is said, from Wethersfield, Conn., to New York, in 1709, and on November 29, 1710, married Willempie Conwell, born in England in 1680.

Philip Blackledge removed from New York to Elizabethtown, N. J., early in 1723, and there remained until his death in 1761. His will was proved and recorded at Trenton, N. J., July 11, 1761. He was a man of some means and wrote the title “Gentleman "after his name. By his will he gave his children each five shillings and the balance of his estate, lands and money, to his wife absolutely. His issue were eight children, four baptized at New York and four at Elizabethtown, N. J.: Annatie, 1713; Philip, 1716; Zacharias, 1718; Philip, 1720; Catharine, 1730; Jacob, 1735; Sarah, 1740; and Benjamin.

Benjamin Blackledge (2) was born at Elizabethtown, N. J., August 25, 1743. While still a young man he went on foot from Elizabethtown to Closter and taught school there, the first one in the northern part of Bergen County. Here he married, April 20, 1770, Cathelyntie Tallman. He became the most prominent man in the northern part of Bergen County, was the first Town Clerk of Harrington Township in 1775, a Justice of the Peace, a Judge of the County Count of Common Pleas, and filled other township and county offices. He was a splendid penman, of which fact hundreds of old deeds and other documents still extant bear witness. He died at Closter, November 27, 1815, and his wife died October 5, 1836. His issue were Benjamin, 1770; Maria, 1772; Cornelius, 1774; Sarah, 1776; Jacobus, 1779; Peter. 1782; Henry, 1784; Jacob, 1786; and Elizabeth, 1788. These married as follows: Benjamin, Deborah Westervelt and Lea Powless; Maria, Daniel Van Sciver; Cornelius, Rachel Powless; Sarah, Seba P. Bogert; Peter, Elizabeth D. Naugle; Henry, Catharine Manning; and Elizabeth, Cornelius Van Valen. Their descendants are still numerous throughout Bergen County.

THE BLANCHES of Bergen County are descended from Richard Blanch, a native of Bristol, England, where he was born in 1704. He came to America prior to 1732, and settled near Closter in Bergen County. 1733 he married Classie Van Giesen, of New York. He owned lands in what was then called the "Closter Mountains," on the Palisades of the Hudson. He died September 6, 1767. His issue were Ann, 1734; Isaac, 1736; Thomas; and Cornelia, 1745. Of these Ann married John Blawvelt, of Tappan. Isaac married Geertje Johns Haring. Cornelia married David Smith. All of Richard Blanch's children settled at Tappan and in the upper part of Bergen County. The issue of Isaac Blanch were Isaac, Martina, Richard, Abram, Thomas. John Henry, and Classie.

Thomas Blanch (2) was one of the most prominent men in Bergen County in his day. He was a magistrate and held other township and county offices. He raised and was Captain of a company of volunteers from Bergen County during the Revolutionary struggle. He was born near Closter in 1740, and died June 3, 1825. He married, in 1761, Effie Johns Mabie, of Tappan, who was born in 1741, and died August 28, 1825. Their issue were thirteen children: Elizabeth, 1762; Classie, 1763; Ann, 1765; Richard, 1766; Susanna, 1769; John, 1770; Thomas, 1774; Isaac, 1776; Elizabeth, 1779, and Cornelia, 1779 (twins); Effie, 1783; and Lea, 1786, and Rachel, 1786 (twins). The descendants of these are scattered over Bergen County, particularly the northern part.

MARKHAM E. STAPLES, of Jersey City, President of the New Jersey State Board of Prison Inspectors, was born in New York City on the 10th of December, 1850. He is the son of John Buthune Staples and Elizabeth Douglass Young, daughter of William Young, his paternal grandfather being Seth P. Staples. The family is an old and prominent one in American history and for generations have been influential citizens.

MARKHAM E. STAPLES.

Mr. Staples was educated at Dwight and Holbrook's School in Clinton,

N. Y., and at Poughkeepsie (New York) Military Institute. Afterward he spent one year as draughtsman with J. A. Wood, a prominent architect in Poughkeepsie, and three years as draughtsman and rodman in the Croton Aqueduct Department, New York City. For fourteen months he was brakeman and baggagemaster of the Iowa division of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad, and for twenty-seven years he has been associated with the Erie Railroad as conductor, yardmaster, station master, superintendent of floating equipment and lighterage, and general agent of the New York terminal, which responsible position he now holds. In all these capacities Mr. Staples has displayed untiring energy and devotion to duty, great executive ability,

and all those qualities which win both respect and approval. In public life he has also achieved distinction. He has been an Inspector of the New Jersey State Prison for eight years and President of the Board of Inspectors for five years, and has four years more to serve. He was appointed to this office by Governor Abbett and was re-appointed by Governors Werts and Voorhees, and has discharged its duties with universal satisfaction and approval. Mr. Staples is a prominent member of St. Mary's Episcopal Church of Jersey City, of the D. McLaughlin aud Robert Davis Associations, and of the Carteret Club, all of Jersey City, and of the Commercial and Railroad Clubs of New York City. He is a life

member of Jersey City Lodge, 211, B. P. O. E., and Vice-President of the National Board of Steam Navigators.

Mr. Staples was married, in 1880, to Miss Mary Willis, of Jersey City. They have two children, Francis George and Mary W.

EDWARD EVERSON, of West Hoboken, N. J., who has been associated with the Delaware Coal and Canal Company ever since 1863, was born at Homestead, North Bergen, Hudson County, January 14, 1840. His father, Benjamin Everson, was born at Pompton Plains, N. J. His mother's maiden name was Sarah Riker. Mr. Everson is of Holland lineage, being descended from the Evertsens who settled in New York two centuries ago. He received his education in the public schools of North Bergen, and at the tender age of eleven began working on a farm in Bergen County. Thrown upon his own resources at that age, he has ever since depended upon himself. He followed farming until he had reached the age of seventeen, when he entered upon the trade of gold beating, which he followed for a year and a half. He then entered the employ of Edward Ackerman as an apprentice at the blacksmith trade, continuing in that capacity until 1862. In that year he enlisted in Company E, Eighth New York Volunteer Militia, for three months, and at the expiration of his term of enlistment was honorably discharged. He then entered the service of the Federal Government at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where he remained for a short time, and in 1863 he associated himself with the Delaware Coal and Canal Company, with which he has ever since remained. During his long and active service of over thirty-three years in the employ of this corporation Mr. Everson has discharged every duty with singular fidelity and great satisfaction, and from the first has enjoyed the respect and confidence of both employers and associates. He is in the fullest sense a self-made man, having depended entirely upon himself since the early age of eleven years.

Mr. Everson is an ardent and consistent Republican, a member of the Reformed Church, and a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. In July, 1863, he married Miss Ellen Gotchuns (deceased), by whom he had three children: Edward, Jr. (deceased), Eliza Ann (deceased), and Maud Alice, who resides with her father.

EGBERT SEYMOUR, Mayor of the City of Bayonne and widely known as a merchant in that part of Hudson County, was born in Ulster County, N. Y., December 15, 1850, the son of James Seymour and Sarah Ann, daughter of David and Elenor Radiker, and grandson of Charles and Eliza Seymour. His boyhood was not unlike those of other country lads. He attended the district schools, spent six months at the academy in Montgomery, Orange County, and another six months at the academy in Newburgh, in the same county, in New York State, and subsequently served as a clerk for twelve years. These advantages, however, afforded him an opportunity to lay the foundation upon which he has built a successful career. From a clerk he became a merchant, and for eighteen years has been actively and successfully engaged in the butter and cheese trade in New York City.

Mr. Seymour is one of the foremost citizens of his adopted city, a man universally esteemed and respected, and prominent and influential in every movement and especially in political affairs. For two years he rendered

efficient service as a member of the Board of School Trustees. As Mayor of the City of Bayonne he has served three terms. He has been instrumental in advancing the best interests of the community, in building up the city, and in promoting many important public improvements. When his present term expires on May 1, 1901, he will have filled the office for six consecutive years, and it is safe to say that no man ever discharged its duties with more fidelity and honesty of purpose. Mr. Seymour is respected and esteemed for his ability and integrity of character, and in every capacity has gained the confidence of all who know him. He is a prominent member of the Newark Bay Boat Club, of the Exempt Firemen of Bayonne, of Council No. 695, Royal Arcanum, and of Council No. 434, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, of Bayonne. He is also a leading member of the Bayonne City Democratic Club and of the Robert Davis Association of Jersey City.

Mr. Seymour married, October 22, 1873, Marietta H. Neafie, and their children are James H. and Everett E. Seymour.

THE BROWER FAMILY is another very numerous family in Bergen County. They are descended from Adam Brouwer, who emigrated to New Amsterdam from Cologne, France, in 1642. Three years later he married Madalena Jacobs Ferdon, of Long Island. He was a miller, and lived in New Amsterdam until 1647, when he removed to Brooklyn, where he joined the Dutch Church in 1677 and paid taxes from 1675 to 1698. His issue were fifteen children: Peter, Jacobus, Aeltie, Matthew, William, Mary, Magdalena, Adam, Abraham, Sophia, Ann, Sarah, Nicholas, Daniel, and Rachel.

Peter, baptized in 1646, married (1) Pieternella Uldricks, (2) Gertrude Jans, and (3) Anne Jansen. He first resided at Flatlands, L. I., and subsequently removed to Brooklyn, where he died. His issue were Abram, John, Adolph, Magdalena, Ulrick, Adrientie, Vroutie, Cornelia, Jacob, Hanse, and Madeline.

Abraham, John, and Adolph removed to Hackensack about 1700, where Abraham married (1) Lea Johns Demarest and (2) Elizabeth Ackerman. Ulrick married Hester de Vow, and John married Ann Hendricks Mandeville. The descendants of Abraham, Ulrick, John, and Adolph are to-day very numerous and scattered over the Counties of Bergen and Hudson.

THE DE CLARKS are still numerous in Bergen County. Daniel de Clerque (de Clark) emigrated to America prior to 1676. The name of his first wife does not appear, but the couple brought two or three children with them and had two baptized in New York (Daniel and Abraham, twins), March 13, 1678. His wife died soon after, and he married (2), March 4, 1685, Geertje Cozines, a widow, by whom he had no issue. Two of his sons, John and Henry, were evidently married when they left Holland, the family having sailed from Amsterdam. Both John and Henry subsequently had children in New York. Another son of Daniel, Jacobus de Clark, was born in Holland. Daniel, in 1686, became one of the Tappan patentees with the Harings, Blawvelts. Smiths, and others, and removed to Tappan, where, in 1702, he was made a Justice of Orange County, and he took the census of Orangetown the same year. He was probably the first Justice ever appointed in the county. At that time there were only a few families huddled at Tappan, and Daniel seems to have been the biggest man of them all. The marriage of his son Jacobus to Antie Van

Houten, September 14, 1706, is one of the earliest in the county. Jacobus had eight children, all of whom reared large families and gravitated southward into Bergen County.

JAMES S. NEWKIRK, Secretary and Treasurer of the Provident Institution for Savings, of Jersey City, was born in Bergen (now Jersey City) September 9, 1852. His family at one time was one of the most numerous in Hudson County, and the name is still very common. More than a century ago some members of the family settled in New York State, in Ulster and Sullivan Counties, where their numerous descendants have spread rapidly and become

prominent in the various walks of life.

Mattheus Cornelissen, who is said to have been a native of Nieuwkercke (New Church) in Hol land, emigrated to America in about the year 1660, and after landing and staying at New Amsterdam a short time went to Flatbush, L. I., where he bought and located on a 66 Bouwerie" of about thirtysix acres of land, butting, as his deed declared, 6. on Corlears Flats." This tract he sold March 10, 1665, to one Arent Evertse, and he removed thence to the Towne of Bergen," in New Jersey. Here, December 14, 1670, he married one Anna Luby, daughter of Jacob Luby, who had served as a non-commissioned officer (Sergeant) in the Dutch West India service, but who had for some years been a resi

on

JAMES S. NEWKIRK.

dent and landholder at Bergen. Mattheus Cornelissen assumed the surname of Newkirk-in honor of his birthplace, no doubt. He leased lands at Bergen which were afterward conveyed to his children. His occupation seems to have been that of a farmer. His wife, Anna, died December 20, 1685, and he married in 1686 Catharine Pouwless, a daughter of Poulus Pieterse, of Bergen. She died in April, 1764. The children of Matthew Cornelissen Van New Kirk were twelve-five by the first wife and seven by the second wife: Gertrude, Gerritie, Jacomina, Cornelius, Jacob, Jannetje, John, Jannetje, Peter, Gerrit, Poulus, and Cornelius.