From Richard L. Godown : BEGIN Jonas Godown was born in Hunterdon Co, New Jersey 1837. Jonas died Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hunterdon Co, NJ. He married three times. He married Mary Cheisa in Hunterdon Co, New Jersey, 1853. Mary was born New York 1826. Mary died about 1858. Mary is not listed with Jonas and the 6 children in the 1870 or the 1860 census, They were living in Alexandria, Hunterdon Co, NJ. Her last name could also have been Smith. He married Susan Shively 1859. Susan was born Alexandria Twp, Hunterdon Co, NJ 1828. Susan was the daughter of Abraham Shively and Sarah Davis. He married Mary Elizabeth Marbecker after 1870. Mary was born New York January 1826. Mary died 1912 Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Hunterdon Co, NJ, at 86 years of age. Mary (age 74) is living at 21 Rose Street, Trenton, Mercer Co, NJ in the 1900 Census. She was enumerated by her son George H Apgar. In the 1850 census Alexandria Twp. Hunterdon Co page 201A, Jonas (age 14) is living with the Gage? family. It would be assumed that he is a hired hand living there since his father died in 1847 and it looks as if the family split quickly after John's (his father) death. In the 1860 census Jonas (age 24) is in Frenchtown, Hunterdon Co, NJ page 792, living with Susan (age 32) George (age 4) Velma (age 3) and Samantha (age 1). Jonas has an occupation listed as Shoemaker. In the 1870 census Frenchtown P.O Alexandria Twp, Hunterdon Co, NJ page 36A, Jonas (age 33) is recorded with his children (no wife) Zeline (age 14), George (age 16), Samantha (age 12), Mary (age 10), Adoram (age 4) and Alton (age 4). His occupation is listed as a day Laborer. He has real estate valued at $400 and all births are recorded as New Jersey. In the 1880 census Alexandria Twp, Hunterdon co page 207B, Jonas (age 43) is living with his wife Mary (age 53) and his daughter Ella Apgar (age 16). Jonas has the occupation of carpenter In the 1895 NJ State census page 6. Jonas and Mary are still living in Alexandria Township. The census indicates that both Jonas and Mary are between the age of 20 and 60. Jonas Godown and Mary Cheisa had the following children: i. George L Godown was born July 1855. ii. Zelma Geline Godown was born Alexandria Twp, Hunterdon Co, NJ 1856. A letter from Alton's granddaughter lists a Zelma as one of Jonas's daughters. In the 1880 census Bloomsbury, Warren, New Jersey page 332D, a Zelma (age 21) is living with the family of Theodore Tinsman. iii. Samantha Godown was born Alexandria Twp, Hunterdon Co, NJ June 6, 1859. Nellie died April 25, 1940 at 80 years of age. She married twice. She married John Garret Alexandria Twp, Hunterdon Co, NJ, October 16, 1878. Oct. 16 1878, by Rev. Geo. Young, John A. Garrett to Nellie Godown, both of Alexandria. John was born Alexandria Twp, Hunterdon Co, NJ 1851. John was the son of David Garret and Elizabeth Hawk. She married Westley R McDevitt about 1900. Westley was born in New Jersey July 1822. In the 1900 census Howard Street, Phillipsburg Twp Warren Co NJ page 56A, there is a Westley R McDevitt (age 57) living with Audley? (age 22) and Nellie Garrett (age 40) and Paul Garrett (age 17). Looks like Paul is Nellie's child. The date is correct for Nellie to be Samantha. iv. Mary S Godown was born Alexandria Twp, Hunterdon Co, NJ 1859. In the 1880 census Bloonsbury, Bethlehem Twp Hunterdon Co page 240B, a Mary (age 19) is living with William Gardner as a domestic servant. Jonas Godown and Susan Shively had the following children: v. Alton Joseph Godown was born January 4, 1866. vi. Theodore Godown was born January 4, 1866. END