Benjamin Pedrick

"The Pedrick Family of New Jersey" genealogical record, published in 1938, states that Benjamin "was born in 1795 and died in 1875 age 80. He was active and prominent about Pedricktown and married five times. While his previous real estate related records do not indicate it, yet a great grandson says of him: "Farmed at Eagletown" then to Gloucester Co. near Centre Square on a farm later owned by Tull called the "Whip-Poor-Will" farm, hard to raise anything on it, next to Oldman's township buying the Frank Hampton farm. Later sold and bought a home in Pedricktown. He was first a school teacher and married his pupil 7-2-1818 Abigail Nale, daughter of Joseph. She did not live long."

The record further states that Benjamin "was the eldest of ten children. He received an inheritance from his father's lands as divided by Court Commissioners in 1827 when he was 32 years of age. His property was along the public road between 'Pedricksburg and Scull Town.' The first real estate transaction by any Benjamin Pedrick was 12-30-1828, when the above bought for $110 from Joseph Armstrong 10 1/2 acres opposite said Pedricks Lane in line of James Pedrick between Pedricktown and Sculltown. Armstrong was his brother-in-law and James his brother, who died, and his inheritance apportioned between brothers and sisters. Then Benjamin bought 6-7-1830 for $180 the part that was alloted to his sister Susanna Armstrong which was 10 acres. In 1835 he bought James' part that had been alloted to his sisters, Mary Moore and Rebecca Ann Matson, wife of Asa, 57 acres, 20 perches, for $860.62 1/2 and also for $175 another piece of 10 and 13/100th acres from the same. 1836 bought 80 and 9/100 acres of meadow for $175 that had been his brother James' land. 1837 from Wm. Keais for $230 80 and 9/100 acres meadow that Keais had bought from Benjamin's father. Same year from Lampleigh for $1633, four lots of land in Pedricktown, No. 1 a lot on which store house stands corner Somers alley along Union Street, 1/8 acre. No. 2 where dwelling house stands corner John Somers kitchen 20 sq. perches. No. 3, 20 sq. perches corner Wm. Key or Keais. No. 4, 1 acre and 3 perches that Lampleigh bought from Stanton beginning at Chas. Sexton, now Lampleigh corner edge of Union Street, corner Joel Corson now John Somers lot. 1840 from Stephen Straughen and wife Mary for $3000 subject to mortgage of $3000 held by Wm. Summerhill and one of $400 held by James Eaken a lot of land beginning at a maple in Game Creek and runs by old Dolbow tract 246 acres together with 35 acres Wm. Summerill bought from James Holton. In 1842 from James Cahala for $125 road Pedricktown to Helms cove 34 1/2 acres. Same year from James Sharp and Susanna for $1050 road Pedricktown to Pennsgrove corner John Summerill by Hudson Springer, Issac James and John Dennis 46 1/2 acres. In 1850 from Israel Barber for $260 10 and 40/100 acres corner Richard Somers to line Joseph D. Pedrick and corner Layman and Stiles. In 1856 from William Munion 1 acre for $14. 1859 from John M. Springer Ex. of Hudson 15 1/2 and 2 and 4/10 acres in Amicable Meadow Co. 1872 from Chas. S. Plummer for $450 house lot and piece of land corner George Hoppel along South side Sparks grave yard 1/2 acre. This comprises all of Benjamin's purchases and indicates his as prominent...It appears that in 1838 he sold his inheritance together with other pieces of land adjoining later bought from his sisters now totalling [sic] 196 acres to Joseph Sherron of Deptford for $4000 subject to mortgage and interest of $2060 due Jospeh Aiken and also subject to annual payment of $33.33 to Rebecca Pedrick during her natural life which she takes in lieu of dowery [sic]. He sold in 1839 to Noah Firestone for $265 the land he bought from Wm. Keas, and in 1840 to Mary Straughen for $1750 the four lots bought from Daniel Lampleigh. His wife Sarah was joinder in these sales. 1841 to John Justice for $100 all interest in lands laid off to Joseph Neal, late U. P. Neck, alloted to his daughter Abigail and lst wife of Benjamin, being two pieces of land on the Delaware River where said John Justice now lives and adjoining lands of Hudson Springer, Ebenezer Sparks and others containing 60 acres. No. 2 on Bever Creek adjoining lands of Hannah Pedrick, John Risner, Job Bevis and others. 1841 Benjamin and Sarah to Moses Wright of Philadelphia for $300, subject to mortgages of $2000 a piece of land in U.P. Neck bounded by old Game Creek, Neal Curry, Long Bridge road and heirs of Conrad Wright 122 acres less 87 acres which Wm. Summerill got by division of father Joseph, etc. 1842 Benjamin and Sarah to David Hillman for $3600, subject to mortgages of $2400 being part of land Benjamin bought from Stephen Straughen in 1840, beginning at Game Creek by Moses Wright and containing 124 acres. In 1857 Benjamin and Susanna (now his third wife) to Henry Mitchell to secure $3500 two tracts. Indian Run Bridge near Benjamin Black on road to Harrisonville from Centre Square and Pedricktown Road 81 acres and No. 2, 5 and 95/100 acres conveyed to Benjamin same date by Henry Mitchell and wife Elizabeth. In 1848, 1856 and 1859 he made three other sales to William Munion, Andrew Longacre and John Ashcraft which practically covers all real estate transfers. These records are recounted as throwing light on the various people active in the drama of the life of that day, and all ancestors of many people now living in the locality. His will was drawn 1-7-1875 and probated 5-6-1876 friend John M. Springer Ex. Wife Susan H. household and real estate while widow. At her marriage or death household to children William, Caroline and Lidia. Real estate to four children William, Caroline, Lydia and Josephine as follows, 1/2 to William and 1/2 to the others, subject to $50 to granddaughter Emma E. Pedrick at age 18. Personal assests, $864.55."

The New Jersey 1850 Census for Upper Penns Neck township, Salem County, dated Sept 17, lists Benjamin as age 52 orn in New Jersey and a farmer. His wife Susan is listed as age 30. The following children are living at this dwelling, Albert age 20, Martha age 12, Charles age 9, Hannah age 7, Maranda age 4 and Elizabeth age 2.

The New Jersey 1870 Census for the Upper Penns Neck Township, Salem County, lists Benjamon as age 72 and a farmer. His wife susan age 49 and keeping house. There are three children living home, Thomas age 16, Lydia age 9 and Emma age 5