Benjamin Severns (abt. 1708 - 1792)

Born about 1708 in Ewing, Hunterdon County, New Jersey

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah (Greene) Severns — married 28 May 1730 in Burlington, New Jersey

Descendants

Died 14 Oct 1792 at about age 84 in Bensalem, Bucks, Pennsylvania, USA

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Dan Hough [send private message]

Biography

Benjamin Severns. ^[1][2][3] Severns. ^[4]

Born 1708 Ewing, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, USA. ^[5]

Died 14 Oct 1792. Bensalem, Bucks, Pennsylvania, USA. ^[6][7]

Residence Hunterdon^[8] 1793 Falls, Bucks, Pennsylvania, United States. ^[9]

File Format: jpg. Benjamin Severns 1778 Tax Records. Format: jpg. Benjamin Severns 1793. Format: jpg. Benjamin Severns Tax Records 1785. Format: jpg. Benjamin Severns Pennsylvania State Census. Format: jpg. Ancestry.com - Pennsylvania Vital Records, Vol Benjamin Severns and Vandegrift. Format: jpg. Benjamin Severns 1779. Format: jpg. Benjamin Severns Death 1792.

Husband Benjamin Severns. Wife @P44@. Marriage 28 May 1730. Burlington, New Jersey, USA. ^[10][11]

BENJAMIN SEVERNS, SON OF JOHN & FRANCES SEVERNS 1705- Benjamin Severns born.

Listed in History of the Presbyterian Church in Trenton, NJ by John Hall.

20 January 1726--Benjamin Severns who was a witness to the will of John Pettit; page 147-148; "Pettit, John; to wife Margaret; to son John; son William; sister of John and William, Phoebe; Ernis & Elizabeth; witness--BENJAMIN SEVERENS.

28 May 1730 Hunterdon Co, NJ; Benjamin Severns married Sarah Green

1727-1732 -- Will of John Severns, Trenton, Hunterdon County; Frances, wife, use of house and lot in Trenton, adjoining Samuel Johnson. Son BENJAMIN, son Theophilus, daughter Margaret Seanders. Written May 25, 1727(?); proved July 10, 1732. (Documents relating to the Colonia History of the State of New Jersey, First Series, Volume XXX; Somerville, NJ; The Unionist-Gazette Association, 1918, page 424)

1741--Benjamin Severns listed as living in Maidenhead Twp; Hunterdon County, NJ (page 54)

ITEM #7185 July 4, 1745 The Pennsylvania Gazette PHILADELPHIA, SUCCESS OF CAPTAIN GARDNER, LETTER TO A FRIEND, CRUIZE, MARTIERS, CAPE FLORIDA, KING OF SPAINS ADVICE BOAT, BEMINIA, HAVANNA, SMALL FRENCH SLOOP, MILITARY, KING GEORGES WAR, BATTLE, MASTER OF THE FLEET, POWDER SUGAR, TALLOW, AND WAX CANDLES, FOODSTUFFS, LIEUTENANT, ROGER BOW, DESCRIPTION OF ATTEMPTED ESCAPE BY PRISONERS, MURDER, KILLING, NO YOU ENGLISH DOGS, CAME TO ASSISTANCE WITH BROAD AX, CUT OFF CHIN AND RIGHT FOOT, GAVE HIM QUARTER TO MAKE PIECE WITH GOD AND THEN SHOT HIM, CAPTAIN STILES, PRIVATEERS, CAPTAINS HARVEY AND BUTTERFIELD, JAMAICA, FRENCH MEN OF WAR, DONNA MARIA BAY, SOUTH SIDE OF HISPANIOLA, WEST INDIES, HENRY JENNINGS, RICHARD DURHAM, FRANCIS COOPER, BENJAMIN WILKINSON, WILLIAM COX, WILLIAM TUCKER, BENJAMIN JONES, ST. KITTS, MEN OF WAR, MARTINECO, COMMODORE LEE, KINGS SHIPS, BOMB KETCHES, QUEST FOR MONSIEUR CAYLUS FLEET, HARBOUR OF MARTINECO, FORT ST. PIERRE, COMMODORE KNOWLES, HOLLAND, NEW YORK, ASSEMBLY, GOVERNOR, SPEECH, VOTED MONEY FOR ASSISTANCE, CAPTAIN WILLIAM LYFORD, HURRICANE, CARGO, THUS HAVE WE AT LENGTH TAUGHT OUR ENEMIES HUMANITY, TRENTON, BENJAMIN AND SEVERNS ALBERTIS, BROTHER THROWN OVER THE FALLS, BODY DRIVEN ASHORE IN BURLINGTON, ABINGTON, WOMAN DROWNED IN A SPRING, WOMEN, FALING SICKNESS, BOY AGED SEVEN FELL INTO RIVER, DROWNED, JOHN HOLMES DROWNED, WOMAN SUBJECT TO FITS FOUND DEAD IN BED (I couldn't tell exactly whose body washed ashore, and where and who was thrown over the falls, can you? Pat Cooper)

1750-1754 -- son Absalom born about this time in Trenton, NJ

1758 -- son Daniel Severns probably married about this time probably in Trenton, NJ

1762-- Feb 11 -- To be sold, land in Hopewell, in possession of Joseph, John, and Benjamin Severns, adjoining lands of Messrs. Mott, Burrough, Hart, and Johnson; apply to William Lister, near Burlington. (Genealogical & Personal Memorial of Mercer County, NJ, volume 1) Trenton is in Mercer County.

1762-- Feb 11 -- TO BE SOLD: A fine tract of land, situate in Hopewell, in the County of Hunterdon, containing about 600 acres, in possession of Joseph Severns, John Severns, and Benjamin Severns, being pleasantly situated on the River Delaware, over which is a Ferry, about six miles from Trenton, adjoining lands in possession of Messieurs Mott, Burroughs, Hart and Johnson. For terms, apply to William Lister, near Burlington. -- The Pennsylvania Gazette, No. 1729, February 11, 1762.

{Note: David Blackwell (8/31/98) states that "in the possession of" means "rented by" Joseph, John, and Benjamin Severns. This was no doubt the large estate of Joseph Severns from the 1753 (tax list) as the occupant typically paid the taxes; and I would guess that he had sons John and Benjamin. Adjacent to this property on the north another tract was for sale at the same time, and was "tenanted" by Daniel Severns. These lands were sold to others in 1765, (so) now we may look for migrations to Bucks County, PA where other old Hopewell familes sent offspring, such as Winders, Cornells, Burroughs, and Howells.}

1762 -- December 23: " TO BE SOLD, land in Hopewell township (NJ) adjoining lands of Jerrard Johnson, John Hart, Joseph Burroughts, and William Lister; small house on place tenanted by DANIEL SEVERNS (son of Benjamin); apply to William Lister at Trenton, or to owner, Richard Smith, Burlington."

1762 -- August 4, 1763: "TO BE SOLD, a tract of 334 acres of land in the Township of Hopewell, and County of Hunterdon, New Jersey, about seven miles from Trenton, adjoining lands of William Lister, Garret Johnson, and others. There is on it a dwelling house and about 300 acres cleared, and a fence, which is chiefly strong wheat land, and now rented by DANIEL SEVERNS (Benjamin's son)...." The Pennsylvania Gazette.

ITEM #31658 September 22, 1763 The Pennsylvania Gazette TO BE SOLD, A TRACT of 334 Acres of Land, in the Township of Hopewell, and County of Hunterdon, New Jersey, about seven Miles from Trenton, and adjoining the Lands of William Lister, Garret Johnson, and others. There is on it a Dwelling house, and above 100 Acres cleared, and in Fence, which is chiefly strong Wheat Land, and now rented by DANIEL SEVERNS. The rest of the Tract hath Abundance of Wood upon it, and some Meadow may be easily got into Order. The Title is clear. It has a large Front, with a bold Shore, and fine Prospect on the River Delaware. The Purchaser may have several Years to pay the greatest Part of the Money. For further Particulars, enquire of JOHN SMITH, in Burlington. N.B. It may be conveniently divided into two or three Parts.

ITEM #31340 August 4, 1763 The Pennsylvania Gazette TO BE SOLD, A TRACT of 334 Acres of Land, in the Township of Hopewell, and County of Hunterdon, New Jersey, about seven Miles from Trenton, adjoining the Lands of William Lister, Garret Johnson, and others. There is on it a Dwelling house, and above 100 Acres cleared, and in Fence, which is chiefly strong Wheat Land, and now rented by DANIEL SEVERNS. The rest of the Tract hath Abundance of Wood upon it, and some Meadow may be easily got into Order. The title is clear. It has a large Front, with a bold Shore, and fine Prospect on the River Delaware. The Purchaser may have several Years to pay the greatest Part of the Money. for further Particulars, enquire of JOHN SMITH, in Burlington. N.B. It may be conveniently divided into two or ITEM #29971

December 23, 1762 The Pennsylvania Gazette To be SOLD, A TRACT of Land, lying in Hopewell Township, and County of Hunterdon, six Miles about Trenton, containing 334 Acres strict Measure: It is beautifully situated on the Delaware to the West, and adjoins the Lands of Gerrard Johnson to the North, John Hart and Joseph Boroughs to the East, and William Lister to the South. There is a small House on the Place, now tenanted by DANIEL SEVERNS, and about 80 Acres cleared, the rest all Wood. It is supposed to be as good Wheat Land as any in New Jersey. The Title short, and indisputable. For Terms apply to William Lister, Merchant, at Trenton, or to the Owner, RICHARD SMITH, Attorney at Law, in Burlington. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ITEM #28107 February 11, 1762 The Pennsylvania Gazette To be SOLD, A FINE TRACT OF LAND, situate in Hopewell, in the County of Hunterdon, containing about 600 Acres, in Position of JOSEPH SEVERNS, JOHN SEVERNS, and BENJAMIN SEVERNS, being pleasantly situated on the River Delaware, over which is a Ferry, about six MIles from Trenton, adjoining Lands in Possession of Messieurs Mott, Burroughs, Hart and Johnson. For Terms, apply to William Lister, near Burlington.

1765-- October 28 Hunterdon County, NJ-- "Esq; Chief Justice, and the Hon. John Berrian, one of his Associates, Justices of the Supreme Court of Judicature, in and for the Province of New Jersey, upon the pitition of Benjamin Severns, an insolvent debtor, notice is hereby given by the said petitioner to all his creditors to shew cause, if any they have, before the said justices at Amboy, on Tuesday, the 26th day of November next, being the day and place appointed for that purpose, why an assignment of the said Benjamin Severn's estate should not be made to the assignees then to be appointed for that purpose, for the use and benefit of all the said Benjamin Severns' creditors, pursuant to the prayer of the said petition, and the said Benjamin Severns be thereupon discharged according to the directions of an act of the Governor, Council, and General Assembly of the Colony of New Jersey, made and passed at Burlington in the fifth year of his present Majesty's reig, entitled, "An Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors". (from Documents Relating to the Colonial History of New Jersey Volume XXIV)

ITEM #37055 October 31, 1765 The Pennsylvania Gazette New Jersey, ss. PURSUANT to an Order of the Hon. Frederick Smith. Esq; Chief Justice, and the Hon. John Berrian, one of his Associates, Justices of the Supream Court of Judicature, in and for the Province of New Jersey, upon the Petition of BENJAMIN SEVERNS, an insolvent Debtor. Notice is hereby given, by the said Petitioner to all his Creditors, to shew Cause, if any they have, before the said Justices, at Amboy, on Tuesday, the 26th Day of November next, being the Day and Place appointed for that Purpose, for the Use and Benefit of all the said Benjamin Severns Creditors, pursuant to the Prayer of the said petition, and the said BENJAMIN SEVERNS be thereupon discharged, according to the direction of an Act of the Governor, Council and General Assembly of the Colony of New Jersey, made and passed at Burlington, in the Fifth year of his present Majesty Reign, intituled, "An Act for the Relief of insolvent Debtors."

1765 -- son Joseph Severns listed as single in Bensalem Twp, Bucks Co, PA

1766 -- son Joseph Severns married to Olive Titus at Abington Presbyterian Church, PA

Page 380, 381, as follows: 1742, Nov. 25. Pitcock, Stephen, of Amwell, Hunterdon Co., plantation man; will of. Two sons, John and Thomas Pitcock. Executors--friends, Thomas Kitchen and William Barnes. Witnesses--Edward Rockhill, Andrew Pettit, Jacob Knowles, Thomas Thatcher. Proved Dec. 28, 1742. Lib. 4, p. 343 -------, ------------, ---. Inventory £92.9.3; made by Henry Ketchin and George Fox. 1761, April 10. Account by William Barns, Thomas Kitchin, the other executor, being rendered incapable by age. Mentions William Montgomery, Benjamin Taylor, John Watson, George Fox, Charles Hoffman, for B. Smith, William Yard, James Neilson, John Wright, Walter Caine, Samuel Carey, John Lewis, Benjamin Savery, Joseph Lambert, Jerom Horne, Jeremiah Thacher, Mary Robins, Philip Ringo, Thomas Thacher, Thomas Laba, James Journay, Emanuel Carreyell, George Bayles, Benjamin Chamley, John Robins, Samuel Carey, Henry Kitchins, Jacob Knowles, Mary Adams, Josiah Prickitt, John Stevenson, John Mullin, John Wells, Nathaniel Petitt, Joseph King, Benjamin Severns.

a Benjamin Severns had a mortgage in Hunterdon County, NJ in 1768 (Hunterdon County, NJ is next to Bucks County, PA)

1770-1772 -- sons Daniel & Joseph Severns moved to Monongalia County, VA about this time. "It is believed that Daniel Sovern's settlement occurred as early as 1772."

1775 -- son Absalom Severns moved to Monongalia County, VA about this time. "(Absalom) lived near his brothers Daniel & Joseph in.....Monongalia Co, VA "including his improvement made in 1775".

1777-- Oaths of Allegiance and Fidelity to the State of Pennsylvania; Bucks County, PA; 1777: June 30, 1777 -- John Vandegrift of Bensalem, Benjamin Severns of Bensalem, and Lewis Rue of Middletown.

1784 tax list of Bucks County Pa lists 2 Benjamin Severns; one in Bristol Township with no acreage, and one in Bensalem township with 125 acres.

1784 -- "Between 1784 & 1817, Sims Index shows a total of 2650 acres of patents among the Soverns brothers -- Daniel, Joseph, Absalom, and John -- all of Sandy Creek - Cheat River area."

1790 - a Benjamin Severns was listed in Bucks County, PA, page 50

Credit to Alice Severns

Sources

1. ↑ Source: #S1656384775 Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Deaths, 1736-1823; Collection: Quaker Meeting Records.
2. ↑ Source: #S1656384867 The Bucks County Historical Society; Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Tax Records, 1782-1860; Collection: Title No. 102; Roll Number: 4
3. ↑ Source: #S1656436585
4. ↑ Source: #S1656383253
5. ↑ Source: #S1656305027
6. ↑ Source: #S1656384775 Swarthmore College; Swarthmore, Pennsylvania; Deaths, 1736-1823; Collection: Quaker Meeting Records; Call Number: MR-PH-70
7. ↑ Source: #S1656305027
8. ↑ Source: #S1656436585
9. ↑ Source: #S1656384867 The Bucks County Historical Society; Doylestown, Pennsylvania; Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Tax Records, 1782-1860; Collection: Title No. 102; Roll Number: 4
10. ↑ Source: #S1656383253
11. ↑ Source: #S1656436585

• Source: S1656305027 Repository: #R1650388353 U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
• Repository: R1650388353 Ancestry.com
• Source: S1656383253 Repository: #R1650388353 New Jersey, Marriage Records, 1670-1965 Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
• Source: S1656384775 Repository: #R1650388353 U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
• Source: S1656384867 Repository: #R1650388353 Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Tax Records, 1782-1860 Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
• Source: S1656436585 Repository: #R1650388353 New Jersey, Marriage Records, 1683-1802 Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.