Collection # 22

CHERRY HALL PAPERS, 1682 - 1941

Processed by Lois R. Densky

Edited by Gregory J. Plunges

Monmouth County Historical Association
70 Court Street
Freehold, New Jersey

February 1981

INTRODUCTION

The Cherry Hall Papers were collected by Sarah Holmes Hubbard Conover (1805 - 1887), who lived at the family home called Cherry Hall in Matawan, NJ. The name of the collection is derived from the house. The papers, which primarily represent the Conover, Holmes, and Mott families of Monmouth County, are devided into thirty-five separate series. These groups are arranged first alphabetically by family last name, then by generation and by first name. The topical files are placed last. Many of the individual persons represented in the collection are closely related to one another by kinship. The Cherry Hall Papers include personal, business, religious, political, and official materials. They reflect the social, economic, and political history of Monmouth County and New Jersey from the 17th to early 20th centuries. The following are brief biographical sketches of the primary people whose papers are contained in the collection.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES

JAMES BOWNE (1701 - 1749/50) The son of James Bowne (n.d.) of Middletown, NJ, he married Margaret Newbold in 1726. They had nine children: Rachel (b. 1727), James (1728/29 - 1730), Sarah (b. 1730/31), Anna (b. 1733), Leah (b. 1735), Philip (b. 1737), Hulda (b. 1739/40), Editch (b. 1742), and Margaret (1746 - 1748).

DAVID BREARLY (1745 - 1790). Lawyer, jurist and statesman, David Brearly was born at Spring Grove, NJ, the son of David and Mary (Clark) Brearly. Prior to the Revolution, he practiced law at Allentown, NJ. He was commissioned a lieutenant-colonel of the 4th New Jersey in 1776, and of the 1st New Jersey in 1777. He resigned in 1779, but served after the war as colonel of the Militia. Brearly was a member of the NJ Constitutional Convention, and in June 1779, was elected chief justice of the NJ Supreme Court. His judicial decisions included the precedent-setting case of Holmes vs. Watson (1779) which protected the state constitution from legislative encroachment. Brearly was a delegate to the Federal Convention of 1787, and presided over the state convention which ratified the Federal Constitution. He was a presidential elector, and US district judge from 1789 until his death. A devoted churchman, he was a delegate to the Episcopal General Convention of 1786, and a compiler of the prayer book. About 1767, Brearly married Elizabeth Mullen of Trenton. In 1783, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Higbee. His political associates include James Mott (1739 - 1823).

GARRET P. CONOVER (1804 - 1873). The son of Peter H. Conover (1778 - 1817) and Mary Rue (1779 - 1814), he married Sarah Holmes Hubbard (1805 - 1887) in 1825. She was the daughter of Elias Hubbard (1776 - 1864) and Hulda Holmes (1779 - 1851). They had eight children: Mary Rue (1825 - 1909), Hulda Holmes (1828 - 1915), Catharine Ann (1830 - 1892), Ellen (1832 - 1914), Sarah (1835 - 1878), Margaretta (1837 - 1914), and twins Williampe Van Dorn (b. 1844) and Garret Van Dorn (1844 - 1877). Garret P. Conover built Cherry Hall on Main Street in Matawan in 1836. The family moved into this residence in 1837. The building still stands today. Garret P. Conover was a lumber merchant, yeoman, and storekeeper. He served as Overseer of the Poor, and as an officer of the Matawan Presbyterian Church.

CATHARINE ANN CONOVER (1830 - 1892). The daughter of Garret P. Conover (1804 - 1873) and Sarah Holmes Hubbard (1805 - 1887), Catharine Ann married Henry W. Johnson (1828 - 1904) in 1858. They resided in Matawan, and had four children: Ann C. (n.d.), Sara B. (1865 - 1956), Mary E. (n.d.), and Edith Louise (1870 - 1947). She spent the last years of her life in Barton, VT, suffering from tuberculosis.

ELLEN CONOVER (1832 - 1914). The daughter of Garret P. Conover (1804 - 1873) and Sarah Holmes Hubbard (1805 - 1887), she lived at Cherry Hall and remained unmarried.

JOSEPH DORSETT (1681 - 1741). The son of James Dorsett (d. ca. 1721), he married Elizabeth Poling (1679 - 1759). They resided in Middletown, and had seven children: Joseph (n.d.), John (b. 1708), James (b. 1710), Samuel (1713 - 1741), Martha (b. 1715), Rachel (n.d.), and Elizabeth (n.d.). Joseph Dorsett was a yeoman.

SAMUEL DORSETT (1713 - 1741). The son of Joseph Dorsett (1681 - 1741) and Elizabeth Poling (1679 - 1759), he married Rachel Britton (1721 - 1795) in 1739. They resided in Middletown, and had two children: Elixabeth (n.d.) and Mary (n.d.). Samuel Dorsett was a yeoman.

JOSEPH HIGBEE (n.d.). Joseph Higbee was an associate of James Mott (1739 - 1823). Additional biographical information is unavailable.

JONATHAN HOLMES SR. (1682 - 1766). The son of Jonathan Holmes (1633 - 1713) and Sarah Borden (1644 - 1705), he was a yeoman and resided in Middletown. His first wife was Deliverance Throckmorton Ashton (n.d.). They had two children: Jonathan (d. 1738), and Deliverance (n.d.). His second wife was Rebecca Leonard Throckmorton (d. 1761). They had five children: Sarah (n.d.), Joseph (1722 - 1738), Samuel (1726 - 1769), John (1730 - 1804), and Rebekah (1734 - 1757).

JONATHAN HOLMES JR. (d. 1768). The son of Obadiah Holmes (1666-1745) and Alice Throckmorton Ashton (1671 - 1716), he married Teuntjie Hendrickson (n.d.). They lived in Freehold, NJ and had eleven children: Daniel (n.d.), Obadiah (d. 1752), Joseph (1736 - 1763), Jonathan (n.d.), John (n.d.), William (d. 1776), Jacobus (James, bap. 1737), Elsie (Alice, bap. 1731), Catharine (1731 - 1796), Mary (n.d.), and Samuel (1720 - 1773). Jonathan Holmes Jr. was a lumber merchant and yeoman. He was known as Jonathan Holmes Jr., in distinction from his uncle, Jonathan Holmes Sr. (1682 - 1766), and his cousin, Jonathan Holmes Minr. (d. 1738).

JOSEPH HOLMES (d. 1777). The son of Obadiah Holmes (1666 - 1745) and Alice Throckmorton Ashton (1671 - 1716), he married Elizabeth Ashton (n.d.). They had eight children: John (b. 1724), Allix (1726 - 1788), Obadiah (b. 1728), James (b. 1732), Mary (b. 1733), Joseph (1736 - 1809), Jonathan (1738 - 1777), and John (1744 - 1783). Joseph Holmes was a yeoman who resided first at Middletown, and later at Upper Freehold (now Cream Ridge, NJ). He was a member of the Middletown Baptist Church in 1733. He was one of the founders of the Upper Freehold Baptist Church in 1766.

JAMES HOLMES (1702 - 1762). The son of Obadiah Holmes (1666 - 1745) and Alice Throckmorton Ashton (1671 - 1716), he resided at Upper Freehold, and remained unmarried. James Holmes was a member of the 18th, 19th, and 20th Provincial Assemblies from 1754 - 1762.

SAMUEL HOLMES (1704 - 1760). The son of Obadiah Holmes (1666 - 1745) and Alice Throckmorton Ashton (1671 - 1716), he married Hulda Mott (1709 - 1784). She was the daughter of Gershom Mott (1663 - 1733) and Sarah Clayton (n.d.). They had ten children: Obadiah (1732 - 1787), Sarah (1734 - 1757), Samuel (1736 - 1773), James (d. 1769), Asher (1740 - 1808), Mary (1741 - 1819), John (1745 - 1798), Elisha (1748 - 1786), Gershom (1750 - 1784), and Jonathan (b. 1753). Samuel Holmes was a saddler and resided on his plantation, Scotschester, in Colts Neck Township, NJ. He was a member of the Middletown Baptist Church, and is buried at Holmdel Baptist Churchyard.

JOHN HOLMES (1708 - 1758). The son of Obadiah Holmes (1666 - 1745) and Alice Throckmorton Ashton (1671 - 1716), he married Mary Kecham (1720 - 1811). They had four children: John I. (n.d.), Alice (b. 1753), Obadiah (1755 - 1772), and Sarah (b. 1758). They resided in Middletown. John Holmes is buried at Holmdel Baptist Churchyard.

JONATHAN HOLMES MINR. (d. 1738). The son of Jonathan Holmes Sr. (1682 - 1766) and Deliverance Throckmorton Ashton (n.d.), he died unmarried at Barbados on his way home from Ireland.

OBADIAH HOLMES (bap. 1716 - 1752). The son of Jonathan Holmes Jr. (d. 1768) and Teuntjie Hendrickson (n.d.), he remained single and resided in Freehold. Obadiah Holmes was a cordwainer and tanner.

JOSEPH HOLMES (1736 - 1763). The son of Jonathan Holmes Jr. (d. 1768) and Teuntjie Jendrickson (n.d.), he married Sarah Mott (n.d.), daughter of James Mott (1707 - 1787) and Mary Holmes (d. 1749). They had three children: Asher (n.d.), James Mott (d. 1806), and John (n.d.). Joseph Holmes was a merchant, and resided at Shrewsbury NJ and New York City. He was a business partner with his brother-in-law, James Mott (1739 - 1823) until his death in 1763.

JAMES MOTT HOLMES (d. 1806). The son of Joseph Holmes (1736 - 1763) and Sarah Mott (n.d.), he lived and worked in the South and West. James Mott Holmes remained single and died in Cincinnati, Ohio while engaged as a representative for his uncle, James Mott (1739 - 1823).

ASHER HOLMES (1740 - 1808). Accomplished surveyor, military and civil leader, Asher Holmes was the son of Samuel Holmes (1704 - 1760) and Hulda Mott (1709 - 1784). He resided at the family plantation, Scotschester, at Colts Neck Township. Asher Holmes married Sarah Watson (1739 - 1830), daughter of John Watson and Hope Taylor, in 1770. They had four children: Sarah (1775 - 1857), John Watson (1776 - 1840), Catharine (1778 - 1848), and Hulda (1779 - 1851). In 1774, he was appointed to both the Committee of the Township of Freehold, and the Committee of Observation and Inspection for Freehold. He was appointed High Sheriff of Monmouth County (1776 - 1777), and in 1776 commissioned Major, 1st Regiment of Monmouth Militia. He was promoted to the rank of Colonel in 1778. He served during the battles of Trenton (1776), Germantown (1777), and Monmouth (1778). Asher Holmes was further commissioned Colonel of the Regiment for State Troops in 1779, and as Colonel of the Battalion for State Troops in 1780. In 1782, he and General Forman were appointed to wait on General Washington with papers concerning the execution of Capt. Joshua Huddy. Asher Holmes was in command at the taking of the privateer brig BRITTANIA near Shoal Harbor (1779), the capture of the POLACRE (1783), and of the FUNETUR (1792?). He also was a member of the Legislative Council of New Jersey (1786 - 88).

SAMUEL HOLMES (1766 - 1844). He was the son of Samuel Holmes (1729 - 1769) and Mary Stout (1727 - 1773). He married Sarah Holmes (1775 - 1857), the daughter of Asher Holmes (1740 - 1808) and Sarah Watson (1739 - 1830). They had three children: Mary (1794 - 1844), Kate (n.d.), and Jonathan (n.d.)

JOHN WATSON HOLMES (1776 - 1840). The son of Asher Holmes (1740 - 1808) and Sarah Watson (1739 - 1830), he lived at Freehold and remained unmarried.

HENRY W. JOHNSON (1828 - 1904). Born at Newton, NJ, he was the son of William H. Johnson (n.d.). He married Catharine A. Conover (1830 - 1892), daughter of Garret P. Conover (1804 - 1873) and Sarah Holmes Hubbard (1805 - 1887), in 1858. They resided at Matawan, and had four children: Ann C. (n.d.), Sara B. (1853 - 1956), Mary E. (n.d.), and Edith Louise (1870 - 1947). Henry W. Johnson was cashier at the Farmers' and Merchants Bank in Middletown Pt. from 1855 to 1873. He was elected County Collector (1873 - 74). He returned to banking in 1875, when he became financial manager and later cashier at the Long Branch Banking Co., where he remained until his death. A religious man, he was a member and elder of the Matawan Presbyterian Church.

EDITH LOUISE JOHNSON (1870 - 1947). The daughter of Henry W. Johnson (1828 - 1904) and Catharine A. Conover (1830 - 1892), she remained unmarried and lived in Cherry Hall in Matawan. She was a family historian and genealogist, and used many of the Cherry Hall Papers in her research.

GERSHOM MOTT (1663 - 1733) The son of Adam Mott and William Bowne's daughter, he married twice. He was first married in 1796 to Sarah Clayton Gershom (n.d.). They had six children: John (b. 1697), William (b. 1699), Gershom (b. 1702), Asher (b. 1704), James (1707 - 1787), and Hulda (1709 - 1784). His second wife, Catharine (b. 1671) was the daughter of John Bowne (n.d.) and Lydia Holmes (n.d.). Gershom Mott was a joiner. He was appointed High Sheriff of Monmouth County (1697 - 98). He was a member of the Colonial Assembly from the Eastern Division of New Jersey from 1707 to 1710. He was expelled in 1710 because of factional fighting, but was reinstatedin 1713.

GERSHOM MOTT (b. 1702). The son of Gershom Mott (1663 - 1733) and Sarah Clayton (n.d.), his wife's name is unknown. They had two children: Gershom Jr. (n.d.) and Joseph (n.d.). Born in Monmouth County, he removed to Morris County. There he served as judge of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas (1740 - 49), judge of the Court of General Sessions, and judge of the Superior Court of Common Pleas. He was also a yeoman.

JAMES MOTT (1707 - 1787). The son of Gershom Mott (1763 - 1733) and Sarah Clayton (n.d.), he first married Mary Holmes (d. 1749), the daughter of Obadiah Holmes (1666 - 1745) and Alice Throckmorton Ashton (1671 - 1716), in 1734. They had six children: Sarah (n.d.), Hulda (n.d.), James (1739 - 1823), Gershom (1744 - 1786), John (d. 1796), and a daughter. In 1752, he married Amey (Borden) Herbert (d. 1754), the daughter of Safety Borden of Bordentown, NJ. Amey Herbert was first married to William Maghee (n.d.), and they had four children: James (b. 1728), Safety (b. 1731), Catharine M. (b. 1731, sic), and William (b. 1738). Her second husband was Daniel Herbert. She had no issue by Herbert or James Mott. James Mott was a yeoman and resided at Middletown. He also pursued various business activities with his sons, James and Gershom. He was commissioned 2nd Major in the Monmouth Militia (1775 - 76), serving during the Revolution. He was appointed deputy to the Provincial Congress and to the Council of Safety from Monmouth County in 1776. He was involved in the early Baptist movement in America, and is interred in the Middletown Baptist Churchyard.

JAMES MOTT (1739 - 1823). Gentleman farmer, merchant, soldier, and politician, he was the son of James Mott (1707 - 1787) and Mary Holmes (d. 1749). James Mott never married. His residences included Middletown, Woodbridge, NJ, Trenton, and Washington, DC. His mercantile and lumber business partners included his father James Mott, his brother Gershom (1744 - 1786), and his cousin Jonathan Holmes (n.d.). Between at least 1760 and 1761, he was doing business with John Taylor (1718? - 1798), who at one time owned Marlpit Hall in Middletown, an Association property. He was also in partnership with his brother-in-law Joseph Holmes (1736 - 1763) beginning in 1761. In 1775, James Mott was commissioned Captain, 2nd Regiment in the Monmouth Militia, serving under David Brearly (1745 - 1790). From 1776 to 1779, he was a member of the NJ Assembly. He was appointed NJ State Treasurer (1783 - 99). Mott was elected as a Democrat to the Seventh and Eighth Congresses (1801 - 05), and was a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket of Madison and Clinton in 1808. His political associates include Joseph Bloomfield (1753 - 1823), Elisha Boudinot (1742 - 1819), David Brearly, Philimon Dickinson (1739 - 1809), Peter Freneau (1757 - 1813), Richard Hartshorne (1752 - 1831), Asher Holmes (1740 - 1808), John Lambert (1746 - 1823), Jonathan Rhea (1759 - 1815), and Richard Stockton (1764 - 1828). He died on the Mott family farm near Middletown, and is interred in the Middletown Baptist Cemetery.

GERSHOM MOTT (1744 - 1786). The son of James Mott (1707 - 1787) and Mary Holmes (d. 1749), he married Elizabeth Williams (n.d.). They had two children: Mary (n.d.) and Cornelia (b. 1764). Gershom Mott was a Captain during the Revolutionary War. He lived in New York for a time. With his father James Mott and his brother James (1739 - 1823), he engaged in mercantile and lumber businesses.

JOHN MOTT (d. 1796). He is probably the son of James Mott (1707 - 1787) and Mary Holmes (d. 1749). He married Sarah Miller (n.d.), widow of Samuel Cornell (n.d.). They had three children: Elijah (n.d.), Ann (n.d.), and Sarah (n.d.). They resided at Middletown. Stillwell (v. 4, pg. 105) cites John Mott's death date as between 1809 and 1832, but his estate papers prove it to be 1796.

JONATHAN RHEA (1759 - 1815). The son of Robert Rhea (d. 1777) and Mary Forman (d. 1777), he first married Maria Mathilda Rutgers (1763 - 1800), and they had eight children. he married his second wife, Mary Ann McIlvaine (d. 1814) in 1811. Jonathan Rhea served during the Revolution achieving the rank of Captain. He was a Colonel during the Pennsylvania Insurrection of 1794. Jonathan Rhea was born in Freehold, but later removed to Trenton. In 1784, he was admitted to the Bar and was twice elected clerk of the NJ Supreme Court (1793 - 1807). He was Quartermaster-General of the state (1812-13). From 1807 to 1815, he was second president of the Trenton Banking Co.

SIGNIFICANCE OF COLLECTION AND RELATED MATERIALS

The Cherry Hall Papers are an exceptional record group. The quality and quantity of subjects represented in the collection are extensive. The papers document the social, economic, and political history of Monmouth County and New Jersey.

The subjects are too numerous to list inclusively, but they include: James Mott (1739 - 1823), David Brearly (1745 - 1790), Asher Holmes (1740 - 1808), Joseph Bloomfield (1753 - 1823), Elisha Boudinot (1742 - 1819), Jonathan Rhea (1759 - 1815), Peter Freneau (1757 - 1819), the Revolutionary War, NJ politics, the NJ State Treasury, mercantile activities, slavery, the Middletown Baptist Church, the Matawan Presbyterian Church, the lumber, tanning and leather industries, the history of Freehold, Middletown, Matawan, Morris County, and genealogical records of the Conover, Holmes, and Mott families.

Related material housed at the Monmouth County Historical Association Library may be located through the card catalog. The Cherry Hall Papers have been partially indexed, and a card file is available. The papers have also been cited in Stillwell's Historical and Genealogical Miscellany. Many additional collections, housed elsewhere, relate to the collection. The New Jersey Historical Society in Newark has numerous collections which include the Holmes Family Papers, 1790-1904. The Rutgers University Library in New Brunswick has collections on Joseph Bloomfield, the Boudinot family, Jonathan Rhea, and the Johnson family.

SERIES DESCRIPTION

1. James Bowne (1701 - 1749/50). Papers, 1733 - 1762, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronilogically.

Series contains financial and legal documents, and records of his estate executor, James Mott (1707 - 1787). Estate records include an inventory and estate account book.

2. Bowne Family Papers. 1684 - 1710. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains articles of agreement which belonged to John Bowne (ca. 1630 - 1684), a deed which belonged to John Bowne (1664 - 1715/16), and an article of agreement which belonged to James Bowne's (1701 - 1749/50) father, James Bowne (n.d.)

3. David Brearly (1745 - 1790) Papers, 1766 - 1808, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

series contains mostly incoming business and legal correspondence, financial and legal documents, and records of his estate executors, James Mott (1739 - 1823), Joseph Bloomfield (1753 - 1823), and his brother Joseph Brearly (n.d.). Significant items include an October 10, 1788 letter from NJ printer Isaac Collins (1746 - 1817); court business transactions in the financial and legal documents; extensive inventories of Brearly's estate, including one of his substantial library; and a January 1, 1791 estate memo from Elias Boudinot (1740 - 1821).

4. Garret P. Conover (1804-1873) Papers, 1823 - 1899, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains incoming business and personal correspondence, financial and legal documents, Middletown Pt. Academy records, Overseer of the Poor records, miscellaneous papers, and records of his estate administrator, son-in-law Henry W. Johnson (1828 - 1904). Financial and legal documents pertain to personal and lumber business transactions. Significant items include the Overseer of the Poor records, an inventory of Conover's estate, and deeds.

5. Catharine Ann Conover (1830-1892) Correspondence, 1846 - 1891, n.d. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains incoming and outgoing personal correspondence detailing 19th century Monmouth County life.

6. Ellen Conover (1832 - 1914) Papers, 1842 - 1902, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains incoming personal correspondence detailing 19th century Monmouth County life, and printed material.

7. Joseph Dorsett (1681 - 1741) Estate Papers, 1741 - 1764. Arranged chronologically.

Records of his executors James Mott (1707 - 1787) and Dorsett's sons, John (b. 1708) and James (b. 1710). Series includes inventories, a vendue list, and James Mott's executor account book.

8. Samuel Dorsett (1713 - 1741) Estate Papers, 1741 - 1768. Arranged chronologically.

Records of his executors John Dorsett (b. 1708) and James Mott (1707 - 1787). Series includes an inventory, legal and financial documents, and James Mott's executor account book.

9. Joseph Higbee (n.d.) Estate Papers, 1796 - 1798, n.d. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains receipts for claims against estate paid by his executor, James Mott (1739 - 1823).

10. Jonathan Holmes, Sr. (1682 - 1766) Papers, 1738 - 1766. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains a deed, receipts, and a note.

11. Jonathan Holmes, Jr. (d. 1768) Account Book, 1743 - 1754.

Accounts of lumber sold.

12. Joseph Holmes (d. 1777) Financial and Legal Documents, 1748 - 1761. Arranged chronologically.

Series documents personal and business transactions.

13. James Holmes (1702 - 1762) Papers, 1739/40 - 1773. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains financial documents, and estate records of his executors James Mott (1707 - 1787), Holmes's brother Obadiah (d. ca. 1775), and nephew Obadiah (1732 - 1787). Estate records include receipts and account books of estate transactions. One receipt is from the printing company of (Benjamin) Franklin and Hall.

14. Samuel Holmes (1704 - 1760) Papers, 1729 - 1799, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains financial documents and records of his executors, brother-in-law James Mott (1707 - 1787) and brother James Holmes (1702 - 1762). Significant items include Samuel Holmes' saddlery business account book (with index), estate inventory, executor account books, and Scotschester plantation surveys.

15. John Holmes (1708 - 1758) Papers, 1747 - 1788, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains financial documents and records ofhis estate administrators James Mott (1707 - 1787), and Holmes's brothers (?), James (1702 - 1760) and Obadiah (d. ca. 1775). Estate records include inventories.

16. Jonathan Holmes, Minr. (d. 1738) Estate Papers, 1737 - 1761. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains records of his executors Samuel Holmes, James Mott (1707 - 1787), and James Tapscott (n.d.). Records include his will, an inventory, receipts, bonds, and a deed.

17. Obadiah Holmes (bap. 1716 - 1752) Papers, 1733 - 1777, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains financial and legal documents, and executor records of Obadiah's brother, Joseph Holmes (1736 - 1763). Financial documents pertain to Obadiah Holmes's tanning and cordwaining business. Significant items include his acocunt and daybooks, an estate inventory, and deeds.

18. Joseph Holmes (1736 - 1763) Papers, 1752 - 1769. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains business papers and estate records of his co-administrators, father-in-law James Mott (1707 - 1787) and brother-in-law James Mott Jr. (1739 - 1823). The business papers include financial and legal documents which pertain to Joseph Holmes' mercantile and lumber transactions. Significant items include business and estate accounts, and deeds.

19. James Mott Holmes (d. 1806) Papers, 1789 - 1806. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains incoming business correspondence, miscellaneous papers, and estate papers. Significant items include letters from his uncle, James Mott (1739 - 1823), authorizing power of attorney to James Mott Holmes to sell land in Ohio for his uncle; letters from his friend David Gavin; and an English translation of a Spanish decree that authorized David Gavin's right to land in Cuba, which he in turn sold to James Mott Holmes. The estate papers detail the circumstances surrounding Holmes' death in Cincinnati, Ohio.

20. Asher Holmes (1740 - 1808) Papers, 1760 - 1841, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains mostly incoming personal, business and military correspondence, financial and legal documents, sherrif's papers (precepts), military papers, and records of his executor John Watson Holmes (1776 - 1840), Asher's son. many letters deal with a legal action against Asher Holmes by the estate of Thomas Clarke (original bond in financial documents). Letters between 1777 - 1788, n.d. detail Revolutionary War military affairs, particularly the actions of the Monmouth Militia. A bond dated August 28, 1782, accounts dated July 26, 1780 and July 25, 1781, and receipts dated January 17 and June 20, 1782 are from Isaac Collins. Significant legal documents include a mortgate related to slaves, a guardianship certificate for John Burrowes (n.d.), and an inventory of Cyrenius Van Mater's estate. The military papers highlight the Revolutionary War activities of the 1st Regiment, Monmouth Militia. These include financial documents, the oath of the Continental Army, and records which pertain to the December 29, 1779 capture of the privateer brig BRITTANIA, the 1783 capture of the schooner FUNETUR, and the 1792 (?) capture of the vessel POLACRE.

21. Samuel Holmes (1766 - 1844) Financial Documents, 1795 - 1802. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains an account and receipts.

22. John Watson Holmes (1776 - 1840) Papers, 1770 - 1913, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains financial documents and estate records of his executors Hendrick P. Conover (n.d.), Garret P. Conover (1804 - 1873), Jonathan S. Holmes (n.d.), and Asher H. Hubbard (b. 1809). Significant estate papers include an inventory and Holmes' will. An estate receipt book (1840 - 1913) also contains recipes (1881 - 1913).

23. Miscellaneous Holmes Papers, 1736 - 1848, n.d. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains a petition, a religious exercise, surveys, and legal documents.

24. Henry W. Johnson (1828 - 1904) Papers, 1847 - 1904, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains incoming and outgoing personal and business correspondence, and personal and business financial and legal documents. Business correspondence concerns the Glenwood Institute, the Matawan Presbyterian Church, and bank business in Monmouth County. Johnson's account book kept during his term as Monmouth County Collector (1873 - 74) is a significant financial document. There are also deeds.

25. Edith Louise Johnson (1870 - 1947) Papers, 1884- 1941, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains mostly incoming correspondence, literary productions, printed amterial, and bound volumes. The correspondence is primarily genealogical inquiries in reference to: Ashton, Bowne, Burrowes, Clayton, Conover, Corlis, Forman, Hartshorne, Hendrickson, Holmes, Ledyard, Morris, Mott, Rue, Schenck, Stout, and Taylor families. Literary productions are Johnson's genealogical research notes on: Ashton, Bowne, Conover, Holmes, Hubbard, Johnson, McGhee, Morris, Rue, Taylor, Tilden, Warren, and Watson families. Some material, located in the Miscellaneous Family Name Vertical Files, are in reference to: Conover, Holmes, Johnson, Mott, Peairs, Taylor, and Watson families. The bound volumes are Johnson's research notebooks containing her copies of original documents in, and genealogies derieved from, the Cheery Hall Papers. Books E, F, and 1897c are indexed.

26. Gershom Mott (1663 - 1733) Papers, 1690 - 1734, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains financial and legal documents, miscellaneous papers, and records hof his estate executors, sons William (b. 1699), Gershom (b. 1702), and James Mott (1707 - 1787). Significant items include his marriage certificate to Sarah Clayton (n.d.), his appointment as High Sheriff of Monmouth County, minutes of the House of Representative meetings expelling Gershom Mott, his will, an inventory of his estate, a survey, and deeds.

27. Gershom Mott (b. 1702) Papers, 1720 - 1773. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains personal and farm business financial documents, his diary, and miscellaneous papers. Significant items include acocunt and daybooks.

28. James Mott (1707 - 1787) Papers, 1725 - 1807. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains mostly outgoing personal, religious, and business correspondence, financial and legal documents, Middletown Baptist Church records, literary productions, a cipher book, and estate records of his co-executors, James Mott Jr. (1739 - 1823) and Asher Holmes (1740 - 1808). Significant items include his 1767 and 1786 wills; deeds; an account book; minutes of quarterly and annual meetings of the Philadelphia Baptist Synod in conjunction with other Baptist congregations; religious notes and biblical interpretations written by Mott, reflecting on the beginning of the Baptist movement in America; inventories of his estate; and James Mott's (1739 - 1823) estate account book.

29. James Mott (1739 - 1823) Papers, 1755 - 1848, n.d. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains primarily incoming official, business, and personal correspondence, business papers, cipher books, official papers, and estate papers. (Garret P. Conover served as executor.) Correspondence between 1776 and 1779 documjent Mott's activities as a member of the NJ State Assembly; between 1783 and 1799 as NJ State Treasurer; and between 1801 and 1805 as a member of Congress. Numerous political associates are represented in the correspondence. Business correspondence and papers document his mercantile and lumber interests with his father James Mott (1707 - 1787), John Taylor (1718? - 1798), his brother-in-law Joseph Holmes (1736 - 1763), and his cousin Jonathan Holmes (n.d.). Official papers include NJ State Assembly and State Treasury documents. Significant items include deeds; business ledgers, price, account, and daybooks; and a record of his service in the State Assembly. In the State Treasury papers are Isaac Collins' (1746 - 1817) bonds, Elisha Boudinot (1742 - 1819) documents, and material that pertains to James Mott vs. Kenneth Hankinson.. Finacial and Legal Documents includes a copy of the 1773 Dover Township Tax Ratable.

30. Gershom Mott (1744 - 1786) Financial Documents, 1761 - 1772. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains receipts and a bond.

31. John Mott (d. 1796) Papers, 1777-1797. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains a Freemason certificate, a Peter Freneau letter, financial documents, and records of his estate administors Sarah Mott (n.d.), probably his widow, and James Mott (1739 - 1823), probably his brother. Estate records include an inventory.

32. Miscellaneous Mott Papers, 1725 - 1785. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains a letter, financial documents, and a carbon copy of correspondence cited by John E. Stillwell on Mott and other Cherry Hall families in his Historical and Genealogical Miscellany.

33. Jonathan Rhea (1759 - 1815) Papers, 1800 - 1814. Arranged chronologically.

Series contains letters from J. Jackson, E. Stockton, and James Burnet, and a map of land showing land plots owned by Rhea, James Mott (1739 - 1823), and others.

34. Topical Files, 1704 - 1813. Arranged first by subject then chronologically.

Series contains fils on apprentices, medicine, and the Revolutionary War. The apprentice file contains indentures, the medicinal file contains cures and recipes, and the Revolutionary War file contains miscellaneous documents that record Monmouth County's wartime participation. These last records include accounts, receipts, quotas, a copy of the 1778 Confiscation Act, an inventory of goods taken by the British, and a letter to the NJ Legislature that concerns forfeited estates in Monmouth County.

35. Miscellaneous Cherry Hall Papers, 1682 - 1861. Arranged first by subseries then chronologically.

Series contains correspondence, financial documents, legal documents, and literary productions. Correspondence include John Coward to Aaron Buck, Elisha Lawrence Jr. to Mr. Montromery, Col. J. Kirkbridge to Joseph Bloomfield, Jacob Dubois to Garret S. Smock, John S. Stillwell to Chroncyone Van Mater, and unidentified letters. Significant items include deeds, wills, inventories of unidentified estates, surveys, and an unidentified ledger.

PROVENANCE: Acquired between 1936 and 1977, gifts of the heirs of Sarah Holmes Hubbard Conover (1805 - 1887). Given by Mrs. conover's granddaughter, Miss Edith L. Johnson (1870 - 1947) of Matawan, NJ and by Miss Johnson's niece, Miss Katharine C. Cowles of Amherst, MA.

RESTRICTIONS: Not to be sold or exchanged.

SIZE OF COLLECTION: 8 Linear Feet

CONTAINER LIST

BOX / FOLDER # / CONTENTS

James Bowne (1701 - 1749/50)

1 / 1 /' Financial & Legal Documents, 1733 - 1749, n.d.

1 / 1 / Estate Papers, 1744 - 1762

David Brearly (1745 - 1790)

1 / 2 / Correspondence, 1770 - 1790, n.d.

1 / 3 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1767 - 1784

1 / 4 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1785 - 1790, n.d.

1 / 5 / Estate Papers, 1773 - 1790

1 / 6 / Estate Papers, 1791

1 / 7 / Estate Papers, 1792 - 1808, n.d.

Garret P. Conover (1804 - 1873)

2 / 1 / Correspondence, 1823 - 1873, n.d.

2 / 2 / Financial Documents, 1824 - 1828

2 / 3 / Financial Documents, 1829 - 1833

2 / 4 / Financial Documents, 1834 - 1873, n.d.

2 / 5 / Legal Documents, 1823 - 1842

2 / 6 / Legal Documents, 1846 - 1872, n.d.

2 / 7 / Middletown Pt. Academy, 1835 - 1841, n.d.

2 / 8 / Overseer of the Poor, 1831 - 1832

3 / 1 / Misc. Papers, 1825 - 1872, n.d.

3 / 2 / Estate Papers, 1873 - 1898

Catharine A. Conover (1830 - 1892)

3 / 3 / Correspondence, 1846 - 1859

3 / 4 / Correspondence, 1860 - 1891, n.d.

Ellen Conover (1832 - 1914)

3 / 5 / Correspondence, 1844 - 1859

3 / 6 / Correspondence, 1860 - 1874

3 / 7 / Correspondence, 1875 - 1889

3 / 8 / Correspondence, 1892 - 1909, n.d.

3 / 9 / Printed Material, 1842

Joseph Dorsett (1681 - 1741)

4 / 1 / Estate Papers, 1741 - 1764

Samuel Dorsett (1713 - 1741)

4 / 2 / Estate Papers, 1741 - 1768

Joseph Higbee (n.d.)

4 / 3 / Estate Papers, 1796 - 1798, n.d.

Jonathan Holmes, Sr. (1682 - 1766)

4 / 4 / Papers, 1738 - 1766

Jonathan Holmes, Jr. (d. 1768)

4 / 5 / Account Book, 1743 - 1754

Joseph Holmes (d. 1777)

4 / 6 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1748 - 1761

James Holmes (1702 - 1762)

4 / 7 / Financial Documents, 1739/40 - 1762

4 / 7 / Estate Papers, 1760 - 1773

Samuel Holmes (1704 - 1760)

4 / - / Account Book, 1727 - 1758

4 / 8 / Financial Documents, 1735 - 1760

4 / 9 / Estate Papers, 1738/39 - 1799, n.d.

John Holmes (1708 - 1758)

5 / 1 / Financial Documents, 1743 - 1758, n.d.

5 / 1 / Estate Papers, 1754 - 1788, n.d.

Jonathan Holmes Minr. (d. 1738)

5 / 2 / Estate Papers, 1737 - 1761

Obadiah Holmes (bap. 1716 - 1752)

5 / 3 / Account Book, 1746 - 1756

5 / 4 / Day Book, 1747 - 1752

5 / 5 / Financial Documents, 1746 - 1752, n.d.

5 / 5 / Estate Papers, 1753 - 1777

Joseph Holmes (1736 - 1763)

5 / 6 / Business Papers, 1752 - 1763

5 / 7 / Estate Papers, 1753 - 1777

James Mott Holmes (d. 1806)

5 / 8 / Correspondence, 1804 - 1805

5 / 8 / Misc. Papers, 1789 - 1803

5 / 8 / Estate Papers, 1806

Asher Holmes (1740 - 1808)

5 / 9 / Correspondence, 1764 - 1795, n.d.

6 / 1 / Accounts and Receipts, 1760 - 1805, n.d.

6 / 2 / Bonds and Notes, 1763 - 1805

6 / 3 / Legal Documents, 1772 - 1807

6 / 4 / Sheriff's Papers, 1777

6 / 5 / Recruits and Exemptions, 1777 - 1781

6 / 6 / Military Accounts and Receipts, 1777 - 1787, n.d.

6 / 7 / Military Payrolls and Payabstracts, 1777 - 1782

6 / 8 / Brig BRITTANIA - Accounts and Receipts, 1779 - 1782, n.d.

6 / 9 / Brig BRITTANIA - Lists, 1779 - 1781, n.d.

6 / 10 / Schooner FUNETUR, 1783

6 / 11 / Vessel POLACRE, 1792, n.d.

6 / 12 / Misc. Military Papers, 1794 - 1841, n.d.

6 / 13 / Estate Papers, 1809 - 1813

Samuel Holmes (1766 - 1844)

6 / 14 / Financial Documents, 1795 - 1802

John Watson Holmes (1776 - 1840)

6 / 15 / Financial Documents, 1770 - 1839

6 / 15 / Estate Papers, 1830 - 1914

6 / 16 / Estate Papers, 1840 - 1844, n.d.

Misc. Holmes Papers

6 / 17 / Misc. Holmes Papers, 1737 - 1848, n.d.

Henry W. Johnson (1828 - 1904)

7 / 1 / Correspondence, 1855 - 1885

7 / 2 / Correspondence, 1886 - 1904, n.d.

7 / 3 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1847 - 1891, n.d.

Edith L. Johnson (1870 - 1947)

7 / 4 / Correspondence, 1887 - 1899

7 / 5 / Correspondence, 1900 - 1941, n.d.

7 / 6 / Literary Productions, n.d.

7 / 7 / Literary Productions - Morris Family, n.d.

7 / 8 / Printed Material, 1884 and 1906

8 / - / Bound Volumes, 1893 - 1897 (11 vols.)

Gershom Mott (1663 - 1733)

9 / 1 / Papers, 1690 - 1730, n.d.

9 / 1 / Estate Papers, 1733 - 1734

Gershom Mott (b. 1702)

9 / 2 / Financial Documents, 1720 - 1761

9 / 2 / Misc. Papers, 1722 - 1748

9 / 3 / Daybooks, 1730 - 1758

9 / 4 / Account Books, 1725 - 1769

9 / 5 / Diary, 1728 - 1769

James Mott (1707 - 1787)

9 / 6 / Correspondence, 1740/41 - 1784, n.d.

9 / 7 / Account Book, 1736 - 1747

10 / 1 / Accounts, 1738 - 1786

10 / 2 / Bonds and Notes, 1734 - 1786

10 / 3 / Receipts, 1728 - 1787

10 / 4 / Legal Documents, 1728 - 1786, n.d.

10 / 5 / Middletown Baptist Church Records, 1725 - 1770, n.d.

10 / 6 / Literary Productions, n.d.

10 / 7 / Literary Productions, n.d.

10 / 8 / Cipher Book, 1717

10 / 9 / Estate Papers, 1778 - 1807

James Mott (1739 - 1823)

11 / 1 / Correspondence, 1760 - 1788

11 / 2 / Correspondence, 1790 - 1799

11 / 3 / Correspondence, 1800 - 1801

11 / 4 / Correspondence, 1802

11 / 5 / Correspondence, 1803

11 / 6 / Correspondence 1804

11 / 7 / Correspondence, 1805 - 1820

12 / 1 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1759 - 1779

12 / 2 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1780 - 1789

12 / 3 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1790 - 1794

12 / 4 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1795 - 1799

12 / 5 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1800 - 1805

12 / 6 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1806 - 1819

12 / 7 / Financial and Legal Documents, 1820 - 1823

12 / 8 / Expense Account Books, 1765 - 1767, 1801 - 1805

12 / 9 / Mott & Taylor Business Papers, 1760 - 1766

13 / 1 / Price Books, 1760 and 1761

13 / 2 / Account Books, 1760 - 1761

13 / 3 / Ledger, 1760 - 1761

13 / 4 / Holmes & Mott Business Papers, 1761 Aug, 1762

13 / 5 / Holmes & Mott Business Papers, Sept 1762 - 1767, n.d.

13 / 6 / Holmes & Mott Daybooks, 1762 - 1763

13 / 7 / Holmes & Mott Invoice Book, 1762 - 1763

13 / 8 / Holmeas & Mott Ledgers, A & B, 1761 - 1765

14 / 1 / Cipher Books, 1755 & 1757

14 / 2 / NJ State Assembly Papers, 1777 - 1779

14 / 3 / NJ State Treasury Papers - Commissions and Appointments, 1783 - 1798

14 / 4 / NJ State Treasury Papers - Financial Documents, 1780 - 1791

14 / 5 / NJ State Treasury Papers - Financial Documents, 1792 - 1795

14 / 6 / NJ State Treasury Papers - Financial Documents, 1796 - 1799, n.d.

14 / 7 / NJ State Treasury Papers - Bonds, 1783 - 1798

14 / 8 / NJ State Treasury Papers - James Mott vs. Kenneth Hankinson, 1779 - 1799

14 / 9 / NJ State Treasury Papers - John Thomson & Georgia State Treasury Certificates, 1778 - 1805

14 / 10 / Misc. Commissions, 1775 and 1808

14 / 11 / Estate Papers, 1823 - 1848

Gershom Mott (1744 - 1786)

15 / 1 / Financial Documents, 1761 - 1772

John Mott (d. 1796)

15 / 2 / Correspondence, 1777 and 1781

15 / 2 / Financial Documents, 1777 - 1796

15 / 2 / Estate Papers, 1787 - 1797

Misc. Mott Papers

15 / 3 / Misc. Mott Papers, 1725 - 1785

Jonathan Rhea (1759 - 1815)

15 / 4 / Papers, 1800 - 1814

Topical Files (1704 - 1813)

15 / 5 / Apprentices, 1704 - 1813

15 / 6 / Medicine, n.d.

15 / 7 / Revolutionary War, 1775 - 1791, n.d.

Misc. Cherry Hall Papers (1682 - 1861)

15 / 8 / Correspondence, 1762 - 1831, n.d.

15 / 9 / Financial Documents, 1705 - 1859

15 / 10 / Legal Documents, 1682 - 1861, n.d.

15 / 11 / Literary Productions, 1725, n.d.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Rose, George Stanton. Genealogy: Ralph Dayton (Boston 1639) and Wolfert Gerretse van Couwenhoven (New Amsterdam 1630). s.l.: s.n., 1957

Stillwell, John E. Historical and Genealogical Miscellany (Data Relating to the Settlement and Settlers of New York and New Jersey) V. 3 & 4. New York: Priv. printed, 1914 & 1916