GENEALOGY OF THE SOMERS FAMILY - of South Jersey (NJ)
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Source: The Daily Union history of Atlantic City and County, New Jersey : containing 
sketches of the past and present of Atlantic City and county, with maps and 
illustrations specially prepared, by John F. Hall; Atlantic City, N.J.: Daily Union, 
1900

SOMERS FAMILY
The well-known Somers family for more than two hundred and fifty years has been closely identified with the history of Atlantic county on land and sea. As patriotic citizens, soldiers in the Revolution and masters of ships they have won honorable names.
The original John Somers was born in Worcester . England. In 1640, and died in 1723. His first wife died in 1681, while crossing the ocean to this country, and she was buried at sea. His second wife, Hannah Hopkins, bb. 1667; d. 1738, came from Worcester, England.
He was a Quaker and settled at Upper Dublin, Pa, moving soon after to the Egg Harbor region. The records show that on November 30, 1695, he purchased of Thomas Budd, 3000 acres of land for 240 pounds. He was appointed supervisor of roads at the first court held at Portsmouth in Cape May County, March 20, 1693. His grave may still be seen in the old Somers burying ground 
in the pines near the Point where many of his descendants have been buried. 
By his second wife he had nine children:
2. Richard, b. March 1693; d. November 27, 1760; m. Judith Letart, b. 1712, d. 1763. 3. James, b. July 15, 1695; m. Abigail Blackman, b. July 21. 1695, 4. Samuel. 5. Job. 6. Isaac. 7. Edmund, m. January 2, 1704, to Mary Steelman. 8. Bridget. 9. Hannah. 10. Millicent, b. October 7, 1685; m. June 16, 1704, Richard Townsend, of Cape May.
2. Richard, m. Judith, daughter of Sir James Letart, of Arcadia, N. S. He burned the brick and built at Somers Point the old Somers Mansion, which is still standing. They had ten children:
11. Francis. 12. James, b. July 2, 1739. 13. John, b. October 14, 1727; d. August 27, 1799. 
14. Col. Richard, b. November 24, 1737. 15. Edmund, b. May 20, 1745, 16. Joseph. (The last two were lost at sea.) 17. Judith S., b. April 5, 1743; m. ------ Risley. 18. Sarah S., b. July 21, 1729; m. Fred Steelman. 19. Elizabeth S., b. April 5, 1733; m. -----Paul. 20. Hannah, b. December 22, 1735.; m. Peter Andrews,

12. James, b, July 2, 1739; m. Rebecca Blackman and had eight children. 21. James, who owned slaves and built the old mill at Bargaintown; m., first, ------ -------; second, Mary Scull, nee Brannen. 22. Abigail, m. John Steelman. 23. Samuel. 24. Alice, m. Peter Frambes. 25. Rebecca, m. ----- Conover. 26. Hannah, m., first, John Holmes; second, John Shillingsforth. 27. Aaron. 28. Sarah.

13. John, b. October 14, 1727; d. August 27, 1799; m. for his second wife, Hannah Spicer Ludlam, bb. September 3, 1735; d. November 11, 1800. John occupied the old brick mansion at Somers Point and owned, with Col. Richard, the Point property and Peeks Beach, where Ocean City now stands. He was the father of ten children:
29. John. 30. James, m., first Lettice Finley; second, Aner Blackman; third, Martha Wiley. 31. Richard, lost at sea. 32. Jesse, b. October 4, 1763; d. January 29, 1858. 33. Frank, lost at sea. 34. Judith, m. Daniel Scull. 35. Rachel, m. ---- Reed. 36. Elizabeth, m. ------ Wescott. 37. Joseph, who died of yellow fever.38. Abigail, m. ----- Freeland.

14. Col. Richard, b. 1737; d. October 22, 1794; m. Sophia Stillwell, of Cape May, December 3, 1761, by whom he had three children. He was a Colonel in the militia, a Judge of the county court, and his name appears among those of the members from his native county in the Provincial Congress, for the year 1775; though it would seem that he did not take his seat. Col. Somers was an active Whig in the Revolution, and was much employed, in the field and otherwise, more especially during the first years of the great struggle for national independence.

39. Constant, b. 1760; d. 1797; m. Sarah Hand, of Cape May. He was the first collector of the port of Great Egg Harbor. He had a son Constant, who was killed at Kronstadt, Russia, at the age of 17, by falling into the hold of a vessel, August 20, 1811. Constant’s daughter, Sarah, m. first, William Leaming; second, Nicholas Corson, of Cape May.
40. Sarah, b. December 31, 1772; d. 1850; m. Capt. William Jones Kern, of Philadelphia.

40. Capt. Richard, b. September 15, 1778; d. September 4, 1804, in the harbor of Tripoli. (See biographical sketch.)

30. James, m., first, Lettice Finley, b. February 27, 1760; second, Aner Blackman, b. March 3, 1779; d. April 13, 1822; third, Martha Wiley, b. 1790; d. February 22, 1874. By the first wife he had six children; second, four children, and the third, one child:
42. Judith, b. October 12, 1703; d. December 1, 1876; m. James Garwood.
43. Mary, b. July 10, 1802; d. July 20. 1882; m. Richard Spain.
44. Susan, b. October 25, 1791; m. James Somers, Jr.
45. Hannah, b. October 1, 1795; m. Elijah Davis, September 26, 1834; d. August 22, 1899. They were married by Rev. Thomas N. Carroll, a Methodist minister, in Philadelphia. Dying when nearly 104 years old, she left a fortune to church and religious societies, and was buried in Woodland Cemetery. (See biographical sketch.)
46. Mark, b. August 4, 1799; d. February 23, 1872.
47. Joseph, b. March 20, 1798; d. July6, 1859.
48. Constantine, b. April 19, 1812; d. January 8, 1891; m. Marriet Ireland.
49. David B., b. 1807; d. 1874; m. Eliza Ann, daughter of Samuel Somers. He began his life as a school teacher. Later on he opened a country store and took up conveyancing and surveying, in which occupation he continued throughout his life. He always had a deep interest in township affairs and the respect in which he was held in the community is shown by the various offices to which he was elected. Besides acting as Justice of the Peace for a number of years, he was a Lay Judge of the Court of the common Pleas for fifteen years, serving one term in the State Senate. He was a staunch Democrat, and for several years presided at the Democratic County Convention. He was a member of the Zion M. E. Church, and throughout his life was noted for his integrity and kindly spirit.
50. Sarah, b. September 6, 1814; d. April 24, 1888; m. Washington Somers.
51. Arabelle, b. August 10, 1817; d. October 17, 1801; m. Judge John Doughty, of Absecon (See Doughty family.)
52. Harriet, b. September 15, 1825; m., first, Edward Cordery, and her second husband was Simon Lake. Lives in Ocean City.

32. Jesse, b. October 4, 1763; d. January 29, 1858; m., first, Deborah Ludlam, b. April 4, 1775; d. September 18, 1835, and had eight children; m. second, Elizabeth Baker, d. September 16, 1848, aged 45 years, 7 months, 19 days.
53. Priscilla, m. Elton Braddock.
54. John, m. and had two children.
55. Reuban, m. Mary Bank and had two children, Reuban, m. Roxanne Somers; Jesse, m. Deborah Bowen.
56. Hannah, m. first, James Scull; second Humphrey Scull.
57. William.
58. Priscilla Ann.
59. Jesse, m. Mary Baker. B. 1817; d. 1876.
60. Richard L., b. December 17, 1809; d. April 6, 1871; m., first, Hannah Somers, b. January 9, 1807; d. December 16, 1835, m. second, Annie Braddock, of Medford, N. J., b. May 1, 1813; d. May 27, 1897. By his first wife he had two children:
61. Deborah Jane; m. George Anderson.
62. Christopher, who was lost at sea, September 15, 1858, from the schooner “Spray,” off Cape Cod, aged 23 years.
By his second wife he had seven children:
63. William B., b. January, 1839; d. August 24, 1839. 64. D. Job Braddock, b. June 17, 1840; d. April 8, 1895; m. Louisa Corson, b. 1837; d. 1888.
65. William B., m. Harriet Tilton, and had three children, Lena, Maggie. And Abbie.
66. John W., died young.
67. Annie, b. March 16, 1846; d. November 15, 1874; m. Adolph Apella, of Philadelphia , and had one child. A. Somers Kapella.
68. Braddock, d. young, September 13,, 1858.
69. Hannah S., m. George Hayday, Jr., and had two children, Florence and Louisa.
59. Jesse, m. Mary Baker, and had ten children:
70. Daniel Baker, lost at sea.
71. Ann Eliza, m. Richard Adams, and had one child, Somers.
72. William H.
73. Pricilla Ann, m. Morgan Christopher, of Medford, N. J.
74. Mary B., m. William Braddock.
75. Cornelia, m. Somers Garwood.
76. Jesse, killed at Scranton, Pennsylvania.
77. Melvina, m. Joseph Scull.
78. Eldorada, m. Steelman Turner.
79. Theresa, m. Joseph L. Veal, of Mays Landing, N. J.

21. James Somers, the “miller,” m. first, Sarah -----, and had nine children; second wife, Mary Scull, nee Brennen.
80. Samuel, b. November 25, 1779; d. January 4, 1855; m. Roxanna Scull.
81. Nicholas, m. for his second wife, Ruth Corson, nee Willits, and had on child, Ruth Eliza; m., second, Phoebe Scull and had four children: John, Charles, Abigail and Rachel.
82. James, m. Susan Somers and had six children:
83. Joseph.
84. David
85. Jacob, m. Mary Clark.
86. Sarah, m. John R. Scull and had seven children.
87. Richard, m. Leah Holmes.
88. Francis, m. Margaretta Vansant, and had seven children: James, Job, Alfred, Elmer, Margaret and Amanda. Amanda m. Capt. Wesley Robinson and had two children:
Laura, m. William Middleton and Lena, m. Clifton G. Shinn.
80. Samuel, b. November 25, 1779; d. January 4, 1855; m. December 13, 1801, Roxanna , daughter of John Scull, and had eight children:
89. Sarah, b. 1804; m. Andrew Fambres.
90. Constant, b. 1806; m. Sarah Edwards.
91. Washington, b. 1809; m. Deborah Somers.
92. Mary, b. 1812; d. young.
93. Eliza Ann, b. 1814; d. 1872; m. David Somers, b. June 1807; d. April 2, 1874.
94. Mary, b. 1817; d. 1836; m. John Brock.
95. Caroline, b. 1820; m. John W. Tilton.
96. Phoebe, b. 1824; m. Josiah Dilks and had two children: Annie, m. Albert Fleming, of Philadelphia, and Priscilla, m. William Braddock of Berlin.

91. Washington, b. 1809; d. 1871; m. Deborah Somers and had ten children:
97. Roxanna, m. Reuban Somers. 98. Henrietta. 99. John, lost at sea. 100. Mary, d. 1896. 101. Harriet, m. Wesley Ireland. 102. Annie, m. John Towle, of Absecon. 103. Leonard. 104. Arabella, m. Leonard Melton. 105. Martha, m. Geo. W. Fox.
89. Sarah, b. 1804; m. Andrew Frambes, b. February 12, 1796, and had nine children:
105. Roxanna, m. John Higbee and had four children: Henry, Andrew, Sarah C. and Wilmer. 107. Nicholas, m. Amanda Ingersoll. 108. Caroline, m. Samuel Wayne. 109. Phoebe, m. David Preston. 110. Somers, m. first, Hester Blackman; second, Josephine Yates, nee Race. 111. Howell, m. Abbie Higbee. 112. Mary, m. Wesley Leeds. 113. Eliza Ann, m. John Henry Tilton. 114. Sarah, m. Daniel Leech.
95. Caroline, b. 1820; m. John W. Tilton and had five children:
115. Daniel E., m. Ella duff.
116. Phoebe Alice, m. Clement J. Adams and had two children, Carleton and May.
117. Luther, m., first, Elnora Somers; second, Emily duff and had three children, Grace, Ralph and Arthur.
118. Irene, m. Lewis Imlay, and had three children, Caroline, Horace and John.
119. John Walker, m. Eva Webb, and had one child, Mervella.
64. Dr. Job Braddock Somers, b. June 17, 1840; d. April 8, 1895; m. Louisa Corson, of Cape May county, b. September 2, 1837; d. December 14, 1888, and had two children: Florence, b. July 12, 1864; m. Martin V.B. Scull; and Lucien Bonaparte Corson, b. April 8, 1871; m. Elizabeth M. Stewart, of Philadelphia, and has one child, Richard.
Dr. Job Somers was a very successful physician and a deeply religious man and highly exemplary citizen. He was one of the founders of Trinity Masonic Lodge, and later of Keystone Lodge in Linwood. He was greatly beloved and respected by all who knew him. He was the author of several historical pamphlets and found pleasure in serving his fellow men and in keeping all his obligations.

90. Constant, b. 1806; d. 1891; m., Sarah, daughter of Daniel Edwards, and had ten children: 120. Samuel, died young.
121. Maryett, b. 1832; d. 1857; m. Samuel W. Tilton and had one son, Curtis.
122. Daniel E., b, 1834; m. Mary e. Price and had two children: Marietta, m. Frank Price; and Fred.
123. Samuel, b. 1836; m. Rachel Githens and had two children: Warren and Hubert. Warren, b. 1868; m. Isora Blackman, and had five children: Helen, Samuel, Jr., Harold, b. 1895; d. 1899; Rachel and Warren, Jr.; Hubert, b. 1872.
124. Lewis Henry, b. 1839; d. 1890; m. Lenora C. Adams and had two children, Markanna and Geneva.
125. Susan E., m. Harrison Dubois of Woodbury.
136. Israel S., b. 1844; went to California in 1866; m. And has nine children.
127. Sarah, m. James Tilton and had six children: Mary, m. Frank Somers; John R., Sarah, Somers, Clarence and Ethel.
128. Annie J., b. 1849; d. 1881; m. Jesse Steelman and moved to Kansas, where both died young, about 1881 or 1882,
129. Aner B., m. James Parrish and had four children: Annie J., Jeanette, Curtis and John.
93. Eliza Ann, b. 1814; d. 1872; m. David B. Somers and had five children--(For David B., see Lay Judges.):
130. Aner B., b. 1835; d. 1850.
131. Mary b., b. 1839; deceased; m. John Cordery, and had two children. Emma and Mae F.
132. Joseph Henry, b. 1847; d. September 8, 1892; m. Judith S. Somers and had seven children: Eliza A., Lillian, Herbert L., David B., Harry G., Joseph Howard and Mary C.
John Somers, a brother of James, settled about three miles from Somers Point. He died in 1823, aged 68 years. Four of his sons , Richard I., Edmund, Lewis and Henry, married and left numerous descendants that settled in this and Cape May county. Edmund , the last remaining son, died March 1881, in his 68th year. Many by the name of Somers have gone to the sea in ships, never to return, but are resting beneath the waves waiting the dawn of the resurrection more.


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