Jeptha Clark Shay was born on 4 July 1815, as recorded on his gravestone [will endeavor to find a better record]. He was born in New Jersey. His parents are uncertain at the time of this writing, but are said to be Joshua Shay (he lived next door in 1850, so seems likely to be accurate) and Experience (Ogden) Shay [searching for records to prove this theory].
On 15 October 1836, Jeptha married Lucinda Lewis (spelled Louis on this record) in Sussex County, New Jersey.[1][2]
Jeptha and Lucinda had at least 7 children:
Sallie Ann (Shay) Vanness [married Edward Vanness]
Merilla (Shay) Runyon [married James H. Runyon][3]
William H./William W. Shay [possibly William Wesley?, called Wesley in the will]
Dorcas (Shay) Nyce [married Jacob Nyce]
George Dallas Shay
Hannah E. (Shay) Jacobus [married Dr. Peter Jacobus][4]
Phebe (Shay) Hampton [married Stewart Hampton]
In the 1850 census, Jeptha (age 35), Farmer, was enumerated with his wife and children in Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey, United States. He was a farmer with real estate valued at $3,500. Joshua Shay [possibly his father] was living on the farm next door with real estate valued at $3,000.[5]
1850 United States Federal Census: Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey, USA
Name
Sex
Age
Occupation
Birth Place
Jeptha Shay
M
35
Farmer
New Jersey
Lucinda Shay
F
35
New York
Sally Ann Shay
F
12
New Jersey
Merrila Shay
11
William H Shay
M
8
New Jersey
Dorcus Shay
F
6
New Jersey
George L Shay
M
3
New Jersey
Hannah Shay
F
1
New Jersey
In the 1860 census, Jeptha (age 45), Farmer, was enumerated with his wife and children in Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey. He owned real estate valued at $11,460 and his personal estate was valued at $5,000.[6]
1860 United States Federal Census: Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey
Name
Sex
Age
Occupation
Birth Place
Jeptha C Shay
M
45
Farmer
New Jersey
Lucinda Shay
F
45
New Jersey
William W Shay
M
18
New Jersey
Dorcas Shay
F
16
New Jersey
George D Shay
M
14
New Jersey
Hannah E Shay
F
12
New Jersey
Phebe R Shay
F
10
New Jersey
In the 1870 census, Jeptha (age 55), Farmer, was enumerated with his wife and children in Sandiston, Sussex, New Jersey. His real estate was valued at $9,000 and his personal estate at $1,000.[7]
1870 United States Federal Census: Sandiston, Sussex, New Jersey
Name
Sex
Age
Occupation
Birth Place
Jeptha Shay
M
55
Farmer
New Jersey
Lucinda Shay
F
55
Keeping House
New Jersey
George Shay
M
24
Farmer
New Jersey
Hannah Shay
F
21
At Home
New Jersey
Phebe Shay
F
19
At Home
New Jersey
In the 1880 census, Jeptha (age 65), Farmer, was enumerated as the married head of household in Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey, United States.[8]
1880 United States Federal Census: Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey, USA
Name
Sex
Age
Status
Relation
Occupation
Birth Place
Jepthu C. Shay
M
65
Married
Head
Farmer
New Jersey
Lucinda Shay
F
65
Married
Wife
Keeping House
New York
George Shay
M
33
Single
Son
Farmer
New Jersey
Jeptha died on 22 December 1887 in New Jersey. His will was proved in Sussex County, New Jersey, on 9 February 1888.[9] Jeptha was laid to rest in the Hainesville Cemetery in Hainesville, Sussex County, New Jersey.[10]
Sources
↑Marriage:
"New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965"
Marriage Records. New Jersey Marriages. New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, New Jersey Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61376 #10727 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Jeptha Shay marriage to Lucinda Louis on 15 Oct 1836 in Sussex, New Jersey, USA.
↑Marriage:
"New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965"
Marriage Records. New Jersey Marriages. New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, New Jersey Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 61376 #900048786 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Lucinda Lewis marriage to Jeptha Shay on 15 Oct 1836 in Sussex, New Jersey, USA.
↑Marriage of Daughter, Merilla Shay:
"New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965"
Marriage Records. New Jersey Marriages. New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, New Jersey Ancestry Record 61376 #900468522 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Marrillee Shay (21) marriage to James H. Runyan on 31 Mar 1859 in New Jersey, USA.
↑Marriage of Daughter, Hanna E. Shay:
"New Jersey, U.S., Marriage Records, 1670-1965"
Marriage Records. New Jersey Marriages. New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, New Jersey Ancestry Record 61376 #1350396317 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Jepthue A Shay's daughter Hanna E. Shay (23) marriage to Peter A. Jacobus on 12 Oct 1870 in Vienna, Warren, New Jersey, USA.
↑1850 Census:
"1850 United States Federal Census"
The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey; Roll: 464; Page: 15b; Line Number: 37 Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8054 #4631665 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Jeptha Shay (35), Farmer, in Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey, USA. Born in New Jersey.
↑1860 Census:
"1860 United States Federal Census"
The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M653; Residence Date: 1860; Home in 1860: Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey; Roll: M653_709; Page: 341; Family History Library Film: 803709 Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7667 #54515303 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Jeptha C Shay (45), Farmer, in Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey. Born in New Jersey.
↑1870 Census:
"1870 United States Federal Census"
Year: 1870; Census Place: Sandiston, Sussex, New Jersey; Roll: M593_889; Page: 167A Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7163 #25304379 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Jeptha Shay (55), Farmer, in Sandiston, Sussex, New Jersey. Born in New Jersey.
↑1880 Census:
"1880 United States Federal Census"
Year: 1880; Census Place: Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey; Roll: 799; Page: 251C; Enumeration District: 212 Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6742 #49743373 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Jepthu C Shay (65), married, Farmer, head of household in Sandyston, Sussex, New Jersey, USA. Born in New Jersey.
↑Probate:
"New Jersey, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1739-1991"
Wills, 1804-1905; Author: New Jersey. Surrogate's Court (Sussex County); Probate Place: Sussex, New Jersey Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8796 #1489547 (accessed 26 December 2022)
Jeptha C Shay probate on 9 Feb 1888.
↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/110745267/jertha-clark-shay: accessed 26 December 2022), memorial page for Jertha Clark Shay (4 Jul 1815–22 Dec 1887), Find a Grave Memorial ID 110745267, citing Hainesville Cemetery, Hainesville, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA; Maintained by AdamW (contributor 47749025).
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