The Rue Family (Stokes, 1970), GMNJ, pp. 97-102
THE
GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE
OF NEW JERSEY

VOLUME 45 - NUMBER 3 - WHOLE NUMBER 171

September 1970

The Rue Family

ALBERT L. STOKES

MATTHEW RUE, the progenitor of this family in New Jersey, was on Staten Island as early as July 1679 when he witnessed a deed of gift from Estienne Gayneau to his son Stephen, about to wed Sussannah Usselton (Book 6, page 168, Div. of Land Records, Albany, and AG 19:17). Subsequent to 1679 he owned and undoubtedly lived on a tract of land near the mouth of the Kennebec River, in the present state of Maine but then in York County, Massachusetts. A deed of Matthew Rue, dated Nov. 20, 1683, was recorded Mar. 5, 1721/2--"Between Matthew Rew Late of Kenebeck River In Ye Province of Maine to the Eastward, Yoeman Now Resident on Staten Island In ye Province of New York on ye one Part and Richard Pateshall of Boston in New England, Merchant on the other Part." It further mentions "where Matthew Rew built his dwelling house." Matthew signed with a mark. As no wife joined in the deed, it is reasonable to assume that he was a widower. The property was located opposite Lee's Island in the Kennebec River.*
It is assumed that this Matthew was the immigrant ancestor but from whence he came has not been ascertained. Rue is a name occuring in many western European countries including England, where even a Matthew Rue is mentioned in the records of the Walioon Church at Canterbury: "Pierre du Riew son of the late Matthew, native of Lille, and Marie du Bois, widow of Francois Jaquesman, native of Canterbury, married May 18, 1685."
On Staten Island, Matthew La Rue received a grant from Governor Dongan on Dec. 23, 1685. Of course Matthew had this land before the grant, which merely confirmed title already passed, but there is no record of any deed in the land records (Book A, the earliest, is missing). Matthew died before Oct. 30, 1722, as evidenced by a survey of that date referring to "Land laid out for John Rue which was due him by virtue of a grant to his father Matthew Rue formerly of Staten Island, deceased" (Staten Island deeds, Book C, p. 100). This proves that John Rue was the son of Matthew. The relationship of this John to Matthew and James Rue, obviously his contemporaries, is not clear, but it is supposed that they are brothers. In 1732 they were of the Province of Pennsylvania. The children of Matthew Rue by his unknown wife were:

2. John.
3. Matthew.
4. lames.

2. JOHN RUE (Matthew) was, according to the records of Rev. Elisha Boudinot Stockton,** born in 1679. The source of Stockton's information if not stated, but since this John Rue received a grant of land near the falls of the Delaware on Nov. 17, 1699 (NJD, Book B, p. 719), he may well have been born before 1679. In the Staten Island census, believed to have been taken about 1706, his age is given as forty-three. The same census gives Matthew Rue, age 25; Matthew Rue, age 20; and a boy Matthew. John's wife Peternell is listed but no age is given. The Stockton records give her birth year as 1686 without revealing the source.
John Rue was a freeholder on Staten Island in 1702 and a constable in 1707. In a deed for a lot in Perth Amboy, dated 1716, he is called a cordwainer of Richmond County, N.Y. (NJD). This lot was sold in 1732 to Matthew and James Rue of the Province of Pennsylvania. There is a strong possibility that these are brothers of John.
In his will, dated Jan. 6., 1756, and proved Mar. 6, 1775 (NJW),§ he refers to himself as a yoeman of Matchaponex, Middlesex County, in the Eastern Division of the Province of New Jersey. His wife Peternell is mentioned and provided for but she is not further identified, a task which has stumped the experts for several generations. Besides sons Matthew, William, John, and Joseph, grandchildren Joseph William, John, sons of son Matthew deceased, are specificaly mentioned and bequeathed land at Manalapan. These in addition to the other four sons of son Matthew are to support Marget Rue, the wife of son Matthew. No daughters are mentioned and there is no indication that there were any. There is no inventory, which may indicate that John had been dead some years before probate.
Children of John and Paternell Rue as listed in will (order uncertain; dates of birth not found):

5. Matthew.
6. William.
7. John
8. Joseph.

5. MATTHEW RUE (John, Matthew) is believed to be the oldest son although no date of birth has been found. He could be the boy Matthew mentioned in the Staten Island census. That his first wife was Margaret Dove seems indicated by a deed in the New Jersey State Library, dated June 28, 1763, and recorded Oct. 6. 1763, between the legatees of Alexander Dove and John Smyth. Among the legatees is Joseph Rue, Jr., oldest son of Margaret Rue deceased, formerly Marget Dove. Thus Margarets parents are Alexander Dove, born 1663 in Shropshire, England, died in Monmouth County, N.J., Oct. 7, 1732, and Jane his wife born 1671 and died in Monmouth County, Nov. 9, 1754. They are buried in Topenamus graveyard where their stones giveing the above information can be seen.
The records of Christ Church at Schrewsbury, N.J., indicate the first Mrs. Rue's death as follows: "Burials 1748 -- Apr. 29, Mrs. Rue wife of Mr. Matthew Rue. Her daughters Eleanor and Jean were baptized same day aged 2 mo." On Oct. 11, 1749, Matthew Rue married Margaret Mount, daughte rof Matthias Mount and widow of James Herbert (NJMB & SHGM). His will (NJW) dated Feb. 1, 1755, and proved Nov. 13, 1755, leaves to his wife Margaret one-third of the moveable estate and requires her maintenance by his six sons while his wide. Each son gets 100 acres, while daughters get two-thirds of the movable estate. Executors: brothers William and Joseph. His widow married a third time to James Dey, Nov. 24, 1760 (NJB).
Children of Matthew Rue and Margaret Dove:

9. Joseph, b. Aug 8. 1731, d. July 8, 1810; mar. Dec. 2, 1752, Ann Disbrow (NJB), b. May 29, 1736, d. Dec. 2, 1801. They removed to Charlton, N.Y. (From records of the late Mrs. Sarah Rue Powers.)
10. Samuel. No birth date found. He mar. Sept. 20, 1753, Catherine Provost, widow of Gerret Brestede. She was bp. Mar. 28, 1720 (NYGBR, 66:65).
11. Matthew, b. 1740, d. Oct. 19, 1824; mar. Catherine Voorhees, b. Oct. 8, 1747, d. Aug. 7, 1836. Grave in Presbyterian churchyard, Cranbury, N.J.
12. William, b. 1742; mar. Nellie Covenhoven, b. Mar. 31, 1742, daughter of William and Mary Colyer Covenhaven. William Rue was a Revolutionary soldeier, serving in Walton's Dragoons, Monmouth County Militia. It is claimed that he and his wife are buried in Old Tennent Cemetery but the writer has been unable to locate their graves. Nellie's parents are buried in Old Tennent.
13. James, b. April 1744, mar. at South River, N.J., Jan. 21, 17 67, Phoebe Abraham, b. Mar. 8, 1742.
14. Elinore, bapt. April 29, 1748
15. Jean, bapt. April 29, 1748

Children of Matthew Rue and Margaret Mount:

16. Margaret, b. Aug. 25, 1750
17. Matthias, b. a;pril 27, 1752, d. June 22, 1820, mar. Jan. 1, 1777, Phoebe Coombs, b. Aug. 24. 1752, d. June 9.8, 1834. daughter of Joseph Coorobs. See gravestones in Old Tennent Cemetery and Symmes' history, pages 274 and 419.
17a. John, b. Mar. 20, 11754, d. Oct. 4, 1844; mar. (lst) Jan. 1, 1777, Ann Coorobs (daughter oJ Jonathan Coombs), who d. Feb. 11, 1789; mar. (2nd) Sept. 3, 1789, Rebecca Perrine, d. Aug. 5, 1825, aged 66.0.2. John, a tailor most of his working !lie, lived at Mannlogan. He and Rebecca are buried at Cranbury.

6. WILLIAM RUE, son of John and Peternell Rue, was born about 1707. His wife was Elizabeth -- (her maiden name has not been discovered). His will was dated May 2, 1757, and proved Oct. 4, 1761. Executors were his wife Elizabeth and brother Joseph. Elizabeth received use of all his estate while his widow. Sons John, Mattbias, and Matthew received all lands, and his five daughters all movable estate after death of their mother (which occured before Dec. 8, 1762).
Children (order of birth uncertain) baptisms from Christ Church records, Shrewsbury):

18. Elizabeth.
19. Eleanor, mar. Mar. 14, 1763, William Perrine.
20. Ann, mar. James Abrahams.
21. John.
22. Mattbias. bp. June 28, 1747, aged one year. He mar. Elizabeth --.
23. Matthew, bp. Oct. 28, 1750.
24. Rachel, bp. Oct. 29, 1752.
25. Mary, bp. July 3, 1757.

On Dec. 8, 1762, John and Matbias Rue of Monmouth County, wards, children of William Rue of said county, deceased, make choice of guardian: "We the under subscribers do choose )as. Abraham Jr. for a guardian to act in place of mother deceased." The document was signed by Ellen Rue and Ann Rue, who were of age, and John Rue and Matthias Rue. Fellowbondsman was Jag. Abraham, Sr. Under date of June 28, 1766, Matthew and Rachel Rue of Monmouth County, children of William Rue of said county, choose as guardian William Perrine of Upper Freehold, said county. Fallow. t bondsman: John Rue of said county. (NJA wills, 4:367).
Matthew Rue, son of William (6), was a private in Capt. Kenneth Hankinson's Company, First Regiment, Monmouth Militia. He and Sergeant William Johnson were taken prisoners at the Battle of Navesink, Feb 3, 1777, I and conveyed to New York, where MattHas died in prison Feb. 28, 1777 (records of Adjutant Gem of N. J.). on Mar. 22, 1777, his wife Elizabeth (Gaston?) was appointed administrator of his estate with James Gaston as fellowbondsman (N.J.A. wills, 5:437). On Mar. 26, 1777, Martha, William, and John Rue, of Monmouth County, children of Mattbias Rue of said county, deceased, became wards of William Perrine, their uncle, fellowbondsman being John Van Kirk of said county. On May 23, 1780, the same children made choice of James Mount as their guardian, fellowbondsman, Joseph Holmes. Sergeant William Johnson was married to Ann Perrine, the d:mghtee of John Perrine (Tory John) and Mary Rue, and thus his wife was a first cousin of Matthias. The testimony of Sergeant Johnson establishing tile date of Manhias Rue's death is recorded in Book I of Miscenaneous Records at the Monmouth County Clerk's office, Freehold.

7. JOHN RUE, son of John and Peternell Rue, was born about 1709. The name of his first wife has not been found. He married a second time May 20, 1751, Scyte Boice, widow of Luke Voorhees (NJMB). His will is dated Sept. 4, 1777, and from it we obtain the names of his children. It was probated Nov. 16, 1795, and the inventory of his estate was taken Jan. 30, 1796, totaling £1157.5.6. The will provided that his wife Scythe receive £100 and be maintained by son John, who received all land except twenty-seven acres "whereon Mathias Johnson now lives," which was to be sold. The family to continue on the plantation until daughter Lydia is eighteen and daughter Seity Craig to live with the rest of the family. The executors were son John and cousin Mathew, son of Mathew.
Children of John Rue and unknown first wife:

26. John, mar. Mary, daughter of Johh Smock (NJA wills, 8:333).
27. Eleanor.
28. Rebecca.
29. Elizabeth.
30. Mary, b. Mar. 19, 1737, d. April 18, 1824, mar. June 3, 1756 (NJMB anti SOTC, p. 392), John Perrine, b. Oct. 20, 1722, d. Apr. 26, 1804. They are separated in death as they were in life, he being buried in Hoffman Hill Cemetery and she in Old Tenneat Cemetery. The following record abstracted in NJA Wills 5:390 gives the details; "Oct. 12, 1779, Hannah Perrine of Monmouth Co., ward, daughter of John Pertinc, of said county, deceased. Said ward makes choice of her mother Mary Perrine as her guardian. Fellow bondsman, William Johnson. The Surrogate states that after signing the bond the parties informed him that the father of Hannah Perrine is not dead, but has joined the enemy at New York, that the estate left to said Hannah was left by a relation long since deceased, and that her father went to the enemy." Also see the New Jersey Gazette, Mar. 8, 1780: "Let the Publick Beware. Whereas the Commissioners for selling the Confiscated estates in the county of Monmouth etc. have in this paper of the first of March instant advertised among other things for sale 'a well improved farm containing 300 acres lying in Upper Freehold' which they are pleased to suppose belongs to John Perrine, now with the enemy; But this may assure the publlck that the said farm doth not, nor ever did belong to the said John Perrine; but that the same is the property of and was duly devised to John, Peter, Matthew and Joseph Perrine, sons of the said John the Refugee, in and by the last will anti testament of their grandfather, John Perrine, deceased, as will fully appear by the said will, duly proved and remaining in the Secretary's office at Burlington. -- Therefore, in behalf of the said devisees, now under age, the subscribers. guardian of the said children, and the executors of the estate of the said deceased, do forewarn all manner of persons fsom purchasing the same, as they are determined to defend the said devisees' estate, according to the laws of this free and independent state. Mar. 6, 1780. Mary Perrine, guardian, James Perrine, Joseph Perrine. Executors."

Children of John Rue and Scythe Boice:

31. Seythe, mar. Samuel Craig.
32. Ann, mar. John Van Winkle.
33. Lydia, who was under eighteen when her father's will was made.

8. JOSEPH RUE, son of John and Peternell Rue, was b. about 1711. Most of our knowledge concerning him comes from his own and his father's wills. Joseph's will, dated May 20, 1765, and proved June 5, 1765, provides for sale of his plantation on the Manalopan called Grape Vine Neck. It confirms the sale of land, purchased of William Perrine, to son John. Wife Sarah shall enjoy rest of estate including 200 acres where he now lives, conveyed to him by his father John Rue. What is left at death of wife is left to his children, Matthew, William, Joseph, Abigail Perrine, Ann, and Mary. His part in Leonard's Mine, in Somerset County, is left to his three sons. Executors were wife Sarah, friends William Laird, St., and Matthew Rue, blacksmith. The estate was inventoried at £366.17.8 on June 6, 1765. Mar. 24, 1768, the executors record payment to Margaret Rue, daughter of Matthew Rue, deceased. Sarah's maiden name is unknown. Children of Joseph and Sarah Rue:

34. Abigail, b. South Areboy, 1735, d. Oct. 22, 1803, at Trenton; mar. Nov. 10, 1757, Henry Perrine, b. Matcheponix, July 22, 1730, d. July 6, 1816. They lived in New York City. (H. D. Perrine, Daniel Perrine the Huguenot.)
35. Matthew, d. before Mar. 24, 1768.
36. Ann.
37. Mary, bp. Christ Church, Shrewsbury, Apt. 25, 1747.
38. William, bp. Christ Church, Shrewsbury, Dec. 3, 1749.
39. John.
40. Joseph, b. June 19, 1751 (Christ Ch. Shrewsbury), d. at Pennington, N. J., April 15. 1826; mar. Feb. 9, 1785, Elizabeth Liscomb, b. in New York City, Sept. 5, 1760, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Adams) Liscomb, d. Aug. 25, 1845. Both ate buried in the Presbyterian churchyard at Pennington. Joseph Rue began theological studies with Rev. William Tennent before 1777, continued under Rev. John Woodbull, and was licensed at Allentown luly 25, 1781. He had graduated from the College. of New Jersey (Princeton) in 1776. On Oct. 19, 1785, he was installed pastor at Pennington, which relationship continued for forty-one years. Children were: Thomas Liscomb Rue, b. Nov. 7, 1785; Sarah Rue, b. Feb. 5, 1790; Eliza Adams Rue, b. Dec. 4, 1797; Joseph Woodhull Rue, b. Aug. 17, 1803.



*York Deeds, Book 10. The writer is indebted to the late Mrs. Sarah Rue Powers, who supplied him with a copy of the deed and also pinpointed the location of the property conveyed.
** New Jersey Historical Society.
§ [John Rue (2)] Abstracted erroneously in the New Jersey Archives under the name of James Rue.






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RUE GENEALOGY