Following my recent mailing in reply to the query of Janet concerning the will of Cornelius Garretson, son of Garret Garretson and his wife Charity Hussey, I read the mailing sent from [email protected]_ (mailto:[email protected]) which included abstracts of several Garretson wills. Perhaps my first mailing was confusing, and I will try to clarify my present understanding of the situation, derived from these wills and from data included in my _Delaware Quaker Records_: The John Garretson whose will was proved in 1694 was the father of Garrett, Casparius, and Cornelius Garretson and certain daughters. The wife of John Garretson was Anne. This was probably the same Jan Garretson who probably came from Gelderland, Holland and purchased a lot and built a house in New Castle perhaps as early as 1657-1664 in the time when the Dutch controlled the area, before they surrendered it to the English. There is some question as to whether the John Garretson who died in 1694 or his father came from Holland. There is no record that this John Garretson was a member of the Society of Friends, but his three sons were evidently members. He may have been convinced of Quakerism as early as 1672 when George Fox visited New Castle and held a memorable meeting in the court house. Garrett Garretson, son of John Garretson, married Charity Hussey. Charity Hussey, b. 8 mo. 4, 1681, was one of the youngest children of the large family of John and Rebecca (Perkins) Hussey. John and Rebecca and a number of their children and their families had moved from Hampton, New Hampshire to New Castle, Delaware in 1695. John and Rebecca had been ardent Quakers from their early married years, being mentioned in the Quaker classic _New England Judged_. Garrett and Charity (Hussey) Garretson had as many as ten children, most of whom are mentioned in the will of Garrett Garretson proved in 1754. However, this will states that a son, Cornelius Garretson, is deceased, but names the two sons of Cornelius, James and John. In my previous mailing I mentioned a certificate which was granted by Wilmington Monthly Meeting on 9 mo. 4, 1756 to Cornelius Garretson, who was moving to within the limits of West River MM in Maryland. I now believe that this was Cornelius Garretson, a younger son of John (or Jan) Garretson, and a brother of Garrett Garretson. This Cornelius would have been an elderly man by this time. I do not know whether this elderly Cornelius Garretson died in Maryland or whether he returned to New Castle County before he died. However, it appears that his will was proved in New Castle County in 1765. This 1765 will of Cornelius Garretson indicates that this man had no surviving children. His estate seems to have been parceled out among his nephews and nieces, whom he refers to as "cousins". He refers to "cousin James Garretson, son of Cornelius". This is evidently James Garretson, son of Garrett and Charity (Hussey) Garretson. No mention is made of John Garretson, the other son of Garrett and Charity. Perhaps he was no longer living. I am inclined to believe that Cornelius Garretson, son of Garrett and Charity Garretson, died as a young marred man, probably as the result of an accident or sudden illness. He probably left no will. I have no record of his wife, whom Janet refers to as Hester. It is my observation that the names Hester and Esther were sometimes used for the same person in those early times. Hester probably came from the New Castle area. She may not have been a member of the Society of Friends. I do not believe that either of the brothers James and John Garretson, are mentioned in northern Delaware Quaker records. - Herbert Standing **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023)