Ancestry of William De Witt Kennedy

[This document is created from a typed mimeograph copy that was part of the materials from Amelia Maria Carter Kennedy's estate. This was edited and published in volume II, pages 840 through 846 of Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, by John W. Jordan, 1911 (the pages can be read and downloaded from Archive.org). Scans from the Jordon book: Title page; page 840; page 841; page 842; page 843; page 844; page 845; page 846. Some corrections have been made by the transcriber based on other documents written by Amelia. Much of this is the same as the biography of her father published in Genealogical and Family History of the Wyoming and Lackawanna Valleys, Pennsylvania.] [This also appeared, with some updates as noted in { } brackets, in HISTORY OF SCRANTON and Its People, Vol II, by Col. Frederick L. Hitchcock, 1914. Scans of the Title pagepage 191; page 192; page 193; page 194. The scanned books can be ready, searched and downloaded at Archive.org: Volume I; Volume II]

John Kennedy, who came from Bangor, County Down, Ireland, in 1763, and settled in Kingston, New York, is the first of the family of whom we have absolute knowledge. He was born April 24, 1739. Owing to his being of the Scotch Presbyterian faith and having lived but a few miles from the Kennedys of Cultra, some have thought him related to that ancient family, who were doubtless connected with the Earls of Casselis in Scotland, in which the name John was given to the oldest son for seven or eight generations. Be that as it may, family tradition assures us that John Kennedy, the emigrant, was a man of ability, clear headed and kind hearted. Like the majority of those who came early to this country, he had a trade- being a tailor- an occupation he pursued after coming to America. In Kingston, New York, he married Mrs. Josiah Van Fleet, whose maiden name was Armstrong [see later information]. There were several children born of her first marriage who settled in Galena, Ohio. The time and place of her death is unknown, but her husband long survived her. He settled in the Wyoming Valley in 1780, and died Aug. 20, 1809, aged 70 years, and was buried in Plains Township Cemetery, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. To John Kennedy and his wife were born five children, four of whom married into families who were in the Wyoming Valley previous to the Massacre, several members of them being in that memorable conflict. Catherine married Cornelius Courtright; Elizabeth married Henry Stark; John married Sallie Abbott; and James married Nancy Armstrong; Thomas, whose line will be continued in this sketch, married in 1801, Elizabeth Schofield, born April 15, 1784, in Kingston, New York, a gentle little woman much beloved by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was descended from the Pinckneys of South Carolina, and in many respects was a remarkable woman. Left a widow at 25 years of age with five little children, she managed her affairs in such a manner that they grew to manhood and womanhood, a credit to their mother's training. She died, April 12, 1880, at the home of her son James Schofield Kennedy, where she had long resided.

The children of Thomas and Elizabeth (Schofield) Kennedy were John, married Polly Campbell, Sarah, married William H. Sherman; Polly, married Crandall Wilcox; Henry, married Julia Mills; and James Schofield, born January 28, 1808, married, September 26, 1833, Paulina [more often spelled Pauline] Jayne.
Early in life he [James Schofield Kennedy] learned the carpenter trade, and was a contractor for several years. He afterward purchased a farm in Lackawanna Township, now Taylor, and in connection with his farm did an extensive business in grain and flour, selling to the merchants all along the Valley from Pittston to Carbondale. He was Justice of the Peace from 1843 to 1845. He sold his farm in Lackawanna just before coal was discovered, and moved to Hyde Park. In 1850 he opened a store in Providence in the old "Arcade" Building on North Main Avenue, long occupied as an office by the Providence Water Company. Later, he carried on business on Providence Square being a partner in the firm of Kennedy & Osterhout. In 1854 to 1856 he had a contract to build a section of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad, then being constructed between New York and Scranton. He was active in public affairs, serving on the Borough Council and also on the School Board. In 1865 he sold out his interest in the store to his son, William DeWitt Kennedy, and retired from active business. He died March 7, 1885. Paulina Jayne, the wife of James Schofield Kennedy, the daughter of Samuel and Elsie (Stephens) Jayne, was born December 13, 1815, and died May 16, 1897. The Jaynes were descended from Henry de Jeanne, a professor in Oxford University. His son William, a student in the University, afterward married in England, name of wife unknown. In 1652 he was chaplain in Cromwell’s army. In 1670, his wife having died and the cause of Cromwell being no longer popular, he emigrated to America, settling in New Haven, Connecticut, leaving three grown sons in England. In 1652 he was Chaplain in Cromwell’s Army. At that time he took the name of Jayne. In 1675 he married Annie Beigs, and soon after with 13 or 15 others crossed over to Long Island, purchased land of the Indians, and settled the town of Brookhaven. The graves of the first settlers are to be found there, and the old farm is still owned by one of the family.

William and Annie (Beigs) Jayne were the parents of nine children. Their oldest son, William Jayne (2), married Elizabeth Woodhull, whose oldest son, William Jayne (3), married Tabitha Norton [Spelled Tabatha by Amelia Maria Carter Kennedy in her, "Ancestral Lines of William De Witt Kennedy, Kennedy, Jayne, Stephens and other families connected with them" dated February 11, 1910. Spelled Tabitha by Edward H. Jayne in his work, "Ancestry of the Jayne Family of Long Island," compiled and printed by him in Mt. Vernon, NY 1926.]; they were the parents of Rev. David Jayne, born May 14, 1751, died March 9, 1837, who served in the War of the Revolution, and was afterward given a section of "Soldier Land," on Lake Cayuga. The wife of Rev. David Jayne was Elizabeth DeWitt, born May 3, 1754, died February 15, 1825, whose father, Daniel De Witt, also served in the Revolution. The son of the Rev. David Jayne was Samuel Jayne, born February 4, 1779, married Elsie Stephens, May 2, 1796, died at Factoryville, Pennsylvania, August 12, 1860. The grandfather of Elsie (Stephens) Jayne was Eliphalet Stephens. He was a native of Massachusetts, although his military service is credited to New York, the state from which he enlisted and then his home. After the war he settled in the Wyoming Valley where he was a man of substance and importance. In court house in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, (book of deeds No. 3, page 46) it is recorded "James Finn to Eliphalet Stephens (Stevens), land in Pittston Township on the Lackawanna river, and one-half interest in a Saw Mill May 25, 1795; consideration 600 pounds sterling." Other deeds are recorded showing him to have been a large land owner. Eliphalet Stephens was born in Massachusetts, in the year 1731, and died in Nicholson, Pennsylvania, in the month of August, 1814.

Early in life he removed to Connecticut, from thence to Dutchess County, New York, July 31, 1775, in Colonel Clinton’s Third Regiment, New York Continental Line, Captain Jacob S. Bruyn’s Company {under Colonel Clinton}. He is described as a man five feet seven inches in height, light hair, fair complexion, age 44, occupation blacksmith. He married, in 1751, Elsie Holloway, who died at Nicholson, Pennsylvania, in the month of April, 1820. Eliphalet had a son Ebenezer Stephens born in Goshen, New York, May 12, 1759. He was also in the Revolution, entered at the age of 17, and served during the entire seven years. He was a pensioner until his death which occurred in Nicholson, Pennsylvania, November 15, 1839. He married at Goshen, New York, May 16, 1780, Rachel Squirrel, born at Goshen in the year 1758, and died at Nicholson, Pennsylvania, August 2, 1848. After the death of her husband, his widow, Rachel (Squirrel) Stephens received the pension during her life time.

They were the parents of Elsie Stephens, who married Samuel Jayne; she was born May 15, 1780, died November 10, 1860. James Schofield and Pauline (Jayne) Kennedy were the parents of thirteen children: Mary L., married James Hicks; Catherine H., married Rev. Lyman C. Floyd; John Jayne, married Mehitable Griffin, he died July 21, 1897; Sarah E., married (1st) Isaac H. Heermans, (2nd) A. B. Crandall; William De Witt, married Amelia M. Carter; James Thomas, married Angeline Carey, Julia A., married Rev. George Forsyth, Charles Henry, died September 11, 1806 unmarried, Nancy Elizabeth, died young, Adelaide May, married David F. Shook, Frank E.; Frank E. married Sylvia Davis; Clara Augusta, married George R. Clark, she died October 5, 1895, Helen, married William H. Stevens.

Scranton Savings Bank before 1907
Wyoming Avenue and the Scranton Savings BankWilliam De Witt Kennedy, son of James Schofield Kennedy and Pauline (Jayne) Kennedy, was born in Lackawanna township, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania, September 24, 1842. He was educated in the Public Schools of Scranton, and Eastman’s Business College, Poughkeepsie, New York. Mr. Kennedy was a director of the Scranton Savings Bank {until it was merged with the Dime Bank, now the Scranton Savings & Dime Bank}, and otherwise prominent in the business life of Scranton, Pennsylvania. {He was for many years a trustee in the Providence Presbyterian Church.} He is a member and Trustee of the Green Ridge Presbyterian Church. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Society of the Sons of the Revolution on the records of Eliphalet and Ebenezer Stephens and Daniel DeWitt. He belongs to the Country Club and the New England Society.

He served during the War of the Rebellion in the Thirtieth Pennsylvania Reserves during the invasion of Pennsylvania by the Southern Army under General Robert E. Lee. During the last year of the war, he was quartermaster's Clerk in the Fiftieth New York Regiment (Engineer Corps). He is a member of Ezra Griffin Post, No. 139, Grand Army of the Republic {G. A. R.}. William De Witt Kennedy married Amelia Maria Carter, daughter of Pulaski Carter February 11, 1868. Through her father, Mrs. Kennedy descends from sterling New England ancestry notable for patriotism and high public spirit.

The first of the Carter family of authentic record is Thomas Carter, blacksmith, and Mary, his wife. They were married in England. Their names appear upon the Church records of Charlestown, Massachusetts, in 1636. Their children were Thomas, Joseph, Samuel, John, Mary and Hannah. The will of Thomas Carter recorded in 1652 shows that he was a man of considerable property. His wife, Mary, died in 1664, and her death is recorded as "Mary Carter" Mother of the Carters in Town". Joseph Carter, second son of Thomas and Mary Carter, was a currier. His wife was named Susanna ---------. He married in 1662, and moved to Woburn, Massachusetts, where he died, December 30, 1676.

Joseph (2) son of Joseph (1) and Susanna Carter, lived in Woburn where he married Bethia Person, born September 15, 1645, daughter of John who came to Lynn in 1637, and left behind at the date of his death May 29, 1706, three sons and three daughters. John, son of Joseph (2) and Bethia (Pearson) Carter, was born February 26, 1676. He moved to Canterbury, Connecticut, with his wife Mary about 1703. John (2) son of John (1) and Mary Carter, was born in Canterbury, Connecticut, February 24, 1709. He married April 13, 1731, Deborah, daughter of Ebenezer Bundy, son of John who came to Plymouth in 1643, and they were the parents of nine children. John Carter died August 26, 1776, and Deborah, his wife, died March 9, 1755.

Joseph, son of John (2) and Deborah (Bundy) Carter, born July 18, 1736, married Oct. 3, 1762, Patience Pellet, born June 12, 1739, daughter of Samuel and Margaret Pellet. The parents of Samuel Pellet were Thomas and Mary (Deane) Pellet, who married in Concord, Massachusetts in 1660. Joseph Carter served in the war of the Revolution as Quartermaster in Colonel Gordons Regiment, and died August 15, 1796.

Phineas Carter, son of Joseph and Patience (Pellet) Carter born Nov. 23, 1766, died November 8, 1840, was a landed proprietor of Westminster, Connecticut, a man of strong character, strict integrity, and rigid in exacting observance of religious forms and ceremonies. His family discipline was of the stern "Old New England" type. He married Cynthia Butts, a lovely and gracious woman, born March 16, 1773, and died May 19, 1814. She descended from a family prominent in the public and social colonial life of New England. Her father Deacon Stephen Butts of Westminster, Connecticut, born June 15, 1749, married Oct. 8, 1769, Lucy born Feb. 21, 1752, daughter of William Hibbard, who was not only a Captain in the Colonial Army, but was also in the War of the Revolution. When the British Shipping appeared before New London in 1778, he marched with a Company of men to the relief of the endangered town.

Stephen Butts was the son of Joseph and grandson of Samuel Butts, who married Sarah Maxfield July 22, 1701. Samuel Butts was a man of note in his state. He was elected 13 times to the Colonial Assembly from Canterbury, Connecticut, during the period from 1715-1729. Samuel was the son of Richard Butts who married Deliverance Hoppin, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Hoppin, who came from England to Dorchester, Massachusetts in 1636. Phineas Carter died November 8, 1814. Their children were Lucy, Pamelia, Lucius, Polly, Stephen, Pliny, Cynthia, Cedocius and Pulaski.

Pulaski Carter, youngest son of Phineas and Cynthia (Butts) Carter was born in Westminster, Connecticut, June 23, 1813. He was an infant of nine months old when his mother died. His father desired him to be a physician, but his tastes were decidedly for mechanics. He left home, going to Brooklyn, Connecticut, where he learned the trade of blacksmith. Among many interesting papers left by Mr. Carter was on dating back to his Brooklyn days. It was a Commission under date of May 9, 1839, as Ensign of 7th Company of the 21st Regiment of Infantry in the Militia of Connecticut, taking rank April 8 prior. In Account Book of April 15, same year, are the following entries: Cap, Sword, Belt, Plume and Epaulets $21. His honorable discharge is also among his papers dated just before he left for Pennsylvania. From Brooklyn he went to the scythe making shops of Captain Wheelock Thayer, at East Winsted, Connecticut. Captain Thayer, a man of ability and education was much interested in his young apprentice and he continued that interest in after years, visiting him in his Pennsylvania home, and writing him many valuable suggestions concerning his business affairs.

Scranton from the YMCA Building
Scranton from the YMCA Building

After his father's death in 1840, Mr. Carter, then a young man of 27, visited Pennsylvania looking for a factory site, finally locating in Providence, now the first ward of Scranton, Pennsylvania. In 1841 he began there the manufacture of scythes. In June 1842 in company with Jerrison White, he purchased the Sager and White Axe Factory and added axes to his line of manufactures. He soon bought out his partner's interest, and in 1843 took into partnership boyhood friend, Henry Harrison Crane, but after a few years, Mr. Crane tiring of the responsibility of business retired from the firm, but remained in the works in a responsible position for more than thirty years. Mr. Carter then assumed the entire ownership and management of the business which he continued until his death, purchasing a thirty acre tract of land and erected buildings thereon, that came to be known as "The Capouse Works". It was for years one of the most important industries of the Valley.

When the Free School idea was first advanced, Mr. Carter was one of its warmest advocates and worked valiantly for its establishment. He was interested in all educational matters. For 28 years, he served as director and Treasurer of the Providence School Board. In 1857, when the first Graded School Building was erected in Providence- the first one anywhere in the region- there was a large public celebration of the event. Mr. Carter was given great credit for the enterprise, a leading citizen alluding to him as "the Corner Stone" upon which the Free School system had been founded.

He was equally devoted the cause of Temperance, ever denouncing the evils of "the drink habit" and opposing the granting of licenses. He was both feared and respected by the liquor dealers. He also worked to reclaim the drunkard and won many a man back to a life of sobriety and usefulness.

Pulaski Carter, son of Phineas and Cynthia (Butts) Carter married first, August 5, 1839, Susan Sophia Spaulding of Abington, Connecticut. She died November 1, 1841, leaving an infant daughter who bore her name. The child died in 1842. Mr. Carter married, second August 7, 1843, Olive Ingalls of Hampton, Connecticut, a double cousin of his first wife. She was born November 13, 1819 and died December 8, 1898. Her ancestry in America traces from Edmund Ingalls, a native of England, born in Lincolnshire in the year 1598. He came to Salem, Massachusetts, in the year 1628 in Governor Endicott’s Company. In the year 1629, Edmund Ingalls and four others founded the settlement at Lynn, Massachusetts. In 1648 while traveling on horseback to Boston, he was drowned in the Saugus River, a defective bridge giving way under his horse causing the calamity. His wife Anne was his Executrix. Henry Ingalls, son of Edmund, born in the year 1629, was a land owner of Ipswich and one of the first settlers of Andover, Massachusetts, where he bought land of the Indians making payment in clothing and trinkets of personal adornment. He was a wealthy man for the times, and a leading citizen. He married Mary Osgood, daughter of John who was Andover's first Representative to General Court. Henry Ingalls died February 8, 1718.

Henry (2) son of Henry (1) and Mary (Osgood) Ingalls, born December 8, 1656, died February 8, 1698, like his father was prominent in Colonial affairs. He married June 6, 1688, Abigail daughter of John Jr. And Mary (Webster) Emery of Newbury, Massachusetts. Joseph, son of Henry (2) was born in Andover, Massachusetts, in 1697, and married Phebe, born August 22, 1723, daughter of John Farnum, he descended from Ralph Farnum, Boston, Massachusetts, 1635. Joseph Ingalls died December 29, 1757.

Joseph (2) son of Joseph (1) and Phebe (Farnum) Ingalls, removed to Pomfret, Connecticut. He married Sarah, daughter of Paul and Elizabeth (Gray) Abbot. Joseph Ingalls (2) died October 18, 1790.

Peter Ingalls, son of Joseph (2) and Sarah (Abbott) Ingalls was born February 19, 1752, and died June 11, 1808. His grave and his fathers are in Abington, Connecticut. Peter Ingalls tombstone is inscribed Capt. Peter Ingalls. He married Sarah Ashley whose great, great grandfather was Jonathan Ashley. He married Sarah, daughter of William Wadsworth, 58 terms Deputy to General Court from Hartford, Connecticut. Sarah Ashley was the daughter of Joseph and grand daughter of Ensign Samuel Ashley who married Elizabeth Kingsbury. Her father Deacon Joseph Kingsbury married Love Ayers of Haverhill. He was Lieutenant in the Train Band and afterward settled in Norwich.

The homestead built by Peter Ingalls at Elliot, Connecticut, is still standing and in the ownership of a descendent. Peter Ingalls had a son Marvin born November 6, 1787 died 1845. He served in the War of 1812. Marvin Ingalls married Amelia Spaulding descended from Edward who probably came to Jamestown, Virginia in 1619. (See Hutton’s Emigrants to America P.176). In 1634 his name appears among the inhabitants of Braintree, Massachusetts. Amelia Spaulding born September 8, 1789, died September 15, 1831, was the daughter of James, who marched to Lexington under General Israel Putnam. James born October 9, 1743 was the son of Amos Spaulding born March 12, 1716, married Hannah Cary November 14, 1739, and died August 3, 1791, at Hampton, Connecticut. Hannah Cary, born 1720 died 1791, was the daughter of Joseph Cary (2) and the grand daughter of Joseph Cary (1), he being the son of John of Bridgewater in 1634. Joseph Cary (1), was Captain of the Train Band in Windham, and many times Deputy to the General Court. He married Abigail Bushnell, daughter of Joseph Bushnell, whose wife was Marry Leffingwell, daughter of Lieutenant Thomas Leffingwell of Hartford, Connecticut. At his death in 1724, his estate inventoried nearly 20,000 pounds. He was many years Deputy to the General Court from Norwich, Connecticut.

Pulaski and Olive (Ingalls) Carter were the parents of three children, two sons and a daughter. Pulaski Pliny, second child of Pulaski and Olive (Ingalls) Carter was born June 6, 1849. He married June 6, 1882, Venitia, daughter of Joseph M. and Phebe (Cole) White, a descendant of Thomas White, who was admitted freeman in Massachusetts Colony in 1635. Marvin Phineas, youngest child of Pulaski and Olive (Ingalls) Carter was born November 38, 1857. He married Mary Pamelia Murphy, daughter of John Archibald and Mary (Spaulding) Murphy. Mrs. Murphy was descended from Thomas Carter and Edward Spaulding, and Mr. Murphy from the family of that name who were early in Massachusetts.

Amelia Maria Carter (Mrs. William De Witt Kennedy) eldest child and only daughter of Pulaski and Olive (Ingalls) Carter was born April 29, 1844. She was graduated from East Greenwich Seminary, East Greenwich, Rhode Island, with the Class of 1865. For thirty years she was a member of the Providence Presbyterian Church, but since 1893, had been connected with the Green Ridge Presbyterian Church, which is situated in that part of Scranton, where Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy now reside.

Mrs. Kennedy is interested in many of the religious, philanthropic and social organizations of the city, as well as a member of several patriotic Societies. Has been on the Board of Managers of the Home for the Friendless since 1884 and been elected to various offices from Secretary to President. Was a charter member of the Young Women's Christian Association, on the Board of Managers since its organization, and is now one of its Vice Presidents. Is a member of the Woman's Club and also the Country Club of Scranton, the Wyoming Historical Society, of Wilkes-Barre, is a Daughter of 1812 on the record of her grand-father Marvin Ingalls, a member of the Wyoming Valley Chapter Daughters of the Revolution on the records of Quartermaster Joseph Carter, Captain William Hibbard and Private James Spaulding, and member of the Pennsylvania Society of Colonial Dames on the records of Samuel Butts, Captain William Hibbard, William Wadsworth, Captain Joseph Cary and Lieutenant Thomas Leffingwell.

Mr. and Mrs. William De Witt Kennedy are the parents of three sons and one daughter.

  1. William Pulaski, born October 30, 1869. He was graduated from the Scranton (Pennsylvania) high school, class of 1889. He was {for fifteen years} teller of the People's National Bank of Scranton, Pennsylvania {now cashier of the Tribune Republican}. He married {December 11, 1895} Georgina, daughter of George R. and Harriet (Westbrook) Kittle. She was graduated from the same high school as her husband. They are the parents of two children: Olive Ingalls, born December 15, 1896 {graduated at Scranton High School, June 19, 1914}, and Hilda De Witt, born June 14, 1901.
  2. Doctor Lucius Carter born {in Scranton} September 18, 1872, graduated from Scranton High School, Class of 1889, School of Lackawanna 1891, Princeton University, A. B., Class of 1895, entered the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania, graduating therefrom in 1898, practicing his profession in Scranton, Pennsylvania. {After graduation Dr. Kennedy spent eighteen months as a member of the medical staff of Moses Taylor Hospital, Scranton, then pursued a post-graduate course at the University of Vienna, Austria. He then returned to Scranton and in 1900 began the active practice of his profession in this city where he is thoroughly established in public regard as a physician of learning, skill and honor. He is chief of the staff of one of the departments of the State Hospital at Scranton and ministers to a large private clientele. In 1907 Dr. Kennedy was president of the Lackawanna County Medical Society; is a member of the American and Pennsylvania State Medical associations and interested in the work of all. His clubs are the Scranton, Country, and Green Ridge. In political faith he is a Republican, and in religious association a member of Green Ridge Presbyterian Church. Dr. Kennedy married, April 14, 1914, Margaret, daughter of William Robertson, of Branford, Canada. His offices are at No. 1030 Green Ridge street, Scranton.}
  3. Kathrine May, born November 11, 1875, she graduated from the School of Lackawanna, Class of 1895, afterward attending Miss Baldwin’s School for Young Ladies at Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. She married Dr. William Anthony Sherman, June 25, 1902, son of Albert K. and Mary (Barker) Sherman, of Newport, Rhode Island, descended from Philip Sherman, one of the eighteen persons who purchased the Island of Rhode Island from the Indians. Dr. Sherman was graduated from Harvard University in 1899, and from the medical department in 1902. {Dr. William A. and Katharine [sic] May Sherman are the parents of two children: William Albert, born May 12, 1903; Charlotte Carter, born June 20, 1911.}
  4. Harold Sherman, born November 28, 1884. He graduated from Blair (New Jersey) Academy in 1905, later entered the law department of the University of Pennsylvania {class of 1910, admitted to bar of Lackawanna County, October, 1910, and is practicing his profession in Scranton}..

Architect: Ernest George Washington Dietrich.
William Pulaski, Kathrine May and Lucius Carter Kennedy This is the home that Amelia and William built at 1717 North Washington Avenue, Scranton From Kathrine's scrapbook, about 1896: Amelia and William setting out roses.

[This also appeared, with some updates as noted in { } brackets, in HISTORY OF SCRANTON and Its People, Vol. II pages 191-94, by Col. Frederick L. Hitchcock, 1914]

Susan Carter White Pieroth 2000-2013


Carter & Kennedy in Dunmore Cemetery, Scranton, Pennsylvania

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