AMERICA THE GREAT MELTING POT

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William White, Sr.		see FAMILY TREE
Born: Abt. 1641 England Baptized: 23 May 1641 Dover, Kent, England Married: 1st to Katherine Downs on  28 Aug 1669 Gravesend, Long Island, New York Colony 2nd to Damaras Bayles between 1689 and 1692 Died:  6 Sep 1712 Jamaica, Queens, New York Colony Buried: Grace Church, Jamaica, Queens, New York FATHER John White MOTHER Elizabeth Nethersole WIVES Katharine Downs or Dower of Maryland Damaris Bayless Born Abt. 1656 Married Nathaniel Lyons 13 Mar 1679 Married William White Abt. 1691		Grace Church Cemetery

CHILDREN with Katharine Downs

1. Peter White

2. William White

3. Isabella White

William White
by Susan Brooke
Jun 2022

William White. Sr. may be the William White baptized in Dover, Kent, England on 23 May  1641. (1) His presumed brothers were Peter White baptized 26 June 1636 and Thomas White baptized 5 May 1639 in the same church.   Peter and Thomas White settled in Shrewsbury, Monmouth, New Jersey in the 1670's.  Peter was on the tax records there in 1669.  Thomas purchased some land in Shrewsbury in 1675. 
William White, Sr. however, remained in New York. He married Katherine Downs in Gravesend on 23 Aug 1669. (2)  Their marriage record indicates Katherine Downs was from Maryland.  The Peter White in Shrewsbury married Mary Worthley, also from Maryland.
Gravesend was under Dutch rule until August 1664 when it became part of the British Colonies. Under the British, the new governor granted permission for the Gravesend men and others to settle in Monmouth, New Jersey (3) It is possible William, Peter and Thomas White had initially come to Maryland or Gravesend, where William White, Sr. married, and then the other two brothers settled in Shrewsbury.
William White, Sr. died in 1712 and was buried 6 Sep 1712 in Jamaica, Long Island, New York. His son William White, Jr. had purchased 100 acres of land in Shrewsbury, Monmouth, NJ two months earlier on 10 Jul 1712. Two years later in 1714 the deed was recorded indicating the land in Shrewsbury was very close to the ironworks and just a few miles from his presumed two uncles, Peter and Thomas White. The land was bounded on the north by Lewis Morris. (4)  John White, grandson of William White, Sr. (son of Peter White) was also in Shrewsbury by 1718 when he witnessed a will. (5)  This same John White, in a 1719  land record in Monmouth Co., NJ, said he was late of Wentipenk Neck in Shrewsbury.  (Thomas Leonard's Meadow was commonly called Wintepenk bogg.)  (6) He was selling land that had belonged to his deceased father-in-law, Thomas Leonard.  This deed states that the land was bounded by "land of his own" and on the east by that of Col. Lewis Morris, the same person whose land bounded that of his uncle.  (7) John White was probably living on or very near that land that had been purchased by his uncle, William White, Jr..   Thomas Leonard, another neighbor, had previously brought a suit against the heirs of Thomas White of Shrewsbury about a debt. (8) The presumed uncles, Peter and Thomas White, as stated, had come to Shrewsbury in the 1670's  On 25 Mar 1687 the presumed uncle, Peter White, had been named as owning land at Passequenecqua i. e. Little River." (9) William White, Jr. purchased land  "Beginning at a chestnut Tree standing by a brook that runs down to ye Iron Works."  The Iron Works were at Tinton Falls.  The other presumed uncle, Thomas White, presumably had land at Deal.  Uncle Peter White and William White Jr. had land about four miles from each other. (10)

So, William White, Sr. died in 1712.  Shortly thereafter his son, William White, Jr., moved to Shrewsbury living near his presumed uncles. William White's grandson, John White, was in Shrewsbury by 1718.  John's father-in-law, had loaned money to Thomas White, a presumed brother to William White, Sr.   With all these coincidences it is possible that William White, Sr. was the son of John White and Elizabeth Nethersole of Dover, Kent, England. Peter White was a tailor; Thomas White a carpenter and William White a felt hat maker.  These are similar occupations.  However, Peter and Thomas White were Quakers and William White was buried in Jamaica. New York in the Church of England.

William White first appeared on the records in 1669 when he was listed as "of Gravesend" at his marriage, but he must have moved to Jamaica, Queens, Long Island by the 1680's. He  was a hat maker in New York City.  And he must have been doing reasonably well, since he was able to raise £650 when he mortgaged 100 acres in 1687. He had at least three children, probably more since there is a son still listed in the household in 1703 after his older two sons had married. (11) He was buried in Grace Church in 1712 by a minister of the Church of England.

We can trace him in the records.  In 1683 he bought "a sartaine hous orchard and barne with halfe a home lot" from Peter Stringham, bounded by Samuel Barker and Nicholas Stillwell  and was listed on the tax list of Jamaica with three acres and one head of household.  He purchased more land in 1684. (12)

 In 1686 the town of Jamaica was required to give an "Official Return of Marriages, Christenings, and Burials with the list of Land Owners for seven years prior to 1688. These events had occurred within the last 7 years. (13) Mr. White was listed with 0 marriages, 0 christening and 2 burials.  From this we can gather that William White had buried two members of his family between 1681 and 1686. 

The last time his wife Katherine showed up in the records was in 1688 when William "Whit" of Jamaica, and Katherine his wife deeded land to John Derrikson.  The next year "Nathaniell Lynass" of Jamaica was deeding 12 acres of land to "William Whitt." (12) Nathaniel Lyons and his wife both signed with their mark and his wife was transcribed as "Jamerey" but it was most likely Damaras.  The last record of Nathaniel Lyons was April 8, 1689 at a city council meeting when the record reads, "Nathaniell Lynas for to keep the pounde in good repaire."  Nathaniel Lyons may have died shortly after that date.

Nathaniel Lyons had married Damaras Bayless in 1679.  She was the daughter of John Bayless who died in Jamaica in 1682 leaving a will naming "Demaris Lyons" as one of his daughters. (14) As stated, her husband, Nathaiel Lyons probably died about 1689 and Damaras would have had young children still living with her.   Damaras Bayless Lyons married William White sometime between 1689 and 1692, for on May 18, 1692  William White of Jamaica and Damaris his wife sold 21 acres to Daniel Whitehead, and in 1694 he and Damares sold land to Henry Filkin. (12) In 1697 a young man named "Nathaniel Lynus" with the consent of his parents put himself apprentice to Nathaniel Marston, "New Yorke barber."    This indenture was witnessed by (parents) William White with the mark of "Damascus White." (15) Nathaniel Lynus was a son of Damaras from her first marriage to Nathaniel Lyons. From this we can gather that William White's first wife, Katherine, had died probably around 1688, and that William White had remarried to Damaras Bayless by 1692. 

William had married Katherine Downs in 1669 so his children were starting to come of age.  In 1692 William White of Jamaica deeded some land to his son, Peter White.  And in 1696 William White of "Citty of New York, Feltmaker" deeded more land to his son Peter White of Jamaica. (12) In 1698 there are two men named William White being made Freemen in New York: William White, Hattmaker on Aug 23, 1698 and William White, Junr, Feltmaker on Sept 6, 1698 (16) And in 1702 William White, of Jamaica, feltmaker, conveyed one negro girle named Hager to "My daughter Isabel Wiggins."  In 1705  William White, of Hampstead, hat maker, sold to Josias Wiggins of Jamaica for 27 pounds all the hattmakers tools plus household items. (12)

William White died the 6th of September, 1712, a member of Grace Church Jamaica, and is on the list of burials by Rev. Thomas Poyer. (17) 

 SOURCES

(1) Baptismal Records for Peter, Thomas and William White in Dover, Kent, England (Find My Past)

Baptism of Peter White 26 Jun 1636 Dover, St. Mary The Virgin, Kent, England Parents: John and Elizabeth White	Baptism of Thomas White 5 May 1639 Dover, St. Mary The Virgin, Kent, England Parents: John and Elizabeth White	Baptism of William White 23 May 1641 Dover, St. Mary The Virgin, Kent, England Parents: John and Elizabeth White
FHL Film 1836141	FHL Film 1836141	FHL Film 1836141

(2) Long Island source records: from the NY G & B Record by Henry Bainbridge Hoff  (marriage of William White and Katharine Downs)

William White of Gravesend to Katharine Downs of Maryland by Justice James Hubbard.  (1)
(license dated Aug. 23, 1669)

(3) The founding of Shrewsbury: 

(4)  Freehold Deed BK E p. 73-74 Monmouth Co., NJ  11 Feb 1714
see page for William White, Jr.
George Allen for & in Consideration of ye sum of thirty Pounds Currant Money of New York did convey unto him ye sd. William White his heirs & assigns forever, a certain tract of Land & Meadow, Situate, lying & being in ye sd. Shrewsbury, by a Certain Deed of conveyance Bearing Date ye tenth day of July in ye year one thousand Seven Hundred & twelve -----  Release & confirm unto him ye sd. William White---  land in ye sd. town of Shrewsbury ---  Beginning at a chestnut Tree standing by a brook that runs down to ye Iron Works being a Corner Tree of Purdence Lininigs Land, Thence running South sixty chains thence running in Breadth West Twenty Chains thence North sixty Chains more or less to ye Brook thence Down ye sd. Brook to ye place where it began.  Bounded on ye South by ye Pines & barren land, North by Lewis Morris of Trenton, West by land of Thomas Wainwright, East by land of ye said Prudent Liming in all Containing one Hundred Acres be it more or less. 

(5) New Jersey Colonial Documents
John White witnesses the will of James Hubbard whose mother was Elizabeth Bayles, sister to Damaris Bayles, who had married his grandfather, William White, Sr.

(6) Monmouth Deed BK E page 106 Robert Burnet to John Leonard
Land described as next to corner of Thomas Leonard's (deceased) Meadow commonly called Wentipenks bogg. 

(7) Deed BK G pg 87-88 Monmouth Co., NJ 1722 Indenture "Between John White and Sarah his wife late of Wentipenk Neck in Shrewsbury in the County of Monmouth - and John Throckmorton and Samuel Dennis Junr of Shrewsbury. (Wentipepenk bogg referred to the meadow of Thomas Leonard Deed BK E page 106) - John White and Sarah his wife heirs of Thomas Leonard dec'd - on east side of mine brook - beginning at a white oak marked marked on four sides standing on the east side of (Mine) brook thence running east southerly eight degrees thirty four chains to another white oak marked as above thence south westerly eight degrees nine chains thence south west and by south six degrees westerly thirty seven chains to a black oak tree marked on four sides thence west north west forty chains to the mine brooke thence along the brook too where it began bounded west by s'd Thomas Leonard's father's land and his brother Henry's east by land of his own and other sdies by Barren land unsurveyed containing 135 acres.--- also 7 acres of Boggy meadow --- beginning at a white oak marked on four sides standing on a branch of Swiming river being Col Lewis Morris his corner. ---"  signed by "John White Capt."

Deed BK G pg 87 Monmouth Co., NJ

Deed BK g pg 88 Monmouth Co., NJ

(8)  Estate of Thomas White
1685 September Court Thomas Leonard vs. Samuel White, Administrator of Thomas White
Freehold, Monmouth, NJ Deed Book B page 34

(9) Historical and Genealogical Miscellany by John E. Stillwell, 1970 page 256

(10) Map of New Jersey
Peter White settled in Little Silver, William White Jr bought land near Tinton Falls, Thomas White founded Deal.

Industrial iron production, which originated in North America with the Hammersmith Works (est. 1643) at Saugus, Massachusetts, began in New Jersey in 1674 at the Tinton Falls Ironworks near Shrewsbury, Monmouth County.

(11) 1703 census of New York

Wm White 1 male 16-60, 1 female, 1 male child	William White, Junr. 2 males 16-60 and 1 female, no children

(12) Abstracts found in Historical Miscellany Charles T. Gritman
and  Records of the Town of Jamaica by J. C. Frost Vol 1

18 May 1683 J.C.F. (J. C. Frost) 1:262-3  I Peter Stringham of Jamaica -- unto William White of Jamaica -- a sartaine hous orchard and barne with halfe a home lot -- bounded on ye west to the lot of Samuell Barker and on ye east to Nicholes Stilwells and ded formerly belong to Jonas Halsted and is now in ye possession of ye said William White  --   (May 18 1683) Wit. Peter Stringham, Ann Stringham, Peter Smith, William Creed, (Benjemin Coe C. L.)

16 Nov 1684 B2: 72 November 16 1684  William Creed of Jamaica, to William White of Jamaica, 3 acres slt and fresh meadows. "Which meadows are lying in the neck commonly called the old Towne Neck being three acres --- bounded on the west with Samuel Ruscoe's meadow on the north bounded with a Little Island which sd Three acres of meadows was formerly William Ruscoe's and sold by him to William Smith."  William Creed  Witnesses, Richard Wright, Danll Denton  Entered 1 Mar 1704 (1705?)

9 Dec 1684 B2 72 December 9, 1684  Edward Higbie of Jamaica, to William White "fiveteen acres of land lying and being to the westward of the towne of Jamaica --- bounded ---eastward with Nathaniell Linas his land northward with the path called deans Path westward & southward with the townes land." Edward Higbey, Liddia Higbey her L mark  Entered 1 Mar 1704   S. Clowes, Cler. 

28 Aug 1686 B1: 262 
Deed.  Peter Stringham of Jamaica, with "consent of Anna my wife" to William White of Jamaica, "a certaine house and orchard & half a home lott which did formerly belong unto Jonah Halsteed and is bounded on ye west with ye lott of Samuell Barkers and on ye east with Wm Osbornes & is now in ye possession of ye sd. Wm White and further a house yt ye said Peter Stringham lives in with ye out houseing or celler thereunto belonging together wit ye land that ye house stands upon with ye fencing preveledges and appurtenances thereunto belonging excepting only ye appel trees which sd land is bounded on ye east with Samuell Barker land on ye south with Benjamin Coe's on ye north with ye highway on ye west with Daniell Whitehead land further eight acres of land lying westward of ye Towne being more or less being bounded with Nicholas Everett land on ye east on ye south with West End ye highway on ye west with ye common and on ye north with Tho: Wolleys and lastly six acres of land more or less lying also westward of ye towne and adjoyning William Whites on land" etc.  Signed Peter Stringham P his marke Ann Stringham her mark
Witnesses, Daniell Denton, E. Bonyer and Clement Sallman
Entered Oct. 10 1695 by James Clement, D. Cler.

10 Apr 1686 Town Records  Liber 1  Folio 52  A Town Meeting called April the 10th 1686. I whose name is underwritten do protest against the Town giving away any of my land to any person upon what pretence soever but am willing to pay my proportion of money above patent or quit rent, as the rest of my neighbours do according as our Agents have agreed with the Governor if it amount to five pounds or more as my proportion shall be.  William Creed
We whose names are underwritten do protest to the same Will Creed hath above written.  William White, Edward Highbee, Samuell Ruscoe

2 Aug 1686 Town Records Folio 55 August the 2d. 1686.  We underwritten being chosen to agree with Mr. Daniel Whitehead about the land on the other side of Fosters Meadow River have agreed as followeth viz: Mr Whitehead shall have four Hundred Acres of the land at the upper end and the rest of the said land to belong to the unsatisfied party they paying to the said Mr. Daniel Whitehead fifteen pounds in the current money of this government within a month after the date hereof the unsatisfied party being those that have publicly shewed their dislike to the giving of land to Mr. Whitehead at first by subscribing their named to the truth of this our agreement.  We set to our hand this day and year abovesaid.  Daniel Whitehead, John Baylies, William Creed

8 Apr 1687 B1 Deed No 102 P. 93  William White of Jamaica, and Katherine (signed Catharine) his wife to "John Smith of the ferry in Breucklin, MORTGAGE. for 650 PDS. 8th April 1687.  100 acres in Jamaica at the West end.  Bound: North: by the old road to the ferry; East: by land of Nathaniell Lynn; West: by path from dwelling house of William Creed to the South meadows: South: Lands commonly called "Priddens Hollow."

8 Apr 1687 B1 Deed No 103 p. 95  William White of Jamaica, and Catharine, his wife, to "John Smith of the Ferry."  Deed.  April 8 1687. 20 acres in Jamaica; Bounded: East by land of Eldert Lucas; South: Jamaica So. Meadows. 

3 Mar 1687/8  J. C. Frost Vol 1 p. 352   I William Whit of Jamaica -- with-- Kathren my wiff -- sell -- unto -- John Derrikson (of Flatbush) -- land -- in Jamaica -- bounded on ye south wt ye highway yt lies adjoyning to ye land layd out to ye meadow belonging to Oldfields Island -- west bounded wt ye and of Eldert Lukas & northwardly wth George Woolsey ser. northarly wt John Wood and easterly wt Nicholas Everitt & Izack Heageman -- this 3de day of March 1687/8.  William "Whitt" signed.  Kathern "Whitt" made her mark. in presence of Danll Denton, John Monford   a true coppy of ye origginall pr me Samll Ruscoe Clarke

12 Mar 1689  Records of the Town of Jamaica, Long Island, New York, 1656-1751 by J. C. Frost Volume 2  (google book)
"Nathaniell Lynass" of Jamaica was deeding 12 acres of land to "William Whitt."

17 Nov 1691 Records of the Town of Jamaica Vol 2 by J. C. Frost page 90
William White of Jamaica to Henrycos Heiggaman land sale completed 10 Aug 1704   no wife mentioned

20 Jan 1692/3 Jamaica "B2": 245. January 20 1692/3 (entered Jan 18, 1706) William White, of Jamaica, to "well beloved son, Peter White, of said Town -- a certaine parcel of land -- Jamaica being the east division rights of land.--".  William White (Seal)

 18 May 1692  "B2": 46  May 18, 1692  William White of Jamaica and Damaris his wife, to Daniel Whitehead Esq. in Jamaica. "a certaine parcell or tract of upland --- in Jamaica -- 21 acres --- joyning to the lands of him the said Daniel Whitehead being all my north division of upland."  William White   Witnesses, - Saml Ruscoe, Charles Doughty   Entered 2 June 1704

 1 May 1694  "B1" 297, p. 216  May 1st 1694.  William White and Damares his wife of Jamaica to Henry Filkin of Broockland.  For 55 pounds House, garden, orchard &c in Jamaica.  Bounded, East by house and land of Frederick Hendrick, South by land of Frederick Hendrick, North by Kings Highway and West by land of William Osborne.  

4 Apr 1696 Jamaica "B2": 246. April 4, 1696.  (Entered Jan 18, 1706) William White of "Citty of New York, Feltmaker", to son Peter White of Jamaica.  For 4 pounds 10 shillings &c "a cow" and "all the Right title & interest I the said W. W. ever had in -- Jamaica not formerly sold -- to any other person.--".  Peter White (Seal) 

Jamaica "B2": 105 -- November 26, 1702.  William White, of Jamaica, feltmaker, conveyed to "my daughter Isabel Wiggins" one negro girle named Hager.  Entered Jan 4, 1705

30 Apr 1704 B 2:69 April 30 1704  Samuel Mills of Jamaica, Sadler, and Sarah his wife, to Samuel Clowes, of Jamaica, Clerke.  for 56 Pounds. "All that lott or parcel of land scituate lying & being in Jamaica aforesd being part of the land formerly bought by the said Samuel Mills from Isaac Lenoir of Jamaica beginning at the south west corner of the said lands & runs easterly along the road or street that leads towards the ferry forty five foot to the hous that is now in possession of William White from thence it runs northerly one hundred & thee foot nine inches, thence westerly fourty five foot by the land lately sold to Francis Sawer to the north street or street that leads to Flushing then along the said street southerly one hundred foot & a half to the first station being bounded on the South and West by two streets aforesaid & on the east & north by the other land of the said Samuel Mills & the land of Francis Sawyer and also one other lott of land being in Jamaica aforesd & part of the said mentioned land purchased from Isaac Lenoir.  Begins by the north street ten foot to ye northward of the land of Francis Sawyer and one hundred sevety six foot & a hlaf from the first menconed south west corner and runs easterly forty five foot & thence three rodd northerly & from thence it runs westerly fourtyfive foot and thence southerly along the said north street that leads to Flushing three rodds to the first station."  Samuel Mills  Sarah Mills her S Mark  Witneses, Tho. Cardale, Andrew Gibb
Acknowledged 12 Oct 1704, before Jonathan Whitehead
Entered 1 Mar 1704  S. Clowes

4 Jan 1705 Jamaica "B2" 106-- January 4, 1705.  William White, of Hampstead, hat maker, to Josias Wiggins of Jamaica For 27 Pounds, "All and singular ye severall & particular goods chattels household stuff, Hattmakers tools, utensils and furniture of him the said William White in a schedule hereunto annexed.  (schedule recorded B2: 107)  William White.   Witnesses, Robert Read, Samuel Clowes.

4 Jan 1705   Jamaica "B2": 107 -- January 4, 1705.  William White of Hampstead, to Josias Wiggins of Jamaica.  For 10 pounds. "All those certaine Tracts Lotts or parcels of land scituate -- Flushing -- which doe any ways belong unto the said William White -- on account of his patent right or rights & wheather the same be laid out or not laid out."  Acknowledged Jan. 4, 1705 before Justice of Peace Joseph Smith.  Entered January 4, 1705.

 (13) The Dongan Papers: Files of the Provincial Secretary of New York during the administration of Governor Thomas Dongan

google book pg 158-159

Return of Divided Land, Marriages, Baptisms, and Burials in Jamaica For Seven Years

Whereas the sheriff by warrant From the Governor and Councell did demand off us the inhabitants of Jemaica to give an account of the number of Mariages Christnings and burialls and what are the names of all such as hold land From the crown by paten or otherwise or what Rent may bee standing out in Arears etc: to satisffie his excellency wee give an account as Followeth.

Imprim: Land devided eight thousand Acres besides pasture land more or less lying in common to the town Which wee hold From his Majestie by vertue off purchass From the natives and a patent From his excellency Thomas Dongan Generall Governor etc. bearing date the 17th day of May 1686 by which patent we are to Make payment off forty shillings per Annum quit Rent

This is what wee Can Remember hath hapned within 7 years

By order From the Comissioners
By Danll Denton Cler.

(14) Will of John Bayles as found on Ancestry.com
"John Bayless died in 1682 leaving a will in which he mentions his wife Rebecca, and his children, as follows: Sons, John, Elias, Thomas and Jonathan; and his daughters, Eliabeth Hubbard, Mary Hewett, Demaris Lyons, Abigail Smith, Ruth Bayless and Rebecca Stillwell."

(15) Collections of the New York Historical Society for the year---1886 
    Indenture of Nathaniel Lynus
    parents, William and Damaris White, gave permission, thus William White Sr. had married Damaris Bayles widow of Nathaniel Lynus.
    William White, Jr, son of William White, Sr. was too young to have married a widow of John Bayles.

(16)  Collections of the New York Historical Society for the year.... 1886
     Both William Whites are on the list of men made Freeman under the mayorality of William Merrett  

(17) Register of Rev. John Poyer of Grace Church 

William White was a member of Grace Church Jamaica and is on the list of burials by Rev. Thomas Poyer
"William White, Senr.  6 Sept 1712 at Jamaica"