Ellen Voorhees (aka Elen Voorhees, Nelly Voorhees, or Sarah Voorhees) was born on 24 Jun 1795 in the Hillsborough Township of Somerset County, New Jersey (302, Page 480; 1348). She was the first child born to Henry Voorhees and his wife Margaret (Nevius) Voorhees. At their daughter’s birth, Henry Voorhees was 26 years old, and Margaret was 24. Both Henry and Margaret Voorhees were born in Somerset County, New Jersey (137, Page 344; 302, Page 480).

Before about 5 Mar 1796, the Henry Voorhees family migrated from Somerset County, New Jersey to the Onondaga County, New York. On 5 Mar 1796, John Richardson and his wife Hannah, of the Town of Scipio in Onondaga County, New York conveyed 100 acres of land, a part of Lot 98 on Owasco Lake, in the Town of Aurelius, in Onondaga County of New York to Henry Voorhees, of the Town of Aurelius (1761).

The 4 Aug 1800 federal census of the Ovid Township of Cayuga County enumerates the household of 26–44 year-old Henry Voorhees (1317). A 26–44 year-old female living in the household was almost certainly Henry’s wife Margaret (Nevius) Voorhees. Three female members of the household, who were all less than 10 years old, were likely the daughters of Henry and Margaret: Ellen Voorhees, Margaret, and Anna Voorhees.

Ellen Voorhees’ father, Henry Voorhees died on 20 Feb 1806 in the Ovid Township of Seneca County, New York (137, Page 344; 1366). At the death of her 36 year-old father, Ellen was nine years-old and the oldest of five children, including Margaret Voorhees, Anna, Mary Jane, and Stephen Voorhees.

The 6 Aug 1810 federal census of the Ovid Township of Seneca County enumerates the household of Ellen’s mother, 44 year-old Margaret Voorhees (1343). Living in the household were two females, 10–15 years old, as well as a male and two females, both less than 10 years old. Ellen Voorhees was very likely one of the 10–15 year-old females.

The 7 Aug 1820 federal census of the Ovid Township of Seneca County New York enumerates the household of Margaret (Nevius) Voorhees, more than 44 years old (1344). Also living in the household were four females, age 16–25 years old; and a 10–15 year-old male. Ellen Voorhees was very likely one of the 16–25 year-old females.

Before 20 May 1822, Ellen Voorhees and Isaac Countryman married, likely in Seneca County, New York or in Pennsylvania (755). The parents of Isaac Countryman have not been identified. The first child born to Isaac and Ellen, a daughter Elizabeth Countryman, was born in Seneca County on 17 Feb 1823 (755). At Elizabeth’s birth, Isaac Countryman was about 22 years old, and Ellen Countryman was 26 years old.

Apparently, the Isaac Countryman family, including Ellen and and daughter Elizabeth Countryman, migrated from Seneca County, New York to Pennsylvania before the birth of a second daughter, Catherine Countryman. Based on census information, Catherine was born in Pennsylvania during the period 3 Aug 1824 – 18 Jun 1825 (166, 753). The family returned to Seneca County before Jan 1828.

A son, Andrew J. Countryman was born in Seneca County on 21 Jan 1828 (188), and a second son Joseph Countryman was born on 31 Mar 1830. Before 1840, at least four more sons were born to Ellen and Isaac Countryman in Seneca County: John Countryman in about 1832; Gideon in about 1833; Martin V. Countryman on 21 Mar 1836 (114, 763); and George Washington Countryman on 21 Dec 1838 (365). Joseph Countryman died on 27 Aug 1843 at 12 years of age (229).

By 1840, the Isaac Countryman family was living in the Varick Township of Seneca County, New York where the Ira Countryman household was enumerated by the 1840 federal census (749). Isaac Countryman was 30–39 years old. Living in the household were a female, age 30–39 years, presumably Isaac’s wife Ellen (Voorhees) Countryman, two other females, both age 15–19, a male, age 10–14, three males, age 5–9 years, and two males under 5 years of age.

Between the 1840 and 1850 federal censuses, Isaac Countryman and his wife, Ellen (Voorhees) Countryman, apparently divorced or otherwise separated. The 16 Sep 1850 census of the Varick Township of Seneca County, New York enumerates only two sons living in the household of 50 year-old Isaac Countryman: Martin Countryman, 15 years old; and George Countryman, 12 years old (750).

On 15 Mar 1848, Ellen Voorhees of the Lodi Township of Seneca County, New York acquired 200 acres of land in Seneca County from Anna Runyan of the town of Ovid in Seneca County (1370). Ellen Voorhees paid Anna Runyan $835.50 for the land. Anna (Voorhees) Runyan, the wife of Benjamin Runyan who died on 10 Jul 1842, was a daughter of Henry Voorhees and Margaret (Nevius) Voorhees (500).

The 9 Aug 1850 federal census of the Lodi Township of Seneca County, New York enumerates Ellen Voorhees, with her maiden name, living with her mother, Margaret Voorhees (1347).

On 29 Mar 1852, Ellen Voorhees acquired an additional tract of land in the Lodi Township of Seneca County, New York from Anna Runyan for $522.18 (1371). This parcel was described as being a part of Lot 38 in said Town of Lodi.

Also on 29 Mar 1852, Stephen Voorhees and Ellen Voorhees acquired land in the Lodi Township of Seneca County from John V. Quick and his wife Margaret Quick, Anna Runyan, and Mary Voorhees for $1.00 (1372). The parcel is described as part of lot number 38 commencing at the southeast corner of said lot and running from thence west 38 chains and 56 links thence north 44 chains and 87 and 1/4 links to the southwest corner of land belonging to the said John V. Quick thence east 38 chains and 56 links to the east line of said lot thence south 44 chains and 87 and 1/4 links to the place of the beginning.

On 28 Feb 1858, Ellen Voorhees conveyed land in the Lodi Township of Seneca County to her brother Stephen Voorhees (1373). Stephen paid Ellen Voorhees $100. The land is described as a part of lot 38 commencing on the east line of said lot at the southeast corner of land belonging to Henry Voorhees and running from thence west 32 chains and 52 and 1/4 links to land of Peter Voorhees, thence south nine chains and 63 and 1/2 links, thence east 92 chains and 52 and 1/4 links to the center of the highway, thence north nine chains and 63 and 1/4 links to the place of the beginning. The parcel contained 31 acres, one road, and 91 rods of land. The parcel comprised one-half of all the right, title and interest which the said party of the first part now has, or ever had to 188 acres of land on said lot, of which her father Henry Voorhees died seized.

The 18 Jun 1860 federal census of the Lodi Township of Seneca County enumerates Ellen Voorhees, 63 years old and born in New Jersey, living in the household of her brother Stephen Voorhees (1349). Similarly, the 1870 federal census of the Lodi Township enumerates the Stephen Voorhees household including Ellen Voorhees, 74 years old (1348).

Ellen Voorhees died in Seneca County, New York in about 1877 (760).

Notes and Comments

Published genealogies of the Voorhees and Nevius families contain near identical information for the family of Henry Voorhees and Margaret Nevius (137, Page 344; 302, Page 480). According to these sources, Henry Voorhees was born on 26 Aug 1769 and died on 20 Feb 1806. Margaret Nevius was born on 16 Mar 1768 and died on 25 Jun 1852. Henry Voorhees and Margaret Nevius married on 29 Nov 1792. A daughter Nelly, born on 24 Jun 1795, is listed as the first child born to Henry and Margaret Voorhees. Nelly Voorhees was very likely Ellen Voorhees. In various records, Ellen Voorhees is referred to as Elen, Nelly, or Sarah Voorhees.

Census records are inconsistent with respect to 24 Jun 1795 as the date of the birth of Ellen Voorhees, as documented by Elias W. Van Voorhees (137, Page 344). Based on ages stated for the 1850–1870 federal censuses, Elen Voorhees was enumerated as born within the intervals:

9 Aug 1850 a: 52, b: 10 Aug 1797 – 9 Aug 1798;
18 Jun 1860 a: 63, b: 19 Jun 1796 – 18 Jun 1797; and
22 Jun 1870 a: 74, b: 24 Jun 1795 – 22 Jun 1796.

The 1870 federal census provides the only age for Ellen (Nevius) Voorhees that is entirely consistent with that published by Elias W. Van Voorhees; however, the 1860 federal census is close.

A Certificate and Record of Death issued by the Michigan Department of State documents the marital relationship of Isaac Countryman and Elen Voorhees (755). Betsey Brooks died on 25 Feb 1905. Betsey was Elizabeth Countryman, a daughter of Isaac and Ellen Countryman, born in Seneca County, New York on 17 Feb 1823. In 1845, Elizabeth Countryman married Whaley Alexander Brooks in New York.

The 1820 federal census of Seneca County, New York enumerates the Margaret Voorhees as Margaret Voorhise (1344).

For the 1850 and 1860 federal censuses, Ellen Voorhees stated that she was born in New Jersey (1347, 1349). The 1870 federal census records Ellen, age 74 years and born in New York (1348); however, this record of her place of birth is likely incorrect. The 1870 federal census of the Stephen Voorhees household of the Lodi Township of Seneca County, New York enumerates Eliza Voorhees, Stephen’s wife, as born in New Jersey, and Ellen Voorhees as born in New York. These birth places were likely swapped by the census taker.

The date of the birth of Catharine Countryman is uncertain. For the 1860, 1870, and 1880 federal censuses, Catharine (Countryman) Sixberry stated that she was born in Pennsylvania (751, 166, 753). At the 1880 census, Catharine stated that both her father and mother were born in Pennsylvania.

Catharine’s sister, Elizabeth Countryman, was born on 17 Feb 1823 (755). Assuming that Catharine and Elizabeth were not twin sisters and average gestation periods, Catharine Countryman was born before May 1822. Presumably, Isaac Countryman and Ellen Voorhees married before Aug 1821.

The date of the death of Andrew J. Countryman and place of burial of his remains is based only on data entered on the Find a Grave website without other references or an image of a corresponding gravestone (229).

Little is known about Isaac Countryman prior to his marriage to Ellen Voorhees sometime before Aug 1821. Dates of the birth and death of Joseph Countryman are poorly documented.

The 17 Jun 1869 Will of Stephen Voorhees, of the Lodi Township of Seneca County, New York; a son of Henry Voorhees; names his sister Ellen Voorhees and wife Eliza (158).

New Jersey Documents

The marriage of Joel F. Randolph and Ellen Voorhees on 13 Sep 1823 was recorded in Somerset County, New Jersey (1812).

On 3 Aug 1865, administration of the goods and chattels of Ellen Voorhees was granted to Mary voorhees of Hunterdon County, New Jersey (1814).

County Boundaries

Somerset County, New Jersey was created on 26 May 1688 from parts of Middlesex County. Somerset and Middlesex counties exchanged land at least through 1878.

Between 26 Jan 1789 and 14 Feb 1791, nearly all of present-day Seneca County, New York was within Montgomery County. Herkimer County was created from parts of Montgomery County on 16 Feb 1791.

On 5 Mar 1794, Onondaga County was carved from Herkimer County, New York, and on 8 Mar 1799, Cayuga County, New York was carved from Onondaga County.

Seneca County was created from parts of Cayuga County, New York on 24 Mar 1804.

Sources

114. Gravestone, Martin V. Countryman, Riverside Cemetery, Clinton, Lenawee County, Michigan. Find A Grave Memorial: 60370701. (Images: Find A Grave. Image on file.)

137. Elias W. Van Voorhees, ed. A Genealogy of the Van Voorhees Family in America. New York City, New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, The Knickerbocker Press, 1888.

158. Will of Stephen Voorhees, Seneca County, New York, 17 Jun 1869. Wills Volume P–Q, 1884–1890. Surrogate’s Court, Seneca County, New York. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

163. A. Van Doren Honeyman. Joannes Nevius and His Descendants, A.D. 1627–1900. Part 1. Plainfield, New Jersey: Honeyman & Company, 1900.

166. Abram Sixberry Household, 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Varick Township, Seneca County, New York, 3 Aug 1870. Family History Library Film 803861, Roll M653_861, Page 251. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

169. Town Clerks’ Registers of Men Who Served in the Civil War 1865-1867. New York State Archives, Albany New York. Collection Number (N-Ar)13774, Box Number 56, Roll Number 30. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

188. Andrew Countryman Household, 1900 U.S. Federal Census, Varick Township, Seneca County, New York, 25 Jun 1900. Family History Library Microfilm 1241162, Enumeration District 0098, Page 13. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

229. Grave of Joseph Countryman, Burgh Cemetery, Fayette Township, Seneca County, New York. Find A Grave Memorial 104227205.

302. A. Van Doren Honeyman. Joannes Nevius and His Descendants, A.D. 1627–1900. Plainfield, New Jersey: Honeyman & Company, 1900. (Images: Ancestry.com. PDF file on file.)

365. Declaration for Pension, American Civil War Service. George Washington Countryman. Pawnee County, Kansas, 2 Apr 1907. (Print and images on file.)

500. Gravestone, Benjamin Runyan. McNeal Cemetery, Ovid Township, Seneca County, New York. 10 Jul 1842. Find A Grave Memorial 83644028. (Images: Find A Grave. Image on file.)

749. Isaac Countryman Household, 1840 U.S. Federal Census, Varick Township, Seneca County, New York. Roll 339, Page 232. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Images on file.)

750. Isaac Countryman Household, 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Varick Township, Seneca County, New York, 16 Sep 1850. Roll M432_597, Page 69B, Image 144. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Images on file.)

751. Abram Sixberry Household, 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Varick Township, Seneca County, New York, 25 Jun 1860. Roll M653_861, Page 251, Family History Library Film 803861. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Images on file.)

753. Catherine Sixberry Household, 1880 U.S. Federal Census, Fayette Township, Seneca County, New York, 18 Jun 1880. Roll 931, Family History Film 1254931, Page 54B, Enumeration District 157, Image 0616. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Images on file.)

755. Certificate and Record of Death, Betsey Brooks. Nashville, Barry County, Michigan, 23 Feb 1905. Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, Michigan Department of Community Health, Lansing, Michigan. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

760. Recollections of Fredrick Glonar Countryman, Fairview, Major County, Oklahoma, ca 1938. (Originals and images on file.)

763. Martin V. Countryman, Certificate of Death, Lenawee County, Michigan, 25 May 1910. Division of Vital Statistics, Department of State, State of Michigan. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1317. Henry Voorhees Household, 1800 U.S. Federal Census, Ovid, Cayuga County, New York, 2 Aug 1800. Series M32, Image 141, Page 556, Roll 28, Family History Library Film 193716. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1343. Margaret Voorhies Household, 1810 U.S. Federal Census, Ovid, Seneca County, New York, 4 Aug 1810. Image 00155, Page 243, Roll 36, Family History Library Film 0181390. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1344. Margaret Voorhise Household, 1820 U.S. Federal Census, Ovid, Seneca County, New York, 7 Aug 1820. Image 78, Page 331, NARA Roll M33_74. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1347. Margaret Voorhees Household, 1850 U.S. Federal Census, Lodi Township, Seneca County, New York, 9 Aug 1850. Image 51, Page 23A, Roll M432_597. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1348. Stephen Voorhees Household, 1870 U.S. Federal Census, Lodi Township, Seneca County, New York, 22 Jul 1870. Page 90B, Roll M593_1093, Family History Library Film 552592. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1349. Stephen Voorhees Household, 1860 U.S. Federal Census, Lodi Township, Seneca County, New York, 18 Jun 1860. Page 506, Roll M653_861, Family History Library Film 803861. U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C. (Images: Ancestry.com. Image on file.)

1366. Probate of the Estate of Henry Voorhees. Seneca County, New York, 18 Mar 1806. General Index 1804–1914, Image 485, New York Probate Records, 1629–1971. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Images: FamilySearch. Image on file.)

1370. Indenture Between Anna Runyan and Ellen Voorhees. Lodi Township, Seneca County, New York, 15 Mar 1848. New York Land Records, 1630–1975, Deed Book T2–U2 1847–1849, Image 472. Pages 204–205. (Images: FamilySearch. Image on file.)

1371. Indenture Between Ann Runyan and Ellen Voorhees. Lodi Township, Seneca County, New York, 29 Mar 1852. New York Land Records, 1630–1975, Deed Book 51, 1852–1853, Image 78. Page 131. (Images: FamilySearch. Image on file.)

1372. Indenture Between John V. Quick and Margarette His Wife, Cooert and Ann Runyan, and Mary Voorhees of the First Part and Stephen Voorhees and Ellen Voorhees of the Second Part. Lodi Township, Seneca County, New York, 29 Mar 1852. New York Land Records, 1630–1975, Deed Book 51, 1852–1853, Image 78. Page 132. (Images: FamilySearch. Image on file.)

1373. Indenture Between Ellen Voorhees and Stephen Voorhees. Lodi Township, Seneca County, New York, 28 Feb 1858. New York Land Records, 1630–1975, Deed Book 58–59, Image 175. Pages 279–280. (Images: FamilySearch. Image on file.)

1761. Indenture, John Richardson and Henry Voorheese, 100 acres. Aurelius Township, Onondaga County, New York, 5 Mar 1796. Onondaga County Deed Book F, Pages 254–256. Family History Library Film 852077, Image Group 7167279. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Images: FamilySearch. Images on file.)

1812. Marriage, Joel F. Randolph and Ellen Voorhees. Somerset County, New Jersey, 13 Sep 1823. New Jersey Marriage Records, New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, New Jersey. Family History Library Film 1023875. Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah. (Images: FamilySearch. Images on file.)

1814. Probate of the Estate of Ellen Voorhees. Hunterdon County, New Jersey, 3 Aug 1865. Hunterdon County, New Jersey Letters of Administration, 1864–1915. Volume 6–8, Page 61. Hunterdon County Surrogate’s Court, Hunterdon, New Jersey. (Images: FamilySearch. Images on file.)