B. about 1732 in (probably) New Jersey
M. (probably) Somerset County, New Jersey
Wife: Martha Anderson
D. 5 Jan 1810 in (probably) Piscataway, New Jersey
There is strong evidence to suggest that John Ross served in the American Revolution during the 1770s, but because of his common name it can’t be entirely proven. Only sketchy details exist about John’s life. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, born in about 1732, probably in New Jersey. Around 1760, he married Martha Anderson, said to be daughter of William and Martha Anderson, another Scotch-Irish family who lived in colonial New Jersey. The couple had six known children.
During his life, John was identified as living in the towns of Bound Brook, Middlebrook and Piscataway, and these places were in close proximity of each other. This was a center of activity during the American Revolution, with Washington’s army being camped at Middlebrook for part of 1777 and for the winter of 1778-1779. On April 13, 1777, a battle took place at Bound Brook, when the British tried to corner the Americans, who were outnumbered 4,000 to 500. The colonial force lost the garrison, but was able to retreat.
Did John take part in any of this action? There was strong sentiment among the people of central New Jersey to support the American cause. Somerset County had its own militia headed by Captain Jacob Ten Eyck, and a list of his men survives that includes the name “John Ross.” But there’s no date on the list other than the length of the war: 1775 to 1781. John’s son who was also named John was age 17 in 1781, but given that the fighting in New Jersey took place much earlier, it seems much more likely that the older John was the soldier.
John died on January 5, 1810, likely at his home in Piscataway. His will left most of his estate to his wife, Martha, who survived him by little more than a month, dying on February 17th. Both were buried in the Old Presbyterian Graveyard in Bound Brook.
Children:
1. John Ross — B. 5 Feb 1764, New Jersey; D. 2 Mar 1808, Somerset County, New Jersey; M. Martha Van Tuyl (1768-1853), 7 Sep 1788
2. Joseph Ross — B. New Jersey; D. after 1810
3. William Ross — B. New Jersey; D. after 1810; M. Elizabeth
4. (unknown female) Ross — B. New Jersey; D. before 1810; M. James Coddington
5. Martha Ross — B. New Jersey; D. before 1810; M. Mr. Limberg
6. Hester Ross — B. 11 Feb 1767, New Jersey; D. 7 Oct 1851, Springdale, Ohio; M. Jacob Field (1768-1842), 25 Dec 1790, New Jersey
Sources:
Revolutionary War New Jersey (website)
The Ross Family of New Jersey, Bob Ross, 1990
The Will of John Ross, Piscataway, New Jersey, 1810
Middlebrook Encampment (Wikipedia article)
