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Alexander Kirkpatrick was born
in 1685 in Watties Neach, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He removed with his
family to Belfast, Ireland, after the birth of his son David, in the latter
part of the reign of George I. Probably about the year 1725, that he might
enjoy greater liberty of conscience and additional religious advantages. In
the spring of 1736 he embarked at Belfast for America, and after a stormy
passage of thirteen weeks landed at New Castle, Delaware. The passengers
and crew were almost starved owing to the unexpected length of the passage.
David, who was then twelve years old, speaking of this to a grandson in
after years said: "The first thing I got to eat after we got on shore was
corn, in the state which we call roasting ears, and without roasting or
boiling I ate it till the milk of the corn ran down both sides of my mouth,
and I have never eaten anything since that tasted sweeter." The narrative
by the grandson; "They crossed the Delaware at Philadelphia, and wandered up
through the State of New Jersey (which was partially settled) till they
reached Boundbrook, and from that they went over the mountain. This
incident he (the grandfather) used to tell me, and smile at -- they were all
on foot -- there was no road other than the Indian path. In the path before
them they saw a land tortoise, speckled, sticking up his head; and as they
had heard of 'rattlesnakes', they thought that 'monster' must be 'one'; so
they turned out in the woods and went away round leaving his 'torkleship' in
full possession of the path. When they came to a spring of water at the
side of what has since been called "Mine Brook," there they settled down,
built a log house and went to work."
The spot was well chosen, about
two miles west from the present site of Baskingridge in Somerset County, New
Jersey. It embraced the southern slope of Round Mountain in a well-timbered
region, with unfailing springs of pure water, the rich meadow-land through
which Mine Brook runs with sufficient fall of water for a mill-seat, and
with these material advantages, a charming picturesque view of the adjacent
region. The spring of water is still there, marking the site of the
original log house, and until within a few years could be seen the remains
of the apple trees planted by Alexander Kirkpatrick and his sons. This
improvement many of the early propriety leases required. In a lease of one
hundred and thirty seven acres, (which it may be remarked with a minor
portion of what the family eventually obtained by title in fee simple)
granted November 23, 1747, to Alexander Kirkpatrick, he agrees "to plant an
orchard of at least one apple tree for every six acres, all regular in one
orchard, and to keep up the number planted and to keep the orchard in good
fence."
Alexander Kirkpatrick died at
Mine Brook, June 3, 1758, mentioning in his will, which was executed "in
articulo mortis," his wife Elizabeth, his sons Andrew, David, and Alexander,
his son-in-law Duncan McEowen, his youngest daughter Mary, and his grandson
Alexander.
It is worthy of notice that when
he came to America with his family he was accompanied by his brother
Andrew. This brother Andrew had two sons, John and David, and two daughters,
Martha, wife of Joseph Linn, and Elizabeth, wife of Stephen Roy, all of whom
removed to Sussex County, and there remained.
Thanks to
John Kirkpatrick. Do visit
his web site at
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ranch/1860 |
