M. (1) about 1734 in New Jersey
Wife: Maritje Van Cleef
M. (2) after 2 Apr 1789
Wife: Catherine Van Vechten
D. 25 Sep 1804 in Bridgewater, New Jersey
John Brokaw’s life spanned a time when people of Dutch heritage were first setting in central New Jersey, all the way into the beginning of the 19th century. In his prime, he gave service to his community, and as an old man, saw the founding of the United States.
John was born in Somerset County, New Jersey to Jan Brokaw and Sarah Janse Van Middleswart, and baptized in the Raritan Dutch Reformed Church on September 26, 1709. He was one of eight children, and the oldest son. In 1725, John's father purchased a large tract of land near Millstone, and this is where he came of age. In about 1734, John married Maritje Van Cleef, a native of Freehold. They settled in Somerset County, where they had twelve children, two of whom died young.
John seems to have been well-educated, holding several important offices in Somerset County; in most of the records he had the title of “esquire” on his name, suggesting a certain status. He was commissioner of peace in 1752, 1759 and 1769, and a justice in 1768 and 1767 to 1770. In 1761, John took on the job of surveying and mapping some land belonging to a neighbor named John Dumont, dividing the tract into smaller lots. He did the same thing four years later for the estate of another man named Hendrick Wilson. Then in 1771, the board of Millstone made him their clerk and paid him 30 shillings for the year.
New Jersey was a pivotal location during part of the American Revolution, and support for the cause was very strong among John’s community. His oldest son John served as a lieutenant in the militia, and gave his life for the effort. In October 1777, General Washington led a force in an unsuccessful mission to surprise the British at Germantown, Pennsylvania, and one of the casualties was Lieutenant John. His heroics on the battlefield were so noteworthy that two years later, Washington rode to the home of his widow to “express his sympathy.”
The years following the war brought more sadness when John’s wife Maritje passed away on April 2, 1789. Sometime after this, at the age of at least 80, he remarried to a woman named Catherine Van Vechten. Perhaps he needed companionship in his old age.
Perhaps John’s legacy lies in his surname, which would be handed down to his 5G grandson Tom Brokaw. He was also the ancestor of Humphrey Bogart.
Children (all with Maritje Van Cleef):
1. John Brokaw — B. 5 May 1736, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. 4 Oct 1777, Germantown, Pennsylvania; M. Maria Vanderveer (1742-?), about 1760
2. Catherine Brokaw — B. 18 Oct 1737, Roycefield, New Jersey; D. 10 Dec 1819, Somerset County, New Jersey; M. Hendrick Van Arsdalen (1731-1820), about 1755, (probably) New Jersey
3. Henrietta Brokaw — B. 26 Sep 1739, Roycefield, New Jersey; D. 9 Jan 1829, Millstone, New Jersey; M. Cornelius Lott (1738-1816)
4. Sarah Brokaw — B. 11 Jan 1741, Somerset County, New Jersey, D. before 1748
5. Benjamin Brokaw — B. 19 Dec 1743, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. 27 Apr 1815
6. Isaac Brokaw — B. 4 Feb 1746, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. 18 Sep 1826, Morristown, New Jersey; M. Elizabeth Miller (~1750-?), about 1764, New Jersey
7. Sarah Brokaw — B. 12 Sep 1748, Somerset County New Jersey; M. Jacob Van Deventer
8. Derck Brokaw — B. 12 Mar 1751, Somerset County New Jersey; D. young
9. Mary Brokaw — B. 14 Jun 1753, Somerset County New Jersey; D. 10 Dec 1833; M. Cornelius Van Dyke
10. Bergon Isaac Brokaw — B. 6 Jan 1756, Somerset County New Jersey; D. 25 May 1813, Bridgewater, New Jersey; M. Jane Sudyam Mount (1760-1830), 29 Mar 1779, Millstone, New Jersey
11. Richard Brokaw — B. 7 Sep 1758, Somerset County New Jersey; D. 24 Jan 1841
12. Phebe Brokaw — B. 18 Dec 1760, Somerset County New Jersey; D. 20 Jan 1808, Bound Brook, New Jersey; M. John Field (1756-?), 22 Jan 1781, Bridgewater, New Jersey
Sources:
Our Brokaw-Brogaw Heritage, Elsie E. Foster, 1967
History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey, Everts & Peck, 1881
New Jersey Probate Records, 1678-1980, FamilySearch.org
John seems to have been well-educated, holding several important offices in Somerset County; in most of the records he had the title of “esquire” on his name, suggesting a certain status. He was commissioner of peace in 1752, 1759 and 1769, and a justice in 1768 and 1767 to 1770. In 1761, John took on the job of surveying and mapping some land belonging to a neighbor named John Dumont, dividing the tract into smaller lots. He did the same thing four years later for the estate of another man named Hendrick Wilson. Then in 1771, the board of Millstone made him their clerk and paid him 30 shillings for the year.
New Jersey was a pivotal location during part of the American Revolution, and support for the cause was very strong among John’s community. His oldest son John served as a lieutenant in the militia, and gave his life for the effort. In October 1777, General Washington led a force in an unsuccessful mission to surprise the British at Germantown, Pennsylvania, and one of the casualties was Lieutenant John. His heroics on the battlefield were so noteworthy that two years later, Washington rode to the home of his widow to “express his sympathy.”
The Battle of Germantown.
The years following the war brought more sadness when John’s wife Maritje passed away on April 2, 1789. Sometime after this, at the age of at least 80, he remarried to a woman named Catherine Van Vechten. Perhaps he needed companionship in his old age.
As John’s long life drew to a close, he made out a will dated July 5, 1803. In it, he bequeathed a silver tankard to the son of his son who was killed in the war. John also mentioned a single slave, a woman named Hannah, appearing to free her at his death, but the will has ink spilled across it, obscuring the words. It reads: "I order and devise that my Negro wench named Hannah _____ not be sold but have choice to live where she pleases so that she m__________________.” John died on September 25, 1804 in Bridgewater. His probate inventory showed that his estate was valued at a total of $2,779.93.
John's 1803 will with the spilled ink.
Perhaps John’s legacy lies in his surname, which would be handed down to his 5G grandson Tom Brokaw. He was also the ancestor of Humphrey Bogart.
Children (all with Maritje Van Cleef):
1. John Brokaw — B. 5 May 1736, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. 4 Oct 1777, Germantown, Pennsylvania; M. Maria Vanderveer (1742-?), about 1760
2. Catherine Brokaw — B. 18 Oct 1737, Roycefield, New Jersey; D. 10 Dec 1819, Somerset County, New Jersey; M. Hendrick Van Arsdalen (1731-1820), about 1755, (probably) New Jersey
3. Henrietta Brokaw — B. 26 Sep 1739, Roycefield, New Jersey; D. 9 Jan 1829, Millstone, New Jersey; M. Cornelius Lott (1738-1816)
4. Sarah Brokaw — B. 11 Jan 1741, Somerset County, New Jersey, D. before 1748
5. Benjamin Brokaw — B. 19 Dec 1743, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. 27 Apr 1815
6. Isaac Brokaw — B. 4 Feb 1746, Somerset County, New Jersey; D. 18 Sep 1826, Morristown, New Jersey; M. Elizabeth Miller (~1750-?), about 1764, New Jersey
7. Sarah Brokaw — B. 12 Sep 1748, Somerset County New Jersey; M. Jacob Van Deventer
8. Derck Brokaw — B. 12 Mar 1751, Somerset County New Jersey; D. young
9. Mary Brokaw — B. 14 Jun 1753, Somerset County New Jersey; D. 10 Dec 1833; M. Cornelius Van Dyke
10. Bergon Isaac Brokaw — B. 6 Jan 1756, Somerset County New Jersey; D. 25 May 1813, Bridgewater, New Jersey; M. Jane Sudyam Mount (1760-1830), 29 Mar 1779, Millstone, New Jersey
11. Richard Brokaw — B. 7 Sep 1758, Somerset County New Jersey; D. 24 Jan 1841
12. Phebe Brokaw — B. 18 Dec 1760, Somerset County New Jersey; D. 20 Jan 1808, Bound Brook, New Jersey; M. John Field (1756-?), 22 Jan 1781, Bridgewater, New Jersey
Sources:
Our Brokaw-Brogaw Heritage, Elsie E. Foster, 1967
History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey, Everts & Peck, 1881
New Jersey Probate Records, 1678-1980, FamilySearch.org
