The following is from the book by Alonzo Foster, pages 66 to 69:
RECORD OF THE PENNY FAMILY
JOSEPH PENNY was born at Aquebogue, in the town of Riverhead, Suffolk County, N.Y., in the year 1768, and died April 15, 1845.
He removed to Red Creek, in the town of Southampton, about the year 1789, where he resided until his death. He married Deborah Squires in the year 1789. After his death his son Manassah took charge of the homestead, and remained there until the year 1858, when he removed with his family to Illinois. His mother, Deborah Penny, accompanied him, and remained an inmate of his home until her death, November 14, 1859, being ninety-two years old.
Of the early history of the Penny family we have been unable to gather much authentic information. They seem to have been among the early settlers of the eastern part of Long Island, and a hardy and long-lived stock. According to the best information they originally came from Wales.
Joseph Penny was a man of a mild and gentle disposition: he was particularly fond of children -- a characteristic which seems to have been transmitted to his descendants. He was deeply pious and was for many years an elder in the Presbyterian Church; his house at Red Creek was a transient headquarters for the ministerial brethren, not only of the Presbyterian denomination, but for others as well, for while he was a loyal son of his own church, he was nevertheless too liberal to withhold a warm welcome from any of God's people.
Toward the latter end of his life he became totally blind; but the light of a steadfast Christian faith never faded from his heart, and amid the darkness of his old age he ever retained that gentle cheerfulness that characterized his earlier life.
By patient industry he succeeded in clearing and preparing for cultivation a farm of more than thirty acres: but owning to the lightness of the soil it did not return a rich recompense for the labor bestowed upon it. He was, however, a prosperous farmer for those early times, and left behind him a substantial property.
For many years after his death the old homestead at Red Creek was the "Mecca" where children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren frequently gathered, and which will ever be hallowed by delightful memories.
DEBORAH PENNY was in many respects unlike her husband. Of exceeding slight physique, she nevertheless possessed remarkable vigor, both of mind and body; and while she had all the religious fervor of her husband, the strength and force of her character qualified her to stand beside him as a true helpmeet, and in many instances serve as a discreet and wise counselor. She outlived her husband by many years, and remained the same energetic, large hearted, loving woman to the last day of her life.
Children of Joseph and Deborah Penny:
|
Deborah |
Born Dec. 21, 1790 |
Died Jan. 8, 1877 |
|
Joseph |
Born Aug. 26, 1791 |
Died Nov. 1, 1859 |
|
Mary |
Born June 25, 1793 |
Died May 13, 1888 |
|
Phebe |
Born May 6, 1795 |
Died Oct. 25, 1881 |
|
Harvey |
Born June--, 1797 |
Died Feb. 22, 1865 |
|
Hannah |
Born Feb. 24, 1799 |
Died Oct. 18, 1881 |
|
Millie M. |
Born Apr. 28, 1801 |
Died Apr. 13, 1889 |
|
Nathan |
Born Jan. 22, 1804 |
Died Nov. 6, 1880 |
|
Manassah |
Born -- --, 1805 |
Died -- --,1892 |
|
Austin |
Born May 27, 1807 |
Died Feb. 25, 1890 |
|
Esther A. |
Born May -- --, 1809 |
Died May 11, 1885 |
|
Lodewick |
Died in childhood. |
|
|
Frances |
Born May 18, 1814 |
Died Jan. 11, 1892 |
FAMILY RECORD OF DEBORAH PENNY.
Married John Edwards Jan. 21, 1814
Children of John and Deborah Edwards:
|
Deborah C. Edwards |
Married R. Topping |
|
Joseph A. Edwards |
Married Caroline Snooks |
|
Mary J. Edwards |
Married Henry Tuthill |
|
Lodowick H. Edwards |
Married Lucy Avory |
|
Frances S. Edwards |
Married Atwater Hale |
|
Hannah Edwards |
Married William White |
|
Charlotte M. Edwards |
Married Samuel Polley |
|
John P. Edwards |
|
|
Austin Edwards |
|
|
Henrietta Edwards |
Married Charles Douglas |
FAMILY RECORD OF JOSEPH PENNY, JR.
Married Harmony Squires -- --, 1813.
Children of Joseph and Harmony Penny:
|
Hiram S. Penny (See page 83). |
|
|
Miranda Penny |
Married Madison Young |
|
George G. Penny |
Married Esther S. Havens |
|
Harmy H. Penny (dec'd). |
|
|
Maria L. Penny (dec'd). |
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