James Van Winkle (1739 - aft. 1801)

Born 1739 in Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died after 1801 after age 62 in Ashe, North Carolina, United States [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Shirley Van Winkle [send private message]

Military record

1759 - Pennsylvania

www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/593002/304

and

www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/593002/305

“A Return of the Recruits Raised by Capt. Robert Curry, Belonging to Ye Penn’a Regiment. - June, 1759. (a.)

[Name, age, where born, date of enlistment and occupation.]”

On the following page is found: Van Winkle, James, 18, Penn’a, May 10.

This is the earliest record of a James in the Van Winkle family. Depending on his month of birth, he could have been born in 1740 or 1741. This is fairly compatible with the computed birth year of the runaway. Penn’a was used as an abbreviation for Pennsylvania throughout the records that I examined in this book.

There was nothing that showed in what area of Pennsylvania Capt. Curry had recruited. I researched some of the other names on the list was able to identify three men’s location in 1759 to 1762. They were in Bucks, Chester and Northampton counties of Pennsylvania.

Court Record

1763 - Newark, Essex Co., New Jersey

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4F-X33P-S?cat=390512 Contains records of the Court of Common Pleas, the Court of General Quarter Sessions of the Peace, the Circuit Court, and the Court of Oyer and Terminer and General Jail Delivery. Book D, page 314.

In the September Term of 1763 of the Court held at Newark, there was the case of Nathl Potter agt. (against) Jams. Vanwinke for 60 pounds. If I’m reading the legal abbreviations correctly, they ruled that there was Cause. In that case, James would have owed the 60 pounds. If he didn’t have the money, he could have asked David Ogden to pay the debt and have indentured himself until it was paid off.

Newspaper articles

1765 - possibly Newark, East Jersey

https://en.geneanet.org/archives/ouvrages?action=detail&book_type=livre&livre_id=172114&page=694&name=VAN+WINKLE&with_variantes=0

and

https://en.geneanet.org/archives/ouvrages?action=detail&livre_id=172114&page=695&book_type=livre&search_type=livre&name=VAN+WINKLE&with_variantes=0

From “Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Volume XXIV, Extracts From American Newspapers, Relating to New Jersey, Volume V, 1762-1765”, Edited by William Nelson, Paterson, N. J.: The Call Printing and Publishing Co., 1902.

The 5 December 1765 article from The Pennsylvania Gazette about James Van Winkle having run away from his indenture to David Ogden has the following footnote attached:

“Probably a grandson of Johannis Van Winkle, b. Aug. 18, 1682, at Acquackanonk, and removed about 1720 to near Springfield, whence some of his children went to New Britain, west of Elizabeth. See History of Paterson, N. J., by William Nelson, page 95.”

If James was a grandson of this Johannis (who was a son of Simon Jacobse), his descendants Y-DNA supports the possibility.

The article is a bit ambiguous in that it only states that David Ogden was from Newark in East Jersey. He was a wealthy man, owned businesses in many locations and traveled often. James Van Winkle ran away from his indenture, but the article doesn’t say where he was working or had left from.

Correspondence

1774 - Surry Co., North Carolina

From a private collection of very early postal ephemera:

I was only able to get a transcript of this letter from Abiel Cobb and his wife, Sarah (Van Winkle) Cobb, to her father Simeon van Winkel. The letter is dated June the 13th 1774 and sent by hand from Richmond Township (formerly the county seat), Surry County, North Carolina, to Morris County, New Jersey. Sarah wrote to her father, “James Van Winkel lives with me and desires to be remembered to inquiring friends and especially unkel Abraham van Winkel and desires you to let his father know wher he is. He and his family is well. He has fore children 2 girls and 2 boys.”

Taxation

1774 - Surry Co., North Carolina

www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/167567/25

A List of Taxables taken for Surry County by Benjamin Cleavland (1774), page 20, lists Abial Cobb, with 1, and right below him, James Fernincle, with 1. Obviously, a phonetic spelling with a transcription error.

1775 - Surry Co., North Carolina

www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/167567/38

Benjamin Cleavelands [List of Tythes??] for the year 1775 (List tattered)

On page 33, is James Vanwin[kle?], with 1. Abial Cobb isn’t listed, but may have been on the tattered area.

and

www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/167567/39

On page 34, “NOTE: On back are 48 entries of Taxables, but each name has been crossed out. These 48 will be listed below, in case they might clarify a spelling in above lists, or in case a new name is included, even though most is not all of them may be duplications.”

Included in the ‘crossed out’ list is James Vanwinkel, with 1.

Wilkes Co., North Carolina was formed from parts of Surry County and Washington District (now Washington County, Tennessee) on April 20, 1778.

1778 - Wilkes Co., North Carolina

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-XQ93-H?cat=1689329

In Capt. Baker’s Dist. is found James Finwinkle with taxable value of 228 pounds. The English form of money was still in use at this time with values listed in pounds, shillings and pence. Here we have another misspelling of his surname.

and

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-XQ9S-M?i=58&cat=1689329

Another, more detailed, listing which shows James Finwinkle with 2 improvements valued at 100.0, 4 head of horses valued at 70.0, 13 head of cattle valued at 58.0, money on hand —, money at interest —, for a total value of 228.0

1782 Wilkes Co., North Carolina

www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/287292/5

In Capt. Clevelands District, is found James Vanwinkle. This is all that is recorded in the book that can be found at FamilySearch. Several years ago, I was able to see a copy of the original list at North Carolina Digital Collections (digital.ncdcr.gov) and I have a paper copy. The original has James Vanwinkle with 50 (acres) land valued at 2, 4 horses and mules valued at 24 and 4 cattle valued at 4, for a total value of 30 (probably dollars).

1794 - Washington Co., Virginia

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-L992-G?cat=408206

Washington County Personal Property and Tax 1794, Book B. James and his sons, Benjamin and Samuel, are all listed here with the surname of Winkle. They had been living in northwestern North Carolina, very close to the Virginia state line, so it was easy to relocate when they found a place that looked more interesting.

James Winkle is enumerated with 1 white county levies (voters) and 1 horses, mares, colts and mules.

1795 Washington Co., Virginia

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-L99V-W?i=405&cat=408206

Washington County Personal Property and Tax 1795 Book B. James and sons, Benjamin and Samuel, are now listed as Vanwinkle.

James Vanwinkle was listed with 1 county levies and 4 horses, mares and colts.

1797 Wilkes Co., North Carolina

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3J-XQMP-S?i=230&cat=1689329

In the List of the Taxables of Capt. Richd R Gwyns District is found Jas. Vinwinkel and his son, Saml. Benjamin remained in Virginia. Jas. is listed with 1 poles (the correct spelling is polls, which are voters) and 100 land acres.

Census

1790 - Wilkes Co., North Carolina

https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/8184845?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a226c655354754c4e386e65655931435277345867376b74323153775353317154662b4b414e416e4a323066343d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d

Jas. Vanwinkle 2 white males 16 and over, 2 white males under 16, 3 white females and no slaves.

1800 - Ashe Co., North Carolina

https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/8185039?mark=7b22746f6b656e223a2232726e5447436b345253347245516276376f376e5563625466674f382f53576d5063482f6d5274724438513d222c22746f6b656e5f76657273696f6e223a225632227d

James Vanwinkle in Morgan Township, Ashe Co., North Carolina, listed with 1 white male under 10, 1 white male 45 & over, 1 white female under 10, 1 white female 10 thru 15 and 1 white female 26 thru 44.

Land and Property

Abstracts of Land Entries: Ashe County, by Dr. A. B. (Albert Bruce) Pruitt; publication: [Place of publication not identified : s.n. ], 1994, 2 v.

From volume 1 (Feb. 1800 - Jun. 1809)

“224. Oct. 9, 1800 James Vanwenkel enters 50 ac in Ashe Co on N side of N fork of New R; border: begins on said Vanwenkel’s N corner tree; includes the waters of Old field Cr and all the “good and” vacant land “their abouts”.”

Abstracts of Land Entries: Wilkes County, by Dr. A. B. (Albert Bruce) Pruitt; publication: Rocky Mount, North Carolina : A. B. Pruitt, 1989 - 2009, 4 v.

From volume 2 (Nov. 1796 - Nov. 1805)

Page 163 “1364 (1164). Mar. 13, 1801 James Darnold enters 150 ac in Wilkes Co on Long Br; border: begins on John Spence’s line; includes William Cheek’s [or Chuk] school house and improvements “made by” James Vanwinkle.”

and

Page 258 “1481 (1281). Nov 25 1801 James Vanwinkle enters 150 ac in Wilkes Co on Caeley [or Cailey] Cr waters of Hunting Cr; border: begins near Jonathan Hays and runs W; includes Harris’ hog pen, both sides of “Caleys” Cr, & the “best” vacant land there.”

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-9967-39SN?i=109&cat=143704

Ashe County Register of Deeds, volume A, page 173.

Peter Little deeded 50 acres to James Vanwinkle on Oct., 25, 1799 in Wilkes County. Before James registered the deed, that part of Wilkes County formed the new county of Ashe, so he had to go before the Ashe County court during the November term of 1801. The “deed was duly proven in open court by the oath of Benjamin Vanwinkle.”

Biography

James Van Winkle 1739

I did find James Van Winkle with no spouse b. 1739 on MyHeritage and the father of BF. see it on his profile now.

AFTER LOADING NEW SOURCES, THE FOLLOWING SUPPOSITIONS SHOULD BE TAKEN WITH CAUTION.

In addition, I did find an arrival for same name and birthdate in 1765. But this will have to be established.

• https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10017/passenger-immigration-lists-1500-1900?itemId=4876417-&action=showRecord

• http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/vanwinkle/1108/

Copied: James Van Winkle born abt 1739 who in 1765 ran away from his service to David Ogden, Essex NJ? According to the news paper article offering a reward, James' father lived near by the Ogden property. Any help greatly appreciated. -marianne

IF THE 1759 RECORD IS THE CORRECT JAMES VAN WINKLE, HE WAS BORN IN PENNSYLVANIA AND NOT AN IMMIGRANT. THE REASON FOR THE INDENTURE WOULD HAVE BEEN FOR INDEBTEDNESS OR FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP.

Now this makes sense, James at 26 years of age & his father had indentured themselves to the Captain of the ship as they didn't have the fare. Now on arrival, the Captain sold the indenture to David Ogden for the fare. Now James would have to work for a certain time for David to pay off the debt. But he made himself scarce and disapeared!! Not having followed protocol, he married without registering the marriage, possibly a common-law marriage with BF begin born. Reason we don't find his wife, but he loved the USA and named his son BF. As James had also dishonoured his father, he did not maintain that relationship either, reason we don't have the father.

As James had no name in the community, his son BF had to live with the consequences. BF ended up marrying an Indian because his name didn't carry any weight. Also married a Muslim lady who also would have been on the periphery of society. (Now this is all written from my experience but it does appear to provide an understanding of this unusual profile.) BF's children appeared to have redeemed themselves and married in society.

Birth: Circa 1739 Arrival: 1765 New Jersey at the Age of 26. Document type: Immigrant Record Accession #: 9996513907 Gale Id: 3722186 Source publication code: 2797.35 Source: Passenger and Immigration Lists Index Bibliography:
GRUBB, FARLEY.
Runaway Servants, Convicts, and Apprentices Advertised in the Pennsylvania Gazette, 1728-1796.
Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1992. 187p.
Date of newspaper advertisement and place of master's residence. Extracted from copies of the paper reprinted by The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania Gazette, 1728-1789 (Philadelphia: Microsurance, 1968), Volumes 1-25; and for January 6, 1790 to December 14, 1796, from microfilm copies located at Morris Library, University of Delaware. Name of servant's master, master's occupation, servant's ethnicity and occupation, type of service contract, servant's physical description, and much more genealogical and historical information are also provided.
Annotation: Date of newspaper advertisement and place of master's residence. Extracted from copies of the paper reprinted by The Historical Society of Pennsylvania, The Pennsylvania Gazette, 1728-1789 (Philadelphia: Microsurance, 1968), Volumes 1-25; and for January 6, 1790 to December 14, 1796, from microfilm copies located at Morris Library, University of Delaware. Name of servant's master, master's occupation, servant's ethnicity and occupation, type of service contract, servant's physical description, and much more genealogical and historical information are also provided.

Sources

• https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-1/myheritage-family-trees?itemId=73520831-1-756&action=showRecord