Children:

Nancy Southard

Mary Southard
Born: Mar. 27, 1767, Rockaway, Morris Co., New Jersey
Died: unknown

Phebe Southard
Born: Aug. 20, 1769, Rockaway, Morris Co., New Jersey
Died: unknown
Marriage: Nov. 4, 1789, Morris Co., New Jersey
Husband: William Mitchell
Born: July 14, 1765, Morris Co., New Jersey
Died: unknown

Naomi Southard
Born Oct. 2, 1772, Rockaway, Morris Co., New Jersey
Died: May 20, 1851, Franklin, New Jersey
Marriage: Mar., 1791, Franklin, New Jersey
Husband: Samuel Palmer
Born: Nov. 20, 1769, Franklin, New Jersey
Died: Sept. 28, 1845, Rockaway, New Jersey

Silas Southard

Benjamin Southard
Born: before 1777, Morris Co., New Jersey
Died: unknown  

TIMOTHY SOUTHARD
by Betsey Heath-Howes

Served in the Revolutionary War from Morris County, New Jersey, died of fever in early 1777. I believe that Timothy's father was Isaac Southard of Long Island, New York, When Isaac's wife died he sold his goods and left for Long Island with his son, They stopped the first night at a family named Hedden (Gilbert?)and they convinced Isaac to leave the baby with them. Isaac never came back and Timothy was raised by the Heddens. Mary was Gilbert's wife and their children were Abraham, Elisha, Jacob, Elizabeth, Abigail, probably more. Timothy is listed as joining the Continental Army from Chester (Black River), Morris Co., New Jersey.

Gilbert Hedden and wife Mary are the assumed adoptive parents of Timothy. Gilbert Headen (Hedden or Heddy) in 1753 is described as being of Morristown, in 1762 as of Pequannock, and 1778 as of North Carolina. He was the owner of the first grist-mill in Rockaway, Morris Co., NJ, built about 1760, which was standing below the present rolling-mill, and the site of the rolling-mill was in all probability the bed of the mill pond. Gilbert appears on the 1789 tax list in Newark Township, Essex Co, NJ (page 19). Abraham married Charity Munson, Elizabeth married John Huntington, Jacob married Priscilla in North Carolina, and then Mary J.  

FROM THE 1902 J. PERCY CRAYON BOOK, "ROCKAWAY RECORDS OF MORRIS COUNTY, NEW JERSEY

In the earliest days of Hibernia, probably as early as 1740, not later than 1745, lived one Timothy Southard. He was unfortunate in the death of his wife, who it is probable was buried at Rockaway. They had one son, an infant at the death of the mother, and also named Timothy. The father sold out his household belongings, not very extensive in those days, and carried his infant in his arms, and was going to make thejourney onfoot to some of his relatives living at Elizabethtown Point, or to Long Island, where he came from. He stopped for the night at an acquaintance by the name of Hedden, then living on the back road between Rockaway and Hibernia,the only road then traveled,at that times perhaps a bridle path, and the family induced him to leave the infant in their care until he should he return in two or three weeks, which arrangement had been satisfactorily made,and Timothy proceeded on his journey, saying that when he returned the family would be amply repaid for their kindness and trouble, and other arrangements for the keeping of the family of the child satisfactorily made. He was never heard from again, and it was thought that he had died of grief stricken before he had reached his relatives, as they had never received any tidings from their relative, and a case of misplaced confidence, or intended disappearing was unusual, as the ties of affection were stronger in those days than in this present day and generation.

Young Timothy grew up with the Hedden family, and became as one of their large family of children, the hospitality of the early settlers had no boundary however, scanty of provisions or clothing, or close quarters the house provided, there was always room and a welcome for one more. Timothy grew up in these surroundings, married in early life, became a prominent member in the circle of society in those days, was a soldier in the Revolution, returned and died from the effects of his service for the country, a few years near the place where he was "brought up" and was probably buried at Rockaway, though we have no written records to prove the same, we accept it traditionally. He had quite a large family of children, who became connected with many of the good people of that time and generation. Nancy was born in 1768, married David Gordon, a Revolutionary soldier, soon after the Revolution. He was a son of William, a captain in the army, who was the son of Joshua, a quartermaster in the army. Son, father, and grandfather all doing service at the time. David Gordon served many years, it is said forty, as the "old sexton" of Rockaway. Dr.Tuttle's tribute to the"old sexton" brings out the character and duties and life of early days of service. He was born Sept. 23, 1759, and died July 23, 1852. His wife died Feb. 1851, both buried at Rockaway. Neomi, born Oct. 2, 1772, married Samuel Palmer, of Franklin, Mar. 1791,and died May 20, 1851. Samuel Palmer, was son of Jacob, who came from Long Island and married Phebe Lyon and settled at Franklin. Samuel was born at Franklin Nov. 20, 1769, and died there Sept. 28, 1845. Both buried at Rockaway. Timothy, the third named Timothy, became a prominent citizen of Morris Co., and distinguished himself as a school teacher,justice of the peace and lawyer and died near Lake Hopatcong, date not known. Isaac and Benjamin are on the Rockaway church records as members at an early date, but whether of this family, I am not certain, it is quite certain there were a number of daughters, whose names and records have been handed down to this generation. Who can tell? Tradition has it that this family of Southards who came from Long Island, were related and connected with the family of Abraham Southard, who came from Long Island and settled at Basking Ridge in 1755. His son, Henry born Oct. 1747, was a Revolutionary soldier, and afterwards a congressman, died June 2, 1842. Samuel L., son of Henry, born at Basking Ridge June 9, 1787, also distinguished himself as senator, secretary of navy, and also many high offices of this State, where he was known as "New Jerseys favorite son", he died at Fredericksburg, VA, June 26, 1842.
 

FROM THE 1890s J. PERCY CRAYON BOOK, "JOHN MC RANDALL, A LIFE AMONG THE LOWLY"

Timothy Southard was a Revolutionary soldier, and is said to have died from the effects of the war, and buried at Rockaway.His father, also named Timothy, was among the first settlers in the Hibernia mountains from Long Island. His wife died,leaving young Timothy by a few weeks old, born Oct.6, 1736. His father sold out his household belongings and started on foot to return to relatives at Long Island. He passed the first night at Haden's at Denville, and was induced to leave young Timothy,and return later, or during the next summer. He never returned, and was never heard from. Young Timothy grew up with the Haden family, and married Susanna Sworden May 16, 1762, and had several children who married in Revolutionary families of this section. This Southard family is said to be related to the families that came later from Long Island and settled in this county. They became distinguished members of New Jersey's Temple of Fame and known as "New Jersey's favorite sons."
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