An American Family History

Catherine Estey Scudder Jones was born about 1630 in Freston, Suffolk County England. Her parents were Jeffrey Estey and Margaret Pott and her brother was Isaac Estey.

She married Henry Scudder in Huntington, Suffolk County, Long Island, New York about 1655. Henry Scudder was born in 1615. He was the son of Thomas Scudder.

Their children included:
Rebecca Scudder Titus ( 1656, married Abiel Titus),
Jonathan Scudder (1656/57),
Sarah Scudder Brown,
Moses Scudder (1658),
Mary Scudder (about 1660), and
David Scudder.

When her father, Jeffrey died in January 4, 1657, he left his house and land to his grandson, Jonathan Scudder. His granddaughter Scudder received 20 shillings.

Henry wrote his will on January 25, 1661.

Thomas Jones of Huntington was her second husband. He had been married before and his wife died leaving him with four sons.

Thomas Catharine had one daughter, Martha Jones, who married Thomas Whitson.

Thomas died on February 16, 1699 in Lewis, New York.

Huntington town records in the List of Taypayers in 1673 indicate that the taxes are to be paid to "widder Joans."

It was a novel thing for a woman to collect the taxes, but the records of the period show that she was a woman of more than ordinary ability, and for convenience her neighbors paid their taxes in to her. She lived on East Neck.

Long Island Genealogies by Mary Powell Bunker, Mrs. Mary Powell (Seaman) Bunker

Henry Scudder m. Catharine Este, dau. of Jeffrey, he d. 1661, children:
Jonathan m. 1680,
Sarah Brown,
Moses,
David m. Mary,
Mary,
Rebecca.

Thomas Jones of Huntington, died 1669, his wife died leaving him four sons : Thomas, John and others. He married a 2d wife, Catharine, widow of Henry Scudder. Her father was Jeffrey Estes from Salem, Mass., he died 1657, being the first death in Huntington.

Thomas Jones and 2d wife Catharine had one daughter, Martha, who married Thomas Whitson, and was the progenitor of all the known Whitsons.

Huntington Town Records, Including Babylon, Long Island, N.Y.

Conveyance by Catherine Jones of Rights in Old Mill Pond June 20, 1681

Hhuntington Jun. 20, 1681 This writing testefieth to any whom it may Consern that I keterine Jones of huntington in the East Riding of york shire on long Island haveing bought of abiell Titus A thre hundred pound Right of the old mill pond and also I have bought of John Teed A two hundred pound Right of the old mill pond: these above said Rights

I doe devide and give to my 3 sons: to my son Jonathan A two hundred pound Right which being aded to that which he hath belonging to his accomondation, maketh his Right in the old mill pond A fower hundred pound Right.

Also I give to my son moses Scudder one hundred pound Right in the old mill pond : it being aded to y^t he alredy posseseth maketh his Right to be fowre hundred pound in the old mill pond.

also I give to my son david Scudder a tow hundred pound Right in the old mill pond. it being aded to y^t he hath alredy in possesion maketh his Right to be 4 hundred pound Right in the old mill pond.

by me John Corey

The “widder Joans," here mentioned, was in her maiden name Catherine Este, daughter of Jeffrey Este, afterwards wife of Henry Scudder, and later “widow wife," as she called herself. of Thomas Jones. It was a novel thing for a woman to collect the taxes, but the records of the period show that she was a woman of more than ordinary ability, and for convenience her neighbors paid their taxes in to her. She lived on East Neck.

The last will and Testament of Henry Scuddar late of Huntington, Deceased, Made the 25 of January 1661

I Henry Scudder being in right understanding and perfect memory, Do Dispose of my estate as ffolloweth:

first I make my wife Catherin Scudder my whole and sole executor and to foure of my Children (viz) Moses, David, Mary and Rebeccah Scuddar,

I do give ten pound a peece; to each of them And to my oldest sonne Jonathan Scuddar I do give a Duble portion (to wit) twenty pounds together with y^e house and Lands with his Grandfather [ed. note: Jeffrey Esty] left him (by will)

And all this their severall portions I do appoint to be paid to them out of my Estate by my said Executor, as they shall come to age or at the Day of their Marriages. This is my whole minde & will.

Witnessed upon Oath by Henry Whitney, Edward Ffrencham.