Who was the father of Abraham LAKE, born in 1796 in Hunterdon County, NJ ? last revision - 10 Sep 2009 Marshall Lake Abraham LAKE (born in Hunterdon County, NJ in 1796) is as far back as I have been able to trace my LAKE line with certainty. I have spent more time trying to determine the parents of Abraham LAKE than any other single genealogy-related endeavor. I have found no primary source record of proof as to their names or the names of any of Abraham's siblings. However, based upon a short biography quoted below and some circumstantial evidence I can offer an educated guess on the matter. The following paragraph is what is known about Abraham LAKE derived from primary and secondary sources ... Abraham LAKE was born on April 20, 1796 in New Jersey, probably Hunterdon County. In all likelihood he was residing in Hunterdon County at the time of his marriage. He was also known as Abram. Abraham could not write and probably could not read. According to his son John's words "... Abraham ... was a farmer and a large dealer in horses and stock. He was reputed to be a good judge of horses, and his own opinion was sought in their sale by men far and near." In 1850 Abraham was a hotel keeper. Abraham married Susan GARRISON in about 1818 in Hunterdon County. Susan GARRISON was born on December 19, 1793 in New Jersey, possibly Hunterdon County, to James GARRISON and Dinah ROBINS. Susan was probably living in Hunterdon County at the time of her marriage. Sometime between 1820 and 1827 Abraham, Susan, and their children removed to Warren County, New Jersey, first to Greenwich then to the township of Knowlton. (Note - Warren County was formed in 1824 from Sussex County.) On April 8, 1841 Abraham bought 175 acres of land for $1,600 in Knowlton Township. (He sold the same land while living in Pennsylvania on February 16, 1865 for $3,000.) Abraham and Susan lived in Knowlton Township until sometime between October of 1858 and June of 1860 when they removed to the township of Dimock, Pennsylvania with at least two of their children: Mary Jane and Rachael. Also accompanying them on the trip was Enoch L. COOL who resided with them in New Jersey and subsequently married Mary Jane. All their children except for Elizabeth (who had her own family by this time) and Dian and Abraham (who both died while the family was living in Warren County, NJ) eventually (either before or after Abraham and Susan) moved to the same area in Pennsylvania. In 1860 Abraham and Susan were living with their son, John, in Dimock Township. Susan died on May 8, 1861 while residing in Dimock Township and was buried in Jersey Hill Cemetery, Auburn Township, Pennsylvania. Subsequently Abraham married Lydia M. CANFIELD on July 24, 1865 at the Baptist Church in Rush Township, Susquehanna County. She was 32 years his junior. (Lydia was previously married to William ESTES.) Abraham and Lydia had an agreement that in the event of Abraham's death Lydia would receive a severely reduced share of his estate. Abraham worked as a farmer and a stock dealer in his earlier years in New Jersey and later as a hotel keeper. Abraham owned the Hainesburg Hotel in Hainesburg, Knowlton Township for a length of time (probably 1841 through 1865). After moving to Pennsylvania he began farming again and continued until at least 1870 when he was 75 years old and living in Rush Township. In 1870 Abraham's personal property was valued at $5,000. In 1872 Abraham was residing in the East Rush District (#5) of Rush Township. On July 14, 1874 Abraham died while residing in Rush Township. He was buried next to his first wife in Jersey Hill Cemetery. Abraham's will is dated September 16, 1868 and probated August 25, 1874. The children of Abraham and Susan were: Elizabeth, John L., William G., Mary Jane, Rachael, Dian, Abraham, and Isaac G. In a short biography which appears in "Centennial History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania" by Rhamanthus M. Stocker in 1887 concerning John L LAKE, a son of Abraham LAKE, it is stated: "His [John L LAKE's] grandfather, John Lake of Hunterdon County, N. J., had an extensive business as auctioneer, was a farmer and a prominent politician and served as sheriff of the county." There is absolutely no evidence that I can find (other than the quote above) which shows a John LAKE who had a son named Abraham with the right timing to be the Abraham in question. I have never found a John LAKE who served as a sheriff in Hunterdon County but I have found records showing a John LAKE referred to as deputy sheriff, sub-sheriff, and constable. I have also found records of a John LAKE indicating that he was an auctioneer. Additionally I have found records referring to a John LAKE as Commissioner, Clerk, and Coroner. These are all public-service offices where the person was either elected or appointed. Taking into consideration this evidence I can state with a fair amount of certainty that the father of Abraham LAKE is indeed John LAKE of Hunterdon County, NJ. Unfortunately there are several John LAKEs in Hunterdon County with the right timing to qualify to be the father of Abraham. Presented here is a list of all events that I have been able to find which refers to a John LAKE with the right timing and location to be the father of Abraham (it's possible that there are as many as nine different John LAKEs mentioned in the list) ... START OF LIST 1. John LAKE was a coroner in Hunterdon County in 1813. 2. Commissioners to take acknowledgement and proof of deed in Hunterdon County ... John LAKE 1821, 1827, 1831. 3. John LAKE, a freeholder in Bethlehem Twp in 1825-26, died 16 Apr 1854, aged 78. 4. John LAKE, 4 Feb 1837, elected as one of 7 trustees in the creation of the Musconetcong Valley Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem Twp. 5. John LAKE listed on Tax Ratables for Alexandria Twp in 1803 (on line following Zenas LAKE). 6. John LAKE referred to as "late of the Township of Tinicum" [it's in Bucks County, PA, across the Delaware River] in an administrator's bond filed 14 April 1808 and signed by Zenes [sic] LAKE. In Docket #03731, Office of the Surrogate, Hunterdon County Hall of Records. Record shows a payment to "Zenus" LAKE and also apparently mentions a Reuben LAKE. [Both Zenas and Reuben apparently being sons of John.] 7. John LAKE of Alexandria Twp, died intestate, inventory taken in 1808. 8. John LAKE of Amwell Twp, died intestate, inventory taken in 1809. 9. John LAKE, will 1855. 10. John LAKE, 1830 census, Amwell Twp, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 20-30, 1 male 50-60, 1 female 5-10, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 20-30, 1 female 50-60. 11. John LAKE married Abigail KASE 1790-1800. 12. John LAKE, a private in the Revolutionary War married Mary ------. 13. John LAKE, clerk in Bethlehem Twp 1822-1834. 14. John LAKE, constable in Bethlehem Twp in 1822. 15. Member of Bethlehem town committee: John LAKE, 1835. 16. John SINE, Sr in his will dated 23 Jan 1797 and proved 5 Feb 1799 in Amwell Twp names grandson John LAKE. 17. John LAKE married Anna DILTS at the Kingwood Baptist Church on 23 Nov 1802. Revolutionary Census: 18. John LAKE of Amwell Twp. 19. John LAKE of Hopewell Twp. 20. John LAKE (son of Thomas) of Kingwood Twp. 21. John LAKE appears in Captain HUNN's regiment of Morris County during the Revolutionary War. 22. Hannah LAKE of Bethlehem Twp in will of 1827 names brother, John LAKE. 23. John LAKE, buried in Lower Amwell Graveyard, died 3 May 1849, aged 73-2-8. 24. Jonathan and Margaret ROBINS deed land in Bethlehem Twp to John LAKE 1 Dec 1831. 25. Abraham LAKE of Bethlehem Twp (spouse of Elizabeth ------), died Apr 1796 and had a son John. Tax Rateables: 26. John LAKE, Kingwood Twp, May 1778. 27. John LAKE, Kingwood Twp, Jan and Feb 1780. 28. John LAKE, Amwell Twp, Jan and Feb 1780. 29. John LAKE, Amwell Twp, June 1780. 30. John C LAKE with an office in Junction, Bethlehem and Lebanon Twps, was a Justice in 1806. 31. John LAKE was born 26 Jan 1775. 32. John LAKE, b. 1775-1790 NJ, married Sarah POLHEMUS, b. 1787 NJ. END OF LIST Note - Bethlehem Twp, Alexandria Twp, Amwell Twp, Hopewell Twp, Kingwood Twp, and Lebanon Twp are all located in Hunterdon Co, NJ. Item numbers 3, 4, 13, 14, 15, 22, 24, 25, and 30 from the above list are all referring to the same John LAKE in Bethlehem Township. Items 1, 2, and 11 are probably also referring to the same John LAKE. In a short biography which appears in "Commemorative Biographical Record" published by J. H. Beers & Co. in 1900 concerning Clark Ernest VOSS who married a granddaughter of Abraham LAKE it states: "Mrs. Voss was born November 21, 1863, in Rush township, Susquehanna Co., Penn., daughter of Isaac Lake, a native of Warren county, N. J., who was a son of Abraham Lake and great grandson of Garrison Lake, who passed his life in Warren county." The first half of the quote is accurate. Isaac LAKE was born in Warren County, NJ and came to Susquehanna County, Pa with (or about the same time as) his father in the late 1850s. However, the quote also states that Isaac LAKE is the great grandson of Garrison LAKE, which means Garrison would have been the father of John LAKE. In all my research (since 1974) I have never found a Garrison LAKE to have ever existed at all, much less live in NJ with a son named John. I also question why the grandfather of Isaac LAKE, John LAKE, is not mentioned in the quote. The generation is just skipped over. Additionally, Warren County, NJ didn't exist when Garrison LAKE would have been alive. Warren County was created in 1824. Is it possible that the quote was referring to Garret rather than Garrison? Is Garret a short version of the name Garrison? There is a Garret LAKE who existed at the right time to qualify as being the great grandfather of Isaac LAKE and the father of John LAKE. It's also possible that the interviewee providing the above quote confused Garrison LAKE with the maiden name of the spouse of Abraham LAKE which was GARRISON. My personal opinion is that it was this last possibility which occured in actuality. The following list contains additional happenings concerning John LAKE of Bethlehem Township (some are explicitly stated as occuring in Bethlehem Township and some are assumed to have occured in Bethlehem Township) .... John LAKE was a constable in Aug 1811 John LAKE was a coroner in 1813 John LAKE was a deputy sheriff in Feb 1818 John LAKE was a Commissioner in 1821 John LAKE was a coroner in 1822 John LAKE was a clerk from 1822 to 1834 in Bethlehem Twp John LAKE was a freeholder in Bethlehem Twp in 1825 (Hunterdon Gazette, 9 Jun 1825) John LAKE was a Commissioner in 1825 (Hunterdon Gazette, 5 May 1825) John LAKE was a freeholder in Bethlehem Twp in 1826 John LAKE was a sub-sheriff in Bethlehem Twp in Jun 1826 John LAKE was a Commissioner in Nov 1826 John LAKE was a Commissioner in 1827 John LAKE was an Administrator in an auction of land in Bethlehem Twp in Oct 1828 John LAKE was an ex-deputy sheriff in Feb 1829 John LAKE was an Administrator in an auction of land in Alexandria Twp in Apr 1829 John LAKE was a delegate in Bethlehem Twp in 1830 John LAKE was a coroner in Bethlehem Twp in Sep 1830 John LAKE was a Commissioner in 1831 John LAKE was a Commissioner in 1835 (Hunterdon Gazette, 16 Dec 1835) John LAKE was on the town committee in Bethlehem Twp in 1835 (Hunterdon Gazette, 29 Apr 1835) John LAKE was a Moderator in Bethlehem Twp in 1836 (Hunterdon Gazette, 27 Apr 1836) John LAKE was a freeholder in Bethlehem Twp in 1825 - 1826, died 16 Apr 1854 at 78 years of age John LAKE was referred to as: Commissioner for sale of seized land via auction 3 May 1825. Freeholder Bethlehem Twp 11 May 1825. Administrator for sale of land by auction 12 May 1825. Freeholder Bethlehem Twp 17 May 1825. Freeholder Bethlehem Twp 10 May 1826. (Hunterdon Gazette, 17 May 1826) Former sub-sheriff 28 Jun 1826. (Hunterdon Gazette, 28 Jun 1826) Administrator for a deceased person 28 Aug 1826. Commissioner 9/10 Nov 1826. (Hunterdon Gazette, 15 Nov 1826) Clerk, Bethlehem Twp 9 May 1827. (Hunterdon Gazette, 9 May 1827) Administrator for a deceased person 1 Mar 1828. Administrator for sale of land by auction 29 Oct 1828. Running for Assembly in Hunterdon Co 5 Sep 1829. Commissioner 30 Oct 1829. (Hunterdon Gazette, 4 Nov 1829) Nominated for Constable in Amwell Twp 7 Apr 1830. Nominated for Assembly in Hunterdon Co 15 Sep 1830. Nominated as Delegate to the State Commission for the selection of a Congressional Ticket, Bethlehem Twp 22 Sep 1830. Chosen as Delegate to the State Commission for the selection of a Congressional Ticket, Bethlehem Twp 17 Nov 1830. (Hunterdon Gazette, 17 Nov 1830) Commissioner 16 Nov 1831. (Hunterdon Gazette, 16 Nov 1831) Clerk, Bethlehem Twp 17 Apr 1833. (Hunterdon Gazette, 17 Apr 1831) Appointed as delegate from Bethlehem Twp to attend the Democratic State Convention (in Trenton 21 Apr 1834) 6 Apr 1834. Clerk, Bethlehem Twp 30 Apr 1834. (Hunterdon Gazette, 30 Apr 1834) Appointed as delegate from Bethlehem Twp to attend the Democratic State Convention (in Trenton 11 Sep 1834) 3 Sep 1834. Appointed onto Committee of Vigilance for Bethlehem Twp 20 Nov 1834. Commissioner 4 Oct 1848. (Hunterdon Gazette, 4 Oct 1848) I believe all the above John LAKE references are to the same John LAKE. And I believe this John LAKE (of Bethlehem Township) is the father of Abraham LAKE. Additionally, this LAKE family lived in Bethlehem Township in the locale of what is today Hampton. The GARRISON family lived in Alexandria Township a little bit south of what is today Bloomsbury. The two areas are close enough in proximity to make it easy for Abraham LAKE to meet his spouse, Susan GARRISON. (There was a John LAKE of Alexandria Township who died in 1808 but there is no record of him being a public servant.) Also, the father of this John LAKE, Abraham LAKE, and the grandfather of John LAKE, Thomas LAKE, were both public servants in Bethlehem Township. John LAKE followed in his father's and grandfather's footsteps in this respect. Additionally, John LAKE bought land in Bethlehem Township from a ROBINS in 1831. Susan GARRISON's mother's maiden name was ROBINS. This John LAKE, the presumed father of Abraham LAKE, is described here based upon primary and secondary sources of evidence: John C LAKE lived in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County, NJ in 1839. He was born 14 Apr 1776 in Bethlehem Township and died there 16 Apr 1854. He is buried at Musconetcong Valley Cemetery, Hunterdon County. His will is dated 1 Jul 1851 and it was proved 30 Jan 1855. He was a trustee elected 4 Feb 1837 in creation of the Musconetcong Valley Presbyterian Church, Bethlehem Township. He bought 58 acres from Jonathan and Margaret ROBINS in Bethlehem Township on 1 Dec 1831. He married Abigail CASE/KASE/KAES (born 15 Jan 1786, died 17 May 1870, buried Musconetcong Valley Cemetery). Their children were: 1. Catherine (born Bethlehem Township, married John FRITTS, children: Sarah Ann) 2. Joseph P (born 1813/1814 Bethlehem Township, died 1899, buried Musconetcong Valley Cemetery, Hunterdon County, will proved 19 Jul 1899, lived Bethlehem Township, High Sheriff Hunterdon County 1865-1867, married Mary SMITH (born 1815/1816, died 1891, buried Musconetcong Valley Cemetery), children: Abigail, Margaret, Elisabeth Caroline, Thomas B, Ervin, Jesse L, Mary Jane, Joseph P, Sarah C, Tille, John and Frances Matilda) 3. Jesse J (born 1815 Bethlehem Township, a farmer, died 26 Nov 1897 Bloomsbury, Warren County, NJ, buried Belvidere Cemetery, Warren County, NJ, married Matilda HULSIZER (born 1827, died 1902, buried Belvidere Cemetery, Warren County, NJ), 7 Jun 1851 Bethlehem Township) 4. Elizabeth (born 20 Apr 1817 Bethlehem Township, died 10 Apr 1893, married Jacob TUNISON, buried Musconetcong Valley Cemetery) 5. Margaret (born 4 Oct 1818 Bethlehem Township, baptized 24 Nov 1820 Washington Presbyterian Church, Sussex County, NJ, died 18 Aug 1889, buried Musconetcong Valley Cemetery, never married) 6. John Case (born 1 Aug 1820 Bethlehem Township, baptized 24 Nov 1820 Washington Presbyterian Church, Sussex County, NJ, died between 1 Jun 1883 and 1 Jun 1884, a farmer in Bethlehem Township, accused of fathering a child out of wedlock in 1839 to Elizabeth ANDERSON (born about 1819), lived in Hampton Junction 1869 1870, a Justice 1860 1865 1871 1876, Bethlehem town committee 1866-1868, married Harriet SKINNER 17 Jun 1841 in Hunterdon County, children: William, Minna, Jackson, Jacob Skinner, Lydia, Amanda and Ida) Notice above that John Case LAKE was accused of fathering a child out of wedlock. There are three other cases of LAKEs around the same time period having children out of wedlock ... Othniel G LAKE, a cousin of John Case LAKE, was accused of fathering a child out of wedlock in 1816 to Mary MOORE (born about 1800, daughter of Jonathan MOORE) of Amwell Township. Jacob Skinner LAKE, a son of John Case LAKE, was accused of fathering a child out of wedlock 12 Jul 1870 to Anneta BEREY/BERRY of Franklin Township, Warren County, NJ. And Mary LAKE, a probable cousin of John Case LAKE, had William (born out of wedlock in 1795, probably died 4 Aug 1865 at Larison's Corner, Hunterdon County). I believe that Abraham LAKE was born out of wedlock to John C LAKE above (but not with Abigail CASE ... she would have been only 10 years old in 1796 when Abraham was born). I believe that the lack of any records showing the parentage of Abraham LAKE suggests that he was illegitimate. Besides the occurences of other LAKEs having children out of wedlock around the same time period there was also a longer-than-normal time period after John C LAKE died before his will was probated (about 9 1/2 months). Abraham was not included in the will. It's a possibility that Abraham put up some stink about the will in court and slowed down the process of it getting probated. (Although I cannot find any record of this happening.) Additionally, Abraham moved west to Susquehanna Co, Pa at a relatively advanced age soon after John C LAKE died. That could mean nothing, or it could mean that Abraham was upset at not being recognized by his father and wanting to get out of the area. It also appears that John C LAKE named his firstborn son for his father, even if he was illegitimate. Naming the first-born son after the father's father was standard practice. John C LAKE didn't have any other children named Abraham. One final child-naming clue ... William LAKE, a son of Abraham LAKE, named his firstborn Marshal. Was that in respect to Abraham's father being a sub-sheriff? This was the first time that any child in the LAKE line was named Marshal or Marshall that I can find. Also, William named another one of his son's Hampton. Hampton is an area (now a borough) in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County where I believe Abraham was born and where Abraham's father, John C LAKE, lived his entire life. I've never seen any other LAKE child named Hampton. As far as the mother of Abraham LAKE goes, it is difficult to determine. If Abraham truly was illegitimate then he was probably raised by either his mother or his grandparents. The father of John C LAKE, Abraham LAKE, died in 1796, the same year that Abraham (the grandson) was born. And the grandmother moved to Georgia to live with her son after her husband died. I doubt very much that Abraham (the grandson) was raised in Georgia. And since I don't know who Abraham's mother was, I don't know who his maternal grandparents were either. In the 1840 census living with Abraham and his family in Knowlton Township, Warren County, New Jersey was a free white female between the ages of 60 and 70, the right age to be the mother of Abraham. This free white female is not part of the family during the 1830 or the 1850 census. This free white female is also the right age to be the mother of Susan (GARRISON) LAKE, the wife of Abraham LAKE. She was Dinah (ROBINS) GARRISON. Her husband, James GARRISON, died in 1825. Dinah died in 1857 in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County, and there she is buried. Judging from Dinah's will and from things I know about Dinah she was a very independent woman. Dinah's parents and grandparents lived in the same place as Dinah. I doubt it's Dinah that shows up in the 1840 census. The various LAKE families at this time and before practiced a naming pattern for the children where they would name the firstborn male child for the paternal grandfather, the firstborn female child for the paternal grandmother, the secondborn male child for the maternal grandfather, and the secondborn female child for the maternal grandmother. If Abraham named his firstborn female child for his mother then his mother's name was Elizabeth. And going by the 1840 census report Elizabeth was born sometime between 1770 and 1780, and probably died sometime between 1840 and 1850. The final piece of evidence supporting my theory is DNA testing, specifically the LAKE DNA Project (see http://mlake.net/lakedna/). Testing my DNA has shown that my LAKE ancestry goes back to the LAKEs of Gravesend. The same can be said for John C. LAKE. Sources: Hunterdon Gazette (1825 - 1834) Hunterdon County Democrat (1839 - 1855) "Centennial History of Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania" by Rhamanthus M. Stocker in 1887 "Commemorative Biographical Record" published by J. H. Beers & Co. in 1900 "Hunterdon County Records 1701-1838" (1977), "More Records of Old Hunterdon County, Vol I" (1998), and "More Records of Old Hunterdon County, Vol II" (2000), all by Phyllis B. D'Autrechy "History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties New Jersey" by James Snell in 1881 "Calendar of New Jersey Wills", Vol I through Vol XIII by William Nelson, A. Van Doren Honeyman, and Elmer T. Hutchinson Hall of Records, Flemington, NJ Federal Census Reports