John Broucard

John Brokaw, baptized on November 14, 1680, in Flatbush, Long Island, NY, was the son of Catherine and Bourgon Broucard. He moved with his parents to New Jersey in 1702. He married Sarah (Saertje) Teunis Van Middlesward about 1704 and lived in the vicinity of Raritan, New Jersey. On July 15, 1725, John purchased 3000 acres of land on the East side of the South Branch of the Raritan River, near Millstone. The family originally lived in a log house on the new land, until John erected a typical low-roofed house, in 1734. John died on October 16, 1740, and in the next year, Sarah handed administration of the estate to their oldest son, John.

John's wife, Sarah, was the daughter of Jan Teunis Van Middlesward, who emigrated to America in 1638. Sarah's mother, Catherine Teunis Bogart, was the daughter of Sarah Rapalje Tunison, the first white girl born in the Dutch Colony of Mile Run, NJ, whose father, Joris Jansen de Rapalje emigrated to America from Holland in 1623. Sarah was baptized on February 1, 1685 in the Dutch Church, Brooklyn, NY.

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John Brokaw born probably in Flatbush, Long Island, as he was baptized there. 1702 then with parents to Somerset County, New Jersey. John and Sarah evidently lived in the vicinity of Raritan, New Jersey as most of their children were baptized there.

On July 15, 1725, John purchased, of Peter Somans, three acres of land on the East side of the South Branch of the Raritan River and they settled near Millstone. In this deed he is called Jan Brocka. He was a yeoman and the Commissioner of Peace appointed August 30, 1725. John erected a log house on the new land in which he and family lived, until he erected a typical low-roofed house, in 1734, he being a carpenter. This house was still standing in 1909. The inventory of the real and personal estate of John Brokaw, taken November 14, 1740, included lands sold to "Jeronemus Horne at New Shennick; Richard Pecal, land adjoining John Staats, 300 acres upon the Millstone River; 212 acres whereon Bergon Brokaw now lives," "Negroes Jack, Simon, Jacob, Henry, Old Betty, Hannah, Eva and Little Betty." A silver cup and tencher [tankard], 38 oz @ 8p. 15:4 lbs, a large Dutch Bible, 5 lbs; a copper chafondish, 1 lb; one gun, two swords and one silver peyck, 5:15 lbs. Bonds of Ross and Stanburey,; Elyack and John Pond; of Jeromy Horne; John Cocks; Jacob Corsen; Lodwycke Wortman; Mary Covert; Uncle Peter and John Sweeks note. Showing that he was well to do. An inventory of his estate was made by Cornelius Van Horne and Coenrat Teneyck