William SHARP, imported to NJ 1685

[LandD]

I am looking for help in connecting William Sharp, (imported to NJ by Lord Neil Campbell in 1685) to Scotland.

In several places I have seen him connected to Andrew Sharp and Helen Hendrie of Aberdeen, but I have never seen a source for the connection. I have found 6 different William Sharps that would fit the time period, and wonder on what basis the Andrew Sharp connection was made.

What we know so far is that William Sharp was imported to NJ by Lord Neil Campbell in 1685.
(His name appears on a handwritten list of people imported by Campbell.)
He does not appear on the list of passengers on the Henry and Francis.
I have not found a passenger list for the Caledonia, which may be the other ship that Lord Neil Campbell hired to bring people from Leith to NJ in 1685.
William Sharp does not appear (that I have found), on any list of Covenanters, imprisoned and banished with Lord Neil Campbell.
It is noted that Campbell brought servants who were indentured. "Our" William was perhaps one of these.
None of the Williams on my list of possibilities comes from Argyll, where Campbell came from.
Some of the Williams on the list have fathers named William, which is a tradition in the Sharp family.

I would truly appreciate any information, or clarity, or hints that I may receive.
We are coming to Scotland next week to research Sharps, Watsons, and Stannards. (Watson and Stannards in Edinburgh)
I am just beginning to learn to research, so even obvious pointers are a boon.

thanks   

[jim1]

you're right in thinking he may have been an indentured servant.
Assuming he married I would think the marriage is where to look as often it will give fathers & sometimes mothers name.
He soon settled 22 men servants and 3 boys on that property under three-year
indentures and had them furnished with 'corn, cattell, and matteriall.' The indentures
of those servants expired in 1688, but the following year Campbell wrote to his agent
that 'all of them are under contract for Rent with us.”

[LandD]

Thankyou for the helpful item on William Sharp! I am much obliged also for the brilliant suggestion to check the marriage certificate of William Sharp and Mary Smith of New Jersey on Feb 13, 1688.

Does anyone have the information from their marriage certificate?

We are travelling to Scotland next week, and would like to establish this link as a tribute to my father-in-law, Howard Sharpe, who compiled over 3000 names in his Sharp(e) genealogy.

thanks to all 

[jim1]

Howard Sharpe, who compiled over 3000 names in his Sharp(e) genealogy.

That what's called life at the sharp end...well somebody had to say it.
This is the only other ship sailing to Jersey 1685 that I can find.
http://www.network54.com/Forum/8059/thread/951495865/Five+Scottish+Ships+into+NJ
http://www.jerseyhistory.org/findingaid.php?aid=0068

[LandD]

Thank you Jim1 for the prompt and helpful reply.
We have also been admiring your photo posting!

The information on ships leaving Leith for NJ in 1685 is very useful.
I also found a record in Edinburgh City files saying that:
The ship John and Sarah, owned by Alexander Ffearnes (sic) and commanded by Edward Barnes, was commissioned to remove Covenanters to America. It is listed as leaving on the 17th of December, 1685, which seems like longer than Lord Neil Campbell would have wanted to stick around, given the unhappy political climate, but it does correspond to the date on the hand written passenger list of "Persons as were imported into the province of East New Jersey by Lord Neil Campbell".
The "directory of Scots Banished to the American Plantations, 1650 to 1775" records that several Covenanters were transported on the ship.

Any insights are appreciated.
Thank you.

[jim1]

It depends on what's meant by 12 1685.To us it's December but in 1685 they were using the Julian calendar meaning the year ended in Febuary. It wasn't changed to the Gregorian calendar until the 1730's.
If it's a relatively modern transcription the author may have calculated a new date.

[LandD]

Thankyou, Jim1 - The date transcription is an excellent point, and one I was unaware of.

I just found a document (based on Winifred Lovering Homan's Sharp Lineage) saying that William Sharp is listed in a July 1745  court proceeding as William Sharp Jr.
Am I correct in assuming that his father's name would have been William as well?
(i have been tricked with details before, see date, above)

No luck finding the marriage certificate of William and Mary Smith, but I will write to the New Jersey historical society link that you kindly provided.

thanks for your time and experience,


 

[jim1]

William Sharp Jr. would refer to someone with a father the same name, however in 1745 your William would have been very old if alive at all.
His father would have been dead & would more than likely be known as William Sharp Sr. if he had a son of the same name.
Stick with the NJ HS as they will have the most info if any exists.
There won't be a marriage certificate but there should be any entry in the Parish or settlement book if they exist.
I know many of the Dutch settlements books of New Amsterdam from much earlier do exist.

[LandD]

Thanks, Jim1 for catching the date. I can't believe I missed that, and I'm glad you are alert.
William Sharp jr is indeed his son.

yet another question-
From "the Vital Records of Woodbridge, Middlesex county, NJ, extracted from the story of a NJ town - by the Rev Joseph W Dally, New Brunswick NJ 1873."
In it he lists:
"William Sharp was Published for marriage with Mary Smith 23 Jan 1688
William Sharp had his certifycate for marriage 13 Feb 1688."
Does published for marriage mean Banns?
Is the certifycate date the actual marriage date?

thanks
LandD