HAND FAMILY LINEAGE CAPE MAY

A CAPE MAY, N.J. HAND LINEAGE
The Hand Family of Elisha Hand Jr. and Sarah Hand Cheadle of
Cape May, New Jersey and
Washington County (Roxbury Township), Ohio about l806
A Hand Lineage from: ^1*
John (1611-) and Alice Gransden Hand (1613-)
Thomas (1646-1736) and Mary Talmage Hand ( -1744)
John (1668-1736) and Mercy Crowell Hand ((-1744)
Silas (-1770) and Sarah Crowell Hand
Elisha (1752-) and Esther Teal Hand (1766-1802)
Elisha Jr. (1784-1850+) and Sarah Hand Cheadle (1786- 1824)

With the lineage of
Alice Gransden Hand back three generations

Prepared by: George C. Williston, M.A.
e-mail; gwilli824@mei.net
June, 2001

The author of this document, George C. Williston, is very interested in communicating with any descendants of the families mentioned in this document, especially the descendants of Elisha Hand, Jr. (1784-1850+) and Sarah Hand Cheadle (1786- 1824), or with any person who has information about any these families. To contact him, CLICK the E-MAIL LINK BELOW
gwilli824@mei.net

JOHN AND ALICE GRANDSEN HAND
Immigrant generation to the English Colonies
            John Hand was born in 16ll in Stansted, County of Kent in England of unknown parents. The Hand manuscript says that he was born at Maidstone, Kent- Stansted or Landsdale may have been the name of the home. However, subsequent records make it apparent that John Hand was born at Stansted, County Kent which is now near London.
            John Hand married Alice Gransden^2*, daughter of Henry and Alice Gransden of Turnbridge ^4* , Kent. Alice was baptized at Turnbridge 28 Nov, l613 - the daughter of Henry and Alice Gransden. Henry of Gravesend, Gentleman, and Alice Hatcher of Westminster (now London), widow, were married at the Parish Church of St. Martin's- le-Grand the 12th of June, l609. That wooden church was dedicated in 1050, and would now-if extant- be in the shadow of the mighty St. Paul's Cathedral when the sun was in the West. The district is and was then called Cheapside near Westminster. St. Martin's may have been burned in the Great Fire of 1666. The ancestry of Alice Grandsen Hand has been published with interesting details. It is apparent that this generation of Henry and Alice Gransden were people of property and some wealth whether or not Alice had property in her own right after the death of Henry.
            John and Alice Gransden Hand came to Lynn, Mass about 1636. The family moved to Southampton, Long Island before the 7th March, l644 where John was listed as a whaleman or whale fisherman. At that time the town had 44 male inhabitants. The Hands apparently left Southampton to be original settlers and founders of Easthampton according to the records there. Thomas Talmage whose daughter married Thomas Hand, s/o John and Alice Hand, was also among the original heads of families at Easthampton. John Hand is mentioned several places in the original town records of Easthampton from 1651 to 1657. The Hamptons are now expensive summer places for the rich and famous.
            It is said in the Hand Manuscript at CMCHGS that there were no serfs in old Kent [in old England] and that men of Kent had property and an independence of spirit that goes with property. The point is well made by Paul Kendall^3* that by the 15th century the county of Kent was different in that the land was divided by inheritance among the sons and if no sons with the daughters. A legal principle then called gavelkind was used already in the 15th century. That means Kent did not follow the inheritance principle of primogeniture which followed into this country in Virginia for several centuries- the law that the oldest son inherited everything. Kent County did not have the practice of villeinage either which was a requirement of service to a lord for working a piece of land. These changes in law and custom split up wealth in land among more people, and lead to more people of wealth and property albeit smaller shares for more people.
            The county of Kent was very different from other places in England in that respect. With the experience of the ownership of land came an attitude of independence. It cannot be too much emphasized that in owning land a man and his family had the independent opportunity to take care of themselves, and the right to fail as well. That is a fact which operated throughout our history while there was cheap land to be bought,- and operates today among us- not perhaps in the same measure. However, in some states in this country such as Virginia the law of primogeniture was in use for a long time. Numerous original settlers of Easthampton were Kent families. John Hand was one of the original nine grantees.
            John Hand had financial interest in property in Kent even after coming to the English colonies. His property interests were in Tunbridge, a new market town, in Kent near the river Medway- about 20 miles SE of London; and also at Ashford in Rootern, middle Kent. So even though John Hand was a man of some property in old England he and others like him left old England for opportunity in the new English colonies.
            An 1887 publication of records of Easthampton lists the various pieces of ground owned by John Hand. The earliest is that of 1652 being 4 acres in the `little plain.' There are thirteen pieces of land listed from _ acre up to 18 acres. The total acreage of the lands were sixty eight+ acres much of which John was able to pass on to his son, Thomas. It should be pointed out that early Eastern towns were what were later called townships with a large piece of land to use for their residents. The towns divided those lands over years as they were needed or could be used. Lands were distributed by the town officers.

THE CHILDREN OF JOHN AND ALICE GRANSDEN HAND;

1. John baptized 29, Jan, l633/4 at Tunbridge, Kent.
2. Stephan 1635
3. Joseph 1638
4. Mary who married Charles Barnes before 1657
5. Shamgar about 1642
6. Benjamin 1644
7. Thomas 1646- according to his will

THOMAS AND MARY TALMAGE HAND
of Easthampton, New York and Cape May, New Jersey.
Second generation in the English colonies
            Thomas Hand was born in l646 - according to his calculation in his will- at Southampton, NY the son of John and Alice Gransden Hand. In his will written by his own hand and signed and dated the 21st of October, l707 he was 59 years old when signing.
            Thomas was married twice and there is no date for either marriage so the children have to be placed by the following circumstantial evidence. The youngest child, Recompense, was born in 1690; and the wife and mother apparently died as suggested by the name. It is likely that Mary Talmage was the mother of this Recompense Hand as has been credited by earlier researchers as she was the first wife. Mary Talmage was the daughter of Captain Thomas Talmage of Easthampton as mentioned above.
            Thomas Hand was later married to Katherine Tubbs (daughter of John Tubbs) or Katherine Matthews who apparently came with the family to Cape May about 1693.This Hand family lived at Wainscott (Easthampton), Long Island until about 1693 when they moved permanently to the little settlement on the bay side of Cape May.
            Thomas was a defendant in a law suit at Easthampton on 3 Sept, l678. It is said that he had only 40 acres of land at Easthampton which is one of the reasons for moving. There was a disagreement between Thomas and the town of Easthampton over land which was settled 5 August, l697, and Thomas sold the land to his brother, James. Thomas had previously sold other lands on 31 May, 1697 for 90 pounds. Thomas appointed his 'well beloved friend, Thomas Chatfield' of Easthampton his attorney to convey "a certain tract of land lying in the Wainscott commonly known by the name Celtt Bushes"- this must be where they lived. It is quaint that their home place had a name as is the English custom- and a very pleasant custom it seems.
            The book of Easthampton records lists eight pieces of land Thomas had been given to him undated by his father, John, in and around Easthampton. Those parcels add up to 54 acres in eight pieces from 20 acres `in the Waynescut' down to 3 acres. That is now a town near Easthampton, and may have been where they lived before moving to Cape May. It was of the highest importance to men of the earliest generation to be able to give land to their sons.
            Thomas Hand drowned off Cape May on the 21st of October, l714. This may have taken place off the Tuckahoe River up the coast on the ocean side. The Hand family was among the first 35 families to settle permanently at Cape May. The men may have come down there fishing for some years as the owner and organizer- Dr. Coxe - claimed that fishing especially for whales was good on the ocean and the bay side of the Cape.
            All this land had been bought by rich men in England to sell at a profit. It was the way colonizing was done. The English King presumed to own all the land, and sold or gave big tracts to others. The present day New Jersey was divided into two parts with Proprietors or owners for both parts- East and West. This land was in the part owned by the West Jersey Proprietors headquartered to this day in Burlington, New Jersey.
            In a recent history of Cape May County these men are called whaler yeomen by the historian, Jeffery M. Dorwart^5*. He describes from the record the way these families ran the affairs of Cape May County to their own advantage during the eighteenth century.
            Whaling from Cape May on the Delaware Bay and the ocean was not a full time and daily occupation. In a short while these men saw they had time for other work. They turned to farming and cattle raising. Cattle became a big business on Cape May. The whalers probably launched boats when whales were spotted on calm days. They would kill the whale and tow the carcass to land for butchering and rendering. One whale probably took a lot of work and several days. In a few years not many whales were killed, and the whale killing business diminished to a few each year.
            The site of the earliest settlement- called Portsmouth- and the graveyard seen as late at l750 have now disappeared out into the bay as the bay has receded inland at a good rate over the last 300 years. The original town site has moved almost a half mile westward into the bay. The graves from the cemetery were supposedly moved inland to other old church yards. However, the stones for Thomas and his wife have not been found.
            The earliest record of Thomas other than a land record is his membership on a Grand Jury impaneled 20 March, l693 at Portsmouth, NJ, . This was the first court held in Cape May County, and the jurymen were allowed dinner at the expense of the county. On l Sept, l696 Thomas was made one of the trustees of the estate of Mary Fish. On the 6 Nov, l705 Thomas was commissioned one of the Justices of the Peace of Cape May County. On the 11th of February, 17l0 Thomas was commissioned Judge of the Quorum, a position he held until his death. It is obvious that he became one of the more powerful men in the county.
            All the men who raised cattle had distinctive cuts to the ear of their cattle to tell them apart. The cattle were turned out to forage in the summer, and rounded up in the fall. The original book of ear marks is in the Cape May Recorders Office, and has been published. Thomas' earmark was recorded in l696, and was eventually taken over by his grandson, Daniel Hand.;

Thomas Hand land at Cape May The first purchases of land in the area by Thomas were recorded in Burlington, N.J., Thomas Hand recorded a purchase in 1695 of 350 acres "on the seaside and at Cape Island"- now Cape May City. The purchase from the West Jersey Proprietors was recorded at Burlington where the proprietors had their office; and still have a small office today.
            New Jersey Colonial Documents show that Thomas Hand, whaleman, bought 400 acres on the bay shore adjoining Caleb Carman with a quitrent of two fat hens at Christmas. The land was located at what was or is now Fishing Creek on the bayside just around the bend from Cape May.
            In May of l699 Thomas Hand, Yeoman (he had been raised in social standing) purchased 340 acres from William Jacob or Jacocks- a seaside tract- later Shellinger's Landing at Cape May City. That land was described as "between Randall Hewitt and a pint athwart Cape Island". It was across Cape Island Creek which may be the piece owned later by his son, John.
            While all the old land records are open in the Recorders Office at Cape May, certain transactions are of particular interest. As recorded in 1700 in Book B, p 19 Thomas Hand and his wife, Kathron are principals. On pages 28-29 of Book B Thomas Hand bought 340 acres of John Smith- the deed mentions sons John and George Hand. A deed recorded in Book B, 28/29 shows that Thomas Hand in October and December, l700 conveyed land to his sons: Jeremiah, Thomas, Recompense, John and George. On page l06 of Book B a deed is signed the 21 Nov, l709 with joint consent by John and George Hand.
            There is a deed recorded 13 Dec, l715 between George Crafford, Thomas Hand, Thomas Smith and Yelverton Crowell all of Cape May Co for selling 200 acres to Richard Downes for 16 pounds. This may be Thomas Hand Jr. One can see what the 90 pounds was worth that Thomas got for his land in Easthampton in terms of what it would buy at Cape May.
            It is difficult - if not impossible- to figure out exactly how much land Thomas owned in total. That is given as 750 to l000 acres. It is, however, very interesting that as early as l700 he was giving land to his sons. Thomas was, apparently, a generous and far sighted man.
            Land at Cape May or in the area controlled by the West Jersey Proprietors was not surveyed into squares or rectangles. The pieces were irregular, and the boundary marking sign posts were trees which disappeared so it is impossible to say exactly where the land was other than present day Cape May City and the Fishing Creek area on the Bay.

Will and Inventory: Thomas Hand wrote his own will and signed it the 21st of October, l707. The original may be with the NJ Archives. A microfilm copy can be obtained from that place. The will was witnessed by Shamgar Hand, brother of Thomas, as well as John Townsend and Samuel Mathews.
            By this will Thomas gave to his wife, Katharine, a third of his estate and one room in the house. Thomas also gave his wife the "negro woman and the eldest negro boy" for the remainder of her widowhood. This sounds as if he owned three Negro slaves, but the third one is not mentioned- so that is unclear.
            Thomas gave to his daughters, Deborah and Alice, 20 pounds each. In the event of the death or marriage of his wife his daughter, Deborah, was to have the Negro slaves.
            The four eldest sons were given money as follows: John 40 shillings and the other three 20 shillings each-the other three were not named.
            Recompens e, apparently the youngest, was given "that part of the land I now possess and impound with all houses, and other improvements." In other words, Recompense got the most land at his father's death.
            The inventory of 1714 would be most interesting, but is quite general. The following are included: wearing apparel, beds and bedding, "his negroes valued at 154 pounds", forty four head 1of beef cattle, some -------animals unreadable, seventy eight sheep, twenty six hogs, grain in the house, barn and field; hides and leather, the last item confusing but the second largest amount.(the largest single category in value was the slaves). [that was a lot of animals for one man] The whole of the personal property was valued at 502 pounds British money of the time.
            The inventory and estate was signed by John Poague and John Parsons; the whole attested to by Jacob Spicer; one of the most influential men of Cape May County. The inventory was dated 29 Nov, l714.
            On March 7, 1715 a son, Recompense, asked the court at Burlington for letters of administration [the right to administer the estate] saying in writing "I am obliged to go whaling this spring, else I would have come myself- I will present you with a bag of oysters."- Letters of administration were granted 1st of April, l715 and 27th of Sept, l716 to Recompense Hand as shown in Book A, p 57. So, in this estate the youngest became both the administrator and the principle heir.
            Thomas Hand was very generous and forward thinking with his family as he gave his sons land; and drew up a will early enough to provide for the untimely death which was his fate.

John and Mercy Crowell Hand
Third generation in these English colonies
            JOHN HAND was the son of Thomas and Mary Talmage Hand born at Easthampton, LI. about l668. John registered his ear mark for cattle at Easthampton in l688 which would be about the time he was an adult. At any rate, he would be one of the oldest- if not the oldest- of the children of Thomas and Mary Talmadge Hand.
            John died without a will before the 27th of April, l736 when letters of administration for his estate were granted to his son, Elisha (uncle of the ancestor below).
            John is assumed to have had two wives. John first married an unknown lady by whom he had Nathaniel. Neither the child or the mother lived very long. Secondly, John is said to have married Mercy Crowell, daughter of Barnabas^6* and Abigail Crowell. That wedding and Mercy's parentage have not been conclusively proven, but this relationship is attributed by people who have made an investigation. The marriage is apparently not recorded or if recorded is not published. Mercy Hand outlived John by ten years as we shall see and made her will the 9th of Feb, l744. In that will Mercy named their children as follows:

Nathaniel: died before the will of Mercy
John died 18 Jan, l743
Elisha died 29 Jan, l754
Abigail married Thomas Buck Mary married James Page
Jane married James Whildin (Mayflower desc.)
Silas-our ancestor- died May, l770
Isaiah-born l723, died 28 Feb, l765 married Susanna
Elihu died March, l768- married Lydia

            John and his father, Thomas, were among the prominent and powerful whaler yeomen who gave leadership and shared in the control of Cape May in their time as shown by Dorwart. Men from these first families ran Cape May during the eighteenth century to their satisfaction- if not to their gain. This is not an unusual arrangement in society.
            John Hand was appointed in l701 a member of the Assembly of the Proprietary Government- a group of freeholders that met yearly with the West New Jersey Proprietors or their representative at Burlington to advise and consult with the Proprietors on matters of governing their part of the colony. He was a representative of Cape May to the provincial government- a place of responsibility and public trust.
            John Hand and his wife were among the organizers of the Presbyterian Church at Cold Spring in l714. This is mentioned by Dorwart and in a l989 article in the American Presbytrians. The location of a clear and cold spring was in fact a reason to bring people there on Sunday for fresh water. A log meeting house was built in l718 which was replaced by a frame building in l762 and the present brick building^7* in 1823. In the first years a drum was beaten as a way to remind people of their religious responsibilities. The cemetery today has 14,000 graves with many Hands and people of the early families. Stones of 19th century Hand family members flank the front door on both sides.

LAND TRANSACTIONS OF JOHN HAND;
            John had land from his father in l700, and may have bought land himself earlier which is recorded in Burlington in Book B,p 423 . In fact there is a deed at Cape May in Book B, page 147 of the 20th July, l713 which says that John Hand, Yeoman, purchased 340 acres from Jeremiah Bass, agent of the West Jersey Society in 1695. This may have been a purchase by Thomas given to his sons John and George in equal shares. This 1713 deed could be a transfer of title to John for his share.
            There is an article in the Cape May Star and Wave newspaper of the 9th of August, l958 which describes an existing house at 1129 Washington St., Cape May City known then as the Bachman House. The article says that a lady had found original deeds hidden in the house which said that the land was platted and bought of Oliver Russell in l699; and sold to John Hand in l709 recorded in Burlington. John's second wife, Mercy, also signed the deed which would prove they were married before l709. The parcel included 170 acres bought for 300 pounds. The tract went back to a creek known as Cape Island Creek- through an old golf course to another creek then called John Hand's Creek. These creeks are now covered over by diversion through pipe, and seem not to exist.
            The present (1997) house at 1129 Washington St. includes according to the 1958 article a log house dating to 1714 or before under the modern cover. It is now a long house with a porch along one side which isn't very distinctive. The house is set forward of the line of its neighbors, and in that way stands out. It is marked 1714, and is privately owned. .John and Mercy Hand probably lived and died there in that log house.

ESTATES OF JOHN AND MERCY HAND;
            Since John Hand died without a will everything that he owned seems to have been inherited by Elisha, the oldest son. [Was primogeniture working here when it didn't prevail in Kent ?] At least Elisha got the land and the debts to settle. That business is represented below, but was avoided by Thomas through his will. There is no estate record for John.
            Mercy Hand made a will in 1744 disposing of her personal property; and her land was passed onby deed..The will of Mercy opens in a formal statement of her belief in the Resurrection- the `General Resurrection', in fact. And that she will receive the same by the `mighty power of God.' Then each son and daughter is listed, and what she is leaving them of her personal property which was appraised by Barnabas Crowell Jr., (her brother ?), and Elijah Hughes. It is also signed by Elisha Hand, the administrator of the estate, and Henry Young- the Cape May County Surrogate.
The inventory is as follows in English money:

Cash Wearing Apperall Animal libestock] One Negro Man (slave) Household goods Grain	8 pounds 4.6 14 pounds 4.6 28 pounds 6.4 22 pounds 12 " 19 31 " 12.6
Total 92 pds 6.10

The following are the bequests as listed in Mercy Hand's will.

To her son, Elisha, ten shillings (and probably the land)
To Richard Smith, her son in law, one two year old heifer;
To her son, John Hand, one cow and calf and a pair of sheets
To her daughter, Abigail Buck, a chest of drawers, a warming pan
             And a linen wheel;
To Mary Paige, her daughter, three sheep and one side saddle;
To her daughter, Jane Whildin, one box trap (cart?), and four shays
To her son, Juaiah Hand, one bed with the furniture (may mean the
            Bedding that went with it) and also MY NEGRO MAN NAMED
            WILL, to hold him my son, Isaiah, (?), on condition that he or
            They shall pay my youngest son, Elihu Hand, at his arrival to the
            Age of 21 years, the sum of five pounds;
To Elihu Hand, her son, one bed with the furniture; also one two year old
             Horse on the Two Mile beach, one cow and calf and five pounds Money;
To her daughters, Abigail Buck, Mary Paige and Jane Whildin all my
            Wearing apparrel to be equally divided;
To her sons; Silas Hand, Isaiah Hand and Elihu Hand all the remainder
            To be equally divided;
Elisha Hand and Richard Smith to be sole executors,

1736 ESTATE OF JOHN HAND;
It appears that the son, Elisha Hand, who was appointed administrator took over all debts of the deceased for land he acquired. Elisha made an accounting in l746 for paying the following debts for the estate of the deceased:

For digging the grave, coffin and grave posts;
Giving bond to the Surrogate at Cape May, and the Registar at Burlington;
Paying debts of the deceased due Nath Norton, Thomas Hand, James Page, John
            Crandall, Thomas Ross, John Hand and Ebenezer Newton;
For some animal being lost in the woods,
For two three year old steers which didn't get returned to him-
            Being also lost in the woods
For sixty pounds paid to Mercy Hand, widow of the deceased,
            For her share of the personal
            estate; For nineteen pounds paid Jane Hand, daughter of the deceased, for
            Her part of the estate;
For nineteen pounds paid Rachel Hand, daughter of the deceased, For five pounds paid to Thomas Buck "in right of his wife, Abigail, one
            Of the deceased's children;
For five pounds paid John Hand, son of the deceased, the remainder For one pound paid James Page `in right of his wife, Mary,' one of the For ten pounds for his trouble in doing this business;

Silas, another son, is not mentioned nor are Juiah, Elihu, or Isaiah.
[We have to assume that they got land owned by their father].

SILAS HAND AND WIVES; PATIENCE CHURCH and SARAH CROWELL
Fourth generation in the English Colonies             Silas was the son of John and Mercy Crowell Hand, and named in her will of l744. The year of Silas birth is unknown. Silas died in May of l770 with a will to settle his affairs.

            There is a public record of the two marriages of Silas Hand:
28 March, l746 to Patience Church
22 April, l75l to Sarah Crowell
            The children of Silas listed in his will and estate are: Elias, Elisha, Jonathan, Isaiah, Patience, Sarah, Mary Jane and Rhoda Hand. None of the daughters were apparently married at the time of the will as they are all called Hand- unless married to Hand cousins. Of course, the daughters were Hand by birth so that may have been the legal usage of the time.
            Elisha was born the l7th of January, l752 so if we have the right date of marriage for John to Sarah Crowell on the 22 April, l75l- Sarah would be the mother of Elisha.

LAND OF SILAS HAND;
            It is likely that Silas inherited land from his father and mother although the transfer by deed was not found in a quick look in l997.
            In a 1751 Cape May County list of taxable householders Silas is listed with 100 acres and eleven cattle or sheep. At that time there were 86 households in the Lower Precinct of Cape May County.
            In a 1752 list Silas was among 15 men of the Hand family at Cape May to sign with the West Jersey Society- the reason not being clear.
            In 1768 Silas was on a tax list with 599 acres with 18 horses and cattle and 20 sheep- a great increase in 16 years.

WILL AND ESTATE OF SILAS HAND;
            The original will for estate number 436E is a grand looking document on three legal size sheets at the New Jersey Archives available on microfilm. A brief mention of the highlights of the will is published by the New Jersey Archives in Vol V, page l77. of their series on NJ Wills as written l May, l770. The summary is as follows:

            "Wife, Mary, 1/2 my personal estate and 1/2 the profits of my real estate. Son, Silas, 200 acres, which was bought of Thomas Hand. Sons, Elisha and Jonathan, the rest of the lands belonging to the plantation where I dwell, which are part of four tracts, and after the said 200 acres are taken off, may be esteemed 400 acres (200 each for Elisha and Jonathan). Son, Isaiah, two tracts of 179 and 8 acres cedar swamp bought of Jeremiah Ludlam. at Nummies [near Fishing Creek named after an Indian who lived there] To all my children: Elisha Hand, Silas Hand, Jonathan Hand, Patience Hand, Sarah Hand, Mary Hand, Isaiah Hand, Jane Hand and Rhoda Hand, 2/3 my moveable estate, (minor) children to be educated. Witnesses- Constantine Hughes, Elsiheba Hughes, Constantine Foster. Proved May 16, 1770"- so Silas probably died a few days before May 16. [ He was obviously a very well to do `plantation' owner]

            His wife is called Mary not Mercy in the document so it is the more confusing unless Mercy was a nickname for Mary.
            There is a document signed by Constant Hughes and Elisheba Hughes which says they knew Silas Hand, and knew that he made out this will. Another accompanying document signed by Mary Hand, wife of Silas, witnessing to the authenticity of the will, and she was appointed Administrator on the 16th May, l770. - the same day as guardians were appointed for the two sons below.
            The inventory shows that the personal property was valued at 3l6 pounds, and people were owed money by Silas in his last days: no more than five pounds were paid to Elijah Hughes for proving the will, Henry Hand Esquire (lawyer) for appearing, Ephraim Hand, Ephraim Bancroft, Edward Church, James Whildin Esq., James Crandol, Jonathan Mills, Mary Hand Sr., Thomas Buck, Ellis Hughes, Abraham Woolson, Robert Hasson, John Seatne, William Ewing, Thomas Ewing, Chobe Bancroft, Daniel Stillwell, Thomas Buck Jr., Benjamin Ingram, Richard Stites, Obadiah Shaw, Daniel Cresor, Jno. Yeats, Constantine Cirl, Elisha Crowell, John Foster and Jesse Hughes.
            For the Commissioners on Collecting and paying out the Estate- 22 pounds (tax on the estate ?),
            Balance in the hand of the Executrix to be disposed of pursuant to the will of the Testator 249 pounds. In other words, after paying the debts of Silas Mary/Mercy had 249 British pounds of the time to be given out as instructed by the will.
            The total as listed on a cover sheet was 316 pounds English money of the time. This did not include land and buildings- the land being almost 800 acres. It is a bit of a puzzle whether the estate was owed 125 pounds.
            One wonders how Silas accumulated all that land unless his wife inherited some of it, and it devolved to him as she was unable to own land. That is pure conjecture.
            There is a statement closing the estate in l774 signed by Mary Hand Edmunds- so Silas' widow married an Edmunds by l774.
            There is an inventory of appraisals made and signed by Robert Parsons and Henry Hand dated the 30th May, l770 as follows:

Wearing Apparal Notes and book debits Beds and furniture Pork (fresh or salted meat) Carts, plows and harrows Cattle (cows or oxen) Horses Sheep and swine Various 'plantation' tools	in pounds " " " " " " " "	10 125 30 10 5 46 19 15 54
Grand Total 316 pounds.

            Silas left two sons who were still legally children whom he wanted to educate. There is a guardianship agreement witnessed by Mary Hand and Jeruiah Hughes and signed by James Whildin and Daniel Swain the l6th May, l770. At that time her son, Silas, is to be looked after by James Whildin Esq.- a Mayflower descendent and one of the most influential men in Cape May County at the time.
            A similar document exists and is recorded the same day for the son, Elisha Hand, being more than 14 years old asks that James Whildin Esq be the guardian of his person and estate, and that he is to come into his estate at full age apparently being 21 years.
            There is another document signed by Elisha Hand and witnessed by the same two people dated the 16th of May, l770 petitioning William Franklin, son of Benjamin and Governor of the colony, requesting that James Whildin Esq. Be [appointed] his Guardian until he is 21 years old.
            Silas, too, like his forefathers at Cape May was a man of considerable means- owning atdeath over 800 acres.
            There was a cemetery on a Bishop Farm near Fishing Creek where some Hands were buried, and a list of the stones is extant which we could not found. That cemetery was so grown over in l939 that it could not be found. This is probably on Hand land. Now all that land is covered with houses.

ELISHA HAND AND ESTER TEAL
Fifth Generation in these English colonies and first in the United States
            Elisha Hand, son of Silas, and, Sarah/Mary Crowell was born according to the family bible the 17th January, l752 which would be right for Silas 2nd wife, Mercy Crowell to be his mother as is credited.
            Elisha married Esther Teal daughter of unknown parents 25th of May, l783 in a marriage which is not published as recorded in New Jersey. It is either unrecorded, unpublished or took place out of state.
            Esther was born the l0th November, l766 and signed a deed as living in Sept, l802, but may have died shortly after that. Her death is reported as the 4th of June, 1802 which does not square with the signing of the deed. Esther may have died as a result of sickness from childbirth as their last child, Jesse, was born the 26th of May, l802. Esther died leaving eight children for Elisha to raise.
.             After Esther died Elisha married Rachel whose last name is unknown. That marriage is not recorded in Cape May County.

Children of Elisha and Esther Teal Hand from their Bible^8*

Elisha born 26 Oct, l784. Moved to Washington County,Ohio about 1806 where he married Sarah Cheadle in 1809 [see below],
Sarah born 4 December, l786- Moved to Ohio where she married Joseph Cheadle in Washington County on the 25th December, l809, (see below)
Noah born 24 March, l789 died l825 buried at Cold Springs Presbyterian
Aaronborn 5 May, l79l- well documented in the Hand manuscript- buried at Cold springs Presbyterian
Experience born 14 February, l794 married Arley Lore
Elias born 15 Jan, l797 d l798
Rhoda born 4 Sept, l799 m Seth Lore died l860- came to W. Indiana [is this the connection to the Wanamaker/Vanderbilt families?]
Jesse- not listed in the bible- born 26 May, l802.- buried at C.S.P.

            Elisha received 200 acres from his father by will. That land was probably in the area of Fishing Creek called Nummies for an Indian who had lived there. His land was next to that of his brother, Jonathan. In l79l Elisha's land adjoined that of John Nickleson. Elisha did not apparently buy any land, but did sell land as will be shown. He may not have recorded his land until l800 (Book B, 266). It was not at that time unusual to let the recording go until ready to sell.
            Land was in irregular pieces marked from tree to tree, and is very difficult to trace today. [A professional land boundary investigator told me that he could spend months on a boundry- it is that confused].
            Elisha of the Lower Precinct, Cape May Co., had 80 acres for tax purposes in l773 with 5 horses and cattle.
            On the list of Cape May ratables of l778 Elisha had 34 acres of improved land, and 98 acres unimproved land or l52 acres total. He was only farming a small piece.
            Many Hand men from Cape May County served in the Revolution. Their names are listed in several places in Cape May histories. Elisha's name is not among them which makes the inquirer wonder why. Elisha was not evidently signed up for the militia.
            In Stevens History of Cape May County it is said that on July 8, l777 men were paid by the Continental Congess^9*for bringing Elisha Hand from Cape May to Philadelphia as a "suspected person", This incident was at the order of General Benedict Arnold who was busy in New Jersey. The incident as reported in the Journals of the Continental Congress refer to Elihu Hand which makes one wonder what Stevens knew for sure of the incident. Furthermore, there are two Cape May wills by men named Elihu made in l797 and l806 either one of which could be the man in question. ^7A*
            There are several other possibilities on the matter of not being registered with the militia. One most likely is that Elisha was engaged in making salt, and was excused from signing up with the militia. It is pointed out that salt was such an important commodity that the Continental Congress addressed the making of salt as early as 29th December, l775. ^8A* It was recommended by the Continental Congress the 19th of August, l776 that workmen engaged in salt making not exceeding ten men be exempt from military duty when so employed. The same thing was recommended by the New Jersey legislature. Exemption of a few men for salt making was the law of the land- salt being of a high priority.
            Salt making was done by the bay in a salt works set up by Aaron Leaming, Jesse Hand and Mr. Godfrey the 23 of May, l777. There were employees. It is quite possible this was done near Fishing Creek. There was even some kind of battle there during the war. So the exemption of Elisha Hand is quite possible. This Jesse Hand was a very wealthy and influential relative of Elisha. Jesse Hand and Leaming men were in the business of owning privateers during the Revolution- and possibly smuggling for profit. These were men of wealth and influence.
It is also possible that this Elisha Hand was not well enough to fight.
            The fate of Cape May County during the Revolution is reported by both Stevens and Dorwart. The place was raided repeatedly and terrorized along the coasts by British vessels both then and in l812. The British tried to blockade the Delaware Bay -all 30 miles of it, but the people landed goods further up, and took them across New Jersey by cart or wagon to Philadelphia.
            In 1812- the Second War for American Independence- Elijah and Jacob Hand had salt works near Fishing Creek which were "molested" at times by the British.9 It is unknown whether this is the Elisha of our interest, but it is entirely possible. Cape May was an insecure and vulnerable place in both those wars.

LAND RECORD OF ELISHA, ESTHER AND RACHEL HAND;
            The key recording is in Book B, page 266 recorded 1 Sept, l800 in which Elisha Hand of Lower Twp, Cape May Co, a farmer, and Esther, his wife, involving land received from his father ",-----s" (the word is not clear) by will. The land was originally owned by the grandfather of this Elisha as it says by a deed written in l702. The land was recorded originally at Burlington, NJ from the West Jersey Proprietors. It was next to the land of Jonathan Hand. All this is in the deed. This deed conveys 36 acres of this land to Stillwell Shane. The land is in the neighborhood of Coxhall Creek near butternut something bounded by Richard Edmonds to John Taylor's corner.
            The Butternut reference is not clear, but today in the area there is a street named Butternut. This was near the inception of CoxHall and Fishing Creeks which ran from inland to the bay- almost meeting in this area. The area is now shopping malls and tracts of houses. This deed would indicate that Esther was alive in Sept of l802 in order to sign the deed.
            In January of l803 Elisha alone signed and sold 4 acres he got from his brother as recorded in Book C, p 135. The land had been owned by brother, Silas, on Coxhall- probably had from their father. So Elisha's brother, Silas, died before this.
            In February l804 as recorded in Book C, page 429 Elisha and his wife, Rachel, sold 50 acres to Stillwell Shane- the land being next to Jonathan Hand at the head of Noll Creek. This may be Hall Creek being short for Cox Hall- where Dr. Cox in the late 17th century had his big house or Hall (in the English sense of the word). There is mention of giving the land to his son, Ellis. It looks like Ellis although we would like it to be Elisha- but, maybe, it is Elisha misspelled. MAYBE, THIS IS A WAY THAT ELISHA SR. GOT MONEY TO GIVE TO ELISHA JR. TO GO TO THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY AT MARIETTA. Elisha Jr. would have been 20 years old at the time- ready to come into his majority and leave father and step mother.
            It does appear that Elisha sold off pieces of property [to keep afloat financially?].
            In Book B page 322 of Reports of the Recorders Office there is a map of l845 of irregular shaped pieces of land. One lot line says "Elijah Hands land- S 29 l00 perches." Other notations on the map say: "Map of a piece of sunken salt marsh on the head of Fishing Creek meadow adjoining Jeremiah Hands.commonly called the Jeremiah Marsh and set off of Ellis Hughes being lot No 5." Also "Map of a tract of bush land and old field at Nummies. Set off to the heirs of Sarah Wales deceased being Lot No 8. This is further identification of the land of Elisha Hand with the area called Nummies at Fishing Creek.

ESTATE OF ELISHA HAND SR.

            There is no estate for this Elisha Hand Sr. He probably died without a will owning only a piece of land which was inherited by his wife, Rachel. That is not clear. It is clear that there was not an estate according to the Surrogates Office at Cape May Court House and the New Jersey Archives.

Elisha Hand Jr. and Sarah (Sally) Hand Cheadle
Sixth Generation in this country
            By February of 1804 Elisha and Sally had a step-mother in the house caring for the younger children. Elisha and Sally singly or together set out for Marietta. This was a trip of quite a few days out from Philadelphia to near Pittsburgh where they could catch a means to float down to Marietta. Many people had done that and were floating down in those years. For whatever reasons Elisha and Sally decided to go to the comparative wilderness of Ohio through Marietta-that huge tract of land owned by the Ohio Company. Whether or not they had known other people from Cape May who preceded them we don't know.
            Elisha and Sally went up the big Muskingum River about an hours drive today, but then a long days walk of about 25 miles or an arduous paddle up river. Many had walked up ahead of them. It was a long, hard paddle to get up there up to the Big Bottom area - easier to walk and pull possessions on a hand cart or with some animal doing the pulling. We don't know whether Elisha went first to find them a place or the two of them make the initial trip together. Whether they began their first living all the way up where the Cheadles lived around Big Bottom- they ended up in that area. It was possible in those days to build a cabin in a couple of days and be a squatter on land that was not being used. All the surveyed land of 100 and 160 acres was not occupied by the non-resident owners.
            Since John Craft was a fishing partner of Elisha Hand for a few years, it is possible that he was a New Jersey friend with dutch roots. Elisha, of course, from living near the ocean had a basic orientation to fishing. Big fish were caught in the Muskingum in those days. in sizes that would seem unbelievable today.
            Elisha Hand is not in the census of 1803, but is listed in the 1810 census with his wife, Sally, and no children. He is not in a voting list of 24 June, 1806 nor on a 6 April 1807 voting list. Voting may have required land ownership.3/25/1807 list is the earliest the name of Elisha Hand shows up on the public record.10 Women were not listed in those days. While most townships were 36 square miles [six miles square] the hills along the river may have changed that for Roxbury- the exact size in square miles is unknown- but that is not many men with their families. They were spread out as we know on 100 and 160 acre lots.
            The area was still subject to Indian attack although that proved to be very rare, but the danger of Indian attack was not settled until 1815 at the earliest. The country was sparsely settled. Wolves, buffalo, coyote and bear inhabited the area; and were a source of threat to the people and their animals. So here was a young woman just full grown in that frontier atmosphere with her brother. Of course, there were other families there with children of all ages. It proved to be a good place to find a husband and a wife for Elisha and Sarah. She is not the only young woman who had the fortitude to make such a move. However, one has to admire her pluck.
            Descendent s of this Elisha Hand and Sarah Hand Cheadle could qualify for First Families of Ohio by the Ohio Genealogical Society. That distinction is available to descendents of people who settled in Ohio before 1820 which these people surely did. Their recorded marriages to Sarah Cheadle and Joseph Cheadle were in 1809 proves that part of the case. Elisha and Sarah Cheadle were married the 29th of October 1809 and Joseph Cheadle and Sarah Hand the 25th of December, 1809. That is early enough to qualify. However, the linkage between every generation is very difficult to prove. The man who did the marrying was Asa Cheadle- actually usually attributed to Asa Cheadle Jr.- elected Justice of the Peace for the township from 1807-1810.

Land of Elisha Hand Jr.

            This Elisha Hand did not use the Jr. in the new country as his father was not there. The first purchase of land recorded in the Courthouse at Marietta was bought the 26th of January, 1814. If there was an earlier purchase it isn't recorded in Marietta. Since Elisha did vote before this one wonders whether land ownership was required to vote.
            This piece of land was 17 acres off a 160 acre lot- being the SW corner of lot 1050 bordering on the river and giving access to the river. It is obvious that a fisherman would want to be on the river. The purchase is recorded in Volume 13, page 97-99. The description of the piece is from black oak to beech to white oak so many chains and rods. It would be impossible to figure out today. The piece was being re-sold for non-payment of taxes, and was probably a great bargain for a poor man at the actual price of seventy-five cents- that is 4.4 cents per acre [which is hard to believe]. The deed is clear on the price, and does not suggest a down payment, loan or mortgage. The location of the land is pictured on a map in Richard Walker's privately printed book on Stockport, Ohio^10*. It was apparently next to land of John Craft. John was a commercial fishing partner of Elisha's for some years.
            It seems a fact that Elisha did not buy land at first so it is fair to assume that he did not have the money. He probably had to earn the way for himself and Sally for what employment opportunities were there for a young woman up among other struggling families on this frontier? It seems that his father did not have much money to give him to get started or he wouldn't have waited to buy such a cheap piece of land. It would be fascinating to know how this young man and woman got along until their marriages. We know that Elisha caught fish in the river and sold it- often up the river in McConnelsville and Zanesville when those villages developed.
            Elisha and his family were listed in the 1830 census and they were gone to Indiana by the 1840 census- they left in 1839 it appears. Elisha does not appear in the 1840 census by name in Indiana. However, Nancy Hand is listed in that census as family number 851 Vermillion County which is the same number as the Joseph Cheadle family- which sounds as if Nancy was living with that family. Is this Sally living with her brother's family while Elisha was away?

Church record of Elisha and Sarah (Sally) Cheadle Hand

            Richard Walker has published the original church record of the pioneer Presbyterian church which began in Big Bottom in 1824 and lasted until 1848.11 The church first met in the log schoolhouse which was probably the first public building in the area.
            The church record says that on the 16th of February, 1824 Elisha and Sally Hand as well as Joseph and Sally Cheadle with Asa and Richard Cheadle with five other men and women received membership certificates. These folks were among the founders of this pioneer church.
            Several of the children of Elisha and Sally Cheadle Hand were baptized at that church, and are in the record printed by Richard Walker:

Jane Hand
Clarissa Hand
Isaac Watts Hand

19 December, 1824
15 February, 1829
6 January, 1831

            There were earlier children born to this marriage who were apparently not baptized or their baptism was not recorded in this church record.
            It was the custom of the frontier Presbyterian church of that time to try to control members behavior through guilt, private and public condemnation and the threat of being dropped from membership. This was basic social pressure to affect their behavior. According to this church record, Elisha was brought before the church elders, accused of and then admitting that he had "several times within the year past, been guilty of violating the sanctity of the Sabbath , by travelling on the river in a canoe and also by being employed in his sugar camp. In relation to these offences he professed repentance and proposes of amendment." That was August 3rd, 1829.
            This reveals the fact that he was honest and that he had a group of maple trees tapped, and was making maple sugar in the spring out of boiling down the sap. That procedure made good sugar, and was a product saleable for cash.
            While many of the stones in the `Cheadle'- Big Bottom cemetery have been washed away by flood, there once was one for the child, Jesse Hand, 1819-1821.

Life of Sally Hand Cheadle: Sally Hand married Joseph Cheadle up the Muskingum on ChristmasDay of 1809 in a marriage that is recorded. Joseph and Sally had several children. Some of their life is traced in my own history of the big Cheadle family. Unfortunately, Sally died young reputedly on 21 July,1824 leaving her whole family of children of all ages. While little is known about their pioneer life which was by our standards quite limited, but undoubtedly full or trials and joys. My research did turn up the fact that at least six grandsons of Joseph and Sally served in the Civil War, and of those four were killed or died while in service.
            Joseph and Sarah Hand Cheadle had the following children:

Augustus
Asa
Elisha Hand
Roswell
Richard
Winifred
Sarah
Minerva
Hand

born 11 Dec, 1810
born 24 March, 1815
born 16 April, 1818
born 27 May, 1819
born 11 Dec, 1821
born 1822+
about 1823
date ukn
date ukn

Other notices of this family             Elisha was respected enough to be appointed one of the four appraisers of the estate of John Cheadle on the 18th of November, 1823.
            The daybook of Dr. Seth Hart has been typed and a copy is in the library at Marietta College. The part from 10 Oct-30 Nov, 1826 has been published with these references to Elisha Hand. 18th October,1826 Mr. Hand owed for a visit by the doctor and medicine for his daughter (unnamed) which cost Elisha $1.25. On the 20th of October, 1826 again Mr. Hand owed for a visit and medicine for his child $3.00. and then again on the 21st f or another visit and medicine for his child he owed $2.00. On the 23rd `Mr. Hand' paid 50 cents on his bill of $7.50. If you consider the change in the value of money those prices would be a lot like the costs of a physician today except that they visited in the home which took a lot more time.
            Elisha took Sally and his growing and grown family to Vermillion County, Indiana about 1837 with Joseph Cheadle and his wife and the children still at home. There were at least four related families who went to Indiana together- Elisha,Hand, as well as Joseph, Roswell and Augustus Cheadle.
            Elisha, wife and family are in the 1850 census in Indiana, but by the 1860 census Elisha had died and only Sally Hand remained.

Anna Lore Carpenter Letter

            In the early 1960s I was in correspondence with Mrs. Jean Cheadle Stuntz then of Delphi, Indiana. Jean was the great-granddaughter of Joseph Cheadle. Jean was an avid genealogist of all the families from whom she descended- among them the Cheadles and Hands. She had a big project going, but Jean's life ended before she had accomplished what she had planned. Jean sent me a copy of parts of this important letter which she apparently had in her possession at that time.

LaCross, Wisconsin
Feb 6th, 1889

"I am glad to hear you are a son of Uncle Joseph, as I remember him well. My father's name was Seth Lore and my Mother Rhoda Hand [sister of Elisha and Sarah] .the Hands were from Cape May, New Jersey.

[She tells according to Jean how her father lost his money when she was 12 years old]
"We then started for the West, landed at Bloomington, Iowa, staid there three months, then started on the first spring boat down the river, and landed after a few days at Perrysville and at your Father's. My mother expecting to see her sister Aunt Sally Cheadle, but instead found Aunt Hannah, and I remember I told her I loved her as well as my own aunt, as she and Uncle Joe were very kind. We staid there few days and went to Mother's brother Uncle Elisha Hand's. I do not know how many miles they lived from Perrysville, but I remember Uncle Joseph and our family, except myself, rode in big wagons and I rode horse back, through hevy timber the mud some 2 feet deep. It was all very strange to us coming from a large city. [Philadelphia]. With al the comforts that wealth can bestow. We all enjoyed it for they were all so good and kind.... but I remember the house where you live all seemed so neat and comfortable. (she moved West again after her marriage) Uncle Elisha at that time had moved to appanoose, Illinois. (goes on to talk of her own life, family, a claim she made in Washington during the Civil War for her father against New Granada's government) Cousin Jacob Hand of Philadelphia for his 3rd wife Wanamaker's sister". [ she might mean Jacob Hand Vanderbilt -ed.]

Sgd Anna M. Carpenter

The Philadelphia connection brings to mind the fact that a young woman of unknown name of this Cape May Hand family married Cornelius Vanderbilt- a rich businessman of Philadelphia. The wealthy Cape May families had had business involvement in Philadelphia for a long time. One of their sons was Jacob Hand Vanderbilt. It always gave the Indiana Hand and Cheadle families amusement that they were distantly related to all that money and power.

FOOTNOTES
^1* Some of the names and dates of thee Hand families are from these sources:
        Hand Manuscript at the Cape May County Historical and Genealogical Society (CMCHGS)
By Z. and D. Hand, 1953 microfilmed by the LDS Library
Genealogy of the Hand Family Dorothy Dymond, 1982, Heritage Press, Baltimore

^2* George W. Jenkins "The wife of John Hand"  The Cape May County Magazine of History and Genealogynd to Heny Gransden license 12 June, 1609 at the old church of St. Martins-le-Grand. The wooden church was dedicated in the 9^th century in an area of old London called Cheapside which area exists today. The old church probably burned int he fire of 1666, but would be in the eastern shadow of St. Pauls Cathedral.
        Alice was buried at Westminster Cathedral Cloisters 10 Sept, 1645. {the cloisters are where the monks lived, and some pious and wealthy people are buried under the floor stones}. Henry Gransden, gentleman, was bapt 29 June, 1584 at Stansted, Kent Co, England {now part of London, and is buried at Tunbridge 26 Oct, 1623. The will of Henry Gransden is published here as well. Westmindter was a separate town, but is now part of the city of London. Stansted, Kent, is just south of London there being a famous airfield there now.
         Henry Gandsden was the s/o John b abt 1560 probably Stansted who married Helen. John was buried 20 August, 1609 at Stansted, and Helen was buried 04 Jan, 1586-7. John Gransden s/o William who married Ann. Wm buried 12 March 1582/3 at Stansted, Kent, England, and Ann buried 19 March, 1582/3 same place.

^3* Paul Kendall The Yorkist Age (New York: Norton, 1962) 24- 25.

^4* This town has various spellings as Turnbridge, Tunbridge, Tonbridge. The correct spellis is unknown.

^5* Jeffrey M. Dorwart Cape May County, N.J. Rutgers U. Press (Brunswick, Rutgers, 1993). A very interesting modern history of Cape May with a lot of information about the life and times of these families. Well worth reading for the history with mention of the Hands and other leading families.

^6* Barnabas Crowell had a will probated March, 1748 summarized on page 127 NJ Calendar of Wills 1730-1750, and photocopy #137E in the NJ Archives. The will names Marcy or Mercy among the six children - none of the daughters listed with their married names. The value of the estate was 138 British pounds of the time including one negro male slave valued at 30 pounds.
        It has been impossible to connect Barnabas with other early Crowells at Cape May. The earliest Cape May Crowell is apparently Samuel on 22 April, 1695 "Samuel Crowell, gentleman, was granted 226 acres by the West jersey Society", from Cape May Co land records. This Samuel is s/o Yelverton of Yarmouth), but there is no conclusive evidence.

^7* The big, old brick church is pictured in the article. The present big, two story, brick building was built in 1823 without much architectural interest. It is said in the article that there are 14,000 graves around the building which was originally on 200 acres.

^8* The bible record of Elisha and Esther Teal hand was published in the Church of the Advent Yearbook Cape may, N.J., summer, 1929: and is on mocrofilm at LDS library.

^9* Journals of the Continental Congress, 1907, Vol 8, 540, 8 July, 1777.

^7A* New Jersey Index of Wills, 1912.

^8A* On the making of salt during the Revolution, and the involvement of Hand and Leaming men see Harry and Gace Weiss, The Revolutionary Salt Works of the New Jersey Coast (Trenton, 1959) pages 14, 16, 35-36, and Arthur D. Pierce, Smugglers Woods, 1960, pages 69, 230, 249.

^9A* L.S. Stevens, op. Cit., 29.

^10* Richard Walker Stockport, Ohio (Sesquicentennial Committee: Stockport, 1984) 50.

^11* Walker 189-200.

END OF DOCUMENT

Researched and Written by George C. Williston, M.A.
Wooster, Ohio
Rev. 1999, 2001

The author of this document, George C. Williston, is very interested in communicating with any descendants of the families mentioned in this document or with any person who has information about these families. To contact him, CLICK the E-MAIL LINK BELOW
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