Johannes Depuy & Maria Van Campen

Johannes was born to Benjamin-1 (32) and Elisabeth Schoonmaker Depuy (27) and baptized on March 26, 1727 [KB3585] in Marbletown, Ulster County, NY. He was the fourth of six children. He moved to Mt. Bethel, PA with his father at an early age.

On June 25, 1749 (22) he married in Walpack, NJ Marie Van Campen (17), born February 27, 1732. She was the daughter of Abraham Van Campen and Susannah Depuy, one of seven children. "Johannes Dupuy, young man, born at Marbletown, to Marya Van Campen, young woman, born at Namenack, and both dwelling at Pechoqually, married June 25, 1749." [25, Smithfield DRC records] They were first cousins having Moses as a grandfather.

Maria's father Abraham Van Campen was a prominent landowner in the Minisink area on the New Jersey side of the river. He owned 3,000 acres stretching seven miles along the Delaware River. He was a colonel in the militia and key in the defense of the Minisink in 1755 during the French and Indian War. His house is still standing. Three of his children married Depuy's, a prominent family on the Pennsylvania side of the river.

They had eight children:

In 1753 when the county was set off from Morris, Johannes Depue was one of the commissioners chosen to divide Sussex county into precincts. The four precincts were: Walpack, Greenwich, Hardwick and New Town. [8]

Johannes Depue, of Walpack, was once the hero of a conflict with the Indians, who attacked his house with savage ferocity; he single-handed he beat them off. [8]

The will of Maria's father left to John and Maria 400 pounds and a Negro wench called Jane in 1767. Large landholders and farmers in the North often had a few slaves during this period. [76]

John and his brother Benjamin bought 596 acres in Mt. Bethel in June 1768. Families in the area frequently farmed and owned land on both sides of the river.

They were members of the Dutch Reformed Church.

John died on April 19, 1777 at age 50 in Mt. Bethel; just as the Revolutionary War was beginning. He died intestate owning 290 acres in Mt. Bethel. The land was awarded to his oldest son Benjamin. [A]

There is supposed to be a gravestone in 3 Church Cemetery (Mt. Bethel ?).

Maria lived another 5 years and died on after March 21, 1782 about age 50.

The ruins of a red sandstone house can still be seen in Pahaquarry, perhaps a mile from Colonel Van Campen's house; which is known as the Depui House. [9]

Bibliography

• Bib. 8: Snell, p. 257 & 320
• Bib. 9: Wantage Recorder, 9/22/1911
• Bib. 17: Schoonmaker, p. 37, 2-1, 4-1
• Bib. 25: NY B&G Society, Vol. 8, p. 94
• Bib. 26: Old Dutch Church of Kingston Records;
• Bib. 76: E. Walters to J. Depue letter
• Bib. 77: E. Walters to J. Roe letter
• A: File 762, Court House, Easton, PA & Orphan's Court, Bk E, page 8, 26 7 31