| Notes |
- Was born, probably in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, probably between 1742 and 1752. He died in Mansfield Township, (then Sussex, since 1825) Warren County, New Jersey between 7 and 13 January 1819. The name of Francis' first wife and the probable mother of his children is unknown. However, Francis was probably first married in Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey between 1773 and 1778; she died before 20 February 1815 (Sussex County Deeds, E2:360). Francis may have married first JANE (see Jim Robert's comments further below).
If Francis and his first wife followed Dutch traditions rigidly in naming their children, he may have first married ELIZABETH and she may have been the daughter of couple named Jasper and Joanna.
Francis' son, Derrick/Richard6 Krusen, and his wife, Jane (Garrison) Krusen, named their first daughter Mary and their second daughter Sarah. If Jane (Garrison) Krusen was the daughter of John and Mary (Barbar) Garrison, as theorized further below, it follows that Derrick/Richard6's mother may have been named Sarah. Thus Francis may have first married SARAH . If so, she died, probably after September 1800, when the Krusens named their daughter Mary; if she had predeceased Mary (Barbar) Garrison, then the Krusens would have named their eldest daughter Sarah. However, Derrick/Richard and Jane did not follow Dutch naming pattern strictly; their fifth son (instead of their third), Richard, was finally named in honor of his father.
In any case, Francis was married second before 20 February 1815 to MARY (Sussex County Deeds, E2:360); she died after 13 January 1819. From the wording of Francis' will, it is obvious that Mary was not the mother of his children. Contrary to many sources, Mary ( ) Krusen was not Mary Blackledge or Mary Davis; this issue is discussed in detail further below.
Francis' paternal grandparents, Francis3 and Elizabeth (Van der Grift) Kroesen, had eight sons. According to Dutch naming practices, each of these eight sons should have named their eldest son Francis to honor Francis3. The name, Francis, had been introduced into the Kroesen family to honor Francis3' maternal grandfather, Francis2 Cregier (Martin1). Early in my research efforts, I discovered an existing theory that Derrick/Richard6 Krusen and Jasper Crusan, both of Greenwood, Steuben County, New York were the sons of a Francis Krusen who died in New Jersey in 1819. I then sought to determine which grandson of Francis3 was their father. The potential existed for eight grandsons of Francis3 Kroesen named in his honor. To date, the actual existence of any grandsons so named has been established for only three men, sons of Derrick4, Leonard4, and Francis4.
Francis, father of Derrick/Richard and Jasper, died in 1819. Therefore, Francis5 Kroesen (Leonard4, Francis3) can be ruled out; he died before 5 January 1804, when Leonard4 made his will (Bucks County, Pennsylvania Wills, 7:171, CFA). On similar evidence, Francis5 Kroesen (Francis4-3) can also be eliminated as a candidate; he did not die until 1844 (Metzgar). By process of elimination, using the known facts, the logical conclusion is that Francis5 (Derrick4, Francis3) was the father of Derrick/Richard and Jasper. After making this determination, I learned that Ruby Bell Arnold had arrived at the same conclusion long before me.
This conclusion is also strongly supported, once again, by examining naming patterns. Francis named his eldest son Derrick/Richard, his second son Jasper, and his third son John. In Dutch families, the eldest son was traditionally named after the paternal grandfather; the second son was named after the maternal grandfather; and the third son was named after the father. However, if the maternal grandfather predeceased the paternal grandfather, the order would be reversed, as was the case with the sons of Derrick4. Also, the naming pattern was sometimes altered to honor a paternal or maternal relative that had died. Unfortunately, I do not have a death date for John5 Krusen (Derrick4, Francis3, Derrick2, Garret1). However, we do know John5 lived and died in Northumberland County, Pennsylvania but not appear in the 1790 census. It seems probable that John, son of Francis, born in 1784, was named after his deceased uncle, John5.
Francis' sons, Derrick/Richard, Jasper and John all settled in Greenwood, Steuben County, New York. Following the deaths of Derrick/Richard and Jasper, John moved on to Licking County, Ohio. Descendants of Francis' brother, John, had also settled in Licking County, Ohio.
If I have correctly identified Francis as Francis5 (Derrick4, Francis3) then it follows that John moved to be near some of his close kin after his brothers died. This additional information provides strong support for the conclusion that Francis was the son of Derrick4.
The confusion created by the existence of at least three first cousins all named Francis Krusen has led to errors that remain widely accepted. This situation is exacerbated by the fact that at least two of the cousins both married women with the first name of Mary.
Mary Blackledge married a Francis Krusen at Neshaminy (Churchville), Bucks County, Pennsylvania (Metzgar) on 26 October 1770 (Pennsylvania Marriages); he is frequently, but ncorrectly, identified as Francis5 (Derrick4, Francis3, Derrick2, Garret1). Also, it is often stated that Mary Davis married a Francis Krusen; he is generally designated as Francis5 (Leonard4, Francis3, Derrick2, Garret1). However, Mary Blackledge and Mary Davis were actually the same woman; Mary (Blackledge) (Krewson) Davis was first married to Francis5 (Leonard4). This conclusion is drawn from an examination of her will.
In the will of "Mary Krewson or Davis" of Southampton (Bucks County, Pennsylvania Abstracts of Willis, Liber 10, page 338), she is identified as the daughter of John Blackledge. Mary Blackledge was first married to Francis Krewson; he died; and she then married Davis. This document, dated 7 July 1824, describes Mary as "advanced in years"; her will was proved later that same year on 7 December. Mary (Blackledge) (Krewson) Davis had sons named John Blackledge Krewson, Francis Krewson, and Leonard Krewson. Her daughters were named as Esther Krewson, Elizabeth Krewson, Rachel Hibbs, Mary Aurhton, and Bridget States. Based on her son's names, it is clear that Mary Blackledge married Francis5 (Leonard4); the origins of the Mary ( ) Krusen, second wife of Francis5 (Derrick4) remain unknown.
The names of her children and the will of her father confirm that Mary (Blackledge) (Krewson) Davis was born Mary3 Blackledge (John2, William1), daughter of John2 and Bridget (Grimes) Blackledge. In John2 Blackledge's will (dated 11 March 1775; #107; probated 1784; inventory filed 31 May 1785), his grandson, John Blackledge Krewson, is given money to be paid when he becomes 21 years old. John Blackledge also bequeathed land in Manor of Moreland, just outside of Philadelphia, to his daughter Mary.
Returning to the biography of our current subject, Francis5 Krusen (Derrick4, Francis3, Derrick2, Garret1), we learn that he he settled in Bethlhem, Hunterdon County, New Jersey by 1777 as evidenced by the following record of his service in the American Revolution:
It is certified, that the records of this office [Adjutant General, Trenton, New Jersey] show that Francis Kruser—Bethlehem Township, Hunterdon County—served as an Ensign, Captain F. Lock's Second Regiment, Hunterdon County Militia, May 10, 1777; Lieutenant, Captain Albert Opdycke's Company, Second Regiment, Hunterdon County Militia, June 1778; Captain, vice Opdycke, September 4, 1780; at battle of Monmouth, June 28, 1778—during the Revolutionary War (Arnold).
Francis Kruser is also documented as a Captain from Hunterdon County, New Jersey (William S. Stryker, Official Register of the Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War [Trenton, NJ: Wm. T. Nicholson & Co., Printers; 1872])).
One wonders what would have prompted Francis to migrate from Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Hunterdon County, New Jersey. The answer probably lies in Bucks County, Pennsylvania Criminal Records: 1697-1786. In File #2783, dated 28 September 1773, we find: "Recognizance Catherine De Gray of Northampton Township testify versus Francis Kroesen for fornication and bastardy of an illegitimate child." The most likely match for this record is Francis5 Krusen (Derrick4, Francis3, Derrick2, Garret1). This event may have caused him to relocate and increases the probability that his first wife was from Hunterdon County, New Jersey rather than Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Sharon Ann Kasa offered the following coments on this event: Catherine Gray, dau. of Peter Gray married... widower John Trisler... About 1772-1773, Peter Gray was born in Northampton, Bucks Co., PA. I have never managed to find his birth parents and now I wonder if they are possibly Francis Kroesen and Catherine Gray (14 Feb 2002).
In "New Jersey Rateables, 1778-1780" (Kenn Stryker-Rodda, Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey [Vol. 47, No. 3; Sep 1972]; Kenn is a descendant of the Stryker family of Greenwood, Steuben County, New York), Francis is listed "Frances Crusen" with 130 acres in Bethlehem Township, 2 horses, 6 horned cattle, 4 hogs as of June 1778. He was exempt from payingtaxes,probablybecauseofhismilitaryleadershiprole. BySeptember1780,"Francis Cruser" had only 50 acres, 3 hogs, and 4 horned cattle; perhaps his service in the militia had negative impact on both his finances and his farming. In other tax lists he appears as "Francis Crusen" in 1785, "Frances Krusom" in 1786, and "Frances Kruson" in 1789. Perhaps he left Hunterdon County in 1790 for he was not listed among the Hunterdon County taxpayers that year Hunterdon County New Jersey Taxpayers 1778-1797.
A "Francis Cruser" is listed in the 1790 census for Northumberland County, Pennsylvania between Thomas Phillips and Joseph Huffe. From other records, we know that Francis
sometimes spelled his name Kruser which would be a synonym for Cruser. Unfortunately, the census records were not returned by township for Northumberland County in 1790 which encompassed most of north central Pennsylvania at that time. Francis' brother, John, resided in Turbet Township, Northumberland County. However, John did not die until 1796 and he is not listed in the 1790 census. In 1800, "Mrs. Cruser" is listed as a head of household in Turbet. Also, the details in the census record pertaining to "Francis Cruser" do not match well with his family group. In 1790, the household of "Francis Cruser" included just one male age 16 or older; four free white females including three who were under age 16; and one slave. While Francis certainly had at least three daughters under the age of 16 in 1790, he had several sons as well. If "Francis Cruser" of Northumberland County, Pennsylvania is the same Francis who settled in Mansfield Township, (then Sussex, now) Warren County by the end of 1796 or sooner, then some of his children must have remained in New Jersey with other family members, perhaps to maintain Francis' own home and farm. It seems more reasonable to conclude that "Francis Cruser" of Northumberland County belongs to another branch of the Croesen family tree.
Francis died in Mansfield Township, (then Sussex, now) Warren County, New Jersey. He probably settled there by 8 Dec 1796, when "Francis Kruser" and Frederick Miller made the inventory of Michael Neigh Sr. of Mansfield Township (File 706S, New Jersey Colonial Documents: Calendar of Wills—1796-1800, 263). Apparently, it was common for the "Jersey Dutch" to change the final n in a surname to an r (Arnold).
On 20 February 1815, Francis Krusen and Mary his wife of Mansfield Township deeded 43 acres to Derrick Krusen also of Mansfield for $500, as witnessed by Joseph Thane and ElizabethMcIntire. ThispropertywasborderedbythatofJohnTitsworth,AbrahamTitsworth, John Woolever, and Robert Ramsey (Sussex County Deeds: E2:360).
"Francis Kruser" made his own will on 7 January 1819; it was recorded 20 July 1820 (Liber B of Wills, folios 52, 53).
In the name of God Amen. I Francis Kruser of the township of Mansfield County of Sussex & State of New Jersey, being weak in body of sound mind & memory for which blessing I most devoutly thank my god, do make & publish this my last will & testament in manner & form following, first it is my will & I do order that all my debts & funeral expenses be duly paid & satisfied, as soon as conveniently can be after my decease, I give & bequeath unto Joanna Petty wife of Aaron Petty my daughter, & unto Derrick Kruser, Jaspher Kruser & John Kruser my sons & to my other daughters Mary Hornbecker, Elizabeth Kruser & Margaret Kruser & my granddaughter Jimime McIntire & my wife Mary Kruser to them their heirs and assigns forever all my property both real & personal share & share alike except the share which is to go to my wife, which if she accept it is to be in lieu of her dower, & if anything remains of her share at my decease, it is my will that it be equally divided among my children & grand child above named to share & share alike. It is my will & I do here by order and direct my executors hereafter named to sell at publick or private sale all my real property lands tenements & herediaments of every description for the best price they can get for the same within one year after my decease, and the monies arising from the sale, the be equally divided share & share alike among all my children above named my wife, & granddaughter Jemima also to have an equal share with the rest, my will is that if my wife Mary will not accept her equal share with my other children named in lieu of her dower and release her right of dower to my heirs in order that the landed property may bring a good price, then in that case my will is that the share so as aforesaid willed to her, cease from her, & that she shall receive no part of it, but that her part shall be equally divided amongst my children & grand child before named. The reason that I will the sale of my landed property is because I considered it would be better & more to the advantage of my children & grandchildtohavetheirshareincashormoneythaninlotsofground. Iwill& order my executors hereafter named to put out the money or share coming to my grandchild Jemima McIntire to interest & secure the same by bond & mortgage until she attains the age of twenty one years, the interest to be paid to her annually for schooling & clothing, & when she attains the age of twenty one years, she is then to receive the whole unless she should die before she attains the age of twenty one years, & without having an heir or heirs, and in such case the money to be dividedamongstmychildrenorthesurvivorsofthemshare&sharealike. LastlyI doe hereby appoint my friends Jacob Taylor Esquire & Joseph Karr executors of this my last will & testament & guardians to my grandchild unto she chooses a guardian.
Elizabeth Martin, Henry Hankinson, and John Garrison witnessed Francis' mark on the document. Perhaps John Garrison was the father of Francis' daughter-in-law, Jane (Garrison) Krusen; Derrick/Richard and Jane (Garrison) Krusen named their eldest son John. "Francis Kruzen" was referred to as deceased in the inventory of his goods, dated 13 January 1819 (Liber C of Inventories, folio 287).
On 4 December 1819, Jacob Taylor and Joseph Kerr, executors of Francis' estate, along with John Krusen "did expose at public vendue or outcry... at the late dwelling house of Francis Krusen decd a certain farm or plantation... [in] Mansfield." John Krusen bought the 216-acre property with a bid of $2,216. It was bordered by John Vanness, Martin and Sutton. The deed was witnessed by Joseph Coryell and Aaron Petty (Sussex County Deeds, P2:315).
On 17 December 1819, Derick Krusen of Tioga, Tioga County, New York sold his 34 acre share of Francis' farm to his brother-in-law, "Peter Hornbaker" of Independence Township for $497; this lot was "a part of the farm of Francis Krusen decease." (Sussex County Deeds, P2:51).
On 8 April 1820 John Krusen and his wife, Jane, distributed 34.2 acres shares of Francis' farm to Margaret Krusen, Jasper Krusen of Mansfield, and Aaron Petty of Independence Township in separate deeds executed at a sale price of $369.36 each (Sussex County Deeds, P2:305).
Also on 8 April 1820 John Krusen and Jane of Mansfield sold 81.33 acres in Mansfield Township to Peter Hornbaker of Independence Township "excepting therefrom during the natural life of mary kruser widow and relick of Francis Kruser late of Mansfield decd a part of said lot that was laid off by Adam Runkle and Francis Nixon for part of her right of dower." This lot was also "apartofthefarmofFrancisKrusen." JosephCoryellandAaronPettywitnessedthistransaction (Sussex County Deeds, P2:278). Was this Adam Runkle identical with Adam Dawson Runkle, grandson of Jane (Foster) (Barbar) (Dawson) Van Buskirk?
Jim Roberts (hereinafter Roberts) provided the following summary on Francis via correspondence (11 May 1999):
First, Francis Krusen (#245 in the Croesen book). By the way, I listed two wives for Francis, (1) Jane, and (2) Mary (the one mentioned in the will). I can't say right off what made me make his first wife Jane. (I hope I didn't confuse her with his sonDerrick'swifeJaneGarrison!) Atanyrate,thewordingofthewillmademe think that Mary was a second wife. Here's what I said about Francis: "Francis Kroesen was taxed in Bethlehem twp., Hunterdon Co. NJ in 1778, 1780, 1785, 1786, and 1789, so it quite possible that his first wife was from that area. This is probably the Francis Cruser who appears in the 1790 Census of PA in Northumberland Co. He later moved to Warren Co. NJ (it was part of Sussex Co. at the time) where he lived many years, and died probably in January of 1820. Francis made his will in Mansfield twp., Sussex Co. NJ, on 7 January 1819; it was proved 20 Jan 1820... He names his wife as Mary Krusen, who was probably a second wife and not the mother of (all) the children, for after his property was to be sold, she was to receive an equal share with the children and the grandchild; if she would not accept this share, then she was not to receive any part of it, and her share was to be equally divided among the others.
|
1746 - 1819 (73 years)
