Shipman Genealogy

Shipman Roots

- Harmon Shipman of Greenwich Twp., Sussex Co., New Jersey
and One Descendant Line's Migration Through Pennsylvania and Ohio to Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan -

"Harmon Shipman, Died March 8, 1805, Age 88 Years,
This Slab is Erected to His Memory by David Shipman His Only Surviving Child and His Granchildren in 1858"

"The Shipmans of Greenwich Township"

Information on Harmon SHIPMAN'S early years in America comes from biographical publications of him or his family. Most Harmon researchers think he was born about 1717 in Germany, came to America from Germany about 1740, and married his first wife (unknown) about 1755 in New Jersey.  He married his second wife, Elizabeth HOWE, about 1765. Attempts to locate him on ship lists have been unsuccessful.

The stone home Harmon Shipman built on 200 acres, some time before the Revolutionary War, still exists in good condition along the Lopatcong Creek in Warren Co., New Jersey. It's original dimensions were 28 by 30 feet, a story and a half high with an old fashioned fireplace across the corner. The ceilings are 7 feet 6 inches.

Although Greenwich Twp.'s geographic identity has changed numerous times, in its early history it was a part of most of northwestern New Jersey's counties. In late 1738 it was a part of Hunterdon Co., and in early 1739 it became a part of the newly formed Morris Co. June 8, 1753 Sussex Co. was created, and Greenwich Twp. was moved again. The township was incorporated on February 21, 1798 and found its current home when Warren Co. was formed late in 1824. On April 8, 1839 portions of Greenwich were taken to create Harmony Twp., and in 1871 Phillipsburg Twp. was created from Greenwich and Harmony and then, finally, became Lopatcong Twp. in 1873.  Published information on Harmon Shipman of Uniontown, Harmony Twp., Warren Co., N.J. might refer to any of the above townships or counties. Although the place names differ, he is one and the same.

In numerous biographies it is said that during the struggle for Independence, Harmon Shipman aided the American cause in every possible way. He sent his sons, William, Nicholas (who enlisted at the age of sixteen), John and Christian, to battle for their country's freedom. After the close of the war the Shipman family were found greatly impoverished by their loyal efforts and found it necessary to relocate, with their families, to other settlements. William and Nicholas, with their families moved into Pennsylvania, locating in Augusta township, Northumberland County, in the spring of 1794; in 1802 they were followed by their brothers, Christian and Jacob, with their families, who located in the same vicinity.

In the New Jersey Archives, Calendar of Wills 1801-1805 Harmon Shipman's will is found. Written 23 Sept 1799 Harmon Shipman of Greenwich Twp., Sussex Co. leaves to his [second] wife Elizabeth, bed and bedding, her choice of one cow, his black walnut chest, 6 pewter plates, one large and one small pot, and 400 pounds. To his sons Nicholas and William (in Shamokin, Pa), he leaves the mortgage he holds on the plantation where Nicholas and William now live which he purchased for them. To son, John, he leaves 50 pounds; son, Christian, 15 pounds; son-in-law, Jonathan RANDALL, 15 pounds. To his wife, Elizabeth, and sons Jacob, Abraham, Harman, David and his daughters, Lenah Shipman, Betsey Shipman, Polly Shipman and Peggy Shipman, he bequeaths the right to live on the plantation where he now has lived for 2 years, after such time his real and personal estate is to be sold, and the proceeds divided into 13 parts or shares. Sons, Jacob, Abraham, Harman and David, each shall receive 2 shares; daughters, Lenah, Betsey, Polly and Peggy Shipman, each one share, and daughter, Catharine (wife of Abraham DEWITT) one share. Executors--wife, Elizabeth, and sons, Jacob and Abraham Shipman. Witnesses--George MAXWELL, Peter YOUNG, Peter DEWITT. Proved 25 Mar 1805. The 19 Mar 1805 Inventory of Harmon Shipman's estate valued it at $1,955.33, made by William KENNEDY and Peter YOUNG. Harmon died 8 March 1805 in Uniontown, Harmony Twp., Warren County, New Jersey and was buried at the Straw Church Cemetery of that same place.

"The Shipmans of Augusta Township, Northumberland Co., Pa."

Harmon's son, Nicholas, was born in 1758 and raised in Harmony Twp., Warren Co., New Jersey. At the age of 16, and the beginning of the Revolutionary War, he enlisted in the First New Jersey Rifles, and remained in their service until the close of the war. When he returned from the war he married Catharine FISHER in 1783, daughter of Joseph and Catharine MINEGAR Fisher. They lived near his Father's homestead in New Jersey until the spring of 1794, then followed Catharine's parents to Augusta Twp., Northumberland Co., Pennsylvania and lived upon a farm of one hundred and fifty acres. Nicholas later purchased land at the head of Boyle's Run, where they lived the rest of their lives. Nicholas died there in 1827. They both were members of the River Presbyterian Church, and are buried at that cemetery.

Nicholas' son, Joseph, was born in 1803 and grew up in Augusta Twp., Pennsylvania. He married Mary BERGSTRESSER, daughter of John Bergstresser and Phoebe WILKINSON, in 1826 at Mountain Presbyterian Church. He farmed his land adjoining the old Shipman homestead in Augusta Twp., for the length of his short life, until his death in 1845. They both were members of the Mountain Presbyterian Church, and are buried at that cemetery.

"The Shipman Family of Fayette Twp., Fulton Co., Ohio"

Joseph's son, Nicholas, was born in Augusta Twp., Pa. in 1836 and moved to Pioneer Twp., Williams Co., Ohio in the mid 1860's. His professions were farmer, millwright, and carpenter. He met Hannah HUMPHREY, daughter of Rensselaer S. and Cornelia EMERICK Humphrey, and they married in 1868. Nicholas and Hannah lived in Pioneer for about 10 years while Nicholas was in partnership with Rensselaer Humphrey in a steam grist and sawmill. In 1880 Nicholas and Hannah were living in Fayette Twp., Fulton Co., a skip and a jump from Pioneer.  He worked as a carpenter in building houses. He died in 1914 and was buried at Pleasant View Cemetery, as was Hannah unpon her death in 1932.

"The Shipman Family of Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan"

Nicholas' son, John Dallas, was born in 1869 in Fayette Twp, Fulton Co., Ohio where he met and married 16 year old Josephine CARPENTER, daughter of William D. Carpenter and Mary A. POWELL, in 1893. He and Josephine were living in Toledo, Lucas Co., Ohio in the 1900 census and lived there for over 20 years, his professions were telegraph operator; clerk in the union depot and revenue offices. The 1930 census finds he and Josephine in Grand Rapids, Kent Co., Michigan and his occupation is balesman [bail bondsman?]. In the mid 1930's John and Josephine move back to Fayette Twp., where John died in 1951 and Josephine joined him in 1958. Both were buried at Pleasant View Cemetery.

Harmon¹, Nicholas², Joseph³, Nicholas⁴, John⁵, Ellery⁶ are my husband's direct line ancestors.

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Shipman and Related Photos

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Additional Ancestry Lines

Snyder
Roth
Fitzpatrick

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Last Updated 9 August 2009