By Jared L. Olar
September 2019
Our Somers ancestors were of English origin, emigrating from Worcestershire in 1682 and settled in New Jersey. Variants of this surname include Sommers, Sommer, Summers, and Summer. There are two possible etymological origins for the Somers surname. It could come from the Anglo-Saxon word somer ("summer"), which sometimes was used as an appellative for men who were either born during the summer or had a warm, "sunny" disposition. The final -s would suggest that "Somers" is a patronymic form, indicating descent from someone called Somer. On the other hand, the Old French word somier is the origin of the English word "sumpter," a driver of a pack animal. It is therefore possible that some families came to be called Somier or Somer on account of their descent from a sumpter. While we cannot be sure of the etymology of the Somers surname, we do know that our Somers ancestors came from County Worcester, and have been traced back to Clifton, Severn Stoke, and St. Clements near the Welsh border.
The chief sources for the following account of our Somers genealogy are Joseph Mitchell Hewlett's The Somers Family of South Jersey (1972), Descendants of John Sommer, and Descendants of Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven. The genealogy of our Somers family in America is verified and supported by primary source documents, but I have not researched the Sommer/Somers line in Worcestershire, England. Thus, the last five generations shown below are confirmed, but I regard the first six generations in this account with a degree of hesitation.
1. JOHN SOMMER, born 1448 probably in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 29 March 1539 probably in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England. John's wife was named URSULA (NN), died 5 July 1553 probably in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England. John and Ursula had four sons. Joseph Mitchell Hewlett's The Somers Family of South Jersey (1972), page 1, says of John, "The family possessed an estate at Clifton in the parish of Severn Stoke in the county of Gloucester [sic - Severn Stoke is north of Gloucester in County Worcester]. This John Somers, the first of whom there is any record, was born in the 15th century. He had a son. . . ." Hewlett also provides this account of John's wife and sons:
"John Somers died March 29, 1539.
m. Ursula (d. July 5, 1553). They had the following children:
John Somers (d. Sept. 16, 1544, m. Agnes. Issue - 2 sons.
William Somers d. Oct. 12, 1545, m. Maud ...
Nicholas Somers was living in 1545
Roger Somers"
Thus, the known sons of John and Ursula Somers were:
-- JOHN SOMMER, died 16 Sept. 1544, married Agnes (NN).
2. WILLIAM SOMMER, born circa 1474 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England.
-- NICHOLAS SOMMER.
-- ROGER SOMMER.
2. WILLIAM SOMMER, son of John and Ursula Sommer, born circa 1474 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 12 Oct. 1542 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England. The date of William's death is somewhat uncertain. Hewlett says William died 12 Oct. 1545, but Wikitree's profile of William gives the date as 12 Oct. 1542, while Descendants of John Sommer says William died before 28 Dec. 1542. It appears, then, that William's year of death is 1542, while the day and the month would be 12 Oct. (which is before 28 Dec.).
William's wife was named MAUD (NN), born circa 1478 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 24 Sept. 1593, by whom he had six sons and one daughter. Joseph Mitchell Hewlett's The Somers Family of South Jersey (1972), page 1, has this to say of William and his family:
"William Somers d. October 12, 1545 m. Maud (d. September 24, 1543). Their children were:
William Somers living in 1545 had issue
Alexander Somers d. June 30, 1569
Walter Somers d. Feb. 8, 1564
Nicholas Somers d. Mar. 8, 1564, m. Marjory ...
Marjory Somers d. Oct. 24, 1562
Francis Somers d. Nov. 28, 1564, m. and had issue.
Roger Somers ... had issue"
Besides those children, Descendants of John Sommer adds two daughters, Maud and Joane. Thus, the known children of William and Maud Sommer were:
-- WILLIAM SOMMER, born circa 1500 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died after 1545.
-- ALEXANDER SOMMER, born circa 1502 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 30 June 1569.
-- WALTER SOMMER, born circa 1504 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 8 Feb. 1564.
3. NICOLAS SOMMER, born circa 1506 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England.
-- MARJORY SOMMER, born circa 1508 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 24 Oct. 1562.
-- FRANCIS SOMMER, born circa 1510 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 28 Nov. 1564.
-- ROGER SOMMER, born circa 1512 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England.
-- MAUD SOMMER, born circa 1516 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England.
-- JOANE SOMMER, born circa 1518 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England.
3. NICOLAS SOMMER, son of William and Maud Sommer, born circa 1506 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 8 March (or 16 Sept.) 1564 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England. There are two contradictory accounts of Nicolas' life and family. Joseph Mitchell Hewlett's The Somers Family of South Jersey (1972), page 1, says, "Nicholas Somers d. March 8, 1564, m. Marjory, they had a son, Nicholas Somers, Jr." However, a more recent version of the Somers genealogy, Descendants of John Sommer, says "Nicolas Sommer was born in 1506 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcester, England and died on 16 Sep 1564 at age 58," and that Nicolas married a woman named AGNES (NN), and had by her a family of six sons.
"Nicolas married Agnes. Children from this marriage were:
i. William Sommer died on 6 Nov 1566. William married Elizabeth. Elizabeth died on 25 Jun 1587.
ii. John Sommer died in 1589.
iii. Anthony Sommer died on 21 Sep 1586.
iv. Richard Sommer died on 13 Jan 1598. Richard married Ann Walker.
v. Nicolas Somers was born in 1538 in Clifton, England and died on 1 Jun (sic - Jan.) 1587 at age 49.
vi. Roger Sommer died on 24 Nov 1602."
Following this latter version, then, the sons of Nicolas and Agnes Sommer were:
-- WILLIAM SOMMER, died 6 Nov. 1566, married Elizabeth (NN).
-- JOHN SOMMER, baptised 9 June 1539 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 1589, married Margaret Buller.
-- ANTHONY SOMMER, died 21 Sept. 1586.
-- RICHARD SOMMER, died 13 Jan. 1598, married Ann Walker.
4. NICOLAS SOMMER ("Nicholas Somers Jr."), born circa 1538 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England.
-- ROGER SOMMER, died 24 Nov. 1602.
4. NICOLAS SOMERS JR. ("Nicholas Somers Jr."), son of Nicolas and Agnes Sommer, born circa 1538 in Clifton, Severn Stoke, Worcestershire, England, died 1 Jan. 1587 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England. On 27 Jan. 1563 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England, Nicolas married JOAN PACE (or "Joane Pax"), born circa 1542 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England, died 9 Feb. 1587. Nicolas and Joan had four sons. Of their family Joseph Mitchell Hewlett's The Somers Family of South Jersey (1972), page 1, records the following:
"Nicholas Somers, Jr. d. January 1, 1587. m. Joane Pace (or Pax) on January 27, 1563. She died February 9, 1587. Their children were:
John Somers b. abt. 1570
Robert Somers
Daniel Somers
Francis Somers"
Descendants of John Sommer gives an almost identical account, but provides additional facts:
"Nicolas Somers was born in 1538 in Clifton, England, and died on 1 Jun (sic - Jan. ) 1587 at age 49.
General Notes: Robert Profant's notes indicated that Nicolas (d.1587) was his father and that John of St. Clement's Parish was his son.
Nicolas married Joan Pace on 27 Jan 1563. Joan was born in 1542 in St. Clements, Worcester, England, and died on 9 Feb 1587 at age 45. Another name for Joan was Joane Pace.
Children from this marriage were:
i. Robert Somers was born in 1564 in St. Clements, Worcester, England.
ii. Francis Somers was born in 1566 in St. Clements, Worcester, England.
iii. Daniel Somers was born in 1568 in St. Clements, Worcester, England.
iv. John Somers of Clement's Parish was born in 1580 [sic - 1570] in Worcestershire, England, and died in 1661 in Worcestershire, England at age 81."
Thus, the known children of Nicolas and Joan Somers were:
-- ROBERT SOMERS, born circa 1564 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England.
-- FRANCIS SOMERS, born circa 1566 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England.
-- DANIEL SOMERS, born circa 1568 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England.
5. JOHN SOMERS, born circa 1570 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England.
5. JOHN SOMERS, son of Nicolas and Joan Somers, born circa 1570 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England, died 1661 in Worcestershire, England. The identity of John's wife is not unknown, but she, (NN), was born circa 1590 probably in Worcestershire, England, and died circa 1650 in Worcestershire, England. John is known to have had a son. That information comes from Descendants of John Sommer. In comparison, Joseph Mitchell Hewlett's The Somers Family of South Jersey (1972), pages 1-2, has this to say of John and his family: "John Somers b. abt. 1570 . . . was from St. Clements, Worcestershire, England. He had a son John Somers bapt. Feb. 13, 1624."
Thus, John's son was:
-- 6. JOHN SOMERS, baptised 13 Feb. 1624 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England.
6. JOHN SOMERS, son of John Somers, baptised 13 Feb. 1624 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England, died 1661 in Worcestershire, England. In 1639 in Worcestershire, England, John married ELIZABETH (NN), born circa 1624 in St. Clements, Worcestershire, England, died 19 Feb. 1694 in Worcestershire, England. John and Elizabeth had at least two children. It is unusual that both John and his father are reported to have died in 1661. In reference to John's death, Descendants of John Sommer has the very puzzling notation "Will: Adnis Malud, 1661," which seems to mean "bad effort" in Latin -- perhaps a legal notation in his probate file? The same source provides this account of John's life and family:
"John Somers was born on 13 Feb 1624 in St. Clements, Worcester, England, and died in 1661 at age 37.
Noted events in his life were:
• Baptism: 13 Feb 1624.
• Will: Adnis Malud, 1661.
John married Elizabeth in 1639 in Worcester, England. Elizabeth was born in 1624 in St. Clements, Worcester, England, and died on 19 Feb 1694 at age 70.
The child from this marriage was:
i. John Somers was born on 30 Apr 1648 in Worcestershire, England, and died on 19 Dec 1723 in Somers Pt., N.J. at age 75."
John and Elizabeth also had a daughter named Mary, as mentioned in Joseph Mitchell Hewlett's The Somers Family of South Jersey (1972), page 1:
"John Somers bapt. Feb. 13, 1624, d. 1661. He was from St. Clements, Worcestershire, England. m. Elizabeth ___.
She became associated with the society of Friends and her death is recorded as February 19, 1694 as of Hallhampton.
They had issue the American pioneer.
John Somers b. abt. 1640, d. 1739, m. Hannah Hodgkins on 1 mo 2, 1684 . . .
Mary Somers m. John Scull"
The known children of John and Elizabeth Somers were:
7. JOHN SOMERS, born 30 April 1648 in Worcestershire, England.
-- MARY SOMERS, born circa 1650 in Worcestershire, England, died circa Feb. 1748 in Egg Harbor, New Jersey, married John Scull.
7. JOHN SOMERS, son of John and Elizabeth Somers, born 30 April 1648 in Worcestershire, England, died 19 Dec. 1723 in Somers Point, Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, buried on his home estate at Somers Point. John is the patriarch of the Somers family of Cape May County in southern New Jersey. As John's Somers ancestors had long lived in Worcestershire, he is thought to have been a distant cousin of John Somers (1652-1716) of Worcester, Lord High Chancellor of England. Also, an early settler of Bermuda named George Somers is also thought to have belonged to the same Worcestershire Somers family. John was a Quaker, that is, a member of the Society of Friends in England. As such, he joined William Penn's colonising venture, and 2 May 1682, aged about 34, he and his unknown first wife and their child embarked for North America aboard the Society. John's first wife, (NN), and their child both fell sick and died on the ocean passage (see John W. Jordan's 1911 Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, page 630). According to Somers family tradition, John brought his own boats, bricks, and furniture from England to New Jersey. In comparison to that tradition, the inventory of the Society, dated 2 May 1682, includes this item: "John Summers; 5 cwt. wrought iron, 1/2 cwt. nails, 1 firkin butter, 20 pounds leather manufactured, 1/2 cwt Shot, 1/4 cwt gunpowder."
After arriving in America, John settled at first at Upper Dublin in Pennsylvania, but before long he moved to the Cape May Colony and settled in the area of Egg Harbor. A survey of 500 acres in Philadelphia County for John Somers was not returned until 12 June 1682 (Pennsylvania Archives, 3rd Series, 111, 14 (Paper 2139). John Somers also was a witness to the will of Thomas Freame of "Avon, in the County of Gloster" that was probated 10 Aug. 1682 in Philadelphia (one of the first wills recorded in Philadelphia). It was in the Cape May Colony that John met his second wife. On 2 Jan. 1685 either at Somerton, New Jersey, or at Abington, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, John married HANNAH HODGKINS, born 1666, died Dec. 1737 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, reportedly daughter of Samuel and Millicent Hodgekins. Hannah's father was active in the early whaling industry at Cape May, and John himself also hunted seals and whales from his plantation of Somers Point. John and Hannah had seven sons and three daughters.
Of John Somers' early activites in the Cape May Colony, John F. Hall's The Daily Union History of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey (1900), page 433, says, "The records show that on November 30, 1695, he purchased of Thomas Budd 3,000 acres of land for £240. He was appointed supervisor of roads at the first court held at Portsmouth in Cape May county, March 20, 1693." Those same facts, and several others, are related by John W. Jordan in his 1911 Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, page 630, as follows:
"At the first Court of Cape May county, held March 20, 1693, John Somers was appointed constable for Great Egg Harbour. By deed dated November 30, 1695, Thomas Budd conveyed to John Somers, 3,000 acres of land at Great Egg Harbour, 1500 acres 'on the Sound northeast of Great Egg Harbour,' 800 acres 'between Patonick Creek and Bass River' and 700 acres 'on the Sound side of Great Egg Harbour.' On March 20, 1718, John Somers made a deed of gift to his son James Somers for 350 acres of this purchase, the deed being witnessed by Jeremiah Adams. Richard and Hannah (Somers) Smith had six children: -- Rachel, who married Casparus Smith, Judith, who married Andrew Crawford; Hannah, who married Henry Ludlam; Daniel, of whom presently; James, who married Jemima Russell; and John, who married Eliza Porterfield."
As indicated in the above quote, John was appointed Supervisor of roads and Constable of Great Egg Harbor on 20 March 1693. In November of 1695, John Somers and seven other men settled the 'Somerset Plantation' in New Jersey (later known as Somer’s Point). The other men were Jonas Valentine, John Gilbert Sr., Jonathan Adams (uncle of John Somers' daughter-in-law Abigail), the two Dutchmen Peter Covenhover (whose granddaughter married John Somers’ grandson) and John Scull (John Somers' brother-in-law), and the Swedish-American colonist James Steelman. All their deeds were recorded within two days of each other (29-30 Nov. 1695), John Somers witnessing the others. Since they had to record the deeds in Burlington County, they no doubt all traveled there together. All of their lands were purchased from Thomas Budd, a merchant in Philadelphia. A partial transcription of the deed between Thomas Budd and John Somers reads as follows:
"This indenture made this 30th day of November Anno Domni 1695 Between Thomas Budd, Merchant of Philadelphia, Province of Pennsylvania of ye first part and John Somers of ye Province of West New Jersey of ye other part, Witnesseth that the said Thomas Budd for in consideration of [torn and faded] lawful money . . . sells to John Somers land situate in Great Egg Harbor in ye Province of West New Jersey . . . Being bounded on the North East side by the line of James Steelman and on the North West side by Patcong Creek. On the South West side by the bay of Great Harbour and on the South East with the south within which bounds contains 1500 acres and allowances for roads. Witnesses: Jerimiah Price, Pat Robinson."
A few days later, on 2 Dec. 1695, John Somers was granted permission to run a ferry from Cape May to East Jersey, near Great Egg Harbor. The grant for the ferry reads as follows:
"The Grand Jury for the County of Glouster doe appoyntt and make Choyce of John Somers to keep a Ferry over Great Egg Harbor for man, hors & Kattle; to pass Cape May & from Cape May to east Jarsey and other ports as passengers may have occasion. He shall and may exact for the passage of every single person twelve pence per head, and for sheep and hogs four pence per head, and for all manner of grain two pence per bushel. The Ferry left the Great Egg Harbor side at Job's Point and passed on the Cape May side."
An early account of John Somers and his family, A Short History of the Somers Family: Who First Settled on Somers Point, was prepared and published in the late 1800s by Constantine Somers and Harriet S. Lake. That source has this to say of John Somers:
"He initially came to America in 1688 (sic - 1682) and purchased property in Pennsylvania, then called Somerton. A few years later he moved to 'the Jersey shore' where he bought much property and became the Commissioner of Roads. After the death of his first wife who died and was buried at sea when John first sailed to America, he married Hannah Hodgkins who was also born in Worcester, England. (sic - Hannah's place of birth is unknown) Although he once belonged to the Church of England, when he came to America he became a preacher, as did his wife, with the Society of Friends (Quakers). John Somers built a log house at Somers Point and resided in it until he died in 1723. He and his wife Hannah had seven sons and three daughters: John (died young); Richard; James; Samuel; Job; Isaac, Edward (or Edmund); Bridget; Hannah; and Millicent. His son Richard was the builder of 'Somers Mansion' which is still extant and can be visited by tourists."
As indicated by that source, John Somers founded the settlement at Somers Point, and his home site is now part of the Somers Mansion Historic Site.
John made his will at Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey, on 8 Jan. 1721. The incipit of his will reads, "In the name of God, Amen the 8th day of January in the year of our Lord 1720/21 - I John Somers of Great Egg Harbor in the County of Gloucester in the Province of West New Jersey, Yeoman being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory-thanks be given unto God . . ." An abstract of his will is recorded in the Calendar of Wills 1730-1750, in Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, XXX, 448, as follows:
"1720-21, Jan. 8. Somers, John, of Great Egg Harbor, Gloucester Co., yeoman; will of. Wife, Hannah. Sons -- Richard, executor, and to have the home land, excepting 400 acres on the east side of the same, upon condition that he pays £10 per annum to his mother during her life; James, 350 acres on the north-east side of Mulberry Point, where he now lives; Samuel and Job, equally, 800 acres on the northwest side of Patcons Creek; Isaac, 400 acres at Gilbort's Pond, over to the head of the mill creek; Edmond, 350 acres on the southwest side of his brother James. Sons Samuel, Job, Isaac, and Edmond to pay 10 shillings per annum to their sister, Bridget, after the decease of their mother. What remains to be divided equally among my three daughters. Witnesses -- Peter White, Jonathan Addomas, Thomas Green. Affirmed 14 Jan., 1739."
The following remembrance was entered into the records of the Society of Friends Philadelphia Meeting by members of the Egg Harbor Township Meeting:
"John Somers. The testimonies of the monthly meeting of Egg Harbour Cape May in New Jersey follows.
"Our worthy friend John Somers was born in the City of Worcester Old England, came into America, & settled in Pennsylvania, & afterward removed with his family, & settled at Great Egg Harbour. He was very serviceable in several respects amongst his neighbours, of an orderly life & conversation, agreeable to the impression (?) he made, and in the latter part of his time he had a small gift of the ministry unto which we believe he was faithful. He lived in unity with friends and died in 1723 being upwards of 80 years of age, & was buried at a burying ground on Somers's plantation."
The children of John Somers were:
-- (NN) SOMERS, died 1682 on ocean passage from England to Pennsylvania.
-- MILLICENT SOMERS, born 7 Oct. 1685 in Upper Dublin Township, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, died 20 Sept. 1762 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Cape May County, New Jersey, married Richard Townsend.
-- JOHN SOMERS, born 5 July 1687 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, died 26 March 1715, no issue.
-- SAMUEL SOMERS, born circa 1688 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, died 1768 (before 24 May) in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, married Mary Leeds.
-- JOB SOMERS, born circa 1690 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, died 15 Sept. 1744 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, married Eunice Creesey.
-- HANNAH SOMERS, born 21 Jan. 1691 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 24 Feb. 1737 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, married twice.
-- RICHARD SOMERS, born 1 March 1693 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 27 Nov. 1760 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, md. Judith Letart.
-- ISAAC SOMERS, born circa 1694 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
8. JAMES SOMERS SR., born 15 Jan. 1695 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
-- BRIDGET SOMERS, born circa 1696 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died Oct. 1737.
-- EDMOND SOMERS ("Edward"), born circa 1702 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey, died June 1743 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey, md. Mary Steelman.
8. JAMES SOMERS SR., son of John and Hannah Somers, born 15 Jan. 1695 in Somers Point, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 22 Feb. 1761 in Egg Harbor City, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, buried in Friends-Central Cemetery, Linwood, New Jersey. On 1 Jan. 1719 in Egg Harbor City, Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, James married ABIGAIL ADAMS, born 21 July 1695 in Huntington, Long Island, New York, died 5 Sept. 1772 in Egg Harbor City, Gloucester County, New Jersey, daughter of Jeremiah and Deborah Adams. James and Abigail had eight daughters and three sons.
The dates of James' birth and death are noted in the 1693-1837 records of the Quakers' Great Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting, as follows: "James Somers son of John Somers from England was born the 15th of 1st month 1695 and deceased the 22 day of ye 2nd month 1765." Elsewhere in the same records, it is written that at the Monthly Meeting of 1 Jan. 1731, it was concluded that "Ye meeting for Worship shall be removed from John sculls house and shall Hence forth be kept in ye Meeting of James Somers'es." That fact is further noted by James B. Kirk in his book, From Leedsville to Linwood: A brief history of Linwood, New Jersey, which also sheds some light on the life of James Somers:
"As early as 1702, the Egg Harbor-Cape May Friends Monthly Meeting was held in private dwellings of the members. Thomas Chalkley's Journal specifically mentions the house of John Scull as a meeting place. The first Meeting House in the area was built circa 1730, in Leedsville (Linwood) on land donated by James Somers, son of the early settler, John. Known in old deeds as 'the Miller,' James operated the first gristmill on Patcong Creek on the south side of Central Avenue by Bargaintown Pond."
In his will, James bequeathed "one acre [of land] to the people commonly called Quakers, for a meeting and burying ground where on the Meeting House now Stands, forever More."
An abstract of James' will may be found in Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, XXXIII, 401. James made his will at Great Egg Harbor on 30 April 1758, and he died about three years later, on 22 Feb. 1761. An inventory of his estate was taken on 10 April 1761, and the will was proved 15 April 1761. Following is the abstract of his will:
"1758, April 30. Somers, James, Sr., of Great Egg Harbor, Gloucester Co., yeoman; will of. Son, John, a tract on Great Egg Harbor River, of 450 acres, whereon he now lives, but he shall return 1/3 of the rent thereof to Abigail Somers, his mother. One acre to the people commonly called Quakers, whereon the meeting house stands. Son, James, Jr., the homstead, where I live, of of 449 acres, with the grist mill, dam and one acre purchased of Return Badcock; but he shall return 1/3 of the rent thereof to his mother, Abigail Somers. Son, Isaac, land on the southwest side of Peter Covenover's, of 250 acres; and he shall return 1/3 the rent thereof to his mother Abigail. Son, John, land lying on the Beach, of 100 acres, known by the name of Great Hammock, at the east end of the beach. Son James, a tract at the beach. Son, Isaac, a tract at the beach. Son James, the rest of the west end of the beach; I also give him Lone Tree Island, of 70 acres; also 5 acres of swamp below the Cedar Swamp bridge. Wife, Abigail, 1/2 my moveable estate, and what is left after her decease to be divided among my 7 daughters. To my daughters, Sarah Steelman, Hannah Smith, Judith Swain, Abigail Smith, Rebekah Badcock, Mary Somers and Rachel Somers, 1/2 my moveable estate; and my daughter, Mary Somers, to be made equal with the rest of them. Executors--my wife, Abigail, and my son, James. Witnesses--Joseph Mapes, James Robison, Mathew Dennis. Proved April 15, 1761. 1761, April 10 - Inventory, £416.0.1, made by Joseph Mapes and James Robison."
The children of James and Abigail Somers were:
-- SARAH SOMERS, born 1 Nov. 1720 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey, died 3 Dec. 1809 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey, md. Fredrick Steelman.
-- HANNAH SOMERS, born 9 July 1722 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey, died Sept. 1762 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester Co., New Jersey, married Richard Smith.
-- JOHN SOMERS, born 30 Dec. 1723 in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, died 23 June 1783 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, married Esther Risley.
-- JUDITH SOMERS, born 8 Feb. 1725 in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, died 30 June 1791 in Cape May County, New Jersey, married Silas Swain.
-- ABIGAIL SOMERS, born 25 Aug. 1726 in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, died 1 Feb 1831 in Tuckahoe, Cape May County, New Jersey, married twice.
-- JAMES SOMERS JR., born 25 March 1728 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 1779 in New Jersey, married Rebecca Steelman.
-- REBECCA SOMERS, born 5 March 1729 in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, died 20 Oct. 1769 in Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County, New Jersey, married John Badcock.
-- MARY SOMERS, born 7 Feb. 1731 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, married Uriah Smith.
-- RACHEL SOMERS, born 21 Jan. 1733 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
9. ISAAC SOMERS SR., born 15 Feb. 1735 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
-- MILLICENT SOMERS, born 15 Jan. 1737 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 8 July 1743 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
9. ISAAC SOMERS SR., son of James and Abigail Somers, born 15 Feb. 1736 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 15 April 1813 in Burlington County, New Jersey. The date of Isaac's birth is noted in the 1693-1837 records of the Quakers' Great Egg Harbor Monthly Meeting, as follows: "Isaac Somers son of James Somers was born the 15 of the 2 month 1736." On 3 Jan. 1760 in Tanners Brook, Great Egg Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, Isaac married MARYANN STEELMAN ("Maryan," "Marion"), born circa 1740 in Great Egg Harbor Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 1820 in Monmouth County, New Jersey, daughter of James and Rebecca Steelman. Isaac and Maryann had four sons and four daughters.
Isaac made his will in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, on 28 Dec. 1809. His will was proved the same day as his death, 15 April 1813. An abstract of Isaac's will may be found in Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, XII, 350 --
"1809, Dec. 28. Somers, Isaac, of Galloway Twsp., Gloucester Co; will of. Wife, Maryan, residue of personal estate after debits are paid; also house and lot whereon I live at Tanner's Brook, during life. Two grandsons, Isaac and Enock (sons of my dec'd son, Enock). 1/4 part of land where I formerly lived, i.e., the part between my sons Isaac and Joseph's shares, and if either of them should die without issue, same to their three sisters, Silvey, Judith and Susanna. After death of my wife, house and lot to be sold and proceeds divided between Thomas Somers (son of my daughter, Milicent Somers, dec'd). James Risley (son of my daughter, Mary Given, late Mary Risley), and two daughters, Rebeckah Conover and Sarah Gandy. Executors -- son, James, and son-in-law Job Conover. Witnesses -- Matthews Collins, Alexander Hughs, John Doughty."
The children of Isaac and Maryann Somers were:
-- JAMES SOMERS, born in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
10. ENOCH SOMERS, born circa 1761 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
-- JOSEPH SOMERS, born circa 1765 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 1859, married Rebecca Risley.
-- ISAAC SOMERS JR., born 20 Aug. 1767 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died between 19 Aug. 1826 and 15 Feb. 1827 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, md. Susanna Conover.
-- MILLICENT SOMERS, born in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died before 28 Dec. 1809 in New Jersey, married (NN) Somers.
-- REBECCA SOMERS, born circa 1771 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, married Job Conover.
-- MARY SOMERS, born in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, married 1st (NN) Risley, married 2nd (NN) Given.
-- SARAH SOMERS, born in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, married (NN) Gandy.
10. ENOCH SOMERS, son of Isaac and Maryann Somers, born circa 1761 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died circa 1803 and certainly before 1 Oct. 1804 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. Enoch Somers appears on the 1784, 1785, 1786, 1789 and 1802 tax lists for Galloway Township. On 28 May 1798 in New Jersey, Enoch married his second cousin SUSANNA CONOVER, born circa 1778 in New Jersey, died circa 1850 in Egg Harbor, Gloucester County, New Jersey, daughter of John and Letitia Conover. Susanna and Enoch were both great-grandchildren of Jeremiah Adams of Huntington, Long Island, and Great Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Enoch and Susanna had two sons and a daughter. After Enoch's death, Susanna remarried on 1 Oct. 1804 to Enoch's younger brother Isaac Jr., by whom she had two daughters and a son.
The will of Enoch's father Isaac Somers Sr., dated 28 Dec. 1809, names Isaac's "Two grandsons, Isaac and Enock (sons of my dec'd son, Enock)" and "their three sisters, Silvey, Judith and Susanna." All five of these grandchildren of Isaac Somers Sr. were born of Susanna (Conover) Somers. Based on the dates of Susanna (Conover) Somers' two marriages, and the stated dates of birth of Enoch's sons Isaac and Enoch and of their sister Susannah, those three must have been children of Enoch, while the daughters Silvia and Judith must have been born to Enoch's younger brother Isaac Jr. Silvia and Judith also had a younger brother named William -- the fact that William is not named in the will of his grandfather Isaac Sr. indicates that he was born after 23 Dec. 1809.
The children of Enoch and Susanna Somers, along with the children born of Susanna's second marriage to Enoch's brother, were:
-- ISAAC SOMERS, born 1799 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
11. SUSANNAH SOMERS, born circa 1801 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
-- ENOCH SOMERS JR., born 6 Oct. 1803 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 6 March 1872.
-- SILVIA SOMERS ("Silvey"), born circa 1805 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
-- JUDITH SOMERS, born circa 1807 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey.
-- WILLIAM SOMERS, born circa 1810 in Galloway Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey, died 8 March 1871.
11. SUSANNAH SOMERS, daughter of Enoch and Susanna Somers, born circa 1796 in New Jersey, died circa 1835 in Warren County, Ohio. On 26 July 1818 in New Jersey, Susannah married SAMUEL SOOY, born 15 Aug. 1795 in Washington Township, Burlington County, New Jersey, died 30 Sept. 1862 in Murrayville, Morgan County, Illinois, buried Oct. 1862 in Sooy Cemetery, rural Murrayville, Illinois, son of Richard and Lucretia Sooy. (Interestingly, Samuel was Susannah's fifth cousin once removed, the two of them being descendants of two children of Richard Smith Sr. of Husbands Bosworth, Leicestershire, England.) Susannah and Samuel had four sons and two daughters. After Susannah's death, Samuel remarried on 11 March 1847 in Morgan County, Illinois, to AZUBAH SAYRE, born circa 1804, died after 9 Sept. 1862 in Morgan County, Illinois. Samuel and Azubah had no children together.
Samuel Sooy filed his will on 9 Sept. 1862 in Morgan County, having authorised it with his mark and his seal (thus indicating that he could not write) in the presence of witnesses John A. Reaugh and John H. Burns. The text of his will is as follows:
I Samuel Sooy, of the County of Morgan and State of Illinos do hereby make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit
First It is my will that my funeral expenses and all my just debts be paid.
Second, after paying such funeral expenses and debts, I give devise and bequeath unto my Wife all the household furniture, also one third of the proceeds of all the personal property to be sold as herein provided also one fifth of the proceeds of all the real estate which is to be sold as hereafter provided in this Will.
Third it is my will that all my real estate and personal property be sold and that my wife receive in property and money as above specified, and that my two Daughters, namely Henrietta Calkins and Susan Taylor, each receive one hundred dollars cash out of the proceeds of my property when sold and that my two sons David Sooy and Hamilton Sooy have the remainder of the proceeds of all my property both real and personal. And lastly I hereby constitute and appoint my son David Sooy as one of two persons to administer on my estate and effects the other to be chosen by said David Sooy. In Witnefs whereof I the said Samuel Sooy have hereunto set my hand and seal. This Ninth day of September in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty two.
The children of Susannah and Samuel Sooy were:
-- ADNEY SOOY, born 11 March 1818 in Burlington County, New Jersey, died 23 June 1861 in Morgan County, Illinois, married Maramah Fanning.
-- DAVID SOOY, born 27 Feb. 1820 in Burlington County, New Jersey, died 4 March 1891 in Murrayville, Morgan County, Illinois, twice married.
-- HENRIETTA SOOY, born June 1822 in Burlington County, New Jersey, died 1901 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, married James Calkins.
-- THOMAS SOOY, born 26 Oct. 1828 in Burlington County, New Jersey, died 28 July 1902 in California, married Mary Elizabeth Eaton.
-- HAMILTON SOOY, born 11 Sept. 1830 in Burlington County, New Jersey.
-- SUSAN SOOY, born 13 Dec. 1832 in Warren County, Ohio, died 10 Jan. 1892 in Morgan County, Illinois, married Edward Albert Taylor.
Somers Genealogy Resources:
The Sooy Book", at BassRiverHistory.org Descendants of John Sommer Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, Vol. 1, page 630 -- with information on John Somers the Immigrant and his family. We Relate: John Somers, with citations and quotes from primary source documents of John Somers the Immigrant's life. Descendants of Wolphert Gerretse Van Kouwenhoven, including the last four generations of our Somers lineage.