Chronicle of the Yerkes Family: With Notes on the Leech and Rutter Families by Josiah Granville Leach, published by Printed for private circulation by J. B. Lippincott, 1904
Stephen Yerkes (Herman2, Anthony1), sixth son and eighth child of Herman Yerkes by his wife Elizabeth Watts, was born in the Manor of Moreland, Montgomery (formerly Philadelphia) County, 3 August, 1727, and died there, probably shortly before 23 December, 1811, the date of the probate of his will. He was a farmer and land-owner, and resided in Moreland throughout his life. His father devised to him a one-fourth share in the two hundred acre plantation which he, the father, had received from his father, Anthony Yerkes, which share Stephen Yerkes sold to his brother Silas.
Stephen Yerkes married Rebecca Whiteside, who was living 28 July, 1811, and is named in her husband's will of that date. The others named therein are: sons Samuel and Joseph, daughters Rebecca and Rachel, and grandchildren Mary, Emma, and Thomas, the children of his deceased daughter Elizabeth, "late the wife of Eli Morgan." His son Samuel Yerkes and George Shelmire were appointed executors. Mr. Yerkes was a member of the Union Library Company of Hatboro, and he and his wife were members of the Southampton Baptist Church.
Children of Stephen and Rebecca (Whiteside) Yerkes; born in the Manor of Moreland:
James Yerkes, born 24 December, 1756; died in infancy.
Stephen Yerkes, born 4 June, 1759; died at about fifty years of age, unmarried.
James Yerkes, born 2 October, 1761; died at Ovid, New York, in June, 1804;married, 23 December, 1783, Rachel Shaw. He removed with his family to Ovid, New York, after 22 September, 1800, on which day he conveyed land in Moreland, which his father had conveyed to him 6 May, 1797, and the son is described in the former conveyance as "of Moreland." He is said to have had ten children, "all of whom died young." His will, dated Ovid, 11 June, 1804, proved 28th of same month, names wife Rachel, and mentions "sons" and "daughters," but only one child by name,—Stephen. He directs that his estate should be sold, debts paid, and that his family should remove to Pennsylvania, "among my relations, and there remain until my youngest child be twenty-one years of age." As none of the family are mentioned in his father's will, it is believed that all had died before the date thereof.
Elizabeth Yerkes, born 18 February, 1764; died before 28 July, 1811; married,by the Reverend William Van Horne, Pastor of the Southampton Baptist Church, 17 February, 1782, to Eli Morgan, by whom she had, according to the will of her father: Mary Morgan, Emma Morgan,Thomas Morgan.
Rebecca Yerkes, born 2 October, 1766; married Levi Watson, son of JosephWatson tby his wife Rachel Croasdale, and had issue. Mr. and Mrs. Watson removed to Wayne County, New York, but the writer has failed to obtain their family record. It is said that Mr. and Mrs. Watson had two sons and one daughter, and it is known that their daughter, Sarah Watson, married, in 1817, Samuel Smith, a prominent school-teacher, of whom see "Scharfs History of Delaware," 742.
Joseph Yerkes, born 5 July, 1769; died 10 January, 1850; married Mary Purdy.
Rachel Yerkes, born 4 November, 1772; married James Rogers.
Samuel Yerkes, born 24 September, 1775; died 19 March, 1861; married Elizabeth Rutherton.
