Reading Family Genealogy

First Generation

_________________________________________


1. John READING COL. John died on 30 Oct 1717.

Research: January 4, 1944, "The Kentuckian-Citizen," "Early Bourbon Families," Reading, p. 1

As taken from a family history being compiled by Nell Downing Norton of New London, Mo.D.A.R. under George Reading Jr. and Lt. Col. George Reading Sr. No. 96813. D.A.C. under COL John {1} Reading, Gov. John {2} Reading and George Reading Sr. No. 5984. Contributed through Mrs. William B.Ardery.

Coat of Arms"Ar, three boars' heads, couped sa.

CrestA gillyflower stalked and leaved ppr.

Col. John {1} Reading, the founder of the New Jersey family, and the grandfather of the Bourbon Co., Ky., pioneer, George {3} Reading, came to this country sometime after his marriage which occurred Feb. 22, 1682. He was interested in the development of West Jersey as shown by his purchase of 1/6 of a Propriety in August 28 and 29, 1677a lease and Release from William Penn, Gaven Lowry, Nicholas Lucas and Edward Byllling to John Reading and other for one Propriety; and this is further shown in a deed dated Nov. 1, 1687 when he conveyed 250 acres of land to Matthew Medcalf, a portion of "his second taking up of a 1/6 propriety, etc., bearing date of 28 and 29 Aug. 1677, and made between Edward Byllynge of Westminster in the Kingdom of Great Britain, the trustees of the one party, and John Reading and partners of the other party;" and still again when he conveyed 1000 acres of said propriety in 1697 to Samuel Thorn. A "Propriety" was "one equal one-hundredth part of a province."

There is a similarity of Coat Armor in the Reading families in England which suggest a common origin. This coat armor has the characteristic charge or device of "Three Boars' Heads." The seal used by John {1} Reading when Clerk of Cloucester Co., New Jersey shows "Three Boars' Heads couped," and this charge is also shown on the Reading Coat of Arms which was on a silver tankard and the family coat of arms has been willed to the eldest male descendant in each generation.

John {1} Reading and his wife Elizabeth (last name unknown) on their arrival in the province, located at Gloucester; he surveyed land in N.J. as early as 1684. When Goucester Town, the county seat, was surveyed and laid out he was one of the surveyors and became the owner of a majority of the 88 lots into which the town was divided. He became an extensive land owner, being one of the largest in the province; in addition to the lots in Gloucester and the 1/6 of Propriety mentioned before, he purchased Maurice Trent in January 1695/6 one eighth of a propriety; the following month 1500 acres of James Read; Sept. same year the propriety of Andrew Robeson; February 1700/1, 4000 acres of Sarah Welch and Susanna Turner; and in 1704 1/8 of a propriety from William Biles.

A chronological account of the various offices in the Province held by Emigrant John {1} Reading: Member of Colonial Assembly 1685; Clerk and Recorder, Gloucester County, N.J., 1685-1711; one of the Proprietors of West Jersey 1687; Commissioner 1688/9; Member of House of Rep. West Jersey 1697; Rep. Gloucester in Council 1687-1707; Memb. West Jersey Council Proprietors; Deputy Surveyor of the Sea Coast 1691; Member of the Council of the United Province 1702; Judge Supreme Court 1711; Member of the Governor's Council 1713-17; Capt. of Militia 1695; 1702; 1713; 1714 and Lt. Col. 1715. In 1693 he became owner of a ferry at Gloucester Point until 1707. In 1703 the Council of Proprietors appointed John Reading, William Biddle and John Mills to purchase the great tract of 150,000 acres between the Raritan and Delaware. Col. Reading removed from Gloucester County to the part of Burlington Co. which later became Amwell Township, Hunterton Co. His first purchase of lands there was in 1704. In a deed dated Nov. 12, 1709 he calls himself "Mount Amwell in the county of Burlington;" this no doubt the name of his estate, from which the name Amwell Twp. came. His estate lay on the Delaware River, and he established a landing known as "John Reading's landing." Col. John {1} Reading died at his seat in Hunterdon Co., N.J., Oct. 30, 1717, inventory and app. made December 6, 1717. Among the interesting items in his inventory is "Books and Instruments belonging to Writeing"£40,s.16,p.10

It is known that Col. John {1} and Elizabeth Reading left two children; Gov. John {2} Reading and a sister. In all early accounts of this family, this sister's name is given "Elsie" who married Capt. Daniel Howell.

From the Gov. John Reading Bible, his sister Elizabeth died in 1692; his sister Sarah in 1691 and his sister Mary in 1732. The will of Daniel Howell dated Sept. 9, 1733 indicates the recent death of his wife, and this will names his "brother-in-law John Reading" as one of the execs. This old Bible record was discovered by Mr. Hiram E. Deats, Genealogist of Flemington, N.J. and published by him in the Publications of the Gen. Society of Penn. (1930-32 Vol. XI, p. 72/3). It was found in not the usual Bible, but in a volume of sermons, London, 1676, which Mr. Deats believes Gov. John {2} Reading must have bought when he was over there in school. It was given by Mr. Deats to the N.J. Historical Society. The births, deaths, etc., are in Gov. John's handwriting up until his death. Until its discovery there was no date of marriage of the 1st John Reading, or death date of his wife Elizabeth, nor list of their children. This Bible Record gives the birth and death date of George {3} Reading, the Bourbon County, Kentucky, pioneer.

On 22 Feb 1682 John married Elizabeth.

They had the following children:
 2 i. John (1686-1767)
 ii. Elsie. Elsie married Daniel HOWELL Capt..

Second Generation

_________________________________________

Family of John READING COL (1) & Elizabeth



2. John READING. Born on 6 Jun 1686 in Gloucester, New Jersey. John died on 5 Nov 1767; he was 81.

Research: January 4, 1944, "The Kentuckian-Citizen" article titled "Early Bourbon Families, Reading", pp. 1-2

As taken from a family history being compiled by Nell Downing Norton of New London, Mo.D.A.R. under George Reading Jr. and Lt. Col. George Reading Sr. No. 96813. D.A.C. under COL John {1} Reading, Gov. John {2} Reading and George Reading Sr. No. 5984. Contributed through Mrs. William B.Ardery.

John {2} Reading, son of John {1} and Elizabeth Reading, was born at Gloucester, N.J., June 6, 1686. His father desired educational advantages for his son, and he and his sister were sent with their mother to England where they remained for several years. On Nov. 3, 1718, at the age of 32, he was nominated to a seat in the provincial council and Mar. 28, 1719 was appointed one of the commissioners to run the lines between East and West N.J. In 1720 he was selected as surveyor. June 24, 1720 he was appointed on his Majesty's Council but did not take his seat until March 1721 which office he retained until 1758 when he resigned. He was Justice from 1724 to 1750; Feb. 10, 1727 Col. of Mil. Reg. of Foot for Hunterton Co., also in 1729; Appointed Feb. 10, 1727 as President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. Aug 14, 1727 commissioned Surrogate for Hunterdon and Somerset Cos.; Nov. 6, 1728 was appointed by the Crown one of the Judges to try pirates. In July 15, 1730 Reading Twp. (present Readington, N.J.) was set off by Royal Patent and named in his honor. In 1735 he acted as Agent for the family of William Penn for their N.J. lands: April 18, 1740 he was appointed Enlistment officer in the War against Spain. In 1740 was commissioner of Boundary, to define boundary between Mass., and Rhode Island; 1741-44 Speaker of the Council; 1746-48 Founder and Trustee of the College of N.J. (Princeton); 1747 Acting Governor and Commander in Chief, being the first native-born Jerseyman to govern the province. Sept. 9, 1757 he again took the oath as Governor which position he held until June 16, 1758 when Gov. Francis Bernard succeeded to the office. On July 28, 1758 he resigned from his Majesty's Council, and in due time the King accepted the resignation and appointed a successor as President of the Council. At this time he retired to private life until his death Nov. 5, 1767. His will, in his own handwriting, dated Oct. 1, 1767; codicil(?) Oct. 29; is a long and interesting one; it shows his extensive landed interests, as well as his valuable personal property. He leaves the use of "the Riding Chair and Chair Horse" to his wife Mary, "to use when and as often as she pleases"; money to be paid to her quarterly"she is to have the use of one of the Rooms in my present dwelling housewith plenty of good and suitable firewood at all seasons of the year, to be cut and brought to the door of her room, and fires thereof at all times to be made" He leaves his son George (the Bourbon County pioneer) his Surveying Instruments, also extensive lands, and in the codicil he leaves land to his son George in trust for the grandchildren, John Mullen {4} Reading and George {4} Reading, Jr. His books were to be divided equally to his survivng sons and the eldest son of his dec'd son in a manner "most suitable to their genius and inclination" excepting those of Church History, Religion & Divinity, which were to be shared equally. He left Dr. Whitby's Paraphrase and Commentary on the New Testament in Two Volumes to his sons-in-law, Messrs. Beatty and Mills, and made his sons, Daniel, Joseph and Thomas his Execs. "Desiring of them for God's Sake, the Honour and Interest of the Family, to cause the same to be affectionately and justly performed." The Pennsylvania Gazette of July 28, 1768 published a beautiful tribute to our ancestor.
Gov. John {2} and Mary Ryerson Reading had eleven children, the 2nd son and the third child being George {3} Reading; the Bourbon Co., Ky., pioneer.

On 30 Nov 1720 when John was 34, he married Mary "Maritje" RYERSON, daughter of George RYERSON & Anna "Hannah" SCHOUTEN. Mary "Maritje" died on 11 Apr 1774 in Amwell Twp. Hunterdon Co., New Jersey, "Walnut Grove".

Research: John {2} Reading married Nov. 30, 1720 Mary (Maritje) Ryerson, who was baptized July 19, 1699 at the old Dutch Reformed Church in New York City, the daughter of George (Joris) Ryerson by his first wife, Hanna (Anna Schouten Dey, daughter of Johannes Schouten and widow of Teunis Dey). Joris (or as the name is Anglicized to George) Ryerson was the son of Marten Ryerson who came from Amsterdam, Holland in 1646 and settled in the Wallabout (Brooklyn), L.I. Martin Ryerson married May 14, 1663 Annetje Joris de Repelje, born February 8, 1646, the daughter of the Immigrants, Joris Janson de Rapelje and his wife, Catalyntie Trico. (See D.A.C. Lin. Bk., Vol. 6, pp. 340/2, No. 5984, Nell Downing Norton). Mary Ryerson Reading died in Amwell Twp. Hunterdon Co., N.J., April 11, 1774, at the Reading estate called "Walnut Grove;" both Gov. Reading and his wife are buried in the burying-ground of the old Amwell Presbyterian Church, with which he was connected, and for which he provided a silver communion service in his will.

They had one child:
 3 i. George (1725-1792)

 

Third Generation

_________________________________________

Family of John READING (2) & Mary "Maritje" RYERSON



3. George READING. Born on 26 Feb 1725 in Amwell Twp. Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. George died on 12 Aug 1792; he was 67.

Research: George {3} Reading was born at old Amwell Twp. Hunterdon Co., N.J., "on the 26th of February, Anno 1725, about 8 of the Clock in the morning." He was baptised March 21, 1725 in the Dutch Reformed Church at Readingtown, Hunterdon Co. It was assumed he was born in the house built by his father in 1720 in Flemington, N.J. (still standing 1943). On June 11, 1751 he married Rebecca Mullen (the daughter of John and Elizabeth [Edwards] Mullen of Burlington and Amwell N.J.) and to them were born twelve children, not all of whom lived to maturity. In 1753 George Reading's name was on a subscription list when a parsonage was purchased for the Prsby. Ch. in Flemington, N.J. It is believed he adopted the profession of his father, that of a surveyor, _____his father willed him his surveying instruments. He was commissioned________of his Majesty's Justices of________for Hunterdon Co., April________was one of the Rep. of that county in the Colonial Assembly of 1761-62, 176_-1765, and as early as 1774 became Surrogate of the County. In 1764,______9th, the New York________ "Scheme of a Lottery for the______the College of N.J., Princ___ ______ "Drawing to __________________Hall, aand____________the several_________Gearge Reading___________________March 13, 1765_________________or Weekly Pos_______ and the Pennsylvania Gazette____Oct 2, 1766 published a notice of sale of several large tracts of land owned in Sussex and Morris Co., as well as the farm on which George {3} Reading lived in the Twp. of Amwell, of Hunterdon, West Jersey. The house was a large brick one 48/33, two stories high, `genteely finished in the fashionable manner'pleasantly situated for a Gentleman's country seat" (N.J. Archives; Col. Doc. 1766). He inherited from his father large landed interests in Jersey, being left tracts in Sussex, Hunterdon as well as a lot opposite the Dutch Church in Amwell, and the land in Sussex left in trust to his two sons. His wife, Rebecca (Mullen) Reading, was willed by her father a lot and brick house in Burlinton and 333 acres of land. In Aug. 6, 1767 he was of Mansfield, Woodhouse Twp. Sussex Co., when he was made guardian of his nephew Samuel Hackett, the son of his sister Elizabeth (Reading) Hackett who was leaving for Europe, and this gurdianship ended when his sister returned in Oct. 1769.
On July 15, 1770 his wife, Rebecca (Mellen) Reading died, after giving birth to a still born child; she was buried "in the old Presbyterian meeting house ground in Amwell, by the Family graves." George {3} Reading obtained a warrant of land in Westmoreland Co., Penn., covering 300 acres, surveyed Feb. 5, 1775, and early in the Revolution he removed to this county settling on a farm near Ft. Ligonier. His sons, John Mullen {4} and George {4} Reading, Jr., accompanying him, the other children remaining in N.J. On Apr. 1, 1778 he was appointed Sub-Lieut. of the Co. of Westmoreland; but declined this because of bodily infirmity; however, he later accepted this commission and was made Sub-Lieut., with the rank of Lieut. Colonel. In 1779 he wrote to his brother, Capt. Thomas Reading, of Amwell, Jan. 23rd, that he had returned to his farm from Ft. Ligonier where he had been "upwards to seven months;" and on April 25, he wrote they were still at the fort but at work daily on their farms. There was an attack on the Fort, for on April 26, 1779 Col. Reading wrote a letter to Joseph Reed, Pres. of Penn., which shows the attack. This letter was accepted by the National Society, Daughters of the American Revolution as proof of service of Col. George {3} Reading, and established by the writer, Feb. 5, 1941. It is given in full in the Col. Records of Penn., Vol. 2/248-9 of the Frontier Forts Commission Reports of Western Penn., by Albert. George {3} Reading was recommissioned on June 2, 1880, but this year, he, with his two sons, John Mullin and George Reading, Jr., removed to Bourbon County, Kentucky.
Col. Geo. {3} Reading wrote many letters back to N.J. copies of which are in Mr. J. Granville Leach's "Memorial" to the Reading-Howell, etc., Families." In one letter dated July 16, 1779 he writes "I purpose sending John down to Kentucky and the falls of the Ohio, in a month or six weeks to take up and secure landWe have the most favorable account of that country. It is land to be desired, where the winter (not like Pharoah's lean kine) don't devour the summer; withal very healthy __ where I hope to ____ my days." In a letter dated Mar. 12, 1780, he writes he has made arrangements to go down the Ohio in a craft which he had built for this purpose. He had faith in the new territory is shown by "I should be glad to know what son Sam is about, and where he is, if in the army, or has left the service, and a mind to enter the trade. If he is, I know of no place equal to the Falls of Ohio for a young man to push his fortune in. There is a large town laid out, and a great number of inhabitants already _______ in it, and a considerable trade __________the Spaniards on the_________The Falls of Ohio bids the _______for the largest trading inlandway in North America, and will be the metropolis of a new State in a few yearsI would strongly recommend it to Sam, if he has or intends to leave service, to immediately push for the new settlementand bring with him his sister Betsey, where, if she is unmarried, she need not be afraid of her having pick and choice of a husbandI should think it the greatest pleasure of my life in my aged days to have one of my daughter and son Billie with or near mePray do take care of my books. John says when he comes he will bring them away with him. He and George take great delight in reading" (page 45, Memorial to the Reading-Howell, etc., Families, by J. Granville Leach, 1898). In several letters he refers to the "long captivity" of his son John, and the pension records of John Mullin Reading state that he was taken prisoner by the Indians at Ruddles Station, Ky., June 15, 1780 and held until May 1783.
George {3} Reading, his sons, Samuel {4}, John Mullin {4}, George Jr. {4} and William {4} Reading were large land owners in Kentucky. Col. George {3} Reading Sr., died Aug. 12, 1792; his will was dated June 23, 1792 and proved Bourbon Co., Ky., W.B.A/123; he mentions his sons only in his willSamuel, John Mullin, George and William Reading. (See Ardery's Ky. Ct. and Other Records, Vol 2/22). The dates of birth of the children of George {3} and Rebecca Reading, as taken from the old family record, old and yellow with age, belonging to Margaret Reading, formerly of Frankfort, Ky., and copied by genealogist, Miss Hattie M. Scott, is as follows: (Marriages and other data in "parentheses" taken from other sources, N.D.N.)
Births from Bible Record:
{1} Sam born Nov. 23, 1752 (Major Samuel Reading)
{2} John born Aug. 4, 1754 (evidently died young, not to be confused with John Mullin)
{3} child born Oct. 1755
{4} Elizabeth, born Dec. 11, 1756 (died before her father)
{5} Edward, born May 8, 1759 (not mentioned in father's will)
{6} John M. Reading, born Feb. 4, 1760
{7} George Reading, born Dec. 8, 1761 (ancestor of the writer Nell Downing Norton)
{8} daughter, stillborn May 21, 1763
{9} Amelia, born June 20, 1765 (licensed to wed Albert Joost Zabriskie, March 20, 1787)
{10} Son, stillborn Sept. 24, 1766
{11} William, born Sept. 8, 1769
{12} daughter, stillborn July 15, 1770 "and its mother departed this life about 1/4 hour after 5 of the same day and here buried in the old Presbyterian meeting house ground in Amwell by the Family Graves." "George Reading, our father, departed this life on 12th day of August 1792 at the Mouth of Woods Run south fork of the Licking Creek and lies buried at in Stoner mouth of Meeting house yardout living our mother 22 years."

(January 4, 1944, "The Kentuckian-Citizen" article titled "Early Bourbon Families, Reading", pp. 1-2)

On 11 Jun 1751 when George was 26, he married Rebecca MULLIN, daughter of John MULLIN & Elizabeth EDWARDS.


They had the following children:

 4 i. George (1761-1846)
 5 ii. Samuel (1752-)
 6 iii. John Mullen (1760-1833)
 7 iv. William (1769-)
 v. John. Born on 4 Aug 1754.
 vi. child. Born in Oct 1755.
 vii. Elizabeth. Born on 11 Dec 1756.
 viii. Edward. Born on 8 May 1759.
 ix. daughter. Born on 21 May 1763.
 x. Amelia. Born on 20 Jun 1765.

 xi. son. Born on 24 Sep 1766.
 xii. daughter. Born on 15 Jul 1770. daughter died on 15 Jul 1770 in Stillborn. Mother died givng birth.


Research: Daughter, stillborn July 15, 1770 "and its mother departed this life about 1/4 hour after 5 of the same day and here buried in the old Presbyterian meeting house ground in Amwell by the Family Graves."

(January 4, 1944, "The Kentuckian-Citizen" article titled "Early Bourbon Families, Reading", p. 2)

Fourth Generation

_________________________________________

Family of George READING (3) & Rebecca MULLIN



4. George READING Jr. Born on 8 Dec 1761 in Amwell Twp., N.J. George died in Clark Co., Missouri on 4 Aug 1846; he was 84. Buried in Wolf's Cemetery, St. Francisville, Mo.

Research: George {4} Reading was born December 8, 1761 in Amwell Twp., N.J. Removed with his father and brother, John Mullen Reading, to Westmoreland Co. in the Colony of Penn., where he saw service in the American Revolution. (Pension File Claim S-17038, No. 96813, Nell Downing Norton); removed to Kentucky in 1780; was at Bryant's Station; also with Gen. Clark and assisted in building a fort at the Falls of the Ohio. On March 27, 1784 and May 4, 1787 he executed deeds in "Bourbon Co., Va." (Sussex Co., N.J., deeds A-137 and N. 2-169). This, the land evidently left him by his grandfather, Gov. John {2} Reading. Family records show that George {4} Reading followed his father and grandfather's footsteps and was also a surveyor. He owned land in Bourbon and Harrison Cos., Ky. Littell's Laws of Ky., show he had a mill-dam on the south fork of the Licking. On May 7, 1789 he married Nancy McCune, the daughter of William McCune, one of the defenders of Ruddle's Station. The marriage bond was dated May 3rd 1789 and contains a note of consent from the father, William McCune, and was attested by John and Hayden Edwards. Nancy McCune was born Nov. 23/25. 1770/1. In Dec. 19, 1795 the Governor nominated George {4} Reading a Justice of the Peace of Harrison Co., and he qualified Apr., 1796. In Nov. 1811 he was Surety when John McCune was appointed Guardian to Elizabeth Naylor, infant orphan of Thomas Naylor, Old Ky., Entries and Deeds, Jillson, has many entries of land in his name, as well as in the names of his father and brothers. George {4} Reading and wife moved to Pike County, Missouri, sometime before Sept. 1829, and settled upon a farm in Buffalo Twp. where his son William {5} Reading had moved in 1820. They lived on this farm until Nancy (McCune) Reading died Oct. 1842. She is buried in the old Grassy Creek Burying Ground, Pike Co., Mo. After his wife's death, George {4} Reading went to Clark Co., Missouri, spending the last few years of his life with his son Thomas {5}. He died there August 4, 1846; the inscription on his monument in Wolf's Cemetery, St. Francisville, Mo., copied by the writer reads: "George Reading, A Soldier of the Revolution and an Elder of the Presbyterian Church for nearly 50 years. Died Aug. 4, 1846 in the 85th year of his age."

(January 4, 1944, "The Kentuckian-Citizen" article titled "Early Bourbon Families, Reading", pp. 2-3)

On 7 May 1789 when George was 27, he married Nancy McCUNE, daughter of William McCUNE (1751-abt 1830) & Elizabeth. Born on 23 Nov 1770/1771. Nancy died in Pike County, MO in Oct 1842; she was 71. Buried in Grassy Creek Burying Ground, Pike Co., Mo.

They had the following children:

 8 i. Rebecca (1790-)
 9 ii. William (1792-1868)
 iii. Elizabeth. Born on 1 Jan 1795. Elizabeth died on 1 Sep 1830; she was 35. Elizabeth married Richard AYRES. Born in Pike Co., Mo.
 iv. George. Born on 15 Apr 1797. Moved to Davis, Iowa. {NDN} George married Jane NESBIT.
 v. John. Born on 25 Feb 1799. Moved to Lewis Co., Mo. {NDN} On 22 Mar 1821 when John was 22, he married Sarah D. MAXWELL, daughter of Samuel P. MAXWELL (-Feb 1835) & Elizabeth PATTON, in Pike Co., Mo.
 vi. Samuel. Born on 14 Sep 1801.
 vii. Hugh. Born on 4 Apr 1804.
 viii. Thomas Elie (Ellis). Born on 6 Nov 1810. Thomas Elie (Ellis) died in California in 1850; he was 39. They lived in Clark Co., Mo., but the widow returned to Ky. (See D.A.R. Lin. Bk. 105/197) {NDN} On 6 Oct 1836 when Thomas Elie (Ellis) was 25, he married Elizabeth BEAUCHAMP, in Pike Co., Mo.
 ix. James Gray. Born on 9 Dec 1816. James Gray died in Pike Co., Mo. in Sep 1841; he was 24.




5. Samuel READING. Born on 23 Nov 1752.

Research: Major Samuel {4} Reading, born Nov. 23, 1752 in Amwell N.J., was commissioned Dec. 18, 1775 1st Lt.; Capt., Feb. 5, 1777, and promoted to Major Dec. 29, 1781 and remained in the service until the close of the War. He married Sarah Gouverneur of Bergen Co. He was of Newark, New Jersey, until after 1805 when he removed to Kentucky. His will was dated Aug. 18, 1836 and probated in Franklin County, Kentucky, Oct. term 1838.

(January 4, 1944, "The Kentuckian-Citizen" article titled "Early Bourbon Families, Reading", p. 3)

Samuel married Sarah GOUVERNEUR. Born in Bergen Co., N.J.

They had the following children:

 10 i. Nicholas Gouverneur (ca1790-)
 ii. Gertrude Gouverneur. Gertrude Gouverneur died in Apr 1845 in Newark, N.J.
 iii. Rebecca.
 iv. Samuel Gouverneur. Served as a private in Capt. Stephen Baldwin's Co. of N.J. from Newark in the War of 1812. {NDN-"Early Bourbon Families," p. 4}


6. John Mullen READING. Born on 4 Feb 1760 in Hunterdon Co., N.J. John Mullen died in Franklin Co., Ky. in 1833; he was 72.

Research: John Mullen {4} Reading was born in Hunterdon Co. N.J., Feb. 4, 1760. He served in the Revolution in Westmoreland Co., Pa., (Pension papers W. 579) came to Kentucky in the spring of 1780 and resided in Mercer, Bourbon & Franklin Cos., died in June 1833 in Franklin Co., where his widow also resided when she received her pension. He married Mary Porter on August 31, 1787 in Gloucester, N.J. She was born Feb. 16, 1765 and died Feb. 19, 1847.

(January 4, 1944, "The Kentuckian-Citizen" article titled "Early Bourbon Families, Reading", p. 2)

On 31 Aug 1787 when John Mullen was 27, he married Mary PORTER, in Gloucester, N.J. Born on 16 Feb 1765. Mary died on 19 Feb 1847; she was 82.

They had the following children:

 i. Samuel Porter. Born on 7 Jan 1789.
 ii. George. Born on 5 Nov 1790.
 iii. Joseph. Born on 3 Dec 1792. Family letters show he and his wife Nancy were in Missouri Feb. 6, 1833. {NDN-"Early Bourbon Families," p. 4}
 iv. Elizabeth. Born on 20 Nov 1794. On 23 Aug 1814 when Elizabeth was 19, she married George WILLIAMS, in Franklin Co., Ky. Elizabeth died in Boone Co., Mo. on 12 Apr 1856; she was 61.
 v. Nancy. Born on 16 Sep 1796. Nancy died on 30 Sep 1797; she was 1.

 11 vi. John Porter (1801-1859)

 vii. Polly. Born on 6 Feb 1804.


7. William READING. Born on 8 Sep 1769.

Research: William {4} Reading was born Sept. 8, 1769, was not a year old when his mother Rebecca (Mullen) Reading, died. He was evidently raised in New Jersey. He did remove to Kentucky, however, and was an extensive land owner, owning land in Logan, Warren, Livingston, and Christian Counties. He was the 1st Surveyor of Logan Co. and Trustee of Logan & Newton Academy. The Muster roll of Capt. James Browne's Co., Mt. Ky. Volunteers in "Mustered in at the Rapids of Ohio, June 15, 1791 by Capt. B. Smith, 1st U.S. Reg." gives his name. In 1803 at the 1st Circuit Ct. of Logan Co., held by Ninian Edwards, Judge; Wlm. Reading and Reuben Ervin and Associates. Record of Abstracts and Wills in Logan Co. (B. A/405 and 409) mentions his daughters Betsey and Rebecca Reading, his nephew John Reading; also Nicholas Reading but no relationship shown (probably his nephew, the son of Major Samuel Reading). Mrs. Katy Curd and Mrs. Holcomb and "Miss" Sophia Reading are made guardians for his daughters and $100 is to be paid yearly to Mrs. Holcomb for raising his daughters (this "Miss" Sophia Reading is probably "Mrs." Sophia, the wife of Nicholas Reading). Land in Henderson Co., house and lot in Bowling Green, and a hemp factory, etc. are also mentioned.

(January 4, 1944, "The Kentuckian-Citizen" article titled "Early Bourbon Families, Reading", p. 4)

William married ---?---.

They had the following children:

 i. Betsey {5}.
 ii. Rebecca {5}.

Fifth Generation

_________________________________________

Family of George READING Jr. (4) & Nancy McCUNE



8. Rebecca READING. Born on 9 Jul 1790.

Rebecca first married William Patton HOLLIDAY, son of William HOLLIDAY (1755-1811) & Mary PATTON. Born on 22 Sep 1781 in Cumberland, Pa.

They had one child:

 i. George Reading (1808-1887) Rebecca second married Francis GRANT.


9. William READING. Born on 9 Oct 1792 in Bourbon Co., KY. William died in Pike Co., MO on 2 Sep 1868; he was 75.

On 11 Jan 1816 when William was 23, he first married Margaret Bell (5) SHAWHAN, daughter of John (4) SHAWHAN (23 Oct 1771-5 Apr 1845) & Margaret "Peggy" McCUNE (20 May 1776-24 Mar 1857). Born on 11 Nov 1797. Margaret Bell (5) died on 18 May 1860; she was 62. Buried in Old Grassy Creek Churchyard, Pike County, Mo.

They had the following children:

 i. Margaret Ann (6) (1817-1876)
 ii. Rebecca (6) (1819-)
 iii. John Shannon (6) (1821-1899)
 iv. Nancy (6) (1822-)
 v. Elizabeth (6) (1825-1910)
 vi. George (6) (1827-1831)
 vii. William "Billie" (6) (1829-1920)
 viii. Daniel (6) (1831-1831)
 ix. Joseph (6) (1832-1835)
 x. daughter (5) (1835-1835)
 xi. Jay (6) (1837-)
 xii. Lafayette (6) (1842-)


On 25 Mar 1861 when William was 68, he second married Nancy (5) SHAWHAN, daughter of John (4) SHAWHAN (23 Oct 1771-5 Apr 1845) & Margaret "Peggy" McCUNE (20 May 1776-24 Mar 1857). Born on 10 Oct 1799 in Bourbon, County, Kentucky. Nancy (5) died in Pike County, Mo. in 1878; she was 78.

Family of Samuel READING (5) & Sarah GOUVERNEUR



10. Nicholas Gouverneur READING. Born ca 1790 in Newark, N.J.

Research: He removed to Frankford, Ky. {NDN}

On 19 Jan 1813 when Nicholas Gouverneur was 23, he married Sophia ATWOOD. Born in Somerset Co., N.J.

They had the following children:

 i. Abraham Beach (-1889)
 ii. Sarah H.
 iii. Atwood
 iv. Randolph (1828-1894)
 v. Adelina Rebecca

Family of John Mullen READING (6) & Mary PORTER

11. John Porter READING. Born on 23 Sep 1801. John Porter died in Franklin Co., Ky. on 1 Dec 1859; he was 58.

On 14 Apr 1841 when John Porter was 39, he married Matilda Wendell DRYDEN. Born on 16 Mar 1815/1816 in Rockbridge, Va. Matilda Wendell died in Franklin Co., Ky. on 11 Jun 1890; she was 75.

They had the following children:

 i. Mary Catherine (1842-1890)
 ii. William Thomas (1841-)



Index


?
Elizabeth spouse of 1
---?---
UNNAMED spouse of 7
ATWOOD
Sophia spouse of 10
DRYDEN
Matilda Wendell spouse of 11
GOUVERNEUR
Sarah spouse of 5
GRANT
Francis spouse of 8
HOLLIDAY
George Reading Dr. child of 8
William Patton spouse of 8
MCCUNE
Nancy spouse of 4
MULLIN
Rebecca spouse of 3
PORTER
Mary spouse of 6
READING
Abraham Beach child of 10
Adelina Rebecca child of 10
Amelia child of 3
Atwood child of 10
Betsey {5} child of 7
child child of 3
Daniel (6) child of 9
daughter child of 3
daughter child of 3
daughter (5) child of 9
Edward child of 3
Elizabeth child of 4
Elizabeth child of 6
Elizabeth child of 3
Elizabeth (6) child of 9
Elsie child of 1
George Jr. 4
George 3
George child of 4
George child of 6
George (6) child of 9
Gertrude Gouverneur child of 5
Hugh child of 4
James Gray child of 4
Jay (6) child of 9
John 2
John COL 1
John child of 4
John child of 3
John Mullen 6
John Porter 11
John Shannon (6) child of 9
Joseph child of 6
Joseph (6) child of 9
Lafayette (6) child of 9
Margaret Ann (6) child of 9
Mary Catherine child of 11
Nancy child of 6
Nancy (6) child of 9
Nicholas Gouverneur 10
Polly child of 6
Randolph child of 10
Rebecca 8
Rebecca child of 5
Rebecca {5} child of 7
Rebecca (6) child of 9
Samuel 5
Samuel child of 4
Samuel Gouverneur child of 5
Samuel Porter child of 6
Sarah H. child of 10
son child of 3
Thomas Elie (Ellis) child of 4
William 9
William 7
William "Billie" (6) Jr. child of 9
William Thomas child of 11
RYERSON
Mary "Maritje" spouse of 2
SHAWHAN
Margaret Bell (5) spouse of 9
Nancy (5) spouse of 9