Richard Lundy II (1692 - 1772)

Born 20 May 1692 in Bucks, Pennsylvania

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Large) Lundy — married 1714 in Hardwick Monthly Meeting, New Jersey

Descendants

Died 28 Feb 1772 at age 79 in Allamuchy Township, Warren, New Jersey

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mary-Liz Grisé [send private message]

Biography

Richard was a Friend (Quaker)

Material from the Armstrong Genealogy:

RICHARD LUNDY THE SECOND.

He was the son of Richard and Jane (Lyon) Lundy, and grandson of Sylvester Lundy of Axminister. He was born in Bucks county, Pa., on the 2Oth day of the 3rd month (May), 1692; and died on the 28 day of the 2nd month (February), 1772, in the 8oth year of his age, in the township of Allamuchy, County of Warren, N. J. He was buried in the yard of the Hardwick Society of Friends on the bank of the Pequest river.

Richard Lundy II. lived during his childhood and youth, with his parents, near the Friends' meeting-house in Falls township ; his home was not far from the mansion of William Penn, so that this first American-born Lundy, when a lad of eight or nine years, must frequently have seen and sometimes heard the great Quaker statesman ; for Penn lived at the mansion during his second visit to America in 1700-01 and was a regular attendant at the little meeting-house for worship, and there, too, sometimes lifted up his voice in prayer and exhortation.

Richard Lundy II. and Elizabeth Large, daughter of Joseph Large of Bucks county, Pa., were married on 3 of 4 month, 1714.

Two extracts are given herewith from the records of the Falls Monthly Meeting, Bucks county, Pa. 7th of 2 mo., 1714.

"Richard Lundy, Junior, and Elizabeth Large proposed their intentions of marriage ; it being the first time, this meeting doth appoint Joseph Fell a'nd William Lacy to inquire into his clearness and conversation and make report to next meeting." 5th of 3 mo., 1714.

"Richard Lundy and Elizabeth Large proposed their intentions of marriage ; it being the second time, and nothing appearing to obstruct they are left to their liberty to proceed according to truth, therefore this meeting doth appoint Thomas Bye and Joseph Fell to see it orderly accomplished."

The Marriage Certificate of Richard Lundy II. and Elizabeth Large is given in the Record of Marriages for Hardwick and Randolph Monthly Meeting, Warren and Morris counties, New Jersey; it is the first certificate that was filed and copied, and begins on page one :

Whereas Richard Lundy, son of Richard Lundy, of the Township of Buckingham in the County of Bucks and Province of Pennsylvania, Batchelor, and Elizabeth Large (daughter of Joseph Large of the County of Bucks and Province of Pennsylvania, aforesaid, deceased), Spinster, haveing declared their intentions of Marriage with each other Before several Monthly Meetings of the People Called Quakers in the County of Bucks aforesaid according to the good order used amongst them, whose proceedings therein after a deliberate Consideration thereof, and haveing Consent of Parents & Relations Concerned, Nothing appearing to Obstruct, were approved of by the said Meetings . . . Now these are to certifie all whome it may concern that for the full accomplishment of their said Intentions this third day of the fourth Month One Thousand seven Hundred and fourteen ; they the said Richard Lundy & Elizabeth Large appeared in a Publik Meeting of the said People & others met togather at their usual meeting house in the Township of Buckingham & County aforesaid & the said Richard Lundy Takeing the said Elizabeth Large by the hand did in a solem maner openly declare that he took her to be his wife Promising to be unto her a loveing & Faithfull husband untill Death should them seperate ; & then & there in the said Assembly she the said Elizabeth Large did in like manner declare that she did take the said Richard Lundy to be her husband Promising to be unto him a loveing & faithfull wife untill death should them seperate ; Moreover, the said Richard Lundy & Elizabeth Large (she according to the Custom of Marriage assuming the Name of her husband) as a further Confirmation thereof did then & there to these Presents set their hands & we whose Names are here under subscribed, being amongst others Present at the solemnization of their said Marriage & subscription in maner aforesaid as Witnesses thereunto have also to these Presents set our hands the day & year above written.

RICHARD LUNDY, JUNR. ELIZABETH LUNDY. (Witnesses.)

Richard Lundy Jane Skelton

Joseph Large Mary Scarbrough

John Large Mary Pickring

Jacob Large Enoch Pearson

Daniel Large John Skelton

Sarah Large fa: Holcombe

John Lundy Jon. Scarbrough

Margret Lundy Jon. Dawson

Margret Pearson Jon. Hulcombe

A list of the nine children of Richard Lundy the Second and his wife Elizabeth Large is found on the first page of the Record of Births kept by the Hardwick Society of Friends in Warren county, New Jersey. The names and dates are printed herewith word for word and line for line as written in the original record.

Richard Lundy, son of Richard and Elizabeth Lundy, was born ye 23d day of the 4th Month in the year 1715.

Mary Lundy, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Lunday, was Born ye 6th day of the 11 Month in the year 1716.

Joseph Lundy, son of Richard and Elizabeth Lundy, was Born ye 24th day of the 4th Month in. the year 1719.

Jacob Lundy, son of Richard and Elizabeth Lundy, was Born ye 15th day of the 6th Month in the year 1721.

Martha Lundy, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Lundy, was Born ye 1st day of the 6th Month in the year 1723.

Thomas Lundy, son of Richard and Elizabeth Lundy, was Born ye 14th day of the 6th Month in the year 1725.

Samuel Lundy, son of Richard and Elizabeth Lundy, was Born ye 13th day of the 12th Month in the year 1727.

Elizabeth Lundy, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Lundy, was Born ye 10th day of the 3d Month in the year. ...... 1730.

Margaret Lundy, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth Lundy, was Born ye 14th day of the 12th Month in the year 1732.

Here our genealogical tree divides into many branches ; but, before considering that question, it will be well to string together such scattered items concerning the parents themselves as have been culled from various sources.

Richard and Elizabeth lived for twenty-three years (1714-1737) in Bucks county, Pa.; and then for ten years (1737-1747) at Maiden Creek in Berks county, Pa.; and then 1747, until their deaths) in the township of Allamuchy, Warren county, N. J. The dates of removal are accurately determined from the certificate of membership given to them on each occasion by the Friends' meeting.

They dwelt at first in Buckingham township, which is in the centre of Bucks county. Being at an inconvenient distance from any meeting-house, Richard and those Friends who had settled near him applied to the Falls Monthly Meeting for permission to organize a new Society; their request was granted on 24 of 9 month, 1720, and they built the meeting-house at Buckingham that same year.

The first entry in their book of minutes is dated 6 of 10 month, 1720 ; and the first pages are taken up almost exclusively by -a long account of the efforts made by the Society at its monthly meetings to adjust a dispute between Christopher Topham and Richard Lundy II. concerning a bond and a book-debt.

Richard and his family soon moved to Plumstead, which was seven miles to the northwest. This was in 1724; for in the Buckingham minutes of that year, 2 of 10 month Richard Lundy, Junior, is alluded to as "now being Removed Ffar of." The location of their new home is indicated on an old map of that vicinity, drawn March n, 1724, which places Richard's land in the southwestern part of the present township of Plumstead. Among the petitioners to the Court of Quarter Sessions in March, 1725, for the erection of a new township were John Lundy and Richard Lundy, Jr.

Here Richard was again active in organizing a new Society of Friends; and as a result the Plumstead Preparative meeting was established as a branch of the Buckingham monthly meeting. By this we understand that the Friends living in the vicinity of Plumstead were still enrolled at Buckingham and constituted a part of that monthly meeting; but that, in consideration of their distance away they were permitted to hold meetings for worship at Plumstead in private dwellings at first until they grew strong enough to build a meeting-house. In 1730 they bought a lot and put up a log meeting-house; the deed for the land is dated January the 10th, and the trustees named therein are Richard Lundy II., William Michener, Josiah Dyer and Joseph Dyer. At a monthly meeting held on 7th of ii month, 1728-9, Josiah Dyer and Chester Browne declared their intentions of marriage; and the meeting appointed William Michenor and Richard Lundy [II.], Junior, to make inquiry into the s'd Josiah's clearness, which they did, and in due time reported "nothing to obstruct." On 4 of 4 month, 1729, Richard Lundy [II], Jr., made a complaint before the Falls Monthly Meeting against a member for detaining a just debt; and two months later, Richard was left to his liberty to recover his money as the law directs.

The statements copied below are taken from the records of the Monthly Meeting : 5th of 3 mo., 1735, at Buckingham.

"Richard Lundy [II.], Junior, requested a certificate for himself, wife, and family to Gwynodd Monthly Meeting in order to join themselves thereto." 6th of 8 mo., 1735.

"This meeting appoints Cephas Child to serve as an Elder in the place of Richard Lundy, for Plumstead Meeting. At this meeting those friends that were appointed to inquire into Richard Lundy's clearance report that they find nothing to hinder his having a certificate ; they also brought one according to the order of the meeting which was read and ordered to be signed by the clerk in behalf of the meeting." 3rd of 9 mo., 1735.

"This meeting appoints Lawrence Pearson and Joseph Brown as overseers in room of Richard Lundy and William Michenor for Plumstead Meeting."

Richard Lundy II. and his family seem to have lived in Berks county for ten years.

Their home is said to have been at Maiden Creek, which is about ten miles north of the city of Reading and about midway between the rivers Delaware and Susquehanna. Maiden Creek is the name of a village, of a township and of a stream of water.

Those members of Friends' Society who lived at Maiden Creek were at first under the jurisdiction of the Gwynedd Monthly Meeting in Montgomery county, Pa. ; but in 1737 the Exeter Monthly Meeting was established in Berks county, and Friends living at Maiden Creek were assigned to the new meeting.

For more than sixty years, 1682-1744, the Quakers held control of the Pennsylvania legislative assembly, and, of course, no military measures were taken to protect the people against the Indians. This caused great dissatisfaction to the non- Quaker element of the population, who succeeded in electing a majority of the legislature, and in 1747 passed a law permitting volunteer military organizations to be formed. This first serious blow at Quaker predominance marks the year in which the Lundy households removed to New Jersey.

During Fifth month, 1747, Richard Lundy II. removed from Berks county, Pa., and settled in the valley of the Pequest river, at the upper end of the Great Meadows, in what is now Allamuchy township, Warren county, N. J. In his new home he was far away from any organized Society of Friends; and so his certificate of membership was addressed to a Friends' Society in Hunterdon county, N. J., a meeting which has borne during its long history three different official titles Bethlehem, Kingwood and Quakertown.

On 25 of 4 month, 1747, he had requested from the Exeter Monthly Meeting a certificate for himself and family to the Bethlehem Monthly Meeting, N. J. ; and the women's records of the same place and date show that Elizabeth Lundy had applied for a certificate to Bethlehem "jointly with her husband and children"; and an entry on the Exeter minutes dated 30 of 5 month, 1747, states that Elizabeth Lundy had removed with her husband to Bethlehem. Richard and Elizabeth and their minor children became members of the Bethlehem Meeting on presentation of their certificate on 8 of 8 month, 1747. Four of Richard and Elizabeth's children of mature age had previously settled at the Great Meadows.

At a Council of New Jersey held at Burlington 28 March, 1749, Richard Lundy was nominated as a justice of the peace for the County of Morris, which was assented to by the Council. N. J. Archives, Vol. XVI., page 91.

On 8th of 4 month, 1749, Richard Lundy, Sr., was appointed an Elder of the meeting at Great Meadows by the Kingwood Monthly Meeting, N. J.. On n of 4 month, 1754, Josiah Dyer, Richard Lundy, Senior, and Samuel Schooley were appointed by the Kingwood Monthly Meeting to pay religious visits to the families of Friends belonging to Hardwick branch.

There is a series of books, twelve in number, entitled Friends' Miscellany, the eighth volume of which, page 349, gives a short history of the Kingwood and Hardwick Monthly Meeting, wherein it is stated that Daniel Stanton and Joshua Emlen, two traveling Quaker preachers, visited Friends in those parts in 1764, and that they had a large meeting at Kingwood to edification and comfort, and that they went "thence to Richard Lundy's at the Great Meadows and had a meeting at his house, where was a number of tender hearted youth and others."

The patriarchal Richard was now nearing the close of a long and well-spent life, and his heart rejoiced when he saw the goodly number and promising character of his descendants, so many of whom had gathered there on this occasion for public worship. In the course of conversation, Richard spoke to Daniel Stanton and said, "I have seventy children and grandchildren ; and some of them are valuable Friends." Zeal and devotion to his religion led Richard Lundy II. to accept all appointments to attend the meetings of his Society. The monthly meetings were held alternately at Kingwood (now Quakertown), and Hardwick, the quarterly meetings at Burlington, N. J. ; and the yearly meetings at Philadelphia. These were no light undertakings, considering the distances, the condition of the roads, and the modes of traveling in use at that time.

"Kingwood Monthly Meeting's Testimony concerning our ancient Friend and Elder Richard Lundy:

"He was son of Richard and Jane Lundy of Bucks Co., Pa., Professors of the truth with us, born the 20th of the 3rd mo., 1692. He was a man much esteemed amongst Friends and others, being of a meek and quiet spirit, exemplary in life and conversation and a pattern of plainness and simplicity, diligent in attending meetings for worship and discipline, duly observing the hour appointed, and in contribution for the service thereof gave freely according to his ability. He often gave up to attend monthly, quarterly and yearly meetings with great willingness even in his declining years until the indisposition of his wife rendered that service impracticable. He was an affectionate husband, a tender father and a kind friend, punctual and just in his dealings among men, evidencing to the world that he was concerned to do to others as he would have them do to him. His house was freely opened for those who travelled in the work of the ministry whose company he greatly valued, and often cheerfully travelled with such as a guide to other meetings.

He lived in the fear of the Lord and was much concerned that love and unity might be maintained among Friends, and deeply affected when anything of a contrary nature arose to obstruct it. In his last illness, which was but short, he entirely refused the help of any physician, signifying his resignation to the Divine will, whether in life or death, and continued in a patient frame of mind when sensible, till his departure, which was on the 28th of the 2nd mo., 1772, aged near eighty years; and though our loss is great, we are comforted in the hope that he is gone to inherit the crown immortal which is laid up for all those who love and fear the Lord.

He was decently buried in Friends' burying ground at Hardwick the 29th of the same, attended by a large number of Friends and others,

Signed by order of said* meeting at Hard wick the 13th day of the 8th mo., 1772. By

JACOB SMITH, Clerk."

The Last Will and Testament of Richard Lundy the Second, dated Feb. 21, 1772, and recorded among WILLS, Liber. 14, pages 440-442, in the Office of the Secretary of State, Trenton, N. J. : ,

Richard Lundy's Will. The twenty-first day of the Inventory second month in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven

Hundred and Seventy two, I, Richard Lundy of Hardwick in the County of Sussex & in the Western Division of the Province of New Jersey, Being of perfect mind and memory and knowing the mortality of my body, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament Touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life which I give, devise, and dispose of in the following manner :

First, it is my Will and I do Order that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid out of my personal estate.

Secondly, I give unto Samuel Lundy, Junior, my Grandson, the sum of Six pounds.

Thirdly,* I give unto my Granddaughter Elizabeth Schooley the Younger, the Sum of Five pounds.

Fourthly, I give unto my Three Granddaughters, Mary Willets, Charity Willits, and Martha Widifield, the sum of Ten pounds to be equally divided amongst them.

Fithly, I give unto my two sons Jacob and Thomas Lundy the Sum of Five pounds each.

And Lastly, I do give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Lundy whom I do constitute and ordain my sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament all and every part of my lands and premises with all and every of the Appurtenances To Have and to Hold.

All and every part of my said Lands unto my s'd son Samuel Lundy, to him, his Heirs and Assigns forever, together with all that Remains of my Personal Estate after the afs'd Sums are paid, I give and bequeath to my said son Samuel to him, and his Heirs and Assigns forever.

And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannul all and every former Testaments, Wills, Legacies, and Executors, by me in any wise before this time named, willed or bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament.

RICHARD LUNDY. ( seal ) .

RICHARD LUNDY It 2)

Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, and declared by the said Richard Lundy as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers.

BENJAMIN HEATON. JACOB LUNDY. DEBORAH WILLETS.

Benjamin Heaton & Jacob Lundy, two of the witnesses to the within Will (being of the People called Quakers) on their solemn affirmation which they respectfully took according to law, do declare that they saw Richard Lundy the Testator within, named sign & seal the same & heard him publish, pronounce and declare the within instrument to be his Last Will and Testament ; and that at the doing thereof the said Testator was of sound and disposing mind and memory as far as these affirmants know &as they verily believe.

And that Deborah Willits, the other subscribing witness, was present & signed her name as a witness to the said Will together with these affirmants in the presence of the said Testator.

BENJAMIN HEATON. JACOB LUNDY. Affirmed at Newton the 13 day of May, 1772, Before me

THOMAS ANDERSON, Sur.

The foregoing Will being proved, Probate was granted by His Excellancy William Franklin, Esq., to Samuel Lundy sole executor in said Will named, he being duly affirmed to perform the same, to exhibit a true inventory, and render a just and true account when thereunto lawfully required.

Given under the Prerogative seal at Burlington on the day and year first above written.

CHAS. PETTIT, Reg.

In the preceding pages, I have arranged in chronological order and presented to the reader many passages gathered from Friends' records and from other trustworthy sources, relating to Richard Lundy I. and Richard Lundy II. Especially to be prized are those extracts which bear witness to moral worth and religious character ; but even those which may seem at first to be unimportant serve at least one purpose exceedingly well they enable us to locate our Lundy forefathers during their first century in America with a definiteness and exactness in regard to time and place that is very satisfactory. Anecdotes might impart interest to the narrative ; but names and places and dates are the things that produce conviction and prove that the introductory sketches of the Lundy family have been determined with historical certainty.

THE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF RICHARD LUNDY II. AND ELIZABETH LARGE.

There were five sons and four daughters. All were born in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, between the years 1715 and 1732. All had birthright membership in the Religious Society of Friends ; all finished their course and kept the faith. They all married; and, with the possible exception of Margaret the youngest child, all left offspring and have numerous descendants living at the present time. They all settled in Warren county, New Jersey, between the years 1745 and 1748; this was before the French and Indian War, and Warren county was a part of Sussex. All continued to dwell there in the vicinity of Johnsonburg and Allamuchy, and all died there, except Martha (Lundy) Schooley, who, in 1759, removed to Newton only ten miles away.. Richard III. died in 1756 at 41 years of age, Joseph in 1759 at 40 years, Margaret in 1766 at 34, Thomas in 1773 or thereafter at 48 or more, Jacob in 1800 at 79, Samuel in 1801 at 74, Martha in 1803 at 80, Mary in 1807 at 91, and Elizabeth in 1811 at 81. Their average age was sixty-two years.

Sources

• Armstrong, William C., The Lundy Family and Their Descendants of Whatsoever Surname with a Biographical Sketch of Benjamin Lundy, (A.M.), Print, 1902, Online at Archive.Org
• Mendham/Hardwick Quaker meeting records