From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of turkeypt2 [july37@cox.net] Sent: Thursday, September 06, 2007 11:07 PM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Two Widows Merrill The widow Merrill of Staten Island died Nov 30, 1789 & from looking at a copy of her will her first name was Mary & she had a daughter Mary w/o Nathaniel Robins. This rules out that she was the widow Anne Merrill of Hunterdon Co. Early Staten Island records contain family names that also appear in NJ counties. A few that stand out with proven & unproven links to the NJ Robins/Robbins family are Nathaniel Britton, Hunterdon Co., Jacob Garrites/Garrison, Salem/Cumberland Co., Obadiah Holmes, Monmouth Co., Merrill, Hunterdon Co, Abraham & Peter Prall, Hunterdon Co. Travel by the colonists wasn't unusual or limited, some migrated & settled, others just visited. Another interesting note from Staten Island history is that it almost became part of NJ. The question arose after the Duke of York conveyed the territory of NJ to Carteret & Berkley as to whether Staten Island was included. Possibly this was due to the close proximity of Staten Island to the shore of NJ. Carteret didn't lay claim to Staten Island & in 1668 it was agreed that it would go to NY. Sara From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of BRIAN ROBBINS [hilo80@yahoo.com] Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 12:02 PM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Two Widows Merrill Sara, Thanks for pointing that out. I wonder if Ann Merill, was a sister/cousin of Mary Merill, mother of Mary,who was wife of Nathaniel. Or perhaps Anne was daughter Mary's sister? Brian From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of july37 [july37@cox.net] Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2007 11:08 PM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Two Widows Merrill Brian, I was wondering the same thing about the two Merrill widow's Anne & Mary. There may have been some relationship so it's always something to keep in mind. At least we have proof that they aren't the same women. According to Morris' History of Staten Island the notorious Rev. War character Nathaniel Robins lived at New Springerville on Staten Island where the Stone Road met Poverty Lane. It was called Robbins' Corner. Morris also writes "Robyn's Rift, a reef in the bay at the mouth of the Kill Van Kull was once frequented by seals, to which the Dutch gave the name Robyn; hence the name became Robyn's Rift which has by careless usage become Robbins' Reef." Was Robyn the name for seals in Dutch? Robyn doesn't seem like a Dutch word to me but then I'm not very well versed in the Dutch language. It was really great to meet Marshall & spend some time with him. Sara From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Tamara Stevens [tamara@bearsandhares.com] Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 10:23 AM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Two Widows Merrill Sara, Tell me again the reference to the land sale of Anne Merrill in Hunterdon, please. As I recall, it just mentioned her name and transfer of property in Hunterdon Co. It didn't say 'The Widow Anne Merrill of Hunterdon County' did it? She could still be a resident of Staten Island and own land in NJ. In fact I think I read that Nathaniel lived in Staten Island and owned land in NJ. If this is the case, I'm not sure I'd rule her out as the same person. Tamara From: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com on behalf of july37 [july37@cox.net] Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 3:25 PM To: Robbinsfamilysouthjersey@yahoogroups.com Subject: [SPAM] Re: [SPAM]Re: [Robbinsfamilysouthjersey] Two Widows Merrill Tamara, That's a good point, I'm not sure if the original deed referred to Anne Merrill as a widow. I don't have a copy of the original document to check on the wording. John T. or Marshall may have one from their trips to extract Hunterdon Co. deeds. Hunterdon County Deed Abstracts. Book 5 Page 152 Date 5/23/1751 Recorded 1808, Grantor Anne Merrill----Grantee Jonathan Robins, Bethlehem Twsp 234 Acres. Reference found on pages 8 & 249 of the Robins, Robbins of NJ book. Mary Merrill died 11/30/1789 of Richmond Co., Staten Island, a widow & mother of Mary Robins. Reference: Record of Wills Book A, pg. 28-30, St George, NY Surrogate Office, 11/5/1931. A possible relationship between these two woman but no proof. The above records indicate they aren't the same person. We see travel from Staten Island across the river to NJ with familiar family names connected to the Robins family settling in NJ. It seems likely some of the Merrills of Staten Island were among the others. Nathaniel Robins was a witness to the Will of Silas Bedell who died 7/18/1795 in Richmond Co., Staten Island. I guessing this was the infamous Nathaniel Robins. It appears he wasn't despised by everyone. Mr. Bedell ask him to witness his Will & some person kept replacing the gravestones that were continually removed by the person who we assume didn't like him. There could be another side to the story that was written about him as part of Staten Island folk lore. Sara