John Somers was the founder of Somers Point a little over 300 years ago when in 1695 he purchased three thousand acres there. He was born in Worcester, England in 1640. He initially came to America in 1688 and purchased property in Pennsylvania, then called Somerton. A few years later he moved to "the Jersey shore" where he bought much property and became the Commissioner of Roads. After the death of his first wife who died and was buried at sea when John first sailed to America, he married Hannah Hodgskins who was also born in Worcester, England. Although he once belonged to the Church of England, when he came to America he became a preacher, as did his wife, with the Society of Friends (Quakers). John Somers built a log house at Somers Point and resided in it until he died in 1723. He and his wife Hannah had seven sons and three daughters: John (died young); Richard; James; Samuel; Job; Isaac, Edward (or Edmund); Bridget; Hannah; and Millicent. His son Richard was the builder of "Somers Mansion" which is still extant and can be visited by tourists.
(Information from "A Short History of Somers Point" by two of his descendants, Harriet S. Lake and Constantine Somers written in the late 19th century).
(Information from "A Short History of Somers Point" by two of his descendants, Harriet S. Lake and Constantine Somers written in the late 19th century).
John Somers was the founder of Somers Point a little over 300 years ago when in 1695 he purchased three thousand acres there. He was born in Worcester, England in 1640. He initially came to America in 1688 and purchased property in Pennsylvania, then called Somerton. A few years later he moved to "the Jersey shore" where he bought much property and became the Commissioner of Roads. After the death of his first wife who died and was buried at sea when John first sailed to America, he married Hannah Hodgskins who was also born in Worcester, England. Although he once belonged to the Church of England, when he came to America he became a preacher, as did his wife, with the Society of Friends (Quakers). John Somers built a log house at Somers Point and resided in it until he died in 1723. He and his wife Hannah had seven sons and three daughters: John (died young); Richard; James; Samuel; Job; Isaac, Edward (or Edmund); Bridget; Hannah; and Millicent. His son Richard was the builder of "Somers Mansion" which is still extant and can be visited by tourists.
(Information from "A Short History of Somers Point" by two of his descendants, Harriet S. Lake and Constantine Somers written in the late 19th century).
(Information from "A Short History of Somers Point" by two of his descendants, Harriet S. Lake and Constantine Somers written in the late 19th century).
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