For sometime I have been attempting to prove/disprove the marriage of Elizabeth Gustin, d/o John Gustin & Mary (?) to Abraham Covalt. One stumbling block has always been that some researchers show that Elizabeth Gustin married John Douglass in Colchester, CT 27 Jan or 27 Jun 1728. Therefore, she couldn't have been married to Abraham Covalt 14 Dec 1736 in Sussex Co, NJ.
[NOTE: If Elizabeth Gustin did marry John Douglas(s) in 1728, she would have been 13 or 14 years old since she was born 5 Jan or 5 May 1714 Stonington, CT. Although this is not inconceivable, it is certainly a young age, even for the time.]
I recently found an 1879 book by Charles Henry James Douglas, "A Collection of Family Records with Biographical Sketches and Other Memoranda of Various Families and Individuals Bearing the Name Douglas or Allied to Families of That Name". [NEHGS circulating library number CS71/D734/1879]. The following entry is found:
"JOHN4 DOUGLAS (William3, Robert2, William1), born in New London, Conn., Nov. 4, 1701. His father removed with his family to Colchester, in 1724. John married, Jan. 27, 1728, Elizabeth Gusterfield, of Colchester. They were farmers and lived and died in Colchester. Children, born in Colchester:--
i. MARY5, b. Nov. 29, 1729
ii. JOHN5, b. Oct. 12, 1731; d. July 16, 1734
iii. ELIZABETH5, b. Dec. 5, 1733 36.
iv. DANIEL5, b. Oct 15, 1735; m. Jemima Webb 37.
v. ISRAEL5, b. Dec 9, 1742; m. Abigail Hull"
In addition to the Douglas book, "The Fancher Family History" shows John Douglas married Elizabeth Gusterfield. Further, Mrs. Gertrude Douglas-Douglas applied to membership in the Sons & Daughters of the Pilgrims in part by attesting that "John Douglas, born 1701, and his wife Elizabeth Gusterfield; married 1728." Whether these two additional sources also used the Douglas book as their source is unknown.
Clearly, if the book has made an error and Elizabeth Gusterfield is really Elizabeth Gustin, d/o John & Mary Gustin, then Elizabeth Gustin would not have been married to Abraham Covalt in 1736 when she was having babies in Colchester with John Douglas(s). On-the-other-hand, if the book(s) are correct and John Douglas(s) married an Elizabeth Gusterfield, then Elizabeth Gustin may have been the person who married Abraham Covalt in 1736.
In 1728, John & Mary Gustin probably lived in Hebron, Tolland Co, CT where Marcy was born in 1727 and Diaden was born in 1729. [Hebron is approximately 7 miles northwest of Colchester, CT.] Certainly it is possible that the Gustin family of Hebron might have known the Douglas family of Colchester.
The above referenced sources state that John Douglas (he is shown as Douglass in some records) married an Elizabeth Gusterfield, not Elizabeth Gustin. However, I have not been able to find ANY listing in ANY other source for ANY other person with a name of Gusterfield. I also checked my 1996 set of Phone Disc CDs and there are no Gusterfield, Quiterfield, Quitterfield, or Kiterfield names listed in the United States. [There are approximately 2,100 Gustin names listed.] There are no Gusterfield names in the Gendex. The LDS Ancestral File IGI has only the Gusterfield who married John Douglas and no other Gusterfield names. Interestingly, there was an Elizabeth Quiterfield shown married to John Douglas. This Elizabeth was born in 1709 and would be a better age to have married in 1728 than Elizabeth Gustin born in 1714. There are several other Quit(t)erfield folks in Colchester, CT. Since there does not seem to be any history of any Gusterfield surname, I suspect that Gusterfield in the Douglas book is a mis-reading of an old manuscript that was actually Quiterfield. A "Q" can look like a "G" and an "i" can look like a "s". Thus Quiterfield is mis-read as Gusterfield.
In response to my following inquiry to a Colchester, CT researcher: "I am looking for a marriage record for a marriage in Colchester between John Douglass (or Douglas) (b. 4 Nov 1701 New London, CT) and Elizabeth Gustin (or Gusterfield). The marriage is shown as 27 Jan or 27 June 1728."
A little more information from the "Silver Book" on Edward Fuller. Apparently Quiterfield has spelling variations of Quitterfield and Kiterfield. They may have been members of the "Colchester Second Church" or "Westchester Society, Colchester".Elizabeth Gustin was baptized 14 Jul 1714 at the First Congregation Church in Stonington, CT. The Gustin family was Baptist, at least by 1763, when in Sussex Co, NJ Elkanah Fuller presided over the marriage of his daughter Bethany Fuller and Jeremiah Gustin, youngest brother of Elizabeth Gustin on 3 Feb 1763. [Elkanah Fuller also presided over the marriage of Abraham Covalt to Lois Pendleton 28 Mar 1763 in Newton, Sussex Co, NJ.]
It is possible that Elizabeth Quitterfield (b. 3 Jun 1709) may have been a d/o Clement and Priscilla (Collins) Quitterfield, and sister of Richard Quitterfield (b. 27 Sep 1706 Colchester) and Benjamin Quiterfield of Colchester (b. 11 Apr 1704). Richard Quitterfield married an Edward Fuller descendant (p. 143) and Benjamin Quiterfield married a Kellogg descendant ("Kelloggs of the Old World and The New", pp. 88-9).
I just returned from the Denver Public Library where I found a book titled "Extracts from the Records of Colchester" from the recording of Michaell Taintor of Brainford, Conn. transcribed by Charles M. Taintor, Hartford : Press of Case, Lockwood, and Company, 1864.
Michaell Taintor was the clerk and recorder for Colchester for many years. On page 99 is the entry, "John Dugles & elizabeth quuiterfield ware m. Janewary 27th: 1728-Mary b. Nouembr 29: 1729." [NOTE: Yes, the spelling and punctuation is as he did it in the book. Apparently, spelling wasn't requirement for the clerk's job in Colchester in the 1700s as Michaell wasn't big on spelling dates, names, or much of anything else as evidenced by the number of different ways he spelled dates and the Quiterfield/kithopehll/kithophell/kiterfield/quuiterfield name.]
In addition the Taintor book identifies the relationship between the various Quiterfield family members on p. 103, "Benjamin son of clemenc kithophell was b. Aprell 11th : 1704-Richard b. Septemb : 27th : 1706-elizabeth b. June 3d : 1709-John b. Septembr 3d : 1711-Colings son to Clement kiterfield b. Nouember ye 9th : 1720" [NOTE: Richard Quiterfield married a distant cousin of Elkanah Fuller and Benjamin Quiterfield married a Kellogg.]
On p. 109: "...-John-son to John & elisabeth Douglass b. Oct 12 : 1731-Elizabeth b. Dec. 5 : 1733-Daniel b. Oct : 1735-"
In the volume by Charles H. J. Douglas, concerning Douglas Genealogy, on p. 70, is the entry concerning John Douglas and his birth in New London, Conn. The entry goes on to say that the family removed to Colchester in 1724 and that he married an Elizabeth Gusterfield of Colchester. The birth of daughter Mary was Nov. 29, 1729, the same as in the Taintor book. [NOTE: the spelling of Gusterfield is apparently just a mis-reading of Quiterfield with a "G" for the "Q" and "s" for the "i".]
It appears, at least to me, quite obvious that John Douglas(s) married on 27 Jan 1728 in Colchester, CT Elizabeth Quiterfield/Quitterfield/Kiterfield/Gusterfield, b. 3 Jun 1709 in Colchester, CT.
While this shows that John Douglas(s) did not marry Elizabeth Gustin, b. 1714, d/o John Gustin & Mary (?), it still doesn't prove that Elizabeth Gustin married Abraham Covalt. However, the stumbling block that she was married to John Douglas(s) seems to be removed.
Also, while at the library I took a look at the "History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers." Compiled by James P. Snell. Published by Everts & Peck, Philadelphia. 1881. [G974.976/D964snec] On p. 31 it states "In that part of ancient Newton known as Vernon township there were some early settlements, principally consisting of those who had first tried their fortunes in Orange County, NY as early as 1711." Within Sussex county "Peter Decker built the first home in 1734"...In the same paragraph..."One of the earliest settlements east of the Blue Mountains was in the Popakating valley, and was made by Messrs. Colt, Price, and Gustin, who were originally from New England. Many of this class of emigrants in their progress westward from the land of the Puritans, had first settled upon Long Island, but, hoping to better their condition, they removed to Orange Co., N. Y. ..."
It appears then that a Gustin was among the very earliest settlers or at least land holders in Sussex Co, NJ.
On pp. 162 and 163 of "The Gustine Compendium" by Gustine Courson Weaver there are numerous transactions between John Gustin Senior, John Gustin Jr.and Abraham Colt, and Isaac Colt. These names match the surnames for the early settlers in Sussex Co, NJ. Gustin and Colt. So... it appears that the Gustin and Colts were active both in CT and early Sussex Co, NJ.
I also found a possible connection between Lois Pendleton, the wife of Abraham Covalt, s/o Abraham and Elizabeth (Gustin?) Covalt. [They were married in 1763 in Sussex Co, NJ by Elkanah Fuller, whose daughter Bethany Fuller married Jeremiah Gustin ( the youngest child of John Gustin & Mary (?) in 1763 in Sussex Co, NJ.] Also at the Denver library was the "History of the Town of Stonington, County of New London, Connecticut, from its First Settlement in 1649 to 1900, with a genealogical Register of Stonington Families", by Richard Anson Wheeler. Lawrence Verry Incorporated, Mystic, Connecticut. Originally published in 1900. Reprinted 1966. [G974.65/S884wl] The Pendleton family was in Stonington, CT by 1674 and remained there up through the time after the Gustin family was there when John Gustin was baptized 7 Jul 1714 and his daughter Elizabeth was born there 5 Jan 1714. The Pendleton family appears to have a number of sailors/merchants in its roll of honor. Capt. Abraham Covalt [s/o Abraham & Elizabeth Covalt] was in the British navy during the storming of Martinique in about 1761. He then returned to the colonies where in 1763, he married Lois Pendleton in Sussex Co, NJ.
It is possible that Abraham Covalt met his future bride Lois Pendleton while in the British navy when in port in Stonington. Or they could have been in the navy together. Or they could have met through their common knowledge of the Gustin clan. Who knows...
Anyway, from the "Gustine Compendium" we know that the Gustin family removed from Stonington to Glastonbury to Hebron, CT to Orange Co, NY to Sussex Co, NY.
Some loose ends are tied up and others remain to be resolved.
There is substantial debate as to the parentage of the Elizabeth who married Abraham Covalt. Elizabeth Gustin, daughter of John Gustin of CT, is stated as the wife by Covalt researchers. However, there is no record of Elizabeth Gustin's marriage to anyone.
Some researchers have said that Elizabeth Gustin was first married to a John Douglass. The records show, however, that John Douglas(s) married Elizabeth Gusterfield/Quiterfield/Quitterfield/Kiterfield. They were having babies together in Colchester, CT when Elizabeth was having babies with Abraham Covalt. [See the database for Elizabeth Quiterfield for additional details and proof.]
Others believe that the Elizabeth who married Abraham Covalt is related to some other unknown Gustin family or to a Gaston. [Elizabeth is believed by some to be the daughter of a Hugh GASTON. However, there is no proof for this supposition.]
The Covalt/Covault/Cavolt book by C. Richard Covault shows on p. 4 Abraham Covalt (1714) and Elizabeth Gustin were married "14 Dec 1736, Sussex Co, NJ". There are no citations for this wedding. There is no evidence that John Gustin was in NJ as early as 1736.
Sussex Co, NJ was not formed until 1753 when it was taken from Morris county. As early as 1736 the area would probably have been sparsely populated. According to the brief history of Sussex Co, NJ on the USGenWeb site for Sussex, NJ, "But it was neither cows nor scenery that brought the first Europeans to Sussex. They were Dutchmen from what is now Kingston, New York, who found copper on the rocky mountain slope just north of the Delaware Water Gap, sometime in the 1650's. As they took the ore back along the mountains, they developed a 140-mile thoroughfare linking the copper mine with Esopus (Kingston, New York). English, Irish, and Scotch immigrants came overland soon after 1700 to the Kittatinny slopes, which they called the "Blue" mountains. Germans came up from Philadelphia in the 1740's, led by John Peter Bernhardt, and Caspar Shafer, and settled along the Tockhokkonetkong River, now called by the more easily pronounceable name of Paulins Kill. Scarcely 600 people lived in the whole Sussex region in 1750 when settlers began to grumble about going all the way to Morristown for court business. There were no towns, no major plantations, and little economic value in the vast area when the colonial legislature created Sussex County on June 8, 1753. Leaders of the new county met on November 20, 1753, to grant tavern licenses and to fix fees for liquor and provender. This reflected a major interest of the day, since for many decades the tavern keeper was an important man in Sussex county economic and political circles."
"Elkanah Fuller and his brother Rudolphus Fuller came to Sussex Co, NJ in 1750 or 1751 from Mansfield, CT with a group of 16 'separates' where they established a Baptist enclave." [See notes later in this article on Elkanah Fuller]
The "History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers" compiled by James P. Snell in 1881, shows on p. 32 that after 1735, among the earliest settlements east of the Blue Mountains "was in the Popakating valley and was made by Messrs. Colt, Price, and Gustin, who were originally from New England. ...they removed to Orange co., N.Y..." The book doesn't give the date for the time Messrs. Colt, Price, and Gustin arrived in NJ. Interestingly, "The Gustin Compendium" shows many CT land transfers between and among John Gustin, Sr., John Gustin, Jr., and various members of the Colt family. It seems highly probable that there is some relationship between the Gustin & Colt families and their appearance in CT and NJ together.
While rooting around in my Mayflower stuff (Edward & Mrs. Fuller & their son Samuel) I was cross-checking a name in Torrey's New England Marriages Prior to 1700. I noticed a Fuller was listed as having lived in Great Egg Harbor, NJ, which is where the Covalts are first known in America. This triggered something in the back of my skull-full-of-mush and I remembered that Jeremiah Gustin, the youngest son of John & Mary (?) Gustin married Bethany Fuller on 3 Feb 1763. Bethany's father was Elkanah Fuller who was "of Newton, Sussex Co, NJ" when he m3 Lydia (?) Hooker 6 Apr 1767. [Mayflower Families Through Five Generations, Volume Four, Second Edition, Edward Fuller. p.70]
I cross checked the Covalt/Covault/Cavolt book and it says on p. 47 that Abraham Covalt (1743), s/o Abraham (1714) & Elizabeth (Gustin) Covalt, married "Lois Pendleton, 28 Mar 1763, Boundbrook, Somerset Co, NJ. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Alkenny Fuller, parson of the Baptist Church." For the source of this information the Covalt book on p. 202 cites "Cap't Abraham's Pension, dtd 31 Oct 1837". Since I have a copy of the Capt Abraham (1743) Covalt's Rev. War Pension, I decided to cross-check the Covalt book. The Covalt book was partially correct and partially incorrect. The pension prepared in 1837 by Lois, widow of Abraham, clearly states she "...was married to the said Abraham Covalt on the 28th day of March in the year of Seventeen Hundred and Sixty three, in the State of New Jersey Sussex County, by AlKenny [the name is difficult to read, it could be Elkanah] Fuller, parson of the Baptist Church... ". Elkahah Fuller was the only Fuller of record in the Fuller family in the first 6 generations. [Mayflower Families, Vol. 4 Edward Fuller, p. 71.] He is also the father of Bethany Fuller, who married Jeremiah Gustin, youngest brother of Elizabeth Gustin. Also, Jeremian & Bethany Gustin named one of their sons Elkanah Gustin.
Abraham Covalt married Lois Pendleton. The wedding was performed on 28 Mar 1763 in Sussex Co, NJ by Elkanah Fuller. According to the "Mayflower" book on the Fuller family, Elkanah Fuller was "of Sussex Co, NJ". Elkanah Fuller was the father of Bethany Fuller. He also performed the marriage of his daughter Bethany Fuller and Jeremiah Gustin, Elizabeth Gustin's youngest brother, on 3 Feb 1763. Benejah, the first child of Jeremiah and Bethany Fuller Gustin was born 9 Jan 1767 in Sussex Co, NJ. [Gustine Compendium p. 237]. It appears evident that Abraham Covalt and his wife Lois Pendleton, Elkanah Fuller, Bethany Fuller, and Jeremiah Gustin were all in and about Sussex Co, NJ at the same time. It also seems probable that Abraham Covalt and his wife Elizabeth would have been in Sussex Co, NJ at the time of their son's wedding to Lois Pendleton. [NOTE: Lois Pendleton is most likely a descendant of Major Brian Pendleton of Stonington, CT. The Pendleton family had many sailors, ship builders, etc. Elizabeth Gustin was born and baptized in Stonington, CT. Abraham Covalt (b. 1743) was in the British navy circa 1761 during the storming of Martinique and may very well have met his wife while in port in Stonington, CT. He may also have met her though his parents connections in the area.]
The Covalt book p. 5 says, "Elizabeth Gustin Covalt was received by baptism in Aug 1780 into the Tonoloway Baptist Church.(6) She died 22 Feb 1805, probably in Greene Co, PA while living with her son, Cheneniah. . ." The source for this is, "History of Tonoloway Baptist Church", Harry S. HOLMAN, M.A., 1980. Does anyone have copies of this book or of records of the Tonoloway Baptist Church that can be verified to see if it actually says "Elizabeth Gustin Covalt"?
I came across two articles on Gustin while looking for my Bunnell/Bonnell ancestors in the "History of Warren Co, OH". One of their neighbors, whose sketch is also in the same book, was Bethuel Cavolt/Covault, a great-great grandson of Abraham Covalt, the person who married, supposedly, Elizabeth Gustin, an older sister of Jeremiah Gustin. It is also interesting to note that one of the these early Gustins, Samuel Gustin, mentions that he came from Pennsylvania and bought land in Cincinnati about 1791, about the same time that the Covalts were coming to the area from Pennsylvania. However, that may be a coincidence, since Symmes and & Stites were recruiting people from Pennsylvania and New Jersey to come to the Miamis.
The Covalt families moved to PA and then in 1789 to the mouth of the Little Miami River at a place called Covalt's Station. In 1799 Jeremiah & Bethany Gustin moved to Garrett's station, a log fort not far from Covalt's Station. The Gustin family subsequently moved to Warren Co, OH, just up the Little Miami River.
While nothing here proves that Abraham Covalt (1714) married Elizabeth Gustin, there is some remarkable circumstantial evidence.
RECAP:
1) Elizabeth Gustin is the oldest sister of Jeremiah Gustin.
2) Elkanah Fuller is Bethany Fuller's father.
3) Elkanah Fuller's daughter, Bethany Fuller, married on 3 Feb 1763 Jeremiah Gustin in Sussex Co, NJ [their first child was born 9 Jan 1767 in Sussex Co, NJ].
4) Abraham Covalt (b. 1743) marries 28 Mar 1763 a Lois Pendleton. The wedding is performed in Sussex Co, NJ by Elizabeth Gustin's sister-in-law's father, Elkanah Fuller.
5) The Abraham Covalt (b. 1743) family leaves NJ for Bedford Co, PA between 1772 and 1775. 6) The Abraham Covalt (b. 1743) family leaves PA and arrives on the Little Miami in OH in 1790 where Abraham Covalt (1743) and his son are killed by Indians in 1791 and 1790, respectfully.
7) Jeremiah Gustin and family leaves NJ for PA.
8) Samuel Gustin arrives near Cincinnati about 1791.
9) Jeremiah Gustin and family leaves PA for the Little Miami in OH in the fall of 1799.
10) Jeremiah Gustin and family moves to Clear Creek Twp, Warren Co, OH in 1801.
I need primary source answers to my questions:
How did Elizabeth get to NJ?
When did the Gustins move to NJ, if ever?
Does anyone have evidence/proof of Elizabeth's marriage to Abraham Covalt?
Is there a will of John Gustin?
If there is a will for John Gustin, does it list his children and grandchildren?
If it does show the children and grandchildren, does it show Elizabeth Covalt and her children? Where is John Gustin buried? [The Weaver memo shows 15 Oct 1777 Frankfort Twp, Sussex, NJ]
Where is Mary, w/o John Gustin, buried? [Weaver shows 3 Dec 1762 Frankford Twp, Sussex, NJ]
Where are the other children of John & Mary Gustin buried?
Is there a marriage record for Elizabeth Gustin and Abraham Covalt?
Where did Elizabeth die?
Where is Elizabeth buried?
Does the record of her death show her parents
The above is the closest information that I have seen of the relationship between the Covalt and Gustin families. I'm still trying to find the primary source information to show that the daughter of John & Mary Gustin, Elizabeth Gustin, b. 5 May 1714, in CT is the same individual who married Abraham Covalt on 14 Dec 1736 (perhaps in NJ).
Abraham Covalt apparently married an Elizabeth (surname unknown). There doesn't appear to be any proof, other than tradition, that her maiden name was Gustin or Gastin or something else, other than Elizabeth Gustin is shown as Abraham Covalt's wife in C. Richard Covault's book on the Covalt/Covault/Cavolt family. However, being shown as the spouse in a book is not proof. [There are enough other errors in the Covalt book to lead one to the conclusion that this marriage information could also be an error.] There should be original documentation of some sort. Will, marriage record, something. At least I have never seen any proof.
At this point, my suspicion is that Abraham Covalt did marry Elizabeth Gustin, but that it was most likely not in Sussex Co, NJ in 1736. Despite the information that the Gustin and Covalt families were in Sussex Co, NJ before 1763, it seems more likely, to me at least, that the marriage would have been in Stonington, Haddam, Colchester, Glastonbury, CT or one of the surrounding towns.
The above is the closest information that I have seen of the relationship between the Covalt and Gustin families. The remaining fact is: There is no known proof of the maiden surname for the Elizabeth who married Abraham Covalt. Just speculation.
I don't know where the false information that Elizabeth Gustin married John Douglass originated. Perhaps someone mis-interpreted the information that was on p. 46 of "A Collection of Family Records with Biographical Sketches and Other Memoranda of Various Families and Individuals Bearing the Name Douglas or Allied to Families of That Name" by Charles Henry James Douglas. 1879. [CS71.D734], in which John Douglass' wife is identified as Elizabeth Gusterfield.
In any case John Douglass' wife was Elizabeth Quitterfield, d/o Clement Quitterfield.
Clearly Charles M. Taintor's 1864 compilation, "Extracts from the Records of Colchester, with some Transcripts from the Recordings of Michaell Taintor, or "Brainford," Conn." shows on p. 99 that John Douglass married Elizabeth Quitterfield. [Michaell Taintor was the clerk/recorder of Colchester, CT.] The book is published by the Press of Case, Locowood & Company. Hartford, CT. [G974.65/C672co]
Elizabeth's surname has been reported in various sources as Gusterfield, Quiterfield, Quitterfield, Kiterfield, and Kithophell (also in Taintor)
Although Quitterfield is a very small family, genealogically speaking, it is fairly well documented. Elizabeth Quitterfield's brother, Richard Quitterfield (or Kiterfield), married Lydia Crippen. Lydia is a 5th generation descendant of Edward Fuller, a Mayflower passenger. This ancestry is shown in the "Silver" book on Edward Fuller. "Mayflower Families Through Five Generations. Descendants of the Pilgrims Who Landed at Plymouth Mass December 1620". Volume Four, 2nd Edition. Family of Edward Fuller. Bruce Campbell MacGumnnigle, C. G. Published by General Society of Mayflower Descendants, 1995. pp. 142-143.
A genealogist, Marilyn Moser, who lives near Glastonbury, CT has graciously
offered to do some research for me by looking up the old land deeds in
Glastonbury, CT involving John Gustin Sr., John Gustin, Jr., Abraham Colt/Coult
and Isaac Colt/Coult. (see. "The Gustine Compendium", pp. 162-163. She
is in the process over the next few weeks of copying the deeds for me. Friday,
Mach 10, 2000, she sent me the following message:
"Today was a productive day in research. I found one deed (1746/47) in
which Abraham Coult refers to John Gustin as his father-in-law. I also found out
that the property was in the northeast section Glastonbury near the present day
towns of Manchester, Bolton, and Hebron."
This information along with evidence I previously reported to this forum
confirms that in all probability Abraham Colt, b. 30 Sep 1714 Glastonbury,
CT, s/o Abraham Colt and Susanna Risley, was the person who married Elizabeth
Gustin, b. c. 5 Jan 1714 Stonington, CT.
AND there is no longer any doubt in my mind that Abraham Colt, b. 30 Sep 1714
Glastonbury, CT, s/o Abraham Colt and Susanna Risley, is the same person as
Abraham Covalt, b. 1714, the progenitor of the information in the C. Richard
Covault book on the "Covalt/Covault/Cavolt" families.
As Jonathan C. Dove (b. 1807) wrote to his son Garrett in 1884, the surname of
his grandfather's and great-grandfather's wives, "...Grandfather's name was
Abraham Covalt, or Coalt as it was spoken then. His father's name was also
Abraham and his grandfather's also. ... His mothers name was Gustin, and she was
of French descent but I think American born...."
Abraham Colt, b. 30 Sep 1714 Glastonbury, CT, was s/o Abraham Colt, b. 21 May
1692 Glastonbury, CT, s/o Abraham Colt, b. 15 Jan 1666 Podunk, CT, s/o John
Colt, b. c. 1635.
The first mention of John Colt in America was 5 Jun 1656 in the Quarter Court at
Hartford, CT when George Graves, John Colt, John Adams, and William Morton were
fined five shillings each "for playing at cards and that at an unseasonable
time of the night" (Particular Court Records, 169). Over the years and in
various documents John Colt and his descendants have spelled the Colt surname in
various ways including Colt, Coult and Coalt. Abraham Colt, b. 1714, used the
Colt, Coult, Coalt and then finally the Covalt surname. Subsequent generations
have used the Covalt, Covault, and Cavolt surnames.
The book by C. Richard Covault, Chapter 5, p. 262+ discusses Isaac Covalt, who
is described as a "contemporary" of Abraham Covalt. Although I don't
have the final, nail-in-the-coffin proof yet, he is most probably Isaac Colt, b.
c. 1716, younger brother of Abraham Colt, b. 30 Sep 1714.
While the actual marriage record between Abraham Colt and Elizabeth Gustin has
not been found yet, the Glastonbury researcher will continue to look for it in
that area. I seriously doubt that the marriage was in Sussex Co, NJ as stated in
the C. Richard Covault book. The marriage may have even been in Great Egg
Harbor, NJ where the Covalt/Colt/Coalt family had relations and Abraham Covalt
was possibly born 8 Aug 1742 (according to C. Richard Covault's book, p. 47).
I don't think that the Colt/Covalt, Price and Gustin families arrived in Sussex
Co, NJ until sometime after1751 when they started liquidating their
land in Glastonbury, CT and 1763 when Bethany Fuller married Jeremiah Gustin and
Abraham Covalt married Lois Pendleton in Sussex Co, NJ. After the John Gustin
Sr. family liquidated its land in Glastonbury, CT, around 1754, they probably
lived for some time in Orange Co, NY before moving to Sussex Co, NJ. Some parts
of the family may have arrived in Sussex Co, NJ earlier than others, I have seen
no evidence for anything as early as 1736.
The following transactions between the Gustin and Coult/Colt family is
information for those interested in the marriage of Abraham
Covalt/Coult/Coalt/Colt (b. 1714), who married Elizabeth Gustin (b. 1714), d/o
John Gustin & Mary.
1. 15 October 1740 Glastonbury, CT. John Gustin of Glastenbury
deeded "For the Consideration of the Sum of Twenty Six pounds money to me
in hand paid by Abraham Coult of Glastenbury." [Source: Glastonbury, CT
Land Records, Vol. 5, 1745-1749. Page 97.]
2. 23 Mar 1746/7 Glastonbury, CT. Abraham Coult of Galstenbury
deeded "For the Consideration of the Sum of Six pounds Ten Shillings money
Received to my full Satisfaction of my Father in law John Gustin of the Same
Glastenbury". The "land Situate in Said Glastenbury in Eastbury
Parrish at the place where Said Gustin now Dwells." [Source: Glastonbury,
CT Land Records, Vol. 5, 1745-1759, p. 186.]
3. 16 Jan 1748/9 Glastonbury, CT. Abraham Coult of Glastenbury
deeded "For the Consideration of forty pounds money received to my full
satisfaction of John Justin Jr. of the same Glastenbury." Abraham Coult
lived next to John Gustin Sr. A portion of the land described in the deed
shows that the land being conveyed by Abraham Coult is abuts land owned by his
father in law, John Gustin: "goes next to my Father John Gustin land
bounded West by my Father John Gustin land East on my own land North by a
Highway & south by Land belonging to heirs of Joseph Wells." [Source:
Glastonbury, CT Land Records, Vol. 5, 1745-1759. Page 226.]
4. 29 Jun 1753 Glastonbury, CT. Abraham Coult deeded land to
Alpheus Gustin. The land was bounded on the South by land of Joseph Wells, East
on land owned by Abraham Coult West on Land now conveyed to Alpheus Gustin.
[Source: Glastonbury, CT Land Records, Vol. 5, 1729-1745. p. 402.]
From "The Gustine Compendium" pp. 162-163.
Grantee
Grantor
John Gustin Sr
and Abraham
Colt -two transactions
John Gustin Sr et al and Isaac Colt
John Gustin Jr et al and Isaac Colt
John Gustin Jr
and Isaac Colt
-2 transactions
Abraham Colt
and John
Gustin Jr
Abraham Colt
and
Alpheus Gustin
If I have all of the correct persons,
Isaac Colt was born c. 1713/1714 in Glastonbury.
Abraham Colt, b. 30 Sep 1714 in Glastonbury
John Gustin Sr, b. 5 Nov 1691 Lynn, Essex Co, MA
John Gustin Jr, b. 18 Oct 1716 Stonington, CT
Alpheus Gustin, b. 29 Nov 1722 Stonington, CT
The "History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, with
Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers"
compiled by James P. Snell in 1881, shows on p. 32 that after 1735, among the
earliest settlements east of the Blue Mountains "was in the Popakating
valley and was made by Messrs. Colt, Price, and Gustin, who were originally from
New England. ...they removed to Orange co., N.Y..."
I am not sure which specific Colt, Price and Gustin individuals are being
mentioned in the above passage, but there are some interesting
clues...[NOTE: The spelling variations of the name Colt/Coalt/Coult is shown in
various VRs and deeds taken from Glastonbury, CT and the Hartford, CT district.]
"The Gustine Compendium", pp. 207-213+ mentions the connection of the
Price family with Thomas Gustin, 10th child of John and Mary Gustin. He was born
in Glastonbury CT 12 Jan 1735, and later removed to Orange Co, NY. Thomas Gustin
married Ruth Owen in 1759. Among their children was Colonel John Gustin, who
married Esther Price, and who along with many other Gustins settled in Sussex
Co, NJ.
Colonel John Gustin's wife, Esther Price, was d/o Francis Price and Esther Dunn.
Francis Price was the d/o Samuel Price m2. Sarah Perrin
Samuel Price m1. Dorothy Fox, a great granddaughter of Richard Smith and Rebecca
Buswell. Dorothy Price, d/o Samuel Price m1. Dorothy Fox, married Jabez Colt/Coult,
grandson of John Colt/Coalt/Coult and Hester Edwards.
Abraham Colt/Coult, b. 30 Sep 1714 Glastonbury, CT, and his brother Isaac Colt/Coult,
b. c. 1716, were the great-grandsons of John Colt and Hester Edwards and the
great-great-grandsons of Richard Smith and Rebecca Buswell.
Abraham Colt, b. 30 Sep 1714 Glastonbury, CT was the son of Abraham Colt and
Susanna Risley. Two of Susanna's uncles and three of her brothers settled in
Great Egg Harbor, NJ. Some of their descendants migrated to Orange Co, NY and
then to Sussex Co, NJ.
According to the book by C. Richard Covault, Abraham Covalt, b. 1714, had his
son, Abraham Covalt, born in Great Egg Harbor, NJ 8 Aug 1742.
In a letter written by Jonathan C. Dove (b. 1807) to his son Garrett in 1884. In
the letter Jonathan identifies the surname of his grandfather's and
great-grandfather's wives, "Grandfather's name was Abraham Covalt, or Coalt
as it was spoken then. His father's name was also Abraham and his
grandfather's also..." A repeat, "Grandfather's name was Abraham
Covalt, or Coalt as it was spoken then..."
From "The Gustine Compendium" pp. 162-163 the following land
transactions are recorded in Glastonbury, CT:
Grantee
Grantor
John Gustin Sr
and
Abraham Colt -two transactions (in one of these an Isaac Coult was an adjacent
land owner)
John Gustin Sr et al and Isaac Colt
John Gustin Jr et al and Isaac Colt
John Gustin Jr
and
Isaac Colt -2 transactions
Abraham Colt
and
John Gustin Jr
Abraham Colt
and
Alpheus Gustin
If I have all of the correct persons,
Isaac Colt was born c. 1713/1714 in Glastonbury.
Abraham Colt, b. 30 Sep 1714 in Glastonbury
John Gustin Sr, b. 5 Nov 1691 Lynn, Essex Co, MA
John Gustin Jr, b. 18 Oct 1716 Stonington, CT
Alpheus Gustin, b. 29 Nov 1722 Stonington, CT
I suspect Abraham Colt/Coult/Coalt, b. 30 Sep 1714 Glastonbury, CT, married 1736
Elizabeth Gustin, b. 5 Jan 1714 Stonington, CT, d/o John Gustin Sr., and later
became known as Abraham Covalt. [Just look at how many times the names and
places overlap!]
It will be interesting to see whether the deeds from Glastonbury, CT show a
relationship between John Gustin Sr & Jr. and Abraham Colt & Isaac Colt.
A call to the Glastonbury Town Clerk revealed that the old deeds are on-site and
available for research.
I have wondered why early mentions of the Covalt surname are scarce.
The "History of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey, with Illustrations
and Biographical Sketches of its Prominent Men and Pioneers" compiled by
James P. Snell in 1881, shows on p. 32 that after 1735, among the earliest
settlements east of the Blue Mountains "was in the Popakating valley and
was made by Messrs. Colt, Price, and Gustin, who were originally from New
England. ...they removed to Orange co., N.Y..." The book doesn't give the
date for the time Messrs. Colt, Price, and Gustin arrived in NJ. Interestingly,
"The Gustin Compendium" shows many CT land transfers between and among
John Gustin, Sr., John Gustin, Jr., and various members of the Colt family. It
seems highly probable that there is some relationship between the Gustin &
Colt families and their appearance in CT and NJ together.
??????????
Colt - Coult - Covalt - - -
Abraham Colt/Coult
Abraham Covalt.
I wonder if we've been trying to force the spelling to find Covalt.
The closest record I've see to identity of Elizabeth Gustin as the wife of
Abraham Covalt is in a letter written by Jonathan C. Dove (b. 1807) to his
son Garrett in 1884. In the letter Jonathan identifies the surname of his
grandfather's and greatgrandfather's wives, "Grandfather's name was Abraham
Covalt, or Coalt as it was spoken then. His father's name was also Abraham and
his grandfather's also. His father was American born but his grandfather was a
Holland Dutchman. He must have been in the first settlers in the eastern
colonies. My grandfather Covalt was old enough to serve in the French and Indian
wars, before the revolution. This I think happened before he left Massachusetts.
He served on the ocean or was at least in the Indian islands at the taking of
Martinco. His mothers name was Gustin, and she was of French descent but I think
American born. I have seen people of that name that I thought resembled the
Covalt, family."
A repeat from above, "Grandfather's name was Abraham Covalt, or Coalt as it
was spoken then..."
Covalt. Coalt. Colt. Hmmm...
Maybe my genealogical blinders have been on my head.
I have ancestors' names that have changed from Berg to Barrick. Another from
Brand to Brandt. Hmmm...
re: Fuller. I don't have the information on the Fuller descendants beyond the
first five generations shown in the Mayflower Society "Silver" book on
the descendants of Edward Fuller. It was my source of Elkanah Fuller as the
father of Bethany Fuller, who married Jeremiah Gustin, youngest sibling of
Elizabeth Gustin, d/o John & Mary Gustin. Elkanah Fuller was the minister in
Sussex Co, NJ for the 1763 weddings of Abraham Covalt & Lois Pendleton as
well as Jeremiah Gustin and his daughter Bethany Fuller.
Interestingly, Jeremiah Gustin was born in Glastonbury, CT, a home of the Colt
family. From above we know Gustin and Colt were early Sussex Co, NJ pioneers.
Elkanah moved from E. Haddam, CT to Mansfield, CT to Sussex Co, NJ before 1763
to NY.
Hmmm...
I think I'll take a chance and look for marriages in CT between an Abraham Colt
and Elizabeth Gustin.
The LDS Ancestral File lists the birth of an Abraham Colt on 30 Sep 1714
Glastonbury, CT, s/o Abraham Colt. [Jonathan Dove said his Covalt/Coalt
ancestors were Abraham -> Abraham & Gustin -> Abraham.] Abraham Covalt
was born in Great Egg Harbor, NJ 9 Oct 1714 according to some Buck researchers
and 1714 according to C. Richard Covault's book.
Hmmm...
NEHG Reg, Vol. 80, Jul 1926, pp. 319, 322, 324 shows an Edward Coult, gentleman, who
married 6 Sep 1574 Moulton, Sussex, England Anne (?) Moody, widow of Richard
Moody.
Richard & Ann Moody are the grandparents of Frances Moody, who
on 5 Sep 1604 married Thomas Kilbourn, who died in Wethersfield, CT by
1639.
Does anyone have information about this Edward Coult, gentleman?
Specifically, is he any relation to John Colt/Coalt/Coult, born say mid-1630s,
m1. Mary Skinner, m2. Hester Edwards, and progenitor of the Colt families of
CT?