Catherine Sherrard Strader (b.Aug. 22, 1807 in Mansfield, Twp., NJ-d.Jan.21, 1868 in Stewartsville, NJ).
She married Hon. Judge Robert Stewart Kennedy, Esq. (b.Oct. 10, 1802-d.March 20, 1879) on Jan.5, 1826 in the Oxford Presbyterian Church in Mansfield, Twp., Warren County, NJ. Judge Kennedy was the son of Thomas and Margaret (Stewart) Kennedy. Margaret Stewart was the granddaughter of Lt. Thomas Stewart who was assigned to Valley Forge, PA. and became one of General George Washington's secretaries during the American Revolution. General Washington attended her grandfather's wedding.
Stewartsville, NJ is named in his honor.
Judge Robert Kennedy was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. He served two terms as lay judge of the Warren County Court of Errors and Appeals. He was U.S. Marshal of the State of NJ in 1850. He endowed a scholarship at Lafayette College that lasted for more than 80 years. His wife held stock in her brother Jacob's railroad. They are buried in the Stewartsville Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Stewartsville, NJ.
*William Kennedy (1695-1778) emigrated to America in 1730.
Two of his sons James Kennedy (1730-1799) and Robert Kennedy (1733-1813) both settled in the Greenwich Twp. vicinity.
Two sons of James Kennedy (1730-1799) were William Kennedy (1766-1850) and Thomas Kennedy (1764-1846).
Thomas Kenndey (1764-1846) married Margaret Stewart and had a son Hon. Judge Robert Stewart Kennedy.
Robert Kennedy (1733-1813) had a son Robert Kennedy who had a son Henry Robert Kennedy who became the President of the Bloomsbury National Bank.
History of Greenwich Township: George Wyckhoof, 1911.
William Kennedy, who was born in Londenderry, Ireland, of Scotch ancestors, in 1695, and emigrated to America in 1730, was the founder of the Kennedy family in the United States. He married Mary Henderson, in Ireland, and lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Their son, Robert, married Elizabeth Henrie, and settled in Greenwich Township. During the Revolution he was active in furnishing supplies to the army of Washington at Morristown, and for that purpose gained control of most of the mills in our county and Hunterdon. He was born in 1733 and died in 1813. His son, Robert, and grandson, Henry Robert, followed in his footsteps and amassed comfortable fortunes. The latter was president of the Bloomsbury National Bank, and thrice a member of the Legislature. His wife was a daughter of General John Frelinghuysen, and their sons are John F., Robert H. and Theodore F. Robert H. Kennedy is the father of Charles E. .W. and Frederick F. Kennedy.
Besides Robert, there came to Greenwich Township in 1771, Thomas and William Kennedy, and their father, from Tinnicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Thomas had six children, of whom one was the Hon. Robert S. Kennedy, who was born in 1802 and became very prominent in the county and State. He was a lay judge of Warren County and judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals. He died in 1879. His children are Thomas, Mary, Mrs. James McWilliams, Mrs. Charles T. Kellogg, John S., Henry M., Mrs. S. D. Carpenter, James M. and Robert S.
Article: The Greenwich Torch: Spring/Summer 2005.
The Kennedy family was one of the first settlers in Greenwich. Two brothers, Thomas and William, initially hailing from Bucks County, Pa. They purchased a tract of land in the north portion of the township, the former locating at Stewartsville and latter in Still Valley. It has been determined to be around 1771.
Thomas was the father of two boys, Robert Stewart and James. James would eventually move away from the township, leaving Robert S. who would be come one of our more tireless pillars of the community, especially in the work of our local churches. Kennedy would be involved in the local Sunday schools for over sixty plus years. In addition to this responsibility, he was also an Elder at both the Greenwich and Stewartsville Presbyterian Churches. On a national level, he was active in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
When the Stewartsville Academy was built In 1837, the pastors of the local churches would take turns preaching there on the Sabbath. The ministers were the Reverend D.X. Junkin of the Greenwich Presbyterian and Reverend Daniel Miller of the St. James Lutheran Church. This was their practice until March 7, 1850 when the present Stewartsville Presbyterian Church was built. Messrs. Phineas Barber, Daniel Hulshizer, Robert S. Kennedy and William J. Beers were elected and installed as ruling elders of the new church.
As we mentioned at the top of this article Thomas and William Kennedy decided to settle in our community back in 1771. The marriage of Thomas and his wife Margaret (Stewart) Kennedy produced six children, one of them being Robert S. The elder Kennedy was one of the larger landowners during this time. When he passed away on October 15, 1846, his vast real estate holdings were passed onto his descendants.
Our Robert S. Kennedy was born on October 10, 1802. He spent the majority of his childhood on the family property. Although he attended the local schools, he completed his formal education at a select school in Easton, Pa. Afterwards he would return to settle the affairs of his father's estate. Kennedy would be responsible the two family farms.
On January 5, 1826 Kennedy married Catharine Strader, who was the daughter of John and Frances Strader of Mansfield Township and had eight children. They were Thomas, Mary Francis, Margaret Stewart, John S., Henry Marty, Sarah Louisa, James M. and Robert S. Kennedy. Basically, Kennedy's lifework was overseeing the family agricultural operations, but it was his life in public eye that he would garner him his greatest notoriety. Kennedy's party affiliation fluctuated; he started out as a He was selected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1856. Later on, he would go one to be one of the lay judges for Warren County. It did not stop there; he would serve two terms as a judge on the Court of Errors and Appeals of New Jersey. In 1850, as Marshall of the State he took the census for that year. While he maintained a commanding influence among counsels, Kennedy was greatly noted for his benevolent heart. His liberal contributions to various benevolent and Christian entities were well documented.
The following are accounts were taken from the Hunterdon County Democrat in 1886 involving the Kennedy family. The first account is from the February 16, 1886 edition. "An awful accident occurred near Bloomsbury last Thursday night- one that has cast an overwhelming gloom over the entire community. Mr. Robert Kennedy, a farmer living within half a mile of the town of Bloomsbury, sent his son Henry, a bright and promising lad of about 14 years old, on horseback to Stewartsville to deliver a message. The lad never returned. Night came on and the non-appearance of the boy caused the father much uneasiness. He finally jumped upon another horse and rode off in the direction the boy had taken in order to ascertain what had become of him. He had gone less than a mile from home when he saw a rider less horse standing in a field by the roadside. He at once sense that it was his was one of his own. It was the one that his son had ridden. Now thoroughly alarmed he summoned the neighbors and a search for the missing lad began. Local miller, James Holden gave the only information that could be obtained of the boy's whereabouts. The miller said that young Henry reached the mill on his way home at about 8 o'clock. It was dark and Henry reached the mill on his way home at about 8 o'clock. It was dark and raining hard. The miller advised the boy to dismount and stay over night with him, as the swollen condition of the Pohatcong creek, over which he had to ford, was unsafe. I am guessing that the location might be behind the old Bannister Mill Dinner Theatre. Search for the body was continued all through that awful night and during the next day, but had not been found at our latest accounts. It is a little ironic that this boy's great -Grandfather, Robert H. was drowned in the same stream at nearly the same spot, some twenty years ago…"
Taken from the Hunterdon County Democrat:
Then in February 23, 1886 the following was report in the Hunterdon County Democrat, "Henry Kennedy's Body Found. A correspondent writes the following account of the finding of the body of young Henry Kennedy, who was drowned in the Pohatcong Creek, near Bloomsbury, on the night of the 11th.
Only three male members of the Kennedy family have died during the past thirty years, all dying suddenly. Judge Kennedy was drowned I the same stream, ex Senator Kennedy, his son fell dead in his doorway, of heart disease two years ago; and the sad fate of his grandson is a singular coincidence, and perhaps without a parallel in the history of any other family in the State."
Of course in the next century, a family by the same name in Massachusetts would experience a rash of tragedies involving the men in their family.
Robert Stewart Kennedy's first wife died on January 21, 1868, he married the former Emma Melick on August 19, 1869 and he would pass away
She married Hon. Judge Robert Stewart Kennedy, Esq. (b.Oct. 10, 1802-d.March 20, 1879) on Jan.5, 1826 in the Oxford Presbyterian Church in Mansfield, Twp., Warren County, NJ. Judge Kennedy was the son of Thomas and Margaret (Stewart) Kennedy. Margaret Stewart was the granddaughter of Lt. Thomas Stewart who was assigned to Valley Forge, PA. and became one of General George Washington's secretaries during the American Revolution. General Washington attended her grandfather's wedding.
Stewartsville, NJ is named in his honor.
Judge Robert Kennedy was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. He served two terms as lay judge of the Warren County Court of Errors and Appeals. He was U.S. Marshal of the State of NJ in 1850. He endowed a scholarship at Lafayette College that lasted for more than 80 years. His wife held stock in her brother Jacob's railroad. They are buried in the Stewartsville Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Stewartsville, NJ.
*William Kennedy (1695-1778) emigrated to America in 1730.
Two of his sons James Kennedy (1730-1799) and Robert Kennedy (1733-1813) both settled in the Greenwich Twp. vicinity.
Two sons of James Kennedy (1730-1799) were William Kennedy (1766-1850) and Thomas Kennedy (1764-1846).
Thomas Kenndey (1764-1846) married Margaret Stewart and had a son Hon. Judge Robert Stewart Kennedy.
Robert Kennedy (1733-1813) had a son Robert Kennedy who had a son Henry Robert Kennedy who became the President of the Bloomsbury National Bank.
History of Greenwich Township: George Wyckhoof, 1911.
William Kennedy, who was born in Londenderry, Ireland, of Scotch ancestors, in 1695, and emigrated to America in 1730, was the founder of the Kennedy family in the United States. He married Mary Henderson, in Ireland, and lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Their son, Robert, married Elizabeth Henrie, and settled in Greenwich Township. During the Revolution he was active in furnishing supplies to the army of Washington at Morristown, and for that purpose gained control of most of the mills in our county and Hunterdon. He was born in 1733 and died in 1813. His son, Robert, and grandson, Henry Robert, followed in his footsteps and amassed comfortable fortunes. The latter was president of the Bloomsbury National Bank, and thrice a member of the Legislature. His wife was a daughter of General John Frelinghuysen, and their sons are John F., Robert H. and Theodore F. Robert H. Kennedy is the father of Charles E. .W. and Frederick F. Kennedy.
Besides Robert, there came to Greenwich Township in 1771, Thomas and William Kennedy, and their father, from Tinnicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Thomas had six children, of whom one was the Hon. Robert S. Kennedy, who was born in 1802 and became very prominent in the county and State. He was a lay judge of Warren County and judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals. He died in 1879. His children are Thomas, Mary, Mrs. James McWilliams, Mrs. Charles T. Kellogg, John S., Henry M., Mrs. S. D. Carpenter, James M. and Robert S.
Article: The Greenwich Torch: Spring/Summer 2005.
The Kennedy family was one of the first settlers in Greenwich. Two brothers, Thomas and William, initially hailing from Bucks County, Pa. They purchased a tract of land in the north portion of the township, the former locating at Stewartsville and latter in Still Valley. It has been determined to be around 1771.
Thomas was the father of two boys, Robert Stewart and James. James would eventually move away from the township, leaving Robert S. who would be come one of our more tireless pillars of the community, especially in the work of our local churches. Kennedy would be involved in the local Sunday schools for over sixty plus years. In addition to this responsibility, he was also an Elder at both the Greenwich and Stewartsville Presbyterian Churches. On a national level, he was active in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
When the Stewartsville Academy was built In 1837, the pastors of the local churches would take turns preaching there on the Sabbath. The ministers were the Reverend D.X. Junkin of the Greenwich Presbyterian and Reverend Daniel Miller of the St. James Lutheran Church. This was their practice until March 7, 1850 when the present Stewartsville Presbyterian Church was built. Messrs. Phineas Barber, Daniel Hulshizer, Robert S. Kennedy and William J. Beers were elected and installed as ruling elders of the new church.
As we mentioned at the top of this article Thomas and William Kennedy decided to settle in our community back in 1771. The marriage of Thomas and his wife Margaret (Stewart) Kennedy produced six children, one of them being Robert S. The elder Kennedy was one of the larger landowners during this time. When he passed away on October 15, 1846, his vast real estate holdings were passed onto his descendants.
Our Robert S. Kennedy was born on October 10, 1802. He spent the majority of his childhood on the family property. Although he attended the local schools, he completed his formal education at a select school in Easton, Pa. Afterwards he would return to settle the affairs of his father's estate. Kennedy would be responsible the two family farms.
On January 5, 1826 Kennedy married Catharine Strader, who was the daughter of John and Frances Strader of Mansfield Township and had eight children. They were Thomas, Mary Francis, Margaret Stewart, John S., Henry Marty, Sarah Louisa, James M. and Robert S. Kennedy. Basically, Kennedy's lifework was overseeing the family agricultural operations, but it was his life in public eye that he would garner him his greatest notoriety. Kennedy's party affiliation fluctuated; he started out as a He was selected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1856. Later on, he would go one to be one of the lay judges for Warren County. It did not stop there; he would serve two terms as a judge on the Court of Errors and Appeals of New Jersey. In 1850, as Marshall of the State he took the census for that year. While he maintained a commanding influence among counsels, Kennedy was greatly noted for his benevolent heart. His liberal contributions to various benevolent and Christian entities were well documented.
The following are accounts were taken from the Hunterdon County Democrat in 1886 involving the Kennedy family. The first account is from the February 16, 1886 edition. "An awful accident occurred near Bloomsbury last Thursday night- one that has cast an overwhelming gloom over the entire community. Mr. Robert Kennedy, a farmer living within half a mile of the town of Bloomsbury, sent his son Henry, a bright and promising lad of about 14 years old, on horseback to Stewartsville to deliver a message. The lad never returned. Night came on and the non-appearance of the boy caused the father much uneasiness. He finally jumped upon another horse and rode off in the direction the boy had taken in order to ascertain what had become of him. He had gone less than a mile from home when he saw a rider less horse standing in a field by the roadside. He at once sense that it was his was one of his own. It was the one that his son had ridden. Now thoroughly alarmed he summoned the neighbors and a search for the missing lad began. Local miller, James Holden gave the only information that could be obtained of the boy's whereabouts. The miller said that young Henry reached the mill on his way home at about 8 o'clock. It was dark and Henry reached the mill on his way home at about 8 o'clock. It was dark and raining hard. The miller advised the boy to dismount and stay over night with him, as the swollen condition of the Pohatcong creek, over which he had to ford, was unsafe. I am guessing that the location might be behind the old Bannister Mill Dinner Theatre. Search for the body was continued all through that awful night and during the next day, but had not been found at our latest accounts. It is a little ironic that this boy's great -Grandfather, Robert H. was drowned in the same stream at nearly the same spot, some twenty years ago…"
Taken from the Hunterdon County Democrat:
Then in February 23, 1886 the following was report in the Hunterdon County Democrat, "Henry Kennedy's Body Found. A correspondent writes the following account of the finding of the body of young Henry Kennedy, who was drowned in the Pohatcong Creek, near Bloomsbury, on the night of the 11th.
Only three male members of the Kennedy family have died during the past thirty years, all dying suddenly. Judge Kennedy was drowned I the same stream, ex Senator Kennedy, his son fell dead in his doorway, of heart disease two years ago; and the sad fate of his grandson is a singular coincidence, and perhaps without a parallel in the history of any other family in the State."
Of course in the next century, a family by the same name in Massachusetts would experience a rash of tragedies involving the men in their family.
Robert Stewart Kennedy's first wife died on January 21, 1868, he married the former Emma Melick on August 19, 1869 and he would pass away
Catherine Sherrard Strader (b.Aug. 22, 1807 in Mansfield, Twp., NJ-d.Jan.21, 1868 in Stewartsville, NJ).
She married Hon. Judge Robert Stewart Kennedy, Esq. (b.Oct. 10, 1802-d.March 20, 1879) on Jan.5, 1826 in the Oxford Presbyterian Church in Mansfield, Twp., Warren County, NJ. Judge Kennedy was the son of Thomas and Margaret (Stewart) Kennedy. Margaret Stewart was the granddaughter of Lt. Thomas Stewart who was assigned to Valley Forge, PA. and became one of General George Washington's secretaries during the American Revolution. General Washington attended her grandfather's wedding.
Stewartsville, NJ is named in his honor.
Judge Robert Kennedy was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. He served two terms as lay judge of the Warren County Court of Errors and Appeals. He was U.S. Marshal of the State of NJ in 1850. He endowed a scholarship at Lafayette College that lasted for more than 80 years. His wife held stock in her brother Jacob's railroad. They are buried in the Stewartsville Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Stewartsville, NJ.
*William Kennedy (1695-1778) emigrated to America in 1730.
Two of his sons James Kennedy (1730-1799) and Robert Kennedy (1733-1813) both settled in the Greenwich Twp. vicinity.
Two sons of James Kennedy (1730-1799) were William Kennedy (1766-1850) and Thomas Kennedy (1764-1846).
Thomas Kenndey (1764-1846) married Margaret Stewart and had a son Hon. Judge Robert Stewart Kennedy.
Robert Kennedy (1733-1813) had a son Robert Kennedy who had a son Henry Robert Kennedy who became the President of the Bloomsbury National Bank.
History of Greenwich Township: George Wyckhoof, 1911.
William Kennedy, who was born in Londenderry, Ireland, of Scotch ancestors, in 1695, and emigrated to America in 1730, was the founder of the Kennedy family in the United States. He married Mary Henderson, in Ireland, and lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Their son, Robert, married Elizabeth Henrie, and settled in Greenwich Township. During the Revolution he was active in furnishing supplies to the army of Washington at Morristown, and for that purpose gained control of most of the mills in our county and Hunterdon. He was born in 1733 and died in 1813. His son, Robert, and grandson, Henry Robert, followed in his footsteps and amassed comfortable fortunes. The latter was president of the Bloomsbury National Bank, and thrice a member of the Legislature. His wife was a daughter of General John Frelinghuysen, and their sons are John F., Robert H. and Theodore F. Robert H. Kennedy is the father of Charles E. .W. and Frederick F. Kennedy.
Besides Robert, there came to Greenwich Township in 1771, Thomas and William Kennedy, and their father, from Tinnicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Thomas had six children, of whom one was the Hon. Robert S. Kennedy, who was born in 1802 and became very prominent in the county and State. He was a lay judge of Warren County and judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals. He died in 1879. His children are Thomas, Mary, Mrs. James McWilliams, Mrs. Charles T. Kellogg, John S., Henry M., Mrs. S. D. Carpenter, James M. and Robert S.
Article: The Greenwich Torch: Spring/Summer 2005.
The Kennedy family was one of the first settlers in Greenwich. Two brothers, Thomas and William, initially hailing from Bucks County, Pa. They purchased a tract of land in the north portion of the township, the former locating at Stewartsville and latter in Still Valley. It has been determined to be around 1771.
Thomas was the father of two boys, Robert Stewart and James. James would eventually move away from the township, leaving Robert S. who would be come one of our more tireless pillars of the community, especially in the work of our local churches. Kennedy would be involved in the local Sunday schools for over sixty plus years. In addition to this responsibility, he was also an Elder at both the Greenwich and Stewartsville Presbyterian Churches. On a national level, he was active in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
When the Stewartsville Academy was built In 1837, the pastors of the local churches would take turns preaching there on the Sabbath. The ministers were the Reverend D.X. Junkin of the Greenwich Presbyterian and Reverend Daniel Miller of the St. James Lutheran Church. This was their practice until March 7, 1850 when the present Stewartsville Presbyterian Church was built. Messrs. Phineas Barber, Daniel Hulshizer, Robert S. Kennedy and William J. Beers were elected and installed as ruling elders of the new church.
As we mentioned at the top of this article Thomas and William Kennedy decided to settle in our community back in 1771. The marriage of Thomas and his wife Margaret (Stewart) Kennedy produced six children, one of them being Robert S. The elder Kennedy was one of the larger landowners during this time. When he passed away on October 15, 1846, his vast real estate holdings were passed onto his descendants.
Our Robert S. Kennedy was born on October 10, 1802. He spent the majority of his childhood on the family property. Although he attended the local schools, he completed his formal education at a select school in Easton, Pa. Afterwards he would return to settle the affairs of his father's estate. Kennedy would be responsible the two family farms.
On January 5, 1826 Kennedy married Catharine Strader, who was the daughter of John and Frances Strader of Mansfield Township and had eight children. They were Thomas, Mary Francis, Margaret Stewart, John S., Henry Marty, Sarah Louisa, James M. and Robert S. Kennedy. Basically, Kennedy's lifework was overseeing the family agricultural operations, but it was his life in public eye that he would garner him his greatest notoriety. Kennedy's party affiliation fluctuated; he started out as a He was selected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1856. Later on, he would go one to be one of the lay judges for Warren County. It did not stop there; he would serve two terms as a judge on the Court of Errors and Appeals of New Jersey. In 1850, as Marshall of the State he took the census for that year. While he maintained a commanding influence among counsels, Kennedy was greatly noted for his benevolent heart. His liberal contributions to various benevolent and Christian entities were well documented.
The following are accounts were taken from the Hunterdon County Democrat in 1886 involving the Kennedy family. The first account is from the February 16, 1886 edition. "An awful accident occurred near Bloomsbury last Thursday night- one that has cast an overwhelming gloom over the entire community. Mr. Robert Kennedy, a farmer living within half a mile of the town of Bloomsbury, sent his son Henry, a bright and promising lad of about 14 years old, on horseback to Stewartsville to deliver a message. The lad never returned. Night came on and the non-appearance of the boy caused the father much uneasiness. He finally jumped upon another horse and rode off in the direction the boy had taken in order to ascertain what had become of him. He had gone less than a mile from home when he saw a rider less horse standing in a field by the roadside. He at once sense that it was his was one of his own. It was the one that his son had ridden. Now thoroughly alarmed he summoned the neighbors and a search for the missing lad began. Local miller, James Holden gave the only information that could be obtained of the boy's whereabouts. The miller said that young Henry reached the mill on his way home at about 8 o'clock. It was dark and Henry reached the mill on his way home at about 8 o'clock. It was dark and raining hard. The miller advised the boy to dismount and stay over night with him, as the swollen condition of the Pohatcong creek, over which he had to ford, was unsafe. I am guessing that the location might be behind the old Bannister Mill Dinner Theatre. Search for the body was continued all through that awful night and during the next day, but had not been found at our latest accounts. It is a little ironic that this boy's great -Grandfather, Robert H. was drowned in the same stream at nearly the same spot, some twenty years ago…"
Taken from the Hunterdon County Democrat:
Then in February 23, 1886 the following was report in the Hunterdon County Democrat, "Henry Kennedy's Body Found. A correspondent writes the following account of the finding of the body of young Henry Kennedy, who was drowned in the Pohatcong Creek, near Bloomsbury, on the night of the 11th.
Only three male members of the Kennedy family have died during the past thirty years, all dying suddenly. Judge Kennedy was drowned I the same stream, ex Senator Kennedy, his son fell dead in his doorway, of heart disease two years ago; and the sad fate of his grandson is a singular coincidence, and perhaps without a parallel in the history of any other family in the State."
Of course in the next century, a family by the same name in Massachusetts would experience a rash of tragedies involving the men in their family.
Robert Stewart Kennedy's first wife died on January 21, 1868, he married the former Emma Melick on August 19, 1869 and he would pass away
She married Hon. Judge Robert Stewart Kennedy, Esq. (b.Oct. 10, 1802-d.March 20, 1879) on Jan.5, 1826 in the Oxford Presbyterian Church in Mansfield, Twp., Warren County, NJ. Judge Kennedy was the son of Thomas and Margaret (Stewart) Kennedy. Margaret Stewart was the granddaughter of Lt. Thomas Stewart who was assigned to Valley Forge, PA. and became one of General George Washington's secretaries during the American Revolution. General Washington attended her grandfather's wedding.
Stewartsville, NJ is named in his honor.
Judge Robert Kennedy was a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention. He served two terms as lay judge of the Warren County Court of Errors and Appeals. He was U.S. Marshal of the State of NJ in 1850. He endowed a scholarship at Lafayette College that lasted for more than 80 years. His wife held stock in her brother Jacob's railroad. They are buried in the Stewartsville Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Stewartsville, NJ.
*William Kennedy (1695-1778) emigrated to America in 1730.
Two of his sons James Kennedy (1730-1799) and Robert Kennedy (1733-1813) both settled in the Greenwich Twp. vicinity.
Two sons of James Kennedy (1730-1799) were William Kennedy (1766-1850) and Thomas Kennedy (1764-1846).
Thomas Kenndey (1764-1846) married Margaret Stewart and had a son Hon. Judge Robert Stewart Kennedy.
Robert Kennedy (1733-1813) had a son Robert Kennedy who had a son Henry Robert Kennedy who became the President of the Bloomsbury National Bank.
History of Greenwich Township: George Wyckhoof, 1911.
William Kennedy, who was born in Londenderry, Ireland, of Scotch ancestors, in 1695, and emigrated to America in 1730, was the founder of the Kennedy family in the United States. He married Mary Henderson, in Ireland, and lived in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Their son, Robert, married Elizabeth Henrie, and settled in Greenwich Township. During the Revolution he was active in furnishing supplies to the army of Washington at Morristown, and for that purpose gained control of most of the mills in our county and Hunterdon. He was born in 1733 and died in 1813. His son, Robert, and grandson, Henry Robert, followed in his footsteps and amassed comfortable fortunes. The latter was president of the Bloomsbury National Bank, and thrice a member of the Legislature. His wife was a daughter of General John Frelinghuysen, and their sons are John F., Robert H. and Theodore F. Robert H. Kennedy is the father of Charles E. .W. and Frederick F. Kennedy.
Besides Robert, there came to Greenwich Township in 1771, Thomas and William Kennedy, and their father, from Tinnicum, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Thomas had six children, of whom one was the Hon. Robert S. Kennedy, who was born in 1802 and became very prominent in the county and State. He was a lay judge of Warren County and judge of the Court of Errors and Appeals. He died in 1879. His children are Thomas, Mary, Mrs. James McWilliams, Mrs. Charles T. Kellogg, John S., Henry M., Mrs. S. D. Carpenter, James M. and Robert S.
Article: The Greenwich Torch: Spring/Summer 2005.
The Kennedy family was one of the first settlers in Greenwich. Two brothers, Thomas and William, initially hailing from Bucks County, Pa. They purchased a tract of land in the north portion of the township, the former locating at Stewartsville and latter in Still Valley. It has been determined to be around 1771.
Thomas was the father of two boys, Robert Stewart and James. James would eventually move away from the township, leaving Robert S. who would be come one of our more tireless pillars of the community, especially in the work of our local churches. Kennedy would be involved in the local Sunday schools for over sixty plus years. In addition to this responsibility, he was also an Elder at both the Greenwich and Stewartsville Presbyterian Churches. On a national level, he was active in the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church.
When the Stewartsville Academy was built In 1837, the pastors of the local churches would take turns preaching there on the Sabbath. The ministers were the Reverend D.X. Junkin of the Greenwich Presbyterian and Reverend Daniel Miller of the St. James Lutheran Church. This was their practice until March 7, 1850 when the present Stewartsville Presbyterian Church was built. Messrs. Phineas Barber, Daniel Hulshizer, Robert S. Kennedy and William J. Beers were elected and installed as ruling elders of the new church.
As we mentioned at the top of this article Thomas and William Kennedy decided to settle in our community back in 1771. The marriage of Thomas and his wife Margaret (Stewart) Kennedy produced six children, one of them being Robert S. The elder Kennedy was one of the larger landowners during this time. When he passed away on October 15, 1846, his vast real estate holdings were passed onto his descendants.
Our Robert S. Kennedy was born on October 10, 1802. He spent the majority of his childhood on the family property. Although he attended the local schools, he completed his formal education at a select school in Easton, Pa. Afterwards he would return to settle the affairs of his father's estate. Kennedy would be responsible the two family farms.
On January 5, 1826 Kennedy married Catharine Strader, who was the daughter of John and Frances Strader of Mansfield Township and had eight children. They were Thomas, Mary Francis, Margaret Stewart, John S., Henry Marty, Sarah Louisa, James M. and Robert S. Kennedy. Basically, Kennedy's lifework was overseeing the family agricultural operations, but it was his life in public eye that he would garner him his greatest notoriety. Kennedy's party affiliation fluctuated; he started out as a He was selected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1856. Later on, he would go one to be one of the lay judges for Warren County. It did not stop there; he would serve two terms as a judge on the Court of Errors and Appeals of New Jersey. In 1850, as Marshall of the State he took the census for that year. While he maintained a commanding influence among counsels, Kennedy was greatly noted for his benevolent heart. His liberal contributions to various benevolent and Christian entities were well documented.
The following are accounts were taken from the Hunterdon County Democrat in 1886 involving the Kennedy family. The first account is from the February 16, 1886 edition. "An awful accident occurred near Bloomsbury last Thursday night- one that has cast an overwhelming gloom over the entire community. Mr. Robert Kennedy, a farmer living within half a mile of the town of Bloomsbury, sent his son Henry, a bright and promising lad of about 14 years old, on horseback to Stewartsville to deliver a message. The lad never returned. Night came on and the non-appearance of the boy caused the father much uneasiness. He finally jumped upon another horse and rode off in the direction the boy had taken in order to ascertain what had become of him. He had gone less than a mile from home when he saw a rider less horse standing in a field by the roadside. He at once sense that it was his was one of his own. It was the one that his son had ridden. Now thoroughly alarmed he summoned the neighbors and a search for the missing lad began. Local miller, James Holden gave the only information that could be obtained of the boy's whereabouts. The miller said that young Henry reached the mill on his way home at about 8 o'clock. It was dark and Henry reached the mill on his way home at about 8 o'clock. It was dark and raining hard. The miller advised the boy to dismount and stay over night with him, as the swollen condition of the Pohatcong creek, over which he had to ford, was unsafe. I am guessing that the location might be behind the old Bannister Mill Dinner Theatre. Search for the body was continued all through that awful night and during the next day, but had not been found at our latest accounts. It is a little ironic that this boy's great -Grandfather, Robert H. was drowned in the same stream at nearly the same spot, some twenty years ago…"
Taken from the Hunterdon County Democrat:
Then in February 23, 1886 the following was report in the Hunterdon County Democrat, "Henry Kennedy's Body Found. A correspondent writes the following account of the finding of the body of young Henry Kennedy, who was drowned in the Pohatcong Creek, near Bloomsbury, on the night of the 11th.
Only three male members of the Kennedy family have died during the past thirty years, all dying suddenly. Judge Kennedy was drowned I the same stream, ex Senator Kennedy, his son fell dead in his doorway, of heart disease two years ago; and the sad fate of his grandson is a singular coincidence, and perhaps without a parallel in the history of any other family in the State."
Of course in the next century, a family by the same name in Massachusetts would experience a rash of tragedies involving the men in their family.
Robert Stewart Kennedy's first wife died on January 21, 1868, he married the former Emma Melick on August 19, 1869 and he would pass away
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