b. 24 October 1790, which happened to be his father's 26th birthday, in Huntington, Suffolk, New York, but sadly, his mother, died just 13 days after giving birth to Joel
d. 3 November 1863 and is buried on the Purdy Farm Private Cemetery in Amityville, Suffolk, New York
m. 29 November 1815 in Huntington, Suffolk, New York to
This has the potential to be a brick wall breaker as up till now, Henry Clark Smith's father has been in question.
Joel and
Elizabeth, had 8 children:
1-
Phebe Maria JERVIS (13 Aug 1816-10 Oct 1907) m.
Thomas William VAN BUREN
2-
Jemima Etta (aka Jeminetta) JERVIS (3 Nov 1818-10 Dec 1886) m.
Gilbert SMITH
3-
Ann Elizabeth JERVIS (11 Jun 1821-17 Feb 1907)--did not marry
4-
Scudder Carll JERVIS (24 Sep 1823-31 Mar 1907) m. Mary PURDY--my great-great grandparents
5-
Henry Clark Smith JERVIS (29 Jan 1827-8 Nov 1909) m.
Mary LOCKHART
6-
Charlotte Rebecca JERVIS (25 Sep 1829-6 Dec 1916) m.
Ezra R. SAMMIS
7-
William Ireland JERVIS (10 Apr 1833-28 Jan 1913) m.
Charity "Charrie" E. NICHOLS
8-
Edna Adelia JERVIS (27 Jan 1838-26 Sep 1906) m.
Diedrich VOGT
1850 US Federal Census Huntington, Suffolk, New York
Joel Jarvis 59 New York farmer
Elizabeth 56 New York
Ann E. 29 New York
Charlotte R 21 New York
William I 17 New York
Edna A 13 New York
Phebe Van Buren 34 New York
Isabel I 7 New York
Edna L. 5 New York
William H. 2 New York
1860 US Federal Census Huntington, Suffolk, New York
Joel Jarvis 69 New York farmer
Elizabeth 65 New York
Willm 27 New York
Adaline E 26 teacher Com. School
Joseph A 17 teacher Com. School
Phebe Van Buren 47 dress maker
Edna L 15
Willm H. 12
Jacob C. Smith 16 farm laborer
1865 New York State Census
Elizabeth Jarvis 65
Wm I. 30
Sally 25
Ida L. 3
--- Jarvis 0 [census says female but it was a son, Arthur]
1870 US Federal Census Huntington, Suffolk, New York
Scudder C. Jarvis 44 New York farmer
Mary 42 New York
George S 19 New York
Joshua P 18 New York
Elizabeth 75 New York
Kesiah Ketcham 18 New York
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In one obituary for Joel's grandson, Joshua Purdy Jervis, it said this about Joel:
"Joel Jervis, was a justice of the peace of Huntington town, which then included Babylon town area, and was one of the county's most prominent citizens. His most famous case was that in which Walt Whitman, the poet, was defendant in an assault case. Whitman was acquitted by a jury the foreman of which reported to the court that Whitman 'hadn't hit him (the complainant) hard enough.'"
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Long Island City, New York
22 February 1890 Saturday
AN OLD-SCHOOL JUSTICE
(from Old-Timer in Amityville Dispatch)
Last week I gave your readers an account of how justice was sometimes administered fifty years ago. After Samuel Strong had got too old to hold his position any longer, Joel Jarvis became Justice of the Peace for the south side of the town. Previous to his becoming justice he had for a number of years held the office of constable, and he had such a pleasant way of performing his duties that persons coming under the bane of the law deemed it a pleasure to be arrested by him. He had such a stock of pleasant stories and so brimming full of innocent (fun?) that outside of his official duties his company was much sought after, and his presence in any public place was sufficient to call a crowd. People were amply paid for their time spent in his company. I never saw a young man with a more pleasant way of doing business, and when people wanted a little sport his exuberance of spirit was equal to the occasion. His gift of story-telling was not his only accomplishment. He was considerable on an acrobat as well and was pretty well up in legerdomain (?). On one occasion he was called on to arrest a couple of pretty tough customers for quite a serious offense, and when the Judge gave him the warrant cautioned him to be careful of his person. The constable said: “I’ll bet that I can bring them before you without laying a hand on them;” and he did. On entering the room containing the men he began blowing a stream of fire from his mouth and half way across the room, but over their heads. When he got through with his fireworks he asked them if they were hurt. They were so badly frightened that they could hardly tell themselves. “Well,” said the constable, “it was lucky that none of the fire struck you, for if it had it would have burned a hole straight through your bodies” and that he could send that fire a mile and more. “So, now, come along, and see if the ‘Squire will do as well by you.” They followed him with fear and trembling to their doom.
It was always supposed that he went well armed in case of need, but he told me afterwards, when he became Justice, that the only weapon he ever carried was a piece of wood carved and hollowed in the shape of a pistol, and he claimed that to be on the whole the best defense, as such a gun would not hurt anyone, and answered every purpose. His stories were the very best, and some of your older readers will call to mind many a hearty laugh at his witticisms and jokes. The writer has seen him perform many daring feats in his younger days, and never with an accident. One of his pranks was to go to the top of a barn and stand on his head on the ridge and dangle his feet in the air, seemingly with as little fear as though on the ground. I have attended a great many trials held before him after he became a Justice, and his business was always transacted with proper decorum. In fact, one would think him a different person altogether. His decisions were always about right--not too severe, but generally tempered with mercy, unless it was a case almost beyond hope, when he would let justice have full sway. I imagine I can see him sitting at his table, with his long quill pen and home-made book made from (illegible) paper, folded so that it made a convenient little book that he could easily put in his pocket. His writing was quite peculiar, and if any of his little court records are now in existence they would, if they could be deciphered, be quite a curiosity.
The writer never but once saw him completely nonplussed. The case was that of a man brought before him for a petty larceny--stealing wood from the pines at the north. The prisoner pleaded his own case, and after the witnesses for the prosecution had made a clear case against him the ‘Squire asked him if he wanted to make any defense. His reply was, “Certainly I do.” “Well,” said the ‘Squire, “where are your witnesses?” His reply was that he had but one, and that was all he wanted. When the ‘Squire ordered him to produce the witness to be sworn, the prisoner raised himself to his full height and called upon God to come down from heaven and be his witness as to his innocence, meanwhile standing with uplifted head and eyes, reverentially waiting for his witness to appear. There was perfect silence in the court, and the mingled look of surprise and pity depicted on the ‘Squire’s countenance was a queer spectacle. Finally the young lawyer for the prosecution broke the silence by asking for judgment. I think the ‘Squire took a considerate view and attributed the strange proceeding to the man’s ignorance, as the fine imposed was two dollars. The young lawyer, who is now not so young, will doubtless call to mind the case referred to.
‘Squire Jarvis was a man hard to beat. He was elected term after term. Once he had an opposing candidate who made a tie vote, and that year we had no Justice for the south side. The opposition time after time brought out their best man, and that is the nearest they came to defeating him. He was an honest, conscientious man, and his decision of a case was generally the end of it. The penalties in those days were not as heavy or severe as now-a-days. A fine of fifty dollars was something almost unknown; they generally ranged from two to ten dollars. Money was then unknown in elections, and not until many years after was it made a factor to change the vote. If a candidate at that day had undertaken to use money to influence votes, that would have settled his case forever, and his name would have been, to use a latter-day vulgarism, “Dennis!”
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Obituary for Elizabeth Jervis January 1895 (Newspaper unknown):
Amityville, L. I., January 23, Mrs. Elizabeth Jervis, widow of Joel Jervis, died at this place yesterday at the age of 100 years, 6 months, and 2 days. Mrs. Jervis lived at the residence of her son, Scudder C. Jervis.
In the Eagle of July 20, 1894, the following was contained in a dispatch recounting a celebration of Mrs. Jervis 100th birthday:
The obituary then goes on to quote most of the article that had been printed when Elizabeth turned 100.
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Long Island City, New York,
24 January 1895 Thursday
OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS OLD
Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Jervis of Amityville--Granddaughter of the Governor of Tangier [not true].
Mrs. Elizabeth Jervis, widow of Joel Jervis, died at Amityville on Tuesday at the home of her son, Scudder C. Jervis, aged 100 years six months and two days. Mrs. Jervis retained all her faculties up to the time of her death. She read without the aid of glasses and went outdoors unaided. Mrs. Jervis was born in Brooklyn and was related to some of the oldest Long Island families. She was the only child of Henry Clark Smith and Jennie [Jemima] Terry. Her father was a son of Colonel William Smith [not true], once Governor of Tangier, who in 1690, purchased a strip of Long Island fifty miles wide and extending from the Sound to the bay. This was known as Setauket. From him sprang the families known as the Brookhaven Smiths, Smithtown Smiths, and “Tangier” Smiths.
Joel Jervis, to whom the dead woman was married in 1816, traced his lineage to Stephen Jervis, who came to this country in 1637. He was the only son of Joseph L. Jervis, who, by a second marriage, had seven children, one of them being John B. Jervis, the engineer of the first Croton aqueduct and the man after whom Port Jervis was named. [John B. Jervis for whom Port Jervis was named was not a son of Joseph I. Jervis] The descendants of Mrs. Jervis living today are seven children, nineteen grandchildren, sixty great grandchildren, and three great-great grandchildren. The oldest of Mrs. Jervis children is seventy-six years. No arrangements for the funeral have yet been made.
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New York Times New York, New York
24 January 1895
Amityville, L.I. Jan 23--Mrs. Elizabeth Jervis, daughter of the late Henry Clarke Smith and widow of Joel Jervis, who for more than a score of years was a justice of the peace for the town of Babylon, died at her home here to-day. She was 100 years, 6 months and 2 days old.
She was born at Sayville, L.I. but early in life removed to Amityville, where she had resided for over three-quarters of a century. She possessed a rugged constitution, which was never impaired by any serious sickness.
Until a few weeks ago she was able to move about her home, go up and down stairs, knit and sew, and on pleasant days take short walks. Her mental faculties remained good until the last. She could recall events which occurred over ninety years ago.
She left seven children, eighteen grandchildren, fifty-four great grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren. The oldest of her children is now seventy-six years old.
The celebration of Mrs. Jervis' one hundredth birthday occurred on July 21 last and was a great event. Mrs. Jervis was the second oldest resident of the county. Her father was a son of Colonel William Smith [as stated previously, this is probably not true], Governor of Tangiers, who in 1690 purchased a strip of land across Long Island. The strip was fifty miles wide, and extended from Long Island Sound to the Atlantic Ocean. This was called Setauket. From Colonel Smith's family sprung the families known as the Smithtown Smiths, Tangiers Smiths, and Brookhaven Smiths. The mother of Mrs. Jervis was a daughter of Jeremiah Terry of Sayville.
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New York, perhaps New York City
24 January 1895 Thursday
OVER A HUNDRED YEARS OLD.
Mrs. Elizabeth Jervis, of Amityville, Dies After a Short Illness.
Mrs. Elizabeth Jervis widow of Joel Jervis, died at Amityville, L. I., yesterday after a short illness. She was over one hundred years old, and up to the time of her death was in full possession of her faculties. At her birthday party July 20, 200 guests were present.
Mrs. Jervis was born at Blue Point, L. I., in 1794. She was one of the “Tangier” Smith family, her father being Henry Clark Smith. She married Joel Jervis in 1819, was a Jeffersonian Democrat and liked to talk politics.
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The Newtown Register Newtown, New York
31 January 1895 Thursday
RECENT DEATHS
At Amityville, Mrs. Elizabeth Jervis widow of Joel Jervis, at the extreme age of one hundred years, six months, and 2 days. Her descendants living today number seven children, nineteen grandchildren, sixty great-grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren--a total of eighty-nine. Nearly all of those attended the funeral, and many of them are Brooklynites. Her father’s father was a son of Colonel William Smith, Governor of Tangier, who in 1620 purchased a strip of Long Island fifty miles wide and extending from the Sound to the bay. This was known as Setauket. From him sprang the families known as the Brookhaven Smiths, Smithtown Smiths and Tangier Smiths. Her husband, who died at the age of 72 years, was prominent in politics in Suffolk County and for a period of twenty-three years was a Justice of the Peace in the town of Huntington and a member of the Town Board. Eight children survive her. Among the grandchildren who are well know[n] on Long Island are Civil Engineer Joshua P. Jervis, Amityville, and George S. Jervis, of Newtown.
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The passing of Elizabeth Smith was even mentioned in far away places, like North Dakota, Michigan, and Minnesota.
Cooperstown, Griggs, North Dakota
1 February 1895 Image 6
MRS. ELIZABETA [sic] JERVIS, widow of Joel Jervis, died at Amityville, L. I., at the home of her son, aged 100 years 6 months and 2 days.
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The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn, New York
29 September 1906 Saturday
VOGT--On Wednesday, September 26, ADELE J. VOGT, widow of Diedrich Vogt, of Charleston, and daughter of Joel Jervis, of Amityville. Funeral services September 29, at 10:30 A. M. from St. Clement's Church, Twentieth st. corner of Cherry, Philadelphia, Pa. Interment at Charleston, S. C.
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The Standard Union
Brooklyn, New York
11 October 1907 Friday Page 4
PHOEBE M. VAN BUREN
Phoebe M. Van Buren, daughter of Joel and Elizabeth Jarvis, of Amityville, died yesterday morning of apoplexy at her home, Eighty-fourth street near Seventh avenue. She was bon in 1816 at Huntington, and had made her home in Brooklyn for the last twenty-five years. She was a member of St. Philip's Church, Eleventh avenue and Eightieth street, and is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Josephine I. Pettit. Mrs. Van Buren was formerly a resident of East New York and Ozone Park. The Rev. Dr. John A. Sattig, rector of St. Philip's Church, will conduct funeral services at 8 o'clock to-morrow night. Interment Sunday morning at Amityville on arrival of the 11:45 train. Undertaker Edward J. Renouard, of 424 Fifth avenue, has charge of the arrangements.
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The Brooklyn Citizen
Brooklyn, New York
12 October 1907 Saturday Page 11
VAN BUREN--On Thursday, Oct. 10. Phoebe M. Van Buren, in her 92d year.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 8 p. m. at residence of her daughter, Josephine I. Pettit, Eighty-fourth street, near Seventh avenue. Interment private.
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The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn, New York10 November 1909
DEATH OF HENRY C. S. JERVIS
Henry Clark Smith Jervis, who died at his home, 143 South Portland avenue, yesterday, was born in Amityville, L. I. January 29, 1827. He was the son of Judge Joel Jervis and Elizabeth Smith. When a boy of 12 he came to Brooklyn, where he has resided ever since. He was a produce merchant in New York until his retirement, three years ago. When a young man he united with the old First Baptist Church in Nassau street, later known as the First Baptist Church in Pierreopnt street, where he was superintendent of the Sunday school for fifteen years. For some years before his death he was a prominent member of the Washington Avenue Baptist Church. In 1856 he married Mary Lockhart, and their golden wedding was celebrated three years ago. Mrs. Jervis died last February. In politics he was an ardent Republican. He leaves one son, Perlee V. Jervis, a well-known musician, who is vice president of the department of music of the Brooklyn Institute; a daughter, Mrs. Elisha T. Everett, and three granddaughters, Marguerite, Helen and Jessie Jervis. The funeral service were held today at 2 o'clock at his late residence, 143 South Portland avenue, the Rev. Robert McDonald of the Washington Avenue Baptist Church officiating. Interment in Greenwood Cemetery.
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I found more details to the case in a newspaper article about Joel's great-grandson, my grandfather,
Charles Miller Jervis:
The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn, New York
22 April 1911
Copiague
soon will be represented in the Philippines. Charles M. Jervis of that
place, has been appointed a government surveyor there, and sails on My 3
to begin his duties in those far-off islands of the sea. The young man
is the son of Joshua P. Jervis, himself a surveyor, and great grandson
of Squire Joel Jervis, who, with a jury, tired the famous case of Wood
vs Whitman. The defendant was no less a personage than Walt Whitman, the
"good gray poet," who was arrested for assaulting the son of a
neighbor. The boy had harassed Whitman while the latter was trouting in
the pond separating their respective homes at West Babylon. The future
poet stood the annoyance until, fighting mad, he tolled the boy within
reach and then, collaring him, nearly wore out a stout hickory fishing
pole on him. For this he was arrested and haled before Squire Jervis and
a jury. When the jurors returned into the court, the squire asked them:
Gentlemen, have you agreed upon a verdict?" "We 'ave, your honor," said
the foreman, a Yorkshireman of the name of Edwards, some of whose
descendants still live near Babylon. "What is the verdict," asked the
court. "We find, your honor," answered the foreman, "that 'h didn't 'it
'im 'ard enough." The verdict may not have been strictly in accordance
with law and usage, but it "went," and until this day remains a
tradition of life in the old days along the south side. The pond on
whose surface the row took place, was later owned by Malcolm W. Ford,
and now is the property of W. G. Gilmore of Brooklyn.
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In addition to presiding at Walt Whitman's assault trial, Joel also performed marriages...there's even a microfilm of a book Joel wrote in the Salt Lake Family History Library called: Book of marriages solemnized by me, Joel Jarvis, justice of the peace, 1828-1858 and I've looked at it before. Wish he had performed more family marriages.
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The Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Brooklyn, New York
9 December 1916 Saturday Page 17
Mrs. Charlotte Rebecca Jervis Sammis
Mrs. Charlotte Rebecca Jervis Sammis, wife of Ezra R. Sammis, a former resident of Brooklyn for many years, died on Wednesday from old age, at her home on Columbia avenue, Philadelphia, Pa. The funeral services this afternoon were held at the residence of her niece, Mrs. Elisha T. Everett, 1238 Dean street, Brooklyn, the Rev. Allyn K. Foster, pastor of the Washington Avenue Baptist Church, officiating. The interment was in Greenwood Cemetery. Mrs. Sammis was born at Amityville, L. I., the daughter of the late Judge Joel Jervis and Elizabeth Smith Jervis. Her father was one of the prominent men of Suffolk County more than half a century ago. In early life Mrs. Sammis, who resided until twelve years ago in Brooklyn, was an active member of the old First Baptist Church when it was on Nassau street, and she was for years a member of the board of directors of the Baptist Home for the aged. She retained her membership in the Baptist Temple until her death. Her husband was for many years connected with the Fulton Fish Market. Mrs. Sammis is also survived by a daughter, Miss Lena Sammis, and a son, Frederick B. Sammis, both of Philadelphia. Mrs. Sammis was the aunt of Perlee V. Jervis, widely known in Brooklyn musical circles.
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2 Articles about the sale of Jarvis property:
The Brooklyn Standard Union
Brooklyn, New York
28 July 1926 Wednesday
ADD OLD JARVIS TRACT TO HAWKINS ESTATES
Title to what was formerly known as the Jarvis Tract on Great Neck road, Copiague, was taken by Louis C. Gosdorfer, Inc., and will now become additional acreage for the Hawkins estates, it was announced to-day.
The Jarvis Tract consists of 37.5 acres, having been in the Jarvis family since 1698, 228 years, making the second transfer to outside interests since Joel Jarvis took it over as a grant from the Marsepague Indians.
The Jarvis Copiague Tract was bought several months ago by the Levey-Meyers Syndicate, which then owned the Hawkins Tract. The transfer of the tract to the present owners of the Hawkins Estates gives them a total of 212 acres, 1,800 feet on the Great Neck road and 4,000 feet on the Merrick road.
Survivors of the Jarvis family are Joshua and Charles Jarvis.
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Brooklyn Standard Union
Brooklyn, New York
10 January 1926 (I think...the date is hard to read)
JARVIS ESTATE GOES TO SYNDICATE FOR BIG REALTY DEVELOPMENT
Thirty-five Acres at Copiague Taken Over, Completing Great South Shore Tract.
Harry Levey and Morris Meyers, representing a syndicate, have succeeded in buying a 35-acre tract at Copiague, in the heart of the so-called “boom zone,” form the Jarvis family, which has held on to its lands for many years.
The sellers of the property are Joshua P. Jarvis and George Scudder Jarvis. This marks the first transfer of land to an outside interest since Joel Jarvis took it over as a grant from the Marsepague Indians, with the consent of the town trustees, Joel being at one and the same time himself a town trustee, justice of the peace, town constable, and Commissioner of Schools.
The Jarvis Copiague tract, now owned by the Levey-Meyers syndicate, has a frontage of 1,000 feet on Great Neck road, with a depth of 1,200 feet running east of the William E. Hawkins estate, recently purchased by the same syndicate.
This gives the Levey-Meyers syndicate 212 acres, or a total frontage on Great Neck road of 1,800 feet and 4,000 feet on the Merrick road. The new owners now have control of one of the largest tracts on the South Shore of Long Island.
The Jarvis homestead, as well as the Hawkins estate, adjoins the widely known American Venice, with the Browning estate on the left, the latter property having been sold recently to E. A. White, who is developing it. Brokers in the Jarvis family sale were Walter Salomon for the sellers and George Utell for the buyers.
The William E. Hawkins estate and the Jarvis property were first occupied by white men more than 100 years before the Revolutionary War. The settlers, a few in number, were all aristocrats, and at once began development of the South Shore region on the lines of English country neighborhoods, with which they had been familiar. Trees and streams were carefully preserved, and natural landscape beauties enlarged upon.
Realizing the perfection of home sites in this South Shore district, with rapid transit from the city, the Levey-Meyers syndicate has brought more than five million dollars’ worth of property within the boom zone.
Joshua and Charles [George?], of the present generation of Long Island Jarvises, are young men, enthusiastic over South Shore real estate as was their ancestor when he began his dicker with the Indians more than two hundred years ago.
“The South Shore has been developed by eras,” said Joshua, great-great-great grandson of Judge Joel Jarvis, yesterday [Joshua was the grandson of Joel]. “First came the friendly deals with Indians, then the laying out of homesteads and farms, the building of villages, the development of fisheries, railroads, and now the greatest of all--splendid highways, electrification of railways and the era of home-building. The Jarvises have taken an active part in everything mentioned.”
In taking over the Jarvis Copiague thirty-five acres yesterday, Mr. Levey came into possession of what is said to be the first land deed ever executed by the town trustees of Huntington-Babylon, Long Island. The deed reads:
(Deed Thomas Fleete to Jonathan Jarvis)
(abstract)
(1698, March 11)
This indenture made Leventh day of March in 1698, between Jonathan Jarvis and Thomas Fleete, Witnesseth the above sd Thomas fleete for a valuable sum of money secured, hath granted, alenated bargnd sould and confirmed unto ye sd Jonathan Jarves his heyers & ---signes my half part of a Medow being undivided lying on ye West side of ye necke called Amuskeamunnica being bounded on ye east with Sampaumes craeke on ye west with a creecke that parteth ye west of ye Medow of Thomas fleete & on ye north with ye Lettle swampe that is att ye head of ye ad Creecke and so upon an east line to Saumpame River unto the above said Jonathan Jarves him and his heyers for ever. (With full covenant and Warranty of Title.) Signed and Sealed
Thomas Ffleete
Ackl. Mch 17, 1698
John Wickes, Just.
Witness
Epenetus Platt [who is another ancestor of mine]
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Images from the Joel Jervis Family Bible
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| photo of Joel Jervis above his desk |
