New Jersey's first permanent European settlement was in 1660.
The Dutch were the first Europeans claim land in New Jersey. The region became a territory of England in 1664 when an English fleet sailed into New York Harbor and took control of Fort Amsterdam.
Henry Oxley, Jr. was born November 24, 1736 in Hopewell, Mercer (formerly Hunterdon) County, New Jersey. His parents were Henry Oxley and Mary Everett. He was a blacksmith.
His wife, who was named in his land transaction, was named Johanna. Their children and life together are described in detail in the section on Henry and Johanna Oxley.
On December 13, 1762 Henry's father gave him 188 acres adjacent to Edward Harden and John Oxley and also 100 acres adjacent to John Oxley, and Everitt Oxley.
In 1763 Henry testified for Giles Stephens in a fraud case in Loudoun County.
In 1767 he blazed a road from Jacob Everheart's Mill to Roach's Mill.
On August 25, 1772 Henry and his wife Johanna sold his brother Everett 100 acres.
On August 19, 1773 Henry leased 188 acres to Farlin Ball for 15 years. After that he moved to Leesburg. He was paid six pounds a year.
In 1774 he signed a petition to request a road from Mahlon Janneys Mill through his settlement.
In 1777 according to his father's will he inherited a feather bed and pillows.
Hopewell is currently in Mercer (formerly Hunterdon) County, New Jersey. Mercer County was formed in 1838 from portions of other counties including Hunterdon. Early settlers found that their deeds were worthless and they were forced to repurchase their land or relocate. On April 23, 1715 the settlers who stayed organized Hopewell Baptist Church.
Hunterdon County was originally part of Burlington County, West Jersey. It was set off from Burlington County on March 11, 1714. It included Amwell, Hopewell, and Maidenhead Townships.
Loudoun County is part of Northern Neck of Virginia.
Settling of the Loudoun area began between 1725 and 1730. Settlers came from Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.
Virginia Land Deed Books
August 25, 1772 Henry Oxley, Jr. (son of Henry) and wife Johanna of Loudoun to Everett Oxley of Loudoun L/R of 100 acres.
Witnesses Clare Oxley, Hezekiah Boone, and Nathaniel Field.
May 6, 1785 James Ryley of Loudoun to Henry Oxley and Abraham Dawson. BoS for farm and household items.
Witnesses Clare Oxley and Rachel Oxley
Will of John Todhunter written November 3, 1770 and Recorded September 9, 1800. Executors Margaret and John Todhunter. 500 pound bond,
security Henry Oxley Jr. and Issaac Thompson.
American colonists continued to use British monetary units, namely the pound, shilling and pence for which £1 (orli) equalled 20s and 1s equalled 12d. In 1792 the dollar was established as the basic unit of currency.
from Miscellaneous Road Cases, Loudoun County, Virginia 1758-1782 by Roberto Valerio Costantino A Report of the Road from Jacob Everheart's Mill to Roach's Mill
November 11, 1767
According to the Order of Court that Joseph Thomas and William Wolard and Henry Oxley Junior or any two of them to find a Road from Jacob Everharts Mill to Richard Rocheas Mill and we two have found a way from said Everharts Mill up round as the Road now goes on the passage to a white oak tree marked and then marked through he woods near Isaac Vanbuskirk field so then near Samuel Smiths Plantation thence among on the back side of Nicklis Phillips field through a piece of cleared new land and then between Adam Vincels and Henry topes and so from thence along by William Laycocks field from thence along between Samuel Scooleys and James Forkeson and to cross Broad Run near the Mouth of Scooleys Spring Drain so then along the Path that leads from Forkesons to rocheas Mill to a Spring Drain on the said Path so up the Drain and round the head on cross it near the head from thence along t' old Path to the pond found by Rocheas Mill so over to the Mill etc
this done by us.
William Wollard
Henry Oxley Junior
A surety bond is a promise to assume responsibility for the obligation of a borrower. The person who provides this promise, is known as a surety or security. Bondsmen were usually relatives or family friends.
A blacksmith forges and shapes iron with a hammer and anvil.
to the Worshipful Court of Loudoun
Gentlemen
We your petitioners humbly showeth that we labour under great difficulty for want of a Road leading from Mahlon Janneys Mill through our Settlement. We therefore pray your Worships to Order a Road to be laid out and opened through our Settlement the most convenient & best way to said mill.
William Woollard
Thomas Beavers
Jacob Wells
John Colwell
Adam Carnahan
William Gregg
Joseph Megeach
James Roch
Mathew Byinman
John Humphreys
Thomas Stevens
Isaac Schaven
Joseph Steere
Joseph Caldwell
William Brookes Henry Oxley, Jr. James Stevens
William Molon
William Cavins
Jno Steere
Jas Jones
Jno Todhunter
Joseph Coleman
William Peto 1774 March 11
