THE LOYALIST (PERTH AMBOY) SKINNERS
Diary of Lucy C. Whitwell Parker, dau. of Gertrude Skinner and James Parker
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REVEREND WILLIAM SKINNER (b. 1687, Scotland; d. 1758, age 71) -
Of England, then Philadelphia, became a missionary at Perth Amboy in 1723; first Rector of St. Peter's Church at Perth Amboy, 1724 to his death in 1758.
1st wife - MARY BILLLOP BROOK, daughter of Christopher Billop and the widow of Rev. Br. Brook, no children.
2nd wife - ELIZABETH VAN CORTLANDT (b. May 24, 1694), daughter of Stephanus Van Cortlandt of New York.

CHILDREN:

1. GERTRUDE SKINNER - (d. Feb 10, 1811, age 71)
Married James Parker (b. 1725; d. Oct 4, 1797)

2. CORTLANDT SKINNER - loyalist (b. Dec 16, 1727 old-style; md. Nov 30, 1751; d. Mar 15, 1799 Bristol, England):
Practiced law in Newark, New Jersey Attorney General from 1754, Speaker of the Provincial Assembly from 1765; Brigadier-General of the New Jersey Volunteers, Sep, 1776; eventually forced to leave Perth Amboy and America; requested a position or monetary support from England; to England with his family where he was compensated for his forfeited estate.
Married 30 Nov 1751 ELIZABETH KEARNY of Perth Amboy (b. 1731; d. 1809, Belfast, Ireland), daughter of Philip Kearny of Amboy. She inherited a small amount of land from her father at Six-Mile Run, NJ.
Children:
WILLIAM SKINNER - English navy; died young.
PHILIP KEARNY SKINNER, Lieutenant-General (d. April 7, 9 or 10, 1824, 1826, 1827 or 1828, London) - loyalist:
ensign, English army, 1782; served in England, Ireland, Spain and the East and West Indies; unmarried.
JOHN SKINNER -
Lieutenant in the Governor's Guards in New Jersey; Blind in one eye and losing an arm to a cannonball, he drowned as a bachelor in Holyhead, England in 1830.
CORTLANDT, JR. -
Was left by his father for several years in this country with brother-in-law Mr. Terrill.
Stayed some time after the Revolution; commissioned in the British army in 1782; died in Belfast.
First wife - ___ Kingsmill; second wife Isabella McCartney; he left several children, including Philip Kearny Skinner and Arthur Skinner, mentioned in Will of Cortlandt's brother, Philip Kearny Skinner. [KDS note - per www.familysearch.org, 2003, children were Cortlandt, Arthur, Philip, Maria, Elizabeth and Isabella Skinner].
DOWNS SKINNER -
From England to Jamaica where he died previous to 1803; left one daughter.
SUSAN - married Major Jasper Farmer of the British army and when he died, his brother Thomas Farmer. Descendants living in Nova Scotia.
ELIZABETH - married William Terrill (Tyrell), lawyer of New York ( he married Isabella McCartney for his second wife); one son John, of England and four daughters.
EUPHEMIA - married Oliver Barbarie; two sons - John and Cortlandt.
CATHARINE - married Sir William Henry Robinson, British army; died 1843, age 75 Marlow, England, and left several children.
MARIA - married 1797, Captain (later General) Sir George Nugent, G.C.B.D.C.L., lived in England, India and Jamaica. Sir George died March 11, 1849 leaving four children.
ISABEL - married a Doctor Frazer, while living at Long Island; he subsequently went to England and she followed with her father at the close of the war. Several children, one of whom was a captain in the British army.
GERTRUDE - married June, 1780, Long Island to Captain Meredith, who died previous to 1800 leaving her with four children, one of whom, Richard, was a captain in the British Navy.

3. STEPHEN SKINNER, Major (d. 1790, Nova Scotia per Sabine or circa 1809, based upon his pension) - loyalist:
International trader and shopkeeper of Perth Amboy; 1763, Province Treasurer; Judge of Common Pleas of Middlesex Co.; was the owner of much property in the counties of Middlesex and Sussex; 1776, advised to leave and removed to Newark; made prisoner with his family in 1776 and harshly treated; served as a guide during the British occupation of New Jersey; 1777, removed to New York and raised a company of 100 Loyalists, most from New Jersey and was appointed Major; 1784, his confiscated lands advertised for auction; he and his family removed to England and was compensated for his losses with land at Nova Scotia; nine or ten children, all dying without issue at England and Nova Scotia.

Married CATHARINE JOHNSTON (d. July, 1802), daughter of Andrew Johnston, and from whom she inherited property.
[KDS note - Andrew Johnston's name appears on numerous Deeds in New Jersey. Marriage date was 10 Oct 1761; NJ Archives, Vol. XXII, per notes of VEM.]

4. WILLIAM SKINNER, Lieutenant-Colonel - loyalist, but did not live to serve in the war:
[KDS note - this must be the William Skinner whose name appears on many land transactions in the mid-1750's.]

Born in Elizabeth, NJ. Entered the provincial service, serving as Captain Skinner in Col. Schuyler's regiment at Oswego in 1756; taken prisoner to France, 1756, and transferred to England, 1757; 1759 - 1763, served in the wars against the French and Indians in America for which he was granted 10,000 acres of land in America; removed to England after 1763 and died in England about 1778.

Married SUSANNA WARREN, daughter of Admiral Sir Peter Warren. Only child - Susannah Maria Warren married Henry Kennedy.

5. JOHN SKINNER, Major (d. Dec, 1797 Perth Amboy) - loyalist and fourth son of Rev. William Skinner:
Entered Provincial Service as a Lieutenant in the company of his older brother, Captain William Skinner, in Col. Peter Schuyler's New Jersey Regiment, in the French and Indian War of 1755 and 1756; taken prisoner to France, 1756, and transferred to England, 1757, with his brother; visited America with his regiment, 1768 to 1770; retired from the army in 1784; returned to America after the war in a mercantile business in his native Perth Amboy.

Married Feb 16, 1774 SARAH KEARNY (d. 1797, Perth Amboy), daughter of Philip Kearny, Perth Amboy lawyer and his second wife Isabella Hooper. Rivaud Kearny, brother to Sarah, appears in numerous NJ records.

One son:

JAMES SKINNER - died at Amboy in 1827, leaving a wife and daughter; the daughter may be the last descendant of Rev. William Skinner in America, though John Downer has disputed that. [KDS note - John Downer, utilizing mistaken info from Franklin Skinner, published a newspaper article circa 1920 showing that a large clan of South Jersey Skinners, of which Franklin was one, descended from the Perth Ambory Skinners. His info was incorrect.]
 
References for above: (Exhibits 13, 14, 15, 16).

 ----------------

FIRST BATTALION, NEW JERSEY ROYAL VOLUNTEERS, MONMOUTH COUNTY, per (exhibit-13):
CORTLAND SKINNER (SR.), Brigadier-General - brigade commander, 1776; described above.
BENJAMIN. G. SKINNER, Colonel - ancestry unknown; loyalist; 1st NJ Volunteers, 1781.
ELISHA SKINNER, Lieutenant-Colonel - ancestry unknown; loyalist: NJ Volunteers; killed in the War.
[KDS note - Franklin Skinner (Franklin-1a) recorded that Colonel B. G. Skinner and Elisha were brothers to Cortlandt, Sr. However, this sibling relationship is not mentioned in any other histories of the Perth Amboy Skinners.]
 
 ----------------
 
MISC. NEW JERSEY LOYALIST SKINNERS, per (exhibit-13):

JOHN SKINNER, Lieutenant-General - loyalist; (d. 10 Oct, 1827), born in New Jersey but not known to be a relation to the above Skinners.
Ensign in the British Army, 1772; served during the War in campaigns in South Carolina; served in Jamaica in 1795 and later in other Caribbean efforts.
Wife, Anne (MacLean)
Three sons in the British Army - Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Skinner; Ensign John Skinner, died in Jamaica, 1821; Captain James Skinner, mortally wounded in India in 1842.
A daughter married the Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island.

THOMAS SKINNER - loyalist; probably related to Lieutenant-General John Skinner
Was a baker born in New York City and lived in his own house at Perth Amboy from 1725 to 1775, when he was taken prisoner and banished to Cranbury (KDS note - South Brunswick, NJ). His estate was confiscated for which he was compensated by the British government.
children:
JOHN SKINNER, who was in England in 1784, while Thomas was in New York in 1788.
TWO SONS, unnamed, served on the American side in the war and to whom he refused to speak. One son obtained a discharge following his father's threat.

[KDS note - Per Monnette, p390, a Thomas Skinner appears in a list of Proprietors provided to George Willocks in 1697. This would be the earliest appearance of the Loyalist Skinners in NJ records.]
 
JONATHAN D. SKINNER - loyalist; ensign in the 1st NJ Volunteers, on half-pay until 1808.

TIMOTHY SKINNER - loyalist
Born in America and lived in Sussex Co., NJ. He did not go within the British lines during the war and therefore was considered to be a marginal loyalist. But he was at Niagara, on the Canadian side, in 1787.
[KDS note, per email from Charlou Dolan dated 12/5/2001:
LDS FHL #540,605: Index to Deeds, Grantor & Grantee: 20 Sep 1783 -- Book A-M, page 78: Timothy Skinner et ux, land in Sandytown, Essex Co. to Thomas Layton.]

 

KDS COMMENTARY:

The Loyalist Skinners, also referred to as the Perth Amboy Skinners, were a well-to-do group of Loyalists, primarily one family, active in the church, military, and political affairs of New Jersey up to the War. They are unrelated to the Woodbridge/Rahway Skinners - the 'working class' descendents of Richard Skinner and Susannah Poulain.

Some of the Perth Amboy Skinners, in particular William Jr. and Stephen, were able to amass large tracts of land in the 1700's, particularly undeveloped tracts of land to the west of Essex and Middlesex Counties. At the same time, the Woodbridge/Rahway Skinners also joined in the western migration of the population. Thus, these two unrelated families are intertwined geographically until the War.

The Perth Amboy family also appear prominantly in Monmouth County, just south of Middlesex Co., and in Burlington County, to the southwest. At the time, Burlington Co. included present day Mercer Co.

The positions of power that had brought the Perth Amboy Skinners such wealth in landholdings proved to be their demise, as their visibility in the government and military made them targets in the efforts to evict Loyalists and to seize Loyalist properties. The British government compensated many of them with land in Canada and/or military assignments elsewhere in the world.

A few members of the family remained in New Jersey beyond the War. James Skinner, grandson of Reverend William, died in 1827 at Perth Amboy. His father, John Skinner, remained in Jersey as well. In addition, Jonathan D. Skinner, of unknown parentage, continued to appear in New Jersey records into the 1800's. For more about Jonathan, reference my Commentary section in the file pertaining to Jonathan Skinner and wife Apphia Ball.
 
 

EXHIBITS/REFERENCES:
 
Exhibit 1 - "History of Monmouth County, New Jersey", Franklin Ellis, Philadelphia, R. T. Peck, 1885, per the notes of VEM:
"Most of the Tories of Monmouth County, who entered the service of the British were found in the First Battalion of the brigade know as the "New Jersey Royal Volunteers," otherwise often called "Skinner's Greens, " from the name of their brigade commander and the color of their uniforms. Following are given names of officers of this corps, as far as they have been ascertained, viz.: Brigadier-General Cortland Skinner, brigade commander; First Battalion - B. G. Skinner, Colonel in 1781; Elisha Skinner, Lieutenant-Colonel."

Exhibit 1a - Newspaper Articles written by Franklin Skinner, appearing in a column called "Our History Club, Compiled by John R. Downer", The Glassboro Enterprise, 1921:
November 11, 1921
"Reverend William Skinner was born in Scotland in 1687 and left England for America in 1721; he was a MacGregor, one of the Scottish clan proscribed for supporting the Old Pretender in 1715. He took the name of Skinner, probably his mother's maiden name, and was sent as a missionary by the Church of England to America and became the first rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church of Perth Amboy, New Jersey, where he remained until his death in 1758.
He married Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen and Catherine VanCortlandt of Cortlandt Manor, who was born May 24, 1694, by whom he had seven sons and a daughter named Gertrude Cortlandt, Stephen, William, Elisha, John, Richard, Benjamin and Gertrude Skinner.
.....
All of the sons except Richard adhered to the Royalist Cause.
.....
Elisha Skinner, the fourth son, was a Lieutenant Colonel in the New Jersey Brigade under his brother, Cortlandt. He was killed in the War.
.....
Richard Skinner, sixth son, cast his lot with the Patriots and was made Captain in the Middlesex County Militia of New Jersey. He was killed in an engagement at Cross Roads Tavern between Rahway and Woodbridge, N.J. on July 1, 1779.
Benjamin Skinner was Colonel of the 1st Regiment of his brother's corps. He survived the War and as I find by an old deed was living in Rahway in 1799. By an old letter in my possession he was living in 1801 and had two sons, Benjamin and John, and still further on by an old will I find he had a daughter Catharine. Researches of Manning Skinner, great grandson of Cortlandt Skinner.
References: Biographical Records of N.Y., Volume 5, page 72; History of Middlesex County, page 570; Biographical Sketches of the Royalists of the American Revolution by Lorenzo Sabine; Contributions to New Jersey History by Whitehead.
November 11, 1921 (Continued next week)."
 
Exhibit 2 - "History of the St. Peter's Church in Perth Amboy, Rev. W. N. Jones, 1923, per notes of VEM/1964:
p158, marriages - James Skinner to Isabella Ford, by J. Chapman, May 14, 1815.
p138 - Sarah Ann Skinner, born Sep 22, 1815, baptized Aug 4, 1817, by J. Chapman.
p138 - John Kearny Skinner, born Jun 8, 1817, baptized Aug 1817, by J. Chapman.
p162 - child of James Skinner, died Jul 12, 1819.
 
Exhibit 3 - NJ Archive Will Summaries:
[KDS note - Many NJ Archive Will summaries are available for Perth Amboy Skinners. I made no attempt to capture all of them. It is important to understand that Perth Amboy is in Middlesex Co., increasing the chances of confusing the Perth Amboy Skinners with the other Skinner family of the same locale. The chance for confusion becomes even greater given the large landholdings and positions of power of the Perth Amboy Skinners throughout New Jersey.]
 
"1762, Aug 2. Skinner, Wm., of Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., Minister, Int. Admin'rs. Cortlandt Skinner and Stephen Skinner, two of the sons of said Wm., Fellowbondsman - Andrew Smyth, all of said place. Witness: John Smyth, Lib. H. p.165."
Abstracts of Wills - 1761-1770, Vol XXXIII, NJ Archives, First Series, 1941, p388, per files of VEM.

"1787, Feb. 12. Skinner, William, of Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., minister. Int. Adm'r - Philip A. Schuyler. Fellowbondsman - Arent J. Schuyler; both of Bergen Co.
1787, Feb. 8. Renunciation by J. Skinner, one of the sons of William Skinner. Witness - Ravard Kearny. Lib. 29, p416."
Abstracts of Wills - 1786-1790, Vol XXXVI, NJ Archives, First Series, 1941, 4/18/98/KDS
[KDS note - This appears to relate to the first-generation William who died in 1758. Note the surname Kearny which is closely associated with the Perth Amboy Skinners. Note also the surname Schuyler - William Skinner, Jr. served in a regiment commanded by a Schuyler during the French and Indian Wars in 1755 and 1756. Per Fernald-4, Schuyler was also the maiden name of William Sr.'s mother-in-law.
The fact that this record is dated 1787, long after William's death, may call into question who this pertains to. I would not lose sleep over this - the previous record, for the same William, also differs from his actual death in 1758. Hopefully, no one has been using these record dates as death dates.]
 
Per notes of VEM -
Essex County - Formed 1681/2 - Newark, Co. Seat
Skinner, William - 6598-6603 G. - B. 29, p. 416 - Intestate 1787 - Ren. 1787.
 
"1798, May 18. Skinner, John, of Middlesex Co. Int. Adm'r - Revaud Kearny. Fellowbondsman - John Bayard and James Kearney; all of said Co. ....."
Abstracts of Wills - 1796-1800, Vol XXXVIII, NJ Archives, 1944, 4/18/98/KDS.

"1802, Aug. 18. Skinner, Catherine, of Burlington Co. Int. Adm'r - Stephen Skinner. ....."
Abstracts of Wills - 1801-1805, Vol XXXIX, p406, NJ Archives, 1946, 4/18/98/KDS.

"1807, Dec. 19. Goelet, James F., of City of Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., will of. .... " Witnesses include James Skinner.
Abstracts of Wills, p140, NJ Archives, 1946, 4/18/98/KDS.

LDS IGI records, batch 7502210, 5/2/1998/KDS:
Thomas Skinner married to Elizabeth Hubbell 2 Feb 1750, Elizabeth, Essex Co., NJ

Per rootsweb.com, 2003:

http://www.nyct.net/~manzano/clark/early.htm, 2003:

Rivington's New York Newspaper (Loyalist Press):

Lt. Wynantz of the rebel militia - surprized Sunday last near Elizabeth Town, NJ, by a party of Loyalist refugees from Staten Island. Pub. 2/2/1780

Prisoners taken by Loyalist refugees at Elizabeth Town Jan. 25, 1780:

Major Eccleston, Major Williamson, Capt. Grey, Thomas Woodruff, Capt. Sam Morehouse, Capt. Isaac Scudder, Capt. William Smith, Capt. Guilford, John Culles, Ja. Knot, William Frucker, John Sullivan, Charles Gough, John Gormand, John Roelby, John Lumox, Thoedoric Lindsay, James Davison, Joseph Farson, John Blades, John Creaton, John Ryon, Thomas Gordon, John King, Joseph Austin, James Dues, Michael Coughlon, John Miles, Michael Rowland, John Lisk, E. Pruket, Isaac Dukeson, James Morrison, Jonathan Huckson, Benjamin Garrison, Philip Knolt, Abraham Rosier, Joen Brown, Andrew Patterson, Andrew M'Farland, David Buddel, Albert Slarret, Henry Rendett, Ralph Price, Ab. Price, Jerub Price, John Gray, John Mulford, and James Shay. Pub. 2/9/1780

Prisoners taken on Staten Island by Loyalist refugees on Jan. 10, 1780: [list includes]: David Clarke, Thomas Skinner, Timothy Ball, Samuel Ball ... Pub. 2/9/1780

Prisoners brought in by Col. Norton: [includes]: Capt. Abraham Watson, Seth Gardner, Ezekiel Crane, James Parker, Nehemiah Pearson, Henry Wilson... Pub 2/9/1780

Exhibit 3a - per email from Charlou Dolan dated 12/5/2001:

"13 Apr 1765 -- Thomas Skinner Jr., prime creditor, was named administrator of the estate of Abraham Loofbarrow of the City of Perth Amboy; bondsman Thomas Crowell; witness John Thomson."

"25 Apr 1770 -- Book L, page 256: Will of Philip Kearny, of Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co. Wife, Isabella, all the land which was formerly her father's, and land joining thereto, which I bought since our marriage, and both being in Perth Amboy, on west side of High Street; also the land on the north side of Courtland Skinner's farm. If she dispose of none of the lots, then I give the same to my son, Michael; and I give the house and lots where I live, and the pasture lot opposite the Barracks, which I bought of John Stevens the 1st of May, 1762; also the farm where Samuel Nevil lately lived, formerly belonging to Peter Sonmans, which I lately bought at Sheriff's sale, which bounds the north side of Rariton River, also the farm and salt meadow, which bounds the south side of said river, where William Pricket now lives; also 2 lots which I lately bought of Resia Runyon, near the same, to my said wife, while my widow. I also give her L500, and the use of household goods, but if she marry, then I give her 1/4 of the goods, and the rest to my daughters, Sarah, Isabella, and Joanna, when they are 21. I also give my wife a wench that I lately bought of Widow Biddell. Son, Phillip, the ground rent of L9, arising out of the house and lot in Philadelphia, near the old church, now or lately belonging to John Lawrence, which was given to me by my grandmother, Elizabeth Brittain; also the ground rent of the wharf, and brick house which I lately gave him, which he sold to Joseph Donnalson, was also given to me by my grandmother; also the lot of ground I bought of John Martin, and his wife Mary, lately belonging to the estate of my father, for which I have a deed dated 10th of Aug., 1764, lying in Perth Amboy, on the north side of Smith Street, and bounded on the east by David Goaling and on west by Alexander Carns; also the stone house and water lot I lately bought of Doctor Peter Sonmans, lately belonging to the estate of George Frazer, deceased; also the land I bought of Samuel Nevill, by deed the 16th of Nov., 1762, lying on Piscataway road, and which said Samuel bought of John Dadsworth; also the land I bought of David Demarest, 6th of Aug., 1763, and bounded on south by Rariton River, formerly Peter Sonman's. Whereas I purchased of Timothy Hay, and Mary, his wife, formerly Mary Robertson, by deed the 10 of Sep., 1734, 1/3 part of 1/8 part of 1/24 part of a Propriety in East Jersey, I give the same to my son, Phillip; also the sum of L1,000. To son, Ravaud, the house which I bought of John Hull, where he now lives, which joins the house where Thomas Skinner lives; also the pasture lot which I bought of Elizabeth Leslie and George Willocks Leslie, and lies on the Piscataway road; also the land on the west side, which I bought of Andrew Johnson, deceased, which 2 lots are a part of a lot patented to Robert Barcley; also the lot I bought of Samuel Fleming; also the farm on the south side of Rariton River, which I bought of John Mott the 4th of Mar, 1752; also the salt meadow joining thereon, and as far north as Stephen Skinner's ditch; also that land in Sussex Co., taken up by me in right of John Harrison, deceased, and joining land belonging to Martin Ryerson; also land I bought at Sheriff's sale in Sussex Co., 21st Dec. last, and lying on the Delaware River. To daughter, Elizabeth Skinner, the wife of Courtland Skinner, L200, which is in the joint stock of Old South Sea Annuity, now in the name of John Anthony, mill merchant in London. I have an Exchequer Annuity in London of L42 per annum, now in trust for Ferdinand Ravaud, and I give the same to my kinsman, James Kinsey, of Burlington, attorney-at-law, in trust for the use of my daughter, Susanna Stevens, the wife of Richard Stevens. Whereas John Parr, late Sheriff of Philadelphia, by deedpoll, 8th of May 1767, for L405, sold to me 2 negro boys and some goods, I give same to James Kinsey, in trust, for the use of my daughter, Susanna Stevens. Whereas I have lands at Barnagate, in Monmouth Co., which I hold in partnership with William Burnet, and also land near Six Mile Run, in Middlesex Co., and other lands which I hold in partnership with Doctor Lewis Johnston. I give 1/4 part of said lands to my son, Philip, and 1/4 part to my son, Ravaud, and 1/4 part to my daughter, Elizabeth Skinner, and 1/4 part to kinsman, James Kinsey, in trust, for my daughter, Susanna Stevens, but if she be dead, then to my grandson, Philip Kearny Skinner. Whereas I have 1/6 part of land in Wall Pack Township, in Sussex Co., by virtue of a deed from Samuel Nevill, dated 10th of Feb., 1755, whereon there is supposed to be a copper mine, I give the same to my sons, Philip Kearny, Ravaud Kearny, Michael Kearny and Francis Kearny. Whereas, I have several freehold rights, and parts of rights to lands in Woodbridge Township, I give same to my son, Ravaud Kearny. Sons, Michael and Francis, each L500, when 21. Daughters, Sarah Kearny, Isabella Kearny and Joanna Kearny, each L1,000, when they are 21. Kinsman, James Kinsey, land in Sussex Co., joining to his land, taken up by me in the right of John Harrison, deceased, of 133 acres. Grandson, Philip Kearny Skinner, all that lot in Perth Amboy, near Coles Point, facing the Bay, which I bought of the Executors of William Plumsted, and also that lot on the north side of Smith Street, which I bought at Sheriff's sale, lately belonging to the estate of Joseph Leigh, deceased, by deed dated 15th of Aug., 1764; also 100 acres in Woodbridge, which I bought by sheriff's sale, late the property of Samuel Moore, deceased, by deed 7th of July, 1760. The Rest of my lands I give to my wife during her life, and then to my sons, Michael and Francis. Executors, wife, Isabella, and Andrew Elliot, of New York City. Witnesses: James Stevenson, John Johnston, Alexander Watson.
2 Aug 1776 -- Codicil: I have lately bought lands, which I give to my children. Witnesses: Gertrude Barberie, Thomas Barstow, John Johnston. Proved Aug 11, 1775."

Apr 1771 -- Book K, page 322: Estate of Elizabeth Skinner of Essex Co.; administrator, John Stiter [KDS note - Stites.] of said Co., on the estate of Elizabeth Skinner, deceased, and late Executrix of the will of Jonathan Hampton.
13 Apr 1771 -- Inventory, L80.10.3, made by John Clawson and William Pool; of estate of Elizabeth Skinner, late Elizabeth Hampten, widow, and Executrix of Jonathan Hampton.
15 Jan 1772 -- Account by Adm'r. Paid John Clawson, for house rent and funeral charges, L5.16.9. Paid Elizabeth Bird, for nursing, L3. To legacy of my wife, who is daughter and legatee of said Jonathan Hampton, L70. [See will of Jonathan Hampton, in Lib. D, p. 262]"

Exhibit 4 - Letter from Genealogist Natalie R. Fernald to John R. Downer, per files of VEM:

"November 16, 1921
To Mr. John R. Downer,
Will you please have Mr. Franklin Skinner give proof that Capt. Richard Skinner, who was killed at Woodbridge was the son of Rev. William?
I had some correspondence with him some years ago, when he refused to give me proof, but merely wrote that he was satisfied. That does not do especially when one has data showing that the statement is wrong.
Why doesn't he put dates? I will give what I have on these families, if I am wrong submit your proof.
Rev. William Skinner was of the Clan MacGregor, he had to flee from Scotland after the battle of Preston, 1715. He was born 1687, married first Mary, daughter of Capt. Christopher Billop and widow of the Rev. Mr. Brooks, who was lost at sea, 1707. He married second Elizabeth, daughter of Stephen and Gertrude (Schuyler) Van Cortland. She was born May 24, 1694. He died 1758.
Children:
1. Cortland (2) Att. Ben., Brig. Gen., born 1728, married Nov. 30, 1751. - Elizabeth Kearny. He died at Bristol, England in 1799. She married second _____ Simpson and died in Ireland in 1810/
2. Gen. Stephen, married Oct. 10, 1761, - Catherine, daughter of Andrew Johnson of Perth Amboy. He was treasurer of the Province and a refuge.
3. Lt. Gen. Col. William (2) married Susanna, daughter of Sir Peter and Susan or Anna (Delancey) Warren, his first cousin. He was in the French and Indian Wars, and died in England in 1778.
4. Capt. John (2) married February 15, 1774, - Sally Kearney. He died in England October 10, 1827. She died in Perth Amboy Dec. 1797.
5. Gertrude (2) married Hon. James Parker, who was born Oct. 4, 17097. She died Feb. 10, 1811.
References:
The Story of the Old Farm
New Jersey Records
Whitmore Heraldic Journal
Browning's Amer. Royal Descent., 1883.
New York Hist. Soc. Records
Bolton's Westchester
Moore Genealogy.
Other Skinner family continued next page.
 
page 2
John Skinner (1) of Woodbridge, N. J. Joined Presbyterian Church August 20, 1708, married Anna, died 1749. His will was probated August 19, 1749.
[KDS note - wife's name should be Ann, not Anna]
Children:
1. Catte
2. John (2) married Elizabeth Cutler or Cutter, at Woodbridge, March 20 1736. (I will say here that the date of John (1) death may be wrong, but, either his will was probated on that date or it was this John's.)
3. Daniel (2) perhaps moved too Orange Co., N.Y.
4. Richard (2) born 1707, died Dec. 7, 1771.
5. Benjamin (2)
6. Ann (2) not of age 1725.
7. Mary (2)
Reference: Early Germans in N. J.
 
Data was sent me by Miss Henton, c/o Peru Republican, Peru, Ind., who is a descendant of Richard.
 
Deacon Richard (2), John (1), born 1707, died Elizabethtown, N.J., Dec. 7, 1771. Will probated Dec. 31, 1771-72.
[KDS note - should not say Deacon.]
Children:
1. John (3)
2. Capt. Richard (3) ...
3. Mary (3) probably married Samuel Kempton
4. Katherine (3)
5. Daniel (3) probably married Elizabeth Todd, June 27, 1789.
6. Amos (3) probably of Essex Co.
7. Rebecca (3)
 
Mr. Charles S. Myers, 704 Wells Fargo Bldg., Portland, Oregon, sent me some of this data.
 
Mr. Frank Sewell Skinner, 62 Seaman Ave., Inwood on Hudson, N.Y.C. is also a descendant of Capt. Richard, born 1740, killed by the British.
 
I am going to subscribe to your paper, (Glassboro Enterprise). Dr. Iszard sent me a copy, which I received this morning and I have set right down to send what I have collected, which at least puts a question mark after the date of Franklin.
 
He, no doubt, has valuable material but he has arranged it to please himself and when facts throw out his way, he ignores facts.
 
In one of the latest N. J. Hist. Col. there are facts that prove some of my statements.
 
Very Truly Yours,
Natalie R. Fernald"
....."
  
Exhibit 5 - per notes of VEM:

"General Records of Middlesex County -
William Skinner - 3867-3868 L - B. H. p165 - Int. 1762.

Exhibit 6 - "History of Hunterdon and Somerset Counties, New Jersey", compiled by James P. Snell, 1881, 12/8/1995/KDS:

"Somerset County, New Jersey", p708 - "The land in the north part of the township was first purchased by Dr. John Johnston. The earliest purchase from that time of which any record is obtained was on March 18, 1757, when Andrew Johnston, William Skinner, and Dr. Lewis Johnston, executors of the last will and testament of Dr. John Johnston, and Mary Alexander, wife of James Alexander and daughter of Dr. John Johnston, sold a small tract of 12 acres to Garre Van Derveer, who afterwards sold to John Smalley."
[KDS note - Andrew Johnston is father of Catharine Skinner, wife of Stephen Skinner, of the Perth Amboy Skinners. The William Skinner mentioned is undoubtedly William Skinner, Jr., brother of Stephen Skinner. William, Jr., Stephen, and Andrew Johnston all had large landholdings in NJ.]
 
Exhibit 7 - "New Jersey as a Royal Province", Edgar J. Fisher, Columbia University, 1911, 4/2/1996/KDS:

pp173-186 - James Alexander was surveyor general of East Jersey from 1716 to 1756 and held large tracts of land in north Jersey.
 
Exhibit 8 - "Colonial Conveyances, Provinces of East & West New Jersey, 1664-1794", computer print-out, Rutgers University library, 1/11/1996/KDS:

"Skinner, William from Leslie, George et ux; book C-3, p163; 6/10/1729; Woodbridge, Middlesex
Skinner, William from Loofbourrow, Thomas et ux; bk C-3, p165; 4/27/1730; Woodbridge, Middlesex
Skinner, William from Murray, Joseph; book G-2, pp523,525; 3/20/1746; Woodbridge, Middlesex
Skinner, William et al from Frost, Elizabeth; book K, p236; 3/15/1731; Quit Claim, P. Amboy, Mdsx.
Skinner, William et als from Coxe, William; book H-2, pp202,203; 3/27/1754; Quit Claim, Smst. & Mrs.
[KDS note - the phrase 'Smst & Mrs.' probably refers to Somerset and Middlesex County]
Skinner, William et als from Henry, Daniel; book H-2, p279; 6/20/1754; Bedminster, Somerset
Skinner, William et als from Leslie, George estate of; book H-2, p253; 4/11/1753; Pepack, Somerset
Skinner, William et als to Parker, James et al; book H-2, p255; 8/21/1754
[KDS note - James Parker (d. 1797, age 72) married Gertrude, daughter of Rev. William Skinner.]
Skinner, William et als to Smyth, John; book H-2, p107; 3/27/1753; Bedminster, Somerset"
[KDS note - all of the above entries relate to Rev. William Skinner (d. 1758, age 71) of Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co., or his son William Jr. William Jr. had large landholdings in NJ. A Nathaniel Loofbourrow, probably a relative to the Loofbourrow named above, is also listed in a land transaction involving Stephen Skinner, another son of Rev. William Skinner. William Coxe is likely a part of the large, loyalist Coxe family, descendants or relatives of the Daniel Coxe reviewed in the next exhibit.]
 
Exhibit 9 - "Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society:, Vol IX, Newark, 1916, 4/2/1996/KDS:
pp81-88 - Daniel Coxe II - b. 1640 or 41; d. Jan 19, 1730. "Although he never came to America, he acquired large possessions in New Jersey, and was at least nominally Governor of the Province 1687-1691. By sundry deeds, 1686-1691, Dr. Coxe acquired from the heirs of Edward Byllinge all their interest in West Jersey, together with the right of government, and thus became the largest proprietor in that division ..... Later generations had numerous tracts of land, including Sussex and Burlington counties, and were openly adhered to the British cause."
 
Exhibit 10 - Old Stone House
"List of names from an old daybook, circa 1755-1760, of Bedminster township from the "Old Stone House" papers - includes Skinner, William, Jr.; Manning, Ben; ...". per Somerset County Historical Quarterly, 1918, Vol. VII, p51-53, 10/26/1995/KDS.
"Not far from Bedminster is located the "Old Stone House" made famous by Mellick's "Story of an Old Farm." It was built in 1752 by Joannes Moelich and is now owned by Charles Scribner, Jr." per "Northwestern New Jersey, History of", A. Van Doren Honeyman, Vol I, 1927, p237, 1/6/1996/KDS.
 
Exhibit 11 - Summary of Land Transactions, Computer Print-Out, Trenton State Library, 3/25/1999/KDS:
Name / book # & page / date / location (city/county)
Skinner, Cortland / fr Forescue, Lord / F-3 , 334 / 3/16/1771, rec'd 6/17/1771, Pwer. Atty. 
fr Letts, Ezekial / H-3 , 225 / 11/13/1771 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Scott, John et ux / B-3 , 202 / 10/10/1765 / Sussex
to Skinner, John / E-3 , 257 / 3/6/1764
to Skinner, Stephen	 / E-3 , 258 / 4/?/1762
Cortlandt et al / to Christ's Church / H-3 , 28 / 12/16/1774 / Newtown, Sussex
Cortland et ux / to Ellis, Daniel / A-H , 457 / 10/28/1765 / Burlington, Burlington
Cortland et al / to Ogden, David / B-3 , 324 / 10/31/1765 / Both si. Rockaway., Morris
Cortland et ux / fr Kearny, Philip / I-2 , 191 / 6/1/1757 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
Elizabeth, Jr. et al / fr Kearny, Philip / I-2 , 190 / 6/1/1757 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
Stephen / fr Deare, Jonathan / A-3 , 98 / 5/4/1763 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Deare, Jonathan / H-3 , 177 / 1/1/1773 / Matcheponix, Middlesex
Hedden, Joseph, Jr. / G-3 , 389 / 4/14/1772 / Newark, Essex
fr Inliss, Thomas / H-3 , 193 / 12/21/1772 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Johnston, Augustus / H-3 , 190 / 10/21/1765 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Johnston, David / A-3 , 118 / 4/2/1763 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Johnston, Stephen / H-3 , 186 / 4/23/1773 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Johnston, Thomas est. of shf. / H-3 , 29 / 8/28/1764 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Kearny, Michael estate of / E-3 , 206 / 9/14/1764 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Loofbourrow, Nathaniel shf. / H-3 , 138 / 7/10/1775 / Woodbridge, Middlesex
fr Munro, Hugh, et ux / P-3 , 123 / 1/1/1770 / Woodbridge, Middlesex
fr Skinner, Cortland / E-3 , 258 / 4/7/1762;
fr Sybrandt, Sovereign / E-3 , 253 / 10/25/1765 / Bor. Of Elizabeth
fr Terrill, William et ux / H-3 , 184 / 4/1/1773 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Watson, Alexander / H-3 , 182 / 5/25/1775 / Woodbridge, Middlesex
fr Webb, William / B-3 , 28 / 9/1/1763 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr White, Jeremiah est. of shf./ H-3 , 188 / 5/17/1766 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
Stephen by agent / to Johnston, John / 3269 AM / 12/1/1788 / South Amboy, Mdsx., forfeited
Stephen et al / to Bland, Elias / H-3 , 13 / 7/21/1773 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
Stephen et al / fr Gordon, Andrew et ux; / A-3 , 324 / 3/22/1764 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
Stephen et al / fr Noe, Peter by sheriff / H-3 , 10 / 7/16/1766 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
Stephen et ux / fr Smyth, John / K-2 , 380 / 7/21/1762;
Stephen et ux / to Smyth, John / K-2 , 379 / 7/20/1762;
Stephen et ux et als/ fr Corne, Peter / F-3 , 176 / 10/19/1762 / recd 6/1/1770 Perth Amboy
Thomas / fr Justin, Thomas / F-3 , 325 / 6/4/1771 / recd 6/12/1771
Thomas, Jr. / fr DeLancey, Oliver / B-3,9 / 10/14/1762 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Griffith, Thomas / K-2 , 51 / 4/12/1748 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
fr Hooper, Robert L. Jr. / P , 137,138 / 7/3,4/1759 / Amwell, Hunterdon
fr Hull, Benjamin heirs of / I-2 , 288,289 / 7/11/1759 / S. si. Bound Br., Psctway., Mdsx.
fr Leslie, George W. / A-B , 284,287 / 2/19/1761 / Readingtown, Hunterdon
fr Leslie, George W. / K-2, 155,156 / 2/23,24/1761 / Perth Amboy, Middlesex
Timothy et ux / to Layten, Thomas / A-M , 78 / 9/20/1783 / Sandystone, Sussex
William / fr Leslie, George et ux / C-3 , 163 / 6/10/1729 / Woodbridge, Middlesex
fr Loofbourrow, Thomas et ux / C-3 , 165 / 4/27/1730 / Woodbridge, Middlesex
fr Murray, Joseph / G-2 , 523,525 / 3/20/1746 / 3/21/1746, Wdbrdge., Mdsx.
William et al / fr Frost, Elizabeth / K , 236 / 3/15/1751 / Quit Claim, P. Amboy, Mdsx.
William et als / fr Coxe, William / H-2 , 202,203 / 3/27/1754 / Quit Claim, Smst. & Mdsx.
fr Henry, Daniel / H-2 , 279 / 6/200/1754 / Bedminster, Somerset
fr Leslie, George estate of / H-2 , 253 / 4/11/1753 / Pepack, Somerset
to Parker, James et al / H-2 , 255 / 8/21/1754
to Smyth, John / H-2 , 107 / 3/27/1753 / Bedminster, Somerset
Exhibit 10a - Somerset County Records, on microfilm, Trenton State Library, 10/27/1995/KDS:
Somerset County Index to Mortgages, film #900533, roll 12
"Mortgagee / Mortgagor / Vol & # / Page / Date of Record
Skinner, Richard / James Moore / A / 364 / May 31, 1773 / Princeton
Skinner, Sarah al / Dennis Tunison / A / 490 / Apr 2, 1776 / Bwater Twp
Skinner, Sarah / al Cornelius Tunison / A / 493/ "
Skinner, Rachel / Jabez L. Pruden ux / Y / 393 / Feb 13, 1866 / "
Somerset County Index to Deeds, by Grantor, film #900530, roll 9
"Grantors / Grantee / Vol / Page / Date of Record
Skinner, James / al George McDonald / D / 462 / Nov 20, 1805 / ---
Skinner, James / Absolom Martin / F / 365 / Apr 17, 1811 / Bwater Twp
Skinner, James / ux & John Kearney / J / 62 / Apr 16, 1818 / ---
Skinner, John / Charlotte Skinner / P / 333 / May 25, 1832 / Warren Twp
[KDS note - Sarah and James Skinner, as well as Johm Kearny, are all names associated with the Perth Amboy Skinners.]
 
Exhibit 12 - "Session and Trustee Records of the First Presbyterian Church of Woodbridge, NJ", Presbyterian Church Library, Phila, PA, Vault BX9211.N57095 F51, Vol I., 9/14/1995/KDS:
Session Records
Woodbridge August 9, 1758
"Begun w/prayer.
Mrs. Bloomfield entered a complaint against Robert Stone (only from report) that __ Stone has detained some money __ he received for his grand-Mother Heard, of Thomas Skinner.
.....
Thomas Skinner's evidence being produced. Nathaniel Heard accused Robert Stone of detaining some money he received of Thomas Skinner, in the behalf of James O__, for his mother Heard."

Exhibit 13 - "The Loyalists of New Jersey in the Revolution", by E. Alfred Jones, 1927, per notes of VEM dated July, 1964:

"SKINNER LOYALISTS
The Loyalists of New Jersey in the Revolution. - Their Memorials, Petitions, Claims, Etc. From English Records
By E. Alfred Jones, M. A., F.R. Hist. Soc.
Author of The Old Silver of the American Churches; American Members of the Inns of Court; The Loyalists of Massachusetts, Etc. Newark., N. J. New Jersey Historical Society 1927

CORTLANDT SKINNER (Brigadier-Genera1)
He is described in his memorial as Attcrney-General of New Jersey from 1754 and Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1765, and the father of twelve children, who early in the War "were turned out of Perth Amboy., with their mother, by General Mercer."
In his letter of February 10, 1786, he says that Philip Kearny and his own wife were entitled each to one-fourth of their father's property at Six-Mile Run, New Jersey. Their father, after making his will, had disposed of this tract, except 150 acres. This statement is confirmed by a certificate, dated December 7, 1785, of their brother, Ravaud Kearny.
With this letter and certificate is a copy of an order, dated Perth Amboy, July 29, 1776, that the following persons were suspected of being disaffected to the American cause and were ordered by the Convention of New Jersey to be removed into the country, at a distance from all communication with the enemy: Mrs. Cortlandt Skinner and family; Mrs Antill and family; Mrs. Debage; Mrs. Homfray and family; Mrs. Kearny and family; Mrs. Holland and family; Peache and wife; Hunter and wife; and Thomas Stevens and wife.
In the same bundle (A.O. 13:111) are: A letter from Cortlandt Skinner, dated March 9. 1786, giving the date of his birth as December 16, 1727, Old Style, and adding that he has three daughters grown up and four sons who call for his assistance; particulars of the estate inherited by his wife from her father; also a schedule of his own property.
Sir. William Howe, in a letter dated March 26, 1784, stated that Cortlandt Skinner from his consequence was by him granted a commission to raise a Corps (the New Jersey Volunteers) of four Battalions, which, though not entirely completed, was in great measure effected to Howe's satisfaction. (A. 0. 13:79).
The Commissioners in reporting upon his claim declared that he was one of the most respectable men from the Continent of America and had done material services in the War. He was now in want of assistance, and no man was better entitled to ask for it from the British Government. His very modest application, with a large family of twelve, add to their respect for his character. If the Government at any time have any high legal office vacant in the British Dependencies they recommend him as one who would fill it with great honor to himself., and they are very sure that he deserves every reward from England. (A. O. 12:100, f. 31).
In his letter to Lord Sidney he refers to his petition for relief and complains that some Provincial Corps, junior to his, had already been put on the establishment (entitling the officers to half-pay). He sets forth his military and civil services, and concludes with a gloomy account of his prospects, with nothing left to support his wife and family. (F.O. 4:1).
Cortlandt Skinner was awarded L5,169 from his claim of L1O,382, and at the rate of L500 a year during the War for the loss of his official income of L576. (A. 0. 12:109).
The above accounts of his career may be supplemented from another official source. In September, 1775, he was called upon before the Town Committee at Morristown and was found guilty of being inimical to the liberties of America., but, on declaring himself generally a friend to liberty, his friends on that Committee "took advantage of these general expressions and obtained his discharge for him." In August, 1775., he was offered the command of the 'Provincial troops, by Mr. Carter, Secretary to the Provincial Congress, and by Mr. Ellis and Mr. Stewart, acting for the Provincial Congress, with whatever rank in Now Jersey he might choose, but he refused the offer. He was obliged to quit in January, 1776, and his wife and family were forced later to leave the Province. The date of his commission as Brigadier-General of the New Jersey Volunteers is September 1776. His library contained 482 volumes. (Loyalists' Claims," PP. 113-5).
Cortlandt Skinner, in evidence in behalf of Philip Kearny in London on February 4, 1785, admitted that he approved of Kearney and other Loyalists signing an "Association paper" drawn up by Skinner himself that they were friends of Liberty and the Constitution. (Ibid., p.300).
The Brigadier-General, who was a lawyer of marked ability and strict integrity, was the son of the Rev. William Skinner, first Rector of St. Peters Church, Perth,,Amboy (originally a MacGregor) and his wife, Elizabeth VanCortlandt, and was the brother of Major John Skinner (q.v.). His mother was a daughter of Colonel Stephen VanCortlandt., and his wife, Elizabeth, was the daughter of Philip Kearny, lawyer, of Perth Amboy. A son-in-law was William Terrill (q.v.).
He died, March 15, 1799, at Bristol in England, to which country he went after the Peace, and his widow died in 1810 at Belvoir Park, near Belfast, Ireland. His daughter, Catherine, married Sir William Henry Robinson (1765-1836), Commissary-General in the British army, fifth son of Colonel Beverley Robinson, the distinguished New York Loyalist. (T.50:11; A.0. 461:16; Ind.: 5605-6; A.0. 13:85; A.0.12:13, ff. 27-60; A.0 12:74, ff. 83-6; A.0. 12:89, f. 10; Force, "American Archives, " Ser. LV., Vol. IV, pp-363, 1607; "Ontario Archives," PP. 1232-9; Stryker; Sabine. A long account of Rev. William and Gen. Skinner is in Whitehead's "Hist. of Perth Amboy").
His son., Cortlandt, was appointed Ensign in the 70th Foot, on November 11, 1780, and was promoted Lieutenant on December 26, 1787. Hls name appears in the army lists until 1795. Another son was Lieutenant- General Philip Kearny Skinner (q.v.).

JOHN SKINNER (Lieut-General)
He was born in New Jersey*, but not known to be of any relation to General Cortlandt Skinner (supra). He began his military career in the British army as an Ensign in the 16th Foot on September 4, 1772. In the American War of Independence he served in the campaigns in the Southern colonies, in the actions at Beaufort and Stone Ferry in South Carolina and in the sieges of Savannah and Charleston. He commanded a troop in Tarleton's British Legion (Cavalry) in the Battles of Blackstocks, Cowpens and Guilford Court House.
In 1795 he served in the reduction to submission of the revolting Maroons in Jamaica, and thus saved that Island from the fate of St. Domingo, and in 1804 he commanded the 16th Foot in the expedition against Surinam. He was in command of a brigade at the capture of Guadaloupe in 1810. While holding the rank of Major-General., this American-born officer acted as Governor successively of St. Martin's, Santa Cruz and Guadaloupe.
Three of his sons became officers in the British army, namely, Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Skinner; John Skinner, and Ensign, who died of yellow fever in Jamaica in 1821; and Captain James Skinner, of the 61st Bengal Native Infantry, who was mortally wounded in India in 1842 by the hand of an assassin. A daughter married Captain Sir Henry Vere Huntly, Royal Navy, Lieutenant-Governor of Prince Edward Island. General Skinner died on October 10, 1827, and in his will he bequeathed all his property to his wife, Anne, whom he left as guardian to his children. His brother-in-law, Donald Maclean, of 37, Brunswick Square, London, is mentioned in his will. (Savine; Army Lists; original will).
*There was a John Skinner, of Woodbridge, born in 1733, who, in 1799, removed to (present) Franklin Co., Pa., but he was not this John Skinner. nor have his ancestors been traced.

JOHN SKINNER (Major)
He was the son of the Rev. William Skinner, of Perth Amboy,, and brother of Brigadier-General Cortlandt Skinner (q.V.). He entered the Provincial service, (circa 1755) at the same time as his brother, William (q.v.), and was Lieutenant in the same Company. Both were taken prisoners at Oswego in 1756, and were taken to France and then transferred to England. While waiting in England for a commission in the regular army he volunteered his services in a secret cruising expedition in the Mediterranean, returning in October, 1757.
His commissions in the regular British army are as follows: Ensign in the 3rd Foot (Colonel Howard's), on September 27, 1757; Lieutenant in the 61st (Colonel Grey's) Foot, from December 11 1758, to 1762, serving therein as stated in the War with the French in North America. On June 25, 1762, he was promoted Captain-Lieutenant in the 119th Foot (Captain Charles Fitzroy's). Promotion as Captain came to him in the 70th Foot on June 10, 1768, and he returned with it to England in 1770. He was made Major in that Regiment of November 17, 1780. In 1784 he retired from the army and settled as a merchant in his native place of Perth Amboy. Here he died in December, 1797, leaving one son, James, by his marriage on February 16, 1774, to Sarah Kearny, daughter of Philip Kearny, the prominent lawyer of Perth Amboy and his second wife, Isabella,, daughter of Chief Justice Robert Lettice Hooper. (Army Lists; A.0. 13:33; Whitehead's "Perth Amboy," p. 119).

JONATHAN D. SKINNER (Ensign)
Ensign in the 1st. New Jersey Volunteers, on half-pay until 1808, (Ind.:5605-6). No further account.

PHILIP KEARNY SKINNER (Lieutenant-General)
He was the son of Brigadier-General Cortlandt Skinner (q.v.). On December 21, 1782, he received a commission as Ensign in the 23rd Foot (Royal Welsh Fusiliers), and was promoted Lieutenant in the same Regiment on November 23, 1785.
The young American remained in this Regiment as Captain (October 22, 1793) and Captain-Lieutenant (September 1, 1795). until his promotion as Lieutenant-Colonel in the 56th (or the West Essex) Regiment of Foot on December 11, 1799. He served in Ireland, 1800-1805. On October 25, 1809, he became Colonel, having served since June 20, previous, as Assistant Adjutant-General.
His next promotion dates from August 1, 1811, when he was appointed Quartermaster-General in the East Indies. He was granted the rank of Major-General on January 1, 1812, and Lieutenant-General in 1825. He became a member of the Consolidated Board of General Officers.
General Skinner's active service includes the expedition to Ostend (where he was taken prisoner), and in the East and West Indies and Spain.

PHILIP KEARNY SKINNER (Lieutenant-General)
Before his death in Regent street, London, on April 7 (or 9), 1826, he had withdrawn his claim for property at Perth Amboy and elsewhere in America. (A-0. 13:83). In his will, dated April 3, 1826, he bequeathed all his property in trust for his sister, Gertrude (wife of Captain Meredith, of the 70th Regiment), for his nephews, Philip Kearny Skinner
and Arthur Skinner (sons of his brother, Cortlandt). Other beneficiaries were his sister, Euphemia, wife of Oliver Barbarie, and her two sons, John and Cortlandt; his sister, Catherine, wife of Sir William Henry Robinson; his sister, Susan, wife of Major Jasper Farmer; his brothers, Cortlandt (q.v.) and Major John Skinner (q.v.); his nieces, daughters of his brother-in-law, William Tyrell (Terrill) Esq., (q.v.), of New York, and his wife, formerly Isabell Macartney. To his nephew, William Henry Robinson, Ensign in the 72nd Regiment, he left his freehold property at Aylesbury in the county of Bucks, England (Swabey 237).

STEPHEN SKINNER (Major)
He was a "gentleman and merchant" of Perth Amboy, son of the Rev. William Skinner and brother of Cortlandt Skinner (q.v.), and was bred to the sea. He was, from about 1763, Treasurer of the Province and had also been Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for Middlesex county. While Treasurer of East New Jersey, in 1768, he reported the robery of the treasury, and a Committee of the Legislature reported that he was the robber, after which (but not until 1774) he resigned and Governor Franklin, his firm friend, appointed him to the Council.
In the early Spring of 1776 he was privately told that his stay in Perth Amboy was disagreeable to his political enemies and consequently his friends advised him to depart, as his brother, Cortlandt, had fled. Acting upon this warning, and "to avoid the persecution of the Amboy and Woodbridge Committees," he removed to Newark, but could not obtain a house without the recommendation of the Committee of Perth Amboy. He then purchased a house and twenty acres of land outside Newark. In March, however, he went on board a brigantine, of which he was half owner, then lying opposite Newark, accompanied by his wife, ten children, a sister and a few friends, taking with him some furniture , 40 pipes of Madeira and 4 pipes Of Lisbon wine. The party were safely landed with the assitance of his friend, Captain Archibald Kennedy (q.v.), at Second River.
By order of Governor Livingston he was made prisoner in July, 1776, and, with Captain Kennedy, sent to the Provincial Congress at Trenton and thence as prisoner to Morristown. Meanwhile his wife and six small children were treated with severity; their wearing apparel, wagons, horses and a chaise were taken from them and they were turned into a road in a snow storm and obliged to walk four miles to Elizabethtown.
Stephen Skinner served as guide during the British occupation of New Jersey and performed other military services. He removed to New York in the Spring of 1777, and there raised a company of 100 Loyalists, mostly from New Jersey. In 1778 this Company was joined to a Battalion of which he was appointed Major.
His wife, Catherine, inherited property from her father, Andrew Johnston, who left property to his other children, Gretrude, Barbarie, Mary, John, Stephen and William Fennil.
This Loyalist was the owner of much landed property, which is described at length, with a long list of his debtors, in A.0. 13-11l. His house at Perth Amboy was occupied by the 33rd Regiment. So considerable was his property that the very substantial sum of L4,764 was awarded to him as compensation for the loss of it from his claim of L6,975. (A.0. 12:109). H's confiscated and forfeited lands in the counties of Middlesex and Sussex were advertised to be sold by public auction in the "New Jersey Gazette" for August 9, 1784.
The Skinner family were in great distress at Chester in England in June, 1785, according to a pathetic petition signed by Governor Franklin, David, Isaac and Peter Ogden, Philip Van Cortlandt, Elisha Lawrence, J. Burnet, Vincent Pearse Ashfield and William Taylor. (A.C. 13:111). With this petition is a letter from Stephen Skinner to Governor Franklin, dated Chester, December 3, 1784, in which he says that he was the head of the party at Perth Amboy to oppose Rebel measures and was the only gentleman who appeared in person to oppose the erection of the Liberty pole there. His pension was continued until his death in or shortly before 1809.
(Teaas. 1:622; T. 50:8; T. 50:21; T. 50:22). But Sabine says he died at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, in 1790. (A.0. 12:14; ff. 31-59; A.0. 12:100@, f. 112; A.O. 12:101, f. 221; Sabine).

THOMAS SKINNER
He was probably related to Lieutenant-General John Skinner (q.v.); was a baker born in New York City and lived in his own house at Perth Amboy from 1725 to 1775, when he was taken prisoner and banished to Cranbury.
His son, John, was in England in 1784, while he himself was in New York in 1788. There is a schedule of Thomas's confiscated estate, for which he claimed L1,348 and was awarded L750. (A.0. 13:111; A.0. 13:1I3; A.0. 12:12, ff. 33109; A.0. 12: 10, f. 3: A.0. 12:109).
Two sons took part with the Americans. He refused to speak to them and threatened to disinherit them, unless they produced their discharge. Ore son obtained his discharge after this threat. ("Loyalistas'Claims,"p. 303).

TIMOTHY SKINNER
He was born in America and lived in Sussex county, New Jersey. He did not go within the British lines during the War, and, therefore, was not exactly regarded as a Loyalist. But he was at Niagara, on the Canadian side, in 1787. (A.0. 13:81; A.0. 12:16, ff 421-4; A.O. 12:63).

WILLIAM SKINNER (Lieut.-Colonel).
A brother of Gen. Cortlandt Skinner (q.v.), and third son of Rev. William Skinner. He was born in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and had his first military experience as Captain in the Provincial Regiment of New York. He was at Oswego, N.Y., in August, 1756, became a prisoner under Gen. Montaalm, and was sent to France, being exchanged in the Summer of 1757. On September 21, 1757 he was commissioned Lieutenant in the 24th Foot and, on August 2, 1759, he was transferred as Captain in the 85th Regiment (or Royal Volunteers), in which he served in the wars against the French and Indians in North America. He was promoted Major on February 11, 176., and on March 9, 1763, Lieutenant-Colonel in this Regiment, which was disbanded at the Peace in 1763, and he was then placed on half-pay.
Three years later Colonel Skinner petitioned for a grant of 10,000 acres of land in America for his services in this War.
A diverting instance of his determined spirit, which had won for him the thanks of his General and a recommendation for promotion, no mean tribute at the time, is illustrated by his determination to present a petition to the King in person at a levee, in face of the opposition of a Yeoman of the Guard, who told this American soldier that, as the Court was in mourning for the Queen of Prussia, he was not properly clad in Court mourning. The young American, however, succeeded in presenting his petition to his Majesty, who afterwards told Lord Barrington, Secretary at
War, that he liked Skinner's looks and commanded him to provide a commission for him in the regular army, with the result that within three months he was appointed Lieutenant in Cornwallis's Regiment. But the young soldier was dissatisfied and declined the commission; he wanted something better in the army. He left Lord Barrington in a happier mood upon receiving promise of a better military appointment. ("Docs. relating to Colonial Hist. of New Jersey," IX).
Governor Franklin appears to have been alarmed in 1767 at a alleged plot to deprive him of his high office and darkly hinted at William Skinner as the plotter; but the Governor's suspicions were allayed by the fact that the supposed plotters prospects in the army were so good, combined with his marriage to a lady of fortune (a daughter of Lady Warren) as to render his alarm unnecessary.
Colonel Skinner did not live to engage in the Revolutionary War.
He was in England after about 1763 and, while he desired to get over to America again, for some reason did not. He died in England about 1778. (Whitehead's "Perth Amboy," pp. 112-119).
 

Appendix III - Additional New Jersey Loyalists, By A. Van Doren Honeyman, Plainfield, N. J.
SKINNER, B. G., Colonel, Ist N. J. Uols., 1781. (2 Sabine's Loyalists of the American Revolution, 2 volumes, Edition of 1864. 309).
Skinner, Cortlandt, Jr., commissioned in British army, 1782. (2 Sabine 306) Skinner. Elisha (bro. of Cortlandt,), Lieut.-Colonel, N. J. Vols. (2Sabine 308)."
 
Exhibit 14 - "CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EARLY HISTORY OF PERTH AMBOY AND ADJOINING COUNTRY, WITH SKETCHES OF MEN AND EVENTS IN NEW JERSEY DURING THE PROVINCIAL ERA. BY WILLIAM A. WHITEHEAD. PUB. BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 346 & 348 Broadway, New York, 1856. P. 99, per files of VEM:
THE SKINNER FAMILY
Among the most influential families of the ancient capital, were the Skinners, descendants of the Reverend William Skinner., the first rector of St. Peter's Church. This gentleman was a MacGregor,, and among those of that clan proscribed after the rebellion of 1715, having taken an active part in the restoratory struggles of the Stuart family. He had received a superior education at one of the first literary institutions in England (thought to have been Oxford University)., and possessed mental endowments of a sterling character. Obliged to leave Scotland after the battle of Preston Pans, in which he was wounded., and prevented from bearing the name of his clan, he assumed that of a friend in Edinburgh, from whom he received favor and protection.
As William Skinner, he left England for Holland,, in company with Lord Belmerino, and subsequently, by way of Barbadoes, or Antigua, came to Philadelphia, where he had,, or made., a friend in a Mr. Logan., ---one of the family of so much notoriety in the annals of Pennsylvania,---with whom he found a home; probably in the capacity of tutor, as it is understood the sons of that gentleman received from him instruction in the languages, which he was well qualified to impart.
Mr. Skinner probably pursued theological studies while residing in Philadelphia; for after a few years he returned to England, and received ordination from Robinson, Bishop of London. While there (in 1721) he was appointed missionary to Perth Amboy, from the "Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts," and entered upon his labors in September, 1723. The following year he was called to the rectorship of St. Peter's Church, and for thirty-five years continued to discharge his duties faithfully and acceptably, occasionally officiating in the neighboring towns; death putting an end to his earthly career in 1758, in the 71st year of his age. HIs remains were deposited in the rear of the Church, but the precise spot not having been marked by any monument, is now unkovm.
Mr. Skinner is said to have been exceedingly kind-hearted., generous and hospitable; and--almost a necessary consequence from the possession of these virtues--very regardless of money; living unostentatiously himself., in order that his resources might be greater for his charities; fully complying with the directions to all their missionaries by the society, in whose service were his first ministerial labors; "that as they be frugal in opposition to luxury,, so they avoid all appearance of covetousness, and recommend themselves according to their abilities by the prudent exercise of liberality and charity."
He was twice married. Hs first wife was a daughter of Christopher Billop, of Staten Island, and the widow of the Rev. Dr. Brook, one of the society's missionaries, whose indefatigable labors in New Jersey are elsewhere alluded to. His second wife was Elizabeth, youngest daughter of Stephanus Van Cortlandt of New York. His children, all by this lady, were-- one daughter, Gertrude, who became the wife of James Parker, and was the mother of the present elders of that family;-and four sons, 1 Cortlandt, 2 Stephen, 3 William, and 4 John-who will be noticed in succession.

CORTLANDT SKINNER
Cortlandt, the eldest son of the Rev. William Skinner, was educated for the bar, studying the profession in the office of David Ogden, an old and distinguished practitioner at Newark, at which place he also, for sometime, was established after his admission to practice.
In 1752 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Philip Kearny of Amboy, and shortly after, if not before, took up his residence permanently in the place of his birth. Although not of studious habits, he became eminent in his profession, his natural abilities being good, and his oratorical powers considerably above mediocrity. He was soon appointed the King's Attorney- General for the province, and continued to hold that office until the Revolution put an end to the authority whence it was derived. In 1761 he was elected to the Provincial Assembly from his native city, in the place of Andrew Smyth, deceased, and continued thereafter to be a prominent member of that body while it existed; in 1765 (Nov. 28th) receiving a convincing proof of the esteem and confidence of his associates in their choice of him to be Speaker.
During the early stages of the struggle of independence, Mr. Skinner, like many others who in the end became royalists, was strongly opposed to the encroachments of the British Ministry upon the liberties of the colonies; and his being chosen speaker, to succeed Robert Ogden,---whose course as a delegate from the province to the New York Congress had so displeased his constituents as to lead to his resignation,---together with his appointment, at the same session, as one of the Committee to correspond with agent of the colony in England, shows conclusively that he was considered to be a friend to the colonial cause at that time.
P. 108
After the revolution General Skinner went to England with his family, and received from the government compensation for his forfeited estate, and the half- pay of a Brigadier-General during his life. He died March 15th, 1799, aged 71. ---His wife survived him, after a union of 47 years, and continued to reside among her children, in England and Ireland, until her death.
The following is the inscription on General Skinner's tombstone in St. Augustine's Church , Bristol-: "Near this place are deposited the remains of Brigadier-General Cortlandt Skinner. Born in New Jersey, North America, where he was many years his Majesty's Attorney-General. Died at Bristol, 15th March, 1799, aged 71. Descended from an honorable family in Scotland, of distinguished loyalty, he proved the inheritor of their virtues, in the steady performance of all the duties of life which will make his death ever regretted by his family, most of all by his afflicted widow., Elizabeth Skinner, who erects this monument to his memory." Cortlandt Skinner had several Children:
William was placed in the English navy, and died young.
Philip Kearny entered the Army, and died in London in 1827 or 1828., unmarried. He was taken prisoner on one occasion by the French, and detained for some time at Lisle. On his release and return to England, in 1799 he found he had been promoted to an Adjutant-generalship, and before his death was Lieutenant-General, commanding at Bombay.
John was a Lieutenant in the young company call the "Govenor's Guards," Elsewhere mentioned. Soon after a memorable review day he was required to doff his cap, with its motto "Liberty or Death," and was sent on board the Phenix frigate, at Sandy Hook, and entered as a midshipman. Soon after this, the Phenix on passing up the North River came within range of the guns at Fort Washington, and young Skinner had the misfortune to have his right hand shot off by a ball, which did no other injury on board. He had previously, while playing in the market Square, at Amboy, lost the sight of one eye from a cork-dart; and thus mutilated he passed through life, a bachelor, ever active and cheerful, benevolent to a fault, an affectionate son and valued citizen.

JOHN SKINNER
As post-captain, he for many years commanded the Holyhead packet, and while in the discharge of his duty was accidentally drowned in 1830; being swept overboard in a sudden squall. A monument., erected by public subscription, attest the estimation in which he was held.
"What most interested me at this place (Holyhead), was a lofty and tasteful Monument on a neighboring height, to the memory of Captain Skinner, the son of an American Refugee, who formerly commanded a jacket out of this port, and was accidentally drowned a few years since. It was built by subscription, and so widely and favorably known was the subject of it, that contributions were received from all quarters in the north of Wales, the west of England, and in Ireland,"--Correspondent of N. Y. Com. Advertiser, London, Sept. 4th, 1843.
Cortlandt was left by his father for several years in this country, with his brother-in-law, Mr. Terrill, but afterward went to England, and eventually established himself in Ireland, and died in Belfast.
He held different offices, and for several years was Comptroller of the Customs, being highly respected and esteemed. After the death of his father, his house became the residence of the widow, who described his premises in her letters to her friends in this country, as being highlv improved, and pleasantly situated. He subsequently resided at Dungannon Park, the property of Lord Dungannon, who was his personal friend. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss. Kingsmill, the second Miss Isabella McCarty, and he left several children.
Dowms, named probably by Mrs. Governor Franklin, as that was her maiden name, went from England to the Island of Jamaica, whither his brother-in-law, Sir George Nugent, was sent soon after as Governor, and married there. He returned to England for his health in 1801, but finally died in Jamaica, previous to 1803. He left but one daughter, named after his mother, Elizabeth Kearny, who married a Rev. Mr. Simpson of England, and has two children, William and Adelaide, twins, born on the dav Queen Adelaide was crowned. General Skinner had seven daughters:
Susan married Major Jasper Farmar of the British Army, and after his death his brother, Thomas Farmar, who are elsewhere noticed, and descendants bearing the name of Murphy are living in Nova Scotia.
Elizabeth married William Terrill., of New York, and had four daughters,
who never married, and one son, John, who is yet living in England and has children,__one of his daughters married Henry Meigs, of the Metropolitan Bank, New York, and left one daughter.
Euphemia became the wife of Oliver Barberie., who studied law with her father, and is noticed on another page.
Catharine married Sir William Henry Robinson, son of Col. Beverly Robinson, of New York. She died at Marlow, England, in 1843, aged 75, and left several children.
Maria married, in 1797, Captain (afterward General) Sir George Nugent, .-G.C.B. D.C.L., and accompanied her husband both to India and Jamaica, whither he was sent by his government to discharge important trusts; and a diary kept by her has been printed for private distribution since her death., which took Place in 1834. At one period they resided in great splendor at Dublin. Sir George Nugent died March 1lth, 1849, aged 92, leaving four children. His heir is Sir George Edmund Nugent, born in 1802, who in 1830 married the daughter of Lord Colburn. He is a captain in the Grenadied Guards. There is another son, and two daughters-Lady Freemantle ard Ladv Clinton.
p. 110
Isabel married a Doctor Frazer, while the. family were on Long Island. He subsequently went to England, and she followed, with her father, at the close of the war. They had several children. One son (Thomas) became a physician; another is, or was, a captain in the British Army,, and a third a clergvman.
Gertrude married (June, 1780, at Jamaica, L.I.) Captain Meredith, of the 70th, regiment of foot, who died previous to 1800, leaving her with four children, one of whom (Richard) is a captain in the British Navy.

STEPHEN SKINNER
Stephen, the second son of the Reverend William Skinner, was for many years previous to the Revolution engaged in mercantile pursuits, in 1758-9 making a trading voyage of severa1 months' duration among the West Indian islands, and up to August, 1767, keeping at Amboy what was then called "a general store," which he then sold out. His residence was on the bank, on the north side of Smith street, where during the present year (1855) some buildings have been erected, adjoining the Bruen stores.
Although chosen by the good people of his native town to represent them in the Provincial Congress, in April, 1775, in conjunction with James Parker and Jonathan Deare, there is nothing known of his sentiments, rendering it probable that he was favorably inclined to the colonial cause. Certain it is that soon after the commencement of hostilities he removed his family to New York, and thence to England, the property left behind him in New Jersey being confiscated to the use of the State. His house was accidentally set on fire on 28th December, 1776, and entirely consumed; the New York papers of the time stating that, by fire, and "the depredations of the rebels," ', Mr. Skinner had suffered within the month a loss of L3000.
p. 112
He married Catharine, daughter of Andrew Johnston, by whom he had nine or ten children, but they all died without issue, wither in England, or in Nova Scotia, to which province the family eventually removed, having received a grant of land there, as compensation for his losses in New Jersey.

WILLLAM SKINNER
William, the third son of the Rev. Mr. Skinner, entered earlier in life the provincial service, and served as a captain against the French in Colonel Schuyler's regiment, participating in all the trials and dangers of the campaigns of 1755 and 1756.
Captain Skinner was at Oswego, in August, 1756, when the fortress was surrendered to the French under General Montcalm, and as a prisoner of war was sent to France, where he remained until the following May (1757), when he was permitted to pass over to England on his parole to await an exchange, which was effected in the course of a few months with his intimacy with the family of Sir Peter Warren, whose widow was his first cousin.
(Lady Warren was a daughter of Stephen DeLancey of New York, who married Anne VanCortlandt, sister of EIizabeth, wife of Rev. Wm. Skinner. Another sister, Margaret, married Stephen Bayard., and their daughter married Peter Kemble. Sir Peter Warren died at Dublin, July 26th, 1752, after three day's illness of inflammatory fever, leaving four daughters, aged respectively, fourteen years, six years, three years, and three months.)
p. 118 The following year he accompanied the Army, under Lord Loudon, to Portugal, and Lord Viscount Pulkney, his superior, having been placed temporarily in command of another corps, Major Skinner held the rank of Lieutenant-colonel; and the following April (1763) received the promotion regularly, in consequence of the death of that nobleman. Shortly after this, he returned to England. In a letter written at this time he expresses an opinion that his regiment would be broken, and he hoped in a few months to see his American friends; but this was never gratified. Previous to the Revolution he had risen to the rank of Colonel. He died in England about 1778.
Colonel Skinner married a daughter of Lady Warren, and his only child, (Meauna Maria) (Son in the ''English Peerage," but the relations of the family here say she received at baptism the simple name of Susannah) married Henry, 3d Viscount Gage, and her son, Henry Hall Gage, is now the possessor of titles and estate of the family.
( Thomas Gage, Commander in Chief of the English Forces in North America during the first part of the War of Independence, was second son of Thomas, first Viscount Gage. He married, in 1758, Margaret, daughter of Peter Kemble, of New Jersey, (she died in 1824, aged 90,) and died in 1788, leaving several children, among them Henry, 3d Viscount Gage, who inherited the title October 1lth, 1701, in consequence of the death, without issue, of his uncle, Wm. Hall, 2d Viscount./ He was born in 1761, and married Miss Skinner in 1782. He became a Major-general in the British Amy, and left two sons- Henry Hall (4th Viscount) and Thomas William. Henry Hall Gage (4th Viscount) was born December, 1791, and succeeded, on the death of his father January 29th, 1808, to the titles of the family, which are Viscount Gage of Castle Island and Baron Gage of Castlebar, Peerage of Ireland; Baron Gage of High Meadow, Peerage of England; and a Baronet of England of date 1622. He married, March 1813, Elizabeth Maria, eldest daughter of the Hon. Edward Foley, second son of Thomas, first Lord Foley, second son of Thomas, first Lord Foley, and has issue; Henry Edward Hall (born 1814, married, in 1840, to the only daughter of Sir Charles Knightley, Bart., who was in her 13th year, and in 1844 be was a Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade); Elizabeth Maria; Anna Maria; William (born in 1820, was a Lieutenant in 83d Foot, in 1844); Caroline Harriet; Edward Thomas; Fanny Charlctte. The seats of Lord Gage are: Firle Place, Sussex; Westbury House, Hants; Town Residence, Gullain Hotel, Albemarle Street. )

JOHN SKINNER
John the fourth son of the Rev. Mr. Skinner, entered the Provincial service at the same time with his brother William., as Lieutenant in his company; was taken prisoner with him at Oswego, 1756, and was his companion during his sojourn in France and on his transfer to England.
While awaiting the result of an application for a commission in the regular army, he volunteered his services in a secret expedition then fitting out, and during the cruise (in the Mediterranean) performed duty in the Grenadier Company attached to Lord Loudon's Regiment. The fleet returned to England in October, 1757, and so well pleased were his superiors with Mr. Skinner's conduct that they petitioned the Secretary of War in his behalf, and he received a regular commission as Ensign in that regiment.
In 1759, he had risen to a Lieutenancy in the regiment of Colonel Grey, and his brother writing at that time, gives us an insight into his character. "His pride," says he, "will hinder his promotion. He thinks it beneath a man of honor, and one entitled to promotion for his services, to ask a favor of any one, or even wait upon people whose interest would prefer him immediately." The regiment to which he was attached being ordered to America, he had the pleasure of again meeting his family and friends. He was promoted to a captaincy, June 10th, 1763, and in September of that year he attended Governor Franklin to Fort Stanwix to assist at the Council held there with the Indians. He rose to be a Major in the 70th Regiment, and returned with it to England, in 1770, and continued there during the revolution. He subsequently sold his commission, returned to America, and took up his residence again in Perth Amboy, entering into mercantile business. He married (Feb'y 16th 1774) Sarah, daughter of Philip Kearny, and died in December, 1797, leaving one son, James, who died at Amboy in 1827, leaving a wife and daughter--that daughter, previous to her marriage to Mr. Laforge, was the last of the descendants of the Rev. Wm. Skinner, in this country, bearing his name. (this is not true according to John Downer)
p. 125
Oliver Barberie commenced the studv of Law in the office of Cortlandt Skinner, subsequently entered the British Army, and became a Lieutenant in the Loyal American Regiment. He married a daughter of his legal preceptor, and one of his sons now holds an honorable post in the Army or Navy of England. He died in the Province of New Brunswick. (Euphemia Skinner)
P. 133
James Parker was the only child of John Parker, senior, who left issue. He married Gertrude, only daughter of Rev. William Skinner, and was the father of the present elders of the Parker family. -- In 1771, and in other years, he was Mayor of Amboy, and in April, 1775, was appointed with Stephen Skinner and Jonathan Deare, a delegate from.Amboy to the Provincial Congress, but he did not attend its sessions. --
Mr. Parker died October 4th, 1797, aged 72, and she followed him to the grave, on 10th Feb'y, 1811, aged 71. They rest side by side in the cemetery at St. Peter's Church.
Their children were:
John, who married Ann, daughter of John Lawrence, and left two daughters; iMaria, married to Edward W. Dunham, who died in 1834, leaving several children, and Gertrude Aleph, yet living, unmarried.
Elizabeth, who died unmarried, October 27th, 1821.
Janet, who married Edward Brinley, of Newport, R. I., and left four children -- Gertrude Aleph, who became the wife of the Rev. Edwin Gilpin of Nova Scotia., and left children; Elizabeth Parker, who married the Rev. Job F. Halsey, of New Jersey, and has one daughter; Catharine Sophia, who died unmarried; and Francis William, who has several children.
Gertrude, who is yet living., (1855)
Susan, who died unmarried, April 23d, 1849.
Maria., who married Andrew Smvth., and died without issue.
William, who died young.
James, who was born March 3d, 1776, and is yet living, having filled many important public offices and trusts, been a member of the State Legislature and of Congress, a Comissioner to settle the Boundary Line between New York, New Jersey, &c. His first wife was Penelope, daughter of Anthony Butler; his second Catherine Morris, daughter of Samuel Ogden, of Newark. By his first wife he had (besides two children who died in infancy):-
James, married to Anna,, daughter of Cleaveland A. Forbes, and residing in Cincinnati, Ohio (being one of the Judges of that State), and has several children.
William., married to Lucy C. Whitwell, of Boston, and now a resident of that city, having several children.
Margaret Elizabeth, married to William A. Whitehead of Newark, and having issue.
Gertrude, and Sarah Coates Levy, died unmarried.
Cortland, who married Elizabeth Wyne, daughter of Richard W. Stites, of Morristown, and resides in Newark, having children; and Penelope, who married Edward Dunham, of Brooklyn, L. I.
JAMES PARKER FAMIIY: P-137
Catherine Montgomery, who married James Hude Kearny, and is yet living (1855) a widow having two daughters married. (Vide page 91).
Cortlandt Lewis., who married Elizabeth Gouverneur, was bred a merchant, and died in the island of Curacoa, in 1826, while holding the office of American Consul; leaving several children, of whom two sons, names Cortlandt and John, and three daughters, are living in New York or its vicinity. "
 
Exhibit 15 - Unsourced Notes of VEM:

(1) Courtland Skinner
b. Dec. 16, 1727 old style
d. March 15, 1799, at Bristol, England
m. Nov. 30, 1751 Perth Ambor NJ Archives, 1st Series, Vol. XXII, Marriage Records 1665-1800
w. Elizabeth Kearney
b. 1731 Perth Amboy
d. 1809 Belvoir Park near Belfast, Ireland
12 children, 5 sons and 7 daughters
(1) Catharine Skinner - h. Sir William Henry Robinson (b. 1765, d. 1836), 5th son of Colone Beverley Robinson, NY
(2) William Skinner, English Navy, b. Perth Amboy, d. died young
(3) Philip Kearny Skinner (Lieut. General - 1825), b. 1758 Perth Amboy, d. Apr 10, 1826, Regent St. , London, in 68th year, pub. May 31, 1826, Wood. Village Herald, Will dated Apr 3, 1826, London
(4) Gertrude Skinner - h. Capt. Meredith
(5) Euphemia Skinner - h. Oliver Barbarie
(6) Susan Skinner - h1. Jaspar Farmer, Major, h2. Thomas Farmer, brother of h1.
(7) Elizabeth Sknner - h. William Terrill (Tyrrell), Esq. of NY; w2. Isabell McCartney
(8) Courtlandt Skinner, Jr., Commissioned British Army, 1782, w1. Miss. Kingsmill, w2. Isabella McCartney
(9) John Skinner, Captain d. 1830, drowned, Holyhead monument
(10) Downs Skinner, d. 1830, Jamaica
(11)
(12)
(2) Stephen Skinner
d. 1790, Nova Scotia
m. Oct 10, 1761, NJ Archives, 1st Series, Vol. XXI, Marriage Records 1665-1800
w. Catherine Johnston, dau. of Andrew Johnston
d. 1802 Burlington Co.
(1) Gertrude Johnston
(2) Barbarie Johnston
(3) Mary Johnston
(4) John Johnston
(5) Stephen Johnston
(6) William Fennil Johnston
(7) - (10) ?
(3) William Skinner
b. Elizabeth, NJ
d. 1778, England
w. Susanna Warren, dau. of Admiral Sir Peter Warren and Lady Warren
(4) Elisha Skinner, Lieut-Colonel, NJ Volunteers)
d. killed in war
(5) John Skinner, Major - Nov 17, 1780
d. 1797, Perth Amboy
m. Feb 16, 1774, NJ Archives, 1st Series, Vol XXII, Marriage Records 1665-1800, p. 349, both of Perth Amboy
w. Sarah Kearney, dau. of Philip Kearny, lawyer of Perth Amboy and 2nd wife Isabella Hooper, dau. of Chief Justice Robert Lettce Hooper
son - James Skinner, d. May 8, 1798
(?) Gertrude Skinner
b. 1740
d. Feb 10, 181, ages 71 years, NJ Archives, 2nd Series, Vol I, p454
h. James Parker, Mayor of Perth