Hello Ann, Yes, myself and Bob Riddle were researching the Warren County VanKirk's, family of James VanKirk and Mary (Jones) VanKirk, sons John J. VK (Sheriff of Warren Co., married Keturah Titus), David (Justice of Peace, married to Hester Cowell--Bob's wife's family) and James Burns VK who m. Sally (aka Sarah) Ann Decker (my great great grandparents). I have most of the history now, just seeking strays and found this Mary VanKirk married to Benjamin Taylor who could be sister of James VK born 1781, his parents supposedly are James VK and Jane House/Hanse, so I post hoping to find the strays I find & their descendants. I am posting the bios I run across so they will be archived for others who may want this inf. in the future. Sincerely, Marilyn (Brown) LeVeque in CA ----- Original Message ----- From: Ann Brown To: Marilyn LeVeque Sent: Sunday, August 06, 2006 8:15 AM Subject: Re: [NJWARREN] Biography of Taylor and VanKirk and Lowrie familiesof Warren County, N.J.>PA>MI The name VanKirk has come up from time to time over the past 2 years since I have been on this list. You might check the archives and search the name to find some more info about a searcher or the results of a search. Ann On 8/6/06, Marilyn LeVeque <mleveque@tcsn.net> wrote: Hello listers and researchers, Does anyone on this list recognize this family, especially Mary (VanKirk) Taylor, wife of Benjamin Taylor. I found a Benjamin Taylor born in N.J. in 1850 United States Federal Census of Pennsylvania in Northampton > Lower Mount Bethel with a wife Mary, age 65, sons Enoch age 25, Benjamin age 22, Samuel age 21, & Theodore age 18, but I have no idea if this is one and the same family in sketch below, but no other Benjamin Taylor and Mary are listed in North Hampton in 1850 Census and this family matches a gedcom file posted, but there is no listing as to parents of Mary VanKirk born ca 1785-1787 (APRIL !7, 1787 per poster). I am curious if this Mary VanKirk is related to my VanKirk's of Warren County, N.J. >From Michigan County Histories at the University of Michigan Website, you can type in your ancestors names & see if there is a biographical sketch of their life. http://www.hti.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=micounty;q1=VanKirk;page=simple Title: Portrait and biographical album of Oakland county, Michigan. Collection: Michigan County Histories ROBERT K. TAYLOR, a prominent farmer of Oakland Township, was born July 23, 1817, in Warren County, N. J. His father, Benjamin, followed farming, and about the year 1827 removed to Northampton County, Pa., where he continued farming until his death, which occurred after the close of the Civil War. He was a Presbyterian in his religious belief. His father, William Taylor, of Dutch descent, died at the age of eighty-two years. The mother of our subject bore the maiden name of MARY VANKIRK. She was the mother of sixteen children, fourteen of whom lived to maturity and eight still survive. She ended her earthly career in 1868. Our subject is the fifth in this large family. His education and training were received on the farm and in the district school. He remained at home until he reached his twenty-fifth year and accompanied his father to Pennsylvania. In 1844 he came to Michigan and worked by the year in Macomb County, for $132. He continued there for four years, but spent some time in Oakland Township, Oakland County. He purchased his first farm in Oakland Township, in 1847. Three years later he purchased an adjoining one, having disposed of the first. He exchanged one year later for the farm where lie now resides. Most of this land was pretty well improved but he has added great improvements to it since. The marriage of our subject took place in 1852. His wife bore the maiden na! me o! f Elizabeth LOWRIE (or per a Rootsweb.com file LOWERY). She was from Warren County, N. J. Their children are named-Marshall, Homer and Mary. This family were bereaved of the wife and mother in December, 1884. Mr. Taylor is a Democrat in his political affiliations, and has been a delegate to county conventions. He is a Patron of Industry, in which he is considered an influential member. His home place comprises two hundred and thirtytwo acres, upon which he raises all kinds of stock. He came to Michigan with limited means and like many another has been the architect of his own fortunes. Thank you for any help in identifying this VanKirk. Marilyn in CA ==== NJWARREN Mailing List ==== You can contact the listowner at: Judy@BirdGenealogy.org ============================== Search the US Census Collection. Over 140 million records added in the last 12 months. Largest online collection in the world. Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13965/rd.ashx -- Ann Brown " Cookie"