Different take on Penelope

Penelope
Added by JamesCHenderson on 30 Mar 2008
Richard Stout and His Remarkable Wife, Penelope
Richard Stout was born in abt 1615 in Burton Joyce, Nottinghamshire, England, son of John Stout and Elizabeth Bee. He left home, possibly because his father was unhappy about a relationship he had with a woman below his standing, and joined the British Navy, where he served for seven years. At New Amsterdam he left his ship and became a Netherlands subject. He was said to have been a man of "parts," but of little formal education. Penelope was born in Amsterdam, Holland, circa 1620/22, the daughter of a Baptist preacher who had fled Sheffield, England, for religious reasons. When American colonization made it possible for the English expatriates to leave Holland they, wanting their children to retain their Englishness, came to the New World. She married shortly before leaving Holland in 1640. Her adventures upon arrival are the stuff of legend; like all good legends, there is a certain variation in the details but the core of the story remains throughout. The ship on which she and her husband were traveling was ship-wrecked off Sandy Hook in what is now New Jersey, just across the bay from New Amsterdam. Her husband was sick of a fever. The other surviving passengers fled up the coast to New Amsterdam, leaving Penelope to care for her sick husband. Before long they were attacked by Indians. Her husband was killed and Penelope was left for dead. She was evidently wounded about the head (supposedly a partial scalping) and her intestines were protruding. For several days she was able to survive alone before two Indians came by. They argued, evidently about whether or not to kill her. The older Indian prevailed, saving her life and so, putting her across his shoulder, carried her to the Indian village. He was kind to her and she lived and worked there for about a year before the men of New Amsterdam, hearingd of a white woman living with the Indians, came to barter for her. Her captor asked if she wished to leave. When she said she did, the old man accepted payment and let her go. Smith's History of New Jersey, published in 1765, tells the story slightly differently. It relates that a party of Indians found the couple and immediately killed the man. They then mangled the woman, and left her for dead. After hiding for several days in a hollow tree, Penelope was found by a friendly Indian who nursed her back to health. A rescue party found her and brought her to New Amsterdam - now New York - and a short time later she married an Englishman, Richard Stout. Either way, itt was through this transaction of events that Penelope became a member of the New Amsterdam colony and she and Richard Stout met were and were married in 1644. Family members, telling of Penelope in later years, relate that she always wore a head dress to conceal her terrible scars. Penelope outlived Richard by a number of years. Stout and Allied Families give her name as Penelope Kent or Lent, and her first husband as Mr. Van Princen or Von Princess. "Four Women in a Violent Time" by Debora H Crawford gives her name as Penelope Thomson or Thompson, and her first husband as Kent Van Princes. Penelope was instrumental in helping Lady Deborah Moody found Gravesend, New York. Penelope and Richard later returned to New Jersey and had 10 children. The nameless Indian who saved Penelope Stout's life was a frequent visitor and friend. According to the tale, he later alerted the community to a potential confrontation with another band of marauding natives, probably from New York. Most accounts agree that Penelope lived to be 110 (death dates differ - either 1712 or 1732) and had some 502 descendants at the time of her death.. Many of her descendants still live in the county.
They crossed the bay and settled in the above said Middletown. There was at that time but six white families in the settlement, including their own, (which was in the year 1648), where they continued until they became rich in prosperity and rich in children. They had together seven son and three daughters, viz: John, Richard, Jonathan, Peter, James,Benjamin, David. The daughters were - Deliverance, Sarah, Penelope.All of which sons and daughters lived to raise large families.
She is reported to have been the first white woman to set foot on Monmouth County soil. It is said the Stout family by Penelope's 88th birthday had grown to 502, with daughters having married into the families of the Bounds, Pikes, THROCKMORTONS, and Skeltons. Tradition tells that Penelope lived to be 110 years old." Along with STOUT, GROVER, GIBBONS, BOWNE, GOULDING, and SPICER, came John TILTON Jr., Walter CLARKE, William REAPE, Nathaniel SYLVESTER, Obadiah HOLMES, and Nicholas DAVIS. On April 7, 1665, these twelve patentees Chief Pomamora and his brother, Mishacong signed the purchase agreement, THE MONMOUTH PATENT." Richard and Penelope were the parents of ten children: John, born 1645 Gravesend, Kings County, New York, died 24 November 1724 Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey; married Elizabeth Crawford 12 January 1670 in Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey Richard, born 1646 Gravesend, Kings County, New York, died 10 July 1717 Monmouth County, New Jersey; married (1) Frances West Heath, (2) Mary Seymour James, born 1648 Gravesend, Kings County, New York, died before 1697; married Elizabeth Truax Mary, born 1650 Monmouth County, New Jersey; married James Bowne 26 December 1665 Gravesend, Kings County, New York Alice, born 1652, Gravesend, Kings County, New York; married (1) John Throckmorton 12 December 1670, (2) Robert Skelton 30 October 1691 New York, (3) Mr. Jones before April 1704 Peter, born 1654 Gravesend, Kings County, New York, died 1703 Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey; married Mary Bullen 12 December 1670 Sarah, born 1656 Gravesend, Kings County, New York; married John Pike 1675 Jonathan, born 1660 Gravesend, Kings County, New York, died 24 November 1722 Hopewell, Mercer County, New Jersey; married Ann Throckmorton Bullen (sister of Mary, above) 27 August 1685 David, born 1667 Monmouth County, New Jersey, died 1732 Amwell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey; married Rebecca Ashton 1688 Monmouth County, New Jersey Benjamin, born 1669 Monmouth County, New Jersey, died 1734; married (1) Mary Leonard, (2) Agnes (Agnietje) Truax
Gravesend was one of the original towns in the Dutch colony of New Netherland and became one of the six original towns of Kings County in colonial New York . It was the only English chartered town in what became Kings County and was designated the "Shire Town" when the English assumed control, as it was the only one where records could be kept in English. Courts were removed to Flatbush in 1685. The former name survives, and is now associated with a neighborhood in Brooklyn.

Penelope Van Princes

The story of Penelope Stout, once butchered and left for dead in the wilder- ess
Added by Pamela_Balstad on 10 Mar 2007
The story of Penelope Stout, once butchered and left for dead in the wilderness, is a stirring and fascinating one, which gives the reader an idea of the hardships settlers faced. About 1624, in New Amsterdam, Richard Stout, a native of England, married her. He was 40 while she only 22. She induced him to sail across the bay and settle at Middletown, near those who saved her. Many of his friends visited this contented couple and took up residence there. When they had two young children, an uprising was stirring. One of Mrs. Stouts? Indian friends came to warn her, and she was able to escape again to New Amsterdam with her children. There are references to Richard Stout attempting to settle Middletown in 1655, which were aborted. This may have been temporary due to Indian problems. Later, a general conference was held in which the white men agreed to buy the lands from the Indians. Deeds were granted, signed and duly paid for and witnessed. This led to relative peace in the area. Penelope went on to bear 10 children; seven sons and three daughters: Jonathan (founder of Hopewell), John, Richard, James Peter, David, Benjamin, Mary, Sarah and Alice. Penelope lived to be 110 years old and saw 502 offspring in 88 years.BIOGRAPHY: From "History of the Stout Family" by Nathan Stout, 1823Richard Stout, the first of the name in America was born in Nottinghamshire, in Old England, and his father's name was John. The said Richard, when quite young paid his addresses to a young woman that his father thought below his rank, upon which account some unpleasant conversation happened between the father and the son, on account of which, the said Richard left his father's house; and in a few days engaged on board a ship of war, where he served about seven years, after which time he got a discharge at New Amsterdam, now called New York, in America. About the same time a ship from Amsterdam, in Holland, on her way to the said New Amsterdam, was driven on the shore that is now called Middletown, in Monmouth County, in the State of new Jersey, which ship was loaded with passengers, who with much difficulty got on shore. But the Indians not long after fell upon them and butchered and killed the whole crew, as they thought, but soon after the Indians were gone, a certain Penelope Van Princes, whose husband the Indians had killed, found herself possessed of strength enough to creep to a hollow tree, where she remained some days. An Indian happening to come that way, whose dog coming to the tree, occasioned him to examine the inside of the tree, where he found the said Penelope in a forlorn, distressed condition. She was bruised very severely about the head, and her bowels protruded from a cut across her abdomen; she kept them in with her hand. She had been in this fearful condition seven days when the Indian found her. In his compassion he took her out of the tree and carried her to his wigwam where he treated her kindly and healed her wounds, and in a short time conveyed her in his canoe to New Amsterdam, where he sold her to the Dutch, who then owned that city, now called New York.The man and woman from whom the whole race of Stouts descended, got into the city of New Amsterdam, where they became acquainted with each other and were married. And, not withstanding, it may be thought by some, that they conducted themselves with more fortitude than prudence, they immediately crossed the bay and settled in the above said Middletown, where the said Penelope had lost her first husband by the Indians and had been so severely wounded herself.There was at that time but six white families in the settlement, including their own, (which was in the year 1648), where they continued until they became rich in prosperity and rich in children. They had together seven son and three daughters, viz: John, Richard, Jonathan, Peter, James, Benjamin, David. The daughters were - Deliverance, Sarah, Penelope. All of which sons and daughters lived to raise large families.Richard married Penelope Kent about 1644 in Gravesend, Kings, New York 460.,461 (Penelope Kent was born about 1622 in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands, died in 1712 in Middletown, Monmouth, New Jersey and was buried in Family Estate, Middletown, Monmouth, New Jersey.)

More on Edward Taylor

The Silver Cup and the Lenni Lenape Indians
Added by henson176 on 19 Oct 2007
This information is extracted from the book compiled by Charissa Taylor Bass and Frank Bass, entitled Genealogy, Taylor-Snow, in memory of Oscar Taylor and Malvina Snow Taylor, published Freeport, Ill., Mar 9th, 1935."Shadoschurst or Shadochurst was evidently the ancient spelling--Shadowhurst Manor--as it is now called, and it is a far more musical name, is still in existence set in the midst of beautiful Woodlands. This fact was recently told to one of the "Taylor Kin" by Lord Cornwallis of England, who said he knew the place well.When Edward and his family came from Merry England, he brought with him a cherished possession, a SILVER CUP which tradition says, was given him for some Signal Service. The Cup was dear to his heart, and after the English custom, he entailed it in the line of Edward his eldest son. This Precious Heirloom, I have been able to trace as far as the tenth Edward Taylor, born 17 July 1902, the son of Edward Taylor, who in 1901 married Bessie Marian Frees--here, the chain is broken.Charissa writes, "Will anyone knowing the Eleventh Edward, communicate with Mrs. Frank N. Bass, Freeport, Ill.While the actual Taylor Lineage in New Jersey dates about 1682, the real Family Story begins with the beginning of Middletown and New Jersey itself. On 2 Sep 1609 the Lenni Lenape Indians, inhabitants of the region now Middletown and Freehold, were hunting in the wooded hills bordering the Bay and near the Navasink Highlands--suddenly an astounding object resembling a huge Bird, rounded the Sandy Hook and sailed up Raritan Bay. It was Hendrick Hudson's Half Moon. The Half Moon made a fleeting visit and sailed away, but his Log Book dated 2nd Sep 1609, remarks: "This is a very good land to fall in with, and a pleasant land to see." Thousands of ships have passed Sandy Hook and entered the Bay in the past 320 years, but never one that caused such wonderment as the Half Moon. The first White Man had come and gone, but the result of his fleeting visit, was new Territory for Holland. In 1647, Peter Stuyvesant became the last Dutch Rule. The City of New York then numbered probably some 1500 souls, while New Jersey was still a wilderness occupied by the Lenni Lenape Indians. On 12th March 1664, Charles 2nd, of Eng., granted a Patent to his brother the Duke of York and Albany, for "Sundry tracts in America." Part of this tract was conveyed by the Duke of York, to John, Lord Berkely, and to Sir George Cartaret, both members of the "King's Council." The lease, dated 23 June 1664 was for a sum equal to about 32 dollars, and said tract to be called Nova Caesarea or New Jersey. So in 1664 the "New Netherlands" were divided into New Jersey, named for Sir George's family of the Isle of Jersey; and New York for the Duke of York. Sir George Carteret became Proprietor of East Jersey; his daughter married into one branch of the Taylor family--probably this family connection influenced Mathew Taylor who came first, and also Edward. Through Sir George's influence as Proprietor of East Jersey, both brothers acquired large tracts of land along the Raritan river.The year 1664, finds the Dutch rule ended and Richard Nicolls established Deputy Governor, under the Duke of York. Nicholls commanded all Planters in the Colonies to take out Ducal Land Grants.Accounts vary as to the date of the coming of Richard Sout and his wife and five other families, placing it from 1648 to 1655. The first Indian purchase was in 1664 from Popora Indian Sachem, the Deed recorded in Albany Lieber 3 page 1, the consideration as follows:"118 fathoms Seawamps (wampun) 68 of white 50 of black; 5 coats, 1 gun, 1 clout-cap, 1 shirt, 12 pounds of tabacco and an anker of Wine." But in 1665, Richard Stout was established in what is now Middletown, and with eleven other men has applied for a Charter to cover their Indian purchases, and on April 8th, 1665, the famous "Monmouth Patent" was signed by Governor Nicholls and that event was the real beginning of Middletown. Middletown is Historic! and the Taylor Family and collateral lines who were cradled in its bosom, are closely interwoven with its History. Richard Stout (of whom more anon) and James Grover were of the Monmouth Patent, while they, with Thomas Cox, Rev James Ashton and John Throckmorton, were among the first 36 men to draw lots in 1667. Middletown is the oldest settlement in New Jersey, and in Monmouth Co., which previously to 1683 was called Navasink Co., or Navasink Highlands.To a woman must be given the credit of bringing the first permanent white settlers, she was Penelope Van Princis our Ancestress and wife of Richard Stout."

Edward Taylor came from England in 1692 to Garretts Hill Per Henry's sons Obituary (William H. Taylor)

Excerpts from The Last Will and Testament
Added by henson176 on 20 Oct 2007
This information is extracted from the book compiled by Charissa Taylor Bass and Frank Bass, entitled Genealogy, Taylor-Snow, in memory of Oscar Taylor and Malvina Snow Taylor, published Freeport, Ill., Mar 9th, 1935.
"Edward, inheritor of the Silver Cup brought from England and entailed to him by his father. He was a man of wealth, with property in Freehold, Garretts Hill and Colts Neck, Shrewbury. Like his father Edward, he built a house at Garretts Hill; this house at the time of the Revolutionary War, was occupied by his son George and wife Mary Leonard. It was burned down only two years ago. (1933) Edward removed from Garrets Hill and had a Plantation at Colts Neck, Shrewsbury, where he died 1733/34. He died young at 56, and according to his Will, only Edward and John of his six sons, were of age. Of his 5 daughters, Susannah and Esther are untraced, Rebeekah being the only one whose children I found.
Edward's Will is in the Office of the Secretary of State, Trenton, New Jersey.
22 Feb 1733/34, from 591-601 (Book B. p. 554) of Wills. Excerpts from Edward's Will.
"The twenty-second day of February in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred & Thirty & Three. I Edward Taylor of Shewsbury, Province of N. J. do make this my last Will and Testament--"
Then follow items regarding burial and debts. But notice, the first piece of property mentioned, of any kind, is the family Heirloom!
"Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Edward Taylor, my Silver Cup after his mother's decease, to be possessed & enjoyed by him and his heirs forever. Item I give and devise unto my beloved sons Edward and John all that tract of Land in Freehold. Item I give & devise unto James, that Land called & known by ye name of "Ye Old Place" wherein I formerly lived. (Garretts Hill)." He then divides equally between Thomas and Joseph, "Ye Plantation whereon I live." Item I give & devise unto my son John the Bay Mare he now rides, to be held possessed & enjoyed by him and his heirs forever. My will is that my Dearly beloved wife Catherine, shall enjoy ye benefits and privilege of my now dwelling house and maintenance out of ye Plantation, so long as she remain my widow. Item I give and bequeath to my sons Edward and John five Ewes and five lambs to be possessed & enjoyed by and between them as they think proper or can agree by them and their heirs forever, also ye two sheep at Crosswickes. Item I give and bequeath sons James, Thomas, Joseph and George, each one good riding horse and saddle, when they arrive at ye age of Twenty and one years, also one cow to be enjoyed by them and their heirs forever. I give my son John one Gun, being at his Election to take either my father's or that which is called (now) his Gun. Item I give & bequeath unto my beloved daughters Esther, Susanna & Hannah each ye sum of Twenty Shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto by beloved daughter Catherine her riding saddle & one good riding horse, also a good feather bed with curtains & furniture suitable thereto. Also two cows either with calf or calves by their sides together with five Ewes and five lambs & six new chairs. Three pounds worth of Pewter and one chest or trunk, all which to be delivered to her at or upon ye Day of her Marriage, and ye same to be received & enjoyed by her & her heirs forever."
His daughter Rebecca received a like Dowry, so probably Esther, Susanna and Hannah were younger. James, Thomas, Joseph and George were under 21, and as they always mentioned in this order it is probably the order of their birth.
Additional information about this story
Description
Excerpts from Edward Taylor's Will
Date
1733
Location
New Jersey
Attached to
Edward Taylor (1678 - )
Other trees this object is saved to
Leavenworth, Sr Family Tree

Excerpts from The Last Will and Testament
Added by henson176 on 20 Oct 2007
This information is extracted from the book compiled by Charissa Taylor Bass and Frank Bass, entitled Genealogy, Taylor-Snow, in memory of Oscar Taylor and Malvina Snow Taylor, published Freeport, Ill., Mar 9th, 1935.
"Edward, inheritor of the Silver Cup brought from England and entailed to him by his father. He was a man of wealth, with property in Freehold, Garretts Hill and Colts Neck, Shrewbury. Like his father Edward, he built a house at Garretts Hill; this house at the time of the Revolutionary War, was occupied by his son George and wife Mary Leonard. It was burned down only two years ago. (1933) Edward removed from Garrets Hill and had a Plantation at Colts Neck, Shrewsbury, where he died 1733/34. He died young at 56, and according to his Will, only Edward and John of his six sons, were of age. Of his 5 daughters, Susannah and Esther are untraced, Rebeekah being the only one whose children I found.
Edward's Will is in the Office of the Secretary of State, Trenton, New Jersey.
22 Feb 1733/34, from 591-601 (Book B. p. 554) of Wills. Excerpts from Edward's Will.
"The twenty-second day of February in the year of our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred & Thirty & Three. I Edward Taylor of Shewsbury, Province of N. J. do make this my last Will and Testament--"
Then follow items regarding burial and debts. But notice, the first piece of property mentioned, of any kind, is the family Heirloom!
"Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Edward Taylor, my Silver Cup after his mother's decease, to be possessed & enjoyed by him and his heirs forever. Item I give and devise unto my beloved sons Edward and John all that tract of Land in Freehold. Item I give & devise unto James, that Land called & known by ye name of "Ye Old Place" wherein I formerly lived. (Garretts Hill)." He then divides equally between Thomas and Joseph, "Ye Plantation whereon I live." Item I give & devise unto my son John the Bay Mare he now rides, to be held possessed & enjoyed by him and his heirs forever. My will is that my Dearly beloved wife Catherine, shall enjoy ye benefits and privilege of my now dwelling house and maintenance out of ye Plantation, so long as she remain my widow. Item I give and bequeath to my sons Edward and John five Ewes and five lambs to be possessed & enjoyed by and between them as they think proper or can agree by them and their heirs forever, also ye two sheep at Crosswickes. Item I give and bequeath sons James, Thomas, Joseph and George, each one good riding horse and saddle, when they arrive at ye age of Twenty and one years, also one cow to be enjoyed by them and their heirs forever. I give my son John one Gun, being at his Election to take either my father's or that which is called (now) his Gun. Item I give & bequeath unto my beloved daughters Esther, Susanna & Hannah each ye sum of Twenty Shillings. Item I give and bequeath unto by beloved daughter Catherine her riding saddle & one good riding horse, also a good feather bed with curtains & furniture suitable thereto. Also two cows either with calf or calves by their sides together with five Ewes and five lambs & six new chairs. Three pounds worth of Pewter and one chest or trunk, all which to be delivered to her at or upon ye Day of her Marriage, and ye same to be received & enjoyed by her & her heirs forever."
His daughter Rebecca received a like Dowry, so probably Esther, Susanna and Hannah were younger. James, Thomas, Joseph and George were under 21, and as they always mentioned in this order it is probably the order of their birth.
Additional information about this story
Description
Excerpts from Edward Taylor's Will
Date
1733
Location
New Jersey
Attached to
Edward Taylor (1678 - )
Other trees this object is saved to
Leavenworth, Sr Family Tree