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10 December 2005
THE DEFRIES FAMILY/DEFOREST FAMILY
The Descendancy of Melchior De Forest, born 1450, the first known De Forest of this Line
AUDLEY PAUL DEFRIES MARTHA FRANCES DEFRIES
This brief descendancy takes us from Melchior De Forest, Generation XIV, down to Generation I, Martha "Mattie" Frances Defries , daughter of Audley Paul Defries and Mary Jane Grinter. It is not intended to be a definitive history of the Defries/Deforest family. The emphasis is on the Family of Audley Paul Defries and Mary Jane Grinter and their descendants, principally those of Martha "Mattie" (Defries) Hahn, the grandmother of the editor.
One of the sources of the later generations, beginning with James Defreese, is Jeanne Brookes Gart, James Defrees and His Descendants (Knoxville, 1992), LDS Family History Library Reference 929.273/D362dg.
Members of the Defries family had their origins in Early Europe, participated in the Crusades, relocated in the early 1600s from France to The Netherlands (Holland), and emigrated from there to New York where they were the original Dutch/French Huguenot founders and inhabitants of New Amsterdam (now New York City) beginning in 1624. The ancestors of Martha "Mattie" Frances Defries, the grandmother of editor Thomas Swiftwater Hahn, migrated to Virginia in the very early years of the 1800s, then to Kentucky, and to Tennessee, before going to Wyandotte County, Kansas about 1860. Mattie Defries is the last of that particular line to bear the name of Defries. Naturally, many members of the family stayed in the states where they lived, while others went to states other than Kansas. In addition, beginning with their lives in New York, some of the families changed their names from De Forest to Defreest, Defries, Defreese, Defriese, and other variations. Because there are discrepancies in the data, particularly in the earlier generations, readers should use the information with caution and understand, like so much of history, that this is a "work in progress." Additionally, there are at present undoubtedly errors in typing, syntax, spelling, and logical order, most of which I will try to correct. I am also making an attempt to connect the pertinent data with the correct sources. I would appreciate hearing from family members, or others, about corrections or of additions to the body of data presented. Editor
Several sources were used in the preparation of this history. They are all good and serve different purposes and provide sometimes duplicating, yet at other times different -- and sometimes conflicting data. More sources will be added. For the present they are:
1. "DeFries Family -- Descendants of Gilles DeForest"
The Email address of the author is: Burrows@watervalley.net This source is a straightforward Defries Descendancy from Generation No. 1 of Gilles DeForest born about 1466 -- probably in Avesnes, France -- down to Generation No. 11 of Asher Defrees born about 1770 in New York. Beginning with Generation No. 10 with the children of Joseph Deforest and Mary Hutton -- Asher Defrees's grandparents -- the author's primary interest thereafter is with John Defrees -- the brother of James Defrees, who was Asher's father.
2. "Ancestors of Asher Defrees" - As with the above source, this is a straight-forward ancestry of the Defries Family beginning with Asher Defrees and going back to Gilles DeForest. It provides some additional data and differs slightly from Source No. 1 in a few instances. Robert Williams, Jr., 390 Boyer Road, Grants Pass, Oregon 97526 provided this item on 6 November 1999 to the Church of Latter Day Saints Pedigree Resource File. The data is contained in CD No. 6 of the set prepared and copyrighted by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. in 1999.
3. "Genealogy of the DeFries of Wyandotte County, Kansas" - This typescript was prepared by Mrs. Delores Potter of Kansas City, Kansas, in 1979. It is the principal source for the Defries Family beginning with Asher Defries and descending six generations, that is, including the grandchildren of Martha "Mattie" Defries. It may be difficult to find. One copy is at the Wyandotte County Historical Museum in Bonner Springs, Kansas. It is also available at the the Church of Latter Day Saints Family History Library at Salt Lake City, Utah. The Reference Number at the LDS Linraryis US/CAN922,273/D362p. This monograph concentrates on the descendants of Nathan F. DeFries, 1829 - 1900; his brother, Audley Paul DeFries, 1832 - 1882; and their cousin, James Lafaett DeFries, 1831 - 1906
4. A more general source on the Defries Family is Jeanne Brooks Bart, James Defrees and His Descendants. (Knoxville, Tennessee:1992). The LDS FHL Reference Number is 922.273/D362dg. [The information in this entry will be expanded. We hear that there soon may be a new edition of this monograph. Editor]
5. "Defreest Family History" Web Site http://www.defreest.com/familyhistory.html contains information on the earlier generations of the De Forest Family, and then on the variation of the family called "Defreest."
6. Much of the data was taken from various Federal Census's and some from the Kansas State Census's
7. [Some data can be found in "The Kirby Notes," but I can't find my copy or further information on the source at present. Editor.]The family name originated with the Village of Forest in the Canton of Landrecies near Avesnes, France. The first record of the de Forest Family was published in 1660 by Jean le Carpentier in his History of Cambresis in which he mentions Hubert de Forest, a Chevalier of the First Crusade in 1096. Between 1111 and 1120, Gerard de Forest witnessed a gift made by the Countess of Flanders and the Duchess of Lorraine in St. Amanden-Pevele. In 1171, Hugues de Forest and his brother Gilles made a gift of land to the Abbey of Marchiennes. A little later, in 1180, the Chevalier Ansel de Forest of Cambresis is mentioned as having sold "church tenths." Records of 1221 mention Gautier de Forest as Provost of Quesnoy and Bailli of Ghent. Seven years later, in 1228, Walter de Forest is mentioned in records of 1233. In 1383 to 1384 the records of the Count of Hainaut speak of purchasing two pigs from Jehan de Forest at a feast held in honor of St. Jehan in Quesnoy. There are two other references to Jehan de Forest during the same period. In 1408, Thomas de Forest was taxed in the domain of Forest and in 1436 there is mention of a freehold held by the Abbey and acquired from Thomas de Forest. In 1466, Pierre de Forest is mentioned connection with several houses, fields, and lands. In 1491, there is mention of Gilles, Gaspard and Melchoir de Forest. (Defreest Family History Web Site
Following is a brief descendancy of the Deforest Line from the same source.GENERATION XIV - Melchoir de Forest, the son of Gaspard de Forest was born in 1450. Melchoir was born in 1472. Their is a conflict of the birth dates to be checked. Editor] (The data in this paragraph were from "Defreest Family History" except where noted otherwise) His mother is not known. He was a Jure d'Avesnes in 1517, a Sheriff or Alderman in Avesnes, Hainaut County in 1517 and in 1519. Melchoir was considered to be a wealthy man. He was a large land holder. [However, other sources, including "The DeFries Family - Descendants of Gilles DeForest," say that this ancestor was Giles DeForest, who was probably a brother of Melchoir.] "Melchior" is spelled "Melchoir" in some sources. This source says that Gilles Deforest was born about 1466 and married an unknown woman. "Ancestors of Asher Defrees" says that the son of Gilles was the Melchior De Forest who was born about 1486, and was of of Avesnes, Hainaut, France. He was buried on 4 June 1530 at Avesnes, Hainaut, France. [Source?] Melchior married Jacquelin Bronchin, who born about 1490, and was of Avesnes, France. She died in Avesnes, France. The source for this item cannot be found, and so it may be in error. In any event, in conflicts with the evidence that Jacqueline Bronchin is given as the spouse of both Melchior I and Melchior II. So far, it appears that Gilles De Forest was probably the first ancestor in this Descendancy.
GENERATION XIII - Melchoir de Forest, son of Melchoir de Forest I, was born in 1497. (From "Defreest Family History" except where noted otherwise.) His birth was about 1510 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France according to http://www.thegenealogyattic.com/tgf/dutch/d0000/g0000038.html.) He was Jure d'Avesnes in 1526 and 1527.) He married on 4 April 1533, at Avesnes, Hainaut, France, Jacquelin Bronchin. Melchoir was a brother of "Maistre Jehan de Forest, pretre" and "notaire apostalique" (acte du Mai, 1541), Chaplain de St. Pierre de Louvain en 1562." Melchoir was considered a wealthy man. He owned land and a house on the Marche (border) which he gave to his daughter, Marguerite de Forest Levacq; a house at Guersignies, which he sold on 3 October 1545 and a house at Avesnalles-St Denis, a small field of land, as well as annuities and other property. He lived in the Sottiere, a land bordering on the Brotherhood of St. Jean.
The children of Melchior DeForest and Jacqueline Bronchin ("DeFries Family - Descendants of Gilles DeForest"):
+1. Melchior DeForest III (See his entry in the generation just below.)
2. Marguerite DeForest, born about 1510, in Avesnes, Hainaut, Spanish Netherlands
3. Jenne DeForest, born about 1514, in Avesnes, Hainaut, Franc. She married Nicholas Thiebaut in September 1539.GENERATION XII - Melchior de Forest III, son of Melchior De Forest II, was born in 1521. (From the "Defreest Family History" except where noted otherwise.) He married in 1541, Catherine du Fosset. Melchoir was a member of the Brotherhood of St. Nicholas in 1543 and in 1562 he was Sheriff of Avesnes. The Genealogy Attic source above, says that he was Alderman 1563 - 1564 and that in 1569 he resided at Guersignities, France, and that in 1571 he bought land as a merchant in Avesnes. However, "Ancestors of Asher Defrees" says that Melchior was born about 1511, at or was from Avesnes, Hainaut, France, and that he married on 4 April 1533, in Avesnes, Catherine du Fosset, and that he died in 1571 in Avesnes, She was born in 1510 in Mons, Belgium. Catherine was the daughter of Antoine du Fosset and Isabel Restau. ("Defries Family - Descendants of Gilles DeForest"). (The Genealogy Attic source above says that in January 1572, Catherine assigned income to children and that she died in 1579.)
The children of Melchior de Forest and Catherine du Fosset ("DeFries Family - Descendants of Gilles DeForest"):
+1. Jean De Forest was born 1543 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France. (See his entry in the generation just below.)
2. Balthazar de Forest, was born about 1534, in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
3. Gilles de Forest, was born about 1537 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
4. Antoine de Forest, was born about 1539 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
5. Melchior Forest, was born about 1541 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
6. Jaspard de Forest was born about 1545 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
7. Jacqueline de Forest was born about 15747 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
8. Franchoise de Forest was born about 1550 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.GENERATION XI - Jean de Forest, son of Melchoir de Forest III, was born in 1543. (From the "Defreest Family History" except where noted otherwise.) He was born at Avesnes, Hainaut, France according to "Ancestors of Asher Defrees" ). He married Anne Maillard. Jean was married on 5 June 1570 in Avesnes, Flanders, Netherlands. (According to the "Defreest Family History" and the "Ancestors of Asher Defrees" The Genealogy Attic source says they were married in 1575. Jean's brother Gilles was a prominent Canon of the Catholic Church. Jean left Avesnes, at the time of the Edict of Nantes, and moved to Sedan. (Source?) According to another source, he died in 1606 in Vosmeer near Bergen op Zoom, Noord-Brabant [North Brabant], Netherlands. He married on 5 June 1570, in Avesnes, Flanders, France, Ann Maillard. She was born about 1551, was of Felleries, Hainaut, France, died 21 April 1640 in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, and was buried 21 April 1640 in Amsterdam, Noord, Netherlands. Ann was the daughter of Michael Maillard and Marguerite Raux. He was born 1520-1530, was of Felleries, Hainaut, France, and died 1582 in Fellurus, France. She was born about 1529. The Genealogy Attic source says: He was born Catholic, but came under Protestant influences for woolen interests. He moved to Holland where he died in 1606. Anne died at Amsterdam on 20 April 1640. The area of Sedan was homeland of the Walloons -- descendants of the Volcae, Celtic tribe, which was conquered by Caesar and who adopted Catholicism about 496. A part of Spanish Empire in 1482, they were persecuted by Spanish. By 1559, the Huguenots were made up primarily of the wealthy and nobility. After the wars, Jean led members of family to Holland. In March 1603, Jean joined the church at Leyden from Berghen Op Zoon [sic]. In Nov. 1604, he joined the Church of Amsterdam.
The children of Jean DeForest and Anne Maillard according to "The Ancestors of Asher Defrees:
+1. Jesse de Forest was born about 1576 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France. (See his entry in the generation just below.)
2. Melchior de Forest was born about 1572 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
3. Gerard de Forest was born about 1578 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
4. Anne de Forest was born about 1587 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.
5. Jean de Forest was born about 1593 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France.GENERATION X - Jesse de Forest, son of Jean de Forest, was born in 1576 in Avesnes, Hainaut, France. On Sunday, 23 September 1601, he married Marie du Cloux. After living briefly in Sedan, Jesse moved to Montcornet in 1609, and later moved to Leyden, Holland, where he made his home on the Breedestraet. Jesse served with Prince Maurice of Nassau, as a Lieutenant and a Captain. (From the "Defreest Family History." He died on 22 October 1624 in Dutch Guiana, South America. ("The DeFries Family")
The children of Jesse de Forest and Marie du Cloux (from "The DeFries Family unless otherwise noted):
+1. Isaac de Forest was born 10 July 1616 in Leyden, Zuid, Netherlands and died in 1674 in New Amsterdam, New York.. (See below).
2. Maria de Forest was born 7 July 1602 in Leyden, Zuid, Netherlands. She died young. ("Ancestors of Asher Defrees")
3. Jean de Forest was born 22 July 1604 in Leyden, Zuid, Netherlands and died 6 April 1668. He married Marie Vermeulen on 9 March 1632/1633.
4. Hendricks de Forest was born 7 March 1605/1606 in Leyden, Zuid, Netherlands and died 26 July 1637 in New Amsterdam, New York. He married on 11 July 1636 in Amsterdam, Gertrude Bornstra.
5. Elizabeth de Forest was born 1 November 1607 in Montcornet, Picardy, France.
6. David de Forest was born 11 December 1608 in Montcornet, Picardy, France.
7. Rachel de Forest was born 1609 in Montsornet, Luxembourg and died in 1643 in Vredenal, Harlem, New York. She died on 12 December 1626 in Vredendal, Harlem, New York, Rachel married on 12 December 1626 in Leiden, Zuid, Holland, Jean/Johannes Mousnier de la Montague. He was born in 1595 in Leiden, South Holland, Netherlands. "The Defries Family" for the last sentence)
8. Anne de Forest was born 1611 in Montcornet, Picardy, France.
9. Nicaise de Forest was born in 1613 in Montcornet, Picardy, France. ("Ancestors of Asher Defrees")
10. Jesse de Forest was born 1 March 1614/1615 in Leyden, Zuid, Netherlands and died in 1639. He died young according to "Ancestors of Asher Defrees."
11. Israel de Forest was born 7 October 1617 in Leyden, Zuid, Netherlands. He died young according to "Ancestors of Asher Defrees."
12. Philippe de Forest was born 13 September 1620 in Leyden, Zuid, Netherlands.
In 1621, the Walloons and the Huguenots of Leyden, Holland planned to follow the Puritans to America (then called the West Indies). Jesse de Forest was acclaimed the leader and spokesman for the band when the exiles approached the British Ambassador at The Hague regarding their settling in Virginia. It was Jesse's desire to establish a colony in the New World, so that the Walloons could practice their Reformed Religion without persecution. He then sought permission from the Dutch to establish a colony in what is now New York City. He was granted permission, He assembled approximately 60 families of French-speaking Walloons and Dutch for the settlement in New Amsterdam, New Netherlands. The first permanent settlers arrived in New Amsterdam in May 1624. There is a monument in Battery Park, New York City, called the Walloon Settlers Memorial. That monument was given to the City of New York by the people of France in honor of Jesse's inspiration in founding New York City. The memorial reads, "PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK BY THE CONSEIL PROVINCIAL DU HAINAUT IN MEMORY OF THE WALLOON SETTLERS WHO CAME OVER TO AMERICA IN THE NIEU NEDERLAND UNDER THE INSPIRATION OF JESSE DE FOREST OF AVESNES THEN COUNTY OF HAINAUT OF ONE OF THE XVII PROVINCE." There is also a monument in Jesse's honor in Avesnes, France, the College Jesse de Forest, and Jesse de Forest Avenue. ("The Defries Family")
GENERATION IX - Isaac De Forest, son of Jesse Deforest and Marie du Cloux, was born in Leyden, Holland on 17 July 1616. (From "Defreest Family History" except where noted otherwise.) He arrived from Leyden, Holland, on 5 March 1637. Isaac made the voyage aboard the Ship Rensselaerwyck. This ship was jointly owned by Isaac's uncle, Gerard DeForest and Killian Van Rensselaer. It was Isaac who founded the DeForest family in the United States. Isaac married Sara du Trieux on 9 June 1641. Sara was one of the first born children in the New Amsterdam Colony in 1624. Isaac and Sara had fourteen children. Of the fourteen, four sons were responsible for the four main branches of the DeForest Family and the various spelling found today in the United States. Isaac established himself as a "free merchant." He was a tobacco planter for a number of years. Isaac bought and sold beaver skins, as well as land. He lent money and was a large-scale brewer. Isaac became one of the Nine Men in 1952.The purpose of this board of men was to give opinions on matters submitted by the Director and Council. A few years later, Isaac became a Schepen. In 1644, when the English took control of New Amsterdam, they took Isaac prisoner, but he was quickly released. Isaac died on 25 July 1674. He was probably buried in the Old Grave Yard of the Dutch Reformed Church. [Some of the data in this paragraph was a part of the data Kevin DeFreest of Randolph, New Jersey, provided in the submission -- and acceptance -- of Isaac DeForest in "America's First Families Ancestor Roll of Honor." "The Defries Family - Descendants of Gilles DeForest," says Isaac was born on 10 July 1616 and died in 1674 in New Amsterdam, New York. It also says that he married Sara du Trieux on 9 June 1641 in New Amsterdam, New York and that she was the daughter of Phillip du Trieux and Susanna du Chesne.
The children of Isaac DeForest and Sara du Trieux, as stated in "Ancestors of Asher DeFrees" :
+1. Isaac DeForest died in 1700 in New York, New York [He was born born 25 April 1655 in New Amsterdam, New York, see the next generation, below.
2. Hendrick DeForest died in Madman's Neck, Hempstead, Long Island, New York. He married on 5 July 1682 in New Amsterdam, New York, Femmetje [female] Phoebe Van Flaesbeck, born on 23 January 1660/1661 in Breukelen, Kings County, New York.
3. Jesse DeForest was born on 9 November in New Amsterdam, New York. He died in 1642 in New Amsterdam.
4. Gerrit DeForest was born 21 May 1646 in New Amsterdam, New York.
5. Gerrit DeForest was born on 10 June 1647 in New Amsterdam, New York
6. Marie DeForest was born on 10 January 1648/1649 in New Amsterdam, New York.
7. Michael DeForest was born on 10 January1648/1649 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died young.
8. Jan DeForest was born on 27 March 1650 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died on 8 June 1673 in New York, New York. Jan married on June 1673 in New York, New York, Susanna Verlet. She was born in 1650.
9. Philip DeForest was born on 28 July 1652 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died on 8 August 1727 in Albany, New York. He married on 5 January 1675/1676 in Rensselaerwyck, New York, Tryntje Kip. She was christened on 2 February 1904.
10. David DeForest was born on 1 August 1660 in New Amsterdam, New York. He married Temmetje Flaesbeck Bamns.
11. David DeForest was born 17 December 1663 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died about 1663.
12.Marie DeForest was born 7 July i666 in New Amsterdam, New York. She died on 15 June 1687 in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. Marie married first on 15 June 1687 in Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York, Bernard Darby. She married second in 1706 Isaac De Riemer. He was born on 27 February 1613/1614 in Amsterdam, South Netherlands. Isaac died in New York.
13. David DeForest as born 7 September in New Amsterdam, New York. He died in 20 April 1721 In Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut. David married in 1696 in Stratford, Martha Blagge.
The children of Isaac DeForest and Sara du Trieux, with some differences from listing above, are from "The Descendants of Gilles DeForest" :
1. Jesse de Forest was born on 9 November 1642 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died in 1642 in New Amsterdam.
2. Gerrit de Forest was born on 21 May 1646 in New Amsterdam, New York and died about 1646.
3. Gerrit de Forest was born on 10 June 1647 in New Amsterdam, New York.
4. Marie de Forest was born on 10 January 1648/1649 in New Amsterdam, New York.
5. Michael de Forest was born on 10 January 1648/1649.
6. Jan de Forest was born on 27 March 1650 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died on 8 June 1673. Jan married Susanna Verlet on 8 June 1673 in New York, New York.
7. Phillip de Forest was born 28 July 1652 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died on 8 August 1727 in Albany, New York. Phillip married Tryntje Kip on 5 January 1675/1676 in Rensselaerwyck, New York.
+8. Isaac de Forest was born on 25 April 1655 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died in 1700 in New York, New York.
9. Hendrick de Forest was born on 9 September 1657 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died in 1715 in Madman's Neck, Hempstead, Long Island, New York. Hendrick married Femmetje Phoebe van Flaesbeck on 5 July 1682.
10. David de Forest was born on 1 August 1660 in New Amsterdam, New York. 7 December 1663 in New Amsterdam, New York. He married Femmetje Flaesbeck Bamns.
11. David de Forest [sic] was born 17 December 17 December 1663 in New Amsterdam, New York and died about 1663.
12. Marie de Forest was born 7 July 1666 in New Amsterdam, New York. She married first Bernard Darby on 15 June 1687 in New Amsterdam, New York and married second Isaac de Reimer in 1706.
13. David de Forest [sic] was born 7 September 1669 in New Amsterdam, New York and died 20 April 1721 in Stratford, Fairfield, Connecticut. He married Martha Blagge in 1696 in Stratford.GENERATION VIII - Isaac DeForest, son of Isaac DeForest, was born on 25 April 1655 in New Amsterdam, New York and died there in 1699. [He died in 1699 according to "The Ancestors of Asher DeFrees."] Isaac married Lysbeth van der Spiegel on 4 September 1681 in New Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York. ("The DeFreest Family Genealogy"). She was the daughter of Laurens van der Spiegel and Sara Webbers ("Ancestors of Asher DeFrees")
The children of Isaac DeForest and Lysbeth van der Spiegel, according to "The Ancestors of Asher DeFrees":
1. Isaac DeForest was born 26 April 1682 in New Amsterdam, New York.
+2. Johannes DeForest was born 10 March 1683/1684 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died on 30 July 1757 in New York, New York. [See this entry below in the next generation]
3. Sara DeForest was born 10 March 1685/1686 in New Amsterdam, New York. She died 8 February in 1744/1745. Sara married John Meyer on 22 September 1704 in New York, New York.
4. Laurens DeForest was born 4 January 1687/1688 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died about 1688.
5. Margaretta DeForest was born 6 February 1688/1689 in New Amsterdam, New York. She married Hermanus Rutgers on 17 September 1739 in Albany, New York.
6. Henricus DeForest was born on 10 January 1691/1692 in New Amsterdam, New York.
7. Maria DeForest was born on 10 January 1691/1692 in New Amsterdam, New York.
8. Jacobus DeForest was born on 12 January 1695/1696 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died about 1696.
9. Elizabeth DeForest was born on 31 January 1696/1697 in New Amsterdam, New York. She married Antonius Curtinius.
10. Susana DeForest was born on 5 February 1698/1699 in New Amsterdam, New York and died on 5 October 1705. ("Defries Family - Descendants of Gilles DeForest"
The descendancy in this source ends with Isaac De Forest because the author was primarily interested in the branch of the family of Isaac's brother, Philip DeForest, who was born on 28 July 1652 in New Amsterdam. Philip eventually settled in Beverwyck, New York, present Albany. It was there that he name of that branch of the family became DeFreest, the common spelling of the DeForest name in the Albany area of New York State.]GENERATION VII - Johannes Deforest, son of Isaac DeForest and Lysbeth van der Spiegel, was born 10 March 1683/1684 in New Amsterdam, New York. He died on 30 July 1757. Johannes married Catherine Van Ravenstein on 23 June 1705 in New York, New York. She was the daughter of Nicholas Ravenstein and Maritje Van Rollegom.
The children of Isaac DeForest and Catherine Van Ravenstein :
1. Isaac DeForest died in 1800. He married Marie Brokaw in Adamsville, Somerset, New Jersey.
2. Marijtie DeForest.
3. Nicholas DeForest. He married Maria Barker on 17 October 1736 in New York, New York.
4. Johannes DeForest.
5. Hendrikus DeForest died 1714 in New York, New York.
6. Hendrikus DeForest.
7. Gerradus DeForest.
8. Elizabeth DeForest.
9. Laurence DeForest married Sarah Tucker on 27 March 1744 in New York, New York.
10.Gerradus DeForest married Sarah Hardenbroek on 13 May 1744 in New York, New York.
11. Maria DeForest married Gerrit Waldron [on 21 October 1744 in Harlem, New York.
12. Jacobus DeForest.
13. Gerrit DeForest.
14. Elizabeth DeForest Gerrit.
15. Tobias DeForest.
+16. Joseph DeFrees was born 1711 in New York, New York. He married Mary Catherine Hutton. ("Ancestors of Asher DeFrees") [Of interest is the fact that this source names Joseph as "DeFrees," rather than "DeForest" as given in "Defries Family - Descendants of Gilles DeForest" . This source gives the children pretty much as the source used above, except that it has two Gerradus DeForests and two Jacobus DeForests.] Anthony Defrees, Their son, Anthony Defrees, said that his mother, Mary Catherine, was the daughter of John Strangeways Hutton and the first wife of John, but there is no other evidence to date substantiating this information. (Anthony Defrees, ""The Defrees Family History," 1864.)The family line of Martha Francis Defries seems to have changed from DeForest (and variations) to DeFrees (and variations). This line generally changed from Defrees and DeFrees to Defries.
GENERATION VI Joseph Defrees [DeForest], son of Johannes Deforest and Catherine van Ravenstein, was born in 1711 in New York, New York. He married Mary Catherine Hutton, daughter of John Strangeways Hutton and Catherine Cheesman. She was born in 1715 in New York, New York. John Strangeways Hutton was a very interesting person. The following article was published by the University of Phoenix Inline from The Windham Herald (aka The Phoenix), issue of Saturday, 22 September 1792:
John Strangeways Hutton was born about 1684 in Scotland. He married first, before 1715, at New York City, Kings County, New York, Catherine Cheeseman. She was born about 1688, possibly in New York, and died before 1735 in Philadelphia, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. John married second, in 1735, at Philadelphia, Ann Van Lear. She was born in Philadelphia in 1716 and died on 14 November 1788 in Philadelphia. John died 23 December 1792, at Philadelphia, and was buried there.
From the (Philad.) Daily Advertiser. Mr. Claypoole, believing that the following particular of Mr. John Strangeways Hutton, now living in this city, in the 109th year of his age, may interest the public, they are communicated, with his consent, by your humble servant, C.[harles[ W.[ilson] Peale. Philadelphia, Sept. 3, 1792. After having a few days since taken Mr. Hutton's portrait from life, which is to be preserved in my Museum, the following particulars respecting the old gentleman were collected from his children and others of his acquaintance. That he was born in the city of New York, in 1684; was bound an apprentice to a sea-faring man, who out him to school in New York to learn navigation; at which time he became intimate with a boy who worked at the white-smiths trade, with whom he amused himself in acquiring the use of the hammer; from whence he obtained a facility in working at plate work in the silver-smith's business. He followed a sea faring life for 30 years. and then commenced the silver-smith's trade, without having served by apprenticeship to it; yet, in Philadelphia, he has been esteemed as one of the best workmen at hollow work, in that line of business; and there are still pieces of his work in this city much esteemed. He made a tumbler in silver when he was 94 years old. Through the course of a long and hazardous life, in various climes, he was always plain and temperate in his eating and drinking; and avoided spiritous liquors, except once when he was a lieutenant in a privateer, which sailed from Barbadoes in Queen Anne's wars on a cruise on the Spanish main, he, with 50 or 60 men made a descent on a village; in pillaging of which most of his men, became intoxicated. The Spaniards took advantage of their situation, and got between them and the sea, and killed every man of his party, except himself & one other, who they made prisoners; from which state he attempted on escape, by cutting out a sloop, but was detected and again put into confinement.
He married his first wife in New-York, whose maiden-name was Catherine Cheeseman, by whom he had 8 children, 25 grand children, 23 great grand children, and 3 great great grand children. At the age of 51 he married his second wife, in Philadelphia; her maiden-name was Ann Vanlear, 19 years old when he married her; he had 17 children, 41 grand children, and 15 great grand children. His second wife died in Philadelphia, 14th November, 1788, aged 72 years and a half. He never had a headache; and often said that he thought himself in his prime of life, when he was at the age of 60 years. He was always fond of fishing and fowling; and until his 81st year, he used to carry in his hunting excursions, a heavy English musket. He was ever a quiet, temperate, and hard working man. He can see, hear and walk about, and has a good appetite, with no complaints whatever, except mere weakness of old age. In the early part of his life he was on two scouts against the Indians; he used to tell that in one of those excursions, they went out in the night, how they lifted up their feet high in stepping to prevent a noise amongst the leaves; that they took an Indian woman prisoner, who led them to where the Indians lay; that they fired on and killed the most of the Indians before they could get to their arms, and only a few escaped. That the Indians came in and made a peace, before this scouting party returned.
He knew the noted pirate Teach, called Blackbeard; that an act of oblivion had passed, which permitted al, pirates to return to their allegiance; that Blackbeard then came to Barbadoes, where he saw him; this was a short time before that pirate made his last cruize, and was killed in Carolina. His grandfather, by his mother's side, Mr. Arthur Strangeways, died at Boston, sitting in his chair, when at the age of 101 years. His father, Mr. John Hutton, was born at Bournesdures, in Scotland, where, it is said, there are many of the family now living.
The children of Joseph Defrees and Mary Catherine Hutton :
+1. James Defrees was born in 1737 in New York, New York. He died in August 1827 in Sumner County, Tennessee. Joseph married first about 1765 an unknown woman. He married second, on 2 December 1777, in Goshen, Orange County, New York, Sophina Sevier Risley. See his entry, just below.
2. John Defrees was born about 1739 in New York, New York. He died in December 1790 in Rutherford, North Carolina. He married an unknown woman about 1772. Just appears in the 1810 Census for Rockbridge County, Virginia, as John Defries, with the following data: 2 males under 10, 2 males 16 and under 26, 1 male 45 and up, 1 female under 10, 2 females 10 and under 16, 1 female 16 and under 26, 1 female over 45. He is only one property away from Joseph Defries. (Proquest/Heritage Quest Internet, Series 252, Roll 70, p. 773)
3. Joseph Hutton Defrees was born about 1753 in New York, New York.
According to the American Revolution Soldiers Index:He moved to Trenton, New Jersey at the age of 12 [presumably with his parents], then to Philadelphia, and finally in 1811, to Miami County, Ohio. He died in August 1826 in Piqua, Ohio and was buried in the Johnson Cemetery north of Piqua. [The burial data are in conflict with the source a source below that states that he was buried in Philadelphia. Perhaps we can sort that out. Editor] He was a private from Pennsylvania, fought through all of the Revolution, and was a ship's carpenter on a privateer.
John was buried in August 1826 in the Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Anthony Defrees, son of Joseph Hutton Defrees, said that his father served in the American Revolution in Pennsylvania and then went to Rockbridge County, Virginia, where his brother, James Defrees, lived. (Anthony Defrees, "The Defrees Family History," 1864.) Joseph married Mary Start on 10 September 1777 in the Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mary. She was born in 1755 and was from Liverpool, Lancashire, England. Mary died in 1829 in Miami County, Ohio and was buried in 1829 in Piqua, Miami County, Ohio. There are two entries for Joseph Defries in the 1810 Census for Rockbridge County, Virginia. They will be sorted out later. The "Jos. Defries" entry shows 1 male under 10, 1 male 16 and under 26, 1 male over 45, 1 female under 10, 2 females 10 and under 16, 1 female 16 and under 26, 1 female over 45. (Proquest/Heritage Quest Internet, Series M252, Roll 70, p. 787) The entry for "Joseph Defries" shows 3 male 16 and under 26, 2 males 16 and under 45, 1 female under 10, 1 female 16 and under 26, and possibly 4 "all other persons." (ProQuest/Heritage Quest Internet, Series M252, Roll 70, p. 773)
4. ? Defrees was born about 1754 in New York, New York. ("Ancestors of Asher DeFrees")GENERATION V - James Defrees was born about 1837 or 1838. He was the son of Joseph Defrees and Mary Catherine Hutton. The first record that indicates his age is the 1800 census for Surry County, North Carolina, where his age was given as 45 years or older. Accordingly, his birth year would have been 1755 or earlier. His nephew, Anthony Defrees, son of Jacob Defrees, said that James was about 15 years older than his father, John Defrees. Since Jacob was born about 1753, then James's birth would have been about 1738. Anthony also said that James lived to be about 90, which would be close to a birth year of 1738. He may have been born in New York, New York. It was Anthony's opinion that he was from New York City. James died in August 1827 in Sumner County, Tennessee. James married first, about 1765 an unknown woman. Jeanne Brooks Gart discusses and rejects the marriage of this James Defries and Mary Creiger in Trinity Church in New York City on 27 April 1755 as this James Defries, but the possibility remains nevertheless. He married second, on 2 December 1777, in Goshen, Orange County, New York, Sevier Rise/Sophina Sevier Risley ["Sophie Ricely"], at the Goshen Presbyterian Church. She was born about 1755 in Rhinebeck, Dutchess County, New York. Thus, she would have been about age 20 when they married. Sophie was the daughter of Johann Jacob Reuschtle and Susanna Treber. ("Ancestors of Asher DeFrees") (James Defrees and His Descendants, p. 2) James Defrees served for three days in 1778 as a "Drum Major" and and eight days in 1779 as a "Drummer" in McLaury's Regiment, New York Militia of Ulster County in the Revolutionary War. (Gart, Appendix A.) He also served in Braddock's War. James was in Ulster County in the Hanover Precinct in 1779, where he was taxed as the owner of 100 acres of land. James was in Rockbridge County, Virginia by 10 August 1780 when he bought 100 acres of land on the South River, which was described as being on the "corner of Borden's Great Tract. Benjamin Borden went to the Shenandoah River Valley about 1732. He was a land agent of Lord Fairfax and a large land owner in his own right, The so-called "Borden Tract" included 100,000 acres of land when fully settled by one hundred settlers. (George West Diehl, The Brick Church on Timber Ridge, Virginia Book Co., Berryville, VA, 1975, p. 34, cited by Gart in James Defrees and His Descendants, p. 6) See the latter citation (Gart, pp. 6-7) for a further discussion of the James Defrees deeds in Rockbridge County for the next several years. In 1791, James was exempt from paying taxes because he was a constable. (Rockbridge County Order Book, 1787-1794, 1 April 1788, 7 July 1789. Virginia State Archives) So far but we haven't found him in the 1790 Census in Rockbridge County, Virginia, even though it is fairly well established that they were living there. While still living in Rockbridge County, James and his son, William Defrees, bought property in Surry County, North Carolina.
The James Defrees Family probably went to Surrey County, North Carolina by 1800, as the Federal Census for Surry County shows him there as James DeFreece with the following entry: 1 male under 10, 2 males 10-16, 2 male 16-26, 1 male over 45, 4 females under 10, 2 females 16-26, 1 female 16-26. (National Archives & Records Administration, Microfilm M32, Roll 32) On 19 May 1789, James bought 250 acres for 200 pounds on the south side of Forbis's Creek, presently in Yadkin County. (Surry County, North Carolina Deed Book H: pp. 14-15) James made other land purchases: in 1792 on the south side of the Yadkin River; in 1800 150 acres on Grassy Creek; in 1801 116 1/2 acres at the mouth of Meadow Branch of Mitchell's River in present Surry County; and, in 1807, 100 acres on Mitchell's River, his last land transaction in Surry County. (These transactions and sales and taxes paid are contained in Gart, James Defrees and His Descendants," pp. 9-10) Some of the land owned by James Defrees was in present Yadkin County and some in the southwestern corner of present Surry County, both in North Carolina, just northeast of the town of Elkin. (Gart, p. 10) It appears that James left Surry County around before 1811 a land agent was appointed in 1811 and 1812 to sell acres of land in that county. To date we have been unable to locate James and his family in the 1810 Federal Census, but they probably went to Sumner County, Tennessee. James was in Capt. Lauderdale's Company in the 1816 tax list for Sumner County, Tennessee. This lists shows him as owning 137 acres of land on Otter Fork of Beldsoe's Creek and having one black slave. (Sumner County Tax Books, R332, p. 1147). On 3 March 1817 James bought 141 1/2 acres of land, at apparently at the same location (Sumner County, Tennessee, Deed Book 8, p. 105). On the tax list for 1817, he is not shown as owning a slave. James Defrees was in the 1820 Federal Census for Gallatin, Summer County Tennessee. The census, probably enumerated on 11 June, shows James Defrees with the following entry: 1 male 16-18, 2 males 16-26, 1 male 26-45, 1 male over 45, 1 female 26-45, 1 female over 45. (Series M33, Roll 124, p. 175 from ProQuest/Heritage Quest Online) Sophie died before 1840 in Sumner County, Tennessee. In the period 1818 through 1822 he was taxed for 140 acres of land.
"The Defrees Family History" by Anthony DeFries [ son of James's brother, John]. 1864, as cited in Appendix B,. Gart, 1992, James Defrees and His Descendant's, p. 127, contains information on James Defrees.
His brother James sold his farm in Virginia about three years after our father left [for Ohio, that is, about 1811] and went to North Carolina and settled, I think, in Guildford Co. where he lived for many years and then sold out and went to Tennessee, and lived to about the age of 90 years. His descendants are scattered to and fro in the states of Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama [and beyond]. When James was a boy of thirteen or fourteen years old, he enlisted in the English army then preparing to make war on the French in Canada, generally known as Braddock's War, in which the English made the conquest of Canada. Uncle James being too young and unable to carry a musket, was attached to the band of music and made a drummer. He served until the end of the war, was discharged, and afterwards getting married and settled in Virginia as mentioned before. [This account, that speculates on his being with the English Army, varies from that cited above where he served the Continental Army. Editor. His Pay Roll slips show clearly that he was in the New York Militia for a periods in in 1778 and 1779. I suppose it is possible that he served with the English earlier. Editor]
James Defrees probably died in the summer of 1827 in Sumner County, Tennessee. That is also what the LDS Ancestral File says, but that information may be based on the fact that his will was written on 26 July 1820, according to Sumner County record book R91, Book 2, pp. 73-74. That record is available at the Tennessee State Library and Archives at Nashville. That will may be inserted on this page later, but it was summarized by Gart, James Defrees and His Descendants, on p. 11:
He left to his "beloved wife Sophi Defrees all my land where I now live for her natural life, as well as all stock, crops, farm utensils, and household furniture except as may be otherwise disposed of in the will." He then mentioned the following children: Ashon [Asher], to receive $40 from the sale of property which can best be spared; Elizabeth, the wife of Charles Frady, to receive $1.75; James, to receive a decent support from the estate for his natural life; Rebecca, to receive a decent support of food and raiment during the time she remains single, and a feather bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever; John, to receive $1,75; Hannah, wife of David Hart, $1.75; David, $1.75; Moses, to receive $40 from the sale of property which can best be spared; Nancy, the wife of Edward Williams, $1.75; Polly, the wife of David Stovall, $1.75; Ricely, to receive the parcel of land on which Edward Williams now lives...; Joseph, the balance of the tract which "I now live on;" all of the property to be divided between Ricely and Joseph on the death of his wife Sophi; Sophie Defrees and friend, William Austin, were appointed executors. It was witnessed by William Smith and James Morris and entered in the Sumner County Court August term 1827.
The date of Sophie's death is not known. She appears to be the female between 80 and 90 years of age living with her son Ricely in the 1840 census. Because she has not been found in the 1850 census, it is probable that she died before that year. (NARA Microfilm 432, Roll 897)
It should be pointed out that some sources lump all of James's children under his probable second wife, Sophina Sevier Ricely/Risley. [Better source documentation is needed for this entry. Editor]
The children of James Defrees and his unknown spouse were:
+1. Asher Defrees
2. James Defrees
3. Rebecca Defrees ("Ancestors of Asher DeFrees")
However, Jeanne Gart (James Defrees and His Descendants, p. 2-3), describes the children of James Defries and his unknown spouse as:
1. William Defrees was born about 1767 in New York. He was on the Rockbridge County, Virginia tax list in 1787 with James being responsible for his tax, and in 1788. In 1789, William bought property in Surry County, North Carolina, but gave his residence as Rockbridge County, Virginia. [Need primary source from the missing source cited. Editor]
2. Mary Defrees was born about 1769. She married on 2 February 1789, in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Henry Hardy. Anthony Defrees, nephew of James Defries, said that Henry Hardy was born in England and that Henry was the half-brother of his mother, Mary Start, the wife of Joseph Hutton Defrees, brother of James Defrees. The Hardys are said to have moved to North Carolina when James Defrees and his family did and that Mary died soon thereafter, leaving two children. (Anthony DeFrees, "The DeFrees Family," 1864). [Check 1810 census for Henry Hardy and family. Editor]
+3. Asher Defrees was born about 1770. See details of his life in the next generation below.
4. Elizabeth "Nancy: Defrees was named in her father's will as "the wife of Ephraim Frady. She is probably the same person who married, in Surry County, North Carolina, [on] 7 August 1810, Ephraim Frady, with her name being given as Nancy Defrees." It appears that Elizabeth died before 1830.(Gart, p. 3) [Primary sources needed. Editor]
5. James Defrees was born 1770-1780, He is named in James's Defrees's will. Gart mentions that she found no legal document or tax list with containing his name. (Gart, ibid)The children of James Defrees and Sophina Sevier Risley:
1. John C. Defrees
2. Elizabeth Defrees
3. David Defries
4. Moses Defries
5. Hannah Defries
6. Nancy Ann Defrees
7. Polly Defries
8. Joseph Defrees
9. Risley Defrees
("Ancestors of Asher DeFrees" Data for those children can be found in this source.)Gart describes the children of James Defrees and Sophina Ricely:
1. Rebecca Defrees was born about 1777, but possibly later. She did not marry. (Gart, James Defrees and His Descendants, pp. 3-4)
2. John Defrees was born 1780-1783. (Gart, p. 3)
3. Hannah Defrees was married to David Hart at the time of James Defrees's will in 1820. (Gart, p. 4) [Need copy of James's will. Editor]
4. David Defrees was born about 1784. (Gart, ibid)
5. Moses Defrees was born 9 March 1787. (Gart, ibid)
6. Nancy Defrees was born about 1795. (Gart, ibid)
7. Polly Defrees was born about 1796. (Gart, ibid)
8. Ricely Defrees was born 28 May 1800. (Gart, ibid)
9. Joseph Defrees was born about 1801. (Gart, ibid)The children of James Defrees and his unknown spouse according to "Defries Family - Descendants of Gilles DeForest" :
1. William Defrees [the family name used by this source] was born about 1767 in New York.
2. Mary Defrees was born about 1769 in New York. She died before 1827 in Rowan County, North Carolina [Check state]. Mary married Henry Hardy on 2 February 1789 in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
+3. Asher Defrees was born about 1770 in New York. He died about 1847 in Barren County, Kentucky. Asher married Elizabeth Paul on 18 August 1796 in Rockbridge County, Virginia.
4. Elizabeth Defrees was born about 1772 in North Carolina and died before 1830 in Surrey County, North Carolina.
5. James Defrees was born between 1774 and 1784 in Rockbridge County, Virginia and died in August 1827.
The children of James Defrees and Sophina Risley from this source:
1. John Defrees
2. David Defrees
3. Moses Defrees
4. Hannah Defrees
5. Nancy Ann Defrees
6. Polly Defrees
7. Risley DefreesGENERATION IV - Asher Defrees was born about 1770/1779 in New York. He was the son of James Defreese and an unknown woman. As noted, some sources lump all of James's children, including Asher, sometime erroneously listed as "Ashon," to the marriage with Sophina Sevier Ricely/Risley. One unknown source says that Asher was the first child of that marriage. He married on 18 August 1796 at the New Providence Church in Rockbridge County, Virginia, Elizabeth Paul. She born about 1772. Elizabeth was from Botetourt County, Virginia. Elizabeth died before 1840 in Kentucky. She was the daughter of Captain Audley Paul and Jane Lynn Matthews. Asher died about 1847 in Barren County, Kentucky. Morton, History of Rockbridge County, Virginia, p. 269, says:
Captain Audley Paul was a son of Hugh Paul a Presbyterian minister who migrated from County Armagh, Ulster, to Chester County, Pennsylvania. He was a very useful officer and was in military service nearly all the time from 1754 until the close of the Revolution. He led his company several times against the Indians. He was under Washington in the battle known as Braddock's Defeat, and he endured the hardships of the Big Sandy Expedition. His son relates in 1839 that his father received no compensation for these services. His brother John be came a Roman Catholic priest in Maryland. An unknown source says that Audley Paul married on 20 June 1755, in Augusta County, Virginia, Jane Lynn Matthews. She was born in 1734 or 1735 and died after 6 September 1778, but before 6 December 1802 in Botetourt County, Virginia.
There is an interpretive sign for the fort of Audley Paul near the intersection of Virginia Route 610 (Plank Road) and I-81 near exit A48. It reads:
Near here stood the stockade of Capt. Audley Paul, noted Colonial Frontier Soldier. He served in the Sandy Creek expedition against the Shawnees, 1756, at the Battle of Point Pleasant, 1774, and in repelling Indian raids. In 1761, the fort was crowded with settlers families seeking protection against the marauding Shawnees.
An Asher Defrees was on jury duty on 14 July 1807 in Knox County, Tennessee. Asher is in the 1830 Barren County, Kentucky census (National Archives and Records Administration Microfilm 19, Roll 33 and in the 1840 census for Barren County (NARA, Microfilm 704, Roll 103), but he is not in the 1850 census there. (Microfilm 432, Roll 191) Asher died about 1847 in Barren County, Kentucky.
The children of Asher Defrees and Elizabeth Paul, according to Potter, "Genealogy of the DeFries Family, "p. 34:
1. Elizabeth "Betsy" DeFries. Kentucky Marriage Records of 1802 - 1840 list her as having married Abijah Morris, son of Samuel Morris, on 17 August 1821. According to an unknown source, Betsy was born in Tennessee and married on 17 August 1821, in Adair County, Kentucky.
+2. William T. Defries, father of Audley Paul Defries, was born in Tennessee in 1805. Potter says that he was possibly the son of Asher Defries. See his entry in the generation just below.
3. James Defries was born about 1812 in Tennessee. [Source?] He married Nancy Evans on 27 October 1830, but he died a year later in October 1831, at age 26, when his son, James Lafaett DeFries, was only three months old. James's His brother, William T. Defries, was the administrator of his estate. The child of Jame3s Defries and Nancy Evans was:
1. James Lafaett Defries. [Potter says that he was possibly a son of James DeFries, but it appears that he was, in fact, his son.] He was born July 1831, in Barren County, Kentucky. He married Rebecca Jane Mann in 1854. Their children:
1. Bailey Bennett Defries was born in October 1855 in Harrisonville, Cass County, Missouri. He went with his parents to Wyandotte County, Kansas about 1866 when he was eleven years old. Later, Bailey was a farmer at that place. At age 85 he was fatally injured when he was struck by a car at Muncie, Wyandotte County, while crossing a street. Bailey married Martha Vanmeter. Their daughter Iva operated the Muncie Post Office. "Uncle Bailey," as he was known, would carry the large mail bag over his shoulder down to the train depot in Muncie and hang it on a overhanging-hook for a passing train to pick up. Their children were:
1. Charles E. DeFries was born on 5 December 1883 in Edwardsville, Wyandotte County, Kansas. He married Selma Ida Ramsden. She was born on 30 June 1890 in Kansas City, Missouri. Charles was a farmer of the Sinai area. He died 7 December 1939 and was buried in the Grinter Chapel Cemetery in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas.
2. James David DeFries was married in July 1888. He died in infancy.
3. James Orrin DeFries was born in February or April 1891. He married Helen Daniels. James operated a hardware store at Muncie, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Helen died at the birth of a son. James later married Pansy Malotte. Their child:
1. James Daniel DeFries
4. John V. DeFries was born in February 1893. He served in World War I, died of malaria in Texas, and was buried there.
5. Rebecca DeFries was born in February 1896. She married William McGonigle. They operated a feed and hardware store at Muncie, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Their daughter was Mary Jane McGonigle was born on 29 January 1925. She married Theodore R. Wiles. They operated the Post Office at Muncie, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Their children:
1. James Park Wiles
2. Bailey Bennett Wiles
6. Iva DeFries was born in January 1898. She married Ted Wiles.
2. Sarah Alida Defries was born on 19 January 1858. She lived one month.
3. Margaret "Maggie" Rebecca DeFries was born on 23 September 1859 in Cass County, Missouri. She married W. R. Norris. Their children:
1. "Bessie" Norris married Nat Qwinn [spelling? Quinn?]. Their children:
1. Margie Quinn
2. Honey Quinn
2. "Deanie" Norris [daughter] married ______ Laidlow. They had no children.
3. "Nellie" Norris married Dr. Allen, a dentist. They had no children.
4. "Margie" DeFries married John Wagner. Their children were:
1. Mary Jane Wagner
2. Stanley Wagner
5. Charles DeFries. He had no children.
4. James Edward Yosty DeFries, was born on 10 November 1862. He lived one month.
5. John Lafaett DeFries, was born on 12 December 1867. He died at birth.
6. Anna Bell Defries, was born on 11 October 1869. She died at birth.
7. Archibald Paul Defries was born on 23 February 1871, lived 9 months.
8. Rosetta Ann Defries was born on 5 September 1872 in Wyandotte County, Kansas. She married Achilles Virgil Wheat. He was born on 11 December 1867. Rosetta died of tuberculosis on 1 January 1905. Achilles died of tuberculosis on 17 October 1909, Their daughter, "Reba (see below) also died of tuberculosis. Rosetta was buried in the Grinter Chapel Cemetery, Wyandotte County, Kansas. The children of Rosetta and Achilles :
1. Rebecca "Reba" Martha Wheat was born on 8 February 1894 in Wyandotte County. She died on of tuberculosis on 6 March 1917. Reba was buried in the Grinter Chapel Cemetery, Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. She had no children.
2. Lelia May Wheat was born in Wyandotte County in May 1897.
3. LeRoy "Roy" M. Wheat was born in Wyandotte County on 28 December 1898. He married Elma Hahn on 16 June 1925. She was born on 3 December 1905. His career included being the President of the Muncie State Bank, a Wyandotte County Commissioner, and the owner of an insurance agency. He died on 28 June 1949. Their children were:
1. Achilles "Kelles" Wheat was born on 8 June 1926.
2. Dorothy Marie Wheat was born on 24 November 1927.
4. Nell DeFries married first _______ Nemecheck while teaching school at Wathena, Kansas. Their children:
1. Walter Nemecheck
2. David F. Nemecheck was born on 22 May 1925.
She married second, Leonard "Boss" Grinter. Their children:
1. Leonard Leroy "Pete" Grinter was born 10 September 1927.
2. Warden Paul Grinter (Data on file)
9. Jonathan Louis (John Lewis) DeFries was born on 8 August 1875 in Wyandotte County, Kansas. He married Willie Ann Sweasey. She was born on 15 August 1884 in Warrensburg, Missouri. John was nine years older than Willie Ann. Her family moved from Missouri to Wyandotte County. Her mother was Rosa A. _____ . Rosa was born in January 1852, in Missouri. She had seven children, five of whom survived: Jesse Sweasey, was born in March 1880; John Sweasey was born in December 1873; Mary K. "Kate" Sweasey was born in March 1880; Willie Ann Sweasey was born August 1884; and "Lib." After Rosa became a widow, she married in 1884, at age 41. Daniel Haggerty. John and Willie Ann DeFries first lived in the original cabin with his parents, James and Rebecca DeFries. In 1902, John and Willie DeFries moved to 8048 Richland, in the Stony Point area. John was a farmer in that area. One of the roads there was named "DeFries Road." Willie Ann's brother, Jesse Sweasey, married Ona Mooney, a great-granddaughter of Moses Grinter. Their first child was Alta Sweasey, later Mrs. Stanley Martin. Willie Anne died on 21 March of pneumonia. They were buried in the Grinter Chapel Cemetery. Because Ann died about the same time as their seventh son, John was left to care for the remaining six sons, who were: [Check this paragraph. as something may be missing.]
1. Bailey Bennett Defries was born on 4 August 1901 Bailey was a machinist with the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company. He married Lucille Glendening on 21 July 1926. Their children:
1. Stanley Lewis DeFries (Data on file)
2. Mary Ella DeFries (Data on file)
2. Jacob Leonard was born on 31 December 1903. He married Aleta ______ . They had no children.
3. Christian Frederick DeFries was born on 30 December 1905. [Could he have been named partly for Christian Frederick Hahn? Editor] He was a machinist with the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe Railway Company as well as being a farmer. He married first, Rose A. Morton. She died in 1930. Their children:
1. Virgil Lee DeFries was born on 31 March 1926.
2. Dolores Irene DeFries was born on 26 March 1926.
He married second, Midge ______ . Their children were
1. Christian Frederick DeFries, Jr. (Data on file)
2. Lewis Roy DeFries (Data on file)
4. Gordon Bruce DeFries was born on 25 December 1908. Gordon was a building contractor at Bonner Springs, Kansas. He married first, Pearl Seville____ . Their children :
1. Joyce Jean DeFries (Data on file)
2. Arthur DeFries died in infancy.
3. Robert DeFries died in infancy.
He married second, Midge ______ . Their children:
5. William Robert DeFries was born in 1910. He married Jean Louise Millsap. She was a widow who had two children Virginia Millsap and William Millsap. William Robert was a farmer in the Edwardsville and Bonner Springs areas of Wyandotte County, Kansas. He later lived at Linwood, Kansas.
6. Paul Edward DeFries was born in 1912. He married Jean Louise Millsap. She was born on 3 August 1915. Paul died on 16 June 1977. Louise died 16 March 1979. They were buried in the Grinter Chapel Cemetery in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Their children:
1. Ted Edward DeFries (Data on file)
2. John "Jack" Thomas DeFries (twin) (Data on file)
3. Jean Louise DeFries (twin) Data on file
7. A son was born in March 1918. He died at birth as noted above.
4. Archibald P. DeFries was born in Tennessee in 1810. According to an unidentified source he married on 8 August 1830, Emily Kelly, the daughter of Giles Kelly. She was born in 1812 in Kentucky. They had moved to Kentucky by at least 1842, as all their children were born in Kentucky. According to the census of 1850, he was farming in Barren County, Kentucky. According to the 1860 Census, Archibald P. DeFries (then age 50 years) was living in the town of Austin, Cass County, Missouri, with his sons Sidney DeFries, age 14, and Joseph DeFries, age 12. His occupation was listed as a stone mason. Evidently his wife Emily had died as she does not appear in the census with Archibald. There is no record of this family living in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Potter says that he was possibly the son of Asher DeFries.] Their children in the 1860 census were:
1. Sandford A. DeFries was born in 1842.
2. Sidney A. DeFries was born in 1847.
3. Joseph E. C. DeFries was born in 1849.
According to the 1860 census records, Archibald P. Defries (at 50 years of age), was living in the town of Austin, Case County, Missouri, with sons Sidney (age 14) and Joseph (age 12). His occupation was listed as stone mason. Evidently, his wife Emily had died. There is no record of this family ever living in Wyandotte County, Kansas. James L. Defries, later in 1871, named one of his sons Archibald Paul.GENERATION III - William T. Defries , a son of Asher Defrees, was the father of Audley Paul Defries. William was born in Tennessee in 1805. He married Jane____, whose family name is not known. An unidentified known source says they were married in 1825. She was born in Virginia in 1800. The William T. Defries's moved to Kentucky by at least 1829, as all their children were born in Kentucky. According to the Census of 1850, they were farming in Barren County, Kentucky.
The children of William T. Defries and Jane _____:
1. John F. Defries was born in 1826. He married Polly Ann Skerlock on 16 September 1847. Their children who were living with Polly in Wyandotte County, Kansas, according to the 1870 census:
1. Jemima DeFries was born in 1849.
2. William DeFries was born in 1855.
3. James DeFries was born in 1858.
+4. Eddley [Audley] Paul DeFries was born in 1860.
5. Laura DeFries was born in 1866.
6. Lilly DeFries was born in 1868.
2. Nathan F. Defries was born in October 1829 in Barren County, Kentucky. His wife was Martha J. _______ . She was born in 1841. They were married in Kentucky and their first two children were born there. They went to Wyandotte County, Kansas, about 1870, as their last child was born in Kansas. Nathan died in 1900 and Mary died in 1903. They are buried in the Stony Point Cemetery. [Located at 78th and Speaker Road, Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas] The children of Nathan and Martha:
1. Henrietta Defries, born 1863, Kentucky, married Reams. She was buried in the [data missing]
1. Lou Reams was buried at Gardner, Kansas. His child was Chester Reams.
2. Roy Reams died in Montana. He had no children.
3. Beulah Reams was buried at Lawrence, Kansas. Her children were Faye, Dorothy, and Lester.
4. Myrtle Reams lived in California.
5. Harvey Reams, a bachelor, was buried at the Gardner, Kansas Cemetery.
2. Edward "Eddie" B. Defries was born in Kentucky in 1870. He went to Kansas with his parents and his sister, Henrietta. He married first, Ida Grinter, who was born 1866. She died at the age of 32 when her daughters were ages two and three. She was buried at the Stony Point Cemetery in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. (See her entry in the Moses Grinter Biography.) Their children:
1. Artie B. DeFries, was born on 28 July 1897. He married L. T. Wickard. They had no children.
2. Mabel Marie DeFries was born on 10 December 1898. She married A. Douglas. They had no children.
Edward married second, Pearl Tallman. They moved to Seattle, Washington. where he later died and was buried. The child of Edward and Ida was:
1. Alden Defries lived in California. He had no children.
3. Benjamin "Ben" W. Defries was born in Kansas in Wyandotte County in 1871. He married Frances "Fannie" Bell Grinter. She was a sister of Ida Grinter, his brother Edward's wife. She was born in 1881 and died in 1970. (See her entry under Moses Grinter in the Biographies.) Benjamin died in 1938. Both he and Ida are buried in the Stony Point Cemetery in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Their child was:
1. Verna M. DeFries was born in 1912. She married Orville Glendening. They had no children. (Potter, "Defries Genealogy," pp. 35-36)
+3. Audley Paul Defries was born in 1832 in Barren County, Kentucky. He married Mary Jane Grinter at present Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. Audley Paul died at in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. See his entry below.
4. William A. Defries was born in 1836.
5. James M. Defries was born in 1838.
6. Madison T. Defries was born in 1844. (Potter, "Defries Genealogy," pp. 34, 36)GENERATION II - Audley Paul Defries was the father of Martha "Mattie" Frances Defries, who married Christian "Chris" Hahn. Audley Paul was the son of Nathan F. Defries and Jane (family name unknown) Defries. Audley Paul was born in 1832 in Barren County, Kentucky. He died on 27 July 1882 and was buried in the Grinter Chapel Cemetery in present Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas. See his complete entry at Audley Paul Defries Family.
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