Hyde, James (abt 1740-1810) – New Jersey to Hacker’s Creek, Harrison Co, WV

This particular Hyde line is undergoing a large expansion vis-a-vis Colonial era New Jersey. The immigrant ancestor very likely did come from England, but there are approximately 10 Hyde/Hide families in New Jersey in the Revolutionary period and a great deal of misinformation on the web. This information can only be accurately sorted out at the level of the State Archives and by the Calendar of Wills, primarily in Monmouth and Hunterdon Counties. (This is a good rundown of available sources for NJ Genealogy and the complete Calendar of New Jersey Wills, Administrations, Etc. is online. Scroll down for the index to Vols 1-10.) Also, see The Hopewell Valley NJ Archive.   If you would like to assist with this project, please send us an email or leave a message in the comments below.

 

There were Hydes in New Jersey in the mid-to-late 17th century, and a James Hide in Hopewell Township, Hunterdon County, New Jersey as early as 1704. In Stillwell’s Historical Miscellaney of New Jersey, “The Grand Jury of Monmouth Co., N.J. present Elizabeth, daughter of James Stout of Middletown, for a bastard child by James Hid, late of Middletown. She was fined 5 pounds and costs, or to be whipped 10 lashes on her bare back. The fine was paid by her father, James Stout.” This is discussed at some length in Reconstructing William Allen 1711-1799 by Douglas Allen.

 

James Hyde, Sr was said to have been born in England about 1740-1750 and said to have married a Sarah ? No real evidence of her maiden name. It is not Sarah Cory, daughter of Ebenezer Cory d 1784 as p 97 of John Littell’s Genealogies of the First Settlers of the Passiac Valley (and Vicinity above Chatham, New Jersey) shows this to be impossible. It is not Sarah Marshall as the Capt James Hyde who married Sarah Marshall lived and died in Connecticut. It’s possible that James Hyde Sr of WV may have been born in NJ and that an earlier relative came over from England.

 

James and Sarah’s children were James Jr, Isaac, George, Catherine, Sarah Ann, William, and Charity. Later census records show Charity was born in New Jersey.  The family moved to the Hacker’s Creek area of what was at the time Mason County, Virginia around the 1780’s. Note that this area eventually became Lewis County, (West) Virginia. James’ wife Sarah died between 1803 – 1810 and James Sr died in 1810. (Note that Mason County borders Ohio.)

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In the 1810 Federal Census for Mason Co, VA appears:
 
James “Hede” (d 1812, son of James Sr) appears on page 12 of 13 with 4 males under 10, 1 male 26-44, himself. 1 female under 10 and 1 female 26-44, presumed to be wife Catherine Hardman (1774-1867). James is said to have been born circa 1775 and should not be confused with the James Hede/Hide/Hyde born near Greene, PA.
 
Letty “Hede” (page 11 of 13) appears to be mistranscribed, should probably be Kitty (Catherine) Hide. 1 male 10-15 and 1 female (herself) 45 and over and her son.
 
George “Hede” (page 12 of 13) 3 males under 10, 1 male (himself) 26-44, 2 females under 10 and 1 female his wife 26-44 (Nancy Tanner).
 
William “Hede” 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-25 (himself), 1 female under 10 and 1 female 16-26. Note that this is NOT the William Hyde who married Mary/Maria Bruner in Kentucky. This is the William Hide/Hyde who married Martha Tanner 18 Mar 1805 in Gallia County, Ohio. (Further, the DNA for William of Kentucky is in a different Hyde haplogroup from the William of Ohio.)
 
Harrison County, West Virginia Will Book Vols 3-5, 1818-1841 (hand-numbered page 424) Settlement of the Estate of James Hyde, deceased. Jacob Hardman, administrator of Peter Hardman, deceased, who was administrator of James Hyde, deceased. Receipts from the widows, receipts from Daniel Hyde, receipts from Isaac Hyde, receipts from Jacob H Bonnett (born 1802), receipts from Charlotty Bonnett (Charlotte Hyde married Jacob Bonnett), receipts from John Hyde, certified by Thomas Hacker, Commissioner, Harrison County, October 1831, certified March 1832.
 
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On 30 April 1810, James Hyde/Hide’s (Senior, father of James “Hede” above) will was probated in Mason County:

“In the name of God Amen. I James Hyde of the County of Mason and State of Virginia being of sound mind memory and understanding and calling of minnd the uncertaintley of life do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament. Imprimis my Will as my funeral expenses. Item: I give to my eldest son, James one dollar and ten cents, over and above what I have heretofore given him. Item: I give and bequeath to my second son Isaac one dollar and ten cents over and above what I have heretofore given him. Item: I give to my third son, George one dollar and ten cents and half of my corn over and above what I have heretofore given him. Item: I give and devise to my youngest son William a lot of land lying on Elk Creek in Harrison County adjoining James Arnolds land containing twelve acres to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my oldest daughter Catherine all that she has made and got together since she has taken care of me besides her bed and bedding which she purchased with her own money also her mothers Saddle, the young filly mare the Star Cow and Calf and the pied heifer three years old this onsuing spring and half of the corn, the other half I have already bequeathed to my son George. Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson Joseph Stout the first colt the young filly may have which I bequeathed to his mother my daughter Catherine and two dollars which I desire may be applied towards his schooling. Item: I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Besty two dollars which I desire may be applied towards her schooling. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Charity four dollars. Item: It is my will and desire that my land except sure parts I have already devised may be sold at public vendue and after paying out of the same the several Legacies heretofore mentioned in money then all the rest of residue in whatsoever consisting or wheresoever found I give and bequeath to my three daughters, Catherine, Sarah, and Charity, and my youngest son William each an equal part. Lastley I do hereby appoint my son George and my daughter Catherine Executor and Executrix of this my last will and testament revoking all former and other wills. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this twenty second day of February one thousand eight hundred and ten.”

James Hyde (seal)
Witnesses: Andrew Parks, Jonathan Wright, Gideon Long

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Charity married Nicholas Harpole, the actual marriage record can be viewed at the West Virginia archives here http://www.wvculture.org/vrr/va_mcdetail.aspx?Id=21265 Note that it mis-lists her father as Samuel Hyde. We’re trying to get this corrected, as reading the actual document clearly shows her father as James Hyde. Note that there was a Samuel Hyde who held 400 acres in the waters of the West Fork in Harrison County, West Virginia, before 1778, but no direct evidence to tie these two families together. Charity and Nicholas Harpool/Harpole appear on the 1850 census in Indiana.

 

We are searching for answers to the following questions:

 

1. Where were James and Sarah born?

 

2. Was her first name really Sarah and what was her maiden name? When and where were they married?

 

3. What are the birth dates of their children and where were they born?

 

4. Also, we can trace descendants from all but William and George. We would like to know if anyone can trace those two lines.

 

Associated website
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~jenkinsconnections/hyde0001.htm#id6527