Geertje ‘Charity’ Runyon

Biographical Details:

https://web.pdx.edu/~davide/gene/Runyon_Isaac.htm

The parentage of Isaac Runyon remains entirely unknown; however, researchers frequently assert that he was a son of Joseph Runyon and an unknown wife (who is also sometimes identified as Hannah Stout, but this is not convincing). Alternatively, he is identified as a son of John and Elizabeth Freeman Runyon. Unfortunately, there is no supporting evidence for either of these presumptions, but, nevertheless, it seems reasonably certain that Isaac was born in New Jersey about 1738 (reportedly in Middlesex County) and descends from the original Huguenot immigrant, Vincent Rongnion. He married Geertje (Charity) Hageman, who was a daughter of Adrian and Mary Hageman and it would seem obvious from her name that she was of Dutch ancestry. Moreover, Isaac and Charity Runyon evidently moved to Frederick County, Maryland, in the early 1750's and settled in the vicinity of Taneytown, which lies near the border with Pennsylvania. In support of this, the will of Hendrick Sortore, Sr., made August 3, 1793, in Somerset County, New Jersey, mentions thirteen acres that he had previously purchased from Isaac Runyon. One may suppose that this land was sold when the Runyon family left New Jersey; however, this awaits definitive confirmation. Indeed, it would appear that even while living in Maryland, Isaac still maintained connection to New Jersey since it is known that in 1761 or 1762, Johannis De Mott paid Isaac Runyon for masonry work "around the window frame behind the pulpit" at the Neshanic Church in Somerset County. The church still exists; however, no other record of this transaction has been found. In addition, Isaac Runyon later stated in a Revolutionary War pension petition of 1819 that he had served in Capt. Bruce's Regiment of the New Jersey Militia.1 As a matter of chronology, it seems more likely that this service was in the French and Indian War rather than the Revolution; however, this is not at all clear. Concomitantly, on September 8, 1767, Adrian Hageman, Isaac's father-in-law, bought one hundred and sixty-one acres in Frederick County from John Logsdon for £112 and paid in Pennsylvania currency. Accordingly, it may be supposed that the Hageman's moved from New Jersey to Maryland at this time. Within this context, Adrian Hageman made a will on December 2, 1773, which mentions his wife, Mary, his daughter, Geertje (Charity), his son-in-law (although not mentioned by name), and grandsons Adrian (or Adron) and John Runyon. The will was proved on January 20, 1774, and two original copies are known to exist, viz., one in the court house in Frederick County and one in Annapolis.

• GEDCOM Source U.S., Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 Ancestry.com Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. Sons of the American Revolution Membership Applications, 1889-1970 1,