Information obtained From NY Genealogical and Biographical Record: John (Jean, Jan) Blanchard first appears in the records in Ulster County, NY, as a baptismal witness at the Dutch Church in Kingston, on Oct 2, 1687, at the baptism of Anna David, daughter of Jan David and Esther Vincent. The other witness was Anne Valleau and there is a notation: "These are French people." (kgB:528) He appears again in the Kingston records, at the baptism of his own child, Anna Blanchard, on Apr 7, 1689. The witnesses were the parents and Marie Mahoult. Again, there is a notation: "French Reformed." (KgB:624.) Marie was probably a sister of John's wife, Anna Mahoult, and of Etienne Mahoult, both natives od La Rochelle, France. John's name appears with about 150 other male inhabitants on a list of "them that haue takin The Oath of Alligiance in Ye County of Ulstr..." in 1689. (DHNY:1-281.) John (Jean, Jan) Blanchard married: 1st. Anna Mahoult Child by this union: Anna Blanchard 2nd. Jeanne Gaultier (by license, in the Dutch Church, NY. It is stated that he is the widower of Anna Mahoult and a mer- chant of Newcastle, Delaware.(MDC:80) Child by this union: Jeanne b. Jan 20, 1697 3rd. Susanne Rezeau (married on Oct. 27, 1697, at the French Church, NY. and it is recorded of the bridegroom that he was living "a newcastle en painsiluanie." (Hug:55) The bride was the daughter of Rene and Anne (Coursier) Rezeau of Staten Island. Children this union: John Blanchard b. Oct 3, 1699 Isaac b. Sept. 14, 1701 Maria b. abt 1703 Peter b. abt 1705 Elizabeth b. abt 1707 Susannah b. abt 1709 By 1700 John (Jean,Jan) Blanchard had moved his business from Newcastle to Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth) NJ. Here he established a thriving merchantile business and was active in the community until his death, Apr 1730. We do not know the date of his birth, or where he was born. Nor do we know from whom he is descended or how he came to be in the New World. Does anyone have any information as to this John (Jean, Jan) Blanchard. I am descended by way of his 3rd wife, Susanne Rezeau, and their child, John. Cynthia Sheehan tsinth@bix.com