Second Generation
Family of William Buckalew (1)
2. Francis Buckalew. Born in 1640 in France. Francis died in South Amboy, Middlesex Co., NJ, in 1750; he was 110.
I do not have hard proof that Francis was the son of William and brother of Peter, but age and location, i.e., NJ, make it seem plausible if not probable. Francis could very well have been William's eldest child.
Immigrated 1665; settling on Long Island, then South Amboy.
He and his brother Gilbert married in this country, and the latter spelled his name "Boileau." Sounds French.
Lived to be 110 years old.
1701, 13 Nov Middlesex Co., NJ Deed: George Willoks, of Rudyard, Monmouth Co, to Andrew Hamilton, ?Gov of E Jersey, land on the ?high tract of P Amboy. Wit: Frances Buckaleiu & John Burnet. Unrecorded deed, Ref. #D351, NJ Historical Soc. From colpy of orig, available through Gerry Green.
From Gerry Green's "Mary's People... ," p. 7: "This version comes from a 'History of Columbia and Montour Counties, Pensylvania, by J.H. Battle, and published in 1887. This family sketch states that the two brothers [Francis and Gilbert Bucceleuch] went from Scotland to France with Queen Mary. They immigrated to Long Island about 1663, and both married in this country. In time, Francis became 'Buckalew,' and Gilbert's name changed to 'Boileau.' It goes on to say that Francis moved to South Amboy, New Jersey; that he bequeathed land there prior to his death at 110 years to his son Samuel. (Another, similar version, from a book in the L.A. Library says Francis was born in 1640, and died in South Amboy, New Jersey in 1750. ) The tract was then bequeathed by Samuel to his son John in a 1782 will. Samuel is said to have died in New Jersey in 1792 at the age of 96. This particular John, born in 1743, eventually moved west into Pennsylvania. Gilbert Boileau was not mentioned again in the sketch." , 7.
A minor problem with the account in the paragraph above is that Mary, Queen of Scots, was transported to France in 1548 when she was approximately six years old. If Francis and Gilbert had gone "from Scotland to France" with her, they would each have been over 115 years old when they arrived on American shores. This is not to say that they did not come to America from France, for they very well may have been among the Scots who went to France with their father, who may have been a mercenary on loan to the King of France.
[a reference to the ship CALEDONIA (History of the Old
Tennent Church by Rev. F. R. Symmes, 1904) which states that "it issupposed that this ship brought emigrants from Scotland as early as1685, and it is a matter of history that it bore to New Jersey many Scotch families about 1715."]
From an undated transcribed letter, written by John W. Buckalew to his niece, Mrs. Marinda Jones:
"Our family has been always noted for the honesty and probity of its members, persons of strong, clear judgments and great moral honesty.
"Gilbert and Francis Boileau, two Huguenot brothers, left France in 1663 in consequence of the continued persecutions of the Roman Catholic Church which commenced upon the revocation of the "Edict of Nantes" and continued for near 200 years. Family traditions say the family of which these two young men were members kept their Bible fastened to the bottom of one of the heavy clumsy chairs of the period with the curtains handing down conceling it. When they wished to read it one or more members of the family were places as sentinels outside, to guard against surprise by the Maligant Priesthood or their more ignorant and brutal assistant, the penalty of death by torture or imprisonment and confiscation of property directed by all the malevolence the followers of the Christ upon Earth could inflict.
"The sentinels placed, some members of the family would turn up the chair, read a portion of the scriptures and conduct the services... The above two brothers settled on Long Island near where the city of Brooklyn now stands, at the time owned by the Dutch, there being but one church at that time in 'Nie Yorck.'
"Gilbert remained near New York and retained the name of Boileau while Francis, my great-great grandfather, removed and settled near South Amboy, Middlesex Co., NY, where his name changed to Buckalow, I suppose by the uncouth mouthing of the natives (Dutch & Swedes) of that barbarous land. Francis Buckalow had 4 sons. Three of them lived to aggregate 300 years, while our Forefather Samuel lived to the age of 105 years. Francis Buckalow was born in France in the year 1640 and died at South Amboy, Middlesex Co., NJ. in 1750, aged 110 years. He married a French Huguenot woman in America by whom he had the aforementioned four sons and I do not know whether any daughters or not. Samuel Buckalow, his son, is believed to have been born at South Amboy in 1677. He married a Scotch woman, Mary Campbell by name, by whom he had three daughters and two sons, Andrew and John Buckalow. He died at South Amboy in 1782, aged 105 year. Andrew, his son, removed to VA at a date unknown.
"John Buckalow, son of Samuel, your great grandfather, was born at South Amboy, NJ, in 1743. He married Mary McKinney, a Scotch-Irish woman, in 1771 and the following year moved to Northumberland Co., PA, accompanied by his father-in-law McKinney and settled near where the town of Muncy now stands."
Gerry Green's note pertaining to the above: In a research report supposedly written by Albert Stokes (I have not verified this info.) to an unknown person, he comments on the above letter, stating, "I found no public or contemporary records to verify any of the dates relative to Samuel, nor can I prove his wifes (sic) names. Dilligent (sic) search reveals very little... You will hear much about Samuel Buckalews (sic) will which John M. Buckalew claims to have had in his possession. However, it was not probated anywhere in NJ and not in PA as afr as I can determine." Ref. p. 695, Buckelew Traces, Issue No. 7&8, May 1989.
From "Book of Biographies -- Seventeenth Congressional Dist": Francis Buccleuchs ... the name back to the time when Queen Mary of Scotland left her native country for France. Francis and Gilbert, who were his brothers, immigrated to America and located on Long Island, which was then in the possession of the Dutch. Their name Boileau, and Francis spelling his, Buckalew. Francis later moved to South Amboy, N. J., where he spent the remainder of his life, dying at the advanced age of one hundred and ten years."
From Keith W. Riche: "Mary, Queen of Scots was half French; she married Francis II of France on April 24, 155_. In her train of Scotsmen, one or more bore the name of BUCCLEUGH, of the clan Scott. They became Huguenots, and the BUCCLEUGH became BUCLEAU in France where they stayed for three generations. Frances BUCKALEW, born in 1640 and Gilbert BUCKALEW his brother came to America in 1665, probably due to religious persecution. They first came to Long Island, New York and then to South Amboy, New Jersey. -- This was the beginning of the Buckalew or Buckelew (both spellings are used) family in America."
Francis married Martha_?.
They had one child:
3. Peter Buckalew Sr. Born in 1644. Peter died in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co, NJ, on 8 April 1696; he was 52.
Alternate spellings: Bukliou, Buckliou, Bukelewe.
First known ancestor of this name in America. Emigrant to Staten Island, Richmond, New York, in late 1600's. Later found in Perth Amboy, Middlesex, New Jersey.
The "Buckalew Family," manuscript in the Helen Gearhart Collection, Pennsylvania Archives, Pennsylvania Historical Society, Philadelphia, says that this Peter Buckliou was son of William "Bucklow" or "Boreklo" who was born c. 1620 and had children, Peter, John, Willemsen of Gravesend, Kings County, Long Island, New York, and William Willemsen of Flatlands, Kings County. However, research has not confirmed this Peter and the one of Staten Island are one and the same. A letter dated 11 Aug 1965, from James Buckelew Helme, M.C. (7 White Bridge Rd., Nashville, Tenn. 37205) to Mrs. Kenneth A. Erman assigns a Scottish origin to the family, with Frederick Buckalew asserted to be the emigrant ancestor, from Invernesshire, Scotland, in 1775. The latter is definitely in error, as this Frederick is a son of Peter who was the original immigrant to Staten Island in the late 1600's.
From "Jackson Township History" by David T. Miller, Sr.(written 1944): "The recorded history of Jackson, as well as all of the municipalities in what is now Monmouth and Ocean Counties first appeared 330 years ago with the purchase by a dozen on Long Island residents of English and Huguenot descent from the native Indians, the Lenni Lenapes, of what was to be called the Monmouth Patent. Once the Indian sale had been consummated, the new settlers hastened to New York City, to the Governor of New Yourk - New Jersey, Richard Nicholls, to seek a confirmation grant. In 1665, the Long Island and Rhode Island settlers obtained a grant of the Monmouth Patent from Governor Nicholls and moved to initiate its first settlement in Shrewsbury.
"And so the Europeans came; first a trickle, and as the years went by, a steady stream of settlers came in the 1800's until 1960, when the flood gates were thrown wide open with the onset of major home developments. Developments which are rapidly gobbling up the existing farmlands and forests.
"The name of the earliest twenty-five pioneer families who settled in the first 10 years of Jackson's existence (the 1665-1675 era) are familiar to us because their descendants still reside with us today. They are Allen, Applegate, Benit (Bennett), Bills, Burdon (Borden) - a 1665 patentee, Buckelew, Cheeseman - a 1665 patentee, Henderson, Holman - a 1665 patentee, Hulse, Hyerse (Heyers), Johnstone, and Johnson, Perrino, Reynolds, Van Hise, and White."
Peter Bukliou of Staten Island married Anetjie Fredericks about 1673.
1680, 30 Dec, Staten Island, NY, Book of Patents, No. 5, p. 28: "A patent for a parcel of land on Staten Island granted to Mr. Robert Rider" mentions Rider's land adjoining that of Peter "Burklow". Peter's home near Great Kills was found and preserved until recently as a historical landmark. Subsequently it was demolished (perhaps removed to some museum), but some of Gerry Green's publication has a picture of it. I've been told that an apartment building now occupies the site.
1680 Richmond Co. (Staten Island), NY Record of Brands: "Buckalew--Peter Buckljou is mentioned in 1680 as recording his cattlemark. His land was near Richmond, for Rober Rider petitioned for a parcel of land situated on the west side of Staten Island at the head of the Fresh Kill, lying on the east side of Peter Bucklew. A later center for the Barcalow family, probably the same except in spelling, seems to have been Graniteville, judging by the gravestones in the nearby Hillside cemetery." From Staten Island & Its People, A History, 1609-1929, Vol II, from Norma Miller., p. 236.
1688, Dec. 28. Deed. Marie Lambert, widow, to Peter Buckaleiu, both of Middlesex Co., for 100 acres as per patent.
1688, 28 Dec, Middlesex Co., NJ.: Peter "Buckaliew" bought of widow, Maria Lambert, 100 acres on Chesequakes Creek. He sold his Staten Island property 8 Dec 1692 to Teunis Egberts.
Occupation: Husbandman (1725 Deed, Perth Amboy, NJ).
Richmond Co., NY, Records: Peter's cattle mark was a "marke with a cross on the left ear & a slit in the under side of each ear," and his name is spelled "Bukljou."
From: "douglas c. buckelew" <bdouglas_c_@hotmail.com>
Subject: Peter Buckelew
Date: Sat, 29 Jul 2000 13:45:38 EDT
In Gerry Green's book on page 6, she said, " The land was sold in 1792 ( should be 1692) four years after a Peter Buckelew bought land in Middlesex County, New Jersey. Not having seen the original, nor even an abstract of the New York deed, there are things that still need to be checked out. The Staten Island deed should tell where Peter lived when the transaction was made. If it said he lived in New Jersey, that's a pretty good indication both deeds involved the same person."
The deed on page 284 that I transcribed, answers this. Peter Buckelew was living in East New Jersey when he sold his 80 acres of land on Staten Island to Jownas Ibbosone (Jonas Ibson). The man that recorded this deed was named Egbert. After searching records for this name, I found Egberts living on Staten Island but I have been unable to find this name in East New Jersey. So, it would appear that Peter Buckelew traveled from East New Jersey back to Staten Island to sell this property. I am still searching for the Jonas Ibson family on Staten Island. Doug
1694, Cheesequakes Creek tract (above) conveyed to son Peter.
1695, 8 April, Middlesex Co, NJ, NJ Archives, Vol. 23, p. 69: Administration on Peter's estate was granted to his son Peter, "Jr." The senior is called "Peter Bucklew Senior of Perth Amboy." His son was also bondsman on the estate. Senior had evidently died intestate in Middlesex Co., NJ, as a will has not been found. From Document Relating to The State of New Jersey, Vol 23, Calendar of NJ Wills, Vol. I. 1670-1730, Edited... by William Nelson, p. 69:
1695-6, Feb. 15. Buckaliew. Boockloone, Peter, of Monmouth Co. Inventory of the personal estate ... made by William Reidford and William Letts.
1696, 20 Mar; Peter Buckelieu, of Perth Amboy, paid quit rents on 100 acres. From a list entitled, "Accounts of the Quitt Rents of Prov of East NJ to the 20th March Anno 1696, Rc'd by Mr. George Willokes July 1697 in London" in 1st Settlers of Ye Plantations, 1664-1714, p 59. , p. 221.
1696, April 8. Bucklew, Peter, senior, of Perth Amboy. Administration on the estate of, granted to his son Peter. NJ Archives, XXI., p. 240.
1696, April ___, Buckelew, Peter, senior of Middlesex Co. Bond of Peter Buckelew, of Perth Amboy, as administrator of the estate of. Wm. Ridfoord, of the same place, fellow bondsman.
1701, 8 Nov; Middlesex Co, NJ Deed: John Lambert, of Essex to Thomas Gordon, of p Amboy--100 ac on the S side of Rariton Bay near Cheesequacks Cr, patented to his father on 11 Feb 1685/6, sold by his mother to Peter Buckalieu on 8 Dec 1688, and conveyed by present grantor to Peter Buckalieu, the son on 21 Dec 1694, who sold it to George Willoks, 3 July (sic) 1701. "Patents and Deeds...," pp. 332, 333.
"Lived on Staten Island as early as 1680 (Doc. Relating to Colonial History of N.Y.). Moved to Cheesequakes, NJ about 1688. Sold Staten Island property Dec. 8 1662. As no wife joined in the deed, he was probably a widower.His house on Staten Island is at 132 Gifford Lane, Great Kills and was still standing but in poor condition a few years ago." Ltr to Edna B. Taylor, 22 Jan 1987.
According to Jerry Wayne Buckelew, I (1941-1990): "Peter Buckelew was living in Middlesex County, New Jersey when he bought 100 acres of land in December 1688 from Marie Lambert, widow of John Lambert. Peter might have had ended up marrying Marie Lambert but the Peter Buckelew on Staten Island supposed to have been married to a woman named Annetje. He could have had several wives. The tract of land was near the Rariton River: bounded on the north by land of William Letts, southerly by land of the Widow Carlonet (? sp), on the west by unsurveyed land and on the east by the Bay. It was across the river from the village of Perth Amboy, named capital of East Jersey in 1686. Peter had to go to town by boat. He was on the edge of the new frontier.
"In 1694 this tract of land was conveyed to his son, Peter. In April of 1696, letters of administration on the estate of Peter Buckelew, deceased were granted to a Peter Buckelew and William Ridford both of Perth Amboy. That means Peter did not leave a will. According to the law supposedly in effect then, a person had to be 21 to own land, so the younger Peter would have been born no later than 1673. Taking that a step further, if the elder Peter was only 23 when his oldest son was born--then he would have been born about 1650. So, old Peter would have been at least 38 or older when he moved to Middlesex County. That's certainly not 'old' now, but it was awfully old to make a new beginning.
"Peter, the son, nor his wife, Lydia, could write. He was a yeoman, which of course, means he spent his days out of doors taking care of his fields, orchards, and animals. Well, Peter & Lydia sold their precious soil in 1700.
"Tha same year, another Buckelew shows up in the records when a Frederick was mentioned in a deed when a tract of land at the head of Cheesequakes Creek was sold by William Ridford to Thomas Ridford, who in turn, sold it to Francis Letts. That land was bounded on the northeast by Frederick Buckelew. Even though it sounds like Frederick, a planter owned the land then, apparently he only leased it from Thomas Lowerie until he bought it in 1704. Was this the Frederick who is the alleged son of 'old man'. The appearance of a like name in a deed doesn't tell how they were related. So, the situation is already getting confusing, and the Buckelews had only been in Middlesex County for a few short years. You'd think it would be easy to keep everbody straight. After all, at that time the total population of the entire colonies was only about 240,000. New Jersey had about 10,000 inhabitants, 7,500 of them in East Jersey. Perth Amboy mostly Scottish, was one of nine well established Jersey towns.
"By 1701 Francis Buckelew has entered the picture. he witnessed a deed by signing his mark, but until the original gets here, it is not known what it looked like. Regardless, by now four Buckelew men are known to have lived in Middlesex County, and one has been proven to have died. Maps show 'Sonman's great Tract of 13, 600 acres, part of which was the northern boundary of the land a Peter Buckelew bought in 1746. Now, imagine this scene in the life of Peter, Francis and Frederick--the three Buckelew men who we know are living in Middlesex, County in 1710. We know Frederick was eligible to vote, and if Peter had bought more land he could, too. If they chose to exercise that right, they would have had to cross the Raritan River to go to Perth Amboy to vote.
"About this time, in 1711, Francis Letts sold the land (Tract 3) to the southwest of Frederick to a Peter Buckelew. Was this the same man who had sold the land on the Raritan River in 1700? I don't know! I suppose you could say Buckelew and Letts traded property that day. Peter and his wife, Mary, also sold Letts land that was interestingly close to the land sole in 1700."
From: "douglas c. buckelew" <bdouglas_c_@hotmail.com>
Date: Wed, 02 May 2001 15:37:25 -0400
...I also found the two baptisms of the children of Peter and Annatie. I had not noticed the connection before, but it seems unusual that his son Peter Buckelew and his wife Helena Winter would name a child Annatie when she was baptized on 15 April 1694. This would seem to confirm that the first Peter was married to Annatie. On the Buckalew web page it just says Anna, but on the baptism, it says Annatie. So the name was kept in the family.
About 1669 when Peter was 25, he married Annetje Fredericx Jansen, daughter of Frederic Janss (Or) Jansen (about 1620-before 1653) & Grietje Jans Jans, in Staten Is., Richmond Co., NY. Born in 1646. At the age of <1, Annetje Fredericx was baptized in Dutch Ref. Ch., Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil, on 18 December 1646. Annetje Fredericx died in Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., NJ, before 8 December 1692; she was 46.
Another source gives her date of christening as 16 Dec 1646.
Spelling of first name indicates her family was from Friesland, Netherlands (per Trudy Baldwin whose speciality is Friesland.)
They had the following children:
4. John Willemsen Buckalew. Born in 1648.
5. Willem Willimse Buckalew. Born in 1650.
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This genealogy web site will terminate production on December 31, 2004.
Thank you for allowing us to be part of your life these past six years. - Les Buckalew