Genealogy Report: Descendants of James Ewing
Descendants of James Ewing
1.James4 Ewing(Hugh3, James2, Robert1)1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 was born 27 Mar 1755 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland9, and died 17 May 1806 in Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey10,11.He married (1) Amelia Bailey12,13,14 03 Jun 1782 in New York.She was born 29 Mar 1757 in Long Island City, Queens, New York, and died 20 Aug 1800 in Hopewell, New Jersey.He married (2) Elizabeth Leigh 23 Aug 1801 in Hopewell, New Jersey15.She died Unknown.
Notes for James Ewing:
LETTER TO "SISTER AND BROTHER"In1790 (about February or March) , James Ewingwrote a letter to his sister and “brother” (brother-in-law?) in Scotland.Copies of the letter are owned by Louis Lehmann, by the Hunterdon CountyHistoricalSociety and by theHopewell Museum.James Ewingdeserted from the British Army on September 15,1782 at the age of 27.Louis Lehmann's copyreads as follows:
"I received your letter of October 14th last on the 24th of January, which gave me more satisfaction than I can express. That I may have room to answer the many questions you have sent me I must omit expressing the feelings of my heart. What country my wife is of. She was born on Long Island near New York where I married her June 30, 1782! She has born me in this place four boys, the youngest about 8 months old. I deserted from the British Army on the 15th of September following. This I know will be a great mortification to you. However, I can assure you it is more to me for I really think that I only did that which was my duty when I did it, and have only to lament that I stayedso long in the service of so a government, my reason for deserting I have not room this time to write. Let this suffice for the present that I never from the first approved of the conduct of the King and ministry respecting America. Thatwas so long before I did it was because of my station in the army, which for three years before I did leave them excluded me from an opportunity to do it, in which time I was a fixed whig in sentiment
. When I left them I was in great hazard of being taken by the refuge tories but that God in whose strength I undertook the difficult enterprise protected, yea: singularly protected me and brought me and soon after me my wife in safety to this place, where excepting about ten weeks I have lived ever since, the character of a deserter was as odious to the people here as in Scotland,occasioned by the immoral conduct of those who has before me been among them, but by the kind care of an indulgent Providence I soon found friends who have shone themselves such in the time of myadversity. Your questions respecting the pension is I think now answeredThe place where I left them was about 17 miles from New York on a foraging party, the bands of music not being ordered to stay in camp (7 miles from New York as was common). As to fatigue I had not so large a share of it as private Soldiers, though I had a considerable one. So tedious to be at presentelated
. My dissatisfaction respecting the cause and the want of the gospel was more difficult to bear than fatigue. Your question respecting seeing me in Scotland is also now answered. My place of abode is in Hopewell Hunterdon County in the State of New Jersey about 60 miles from New York and distant from two memorable places Princeton 7 miles and from Trenton 11 miles in a fruitful part of the county which though ravaged by the British Army does not feel it.
When I came first to this place I applied myself to common country weaving which I was not acquainted with, yet my diligent application I for a while made aliving but after sometime my health failed me and I felt much discouraged ut here providence once more favored me, for a school master being wanted in the place the people unanimously chose me, in which capacity I acted from July 1784 to January 1789 without any material attention in my way of life and by which I made a better living than I could have done by weaving andthe more so as I was sometime employed to measure or survey lands and draw writings for my neighbors....
..In January 1789 I was by the church put upon trial to preach the gospel and upon my faith trial was by their unanimous vote licensed last June, since whichI have preached occasionally but at the same time taught my school to support my family. I make no doubt but this will surprise you as much as my desertion,but in giveing this account so in obeying my sister or uttering the questions by a relation of plain matter of fact, I am not in church communion at the throne of grace with all the people of God among them, of all other denominations. In the summer of 1783 I joined a Baptist Church in this place,so that I am now aBaptist -or as you may nickname me Anti(c)- Babtist. I have lived near six years within 300 yards of the Babtist Meeting House where I have the same doctrines as Mr. Ralp, and Ebenezer Erskiner preached or as the west minister confession of faith contained and which doctrines I also endeavorto preach.
You ask what proffesion abounds most here if you mean in the State the Presbyterians, if in the neighborhood where I live the Baptist are the most numerous though we have a few Presbyterians among us, among whom is the best friend I have in this place. But here and as far I can learn in general thoughout the United States the most numerous class of people are nothing ,that is, in communion with no religious society. As to our uncle William Ewing about whom you ask take the following. When he was a boy he was a follower of Mr. Whitfieldwhich gave great offence to his relations.
He went into the army and Scotland when our father was about 12 years old, as did also another of our Uncles John. They were in the wars in Germany where our Uncle John, if I remember right, fell dangerously sick in some place, when they were under a necessity ofleaving him, which they did and his discharge along with him, so they parted. Uncle John recovering got retired home and Uncle William remained still in the Army. Upon the conclusion of that war when the army retired home Uncle William's lot was to be stationed in Ireland where he met with many of Mr. Whitfield'sfollowers with whom he joined himself and after sometime among them he began to preach, this comeing to the knowledge of our relations they wrote him in a very sharp manner and their disagreements went so far as to break off all correspondance! However he soon after dropped preaching.
The French and Indian (war) was comeing on in America his requirement was sent hither. Here he was prefered receiving a Lieutenants and adjutants commission in an American provincial regiment since after the notable defeat of General Braddock he was in Philadelphia upon some army business when the people upon the frontiers sent to him two or three mangled bodies of men and women whom the Indians had scalped, tomahawked and killed in order to arouse the spirits of the Philadelphians to assist them, next morning the High Sheriff of the county sent a message to our Uncle expressing a desire to see him. He attended and the Sheriff begged of him to go to the statehouse where the dead bodies were and deliver to the multitudes who were there viewingthema discourse suited to the occation(occasion). Our Uncle used all his endeavors to plead his excuse but he would take none. He went to the place anda fter a psalm and a prayer, spoke from Amos 2d and 6th to such acceptance that committees from various churches andcongregations waited upon him to request him to preach for them which he did.
Then he was a second time engaged in preaching as a Whitfield Methodist and as he preached in his requirement he got the name of the soldier minister after some time he parted with his commission,left the army, and joined a regular baptist church where he was licensed and afterward ordained and if alive, (for I have not heard of him in 20 years) is employed as such as he has been I believed much owned by the Lord in doing good to precious souls. He was married in Ireland and has a number of children and grandchildren and lives 300 miles from me towards Boston. Even after I landed in America I was possessed with a desire to see him if alive, though I knew nothing of him only his name, that he had preached in Ireland and that he had come to this country, but year after year passed without hearing of him till the year of 1801 (?) when in New York I heard of a William Ewing who had preached there but as I could not describe his person, haveing never seen him,the matter rested here till I came to this place where the people told me more about him. As opportunity soon after offering I sent a letter to him at a venture informing him of what family I was and my grounds for supposing him as my Uncle to which I received no answer till about a year ago when he came all the way with a design to see me and spend a few days with me and indeed they were agreeable ones to me.
And now I have in a consise manner answered all your questions. I know not what thought may arise in your mind upon reading this but I have thought since I began to write them that it would happen to me as it did to our Uncle that mere prejudice will cause you to think I am not worth writing to. I certainly do know something of the force of prejudicea nd that it is a small thing for itto cause the sister or the Brother in law decline correspondance with the Brother and the more as that brother has such a strange character blended in him as deserter Baptist and as if that were not enough a Baptist preacher too. The first two of his character and the difficulty of getting a letter to you not knowing, as I have reasons to suppose that you must be almost if not altogether unacquainted with my reasons for being in any one of the strange character so I wish you to suspend your censure till you do know. I wish you to remember that I am still your Brother and your only brother too. I am glad to hear that you are so well settled I mean that your Husband is a man of character, but I have one thing now to request of you of more importance to me than to hear that you had married the greatest man in Scotland, which is that you would not fail to send me word if you have any acquaintance with he at religion. That is if you know anything what it is to be born again (John 30) without this let your utward profession be what it may you are not one of his real disciples and can have no part of lot in that glory which shall be revealed.Now, dear Sister, I must draw this toward a conclusion. Kiss your children fo rme. Tell them I love them though I shall never see them, or you unless you should come to America. I hope not to forget you while we live.
Give my love to Thomas Brown, his wife and family, his son Thomas and his family. Iam surprised at your silence with respect to Uncle Alex. Parker and Aunt Agnes our cousins and their children. Give my love to all of them, as far as you havean opportunity. I wish you would send your love to John Smith in Paisley and his wife and daughter and desire him to remember me to all my old acquaintance.I think they have cast me off or they would have written to be before now yet I hope the Lord has not. My wife whose name is Amelia joins me in love to you both. May the Lord himself grant you both his gracious presence though life,make you usefull in declairinghis glory and goodness and when done with you here recieve you to himself in glory is the sincere wish of your Affectionaterother.....James Ewing...March 1790"HopewellHunterdon Co.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AS SCHOOL TEACHER.The following conditions of James Ewing’s employment as a school teacher are copied in
"Pioneers of OldHopewell" by Ralph Ege(page 48):.............."While it is not our purpose at this time to give a history of the schools of this region, we cannot pass without copying the conditions of a contract entered into about one hundred years ago, between Rev. James Ewing, also pastor of the Baptist church, and his employers when he took charge of the school here. The conditions of this
contract, which was signed by Mr. Ewing and his employers, are as follows, viz:
‘1st Discipline:'The employers shall individually support him in keeping impartial order in the school, and in chastising any scholar for immorality, such as filthy or profane language, or action, lying, fighting, wilful disobedienceetc. Mr. Ewing engages not to chastise any scholar until it is proven guilty in the face of the school, also the employers to support him in expelling any scholar who may proveincorrigible in wicked ways.
The terms of tuition as follows, viz:Forteaching reading, writing and arithmetic to the rule of three, two dollars a quarter, and for arithmetic beyond that, which he can teach in all its branches, two dollars and a half.For English grammar and the general principles of mensuration, three dollars; for Trigonometry, Navigation, Surveying and Algebra, six dollars a quarter.He wishes not to have more than 25 or 30 scholars, and begs the liberty of being sometimes absent for a day, but will make up lost time .He made a similar contract the next year with the following additions :Mr. Ewing engages to lose one half the price of tuition when any scholars are sick or die.If he desires he will allow an employer to send one scholar in place of another, but will allow no making up of time by sending more scholars than they engage for. He will take no signature for less than a quarter, until he has seen all his employers, and if the subscription is filled up with whole quarters, he cannot parts of quarters’
The school very frequently had a vacation of a day and sometimes two or three days in a week, unless a competent substitute could be procured, as he was called upon to preach all the funerals in his congregation, besides attending to the other duties in connection with his sacred office.How, or when he made up his lost time we fail to understand, when weremember at that time, eight hours made a school day, six days a school week and thirteen weeks a school term and four terms a school year."
JAMES EWING AS A TEACHER:The following report suggests that James Ewing, pastor and school teacher at Hopewell, may also have done some teaching in the area of nearby East Amwell on the northern slopes of the Sourland Mountains.......... " John Manners, Jr., after the death of Mary Higgins, his first wife, married Rachel, daughter of James Stout. They had two children, Rachel, born 1773, and David, born 1777. David was the father of Jacob S. Manners, and lived on the old homestead. The schoolhouse stood where the tavern at Wertsville now is, and was built in 1756. Here, David went to school to James Ewing, a Scotsman, and pastor of the church at Hopewell. Here he studied surveying and became proficient in the art, and afterwards practiced it extensively in his native country. It is said that Mr. Ewing, having noticed that the farmers of Amwell allowed their grass to run out, and sowed no seed, taught David how to get a field in with good red clover, and that this was the beginning of the successful seeding of clover and grass in this part of the county.(From "Manners" - Adapted from Lequear's "Traditions of Hunterdon." Originally published in The Hunterdon Republican 1869-7www.geocities.com/dane97520/Lequear.html.
LEGEND OF JAMES EWING AND OLIVER HART IN THE SOURLAND MOUNTAINS(From e-mail correspondence by Thomas Dilts - received8/01/2003)
"Family tradition has it that James Ewing hid in the Sourland Mountains to avoid detection and hid with John Hart, one of the signers ofthe Declaration. Many ofEwing's descendents are named "Hart" because ofthis close friendship.Beverly Weidl, Curator of the Hopewell Museum at 28 West Broad Street, Hopewell, doubts that this is correct. She did not believe that Hart was in the Sourland Mountains, and it was unlikely that aBaptist would be such close friend with a Presbyterian, she said. Apparently, the relations between Baptists and Presbyterians were so bad that if a Presbyterian was seen with a Baptist they had to explain why to the Elders.On the other hand, in his letter James Ewing says that the Presbyterians are"among whom is the best friends I have at this place." So further research is neededto try to support this information."
JAMES EWING'S SONG COMMEMORATING GEORGE WASHINGTON.The following material is from an e-mail received from Thomas Dilts on8/01/2003......." When we visited the Hopewell Museum in July 2002, we were given an extract from a sermon preachedby Rev. James Ewing at the Baptist Meeting-house in Hopewell from Judes 3,9 and 10. The following verses were composedby Rev. Ewing and sung at the conclusion of the Sermon on February 22, 1800, in commemoration of the Life of George Washington:"
"Great God of Nations and of Men,
We would pronounce thy Praise,
O'er all thy works thy watchful eye,
Extend in war or peace.
Americans proclaim his grace,
He heard your prayers and moan,
And when war threatn'd to destroy,
He rais'd great Washington.
Then didst him keep his plans succeed,
By him didst give us rest.
O that the Nations of the earth
Were with such favors blest.
Yet while we own thy mercy past,
Our Nation's loss we mourn,
For Washington, the great and good
O hear the nation groan.
And now on the our care we cast,
Should troubles rise anon,
To save us from our foes O Lord,
Raise one like Washington."
JAMES EWING'S STATUS IN THE BRITISH ARMY...Thomas Dilts did further research during his 2003 trip to Scotland and sent the following comments to Louis Lehmann on 8/01/2003:......"Bands of Music" referred to in James Ewing's letter refers to those men whose primary duties were medics -- but in battle they provided the music which helped to communicate commands and directions. The bag pipers lead the army into battle and the drummers brought up the rear. It is unclear by his letter whether he was an officer or an enlisted man. His statement"because of my station in the army" is ambiguous--and could mean he was always being watched, or had a position of responsibility. Given that his father was a tradesman (shoemaker), and his grandfather a cooper (made barrels), it is more likely that he was an enlisted man. "A History of the Uniforms of the British Army" Cecil Lawson, Vol IV, 1966, published by Kaye and Ward Limited, says:"During the American War, the following Fencible Regiments had been raisedinScotland: the Argyle, North and Sutherland, wearing Highland garb, all were disbanded in 1783."Argyll and Western ScottishFencibles (which included Paisley) was organized in 1778 and disbanded in 1783. Their dress was Highland. They received 3 guineas as a signing bonus and were paid at a level equal to regular army.”
More About James Ewing:
Burial: Unknown, Hopewell, Hunterdon County, New Jersey
Christening: 27 Mar 1755, Kilmarnock, Ayr, Scotland
Notes for Amelia Bailey:
1 "Chronological Table of births and c" from a notebook labeled EWING found inthe Historical Society (Dorec House) in Flemington, N.J.H. E. Deats put it together. At the bottom of the sheet is the notation, "Quarto bible, Isaac Collins, Trenton, 1791, badlyworn, record pages loose.Property of Mrs. Bertha Britton Barton, 333 Penna. Ave., Flemington, N.J.Copied by H.E. Deats,Aug 21, 1941.It includes the following statements: 1755, March 24. James Ewing was born. 1757, March 29, Amelia, the wife of James Ewing was born .1780, March 24, Lydia (added in a laterhand -"Ewing was born"....Perhaps Lydiawas child of Mrs. Ewing by her first marriage)1782, June 3, James Ewing and Amelia the widow of William Emory were married. (on her stone, Hopewell BapCh, she is Amelia Bailey.) 1800 August 20, Amelia Ewing deceased. 1801 August 22, James Ewing and Elizabeth Leigh were married.(this is the last entry in handwriting of Rev. JamesEwing)
The IGI (Film # 6142791 - LDS) has a record of Amelia Bailey born 1757, Long Island City,Queens,; New York
Amelia Bailey found in: New York City, 1600s-1800s Marriage Index
More About Amelia Bailey:
Burial: Unknown, Hopewell Bap Ch, Hopewell, n.J.
Children of James Ewing and Amelia Bailey are:
| + | 2 | i. | Gideon5 Ewing, born 22 Jan 1784 in Mercer County, New Jersey; died 23 Dec 1871 in Klinesville, New Jersey. | |
| 3 | ii. | William Ewing16, born 13 Apr 1786; died Unknown. | ||
| + | 4 | iii. | Samuel Ewing, born 18 Oct 1787 in New Jersey; died 21 Jan 1885 in Randolph, Cattaraugus, New York. | |
| 5 | iv. | Peter Gordon Ewing16, born 01 Aug 1789 in Mercer Co, NJ; died Unknown. |
| Notes for Peter Gordon Ewing: Census1850Raritan, Hunterdon, N.J.Peter Ewing is listed as 59 years old, born N.Y., owns real estate valued at $1000..In household headed by William Howsett - age 55.Others are - Elizabeth Howsett - age 55, born PA;Sarah Howsett - age 30, born N.J.;Promelia - aage 28, born N.J. |
| + | 6 | v. | Charles Isaac Ewing, born 11 May 1791 in New Jersey; died 06 Feb 1879. | |
| + | 7 | vi. | Oliver Hart Ewing, born 15 Feb 1793; died 18 Sep 1871. | |
| + | 8 | vii. | Martha Ewing, born 02 Dec 1794; died Unknown. | |
| + | 9 | viii. | James Ewing, born 13 Jun 1797; died Unknown. |