THE PATERNAL ANCESTRY OF JOSEPH TOY
THE TAY OR TOY LINE
In 1638 the Swedes were at the peak of their career in Europe. King Gustavus had died and in 1638 he was succeeded by his daughter Christina, who reigned until 1654. By this date the Dutch had taken over the Swedish settlements on the Delaware. Clay’s Annals of the Swedes on the Delaware says “The first Swedish colony in North America arrived in the year 1638 and was followed by four reinforcements during the succeeding years up to 1654.” “The Swedes acquired by fair purchase from the natives, all the western shore of the Delaware, from Cape Henlopen to Trenton and extended due west for a distance of forty miles. Their first principal settlement was at Christina Creek, where they had a considerable fort and church. After some years their establishment extended along the forty or fifty miles beyond Philadelphia. They also had a church at Tinicum, where Governor Prinz resided.”
The settlements made by the Swedes in America were evidently not made because of religious or political persecutions, but with the desire of extending the Swedish Empire. Volume 45, p.294 of the Pennsylvania Magazine tells us that the English Episcopalians worked in conjunction with the Lutheran Swedes, and were in communion with them. The Swedes had established two churches, one at Christianna (now Wilmington) and one at Tinicus Island between 1638 and 1656. Their only settlements were at New Castle, Marcus Hook, Chester and Wicaco.
THE PAROCHIAL RECORDS OF GLORIA DEI PARISH
PHILADELPHIA, PA
These records for 1697-98 are found in Volume 2, pp.224-29 of the Pennsylvania Magazine contains the names of the Swedish families of this parish, many of whom appear in the Tay or Toy line as follows:
SENSAMENSING, NJ ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE RIVER. Frederick King born September 1659 married 1686 drowned 9/24/1698, his wife Christina daughter of Jonas Nelson or Neilson. Children: Andrew and John, twins born 12/11/1694, Elias born April 1690, Alexander born 6/31/1697 and Julia born September 1693 and their hired men John and Peter.
Anna widow of Jonas Nelson. Children: Sarah, Barbara, Gabriel and Lawrence.
Mrs. Ella mother of the Steelmans now. Her sons Eric 16, Charles 18.
Peter Steelman his wife Gertrude and two children.
Elias Tay born October 1664 married 1690. His wife Gertrude born 1671 daughter of Jonas Nelson. Their Children: Frederick born 6/30/1690, Margaret born 12/24/1691, Maria born 9/4/1693, Christina born 1694, Isaiah born 6/21/1697. His wife’s sisters Catherine and Anna Nelson.
ON THE SEASHORE, GREAT EGG HARBOR.
James Steelman, his wife Susannah sister of Elias Tay. Children : Andrew 5 1/2, Susannah 3 1/2, his mother-in-law Christina and a servant girl. (Susannah Tay was born in Sweden).
PACQUESSING, THE PENNSYLVANIA SIDE OF THE RIVER.
Nicholas Jestenberg (Gastensberg) born 1659 son of Olaf Niels Gastenberg. Wife Maria born 1663 married 1680. Children: Ingabor born 1681, Anna 1683, Helena born 1685, Maria born 1/16/1690. Brigitta born 4/11/1691, Abigail born 3/11/1697, Peter born 8/3/1693 and Marcus, his wife’s sister’s son age 13 years.
Eric Jestenberg, his wife Hasin, servant girl Regina and a negro boy. (In the Pennsylvania Historical Magazine, v.12, p.374, Abstracts of Wills recorded in Philadelphia 5/12/1719 we find the will of Eric Gastenberg). He left a wife Hannah, and he mentions in his will Peter Johnson and Peter Jones, sisters’ sons, Mary Toy, Bridget Toy and Abigail Ward, daughters of his deceased brother Niels Gastenberg.
Matthias Keen his wife Henrietta. Children: Marie 5, Christina 4, John 2, and Anna born 2/7/1697 and Jonas born 9/16/1698, and a negro boy.
Joran Kyn (Keen) Chief Proprietor at Upland, New Sweden. Came to America about 1620 with Governor Prinz. He had three children, Hans who married Willenka, Jonas and Annika.
Christian Classen, his wife Margaret. Children: Charles 14, Anna 12, Catherine 10, Christina 8, John 6, Elizabeth 3, James 2 and Christian born 9/2/1697.
The father of Elias Tay or Toy and his sister Susannah was likely named Andrew, because James Steelman and Susannah Toy his wife named their eldest son Andrew, Elias Toy or Tay had a son Andrew and the name is common in the Toy family to this time, 1953. Andrew Toy Cassell, 1550 Arroyo View Drive, Pasadena 3, California, is a direst descendant of Andrew son Of Elias Tay or Toy. It has been established that the mother of ELIAS AND SUSANNAH was called CHRISTINA. Their parents must have been born in Sweden because the records state Susannah Toy Steelman was born there.
THE STEELMAN LINE
The Pennsylvania Magazine V.36, p.464 (Trenton Deeds D-D206, 5/25/1730) verifies that the founder of the Steelman [line] was Charles Steelman of Sinnaminson, Burlington County, New Jersey, who married a daughter of Hance Monsier. He left sons Charles and James and daughters Margaret and Eleanor.
The Genealogical Magazine of New Jersey, V.12, #2 published April 1928 tells this about James or Jonas Steelman. “Jonas Steelman lived in New Sweden on the Delaware then call Pennsylvania. He migrated across New Jersey and settled on the shore of the Great Egg Harbor 1695. In 1696 he was elected Overseer of the Highway from Egg Harbor toward Gloucester. He was Justice of the Peace of the County of Gloucester 1703-1731 and in this year became Assistant Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. James Steelman’s first wife was Susannah Toy who died in 1730. She was a sister of Elias Toy of Chester Township on the Delaware in Burlington County, New Jersey. James Steelman married 2nd Katherine Ouster 6/13/1730 (N.J.A., v.22). James Steelman died in 1734 and his will was probated 8/2/1734 (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v.2, p.453.) His children:
Andrew Steelman born 1691 died 1736
Susannah Steelman born 1690 married November 1713 John Keen eldest son of Hans and Willenka Keen and Gt. Grandson of Goren Kyn of Uplands.
Hance Steelman after 1692 died 1760
John Steelman born 1/7/1692
James Steelman who married Katherine Keen
Elias Steelman died 1739 married 6/30/1730 Sarah Lake, a spinster. His will probated 2/26/1739 8/2/1734 (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v.2, p.453.) He left a wife and daughter Sarah Steelman.
Mary Steelman married a Mr. Blackman
Peter Steelman died 1762 son of James and Katherine.
From the will of James Steelman of Great Egg Harbor, Gloucester County, NJ, Gentleman. “He mentions wife Katherine, sons: Andrew, Hance, James and Elias. A grand-daughter Susannah daughter of son John. “ A son Peter, (not 21), to have after the death or marriage of his mother Katherine Steelman, her portion”. His daughters Mary Blackman and Susannah Keen have had their portions.”
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Elias Tay or Toy (1) of Sensamensing, New Jersey was born in 1664. He was the son of Andrew (?) and Christina Tay from Sweden. He married in 1690 Gertrude Nelson born 1671 daughter of Jonas and Gertrude Nielson or Nelson.
Jonas Nielson father of Gertrude Toy died in Kingses, County of Philadelphia and his will was proven 10/23/1693 according to the Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania v.2, p.12, “Philadelphia Wills.” He left a widow Gertrude, sons: James, Montze, Niels and Peter, daughters: Gertrude Toy, Christina King, Catherine and Anna. There was also a son Jonathan.
Elias Tay (1) died 1719, in Chester Township, Burlington County New Jersey. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v.1, p.469). The inventory of his estate reveals he owned 119 lbs, 2 sh. and 1 1/2 P., also a trunk-full of books. He left a wife, (no name given). The inventory of the estate was made by Samuel Atkinson and Thomas Adames. According to Clay’s Annals he was a contributor towards the support of the church. On December 14th, 1705 Jeremiah Bates transferred to Elias Toy of Burlington, Gentleman, 225 acres in Gloucester County, adjoining Joseph Cooper and John Haddon. (N.J.A., 1st series, v.21, 1664-1705.)
In a history of Burlington and Mercer Counties, New Jersey, by Woodward and Hagerman, p.251, (Peabody Library, Baltimore) there is a replica of the signatures of the early settlers in Chester Township dated 12/26/1696. Elias Toy’s signature appears thereon. He is listed with Thomas Adames as a freeholder in Chester Township 1717-19 and in 1708 was as assessor for the same township.
The children of Elias Toy and his wife Gertrude Nelson Toy:
FREDERICK TOY (2) born 7/30/1690 died 1741
MARGARET TOY (2) born 12/14/1691
MARIA TOY (2) born 9/4/1693
CHRISTINA TOY (2) born 1694
ISAIAH TOY (2) born 6/20/1697 died 1745
ANDREW TOY (2) born 1699 died 1752
DANIEL TOY (2) born 1711 died 1751
NICHOLAS TOY (2) born 1711 died 1758
ISAIAH TOY (2) was a resident of Chester, Burlington County, New Jersey. He died single and his will was probated 7/11/1745 (N.J.A., v. 32, p. 487). He mentioned in his will his sisters Margaret and Christina, and his brothers Andrew and Daniel. James Toy (3) son of Daniel (2) was a witness to the will.
DANIEL TOY (2) born 1711 died 5/7/1751 aged 40 years. (Burial Records of Old Swedes Church, v. 9, Series 2, Pennsylvania Archives). He married Mary Gastenberg daughter of Nicholas. (Will of Eric Gastenberg). No record of any children.
NICHOLAS TOY (2) born 1711 died 1758 (Records of Old Swede Church). His will was probated 9/13/1758, a resident of Northampton, Burlington County, New Jersey. His wife Susannah sole heiress. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 3, p. 23)
ANDREW TOY (2) born 1699 died at Pennypack 8/12/1752. (Burial Records of Old Swedes Church). He married Mary, daughter of Niels Boede. (Colonial and Revolutionary Families of Pennsylvania, p. 280) His will was probated 1/24/1753 by his widow Mary, at Lower Dublin Township, Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania. (Pennsylvania Archives, Pennsylvania Wills) Children mentioned: Elias, Nicholas, Eleanor, Sarah, John, Jacob, James, Margaret and Josiah.
ELIAS TOY (3) of Pennypack married 3/1/1751 Barbara Clair. (Pennsylvania Magazine v. 32, p. 482) They both died in 1770. (Burial Records of Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia)
ELIAS TOY (4) of Pennypack born 1751 died 11/28/1752 . (Burial Records of Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia)
JACOB TOY (4) probable twin of Elias above born 12/11/1751 married Rebecca Keen born 11/20/1768 and
MARGARET TOY (4) born 1/22/1756 died 3/6/1839 married 4/17/1777 Daniel Keen born 8/6/1752 son of Daniel and Elizabeth McCarty Keen and grandson of Eric, son of Hans and Willenka Keen. (Descendants of Goran Kyn, Pennsylvania Magazine, v. 45, p. 59)
ANDREW TOY (4) baptized 4/24/1754 son of Elias and Barbara Toy. (Baptismal Records, Old Swedes Church)
NICHOLAS TOY (3) married 3/31/1754 Anne Forrest. (PA Archives, v. 7, 2nd Series) She died 1819. Their children: Andrew, Eleanor, Florence and Mary Toy (4). (Records of Old Swedes Church)
FREDERICK TOY (3) died 1745, mariner. Will probated 9/18/1745, leaves his money to PETER TOY, ships Carpenter. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 3)
ELEANOR TOY (3) born 1737 died 1773 married 3/23/1762 Andrew Donaldson. (PA Archives, v. 9, Series 2 and Colonial and Revolutionary Families of PA, p.280)
SARAH TOY (3) mentioned in Father’s will.
JOHN TOY (3) married 4/8/1759 Catherine Hart. (PA Archives, v. 8, Series 2)
JACOB TOY (3) mentioned in Father’s will.
JAMES TOY (3) married 5/14/1748 Patience Wallis or Wallace daughter of Phillip Wallis or Wallace. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 3, p. 345, 8/25/1753) She died before her father and he married 2nd Mary daughter of Richard Boden who died in 1751. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 3, p. 56) James Toy died 1787. Inventory of his estate was made by Hezekiah Toy. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 7, p. 232)
RICHARD TOY (4) son of James and Patience Toy
WILLIAM TOY (5)
PATIENCE TOY (4) daughter of James and Patience Toy married 4/4/1776 John Lee at the Old Swedes Church. (PA Archives, v. 8, Series 2)
JAMES TOY (4) married Elizabeth Redding 6/7/1782 at the Old Swedes Church. (PA Archives, v. 8, Series 2)
ELIJAH TOY (4) mentioned in Father’s will.
CALEB TOY (4) married Sarah Doland 4/3/1789, at the 3rd Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia. (PA Archives, v. 8, Series 2)
ANDREW TOY (4) married 9/27/1775 Rachel Ellis of Pennashakin. (NJ Colonial documents, v. 22, p. 237)
PETER TOY (4) mentioned in his father’s will.
ELIAS TOY (4) married Elizabeth Wallis 8/13/1798 at the Reformed Church, Philadelphia. (PA Archives, v. 8, Series 2)
REBECCA TOY (4) married Joseph Carley at Old Swedes Church, 4/24/1787. (PA Archives, v. 8, Series 2)
MARGARET TOY (3) spinster, of Chester, Burlington County. NJ, died in 1770. Her will was probated 3/23/1770. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, V. 4, p. 437) She mentions in her will her cousin John Toy, her brother James Toy and Richard Toy son of James Toy.
JOSIAH TOY (3) mentioned in his Father’s will.
ISAIAH TOY (3) born 1752. (Baptismal Records, Old Swedes Church)
FREDERICK TOY (2) born 7/30/1690 eldest son of Elias and Gertrude Toy died 1741, married Brigitta Gastenberg daughter of Niels and Maria and grand-daughter of Olaf Nielsson Gastenberg. Will of Eric Gastenberg and (PA Magazine, v. 3, p. 334) The will of Frederick Toy was probated 1/27/1741 at Chester, Burlington County. (N.J.A., v. 32, p. 486) In his will he speaks of his wife Bridget and sons Elias and Nicholas. Isaiah Toy (2) was a witness.
NICHOLAS TOY (3) was born 1717 and was baptized at Christ Church, Philadelphia 6/4/1717 son of Frederick and Brigitta. (PA Magazine, v. 32, p. 486) He died in 1753 and his will was probated 5/25/1753 in Gloucester County, NJ. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 3, p. 328) He does not mention a wife but children Abigail and Savory both under age. He mentions also brothers Elias and Daniel Toy and his sisters: Mary Wallis, Margaret, Rebecca and Gertrude Toy. His Executors: Elias and Daniel Toy.
ABIGAIL TOY (4)
SAVORY TOY (4) married Mary Flemming 3/5/1782 at Old Swedes Church. (PA Archives, v. 8, Series 2)
MARY TOY WALLIS or WALLACE (3) wife of Phillip Wallis, Jr. of Evesham, brother of Patience Wallis who married James Toy (3) son of Andrew Toy (2). (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 3, p. 345) Phillip Wallace died 3/31/1752. Children: William, Phillip, Samuel, Mary and Sarah Wallis (4)
DANIEL TOY (3) died 1767 married Sarah Bennett 12/29/1756. (Colonial Documents N.J.A., v. 22) His will was probated 12/23/1767 from Mount Holly, Burlington County, NJ (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 4, p. 437) He mentions in his will his wife Sarah, and Children: Elizabeth, Frederick, Mary, John and Daniel. The Genealogical Society of Pennsylvania, v. 2, p. 255 tells “Daniel Toy one of the Vestrymen of St. Andrew’s Church, Mt. Holly was buried near said church 12/26/1767” and volume 2, p. 260 of the same magazine quotes the Registry of St. Mary’s P. E. Church, Burlington: “Baptized Sarah, widow of Daniel Toy of Mt. Holly 1/29/1769” also. The Children:
ELIZABETH TOY (4) born 7/5/1758
FREDERICK TOY (4) born 11/16/1759
MARY TOY (4) born 2/9/1764
JOHN TOY (4) born 1/25/1762
DANIEL TOY (4) born 2/15/1766.”
MARGARET TOY (3) of Evesham, Burlington County, NJ, died 1784, will was probated 9/27/1784. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 6, p. 400) She mentions in her will Isaiah Toy (of Elias (3)), Elizabeth and Mary daughters of her brother Daniel. Nelle, daughter of her sister Rebecca and John, son of said sister 15 lbs., and her brother Daniel’s sons: Frederick, John and Daniel.
REBECCA TOY (3) will of Nicholas Toy (3)
GERTRUDE TOY (3) will of Nicholas Toy (3)
ELIAS TOY (3) born 1715, married circa 1737 Elizabeth Wood daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Kay Wood, and grand-daughter of John Kay of Waterford and Henry Wood of Hopewell. (Wills of John Kay 1740 and Henry Wood 1691) Elias Toy died 1763 at the age of 48 years, and was buried in the Friends’ Meeting Ground, Burlington, New Jersey. (John Clement p. 210) Elias Toy of Chester, Burlington County, died intestate and his wife Elizabeth filed administration papers 4/9/1763. (N.J.A., v. 32, p. 437) Elizabeth Wood Toy married 2nd Isaac Atkinson 12/2/1775. (Philadelphia Marriages, Pennsylvania Archives, v. 9, Series 2) She filed an administration account 1779 under the name of Elizabeth Atkinson late Elizabeth Toy. (N.J.A., v. 32, p. 437) Elizabeth Atkinson died in 1790 and administration papers were taken out on her estate by Thomas Hogdson (a grandson or son-in-law) of Burlington County, his fellow bondsman Isaiah Toy. (N.J.A., v. 36, p. 14)
An interesting item in the New
Jersey Archives, v. 11, p. 189, “News Abstracts” refers to Elias Toy; “Stolen
on the 3rd inst from Elias Toy living in Chester Township,
Burlington Co. a remnant of check linen, a piece of white linen, a gun, silver
spoon and a pair of shirt buttons. Whoever secures the thief so that he may be
brought to justice, shall have 30 shillings reward and reasonable charges paid
by Elias Toy. Note – the above particulars were stolen by one Robert Fryar, an
Irishman, tall and well set, black eyebrows and eyes. Pennsylvania Gazette
9/8/1743”.
ELIZABETH TOY (4) daughter of Elias Toy (3) married 1st Andrew Anderson 9/23/1764. (PA Archives, v. 9, Series 2) She married 2nd John Bispham who died in 1812. She also died in 1812 and her will was probated 11/23/1812. (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 13, p. 39) In her will she mentions her first husband Andrew Anderson and three nieces, daughters of a sister married to Thomas Hodgson viz: Eliza, Maria and Abigail Hodgson. Her nephews: Hezekiah, John, Elias and Isaiah Toy, Jr., a sister Mary Lewis and a niece Abigail Reeves. (Also v. 12, p. 36, N.J.A. 4/15/1813)
HEZIKIAH TOY (4) no date for death or filing of will. (N.J.A., v. 12, p. 382) In his will he mentions sons: John, Hezikiah, Jr., Elias and Isaiah Toy. Daughters: Abigail and Elizabeth who married Joseph Reeves. (N.J.A., v. 22) Executors: sons Hezikiah and Isaiah Toy. A witness Caleb Atkinson.
ISAIAH TOY (4) of Burlington died in 1812. His will was probated 11/16/1812 (N.J.A., v. 41, p. 382) His will mentions sister Elizabeth Bispham, sister Mary Lewis, brother Hezikiah and brother’s sons: Elias, Hezikiah, John and Isaiah Toy. Executors: Thomas Wallace, Hezikiah and Isaiah Toy.
MARY TOY (4) married 1st 7/29/1775 Samuel Burl. (N.J.A., v. 22) She married 2nd a Mr. Lewis.
HANNAH TOY (4) married 3/23/1766 Timothyt Cavener. (Philadelphia Marriages, v. 9, Series 2)
ELIAS TOY (4) of Burlington died 1776. Administration papers taken out 3/27/1776 by Andrew Anderson, Jr., fellowbondsman Andrew Anderson, Sr., (N.J.A., Calendar of Wills, v. 5, p. 531)
BENJAMIN TOY (4) a privateer War of 1776, History of Maryland by Thomas J. Scharf.
ABIGAIL TOY (4) who married Thomas Hodgson.
JOSEPH TOY (4) raised by his aunt Hannah Wood Heulings sister of Elizabeth Wood Toy Atkinson. He was born in Chester, Burlington County, NJ, 1748, was educated in Burlington and moved to Harford County, NJ, 1748. He married Frances Dallam of Harford County 5/291770.