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Taken from my book "Line of Descent of George Rgoer Gilbert", Part III:
Great - Great - Great - Grandmother
57. Elizabeth Hinchman -(Martin Hinchman DeWitt, 28; Alvah DeWitt, 14; Loretta DeWitt, 07; Mildred Barber, 03; George Roger Gilbert, 01) - born September 29, 1811 in Wantage, Sussex County, New Jersey the daughter of Elizabeth (Martin) and Oliver Hinchman. Little is know of her father and mother as I was unable to find any records concerning them. They both apparently died when Elizabeth Hinchman and her brother, Azariah Martin Hinchman were still children. It appears the children were left in the care of their maternal grandfather, Quartermaster Azariah Martin, a well known and wealthy Revolutionary Soldier. Quartermaster Azariah Martin does not mention his daughter, Elizabeth Martin Hinchman nor her husband, Oliver Hinchman, in his will of November 1, 1822, leaving one to speculate that they were already dead. He does provide for his "granddaughter, Elizabeth Hinchman" and his "grandson, Azariah Martin Hinchman" in that same will. Quartermaster Azariah Martin's wife, Ruth Dunn, had died June 26, 1817 and he died December 6, 1822 leaving both Elizabeth and Azarian Martin Hinchman without guardianship. Elizabeth Hinchman was 11 years of age in 1822. By the year 1828, when she was 16 and about to turn 17, it apparently became necessary to legally make someone her guardian as she was in possession of things willed to her by her grand-father. In my search I came across the papers concerning this matter.
Friday, December 29, 1972
Mom and I went to Newton, New Jersey to the Hall of Records. Found the following;
.................
Then we found - "Sussex County, Orphan's Court May term, 1828
The petition of Elizabeth Hinchman, a minor, over the age of 14 years signed in the presence of the surrogate praying the orphan's court to appoint Randolph Dunn to be her guardian until she shall attain her full age. It is ordered and agreed by the court that guardianship of the person and estate of the said minor be granted to the said Randolph Dunn and that the surrogate grant letters accordingly. He the said guardian from entering into bond with a surety to the ordinary in the sum of $500."
The clerk, when we asked a question, directed us to file number 4301 which is in a tin box high on the wall. We found the original letter. It reads.
"ELIZABETH HINCHMAN - petition to the orphan's court by the appointed Randolph Dunn, her guardian.
To the Judges for the Orphan's Court in and of the county of Sussex.
The petition of Elizabeth Hinchman one of the devisees of Azariah Martin, late of the County of Sussex, deceased, respectfully showeth that your petitioner's grandfather had not by any deed in his life time nor by his last will and testament disposed of the guardianship of your petitioner until of age, persuant to the statute in such case made and provided and your petitioner being of the age of 14 years and having an estate personal which stands in need of due care being taken thereof, hath made choice of Randolph Dunn to be her guardian until your petitioner shall attain her full age, your petitioner therefore prays that your Honors will be pleased to grant unto the said Randolph Dunn the guardianship of your petitioner's person and estate until the petitioner shall attain her full age aforesaid.
29th day of May 1828 signed with X for her
T. Teasdale Jr., Surrogate"
Also in the file was this - "Know all men by these presence that we Randolph Dunn, Simeon McCoy, and Joseph Chandler of the County of Sussex and State of New Jersey are held and firmly bound unto Isaac H. Williamson, Esq. Governor of the said State in the sum of $500 to be paid to him or his successor in office to which payment will and truely to be made we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators jointly and severally, firmly by these presence sealed with our seals and dated this 29th day of May in the year of our Lord 1828.
Whereas at an Orphan's Court held this day in and for the County of Sussex aforesaid the above bonded Randolph Dunn was by the said court appointed guardian of the person and estate of Elizabeth Hinchman a minor over the age of 14 years, one of the children of Oliver Hinchman, until she attains the age of 21 years as appears by the order of appointment of said court entered upon record now the condition of the above obligation is such that if the said Randolph Dunn shall faithfully execute his said office of guardian aforesaid then the above obligation to be void or else in force.
Signed : Randolph Dunn
Simeon Mc Coy
James Chandler"
Then we knew Elizabeth's mother must have been Elizabeth Martin and her father Azariah Martin.
In 1871 Gideon DeWitt died. Where Elizabeth and Gideon DeWitt had lived and their ages from 1830 until 1870 can be seen in the Federal Census reports shown on pages 201and 202 in the section just previous to this one. At the time of Gideon's death their youngest son, William Edgar, was 17. He continued to live with his mother until her death in 1900. The Martin Family History claims that Edgar married but gives no name for his wife. It further states that they were childless.
Saturday, October 28, 1972
Went to the Syracuse Public Library again today! Found the following information:
1878-9 Orange County Directory - City of Port Jervis
DeWitt, Edgar, residence 62 Hammond
DeWitt, Mrs. Elizabeth, residence 62 Hammond
1880 Federal Census Town of Deerpark
Census # Ê Ê Ê Ê Name Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Age Ê Ê Ê Ê Occupation Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Birthplace
192, 250 Ê Ê DeWitt, Elizabeth Ê Ê65 Ê ÊHousekeeper Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê ÊNew Jersey
Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê" , Alice L. Ê Ê Ê30 Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê "
Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê" , Edgar W. Ê Ê 27 Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê Ê "
The Port Jervis City Directories revealed the following living places for Elizabeth. her daughter Alice DeWitt and probably W. Edgar DeWitt.
YEAR ENTRIES MADE IN DIRECTORY
1886- DeWitt, Alice, shirt maker, bds 8 Franklin
1897- DeWitt, Alice, h 191 Jersey Ave
" , Mrs. Elizabeth, h 191 Jersey Ave
1899-DeWitt, Miss Alice, h 191 Jersey Ave.
" , Mrs. Elizabeth, wid., h 191 Jersey Ave
The final records of the life of Elizabeth Hinchman DeWitt concern her passing. The newspapers of the day recorded her death and mentioned her longevity. The account that gives her age as 98 was in error, however.
The Evening Gazette
Port Jervis, New York
Wednesday, August 22, 1900
Mrs. Elizabeth H. DeWitt
Mrs. Elizabeth Hinchman DeWitt, widow of the late Gideon DeWitt, died at the home of her son, Edgar B. DeWitt, no. 191 Jersey Avenue, at 11 o'clock last night, of a complication of diseases of which general debility and old age was the principal factor. She was nearly 98 years of age, in all probability the oldest person in town.
The deceased was born near Deckertown ^, New Jersey, September 29th, 1802, and was a member of a family who were among the earliest settlers of Sussex County. The greater portion of her life was spent near Deckertown and in Port Jervis.
Mrs. DeWitt is survived by four children: Martin DeWitt, of Deckertown, New Jersey; Pauline, wife of Samuel Whittaker; Alice L., and Edgar B. DeWitt of Port Jervis.
The funeral will be held at the house on Thursday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock and the funeral sermon will be preached by Reverend E.T. Sandford. Interment in the family plot in Laurel Grove Cemetery.
THE PORT JERVIS UNION
Port Jervis, New York
Wednesday afternoon
August 22,1900
Mrs Elizabeth DeWitt
Mrs. Elizabeth DeWitt, widow of the late Gideon M. DeWitt, died at 11 o'clock, Tuesday night of a complication of diseases incident to her advanced years, at her home, 191 Jersey Avenue. The deceased lady would have completed her 89th year if she had lived until next month.
The family have resided in this village for upward of 20 years. Mrs. DeWitt is survived by four children: Martin DeWitt, of Deckertown; Mrs. Samuel Whittaker, Miss Alice L. and Edgar DeWitt, all of this village.
The funeral will be held from her late home at 2:30 o'clock Thursday afternoon. Reverend Ezra Sanford will officiate and the interment will be in Laurel Grove Cemetery.
( The 1899 P.J. directory lists - Rev. Ezra Sanford, pastor Baptist Church.)
Her grave marker reads
Elizabeth DeWitt
Born: Sept. 29, 1811
Died: Aug. 21, 1900
Elizabeth Hinchman,( 57), (daughter of Elizabeth Martin and Mr. Oliver Hinchman, granddaughter of Quartermaster Azariah Martin and Sarah Dunn) Married Gideon DeWitt,( 56 ). ^
children:
(1), Peter DeWitt - born 1829, married and moved to the Middle West.
(2) Martin Hinchman DeWitt, (28). - born September 21, 1831, died October 23, 1911. In 1873 he married Mahala Van Syckle born February 21, 1842, born December 21, 1904.
child by Emily Mandeville: ^
I. Alvah DeWitt, (14) - born March 5, 1869 died January 20, 1914. (See DeWitt)
children by Mahala Van Syckle:
II. Mary Lauretta DeWitt married Peter Kinney
children:
i. Pauline Alberta Kinney married Harris Elliott
children:
a. Amy Ruth Elliott
b. Marguerite Alberta Elliott
c. Russell Martin Elliott - died before 1935
d. Gladys Marion Elliott
e. Beatrice Laurette Elliott
f. Katherine May Elliott
g. Frances Louise Elliott
h. Chester Harris Elliott
i. Edith Eva Elliott
and possibly one other.
III. Harry Lee DeWitt went West.
IV. Sarah Adderine DeWitt married James H. Carlough
children:
i. Lester Martin Carlough married Lena Lentz
children:
a. Lester Carlough Jr.
V. Jennie I. DeWitt married William A. Elliott
children:
i. Evelyn M. Elliott
ii. Helen C. Elliott
iii. Harvey A. Elliott
(3) Mary Elizabeth DeWitt - born June 14, 1834, died October 11, 1847.
(4) Pauline Amelia DeWitt - born 1843, died October 13, 1918, married Samuel Wittaker who died May 22, 1929: no children
(5) Jennie L. DeWitt - born 1847, married Alfred W. Bemrose; no children
(6) Alice Elizabeth DeWitt - born 1851, died single
(7) William Edgar DeWitt - born 1853, married no children