Jacob and Catherine Sortore

Three Generations of Descendants

Generation One

1. Jacob SORTORE was born circa 1695 at Palatine Region, Germany; he married Catherine (--?--) before 1720? at Germany; he died on 6 September 1751 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; his will was proved on 13 January 1752 at New Jersey.

He was naturalized between 7 May 1730 and 8 July 1731 at Council and General Assembly of New Jersey, Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co, New Jersey, Jacob and family came to NJ from the Palatine region of Germany arriving before 1730. Jacob and his two sons are listed as "Jacob Sartor and his two sons, namely Johannes Sartor and Hendrick Sartor." Others naturalized at the same assembly include Peter Rockefelter and his sons who went on to found the Rockefeller family in this country.

Henry Jones finds several possibilities for the origins of the family in Germany but none can be conclusively proven to be this Jacob Sortore. Perhaps the most promising of his findings is from the Reformed Church in Hachenburg. There he finds a marriage record dating from 22 May 1707 of a Johann Jacob, son of Johann Georg Sartor who marries a Christina Catharina daughter of Joh. Gerhard Zeppenfeld. This Johann Jacob Sartor also had sons named Johannes Peter and Johann Henrich who died when he was three. Considering that the family in New Jersey were active members of the Reformed Church and the names of the children this record might be the best place to start for further research in Germany.

Members of the Sortore family were treated by a Dr. Benjamin Van Kirk whose records are preserved at the Hopewell, New Jersey museum. These records also indicate that the family had their slaves treated by Dr. Van Kirk. The Sortore name has been spelled in a variety of ways over the years. The following is a partial list of some of the spellings found so far: Sortore, Sortor, Sorter, Sortir, Sarter, Sartor, Solter, and Salter.

Catherine (--?--) was born circa 1695 at Germany. She died on 6 September 1751 at Somerset Co, New Jersey.

The five known children of Jacob SORTORE and Catherine (--?--) were as follows:

+ 2 i. Johanne Peter SORTORE, born circa 1720 at Germany; married Epenetus GORDON.
+ 3 ii. Hendrick SORTORE, born circa 1721 at Germany; married Dinah BLEW; married Rebecca STOUT.
+ 4 iii. Katherine SORTORE, born circa 1723? at Germany; married Jacob VASTBINDER.
5 iv. Adam SORTORE was born after 1725? at New Jersey; he died on 9 March 1774 at New Jersey.
+ 6 v. Jacob SORTORE, born circa 1730; married Maria DORLANDT.

Generations Two and Three

2. Johanne Peter SORTORE (Jacob) was born circa 1720 at Germany; he married Epenetus GORDON, daughter of Thomas GORDON and Margaret OLIPHANT, on 24 December 1753 at Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co, New Jersey; he died on 11 September 1769 at Somerset Co, New Jersey, Johanne was killed while loading logs.

He was naturalized between 7 May 1730 and 8 July 1731 at Council and General Assembly of New Jersey, Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co, New Jersey.

Epenetus Gordon was born circa 1732 at Perth Amboy, Somerset, New Jersey. She was baptized circa 1733 at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co, New Jersey. She died on 9 September 1821 at Somerset Co., New Jersey. She was buried after 9 September 1821 at Old School Baptist Yard, Hopewell, Hunterdon Co, New Jersey.

The eight known children of Johanne Peter SORTORE and Epenetus GORDON were as follows:

7 i. Margaret SORTORE was born on 7 November 1754.
8 ii. Jacob SORTORE was born on 23 August 1756 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Anne (--?--) before 1819; he died on 26 January 1819 at Somerset Co, New Jersey, at age 62; he will was proved after 26 January 1819 In his will he leaves everything to his wife, brothers, and sisters as well as freeing all his slaves. No known children were born to Jacob and Anne. He performed military service circa 1776 in Captain Duryea's company, First Battalion Somerset during the Revolutionary War.
9 iii. Thomas Gordon SORTORE was born on 7 December 1758 at Rocky Hill, Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Jane Van Mater SUTPHEN circa 1781; he died on 26 March 1833 at Springfield Twp, Hamilton Co, Ohio, at age 74; he was buried at Lockland, Hamilton Co, Ohio. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Hopewell from 1792 until 1797. He began military service between 1776 and 1778 serving with Captain Duryea's company, First Battalion Somerset during the Revolutionary War. He resided circa 1810 at Hamilton Co, Ohio, Thomas and his family moved to Hamilton Co, Ohio from New Jersey.
10 iv. George SORTORE was born on 25 January 1761 at Somerset Co, New Jersey.
11 v. Anne SORTORE was born on 7 March 1762 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; she died on 20 June 1847 at age 85.
12 vi. John SORTORE was born on 9 February 1765 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Anne DURYEE on 8 November 1788 at Montgomery Twp, Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Abagail GARRISON on 22 March 1817; he died on 22 January 1843 at age 77.
13 vii. Catharine SORTORE was born on 12 January 1767; she married Elias BAKER circa 1786; she died on 20 January 1831 at age 64; she was buried at Ten Mile Run Cemetery, Somerset Co, New Jersey.
14 viii. Epenetus SORTORE was born on 21 February 1768 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; she married (--?--) FOSTER circa 1788.

3. Hendrick SORTORE (Jacob) was born circa 1721 at Germany; he married Dinah BLEW, daughter of John BLAW and Margaret (--?--), circa 1744 at New Jersey; he married Rebecca STOUT, daughter of John STOUT and Catharine STOUT, circa 1757 at New Jersey; he died between 3 August 1793 and 5 May 1794 at Somerset Co, New Jersey.

He was naturalized between 7 May 1730 and 8 July 1731 at Council and General Assembly of New Jersey, Perth Amboy, Middlesex Co, New Jersey. He left a will on 16 January 1787 at New Jersey witnesses listed were Richard Stout, John Sutphen, and WIlliam Bell. He left a will on 3 August 1793 at New Jersey witnesses were "Arthur Sutphin Senr." "Arthur Sutphin Junr." and Ralph Elberson. His will was proved on 5 May 1794 at New Jersey, executors named were "Peter Sortore, Hendrick and George Sortore." Surrogate was John Mehelm and Register was Bowes Reed. It states that the probate was sworn at Pluckamin, uncertain where that is.

Dinah Blew was born circa 1717 at Jamaica, Long Island, New York. For further information on the BLUE family see William H. Blue research notes. She died circa 1755 at Somerset Co, New Jersey.

The five known children of Hendrick SORTORE and Dinah BLEW were as follows:

15 i. John SORTORE was born circa 1745 at New Jersey.
16 ii. Margaret SORTORE was born on 21 March 1746 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; she married John HEPBURN on 18 December 1771.
17 iii. Catherine SORTORE was born circa 1748 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; she married John BLUE circa 1765; she died before 23 June 1800 at Berkeley Co, Virginia.
18 iv. Peter SORTER was born on 15 April 1751 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Esther STOUT, daughter of Joseph STOUT and Rebecca GROVER, circa 1777. He begn military service on 7 June 1776 enlisting in the New Jersey Regiment. He served for six weeks with Captain William Barid's company under Col. Quick. He again began military service between 10 September 1776 and 25 May 1777 at Ft. Lee, New Jersey, he enlisted as a substitute for his brother Henry, serving 8 1/2 months of a nine month enlistment. On 1 July 1777 he enlisted for a third time and served until sometime in 1778. He was at the engagement of Rocky Hill on Millstone River and at the Battle of Monmouth. When he applied for his pension he was residing at Madison, Columbia Co, Pennsylvania. He resided in 1799 at Columbia Co, Pennsylvania.
19 v. Dinah SORTORE was born on 10 February 1754 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; she was christened on 8 October 1754; she married John TILLIER, son of William TILLIER and Martha GRIGGS, circa 1775; she died circa 1793 at Seneca Co, New York.

Rebecca Stout was born circa 1731 at Somerset Co, New Jersey. She died circa 1794.

The nine known children of Hendrick SORTORE and Rebecca STOUT were as follows:

20 i. Henry SORTORE was also known as Hendrick SORTORE; he was also known as Henrick SORTORE; he was born on 5 July 1758 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Charity STOUT, daughter of Nathaniel STOUT and Charity STOUT, on 25 October 1780 at Hopewell, Mercer Co, New Jersey; he died on 18 December 1823 at Friendship, Allegany Co, New York, at age 65; he was buried at Allegany Co, New York. He performed military service between 1776 and 1783 during the Revolutionary War. He enlisted and served six months each year from 1776 to 1781 or 1783 for a total of more than three years. He was a private under the command of Captains Duryea, Polhemus, Bayard, Weeler and others, as well as Colonels Van Dyke and Frelinghuysen. He was at the battle of White Plains, crossed the Delaware, and was with Washington at Valley Forge. He appeared on the census of 1793 at Somerset Co, New Jersey, Western Precinct. He resided in 1800 at Ovid, Seneca Co, New York. On on 24 January 1800 Henry Sortore of Montgomery Township, skillman, purchased a lot from John Stout; witnessed by Jonathon Brook, John Tillyer and Hendrick Van Zand. On on 24 February 1800 Henry Sortore of the Western Precinct of the County of Somerset and Eastern Division of the State of New Jeresy and Charity his wife, sold a lot of land to John Clikaner and his wife Mable; witnessed by Safety Stout and John Brinson. On on 12 January 1801 Henry Sortore of Montgomery Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, farmer, and Charity, his wife, sold a lot of land to Jacob Young, son of Jacob Young of Hunterdon County, New Jersey.
21 ii. Mary SORTORE was born on 10 January 1760 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; she married John WEART before 1780; she married Johnathon HUNT on 23 October 1780.
22 iii. George SORTORE was born on 24 March 1761 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; he died on 15 June 1763 at age 2.
23 iv. Amelia (Amy) SORTORE was born on 9 June 1763 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; she married Isaac BLUE, son of Frederick BLAW and Jane NEVIUS, circa 1779; she married Isaac BLUE, son of Frederick BLAW and Jane NEVIUS, on 28 May 1780; she died on 6 February 1844 at Ovid, Seneca Co, New York, at age 80; she was buried at Gospel Lot Cemetery, Ovid, Seneca Co, New York.
24 v. George SORTOR was born on 29 September 1765 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Naomi COMSTOCK circa 1787; he married Catherine FISHER circa 1815; he died on 14 April 1851 at Raisinville, Monroe Co, Michigan, at age 85; he was buried at King Cemetery, Monroe, Monroe Co, Michigan. He performed military service between 1776 and 1778 during the Revolutionary War. He resided circa 1801 at Ovid, Seneca Co, New York.
25 vi. Jacob SORTORE was born circa 1767 at Somerset Co, New Jersey.
26 vii. Daniel SORTORE was born circa 1769 at Somerset Co, New Jersey.
27 viii. Jessee SORTORE was born on 1 May 1773 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Mary (--?--) circa 1793; he married Polly WILSON circa 1796.
28 ix. Elisha SORTORE was born on 8 July 1776 at Montgomery Twp, Somerset Co, New Jersey; he married Margaret Peggy CONOVER, daughter of Harmon CONOVER and Phoebe BAILEY, on 15 April 1799 at Philadelphia, Philadelphia Co, Pennsylvania; he died on 20 October 1818 at Belmont, Allegany Co, New York, at age 42 The record of his death in the family Bible reads as follows: 'Elisha Sortore departed this life on Wednesday at the going down of the sun, October 20 in the year of our Lord 1818'; he was buried at Windus Cemetery, Belmont, Allegany Co, New York. Elisha moved to New York in 1814 first going to Ovid, Seneca Co and later to Seneca Falls. Elisha, being the pioneer, heard of the Genessee Valley which was covered with a massive growth of timber of considerable value, decided to move on to this new land. In 1815 they came to the then new area of Amity, Belmont Co, New York. Elisha and his family made their journey from Seneca Falls in a cart drawn by a yoke of oxen with their few possesions. William the eldest son made the trip on horseback and Jessee the youngest was but a year old at the time. Once there they first built a log cabin on the banks of the Genessee River. The stone door step of this first home is still in place. Unfortunately Elisha died just two years after his arrival in the Genessee Valley.

4. Katherine SORTORE (Jacob) was born circa 1723? at Germany; she married Jacob VASTBINDER circa 1748.

Jacob Vastbinder was born circa 1723 at Bendorf, Germany.

The three known children of Katherine SORTORE and Jacob VASTBINDER were as follows:

29 i. Philip VASTBINDER was born on 6 January 1749 at Sussex Co, New Jersey; he married Ruth (--?--) circa 1776; he married Sarah EVERETT after 1 September 1797, They were married after this date as this is the date of death for Philip's first wife; he died on 16 May 1810 at Hardwick Twp, Sussex Co, New Jersey, at age 61.
30 ii. Adam VASTBINDER was born circa 1750?; he married Elizabeth (--?--) circa 1770; he was buried at Pine Creek Twp, Jefferson Co, Pennsylvania. Adam settled in Pittsburgh/Brookfield, PA.
31 iii. Ephriam VASTBINDER was born circa 1751. He resided circa 1790 at Lancaster, Lancaster Co, Pennsylvania, This was Ephriam's last known residence.

6. Jacob SORTORE (Jacob) was born circa 1730; he married Maria DORLANDT, daughter of Lammert DORLANDT and Engeltje (--?--), circa 1761 at Somerset Co, New Jersey; he died circa 1820 at Kentucky.

This Jacob Sortore is probably the son of Jacob Sortore the immigrant. While there is no documented connection, the probable year of his birth and the names of his children leads to the conclusion that this is the relationship. This family held membership in the same church as other Sortore's. Jacob is listed on the Baptismal records of his children as Yacob Salter.

Maria Dorlandt was born circa 1742. She was baptized on 14 January 1743 at Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church, Harlingen, New Jersey. She died circa 1810 at Mercer Co, Kentucky.

The twelve known children of Jacob SORTORE and Maria DORLANDT were as follows:

32 i. Dinah SORTORE was baptized on 27 June 1762 at Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church, Harlingen, New Jersey, Dinah was lised as Dyna on her Baptismal record; she married John BREWER on 9 December 1793 at Mercer Co, Kentucky, Bondsman listed is Lambert Sortore; she died circa 1805 at Mercer Co, Kentucky.
33 ii. Hendrick SORTORE was baptized on 15 July 1764 at Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church, Harlingen, New Jersey; he married Epenetus (--?--).
34 iii. Lambert SORTORE was baptized on 25 May 1766 at Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church, Harlingen, New Jersey; he married Jenny BALLENTINE on 17 June 1796, bondsman listed is John Sortore.
35 iv. Catharine SORTORE was baptized on 6 October 1768 at Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church, Harlingen, New Jersey.
36 v. John SORTORE was baptized on 21 August 1771 at Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church, Harlingen, New Jersey, John is listed in his Baptismal record as Hannis; he married Sarah GRICKSON on 3 August 1793; he died after 3 August 1793 at Nelson Co, Kentucky.
37 vi. Garret SORTORE was baptized on 23 February 1774 at Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church, Harlingen, New Jersey.
38 vii. Maregarita Peggy SORTORE was baptized on 14 April 1776 at Harlingen Dutch Reformed Church, Harlingen, New Jersey; she married Jesse KINSEY on 19 December 1803; she died in September 1840 at Washington Co, Kentucky, at age 64.
39 viii. Hezekiah SORTORE was born circa 1778; he married Polly HOUSE on 11 August 1799, Bondsman listed is John House; he died circa 1806 at Mercer Co, Kentucky.
40 ix. Polly SORTORE was born circa 1780; she married Henry BANTA on 9 October 1807.
41 x. Catherine SORTORE was born on 22 October 1783 at Montgomery Twp, Somerset Co, New Jersey, There is most probably two daughters of Jacob and Maria SORTORE named Catherine. The Catherine who was baptized in 1768 would have been much too old to have had children with James WESTERFIELD as their birth dates show. Also according to Georia and Wilbert TUCK there is a record in Kentucky which states the birth date for Catherine as 1783. This big a difference in birth years also leads one to conclude that there were two children of Jacob and Maria of this name; she and James Cozine WESTERFIELD obtained a marriage license on 9 December 1801 bondsman listed is Peter Banta; she married James Cozine WESTERFIELD, son of Jacobus WESTERFIELD and Ufmey COZINE, on 13 December 1801 at Mercer Co, Kentucky; she died on 28 June 1842 at Mercer Co, Kentucky, at age 58; she was buried at Westerfield-Prewitt Family Grave Yard, Dry Branch Road, Mercer Co, Kentucky. The location of the graveyard in 1964 was on a farm owned by Mr. Alpha Patterson. The date of death on the tombstone is illegible.
42 xi. Jacob SORTORE was born circa 1784 at New Jersey; he married Rachel HARDINBROOK on 9 September 1811 at Marion Co, Indiana; he died on 21 January 1851 at Marion or Boone Co, Indiana; he was buried at Pitzer Cemetery, Eagle Twp, Boone Co, Indiana. He appeared on the census of 1820 at Mercer Co, Kentucky.
43 xii. Frederic SORTORE was born circa 1785.

Printed on: 03 Oct 1996

Down load this same narative with all sources and index codes in Word for Windows format here.

Home | Cheyenne Genealogy | Cook Family Genealogy | TMG | Dawson Co. GenWeb
Top of Page
Optimized for Netscape.
Photographs and text copyright © 2001-2003 Timothy D. Cook. All rights reserved.
Comments and questions contact me.