Person Page - 1

     David Michael DeBacker was born 1955 in Washington, District of Columbia, USA. He is the son of David DeBacker and Patricia Dobbs.

     Elizabeth Potter was born 1597 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA. She married William Baulston in 1628 in Boston, Suffolk, Massachusetts, USA. She died on April 15, 1683 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

     Elizabeth Baulstone was born circa 1629 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.^1,2 She was the daughter of William Baulston and Elizabeth Potter. She married John Coggeshall, son of John Coggeshall and Mary. She died on October 1, 1700 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.¹

     John Anthony was born 1585 in London, London, England. He was the son of Francis Anthony and Susan Howe. He married Mary. He died on April 21, 1655 in London, London, England.

     Susan Howe was born 1554 in London, London, England. She married Francis Anthony. She died on May 26, 1623 in London, Middlesex, England.

     Mary Coggeshall was born September 18, 1675 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.¹ She was the daughter of John Coggeshall and Elizabeth Timberlake. She married William Anthony, son of Abraham Anthony and Alice Wodell, on March 14, 1695 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA. She died in 1739 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

     William Flint was born 1603 in Flint, Wales.¹ He married Alice Williams in 1644 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. He died on April 2, 1672 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹

     Alice Wodell was born February 10, 1650 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.¹ She was the daughter of William Wodell and Mary Wardwell. She married Abraham Anthony, son of John Anthony and Susanna Potter, on December 26, 1671 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA. She died in 1734 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

     John Coggeshall was born 1618 in Halstead, Essex, England.¹ He was the son of John Coggeshall and Mary. He married Elizabeth Baulstone, daughter of William Baulston and Elizabeth Potter. He died on October 1, 1708 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.¹

     Alice Pickering was born October 27, 1763 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.¹ She was the daughter of Edward Pickering and Abigail Chase. She married Jotham Pickering, son of Jonathan Pickering and Elizabeth Hunt, on November 12, 1781 in Mendon, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹ She died in 1797.¹
     Alice Pickering was also known as Else Pickering.

     Jotham Pickering was born circa 1761 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.¹ He was the son of Jonathan Pickering and Elizabeth Hunt. He married Alice Pickering, daughter of Edward Pickering and Abigail Chase, on November 12, 1781 in Mendon, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹ He died circa 1809 in Gibson Hill, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.¹
     A Jotham Pickering of Mendon appears in list of men mustered by Thomas Newhall, Muster master of Worcester Co. to serve in the Continental Army for the term of 9 months; said Pickering appears among men belonging to Capt Nelson's co. and other companies in Col. Wood's regt; engaged for town of Mendon; also, descriptive list of men raised in Worcester Co to serve in the Continental Army for the term of nine months from the time of their arrival in Fishkill, agreeable to resolve of April 20, 1778, returned as received by Andrew Haskell, at Leicester, June 2, 1778; Capt Peter Penniman's co, Col EzraWood's regt; age 17 years statue, 6 ft; complexion dark; hair, dark brown; eyes, dark; residence Mendon; engaged for the town of Mendon; arrived at Fishkill June 7, 1778; also, list of men returned as recieved of Jonathan Warner, Commissioner, by Col R Putnam, July 20, 1778; also, a list of men returned as mustered by Henry Rutgers, Deputy Muster Master, dated Fishkill, Aug 1, 1778. Also the Centennial History of Susquehanna County - Stocker 1887 p 219 Listing of those going to (participating in) the American Revolution includes one Jotham Pickering.^2,3 Also appears in a list of men from Mendon, Massachusetts in Rhode Island service, under Capt. Samuel Hamant.⁴

"Jotham Pickering and his brother Phineas, from Massachusetts originally, came to what is now Gibson, in 1798 from a farm now owned by Mr. Wellman in New Milford, to which they had come in 1793. Corbet, son of Jotham, stated in an article published in the 'Montrose Republican' that his father was 'the second inhabitant of Gibson', but as he also stated positively, that he was five years on the place where he began in 1793, his memory failed him in regard to the settlement of Gibson, as proved by the diary of Deacon Chamberlin. The farm of JP was less than half a mile east of Kennedy Hill, to which he came with the purpose of uniting his family of children with those of Capt Potter, to establish a school. The advantages they were able to command must have been limited as it is asserted the first teacher in Gibson did not know how to write. Mr. C Pickering says - At that time Gibson was indeed a wilderness, and without a figure might have been styled a howling wilderness, because upon every hand, at all times of day or night, could be heard the melancholy howl of the wolf and very often the piercing screech of the panther. Truly those were the times that tried men's nerves, if not their souls. At this time, moreover, there were no mills nearer than Wilkes-Barre and it was some years before we had the advantage of any other process of grinding than that of a hard wood stump, dug out in the form of a mortar, while the pestle, with which we pounded our corn, somewhat resembled a modern handspike. But we could not afford so tedious a process in manufacturing our rye; so we put on the big kettle, and boiled a quantity of what is, in these days of improvement, called whiskey seeds; and really we found rye and milk much more palatable than rye and kerosene. The first mill that I can remember was ten miles distant, nearly every step of the way in woods; and the boy that had sufficient nerve and muscle, had the exalted privilege of mounting a bag of corn, which had first been mounted on horseback, and taking up his tedious pilgrimage to the gristmill."⁵

“[Regarding the Pickering Family]… Few if any families in Susquehanna County are more truly representative of the early pioneer years than the Pickering’s. In 1795, two brothers, Jotham and Phineas Pickering, left their homes in Mendon, Mass., and settled in the wilderness in what is now New Milford township. In 1796 they removed to what is now Gibson Township. Jotham Pickering and his wife, Elsie, and family, located in the wilderness on a 100-acre tract now known as the Ira Washburn farm, between Smiley and Kennedy Hill, and Phineas settled in Gelatt Hollow. Jotham changed his location to be near the family of Capt Potter, the only other settler in the locality at the time, who had located near Kennedy Hill - the first portion of the township to be occupied, in order that by uniting the two families, school advantages for the children might be obtained. There were no mills nearer than Wilkes-Barre. Wolves at night filled the surrounding forests with echoing howls, and the piercing shrieks of the prowling panther were often heard. Jotham had served as a soldier in the Revolutionary war. By trade he was a carpenter. After his migration to Gibson township, he remained there until his death, which occurred in 1809, when he was about fifty years of age, and he was buried in a private cemetery in Gibson township. He had five sons and four daughters, as follows: Henry , who migrated to New Hope, Brown Co OH; John, a farmer and sawmill owner of Nicholson township; Preserved, who is mentioned below; Corbett, born in 1797, who married Tamar Denny, and died in Gibson township, in 1876; Leah, wife of William Tripp, of Gibson; Mrs. Aden Cramer of Clifford township; Nabby Ann, wife of Henry Miller of Gibson; and Polly, wife of James Waterman of Mt Pleasant, Wayne Co.⁶ "

From notes found in a GEDCOM: Jotham and Alice were first cousins. There isn't any Jotham Pickering listed as residing in Mendon, in 1790 to 1850 Census. However; Jotham is mentioned in the Annals of Mendon and he and Jonathan are living on the same land. There was a Jonathan, who lived in the 6th district near the School House that was located at the foot of the now Pickering Rd. Hill, called South Mendon, at that time.^1,7 Jotham & Phineas Pickering, brothers, settled in New Milford from Massachusetts in 1793. Five years later, in 1798, they settled in Gibson, the latter at Gelatt Hollow. He had sons - Augustus, Joseph and John B. The former, Jotham, a soldier in the Revolutionary War, resided on Gibson Hill and died at about fifty years of age. His children were Henry, went to Ohio; John, resided in Gibson for many years, removed to Nicholson, where he built a saw mill, and resided until his death; Preserved, resided adjoining the homestead in Gibson, had a son William, whose son Alden S. is the present proprietor of the hotel at South Gibson; Corbet (1796-1876) father of John D; Potter, resided in Gibson and died in Glennwood; Leah, wife of WilliamTripp, of Gibson; Mrs Aden Cramer, of Clifford; Nabby Ann, A Mrs. Miller of Gibson; and Polly, wife of James Waterman, of Mt. Pleasant, Wayne county.⁸

     Alice Flint was born 1640 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹ She was the daughter of William Flint and Alice Williams. She married Henry Bullock Jr. before 1657. She married John Pickering, son of John Pickering and Elizabeth, in 1657 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. She died on March 4, 1713 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹
     As of before 1657,her married name was Alice Bullock.

     John Pickering was born July 5, 1637 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹ He was the son of John Pickering and Elizabeth. He married Alice Flint, daughter of William Flint and Alice Williams, in 1657 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. He died on May 5, 1694 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA, at age 56.¹
     John Pickering began military service in 1675 in Massachusetts, USA, He was a lieutenant in Captain Samuel Appleton's company in 1675-6, and under Captain Moseley went to the rescue of Captain Lathrop's company at Bloody Brook (Deerfield), 1675.² He was granted land in 1680 in Casco Bay.¹ He left a will in Salem, Massachusetts, USA, To his wife Alice: He left the eastern portion of his dwelling, til her death or remarriage, whichever came first - a large portion of land, 1/3 of the great barn and outhouses. Along with a negro girl, called Maria. He also bequeathed, to Alice, several pounds per year, to be paid to her, by her sons John, William and Benjamin, until her death or remarriage. To his son John: He left the house, he dwelt in, on Broad St. All his Broad St. fields; the orchard and farm lands; and half the land in Lynn, Massachusetts, on the Salem bounds. To Benjamin and William: He left the house that his son John now dwelt in; also, the land called South-fields; More Lot, Adams Lot; the Marsh at Forrest River and two-thirds of the land in Salem and Lynn Counties, to be divided equally between them. To Elizabeth & Hannah, his daughters; John left 40 pounds each, to be received when and if they married and 'only' 'if they married with the approval and consent of their mother.' If not The money was to remain with his son John, 'til a need required.' To his grandchildren, already born: 12 shillings a piece to buy a Silver Spoon, when they become of age or marry. John appointed his son John and his wife Alice executors of his estate with a strong warning to all his heirs, as follows. ‘In case differences should occur between my executors or legatees relating to anything contained in my last will and testament, my order and divine will is; That ye justices of Peace, in ye town of Salem make final issue of ye same, according to the law, whom I earnestly request, to take the trouble upon themselves and In the case any that are named in this Will, refuse to set down satisfied, with what shall be determined; that they lose their legacy herein and be given 5 shillings only, of my estate.’.¹

     Edward Pickering was born before August 20, 1732 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹ He was the son of Edward Pickering and Hannah Bancroft. He married Abigail Chase, daughter of Isaac Chase and Amy Anthony, on April 10, 1757 in Cumberland, Rhode Island, USA. He died in May, 1800 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.¹
     Edward Pickering was in the Massachusetts militia during the French & Indian War and participated in the invasion of Quebec by British forces from 1754 to 1759.² He served as private during Revolutinary war in April, 1775.³

     Alice Williams was born circa 1620 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹ She married William Flint in 1644 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. She died on October 5, 1700 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹
     Her married name was Flint.

     Tamar Denny was born 1802 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.¹ She was the daughter of Dr. John Denny and Esther Corbet.² She married Corbett Pickering, son of Jotham Pickering and Alice Pickering, on September 17, 1818 in Gelatt Hollow, Gibson, Pennsylvania, USA. She died on February 16, 1890 in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.¹
     Tamar Denny and Corbett Pickering appeared on the census of 1850 in Gibson, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA. She and Corbett Pickering appeared on the census of 1860 in Gibson, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.³

     John Anthony was born 1607 in Hempstead, Middlesex, England.¹ He was the son of John Anthony and Mary. He married Susanna Potter on September 13, 1637 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA. He died on July 28, 1675 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.¹

     Elizabeth Blethen was born August 29, 1680 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.¹ She was the daughter of John Blethen and Jane Marks. She married Isaac Chase, son of William Chase and Hannah Sherman, on February 10, 1704 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA. She died in 1719 in Swansea, Bristol, Massachusetts, USA.

     Edward Pickering was born November 18, 1701 in Salem, Essex, Massachusetts, USA.¹ He was the son of Benjamin William Pickering and Jane Hobby. He married Hannah Bancroft, daughter of John Bancroft and Elizabeth Eaton, on March 12, 1724 in Lynn, Massachusetts, USA. He died before May, 1788 in Mendon, Massachusetts, USA.¹
     Edward Pickering was husbandman (raised sheep).² He moved to Mendon, Massachusetts circa 1734.²

     Abraham Anthony was born 1650 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.¹ He was the son of John Anthony and Susanna Potter. He married Alice Wodell, daughter of William Wodell and Mary Wardwell, on December 26, 1671 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA. He died on October 10, 1727 in Portsmouth, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

     Corbett Pickering was born circa 1798 in New Milford, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.^1,2,3,4 He was the son of Jotham Pickering and Alice Pickering. He married Tamar Denny, daughter of Dr. John Denny and Esther Corbet, on September 17, 1818 in Gelatt Hollow, Gibson, Pennsylvania, USA. He died on January 8, 1878 in Glenwood, Pennsylvania, USA.¹
     Corbett Pickering was a veteran of the War of 1812 and served as a private in Montgomery's (134th) Regiment of the Pennsylvania militia.^5,6 He lived in 1850 in Gibson, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.³ He and Tamar Denny appeared on the census of 1850 in Gibson, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA. He lived in 1860 in Gibson, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.² He and Tamar Denny appeared on the census of 1860 in Gibson, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.⁷ He lived in 1870 in Gibson, Susquehanna, Pennsylvania, USA.⁴ From History of Suquehanna, Pennsylvania.

"...Long prior to this the sons of the pioneers began to figure on the tax lists.Corbet Pickering, now of South Gibson, came of age in 1818, and lived at Gelatt Hollow, where he then married a daughter of Dr. Denny. This now aged couple recently celebrated their golden wedding and from Mr. P's published account of it is copied a part of his statements respecting his family: 'We have raised up a large family of children, 11 of whom are now living and 4 have gone to the better land. Our grandchildren now number 52, our great-grandchildren 9, and peace seems to reign on every hand. Ours was no ordinary pleasure on the 17th of Sept 1868, when, sitting at the table spread with the good things of life, in company with most of our children, and many of our neighbors, numbering in all over 100.⁵'"

     Henry Timberlake was born 1570 in Tichfield, Chillinge, Southampton, England. He died on January 30, 1671.

     Henry Timberlake was born 1594 in Tichfield, Chillinge, Southampton, England. He was the son of Henry Timberlake. He married Mary Margaret. He died on May 13, 1626 in Newport, Newport, Rhode Island, USA.

     Elizabeth Hunt married Jonathan Pickering, son of Edward Pickering and Hannah Bancroft, on February 28, 1760 in Mendon, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA.

     Mary was born 1604 in England. She married John Coggeshall, son of John Coggeshall and Anne Butter. She died on December 19, 1684 in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.