Wednesday, December 27, 2017

Grandfather’s Gift Buys Homestead — Abraham Dumont

B. April 25, 1706 in Somerset County, New Jersey
M. August 10, 1733 in Somerset County, New Jersey
Wife: Mattie Bergen
D. August 7, 1787 in Somerset County, New Jersey

Abraham Dumont was given money by his grandfather at age 21, and he turned it into a property that remained in the family for generations to come. Abraham was born on April 25, 1706 in Somerset County, New Jersey to Peter Dumont and Femmetje Janse Van Middleswart. He had two older brothers, one of whom died as an infant, but Abraham’s mother died giving birth to him. His father remarried twice, and he had nine younger half-siblings.

On August 10, 1733, Abraham married Mattie Bergen (also spelled as Meetje), who was the daughter of Hans Jorise Bergen and Sitje Van Wycklen. Abraham and Mattie had four children born between 1734 and 1747.

Abraham and his family lived on a farm of about 500 acres directly south of Somerville, New Jersey, on the road toward Harlingen. He had acquired the property using money that was given or bequeathed to him by his grandfather, Jan Teunise Van Middleswart. Abraham and his brother John each received money from their grandfather when they came of age. Abraham’s farm including the house he built became the family homestead, which survived among his descendants until 1913. 

Typical farm in colonial New Jersey.

Mattie passed away on February 13, 1768, and Abraham died on August 7, 1787; both were buried in the Dumont Burying Ground in Hillsborough. The inventory for Abraham's will showed that his personal property was valued at over £462, not including his land. He owned at least one slave, which he left to his son Peter.

Children:
1. Peter Abraham Dumont – B. 11 Jul 1734, Hillsborough, New Jersey, D. 7 Jul 1818, Hillsborough, New Jersey; M.  (1) Abigail Tunison (?-1761), 6 Dec 1757; (2) Sarah Hegeman (1744-1820), 23 Feb 1763, Somerset County, New Jersey

2. Sitie Dumont – B. 2 Apr 1738; M. Hendrick Probasco

3. John Dumont – B. 10 Jan 1740; D. 3 May 1758

4. Phebe Dumont – B. 13 Sep 1747; M. (1) Frederick Ditmars; (2) Thomas Drew

Sources:
“Wallerand Dumont and his Somerset County Descendants,” John B. Dumont, Somerset County Quarterly, Volume 1, 1912
Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, Elmer T. Hutchinson, 2009
“An Interesting Document of 1727,” Somerset County Quarterly, Volume 7, 1918