Belvidere,
NJ April 30th 1896
Dear
Brother, and I will add, Dear Kinsman:
Your
kind letter of the 20th inst., was duly received and read by many of
the friends with a great deal of pleasure, and we all sincerely thank you for
the information it contains and for your kindness in writing to us. That you are our kinsman—we are all
satisfied. There cannot be any doubt
about it. I have sent a copy of your
letter to Mrs. Carrie A. Prentiss at her home at Stamford, Connecticut, and
have showed the same – the letter—to Mrs. Josephine Hay, a grand daughter of
Uncle Peter Aten, who lives here in Belvidere—also to Mr. Henry Aten who lives
at Hope NJ—and also to two or three others, members of the families.----
I
am going to write you a long letter and give you some of the history etc. from
this place, and from this part of the country.
First-- I send you a copy of the last will of my
great, great, great, grand father Derick Aten, who was the father of --- Jeppa (Aten) Albertson, Judith (Aten)
Butler, Adrian Aten, Richard, Adda (Aten) Beer, or “Beers” as they say out
here, Sarah (Aten) McMurtry, Mary or as they called it out here “Polly” (Aten)
Bowman, Henry Aten, who settled at or near Wellsville Ohio, -- Thomas Aten who
lived out in Penna., some say near Berwick Penna., others say in the vicinity
of, or near Wilkes-Barre or Hazelton, Penna., John Aten who lived and died on
the old homestead over in Penna., a few miles above here, Peter Aten who lived
and died in Knowlton township a few miles above Belvidere, and Catherine, or as
she is known as “Katty” Barnes who lived further up above Belvidere, and some
say there were still other children but the names are forgotten, etc. -- Jeppa Aten, who married Nicholas Albertson
was my great, great grand-mother. That
is a certainty,
known
by all the friends out here and always talked about.
My
grandfather Nicholas Harris lived on the next adjoining property to Uncle Peter
Aten, the grandfather of Mrs. Josephine Hay, who now lives here in Belvidere,
who says that he, my grandfather always spoke to Uncle Peter as uncle, and that
Peter always spoke of him—my grandfather, as his great nephew. My great grandfather Thomas Harris married
Anglechea or Angelica Albertson who was a daughter of Nicholas and Jeppa (Aten)
Albertson. I have some of the old
family papers, and as I said above, that is a certainty.
It
is a certainty that Judith, or as the old people out here called her “Judice”
married John Butler from whom Carrie (Caroline) Adaranche (St. John) Prentiss
and her brothers and sisters sprang from.
Nearby, all the older members of the family were well
acquainted with John Aten and Peter Aten
and
“Polly” Bowman and “Katty” Barnes and Thomas Aten and “Sally” McMurtrie &
others and all visited and went among each other and many of their descendants
still live about here far and near.
Out
here they say that great, great, great, grandfather Derick Aten had three
wives—viz.
1st Iranche, some say Adorancha Longstreet,
2nd Judith, or Judah Van Fleet. But some say that the above order should be
reversed—and that Judith or Judah Van Fleet was the first, and Iranche or
Adorancha Longstreet was the second. We have never been able to find any papers
or marriage records to show which was first, but tradition says—those were the
names of the two.
For the third all agree and say that the name was
Catherine, Warren, some say Warner—Mrs. Prentiss says that some
of the older members of the family went to Canada and finally settled down in Nova Scotia, not far from Halifax. She is in correspondence with members of the descendants of the family, and she says, they say, their ancestors went from Penna., long years ago.
Mrs. Hay says that the folks often talked about, as
they said Aunt Adda Beer or Beers living out at Pittsburgh, Pa., and she Mrs.
Hay remembers very distinctly that many years ago a grandson of Aunt Adda, as
they said—whose name was Wm. Henry Owens was going to New York and stopped off
his journey and visited among his relatives in New Jersey and Penna., and she
also remembers that as her grandfather was quite aged and not able to take him
around, that they went to my grand father’s who lived nearby and that an uncle
of mine took a horse and wagon and took the said Wm. Henry Owens around to see
his friends in N.J. and Penna.-----
Robert
Aten who now lives near Hicksville Ohio was born in Penna. and went west to
Ohio to live fifty years ago or over. He first settled in Wayne Co., near
Fredericksburg, and has during the time been back 7 or 8 times. He was a
descendant of Henry Aten whom you mention as being a brother of Garrettt &
John and Ann etc.
Robert
is going on, near 80 years of age, and told us only last summer when he was out
here (1895) and had spoken of it before, that on one or two occasions when
coming or going he visited Henry Aten of Wellsville Ohio., that Mr. Henry Aten
spoke to him about his – Henry’s,
relatives out here, and spoke about his relationship to Robert and sent
some messages to his friends out here. Robert spoke about his (Henry) having a
son a lawyer named Charles Aten.
Again it is said by several, and it is true Mrs. Hay says, that Andrew Aten a son of Mr. Peter Aten visited the said
Henry Aten and his family at or near
Wellsville Ohio, and staid some two or three weeks there and when he came home
he spoke about how much the daughters of Henry looked like his, Andrew’s,
sister, and his cousin Matilda, daughter of his Uncle John Aten.
You
say your grandfather called Henry of Wellsville Ohio uncle and they visited
together—there that is still further proof that you are our kinsman, for I
think I have given sufficient proof above that those who lived about here were
related to said Henry Aten.
The old family seat was five miles above Belvidere
along the Delaware river. There is now a ferry there and has been for about 120
years. It has been known as Aten’s ferry—It was so known and called by John
Aten in his will. I will give you here an extract from John Aten’s will, “xxx
It is my desire and I order that the child who falls heir to my
ferry shall be required to ferry free of expense all persons going to or returning from the Baptist Church at Ramseysburg in New Jersey, provided such persons are members of the congregation and attend said church to hear the preaching of the gospel.” This ferry, tradition says was established by John Aten’s father who was Derrich Aten.
John
Aten married Susan Bellis and his children were,--- Catherine who married
Christian Eilenberger, they moved up into Monroe County, Penna., raised a
family and both are dead now,--- Margaret who married William P. Frutchey and
they lived in Upper Mt. Bethel township Northampton County Penna. Margaret died long years ago, and then the
said William P. Frutchey married for his second wife, Isabella Aten daughter of
Peter Aten (brother of John) and she is dead.
I can remember in my boyhood days of seeing Mrs. Isabella Aten Frutchey.
Mr. Wm. P. Frutchey is still living in
his 93rd
year and his mind is quite clear. I saw him last September at the funeral of a
John Aten, another branch of the family. He can give (or could some few years
ago a great deal of information about those old families). Margaret and Wm. P. Frutchey had several
children—but all are dead and he lives among his grand children. ---Then Matilda Aten, married William
Dildine. I can remember him quite
well—he is dead—Mrs. Dildine died only in April 1895 nearly 90 years old---Her
children are all dead but she has two grand children living in N.J. just above
here---Then John’s son Derrick, married Sarah Ribble and they had 11 (eleven)
children. Some of them are still
living, while some are dead leaving children---one of his, (Derrick’s)
daughters was here to visit me in February 1896.----Then Elizabeth Aten, who
married Henry Smith,---they are both dead but have several children and grand
children who live near here.
Then
Joanna Aten who died single. Then Mary
who married Morris Mann---they are both dead but leave one child a
daughter a Mrs. Hauser, who was to see
me about in January or February.---last past.
Peter Aten married Sarah Coates, and are both
dead—long years—They had children—Amanda who married Frederick Dernberger—both
dead but have several children still living in N.J., Penna., and
Michigan.---Alfred Aten who was married and had children and he was lost at sea
several years ago-- ---By the way, while this is in my mind I wish to say that
this Alfred Aten has a daughter who is now living in Kansas at or near Lone
Elm, Anderson County.---She is married to a man named Ananias Babcock, they are
farmers and the above is their address. Mrs. B. as you will understand is a
grand
daughter of Uncle Peter Aten.
Peter’s
children
Autenwill Then Joseph
Aten who married, and died in Scranton Penna., leaving children, --- Then Sarah A. spoken of as Sally Ann, who
married Jacob Hopler. She is dead but
left children and grand children, who live about here. Then Isabella who married Wm. P. Frutchey,
as above stated, she is dead leaving one child who’s living—and Andrew Aten who
married, and died in Easton, Penna., leaving children.
P.S.---I find by my memoranda that in speaking about
some of the children of Derrich Aten going to Canada, I should have said that
one, a daughter, married a man by the name of Robert Britton or Brittain,
before she went to Canada. Mrs. Hay and
others of the family remember that the older members of the families often
spoke about an uncle Aaron or Adrian as it was called who went west etc.----
Mrs.
Hay says she often heard it talked about that when Wm.P. Frutchey was courting
his first wife (Margaret daughter of John Aten) and one or more occasions he
and Margaret went and at other times other members of the families went down in
Jersey as they called it to see some of their relatives, and that it was talked
about that they had a lot of relations down in New Jersey in Middlesex County
as it was said.
She
says her grand father (Peter) often spoke about his having several relations
who served in the Revolution—and as she remembers, the names are the same as
you give them.
When
I go to Trenton I will look among the old roll or roster of men who served in
the revolution or in the militia or Minute men—from N.J.---Mrs. Hays says her
grandfather also often spoke about a brother or some relation of his that drew
a pension.
Mrs. Hay is now a lady of 60 or thereabouts and always
lived
with
her grandfather Peter Aten from early childhood until his death and has a good
memory, and remembers of seeing and hearing about many of the older members of
the families.
The saying always has been that the old original
ancestors came from Holland, but from what city, town or district no one seems
to know. Some say from Amsterdam but they may have got things mixed for the
reason that the first ancestor of the Albertsons, Nicholas Albertson, father of
Nicholas who married Jeppa Aten came from Amsterdam Holland as we have the
family history. Up along the Delaware
river five miles from Belvidere in Pennsylvania just opposite an old Post
village named Ramseysburg, is an old graveyard known as, and called the old
Aten graveyard where all the Atens’ of early days and their families lie
burried. There is an old grave, with an
old dark with age and somewhat crumbled gravestone, at the head, the reading on
it in dutch almost
obliterated
and said by all to be the grave of Derrich Aten, who was the father of Jeppa
(Aten) Albertson, Judith, Adrian, Adda, Richard, Sarah, Mary, Henry, Thomas,
John, Peter & Catherine Aten,--- and by it are several other old graves
said to be those of the wives of Derrich.
That, that is the grave of Derrich, there is no mistake. History and
tradition says that he gave the land and it is set on part of the original farm
& premises owned by him and that descended to his son John Aten, who is
mentioned in his (Derrich’s) will as one of his Executors and adjoining the old
Aten ferry.
There
are several people yet living in Penna., and N.J. about here named “Beer” or as
some families spell it “Beers”.---
You
gave me your age. I will give you mine.
I was born June 4th 1851, in Oxford township Warren County
N.J. In 1859 in March my dear mother
died while my father’s family were living
over in
Penna., on the very farm and premises where Derrich Aten father of Jeppa Aten
Albertson, lived and died---The members of the old families say we lived in the
house that was a part of the original old log house where Derrich lived &
died---it is right by the old Aten graveyard—My father had before that for two
or three years lived over in Knowlton Township N.J. the next place below where
Uncle Peter Aten lived, but as the farm was sold, my father rented of the widow
& Executors of Derrick Aten Jr., son of John Aten—the old farm and ferry at
what was then & had been before Aten’s ferry. I cannot remember very much about it myself, but I have very
often since been there. You mention
that you served in the late war! Glad
to hear it,-- Oh! How many of the descendants of the old Aten families and Albertson
families about here in N.J. and Penna., served in the war.---Several of them
poor fellows went away but never came back again. Joseph Aten son of old Uncle Peter Aten
had
two sons—named James and Peter who gave up their lives for the Union. And one other son who came home. Derrick Jr., son of John Aten had two sons
who served through the war and both came home. As I said a good many went whose
names were not Aten but were related to the Aton’s.
The
name was spelled in the early days in different ways, viz. “Atten”, “Aton”,
“Aten”, “Auten”, “Eaten”, “Aiten”. I
saw an old receipt once where the name was spelled “Eighten”.
There is a book published called, “A History of the
Dutch Settlements in New Jersey”. When I go to Trenton or can see a copy I will
look for the name of Aten, or Auten, and see what is said of the Autens or
Atens---also when I go up to Newton in Sussex County I will look up the old
records & get some copies etc.---You see,--until 1825 the territory in what
is now Warren County, was Sussex Co., N.J.
Also when I go to Easton the County Seat of Northampton County, Pa., I
will
look up the old Aten records and history, and copy what is found. I have
written at great length and quite hurriedly and must stop for this time. I send you two obituary notices—one of my
father, and one of a Mr. John Aten a grandson of Henry Aten, whom you mention
as a brother of Garrett and Adrian and Ann.--- This is a son of the Henry who
witnessed Derrich’s (Dierich’s) will. I also send you some clippings to show
you the language of the Pennsylvania Dutch, which is still considerably spoken,
over in Penna., a little back from the river.
Also some other clippings & also a leaflet written by an old
soldier, who formerly lived in Wilkes-Barre Penna., but now lives here.---
I thank you very much for the pictures you sent. I
have showed them to several of the relatives & friends—also I thank you for
the copy of address delivered before Genl. Crook Camp S.V. Feby 12th 1896. I have written to Mrs. Carrie A. Prentiss to
write to you and give you many of the old sayings and legends that she has
heard and knows
about
the old families.
Old
Uncle Peter Aten is burried in a graveyard up toward Hope. I have often seen
his grave. John Aten son of Dierich is
burried over in the old Aten grave yard along the river. I have often seen his
grave. He has a head stone. When I go over to the old grave yard I will make
some copies and send them to you.
If
you can give us the name of the place, or, the address of Adrian Aten the minister
who lives, or lived in Indiana I will write to him.
Andrew
Aten, the above mentioned son of Uncle Peter Aten, has a son named Milton Aten,
who studied law and was admitted to the bar, in New Jersey, but not succeeding
as a lawyer went to teaching and is now teaching in Bergen County New Jersey.
I have tried in this long letter, which appears more
like a big legal document, than a letter, to give you some of the history, and
old traditions of the old Aten
families.
I have tried to not repeat what was written to you before. As you so kindly
sent us your pictures I will as soon as I get some which will be soon, send you
one of mine in return. I was never much
of a hand to hunt up old family history, but Mrs. Prentiss who is a lady of
means, generally (at least for some years has) comes out here in the early fall
and spends some time, and there is always some family history matter all the
time to talk about.
Did
I tell you in my former letter, (if so I will repeat that), that her husband
Roderick Prentiss, a Lieutenant in the U.S.Navy, was killed at the battle, or
seige, whatever it was at or about Mobile Bay, by being struck with (or by) a
Cannon Shot, and she has remained a widow ever since.
I will be pleased to hear from you again, and if you
disagree with the matters written, let me know wherein, and I will see some of
the old friends and
get
the facts if they can be found.
I
almost forgot to mention a matter that Mrs. Hay said I should speak of. That is
this. They are so sorry now that they,
nor none of us knew that you would be, or was, at Atlantic City, last
September. If it had been known they, and all of us would have invited and
strongly urged you to have come up here and visited your friends and the old
scenes and places.
Robert
Aten of Ohio and his daughter, and Mrs. Prentiss and others were about here
during September and October last. As it is, Mrs. Hay says, and I say, and
others will say,---If it is at all possible come out here and see your friends
and the old places and scenes.
Thanking
you again for your kind letter and expressing the hope that I may hear from you
again I remain
Respectfully
and Fraternally yours,
P.S. Please excuse this great big, hastily
written, scratched and blotted letter, but as I wanted to write full and free I
thought I would write out all the facts.
----------------------- N. Harris
I
forgot also to say above that an old family Bible printed in the German and
Hollandish language is in the possession of Mrs. Josephine Hay, which she says
is the family Bible of great great great grand father Dierich Aten, but it has
no family record in if there was any record in it has been taken out or lost
out---The imprint is Leyden 1619.