully required.  
 
Joseph Howey (signature)
Sworn at Newtown, J 
31st Aug. 1778
before me
Thoms. Anderson Jun(?)
 
 
 

Notes for CLARK LOWRY:

Will of Clark Lowry, 21 Feb 1774, Oxford of Sussex Co, NJ. Wife, Mary Lowry, to have the rent of the land that was left to her by her father, Joseph McMurtrey. Son, Joseph, a horse. My brothers, John and Mathew, and myself have been in partnership, and my part, along with the rest of estate to be given to my wife, Mary, son, Joseph, daughters, Jane Lowry, Nanny Lowry, Elizabeth Lowry, Martha Lowry when children are of age. Exec. John and Mathew, my bothers. Wit. John McKown, Richard Shackleton, Joseph Lowry. Proved 14 Apr 1774.

More About CLARK LOWRY:

Will Filed: February 21, 1774, Oxford, Sussex Co., NJ

Children of MARY MCMURTRY and CLARK LOWRY are:

i. JOSEPH4 LOWRY.

24. ii. JANE LOWRY, b. 1767, Sussex Co., NJ; d. Aft. 1850, Madison Township, Montour Co., PA.

iii. NANNY LOWRY.

iv. ELIZABETH LOWRY.

v. MARTHA LOWRY, m. ISRAEL BIDDLE.

vi. AGNES LOWRY, m. DANIEL DILDINE.

To His Excellency William Franklin, Esqr, Capt Generale and Goverennor in Cheff 
in and over His Majestys Province of New Jersey -- Chansellor and Vice Admarale 
in the Same--
 
And to the Honnorable His Majestys Councile -- And Gentlemen the Representatives 
of the Said province --
 
We the subscribers in Habatants of Greenwich Oxofrd Mansfield Wood-House & 
Knowlton Townships in the Lower part of the County of Sussex Below the blew 
monton being now left exposed to the leag of assuall And Seveq (?) Enemy from 
Cornele Vancampens all most to Estown which is ni thortey miles which is becom 
fronters as the Inhabetors is Drove off in Pencelveney Sid of the Rover Dawleyer 
and our men being all most war out by freccount Alerems from the Enemy as they 
Have Done constently mordors ajoyning us and alsow his Killed Two femles on Our 
County fronters and being Dayly Seen or herd by Our Scoting Partes of men Wee 
think Our Selves and femles for Amedent Denshor of falling in to the hand of Our 
Enemys without wee geet Som Relive to Enebell Us to mack Astand Agenst the 
Enemey ---
 
Therefore wee Your Honners petishoners Hombly biges Your Releve by Reinforsing 
Us from C-- with men --
And Your petishnors as for Duty Cownd will Ever Pray --
 
November 4th, 1763 Abraham McMURRIE
John AXFORD Thomson SMITH
James STINSON Jacob SMITH
Robert McMURTRIES Gleason SMITH
Robt PATERSON William BELLY
Henry BANTA Junr Cornelius VANOVER
Richard GREEN John MORE
John LOWRY David SH--S/SEY
David CAMP  Andraw Phillip HOUSE
John HOLDEN 
Henry BOSMAN James HENDERSON
George WALKER Johannes? SZIDY?
John SMITH Richard HUNT
Thomas KELSO Piter HOLTZ
Thomas JEWEL Thomas EVERITT
-e----st STINSON James EDINGTON
William SHIPLEY 
Abra AXFORD Banjamon PAD---
John WERNEKER John WHICKOFF
Ouen PHILLIPS Jonathan AXFORD
  Abraham HOOEY
David PEHIL Jacob ROSE
Soloman LYON Clark LOWRY
George McMARTRY John LADDOR
William BELLOS James LADDOR
 Merton SHIPLEY
Henery BYGENER Robert SIMANTON
John HOLLEBORD Joseph CORWIN
Larance BRAN Godfree MOLUK/MOLEEK?
David LINCH John O DAVIS
Moses EVERITT Henery BRAKEFIELD
Ephraim HOPKINS Robert CRAIG
 Robert MILLS
Joseph DAWSON John GOODING
 Michael HENDERSHEET
 Robert McMURTRIE
 
 
Source: Governor's Papers (SEDSL-006), 1749-1785, Box 1-01, Item #32 [NJ State 
Archives]
Petition of Residents of Sussex County to Governor William Franklin, Council and 
Assembly for Defense
4 November 1763
 

•Name: Martha Beers

•Sex: F

•Birth: 1754

Father: William Beers b: in Derrie county, Ireland

Mother: Mary Lowery b: in Derrie county, Ireland

Marriage 1 Adrian Aten

William Beers was born 06 MAR 1717 in Derrie Co, Ireland, and died UNKNOWN. He married Mary Lowery in Londerry, Ireland. She was born BEF 1738 in Derrie Co, Ireland, and died UNKNOWN.

Children of William Beers and Mary Lowery are:

+ 2 i. Robert Beers was born 21 APR 1750 in Londonderry, Derrie Co, Ireland, and died 26 MAR 1842 in Forshay Farm, Fairview, Fulton Co, IL.

3 ii. Sarah Beers was born AFT 1731, and died UNKNOWN.

4 iii. Martha Beers was born 1754, and died UNKNOWN. She married Adrian Aten. He was born UNKNOWN, and died UNKNOWN.

+ 5 iv. Thomas Beers was born 23 MAY 1756, and died 1809.

6 v. William Beers was born AFT 1731, and died UNKNOWN.

7 vi. Peter Beers was born ABT 03 MAR 1769, and died UNKNOWN.

8 vii. Jane Beers was born AFT 1731, and died UNKNOWN.

9 viii. Mary Beers was born 1762, and died UNKNOWN. She married Thomas Aten. He was born UNKNOWN, and died UNKNOWN.

10 ix. Abigail Beers was born AFT 1731, and died UNKNOWN.

Derick ATEN (Dirck ATEN4, Adrian ATEN3, Hendrick ATEN2, Adriaen ATEN1) was christened 22 Apr 1753 in Readington Church,Hunterdon, Province of New Jersey, Great Britain, died 20 Apr 1837 in , Alleghency, PA, USA. He married Martha BEER 1776, daughter of Willliam BEER and Mary LOWERY. She was born 1754, and died 1837.

Children of Adrian ATEN and Martha BEER are:

9 i. Mary ATEN was born 1777, and died 1792.

10 ii. Richard ATEN was born 1778, and died 1801.

11 iii. Catherine ATEN was born 1780, and died 1783.

12 iv. William ATEN was born 1781.

Joseph McMurtrie’s granddaughter Nancy b 1771 married Richard Aten b 1766 Readington, Hunterdon Co, son of Derick Aten b 1721. Joseph’s grandson Joseph b 1772 married Richard’s sister Mary Aten. This family removed to Luzerne Co in the early 1800s.

Adrian ATen who married Martha Beer/Beers was a step-brother to the above.

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Descendant Register, Generation No. 2

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2. Robert Beers (William Beers1) was born 21 APR 1750 in Londonderry, Derrie Co, Ireland, and died 26 MAR 1842 in Forshay Farm, Fairview, Fulton Co, IL. He was buried MAR 1842 in Beer Cem, Young Hickory Twp, Fulton Co, IL. He married Nancy Quinn 1776. She was born ABT 1752 in Derrie Co, Ireland, and died 03 JUL 1821 in Fairview, Fulton Co, IL. She was buried in Beer Graveyard, Young Hickory Twp, Fairview, Fulton Co, IL.

Children of Robert Beers and Nancy Quinn are:

+ 11 i. Robert Beers was born 1783 in PA, and died AFT 1855 in Clearfield, Clearfield Co, PA.

+ 12 ii. William Beers was born 25 MAR 1785 in Northampton Co, PA, and died 29 SEP 1870 in Fairview Twp, IL.

+ 13 iii. Elizabeth Beers was born 1788 in PA, and died 22 JUL 1859.

14 iv. Daniel Beers was born 1806, and died UNKNOWN.

15 v. Mary Beers was born AFT 1775, and died UNKNOWN.

16 vi. Charles Beers was born 19 NOV 1800, and died UNKNOWN.

17 vii. Thomas Beers was born AFT 1775, and died UNKNOWN.

18 viii. Nancy Beers was born AFT 1775, and died UNKNOWN. She married Charles Campbell.

19 ix. John Beers was born AFT 1775, and died UNKNOWN.

20 x. Martha Beers was born AFT 1775, and died UNKNOWN.

21 xi. Mathew W Beers was born 04 JUN 1807 in Hopewell, Beaver Co, PA, and died 30 OCT 1903 in London Mills, Fulton Co, IL. He married Susan Shallenburger 20 DEC 1848. She was born 07 APR 1814 in PA, and died 04 JAN 1901.