Richard French

Other Events:

• Baptism: 15 Dec 1666, Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire, England; Church St. Peter and St. Paul

Notes:

...A memorandum in the family Bible of Thomas ffrench, then residing at Nether Heyford, England, and in his own handwriting, says: "December the first about ten at night my son Richard was borne, 1665. The Lord give him grace that hee may continually walk before him." A long and useful life shows how fully this characteristic prayer of a devout and loving father was answered. Richard was a lad of fifteen when he came to America with the family, in 1680. So far as known, his youth and early manhood were spent on the Rancocas homestead plantation. That he was devoted to farm life is shown in the fact that upon his marriage, in 1693, he purchased an extensive tract of land, 460 acres, in Mansfield township, Burlington county, where he seems to have resided during the remainder of his life. A deed of release of all claim to the home farm, after his father's death, to his younger brother, Charles, shows the kindly relationship that existed and his contentment with his own lot.
...That Richard French was a faithful and zealous Friend is evident from meeting records of the period, wherein his name appears many times. His nearest meeting was the one early established at Crosswicks. In 1715 he is frequent representative at Quarterly and Yearly meeting. He was now past middle age, but for a quarter of a century continued active in the work of preaching and visitation, journeying through the wilderness to New England and the South. The original certificate of 1733, is wonderfully well preserved, showing many notable names of that pioneer period. In the promotion of religious life in the colonies Richard French was conspicuous and influential. In business affairs he was active and prosperous, as his many deeds and other papers show, particularly his will and the accompanying inventory of personal property. In 1701 he served as tax collector for Mansfield township. He raised a large family, all of his ten children reaching marriageable age. The peculiar phraseology of his recorded papers shows a mind exceedingly careful of details, with a just and kindly spirit, a continuing answer to the fervent prayer of his father at his birth. His monthly meeting fittingly testified, after his death, that in the exercise of his gift in the ministry, "he labored faithfully in his declingin age, and travelled much in North America." (Source: L. P. Allen, The Genealogy and History of the Shreve Family from 1641 (Greenfield, Illinois: Privately Printed, 1901), pg. 93.)

Burlington Monthly Meeting Minutes
At our men's Monthly Meeting held at the house of Thomas Gardiners 6 Jul 1693; Richard French and Sarah Scattergood came before this Meeting and Declared their Intention of Marriage it being the First Time.

At our men's Monthly Meeting held at the house of Thomas Gardeners Adjorned to this 11 Jul 1693; Richard French and Sarah Scattergood came this second time and declared their intentions of Marriage and the Meeting upon Enquire finding them clear they are permitted to Solemnize the same as in the fear of God they see meete.

Chesterfield Monthly Meeting Minutes
4 Oct 1701, Richard French and Mary King signifyed their intentions of taking each other in marriage and according to the good order used amongst us, William Wood and Thomas Scholey are appoynted to enquire concerning the clearness on their account and make report to our next Monthly Meeting.

1 Nov 1701, Richard French and Mary King signified their intentions of marriage with each other the 2nd time, and enquiry having been made on both parts concerning their clearness from others on their account and nothing appearing but that they are cleare, they are left to proceed according to that good order used amongst us. (Source: Chesterfield Monthly Meeting Marriage Certificate)

Richard married Sarah Scattergood on 11 Sep 1693 in Burlington, New Jersey, British Colonial America. Sarah was born in 1670 in Stepney, London, England, United Kingdom; died about 1700 in Burlington, New Jersey, British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Richard married Mary King on 13 Jan 1702 in Burlington, New Jersey, British Colonial America. Mary (daughter of Harmanus King and Mary Greijn) was born about 1669 in Nottingham County, New Jersey; died on 5 Jan 1728 in Burlington, New Jersey, British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
8th mo. 20th, 1696

Notes:

Birth:
[3da 9mo 1707]

Mary married Preserve Brown, Jr. on 15 Oct 1724 in Burlington County, New Jersey, British Colonial America. Preserve (son of Preserve Brown, Sr. and Mary _____) was born about 1699 in Chesterfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, British Colonial America; died on 22 Jul 1760. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rebecca married Benjamin Shreve on 23 Apr 1729 in Springfield Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, British Colonial Ameirca. Benjamin (son of Caleb Shreve and Sarah Areson) was born on 9 Jun 1706 in Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey, Brithsh Colonial America; was christened on 9 Jun 1706 in New Jersey, British Colonial America; died on 14 Mar 1751 in Burlington, New Jersey, British Colonial America. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Lydia Taylor on 20 Sep 1748 in New Jersey, United States. Lydia was born in of Bordentown, New Jersey; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
7th mo. 20th, 1715

Sarah married William Marlin in Apr 1741. William and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
7th mo. 5th, 1717

Family/Spouse: Jacob Taylor. Jacob and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Abigail married James Lewis in Mar 1737. James and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
12th mo. 11th, 1719

Benjamin married Martha Hall on 29 Jan 1742 in New Jersey, United States. Martha and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
11th mo. 27th, 1722

Jonathan married Esther Matlack on 12 Mar 1744. Esther died in 1795. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Keziah married Moses Ivins about 1753 in Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey, Brithsh Colonial America. Moses (son of Isaac Ivins and Sarah Johnson) was born in 1725 in Mansfield, Burlington County, New Jersey, Brithsh Colonial America; died in 1803 in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
6th mo. 10th, 1732

Notes:

Birth:
8th mo. 25th, 1734

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Caleb married Grace Pancoast on 19 Nov 1755. Grace and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

COLONEL WILLIAM SHREVE
...Sharing the military spirit of other members of the family, William Shreve rendered himself amenable to the discipline of the Friends' society as early as 1759, and was dealt with in that year by the Chesterfield Meeting for "Training," evidently in connection with the French and Indian wars. When the Revolution came on he resumed training. August 26, 1775, he was commissioned Second Major, First Regiment, Burlington County, N. J., Militia. September 28, 1776, he was promoted to First Major; March 15, 1777, Lieutenant Colonel, and April 18, 1778, was made Colonel, continuing to serve when occasion required for several years. In August, 1782, his son Richard was elected Captain of the troop of Light Horse belonging to the same regiment.
...Being active in support of the Revolutionary cause, Col. Shreve suffered with many others during the march of the British army through New Jersey in the summer of 1778. His claim for damages, submitted to State government, showed a total loss, June 23, 1778, of nearly £1,400, including "one dwelling house 24 X 32-1/2 feet, 2 stories, high Seiled & Painted, built in the year 1765.'
...About the close of the Revolutionary War, Col. Shreve entered mercantile life in Burlington County, but was not successful. On November 2, 1782, he and his wife Anne made an assignment of all their "messuages, lots of ground, lands, tenements, hereditaments and real estate whatsoever and wheresoever situated, moneys, debts, credits, etc. (except Family's wearing apparel)," to three prominent Philadelphia merchants, Jeremiah Warder, Jr., Mordecai Lewis, and Samuel Coates, in trust for his creditors, "anything remaining to be for use of William Shreve and family." On December 12th, 1789, these assignees for "divers sums of money and further sum of £2537 -- 10 shillings conveyed to Moses Ivins 304 acres of land, being the same land and premises which William Shreve and wife Ann conveyed to Jeremiah Warder, Mordecai Lewis and Samuel Coates, Nov. 2, 1782"; showing considerable of an estate for those times. It is not known how much accrued to Col. Shreve after the payment of all obligations, but in 1788 he journeyed to western Pennsylvania with his brother Israel and others. Evidently the prospect was not alluring in that locality, as he returned to Burlington County, N. J., and resumed business there with success. His will, dated May 1, 1819, proved January 1, 1813, disposed of personal estate amounting to $2,043.00. His wife Anne was given the estate that belonged to her at the time of her marriage, and also one half of the real and personal estate of the decedent, after debts and other small legacies were paid. his daughter, Keziah Shreve, received the other half of the property, and her mother's wearing apparel. His other children's share was one hundred dollars each. (Reference: Compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French - Volume I: With some account of Colonial Manners and Doings (Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1909) pg. 302,303)

MEETING RECORDS
Chesterfield Monthly Meeting Minutes:
...10 mo. 4th 1759 William Shrieve laid before this Meeting and Acknowledgement Condemning his Training and marrying contrary to good order and Discipline Established among Friends which was read and left for further proof of his conduct. Anthony Sykes is desired to read it at the close of some First Day Meeting before our next Meeting.
...11 mo. 1st 1759 Anthony Sykes reports he has read William Shrieves Acknowledgment pursuant to the order of last Meeting. (Reference: Compiled and Published by Howard Barclay French, Genealogy of the Descendants of Thomas French - Volume I: With some account of Colonial Manners and Doings (Philadelphia: Privately Printed, 1909) pg. 304)

Birth:
8th mo. 4th, 1737

William married Anna Ivins on 8 May 1756 in Burlington, New Jersey, British Colonial America. Anna (daughter of Thomas Ivins and Abigail Hopkins) was born in of Burlington County, New Jersey; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Rhoda Ivins on 15 Dec 1768. Rhoda and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

William married Anne Woodward on 17 Feb 1779. Anne and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Military: 31 Oct 1775; Revolutionary War - Lieutenant Colonel, Continental Army, Second New
• Military: 28 Nov 1776; Revolutionary War - Colonel, Continental Army, Second New Jersey

Notes:

...Colonel Israel Shreve was born in 1739 in New Jersey. Before rising to a position of military leadership in General George Washington's Continental Army during the American Revolution, he worked as a farmer in Gloucester County....On Oct. 31, 1775, Shreve was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Regiment of New Jersey troops. On Nov. 28, 1776, he was promoted to Colonel for the reorganized line, which was now known as the Second New Jersey Regiment, Second Establishment.
...The 2nd N.J. Regiment fought at the Battle of Brandywine on Sept. 11, 1777, and at the Battle of Germantown on Oct. 4, 1777. They also spent the cold winter of 1777, short of clothing and food supplies, with Washington's troops at Valley Forge.
...On June 28, 1778, Shreve played a part in the strange events of the Battle of Monmouth. Major General Charles Lee led the advance column against the British troops, but gave his men hasty orders to retreat after being startled by a counterattack from the British. He did not give word of his decision to General Washington, who was following behind him with the main army. As an angry Washington met up with columns of confused troops falling back from the front, he pressed the approaching Colonel Israel Shreve for an explanation. "Colonel Shreve answered in a very significant manner, smiling, that he did not know, but that he had retreated by order, he did not say by whose order."* Following the Battle of Monmouth, Lee was court-martialled and removed from command.
...In July of 1779, Shreve and the 2nd N.J. Regiment joined Major General John Sullivan in his campaign against the Tory-allied Iroquois Indians. Shreve was appointed commander of the expedition's base at Fort Sullivan at Tioga, while General Sullivan and his troops went on a punishing spree against the Indians, burning 40 of their towns and destroying corn, vegetables, and orchards.
...According to one source, Shreve was "immensely fat" and such an incompetent officer that in Dec. of 1780 Washington declined to promote him to Brigadier General, saying, "Here I drop the curtain." Shreve retired from the army on Jan. 1, 1781, but for inexplicable reasons remained in command through the rest of the month. In early January, troops in the Pennsylvania Line mutinied over lack of pay and other grievances. When the New Jersey Line followed suit on Jan. 20, Shreve by all accounts botched or neglected handling the situation. At the end of January, Elias Dayton took over as Colonel.
...Shreve apparently participated in the General Assembly of New Jersey following the end of his military career. In April 1783, members of the New Jersey Line requested that he represent them to the Assembly on the issue of receiving five years' full pay at the end of their service, rather than half-pay for life.
...Shreve returned to farming after the war, eventually settling in the west with his wife and children. He died in 1799. (Source: Israel Shreve Revolutionary War Letters, Courtesy of Special Collections & Archives, University of Houston Libraries. http://www.lib.utexas.edu/taro/uhsc/00024/hsc-00024.html)

Birth:
12th mo. 24th, 1739

Israel married Grace Curtis on 27 Feb 1760 in Burlington, New Jersey, British Colonial America. Grace was born in of Burlington County, New Jersey; died on 12 Dec 1771. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Israel married Mary Cokley on 10 May 1773 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America. Mary was born on 17 Oct 1749 in Amity Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania, British Colonial America; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth:
[7da 10mo 1747]

Family/Spouse: Susan Wood. Susan was born on of Alexandria, Virginia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Hannah Vail on 10 Jul 1770. Hannah and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married three times.

Birth:
25da 1mo 1750

Family/Spouse: David Scattergood. David and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Joseph Beck. Joseph and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Nixon. John and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sarah Wright. Sarah died in 1821. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: John Dixon. John and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Israel married Margaret Woodward in 1780. Margaret was born on 12 Nov 1759; died on 17 Feb 1832. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rebecca married Jonathan Clever on 20 Mar 1783. Jonathan and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Adam Gibbs. Adam and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Birth: 12 Jan 1768, Crosswicks, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States

Family/Spouse: Ezra Cook. Ezra and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Ann married Aaron Ivins in 1799 in Crosswicks, Burlington County, New Jersey, United States. Aaron (son of Aaron Ivins and Ann Cheshire) was born on 24 Jan 1768 in Crosswicks, Burlington County, New Jersey, British Colonial America; died on 6 Jun 1813 in Monmouth County, New Jersey, United States. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]