Re: Cornelius Lake-1766-New Jersey to Ohio Posted by: Annette Truesdell Date: June 26, 1998 at 10:29:45 I submitted a query to the LAKE/LEAKE Newsletter, vol IV, #IV, Dec 1997 regarding the various Cornelius Lakes of New Jersey. I have been trying to sort through them for some time now, with little success. I don't know if any of this information will be helpful to you but this is a copy of that query: ----------- WHO WAS CORNELIUS LAKE? I have been collecting "Cornelius Lake" data found in NJ in an effort to try and identify what family group he is associated with. I'm hoping perhaps one of the newsletter subscribers may have more information to help me solve this puzzle. From "Portrait and Biographical Record of Hunterdon and Warren Counties", pb 1898, an sketch of the families of J. Ross Lake and W. Howard Lake are found. On pg 215 it reads "at a remote period in the history of the United States, three brothers of the name (LAKE) came to seek permanent homes for themselves and children... One of the brothers settled in Long Island, another in Philadelphia and the third in Delaware Township, this county (Hunterdon). Cornelius Lake, gr-grandfather of W.H., was an influential man in his day and community, and was constantly consulted by his neighbors in regard to their property interests, deeds, wills, etc. He was himself an extensive land-owner and farmer, and his son John... followed closely in the senior man's footsteps..." This account, whether accurate or not, implies that Cornelius had a brother in Philadelphia, PA and another in L.I., NY. Some of my skepticism stems from a variation to the "three brothers" story that seems to find its way into most LAKE family histories, regardless of which branch of the LAKEs it is, resembling a modern day urban legend. At first, I thought Cornelius may be descended from the family of Thomas and Jane Lake of Hunterdon, Co., NJ. He is a witness to several wills of sons in that family between 1787 and 1809. However, this may or may not only be coincidence, having the same last name. From "Portrait" and marriage records I have pieced the following: 1. CORNELIUS LAKE, b. c1740/60; spouse unknown. 2. John Lake, b. c1780; m. Ann Dilts, b. 1782. 3. Jacob, b. 1808, d. 1880; m. Sarah Ross, b. Oct 1817. 4. Martin Harris, b. 1845. 4. John Ross, b. 22 Apr 1848; m. 1880 Martha Thomas 4. W. Howard , b. 21 Apr 1850, d. aft 1898; m 5 Nov 1873 Addie Wilson. 3. Ezuba Jane, b. c1815, d. bef 1898; m. 16 Mar 1833 John Fauss. 3. Nancy or Ann, b. c1822, d. bef 1898; m. 29 Feb 1840 John Sweazy. 3. Susan, d. bef 1898; m. John Clawson. 3. Mary, b. prob 1827. I have also found a will for "Cornelius Lake of the Township of Delaware, County of Hunterdon", that is possibly another son of the Cornelius cited above. Cornelius Lake, wd 20 May 1842, wp 12 Jan 1843, file 4723J, Hunterdon Co. Bequests of farm to wife Lydia Lake and after her death to dau Mary Moore, wife of Isaiah Moore; $200 to grandson Charles Thatcher, son of dau Nancy Thatcher; $100 to Mary Hull, wife of John Hull; $100 to Lydia Thatcher. Farm that Sergent Lake lives on to be sold and money divided between heirs of Nancy Thatcher and heirs of Sergeant Lake. Residue of estate equally divided between Sergeant Lake, Nancy Thatcher and Mary Moore's children. Friend, William Sergeant and grandson Charles Thatcher were executors. Wit. John H. Gordon, Charles R. Swallow, Garner P. Snyder. From this and other probate and census records, the following family group: 2. Cornelius Lake, b. c1770, d. 1842; m. 1st)unknown; 2nd) 8 Jul 1815 Lydia Haines. 3. Nancy, b. c1792; m. 12 Jan 1811 Jonas Thatcher. 4. Charles Thatcher. 4. Mary Thatcher; m. John Hull 4. Lydia Thatcher 3. Sergeant, b. 1797; m. Latitia______. 4. Mary, b. 1829 4. Elizabeth A., b. 1833 4. Thomas S., b. 1835 4. Washington, b. 1837 4. Sarah C., b. 1839 4. William, b. 1841 4. Louisiana, b. 1845 3. Mary, b. c1817; m. 8 Mar 1837 Isaiah Moore. And, from other Amwell, Hunterdon records: 1. John Lake of Amwell, d. bef 1810; m. Anna______, d. aft 1810. (Note: This could be the John Lake of Amwell who died intestate and whose probate records are dated 3 May 1809. Inventory was made by Peter Prall and Jacob Fulper, sworn to by Cornelius Lake and Henry Trimmer. Inventory included 1/2 interest in "the cattle in pardinship with Thomas Lake". 2. John Lake. 3. Jane, under age 18 in 1826. 2. Thomas Lake, wd 6 Dec 1810, wp 16 Jan 1811. 2. Jane Lake, wd 27 Jan 1826, wp 13 Jun 1827. 2. Isaac Lake. 3. Thomas Lake, (inherited shares in land "where John Lake now lives" from uncle, Thomas Lake) b. 1792; m. Amy ______. 4. Elizabeth, b. 1827. 4. Sylvester, b. 1833. 4. Isaac, b. 1836. 4. Charles, b. 1843. 4. Samantha, b. 1849. 2. Mary Lake; m. _____Sergent. 3. William Sergent (inherited uncle, Thomas Lake's plantation and aunt, Jane Lake's interest in her father's property), b. 1795; m. Elizabeth_____. 4. John G. Sergent, b. 1829. (note: a "Mary Lake", age 77 in William Sergent's household in 1850). Other bits and pieces regarding various "Cornelius Lake"s have been found in DRC baptismal records. From the Schoharie DRC, LDS film 1016870: 4 Nov 1735, Cornelius,son of Nicholas Leek and Margrieta Millers. Wit. Cornelis Vroman and Maria Cootje Snell. 25 Jun 1738, Marytje, of Niclaas Leeck and Margareth Millerin. Wit. Michel Vrymayer and Anna Maria Bouchin. 23 May 1740, Elizabeth, of Niclaas Leeck and Margaretha. Wit. Jacob Sneider and Elizabeth Sneider. 9 Mar 1742, Pieter, of Nicholas Leeck and Margareth Millerin. Wit. Pieter Sneider and wife Mary Catharina. Could this family have a relationship with Cornelius of Delaware Twp, Hunterdon Co.? With Thomas Lake of Hunterdon Co.? With Nicholas Lake of Middlesex/Somerset Co.? Then, there are other baptismal records. From Schagticoke DRC in NY: 12 Jan 1768, Cornelis, to Nicolaas Leek and Marytje Snyder. 14 Jun 1774 Maria, dau of Nicholas Leeck and Mattie Snyder. Wit. by Henderick Leeck and Marytie Leeck. 15 Feb 1776, Jacob, son of Nicholas Leack and Marytje Snyder. 24 Jan 1778, Isaac, to Nechalas Leake and Matye Tealor 28 Jan 1780, Nicholas, to Nicholas Lake and Mattha Tealor 15 Mar 1782, Peter, son of Nicholas Lake and Mattha Tealor. Although not yet linked, these baptisms could be some of the descendants of Nicholas Lake of Middlesex/Somerset Co., NJ, as at least 4 of his sons were living in Washington and Renssalaer counties, NY after 1761, having migrated from NJ. They are included in this discussion, with the Schoharie records, because of the repetition of the names Cornelius, Nicholas and Peter. Last, from "New Jersey In 1793, an abstract and index to the 1793 Militia Census of the State of New Jersey", by James s. Norton, pb 1973: pg 161, AMWELL, HUNTERDON: Thomas Lake (wheelwright), exempt. pg 179, AMWELL, HUNTERDON: Moses Lake; Aaron Lake. pg 181, AMWELL, HUNTERDON: Thomas Lake; Zenus Lake, John Lake. pg 182, AMWELL, HUNTERDON: Isaac Lake; Cornelius Lake. pg 182, AMWELL, HUNTERDON: Reuben Lake. pg 187, AMWELL, HUNTERDON: William Lake. pg 193, KINGWOOD, HUNTERDON: John Lake, Thomas Lake. Can anyone help with any missing pieces of the Cornelius Lake puzzle?