On June 9, 2005 at 10:30 AM, a long overdue ceremony took place, in West Deptford NJ, to mark the gravesite of revolutionary war patriot, Isaac Stephens. In addition to Trudy O'Hare, the researcher, and descendant (fifth great-grand daughter) of Isaac Stephens, and her family, local dignitiaries, veterans from more recent wars, a color guard, revolutionary re-enactors, and many interested on-lookers were present. (More on the history and background may be found later in this page). Since this ceremony, a sign has been placed at the ceremony to identify it as Stephen's Graveyard.

Photographs taken at that event are shown below. Click on the thumbnail version to see the larger photograph.

NEW! See the video! Click on the icon --->>>

NOTE: All photographs and video are the personal property of the photographer, Janice Brown and may not be used without her express written permission.

Cemetery Pictures
Ceremony to honor Isaac Stephens
Color Guard (Honor Guard)
The Gathering
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O'Hare Family & Honored Guests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Background:

While researching her family lineage, Trudy O'Hare of Elsinboro, New Jersey learned of her ancestor, Isaac Stephen's, participation in the Revolutionary War. From the Gloucester County Historical Society, she learned of his burial place in the Stephen's family graveyard, now a neglected area, surrounded by a chain link fence, inside the current White Swan East Mobile Home Park in West Deptford, New Jersey. From records, this cemetery once boasted several tombstones and markers, most of which are now missing (see above for photographs of some of the few older stones that remain) She contacted the federal government, who provided a marker for the grave.

FAMILY LINEAGE of ISAAC STEPHENS
of West Deptford Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey

Isaac Stephens, Sr. of County Wexford, Ireland (c1708-1757) married Rachel Jones of Chester Co. PA (1715-1766) on January 3, 1736.

Their son:
PATRIOT: ISAAC STEPHENS (1749-1811), son of Isaac & Rachel (Jones) Stephens Sr., married Sarah Woolston of Burlington (1751-c1807) on August 31, 1772. Isaac Stephens (the son), a Quaker, was read "out of meeting" for marrying Sarah Woolston, an Anglican. He became town clerk of Deptford Township in 1773 and 1775. He enlisted in New Jersey's 7th Batallion (Regiment) early in 1776 for one year, paid $1 (?pound) per week. Left New York City on the Canadian expedition in May 1776 to Quebec, Ft. Ticonderoga, Indian warfare at Johnstown, German Flats, Fort Dayton, Ft. Schuyler, and Mt. Independence. He re-joined for another year (called the Second Reorganization), and was present at the Battle of Brandywine, Germantown and the famous Valley Forge. He is mentioned in "Strykkers List of Jerseymen in the Revolutionary War." He was tax assessor from 1779-80 of Deptford Township. He was a successful merchant and landholder, including a 350 acre farm in Deptford (on which the above cemetery was originally located) and town lots in Woodbury. In 1804 he was appointed guardian for a minor child, Sarah Gray, his grandchild. In 1807 he wrote his will, and died January 13, 1811. The will was probated 28 Jan 1811, and divided his wealth among his three sons. In his will he left two daughter 200 pounds each, but not to their husbands. He is buried at "Stephens Burial Ground" on his family farm [currently a lot within White Swan Trailer Park].
Children of Isaac & Sarah (Woolston) STEPHENS:
1. + Mary Stephens (c1774-aft 1821); m. Davis Gray [see below]
2. Elizabeth Stephens (c1777-?) married Griffin Snead of Philadelphia
3. +Isaac Stephens Jr. (1780-?) married Hannah Weatherby
4. Aaron Stephens (c1784-?) married Mary Ann Nelson
5. Samuel W. Stephens (1788-1867) married Eliza --

Mary Stephens, dau of Isaac & Sarah (Woolston) Stephens (c1774-after 1821) married 1st, Davis Gray on February 23, 1795. Davis Gray was b. abt 1770. Davis Gray was on the Tax Lists for Greenwich, Gloucester Co, NJ from 1791-94. Mary (Stephens) Gray married 2d, c1802, Isaac Ward (1803-1888)
Children of David & Mary (Stephens) Gray:
1. +Sarah Gray, c1796-1862; m. Paul Brown [see below]
Children of Isaac & Mary (Stephens) Ward:
2. Isaac Ward, b. 1803, d. 1888

Isaac Stephens Jr., son of Isaac & Sarah (Woolston) Stephens, b. 11 September 1780 in Deptford, NJ and died in Trenton NJ. He married Hannah Weatherby, daughter of Benjamin & Edith Quinton (Smith) Weatherby Jr. She was born abt 1785 in Trenton, New Jersey.
Children of Isaac & Hannah (Weatherby) Stephens:
1. Hannah Stevens, b. abt 1795 in Trenton, NJ; m. abt 1792 in Trenton NJ to William Henry Potts; had issue
2. Isaac Stephens III, b. 21 OCT 1810 in Trenton, NJ; m. 1) Lydia Middleton; m2) about 1839 to Eliza Pullen; had issue
3. Ann Stephens, b. abt 1812; m. James Pullen
4. Sarah Woolston Stephens, b. abt 1813 in Trenton, NJ; m. Philp Gray
5. Jacob Stephens, b. ABT 1814 in Trenton, NJ; m. Caroline Speer

Sarah Gray (c1796-1862), dau of Davis & Mary (Stephens) Gray, married abt 1815 to Paul Brown. He b.5 Oct 1796 in New Jersey; resided Deptford, Gloucester Co NJ.
Children of Paul & Sarah (Gray) Brown:
1. Sarah Gray Brown (1815-?); m1) James Lamb; m2) Charles Stevenson
2. Lavina P. Brown (1819-?); m. Jacob Justice; in 1860 living in Newton, Camden Co. NJ; had issue.
3. Paul Brown (1822-?); a blacksmith; in 1850 living in Harrison, Gloucester Co NJ; and in 1870 living in Greenwich, Gloucester Co NJ; m. Nancy Aggings
4. John Brown (1825-?); m. Harriet Clayton
5. + Amanda Brown (1828-1868); married Champion Goldy [see below]
6. Isaac W. Brown (1832-?)
7. Kezia W. Brown (1834-1856); m. Edmund Schofield; In 1860 living in Washington, Tazewell Co., IL with husband "Erwin" and children, Ida M. and Hattie B.
8. Harriet Brown (c1835-Bef 1874); m. Aaron Kircher; in 1860 living in Greenwich, Gloucester Co. NJ; had issue

Amanda Brown, dau of Paul & Sarah (Gray) Brown was b. 16 July 1828 and d. 26 Oct 1868 in Newton Township NJ. She is buried at Solomon's (Friends) Cemetery on Wolfert Station Road in Clarksboro NJ with the familiy of John Brown of Mickleton NJ. She married 1 Jan 1851 in Greenwich Twp by the Rev. Samuel C. Strattion to Champion Goldy. Champion m2) abt 1870 to Deborah Shuster. Champion and Amanda, along with children Thomas, Champion, Isaac, Samuel, Sarah and William were living in Camden [then part of Gloucester County] New Jersey in the 1860 census. Champion was b. 30 Jan 1818 in Clarksboro, NJ [now part of East Greenwich Township] and died 25 April 1893 in West Deptford on Benjamin Lord Farm; He was the son of Thomas & Lavinia Goldy. Thomas & Lavinia (Haines) Goldy, and children, Shophia [sic Sophia], Columbus, and Champion can be found in the 1850 census of Greenwich, Gloucester Co, NJ. [Trudy O'Hare and her family descend from this line]
Children of Champion & Amanda (Brown) Goldy:
1. Thomas Goldy
2. Champion Goldy
3. Isaac Goldy
4. Samuel Goldy
5. Sarah Goldy
6. William Goldy
7. John Goldy
8. Lavinia Goldy
9. George Goldy
10. Purnal Goldy

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