George Hand Sr. (abt. 1675 - bef. 1758)

Born about 1675 in East Hampton, Suffolk, New York [uncertain]

Ancestors

Descendants

Died before 29 Jul 1758 before about age 83 in Fishing Creek, Cape May, Province of New Jersey

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Biography

George Hand was born in East Hampton, Long Island, NY. He married but her name is unknown.

He was on the petit jury in Cape May in 1706; commissioned a Justice of County Court in 1713; was one of the founders of the First Presbyterian Church in Cold Spring, NJ in 1714; and appointed in 1716 a Judge of the Court of Common Pleas.

Children

1. Thomas Hand (abt.1705-1785)
2. Jeremiah Hand (1706-1760), father of Thomas
3. Daniel
4. Sarah (Hand) Stillwell (1718-1777)
5. Eunice (Hand) Norton (abt.1712-abt.1743), mother of Hannah, George, Mary
6. George Hand II (1717-1748), father of Elias, George, Sarah, Rhoda, Lois
7. Nathan, father of Japhet, Nathan, Stephen, Hannah

Death and Legacy

His will was dated 21 JUNE 1758 and probated 1 AUG 1758. His son, Thomas, was executor.

It named 7 children all born in Cape May; George II 1700, Thomas 1705, Jeremiah 1706, Nathan 1710, Daniel d. 1768, Eunice and Sarah d. 1777

Abstract of will:^[1]

"1758, June 21. Hand, George, Sr., of Cape May Co., yeoman; will of. Children--Thomas, Jeremiah, Daniel and Sarah Stillwill. Grandchildren--Thomas, son of Jeremiah; issue of daughter Eunice Norton, to-wit: Hannah (wife of David Smith) George and Mary (wife of Job Young); children of deceased son George, viz Elias, George, Sarah, Rhoda, Lois; children of dec'd son, Nathan, viz., Japhet, Nathan, Stephen and Hannah. Legacy to Presbyterian Meeting House at Cold Spring. Home farm at Cape Island; land at the Thicket; land called the Five Mile Beach. Personal estate. Executors--the three sons. Witnesses--James Whilldin, John Foster, John Coulon, Proved August 1, 1758. Lib. 9, p. 18

"1758, July 29. Inventory, & pound 397.5.10, incl. bonds, book debts, cash and notes, £292.15.4; made by John Eldredge and James Whilldin."

George Hand is buried at Bishop Farm, Fishing Creek, New Jersey.^[2]

George's house still exists on North St., Cape May as a private residence. In the Victorian era it was called the Blue Pig, a gambling house and reputed house of ill-repute. This house is not to be confused with the current tavern called The Blue Pig near Congress Hall. ^[3]

Research Notes

Findagrave provides an unsourced wife "Mary Savage Hand 1683-1721.

Sources

1. ↑ George Hand, Sr., Calendar of Wills 1751-1760. Documents Relating to the Colonial History of the State of New Jersey, XXXII, 143.
2. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/64543031/george-hand: accessed 29 April 2023), memorial page for George Hand I (1675–Jul 1758), Find A Grave: Memorial #64543031, citing Bishop Farm Cemetery, Fishing Creek, Cape May County, New Jersey, USA; Maintained by Mary Jane (Young) Evertz (contributor 47235203).
3. ↑ Fox, K. (Fall 2008). Whalers: The Link to our Past. Cape May Magazine. Retrieved on 1 July 2014 from http://www.capemay.com/blog/2009/11/whalers-the-link-to-our-past/#sthash.quelEG1j.dpuf