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Archiver > NJHUNTER > 2003-06 > 1054575062


From: "Frank Heger" <>
Subject: [NJHUNTER] New Germantown's Wooley and Phillips
Date: Mon, 2 Jun 2003 13:31:02 -0400


Hello,
I was overlooking you conversations about the Sexton's records for Hunterdon County and a thought occurred to me that perhaps I might obtain some response.
My gggg- Father was the sexton for the Zion Evangelical Church in New Germantown / Oldwick c1800 -1843. I do have the info from the N E Genealogy recodes of his marriage and Children from that area but so far have been totally unsuccessful in tracing either line any further back.
The Following is an excerpt that I stumbled on many years ago.

"Historical, Biographical, Scientific and Miscellaneous, mostly by Somerset and Hunterdon county writers and on subjects largely pertain to these counties. With Classified local items and tables of Marriages and deaths in somerset and Hunterdon counties from Jan.1st, 1872 to Nov. 1st, 1873 " Published by Cornell & Honeyman 1873


pg 129 -" More Local History - New Germantown"

(Begin Para) "Finding recorded on the Church books at this time (c1836) the name of Ezchiel Wooley employed as Sexton, we are reminded of the many practical jokes he was continually perpetrating, making him a somewhat noted character in my recollections of the past. A stranger moving into the village and occupying a home next to his, (Ezechiel) Wooley called and made his acquaintance and that of his wife. Informing her that his wife was dreadfully afflicted with deafness, on his return home he also informed Mrs. Wooley, who mutually inquired about the new neighbors, that the poor woman "was terribly deaf". The result of the first visit between the two can be imagined,both ladies shouting themselves hoarse before discovering that they were the victims of a well planned joke. It was not generally known that the phrase common of late years, "he smelt a rat" was originated by him in a practical joke upon Henry Miller Esq. But it was so. Miller's store was infested with rats,!
and became so great an annoyance indeed that he offered a "per capita" reward. Wooley succeeded in catching one, and on receiving his reward threw the animal out of the door. before going home, unobserved, he placed the rat where he could find it again, and bring it into the store the next morning, repeated the process of taking a reward, and kept on repeating it until Mr. Miller "smelt the rat". He once was engaged in digging a well for Rev. Doctorate. The Doctor, expressing a desire to go down into the shaft, was most readily accommodated, but when he wanted to come up, Wooley was deaf. Nor would threats or entreaty move him. Nothing but the exacted promise of a glass of spirits effected the prisoners release. Scores of jokes of a similar nature are related, which we suppress lest we trespass upon space and propriety." ------------------------- R. R. Honey man

Ezechiel Wooley m Polly (Mary) Phillips (Phillops) 1793 in New Germantown. They had several children most of which married in the surrounding area and many moved west.

Ezechiel is buried at the Church and his marker is there to the left of the front entrance.
SKS have some info to add to what is known would be appreciated.

----- Original Message -----

From: "Jeffery Lensman" <>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, June 02, 2003 12:36 PM
Subject: [NJHUNTER] Re: NJHUNTER-D Digest V03 #87


> Jan,
>
> No question is a silly one, because we both learn and are sometimes reminded
> of sources we forget about!
>
> A burial transcript can be obtained from the Sexton's office for the
> cemetery where the individual is buried. Some cemeteries keep better
> records than others, but the Sexton is the caretaker of the cemetery and its
> records. You should find out the current name and address of the cemetery
> association to make contact to see about what records are available. If you
> are dealing with a cemetery that is no longer active, then you might contact
> a local Funeral Home and they can put you in touch with the right place for
> your inquiry.
>
> I hope this helps.
>
> Jeff
>
>

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