By Glenn A. Test
I have identified a Test family line in Monmouth County, New Jersey that I have been unable to connect to the other Test family lines of New Jersey or to any previous Test family research.
The first mention of a Test in Monmouth is the marriage of John Test of Monmouth and Ann Kearl of Monmouth on 12/14/1767. 1 This John Test apparently settled in Monmouth County and is mentioned in a number of sources:
1. Tax list of Monmouth County from 1778-1780. 1779 John Test, Freehold Township, Householder with 55 acres of improved land, two horses and 1 horned cattle. 2 Carol Shipilov, from AIS, also records John on tax lists from 1884 through 1790.
2. John was probably a veteran of the Revolutionary War. "John Test, private, Captain Waltons Troop, Light Dragoons, Monmouth County." Likely year is 1781. "Call made 12/29/1781 for 420 troops to serve until 12/15/1782. Officers selected were Samuel Hayes, Major, commanding Monmouth Co., N. J., horsemen, John Walton, Captain."3 This same information is contained in History of Monmouth County by Franklin Ellis.
3. The will of John Test was proved 12/18/1813. He is listed as from Monmouth County, N.J. I have a copy of the will and it lists wife Anna who is to receive all real and personal property. No children are listed in the will.
It is interesting that the DAR records do not show any descendants who have traced their family line back to John Test of Monmouth County. Some earlier researchers have indicated that Francis Test was a private in Captain Waltons Rev. War unit, but my research clearly indicates that the correct person was John Test, not Francis Test.
There are earlier connections between the Test family line and Monmouth County New Jersey:
The parents of Grace Woolley moved from Rhode Island to Monmouth County. History of Monmouth County by Franklin Ellis, lists Emanual Woolley as one of the early settlers of Monmouth County. Grace Woolley married Jacob Lippincott in 1680 and she later married the "original" John Test. John Test and Grace (Woolley, Lippincott) were granted administration of the Estate of Jacob Lippincott in 1690.
It is my guess that the John Test of Monmouth, who married Ann Kearl, was a grandson of the "original" John Test.
An Anna Test is found in the records of the Old Tennent Church of Monmouth New Jersey. Anna Test appears in the records of the Baptisms of adults in 1789 and as a member of the church in 1790.4 I have reviewed the microfilm of this record, but it is not indexed, and I cannot be positive that I have found all mentions of the Test family. I did not find John mentioned in this record, although he was alive in 1789 and 1790. The record has many baptismal, birth and burial mentions, but I have not found information on John or any children of John and Ann. This probably is Ann (Kearl) Test wife of John, but might be a daughter.
I obtained the assistance of Barbara Carver Smith, C. G. of The Monmouth County Historical Association. She searched the local records of Monmouth County and was not able to find additional information on the Test family in very early local records. A list of the Monmouth County records searched by Barbara Carver Smith of the Test and Kearl surnames is as follows:
1. Monmouth Families by Ann Pette Miles, Vol. I and II
2. Lippincott, Five Generations of Descendants by Judith M. Olsen.
3. Historical and Genealogical Miscellany by John E. Stillwell, Vol. I through Vol. V.
4. Unrecorded Wills and Inventories of Monmouth County New Jersey by John E. Stillwell. Part of Historical and Genealogical Miscellany, Vol. VI.
5. New Jersey in 1793 by James S. Norton.
6. Monmouth County Hall of Records in the Deeds, Grantors Index 1667-1856 and Grantees Index 1667
7. The Genealogical collection of The Monmouth County Historical Society, including various families, the Bible Record collection, Obituaries for 1830-1884 and a card collection of wills, deeds, deeds, receipts, etc.
In her letter of March 15, 1992, Barbara indicates that she found no Test prior to 1800 in the Monmouth County Hall of Records: "There are quite a few Tests in the late 1800's to the current time. These all seem to be from the Freehold Township and Millstone Township area of the county."
The next mention of a Test in Monmouth County, N.J., is a deed from Robert Montgomery of the Township of Upper Freehold, County of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, to Ezekiel Test of same for $50.00 for tract in Township of Upper Freehold of 30 acres. This deed is listed in two places as having been made on August 10, 1802 or June 9, 1793, and recorded October 21, 1802.5
On May 14, 1832, Ezekiel Test Junior of Township of Upper Freehold conveyed land to Thomas Cox for $85.00. Ezekiel Test Jr. obtained the property from Andrew Bell on October 19, 1831.6
For some reason, the Census records of New Jersey are not in existence between 1790 and 1820. This is unfortunate for my Test family research.
I found an Ezekiel Test in the 1830 Census of New Jersey; although he is not listed in the census index for that year. The listing shows Ezekiel Test of Upper Freehold, Monmouth County, N.J. and 1 male age 50-60, 1 female age 60-70, 1 male age 20-30, 1 female 15-20 and 1 female 80-90.
The 1840 census of New Jersey, Monmouth County, Upper Freehold Township, has a listing of an Ezekiel Test, age 70-80. The household includes a male age 30-40, a female age 30-40, a male age 40-50 and a female less than 5. The census also includes another household headed by Jesse Test, age 30-40, a female 40-50, 3 males 5-10, 1 male under 5, 1 female 10-15 and 2 females under 5. Jesse Test is listed as Monmouth County, Shrewbury Township. My guess is that Ezekiel is the son of John and Anne (Kearl) Test and that Jesse Test is a son of Ezekiel.
In the 1850 Census there are two Test households in Monmouth County and one in Middlesex County:
1. Ezekiel age 90, John age 50 (listed as Idiotic), Matilda age 56, Caroline age 72 and William Harrison age 9.
2. Jesse age 48 born New Jersey, Ann Age 52, Sarah E. age 17, John C. age 14 and Jesse age 11. The census location is Middlesex County, South Amboy and Jesse is listed as a shoemaker. Marriages of Monmouth County by George Gibson indicates that Jesse Test married Ann Milton 12/23/1823.
3. Ezekiel Jr. age 41 laborer, Phebe age 30, Mary Matilda age 8, Henry age 6, Ezekiel age 4 and Joel age 1. The location is Monmouth County, Millstone Township.
1. Ezekiel could be the son of John and Ann (Kearl) Test. His age in the 1830 census would indicate a birth date of 1770-1780 and John and Ann were married in 1767. However, his age jumps in the 1840 and 1850 census to put him born before John and Ann were married. Census ages are not very reliable and I would not discount him as their son because of the 1840 and 1850 census data. The female age 60-70 in the 1830 census is probably the wife of Ezekiel and she may have died before the 1840 census. The male in the 1830 census age 30-40 is probably John who is listed in 1840 and in 1850 he is listed as idiotic.
His birth date computes to 1800 which is reasonable for a son of Ezekiel if he was born about 1770. The female age 15-20 in the 1830 census, if a Test, is probably a daughter of Ezekiel. She would have been born when Ezekiel was 40-45, not an impossibility. I have a record that a Phebe Test of Monmouth married Benjamin Brown on 1/28/1838. If the same person, this would explain why she does not appear with Ezekiel in the 1840 census. The female age 80-90 in the 1830 census could be Ann (Kearl) Test, mother of Ezekiel. I think that Ezekiel had two other children; Jesse Test who appears in the 1840 census and Ezekiel, Jr. who appears in 1850. Their ages are such that they could have been living with their in-laws in 1830 or in their own households. I will try to find them in the 1830 census records.
2. The 1840 census record for Ezekiel shows a number of changes from 1830. I guess that his wife had died between 1830 and 1840. Added to the 1840 census is a male age 30-40, a female age 30-40 and a female age less than 5. I think this is Ezekiel, Jr., his wife Phebe and their daughter Mary Matilda.
3. The 1850 census for Ezekiel is full of mysteries. Added is Matilda age 56, Carol age 72 and William Harrison age 9. Mary Matilda could be a wife of John (idiotic) but I doubt this possibility. I think it more likely that she is a daughter of Ezekiel who moved back into his household in his old age. Carol could be a new wife of Ezekiel (would he marry at such an advanced age?) a sister of Ezekiel or a mother-in-law to matilda or a mother-in-law to Ezekiel's daughter. I need to check this census record again to determine if these two women are actually listed with the Test surname. Is William Harrison a grandson to Ezekiel. Did daughter Phebe marry Benjamin Brown and than a Harrison? If Carol is a sister to Ezekiel, William Harrison could be her grandchild. Note that Ezekiel, Jr. has a daughter named Mary Matilda. Was she named after her aunt Matilda, sister to Ezekiel, Jr.?
4. Jesse could very well be a son of Ezekiel and a grandson of John and Anne (Kearl) Test. He appears in Monmouth in the 1840 census with 7 children but in the 1850 census he and Ann only have three children still living in the household. This family does not appear in the 1860 census of New Jersey and I have not found any additional information on any members of this family.
5. Ezekiel, Jr. is married to Phebe and they have 4 children in the 1850 census.
1. The 1860 census of Monmouth County, Millstone Township, shows Ezekiel, Jr. and Phebe with children Matilda age 17, Henry age 16, Ezekele age 14, Joel age 13, Daniel age 11, Charles age 8 and Marthey (a female) age 3.
2. Son Henry Test - "Henry C. Test, born 1844, died 1926, married Anna born 1849, Died 1923. Their son Ezekiel was born 1883 and died 1916." Records of the Ocean County Zion Methodist Church near New Egypt.
3. History of Monmouth County, New Jersey, by Franklin Ellis, lists an Ezekiel Test as a Private in Company C, of Monmouth County in the Civil War. This would probably be Ezekiel, son of Ezekiel, Jr. and Phebe Test. This Ezekiel was 14 at the time of the 1860 census of Monmouth County.
4. An inventory of the estate of Joel Test is recorded March 23, 1896. There is no will for Joel on file in the New Jersey records. The estate inventory mentions Helen Test administrator. (I presume that Helen is the wife of Joel). Joel is listed as from Ely, Millstone Township, Monmouth County, N.J. Joel and Sallie had a son, Joel Test who was born in May 1884. He married Anna White and they had no children. However, they raised a nephew named Harvey L. Mack. Harvey had a son named Joel Mack who contacted the Test Family Page on the internet.
5. Ezekiel Test, Jr. and Phebe had a son, Charles A. Test, born December 1851. He married Sallie and they had a son, Reuben G. Test, born August 1877. Reuben marreid Elizabeth Fefferman and they had a son, Daniel Test who was born July 3, 1910. Daniel married Mary Edgar and they had a son, Daniel Charles Test born September 17, 1735. He married Barbara Deeney. They had a son, Chris Test born 1971. Chris is still living in New Jersey and has been assisting with the Test Family Page created by Robert Test.
Other Information and Thoughts on the Tests
of Monmouth County, N.J.
1. Is there more than one Ezekiel Test? Carol Shipilov (from AIS) noted that Ezekiel was listed on the 1783 Tax roll of Monmouth County Upper Freehold and on the 1783 tax roll of Burlington, Northampton and on the Monmouth County Tax rolls in 1784 at Freehold Township. My file, from the "Pre-1820 Lisa Index" shows Ezekiel in Monmouth in 1784 and 1793 and Burlington in 1793. The 1793 Militia Census of the State of New Jersey lists an Ezekiel Test in Burlington County, Northampton Township and an Ezekiel Test in Monmouth County, Upper Freehold Township.
Thus it appears that there were two Ezekiel Tests in New Jersey at approximately the same time. It is also worth noting that the 1790 census of Fayette County, Pa., (a Western county of Pennsylvania) shows a Zekiel Test. I suspect that the Ezekiel Test of Burlington is a descendant of "the original" John Test by the family line; "original" John Test, William Test his son, William Test, Jr., his son and than Ezekiel Test. This is based on finding a daughter registered to William Test of Burlington County and a William Test listed on the tax lists of Burlington County in 1773 and 1774. Later I speculate on the possible link of Ezekiel Test of Monmouth to "the original' John Test.
2 Ezekiel Test was a witness to the will of John Anderson of Upper Freehold, Monmouth County in 1800 and witness to the will of Samuel Anderson, Freehold Township, Monmouth County in 1810.7 Perhaps Ezekiel was married to an Anderson? This is Ezekiel Senior.
3. Looking back at locations of the Tests in Monmouth; Ezekiel Senior is living in Upper Freehold township in the 1840 and 1850 census records. Jesse Test is living in Shrewbury Township in 1840 and Middlesex County, South Amboy (appears to be in a city or village) in 1850. Ezekiel, Jr. is living in Millstone Township in 1850 and 1860. Does this give us any help?
4. A Joel Test is mentioned in the will of Ebenezer Tallman of Wall, N.J. in 1852. It seems unlikely that this is Joel the son of Ezekiel, Jr. since Joel was born 1849. However, the information is "Will of Ebenezer Tallman, written Dec. 30, 1852, proved June 1, 1853, mentions wife Elizabeth to have all, Eliza Ann DeWitt and Joel Test to have anything she may leave at her Decease". I have no other Joel Test in my Test research index.
5. Carol Shipilov provided the following information on F.L. Test - my father, Daniel, was born in New Jersey in 1850. He left for Illinois and moved from Illinois to Portland in 1852 and died in 1900. Could this be Daniel, age 11 in the 1860 census, son of Ezekiel, Jr.? The date of birth of Daniel is 1849 in the 1860 census record.
6. The 1914 Farm and Business Directory of Monmouth County lists no Test families in Freehold Township, but lists a Daniel Test, wife Annie, farmer owing 20 acres in Millstone Township, R4 Freehold, a George Test and wife May, 6 children, farmer owing 10 acres in Clarksburg and an Ulysses Test, farmer, owing 100 acres, R4 Freehold.
I have searched my Test data bank in an attempt to identify the family line of the John Test who married Ann Kearl in 1767. I guess his birth date to be 1740 to 1747. If he is a descendant of the "original John Test" the choice would include the following:
1. One of the most mysterious family lines of "the original" John Test is his son Daniel who is said to have been born around 1695, married Susannah and was the father of Samuel born 1728. The only source for the Daniel family line is a chart prepared by Dr. Frederick Cleveland Test and there is no indication whether or not Samuel had any brothers and sisters. Samuel lived in Salem County and was a practicing Quaker. The John Test of Monmouth county could have been a brother of Samuel, although he might have been born quite later than Samuel. John does not appear in any of the Quaker records, and Monmouth County is quite North of Salem County. However, Grace Woolley's family was from Monmouth and it not unlikely that a son (Daniel) or a grandson (John) might have moved to that area.
2. The family line of Francis Test is well researched and it doesn't seem likely that Francis had a son John who married Ann Kearl in Monmouth County. Francis did have a son named John who was born in 1736 and married Elizabeth Lippincott in 1764. It is unlikely that Francis had a second son whom he named John.
3. Joseph Test, born about 1700, is also an unlikely ancestor of John of Monmouth. Joseph had a son named John who I refer to as John "Hatter" Test of Philadelphia. This John Test is well researched and could not be the John Test of Monmouth. It also doesn't seem likely that John Test of Monmouth is the son of John Hatter since John Hatter already is known to have a son named John who died in 1765.
4. Zachariah Test is a possible father to John Test of Monmouth. Little is known of Zachariah. Some researchers give his date of birth as 1704 and the only mention I have of Zachariah is his witnessing of a will in Burlington County, N. J. in 1721. Burlington is a county just south of Monmouth. The 1793 Military Census of New Jersey indicates that an Ezekiel Test lived in the Township of Northampton, Burlington County, N.J. in 1793.
5. John and Grace (Woolley) Test are said to have had a son William who died in 1752. This William identifies his sons in his will as Walker, Richard, Edward and William. The dates make it highly unlikely, but not impossible, that one of these sons might be the father of John Test of Monmouth County.
6. John and Grace (Woolley) Test are also credited with a son named Edward who died in 1759. The will of Edward mentions a number of relatives and only one son (Edward born in 1741) and one daughter. Thus it seems unlikely that he would be the father of John Test of Monmouth.
7. John Test and Elizabeth (Sanders) Test had a son John, Jr. who we have followed in the records of Chester County, Pa. We Know that this John Test married Margaret and they had a son named John who died in Pennsylvania as a young man. Thus, I conclude that this is not the family line of John Test of Monmouth.
8. It is possible that John Test of Monmouth is the son of Thomas, a previously unidentified son of the "original" John and his wife Elizabeth (Sanders) Test. This possibility is perhaps just wild speculation! We know that there is a mysterious Thomas Test appearing in various records at too early a date to be a grandchild of "the original" John Test. These include the court case in Chester County in 1695 and the property deed in Philadelphia where a piece of property passes from a Thomas Test the "original" John Test.
I obtained a copy of the will of John Test of Monmouth County. It is very difficult to read and is transcribed below as much as possible:
In the Name of God Amen, I John Test of Monmouth County and State of New Jersey __________ being of sound mind and memory ____________________ and knowing the short span of life and the certainty of death, and that I may go hence when ever it doth please God to call me, and for the settling of my Temporal business in which it hath pleased God to Bless me with I do order__________________ the following:
(First) I commit my soul to God who created it and my body to the earth to be decently buried. (2ly) I order that my funeral expenses be payd and my lawful debts. (3ly) To my well beloved wife Anna I will and Bequeath to her, and to heirs and assigns for ever all my property Both Real and personal what so ever of whereforever. And I Do Consitutue and Appoint my wife Anna Test my Executrix to this my last will and Testament A Revoking and Disanuling all others. Witness hereof I have set my hand and seal this tenth day february in the Year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirteen.
Witness present John Test
John Baird
Aron Gaston
William Lucas
John Baird and William Lucas attested to the will on the 18th day of December 1813.
I don't think it is significant that the will lists no children. John and Anna were married in 1767 and their children, if any, would have been adults at the time the will was written.
Where do we go from here on the search for the family lines of the Tests of Monmouth County? I may have hit a brick wall! I cannot imagine finding a more reliable researcher of the local records of Monmouth County than Barbara Carver Smith. Local records, which have been so helpful in the past, appear to be lacking in Monmouth County.
I have made a number of notes to myself to read more of the Monmouth records word for word to see if I can find any more hints for further research, but this seems like a shot in the dark.
Further Things To Do Before
This Area Of Research is Abandoned1. Recheck the New Jersey Archives, Vol. 22, Page 393 for the marriage of John Test and Ann Kearl. Is the name of the church mentioned? Done-this is a list of marriage licenses issued with no further information in the Archives.
2. Do a general search of New Jersey records for the Kearl name. I have come up with a total blank on that surname, as did Barbara Carver Smith.
3. Recheck the 1793 Military census of New Jersey. There is no John Test in Monmouth, Why? Trace all Tests in this record to my file to see if I can identify who is who. Done-There is no John Test listed in this publication and I have identified all of the persons listed with the exception of Ezekiel of Burlington and Ezekiel of Monmouth.
4. Check old maps of New Jersey. Were Monmouth and Burlington ever the same county. Done-Monmouth was one of the original counties of New Jersey along with Bergen, Essex and Middlesex. The original townships of Monmouth were Middleton, Shrewsbury and Freehold. Freehold included Millstone and Upper Freehold. Upper Freehold was formed in 1730 and Millstone was formed in 1844.
5. Ezekiel appears in the 1840 census of Monmouth. Why is he not in the 1830 census of New Jersey at all. Is there any locational hints in the 1840 census that might allow me to search the details for a Test who is not in the index. I found Ezekiel in the 1830 census even though he is not in the index. I need to check the entire 1830 census for other Tests who are not in the index. I should find Ezekiel, Jr. in the 1830 census, perhaps in Monmouth. He could be living in his own household or with his in-laws, name unknown. I should find Jesse Test in the 1830 census, perhaps in Monmouth. He could be living in his own household or in his in-laws the Miltons.
6. Check New Jersey wills of 1800 and 1810 for Anderson, John and Samuel. Ezekiel was a witness to both. Any hints as to family connections.
7. Any chance that will of Emanual Woolley of Monmouth would give any Test family information. What about a Lippincott will for Jacob Lippincott who married Grace Woolley or a will for Richard Lippincott the father of Jacob. Jacob Lippincott died 1689.
8. Read every page of the records of the Old Tennent Church of Monmouth. UMI LH 1790. Done-What a chore!
9. Will of Ebenezer Tallman of Wall, N.J., mentions Joel Test in 1852. Check on Tallman, what was his relationship to Joel Test? Will is quoted in Historical and Genealogical Miscellany by John E. Stillwell, Vol. 5. Joel was married to Helen, last name unknown.
10. Two additional names to research, in 1823, Jesse Test married Ann Milton and in 1838 Phebe Test married Benjamin Brown.8
11. Check the name Harrison since a child William Harrison is living with Ezekiel, Sr., in the 1850 census.
1 New Jersey Archives, Vol. 22, Page 393; a list of N.J. marriage licenses.
2 Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, Vol. 50, Page 87 and New Jersey Genesis, Page 806.
3 Official Register of New Jersey Rev. War. - E263.N5 N552
4 History of Old Tennent Church. UMI LH 1790, pages 186, 189 and 224.
5 Deed Book N, Page 447a and 448a, Monmouth County Hall of Records.
6 Ibid. Deed Book A3, page 405.
7 N.J. Archives, Vol. 39, page 13 and Vol. 41, page 12.
8 Marriages of Monmouth County, N.J. by George Gibson.