READING, Joseph

Joseph married 1754. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Governor John Reading, son of Colonel John Reading, and his sister Elsie were sent with their mother to England to be educated; they remained there several years. The education of the son appears to have been of a superior character, from the fact that he was a member of the governor's council at the age of thirty-two, and that he rose to greater distinction than did any other of the native born sons of the early New Jersey colonists. Little is known of the early life of Governor Reading, but it is thought that he probably assisted his father in the management of his extensive landed interests. He inherited a large patrimony, especially in lands, which with the estate he had previously acquired in his own right made him the wealthiest man in Hunterdon county.

November 3, 1718, he was nominated by Governor Hunter to a seat in the provincial council, and while the nomination was pending before the king he was named by the governor one of the commissioners to run the north boundary line between New Jersey and New York, and also to run the lines between East and West New Jersey. In July, 1719, Governor Hunter went to England and never returned. His Majesty commissioned William Burnet governor, and he began his administration September 22, 1720. On March 25, 1721, Mr. Reading was sworn in to the governor's council, which office he retained until 1758, when he resigned. On February 10, 1727, he was commissioned colonel of ye military regiment of foot. On August 14, 1727, he was commissioned surrogate for Hunterdon and Summerset counties, and November 6, 1728, was appointed by the crown one of the judges to try pirates. In addition to these he was justice of the peace throughout the time of his councillorship. April. 8, 1740, he was appointed one of the officers for Hunterdon county to enlist men in the king's service in the war then raging against Spain. He was also one of the commissioners chosen to fix the boundary line between the colonies of Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

On the death of Lewis Morris, governor of the province, May 21, 1746, he was succeeded by Colonel John Hamilton, who remained until his death, June 17, 1747. Mr. Reading then became president of the council, and as such succeeded Colonel Hamilton as acting governor and commander-in-chief. He was the first native born Jersey man to govern the province. His administration was a brief one, being succeeded by Jonathan Belcher, of Massachusetts, who continued until his death, August 31, 1757. President Reading was still the senior member of the council, and the administration of right devolved upon him. Early in 1758 he received a letter from his Majesty's secretary of state, setting forth the purpose of his Majesty to vigorously prosecute the then pending war and calling upon the provincial governments to raise troops to unite with the King's forces in offensive operation against the enemy. He responded immediately to the King's calls and summoned a special meeting of the assembly for March 23, when he issued a proclamation for the raising of a regiment for immediate service. He also appointed a day of fasting and prayer. He proved equal to the emergencies, giving to the work his best efforts, and exhibited a degree of patriotism and fitness for executive service unsurpassed by his predecessors or successors in office. June 15, 1758, he was succeeded by Hon. Francis Bernard. On his release from public office, President Reading retired to private life, in which he remained until his death, November 5, 1757.

President Reading married, November 30, 1720, Mary, daughter of George and Anna (Schoub) Ryerson. She was baptized July 29, 1696, at the Old Dutch Reformed Church, New York City, and (died in Amwell township, Hunterdon county, New Jersey, April 11, 1774. Their children were : John, born March 30, 1722, married Isabella Montgomery, died 1766; Ann, baptized July 21, 1723, became the wife of the Rev. Charles Beatty, and died March 22, 1768; George, born February 26, 1725, married Rebecca Mullen, and died August 12, 1792; Daniel, born February 2, 1727, married Euphemia Reid, and (died October 15, 1768; Joseph, born November 23, 1730, married Amy Pierson, died November 15, 1806; Elizabeth, baptized January 31, 1732, married John Hackett, Esq., died in 1781; Richard, born December 8, 1732, married Catherine Reid, died in 1781; Thomas, born September 27, 1734, married Rebecca Ellis, died December 14, 1814; Mary, baptized August 8, 1736, married the Rev. William Mills, died April 4, 1794; Sarah, baptized October 29, 1738, married Augustine Reid, died July 10, 1809; and Samuel, born October 25, 1741, died August 18, 1749. Elsie, the only sister of Governor Reading, was born in Gloucester, Gloucester (now Camden) county, New Jersey, and died in Hunterdon county, New Jersey. By her marriage to Daniel Howell the following named children were born: Elizabeth, Daniel, John, Joseph, Benjamin, and Mary. The children of Gov. John Reading and Mary Ryerson (all b. in Old Amwell and bap. in the Dutch Reformed Church at Readingtown, Hunterdon Co., N. J., )
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Col. John READING was a member of the Council of Proprietors of West Jersey and a member of the Royal Council of New Jersey.
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He was a judge of the Supreme Court of the Province.
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He was a lieutenant colonel in the Hunterdon Co., NJ Militia in 1715.

John married RYERSON, Mary 30 Nov 1720, Bergen, New Jersey. Mary (daughter of RYERSON, Joris Martensen and SCHOUTEN, Hannah) was born 19 Jul 1699, New York City; died 11 Apr 1774, Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The Ryerson Genealogy, Author: Albert Winslow Ryerson, Call Number: CS71.R903

This book contains the history and genealogy of the Ryerson family of New York.
Bibliographic Information: Ryerson, Albert Winslow. The Ryerson Genealogy. Privately Printed. Chicago. 1916.

MARY RYERSON3, (Joris2, Martin1), the sixth child of Joris (George) Ryerson and his wife Hannah (Schouten) Dey, was b., or bap., in New York City July 19, 1699, and bap. at the Old Dutch Reformed Church of that city as the daughter of Joris Martenzen (Ryerson) and Anna Schouten.
She d. at Walnut Grove in Amwell township, Hunterdon Co., N. J., April 11, 1774. She m. Nov. 30, 1720, John Reading, Esq., who became one of the early Provincial Governors of New Jersey. Gov. Reading's sister, Elsie (Reading) Howell, wife of Daniel Howell, became the mother-in-law of Lucas Ryerson (a brother of Mary, the Governor's wife) thus doubly allying the Ryerson and Reading families.

Gov. John Reading, son of Colonel Reading, was b. at Gloucester, Gloucester Co., N. J., June 6, 1686, and d. Nov. 5, 1767, at Walnut Grove, near Flemington.

The cities of Reading, Penn., Reading, Ohio, and Redding, California, are named after his descendants who were among the early settlers or founders of these places. The children of Gov. John Reading and Mary Ryerson (all b. in Old Amwell and bap. in the Dutch Reformed Church at Readingtown, Hunterdon Co., N. J., of which Mrs. Reading was a member).

Notes:

Colonel John Reading, the founder of the New Jersey family of this surname, was without doubt of gentle birth, and enjoyed in his youth the advantages of a good education. It is thought that he was of London, England, or of that vicinity, where a family of that name had been seated from at least the Thirteenth century. The date of his emigration is not known, but was probably about the year 1684, in which year he is found in Gloucester, New Jersey. For some years prior to his coming to West New Jersey, he was interested in the movement to promote the settlement of the province, and in 1677 made his first purchase of lands there, consisting of one-sixth of a propriety (a propriety was one equal, undivided hundredth part of the province). The deeds for the same are not of record, but the fact is shown in later conveyances.

On his arrival in the province, he located at what is now Gloucester City, and here resided many years. The following year, 1685, he was elected a member of the assembly, and attended its sessions at Burlington. He became the owner of the majority of the eighty-eight lots into which Gloucester town was divided. In 1688 lie was chosen clerk of the county, the most important office within the gift of the people, and held the same until 1702, being annually re-elected. In 1693 he was granted the ferry franchise over Gloucester river, and on the Delaware river from Gloucester to Wicaco, Philadelphia. Colonel Reading was one of the largest landed proprietors in the province.

In 1681 a complete colonial government was established and a legislative assembly chosen, which body assumed the power to manage the landed interests of the proprietors. This continued until 1687, when the assembly declined further superintendence of the interests, especially belonging to the proprietors, and signified to them that they might choose a convenient number from among themselves to transact the business of the proprietors. John Reading is named in the agreement as one of the first cousellors, then styled commissioners and trustees, and nine others were chosen on the board. At a meeting of the council, held the following year, Colonel Reading was chosen a commissioner " to examine all deeds, take a minute of the same, and issue warrants to the surveyor general for the surveying and taking up of lands and keeping a record of the same," for the inhabitants of Gloucester county, or to any others as occasion may require. He was elected a member of the assembly of 1697, and attended its sittings at Burlington, and in 1701 was again chosen to the assembly, serving as clerk of that body.

In 1702, the proprietors of East and West New Jersey surrendered to the crown their claim to the right of government, whereby the two provinces became united in one, under the style of Nova Caesarea, or New Jersey. In the year 1703 the council of proprietors concluded to increase their landed possessions, and appointed John Reading, John Wills and William Biddle, Jr., their agents, to treat with the Indians, above Trenton Falls, for the purchase of lands. In pursuance thereof they negotiated with the chiefs, Himharnmoe and Caponnochon, and from the former they purchased a tract of land lying on both sides of the Raritan river, and from the latter land fronting on the Delaware river, amounting in all to about one hundred and fifty thousand acres. Some time between 1704 and 1709 Colonel Reading removed from Gloucester county to what was then the northern part of Burlington county, but which later became Amwell township, Hunterdon county. His estate lay on the Delaware river, covering what is now the towns of Stockton and Prallsville. His residence was at Stockton, where he established a landing known as John Reading's landing.

In January, 1712, he was commissioned by Governor Hunter as one of the judges of the supreme court of the province. December 5, 1713, he entered on his duties as one of the queen's council. He became an active member and continued so until his death. His life, which was always active and honorable, came to a close at his seat in Hunterdon county, in October, IM. His age was uncertain at his death, but it is assumed that he was over sixty-one. According to family records, Colonel Reading's wife was Elizabeth, maiden name not known. Their children were : John, mentioned hereinafter, and Elsie, who became the wife of Captain Daniel Howell.
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Gov. John READING was the president of the Royal Council of New Jersey and acting Royal Governor of New Jersey in 1747 and again in 1757, being the first native-born Jerseyman to govern the Province.
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He was a Justice of the Peace and was president judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Hunterdon Co.
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He was colonel of the Hunterdon Co., NJ Militia.

John married Elizabeth 22/22 Feb 1681/1682, England. Elizabeth was born Abt 1659; died 10/10 Jan 1712/1713, New Jersey. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The Ryerson Genealogy, Author: Albert Winslow Ryerson, Call Number: CS71.R903

This book contains the history and genealogy of the Ryerson family of New York.
Bibliographic Information: Ryerson, Albert Winslow. The Ryerson Genealogy. Privately Printed. Chicago. 1916.

JORIS RYERSON (translated George Ryerson)2, (Martin1), the eldest son of Marten and Annetje (Rapelje) Ryerson was bap. in Brooklyn on Sept. 19, 1666: d. 1749. The sponsors at his bap. were Michael Hanzen and Catalina Jeronymus. He was evidently named in honor of his grandfather, Joris Jansen de Rapelje. Up to the time of his marriage (about twenty-four years of age), he resided in Breucklen (Brooklyn) at the Wallabout, no doubt at the home of his father. He then removed to Manhattan Island, now New York City, where he engaged in farming, first on a farm leased from Trinity Church, then on the Dey farm, and where he resided for some years, subsequently selling out in 1708 and removing to New Jersey, which was then a wilderness. Here, in company with Capt. Arent Schuyler and others, he purchased from the Indians 5500 acres in N. E. New Jersey, upon which land he settled. He married on June 26, 1690, Hannah (or Anneken) (Schouten) Dey, widow of Teunis Dey, and daughter of Johannes Schouten. She was born Mar. 17, 1666, and died May 17, 1743. Her first husband whom she married on Feb. 4, 1685, died in 1688, leaving three small children, besides a five acre farm running from Broadway to the water's edge in New York, which the present Dey St. divided in the middle. The three small Dey children were reared by George (Joris) Ryerson with his own family, and one of the daughters, Jane Dey, married a younger brother of her step-father, namely Frans Ryerson. Her brother Derick (Richard). Dey became the father of Col. Theunis Dey, who distinguished himself in the Revolution as an officer in the Army and member of the Continental Congress. Joris (George) Ryerson was a prominent man in the community and as early as 1715 was one of "His Majesty's Judges" for Bergen County.

After the death of his first wife, Hannah (Dey n‚e Schouten) Ryerson, Joris married in his old age, and his second wife was Hannah, or Susannah, widow of Abraham King, of Second River. Her maiden name was Susannah De Forest. Many old documents teeming with historic interest still exist concerning Mr. Ryerson's activity in colonial times of which the author has copies, but are too voluminous for other than mere mention in this genealogy.

Joris Ryerson was the father of ten children, and the step father of seven, three of the latter being his first wife's children, and four by his second wife's previous marriage. All of his own children were by his first wife, Hannah Ryerson.

Joris married SCHOUTEN, Hannah 11 Aug 1691. Hannah (daughter of SCHOUTEN, Johannis) was born 17/17 Mar 1665/1666; died 17 May 1743. [Group Sheet]

John married Mary Bef 1657, England. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The Ryerson Genealogy, Author: Albert Winslow Ryerson, Call Number: CS71.R903

This book contains the history and genealogy of the Ryerson family of New York.
Bibliographic Information: Ryerson, Albert Winslow. The Ryerson Genealogy. Privately Printed. Chicago. 1916.
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On the 14th day of May, A.D. 1663, MARTEN REYERSZEN, Van Amsterdam (from Amsterdam) and ANNETJE JORIS DE RAPELJE, j. d. Van Breuckelen (Ann the daughter of George de Rapelje), j. d. (a young maiden of Brooklyn), were married in the Protestant Reformed Dutch Church of Brooklyn. One Catalina Jeronymus was a witness to the ceremony.

They were married by Dominie Selyns, who came from Amsterdam in 1660 and took charge of the "Breuckelen" Church. Marten Reyerson and Annetje Rapelje (who was born Feb. 8, 1646) had eleven children

Marten married RAPALJE, Annetje Jorise 14 May 1662, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Annetje (daughter of RAPALJE, Joris Janszen and TRICO, Catalyntie Jeronimus) was born 8/08 Feb 1645/1646, New Amsterdam, New York; died Aft 1695, New York. [Group Sheet]