Scudder Family Historical & Biographical Journal, volume 5, no. 1 (Winter 2023)

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Richard Betts Scudder, a Bridge to 400 years of Scudder History

           This Winter 2023 issue of the Journal focuses on Richard4 “Betts” Scudder, 1670/1–1754, and some of his notable ancestors and descendants. Richard4’s ancestry invites discussion about all three American Scudder lines, T, J and E, and about his great-great uncle, the renowned English minister and author Rev. Henry1 Scudder, so there should be something of interest in this issue for all Scudder descendants to discover. Richard4’s ancestors expose some highlights of 17th century Puritan history. This issue also focuses on three of Richard4 “Betts” Scudder’s grandchildren, including his grandson-in-law John4 Hart, signer of the Declaration of Independence. This issue mentions a bit of the history of Scudder Falls Bridge built on Richard4’s former property with links to articles about its replacement by the Scudder Falls Bridge (toll bridge), completed in 2019. This is near the site of Washington’s crossing to the Battle of Trenton in which two of his grandchildren took part. The article about the Scudder family’s uncle, the Rev. Henry1 Scudder, 1583–1652, who was a renowned Puritan divine in England, reveals some of his intriguing extended family connections within a notable Puritan activist network. It announces Rev. Henry1’s three sons not previously known who died young so do not appear in his will. Transcriptions of two wills are included in this issue, for Richard4 “Betts” Scudder and for the Honorable John4 Hart, the signer. So that all Scudders may have access to build their family history on an accurate foundation in the earliest generations, and to correct misinformation still circulating, this Journal strives to present accurate biographical facts from historically proven sources. This issue spans six generations.

Table of Contents

Heritage Passed from Puritan Scudders Gives Context to Scudder Patriots of New Jersey

Ancestry and Descendants of John3 Scudder and Joanna2 Betts of Newtown, Long Island:
Both Were First Generation Born in America, Both Were Children of Puritan Migration Immigrants,
and They Were Great-grandparents of Some Key 1776 American Revolutionary War Heroes

Richard4 Betts Scudder and His Puritan Reformer Scudder-Stoughton-Chamberlayne Roots:
An Activist Heritage Richard4 Passed to His Courageous Revolutionary War Grandchildren

The Rev. Henry1 Scudder and His Puritan In-laws, and Their Puritan Reformer Network

Two New England Immigrant Cousins Named John2 Scudder:
Richard4 Betts Scudder’s Grandfather Was John2 Scudder of Salem, MA and Newtown, L.I.,
John2 Scudder (J) of Barnstable Was the Half-uncle of Richard4’s Mother, Joanna2 Betts

John3 Scudder, Jr., and Joanna2 (Betts) Scudder of Newtown, L.I., Their Parents and Children

Richard “Betts” Scudder (1671-1754) of Hunterdon County, New Jersey,
Expanding on Richard4’s History from Scudder Searches, volume 1, no. 3, (Fall 1989)

Transcription of the Original Will of Richard4 “Betts” Scudder, will dated 2 March 1754

Who were the grandchildren of Richard (Betts) Scudder and Hannah (Reeder) Scudder?

A Christmas Gift to You from Amos and Jedediah Scudder, etc., and the Miracle of
The Battle of Trenton with No ‘Summer American Soldiers or Sunshine Patriots There!

Deborah Scudder and Her Husband, John Hart, the Signer,
of Hopewell, New Jersey

The Will of John Hart

Appendix
Memorabilia for Scudder Falls, New Jersey from the Scudder Association Archives


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