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Facts and Events
Adriaen was a farmer and blacksmith and one of the first settlers (about 1725) on the south bank of the Raritan, on a farm between Centerville and Three Bridges, New Jersey, owned in 1881 by William C. Van Doren. He was a wealthy man for the region, and devoted himself to the care of his Plantation near Readington, New Jersey. On May 31, 1744, he purchased 300 acres of land in Northampton County, in Bethel Township, Pennsylvania, probably for his eldest son Dirck Aten who soon after moved there. None of the Atens remain in Bethel township although a few are in the Raritan Valley. Most of Dirck Aten's children pioneered to the south and west.
The Atens living between the branches of the Raritan had their children baptized in the log church over the North branch, just west of its union with the south branch which forms the beautiful river. Some years later the church was moved two miles farther west, and is known as the Church of Readington. Reading's town is on Adrian Aten's farm. The church of Readington has baptismal records of the Aten family.
During the Revolution, like most of his Dutch associates, he was an enthusiastic patriot. Three of his sons were in the volunteer Corps on Long Island, where one was captured and remained a prisoner for two full years. Patriots carrying messages to and from the continental Congress and the northern capitals found his hospitable mansion an ever ready resting place. A detachment of Washington's Army passing northward to Morristown, New Jersey, on a hot day drank the well dry.
He [was] on "The Poll of the Freeholders of the County of Hunterdon for Representatives to serve in General Assembly of the Province of New Jersey for the County of Hunterdon, taken per Christoper Search, one of the Clerks, October 9, 1783, before David Martin, Esq. High Sheriff." (Snell's "History of Hunterdon and Somerset County," p. 192.)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Descendants of Michiel DeMott
# 11. - ↑ WILL: In the name of God, Amen. I Adriaen ATTEN of the township of Reading in the County of Hunterdon and Western division of the Province of New Jersy being sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory praise therefore be given unto God for the same. Do make and Ordain this my Present and Last will and Testament in manner folowing that owing...say first and principally, I commit my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it and my Body to the Earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named. And as to making the disposition of such Estate as it has pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me, I give and dispose there of in the following manner. I wish that all my just debts and funeral Charges be honorably and justly paid and discharged. I give to my eldest son named Derrich...shillings to be paid him full satisfaction progeniture of birthright. I give also unto my beloved wife Jacobite one bed thereto belonging and bedsted, and the painted cupboard, and one chest drawers died (dyed) black, one waggon and two horses which she shall use, and the room in the house with son where I dwell and likewise fire wood all during her natural life. Likewise I give to her the sum of two hundred pounds money at eight shillings the pound, these to be for her use for subistance during her natural life and to be at her sole management and disposal after my just debts are paid. I will that all remaining part of my Estate both real and personal be equally divided among my sons and daughters, namely: Ann, Derrick, Hendirck, Gath (Cath?), John, Grret, Judah (Judith) and Adriaen to be eqaually dived to part share and share alike exactly thereabout for those of my children that are unmarried at my death and set to be in proportion to those that are already married. That is to say that after those unmarried have their portion then my will is that my sons and daughters part share and share alike in quantity and quality of my real and personal estate to be for them and their heirs and assigns forever. I do hereby appoint my said son Hendrick ATEN and my loving brother-in-law Peter Middagh of this my last will and entreating of them to cause the same to be punctually performed and kept. Hereby recinding and making null and void all former and other wills by me heretofore made declaring this only to be my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eight day of December, in the thirty-first year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the second of Great Britain King, anno Domini 1757.
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