Notes:

The original immigrant ancestors of this Willson line were Robert and Ann Willson. The spelling of their last name is confirmed by the personal signatures of Robert and children, Samuel and Rebecca in the family bible brought over from England during immigration. The Bible is inscribed with, "John Willson, his book." and the inside cover has the inscription: "Robert Barker-London-1606." (C-915) We are not sure if this indicates Robert's father and a second relative or not. The Bible is currently in the care of the Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania. (C-865)

This family line is again of the Quaker faith. "Robert (was) dismissed from Scarborough (ENGLAND) March 2 - 1682 to the care of their friend's in New Jersey and Penna." Robert, his wife and all four children supposedly came over on the ship, "Welcome" during the spring of 1682. They landed at Philadelphia and proceeded to Chesterfield Twp., Burlington Co., New Jersey. Knowing the tragic loss of life on the Welcome to scarlet fever, this family was very lucky to all make it across. Ann had been married previously and had Susannah. Recorded in the extracts from Whitby Register at the Friends House, London, England is a bond concerning her previous child. "Thos. Staindridge, deceased bro." of Ann, left 10 pounds to her and husband, Robert Witham's child. This is not proof that Ann's maiden name was Staindridge as two major sources, Armstrong and Shotwell, state her name to be Hoag or Hogg. Perhaps Thos. Staindridge was a half brother. This discrepancy has not been proven either way.

Ann, "widow", and Robert, "bachelor", were married at her home in Scarborough, England, within the Pickering Monthly Meeting district. After arriving in America, Robert can be found owning 2 adjoining properties on the south side of Crosswicks Creek, New Jersey. Deeds do not seem to be available though he is mentioned in a survey of his neighbor, Thomas Wood's land. The land was originally a parcel of the 15,000 acres owned by Thomas Budd referred to in the General Assemby on May 12, 1687.

Robert is mentioned often in the Friends Records. He was appointed a trustee of the Friends Burial Grounds at Crosswicks in 1685. He was also active in local government. In 1688, he was a constable for Chesterfield Twp. In February, 1688 he was a member of the Grand Jury meeting in Burlington, New Jersey. He was a member of the General Assembly in 1697 in the House of Representatives. Family members are entitled to membership in the Society of Colonial Wars because of his legislative services. "In 1702, Robert purchased 260 acres of land from Richard and Susanna Stockton, bordering on Crosswicks Creek, and probably adjoining lands already owned by him. This land descended to his son, Samuel I, who sold it in 1733 to Henry Coate," (Esther Willson's husband).

His death occurred February 12, 1709/1710. The New Jersey Abstracts of Wills list Robert Willson of Chesterfield, Burlington Co., on March 27,1708, as making a nuncupative will, or a verbal will to his wife, Ann and son, Samuel. He mentioned his daughter, Rebecca, son-in-law, Cornelius Empson, granddaughter, Mary Empson and grandson, Robert Willson. Executors were his wife and son, Samuel. An inventory of his estate was submitted the 10th month of 1709 for a total of 181 pounds, 6 and a half shillings. This inventory covered the personal estate for both Robert and Ann as Ann had also died before December of 1709 when it was taken. (C-256, 1509c)

Here is an extensive excerpt from the book "Pioneer Families of Northwestern New Jersey by William C. Armstrong (pg. 81-84):"Robert Willson and his good wife, Ann Hoag, lived at Scarborough in the County of York, England. They were members of the Religious Society of Friends. They came to America in 1682 with three young daughters and an only son, a babe in arms; they landed at Philadelphia, Pa., and settled in the township of Chesterfield, Burlington, N. J. Robert was a member of the Grand Jury which met at Burlington, N. J., in February 1688. Four children of Robert and Ann Hoag Willson, all born in England:I. Sarah Willson, born 1673, died 1700, married in 1693 Cornelius Empson; no further record.II. Deborah Willson, born 1674, died 1687, aged thirteen years.III. Rebecca Willson, bom 1677, died 1760, married Sam-uel Large, settled in Hunterdon County, N. J., and had at least one son, Jacob, who married Ann Lundy, daughter of Isaac Lundy IV. Samuel Willson I, born 1681, brought to America when he was one year old, died 1761 in the 8lst year of his age; married Hester Overton, born 1682, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Overton. They settled in Chesterfield township where eight children were born to them: in 1730 they removed to Franklin township in Hunterdon County, N. J.

About a mile southwest of the village of Quakertown in Hunterdon County, N. J., stands an old mansion. It is built of stone and high up on its western gable appears the inscription "S H W 1735." The initials are those of Samuel and Hester (Overton) Willson who built there a house which was destined to shelter many generations of their descendants. The house gives evidence of having been well built; the walls laid up in clay are firm and solid and will endure perhaps another century if no ruder hand than that of time is laid upon them. The enormous chimneys almost stone enough to build a modern sized house. In the western gable near the date stone there is a small square loop-hole which one might suppose had been intend-ed for use in defending the castle against the attacks of Indians were it not for the fact that the owners thereof were members of the peace-loving sect called Quakers. An ancient pent-house protected one of the doors. The partitions of the interior are of wood and are panneled all the way up to the lofty ceiling.

Originally the huge beams were exposed to view, the ceiling being a comparatively recent innovation. Two small windows set quite high in the thick walls admitted but scant light and the general appearance must have been somewhat gloomy. The great fire-place with its stock-hole in the jamb speaks eloquently of the pleasures of the olden time, for here the young people of the family with their neighboring cousins and friends gathered around to enjoy social converse and innocent games.


Among the many relics still preserved in the Willson family is a large cupboard brought from England by Robert Willson the founder of the American family. Another momento is the origin-al deed dated 1730 for 600 acres of land given by Jacob Doughty in consideration of 300 pounds of lawful silver money. But the oldest and most interesting souvenir is a 'well worn Bible, the several portions of which were printed at different dates and afterward bound together; the last part is dated 1618. Robert Willson's autograph appears on one page, and those of Samuel and his sister, Rebecca, on another. Eight children of Samuel and Hester Overton Willson of Quakertown, N. J.:I. Samuel Willson II, born 1706, died 1785, married Deborah Willets.II. Robert Willson, born 1709, died 1785, md. Mary Lundy.III. Esther Willson, born 1711, married in 1731 Henry Coate of Buckingham, pa.; no further record.IV. James Willson, born 1713, died 1777, married in 1736 Martha Laing.V. Sarah Willson, born 1715, married in 1736 Richard Heath; no further record.VI. Ann Willson, born 1720, removed when a widow in 1784 from. Warren County, N.J., to Carroll County, Va., and died there at the age of 101 years; married Richard Lundy III. Most of their descendants now live in Virginia and Canada.VII. John Willson, born 1723, died before 1772; married Margaret Lundy. The main purpose of this article is to register some of their newly discovered descendants.VIII. Gabriel Willson, born 1725, died 1805, married in 1749 Elizabeth Lundy.

Note that four Willsons, a sister and three brothers, married four Lundys, a brother and three sisters. The four Lundys referred to (Mary, Richard, Margaret and Elizabeth) were children of Richard Lundy II and his wife Elizabeth Large; grandchildren of Richard Lundy I and his wife Jane Lyon, and of Joseph and Elizabeth (-----) Large."

Robert married Ann HOAG (HOGE) on 9 May 1672 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. Ann (daughter of Unknown STAINERIDGE, daughter of Sir James HOGE and Marjorie LAMBERT-HOGE) was born about 1652 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England; died on 11 Feb 1709 in Chesterfield, Burlington, New Jersey colony. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Sarah WILLSON was born on 14 Feb 1673 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, ENG; died on 30 Sep 1700 in Chesterfield Twp., Burlington Co, NJ, USA; was buried on 30 Sep 1700 in Chesterfield M.M., Burlington, NJ.
2. Deborah WILLSON was born on 21 Nov 1674 in Scarborough M.M., Scarborough, Yorkshire, ENG; died on 18 Jun 1687 in Chesterfield, Burlington, New Jersey, United States; was buried after 18 Jun 1687 in Chesterfield M.M., Burlington, NJ.
3. Rebecca WILLSON was born on 14 Feb 1677 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, ENG; died about 1760 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, ENG; was buried in Pittstown, Hunterdon County, New Jersey, United States of America.
4. Ann WILLSON was born on 23 Sep 1679 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England; died on 30 Sep 1700 in Chesterfield, Burlington, New Jersey, United States.
5. Samuel I WILLSON was born on 1 May 1681 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, ENG; died on 19 Dec 1761 in Kingwood, Hunterdon, NJ, USA; was buried on 22 Dec 1761 in Kingwood Friends Burial Ground, Quakertown, Hunterdon, NJ.
6. Robert WILLSON was born in 1685 in Exeter, Washington, Rhode Island, United States; and died.
7. William WILLSON was born in 1695 in Kendall on River Kent, Crook, Westmoreland, Yorkshire, England; and died.
8. James WILLSON was born on 16 Oct 1703 in Henry Co or Pittsylvania Co, Virginia; died on 21 Jul 1777 in Camden, Henry County, Virginia, USA.

Family/Spouse: Unknown. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Stephen WILSON was born on 12 Mar 1670 in Brigham, , Cumberland, England; died on 29 Jan 1707 in Falls, Bucks, Pennsylvania, USA.

Stephen married Sarah BAKER, * on 9 May 1650 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England. Sarah (daughter of Sir Henry\Henery BAKER\BOWKER, * and Mary RATCLIFF, *) was born in 1635 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, , England; died in 1735 in Scarborough, Yorkshire, , England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Henry married Mary FRANKLIN, * on 21 Oct 1622 in Hampstead Marshall, Berkshire, England. Mary (daughter of Mary FRANKLIN) was born in in Hampstead Marshall, Berkshire, England; died about 1686 in England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sir married Mary RATCLIFF, * on 14 Feb 1632 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. Mary (daughter of Robert Sussex RADCLIFFE, * and Margery BRADSHAW) was born on 24 Dec 1609 in Moston, Lancashire, England; was christened on 24 Dec 1609 in Manchester Cathedral, Manchester, Lancashire, England; died on 8 Dec 1645 in Manchester, Lancashire, , England; was buried in Wakefield, Metropolitan Borough of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Rev. married Isabel BYDER OR BRYCE, *. Isabel was born in 1564 in Waldon, Devon, Essex, England; died in 1631. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Sir married Lady Elisabeth \ Elizabeth Sarah DICKINSON\DYONSON, Royal Blood on 25 Aug 1577 in Manchester, St Mary, St Denys and St George, Lancashire, England. Lady was born on 10 Apr 1556 in Bradley Hall, Staffordshire, England; died on 25 Jul 1612 in Lancashire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Robert married Margery BRADSHAW on 6 Feb 1608 in Manchester, Lancashire, England. Margery (daughter of James BRADSHAWE, daughter of James BRADSHAW and Ellen SMITH) was born in 1583 in Manchester, Lancashire, England; was christened on 1 Mar 1583 in Kirkham, Lancashire, England; died on 26 Jun 1648 in Manchester, Lancashire, England; was buried on 26 Jun 1648 in Manchester, St Mary, St Denys and St George, Lancashire, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]